Two-Minute Briefing

NEWS

Road Infrastructure to Suffer Setback as Govt Budgets Zero Allocation to FERMA Nigerians who expect road infrastructure to improve this year may have to perish the thought as the federal government has budgeted paltry N11.2 billion as the capital allocation to the Ministry of Works. Page 8

EDITORIAL

The Ekiti Election Tape Saga When the audio clip of a meeting allegedly held between some politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a Brigadier General in the Nigeria Army on the eve of last year’s Ekiti State gubernatorial election first came out, many people had their doubts. Page 15

POLITICS

Resting the Eligibility Question Until the Supreme Court decides otherwise, it has now been established albeit temporarily that President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest this month’s presidential election and run his two terms of eight years having completed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s tenure. Page 16

FEATURES

A Trust for the Future Her story is fairly interesting, but quite pathetic. To be sure, her story might sound incredible to many out there. Like thousands of graduates still searching for jobs after years of leaving the four walls of classrooms, Favour Michael had been at home for at least six years. Page 20

BUSINESS

Nigeria, Angola, Ghana to Account for 87% of Subsea Market Despite the slump in crude oil prices, projects in West Africa will largely continue to fuel Africa’s subsea demand, with Nigeria, Angola and Ghana projected to account for  per cent of West African capital expenditure (capex) demand... Page 23

PROPERTY

Lagos to Partner Private Companies for Portable Water Management The Lagos State Government has a master-plan for the production and distribution of treated water to every household and building in the state. Page 36

INTERNATIONAL

South Sudanese Peace Talks Fail Sudanese Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, said yesterday that the South Sudan’s warring parties have failed to reach a breakthrough in the peace talks... Page G

SPORTS

All-conquering Team Nigerian Athletes Back from Ethiopia Nigeria’s all conquering team to the just ended 12th African Junior Athletics Championship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia returned home yesterday morning with promises to better the performance that has made the country the undisputable leader at the junior cadre in the continent. Page 53