2012 is finally coming to an end in a few days and globally, this is usually a stocktaking session for governments, individuals as well as business enterprises. In Nigeria, the economy still remains in the doldrums. Fuel subsidy scandal, poor budget implementation and corruption scandals were some of the events that shaped the economy. Although there is no official statistics yet on the actual performance of the economy for this fiscal year, the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has turned out to be a rope of sand. Despite all the mouth-watering promises by the administration, there is hardly any improvement in the living standard of the people. On the political front, the democratic space has been largely dominated by power struggle between the main opposition and the ruling party.

Some of the state actors that shaped the outgoing year include: President Goodluck Jonathan, Attairu Jega, Olusegun Mimiko, Adams Oshiomhole, Okonjo-Iweala, Farouk Lawan, Sanusi Lamido, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Aminu Tambuwal, Allison Madueke, Stella Oduah, David Mark, Ahmed Tinubu, Wamako and Idris Wada.

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has been applauded for his effort at consolidating democratic governance through the conduct of credible elections. While it was the usual practice in the past for the ruling party to deploy federal might to prosecute and win elections, the present administration made good its promise not to interfere in the affairs of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In this regard, Ondo and Edo states’ governorship election are good reference points. In Edo State, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) emerged victorious in the election beating the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Also in Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko emerged the winner of the keenly contested governorship election in the state. This is seen as a plus to the Jonathan administration.

Attahiru Jega

In the same way, the credibility of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, soared significantly further with the successful conduct of Ondo, Edo, Kogi and Adamawa states’ governorship election. Apart from that, he deregistered some political parties for lack of visibility which is still causing controversy among the stakeholders even though majority believe the action of the INEC boss is in order.

See The Full List Here: http:///rA8U

Melissa Nelson a dental assistant and mother of two has been sacked for being “too irresistible”.

Melissa Nelson, who has worked as a dental assistant for 10 years, was also accused of threatening her employer’s marriage, according to Good Morning America.

Over the weekend the Iowa State Supreme Court ruled that Mrs Nelson’s boss James Knight was within his legal rights to fire her.

Good Morning America reports that the pair had never been in a sexual relationship nor sought one. But the court was told that in the final year of Mrs Nelson’s employment, Dr Knight began to make comments about her clothing being too tight or distracting.

“I think it is completely wrong,” Mrs Nelson, 32, said. “I think it is sending a message that men can do whatever they want in the work force.

“I was very surprised after working so many years side by side I didn’t have any idea that that would have crossed his mind.”

But Dr Knight’s attorney said Mrs Nelson was never terminated because of her gender.

Source: http:///rA3O

A Naval helicopter carrying the governor of Kaduna state, Patrick Yakowa, and former National Security Adviser (NSA) Andrew Owoye Azazi and several aides who were attending the burial of the father of presidential aide Oronto Douglas has crashed today in Bayelsa state, anreliable source has told Nigerianinfo. Reports says there are no survivors.

Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi, a retired military general who served as chief security adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, were among passengers in the ill-fated helicopter.

Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) had earlier indicated that the agency had activated a search for a crashed helicopter.

Source: http:///qlqV

Wow.. this is wonderful!!!