First, permit me to express deep regrets at my inability to welcome you personally to that classless state of gerontocracy that does not distinguish between the sexes, between pauper and plutocrat, between governors and ex-governors, between presidents and ex-presidents. That state is, of course, varied. There are entrants and occupants who fantasise that they are what they once were and delude themselves that they will remain such for eternity. On the other side are those who are blissfully content that they have been given the opportunity to contribute to humanity, who can rest confident that they acquitted themselves honorably, selflessly and productively. They move without regrets into other arena of…

Encomiums have been showered by friends and associates of the National Chairman of Action Congress (AC), Chief Bisi Akande, as he clocks 70 today. He was also honoured today at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, with the launch of a book titled Drama of Fate, written by a journalist, Mrs. Dupe Olaoye-Oshinkolu, as part of activities marking his 70th birthday. The event, which was about to kick off at press time, was attended by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was billed to present the book. The birthday lecture titled Elections and Electoral Malpractice: The Nigerian Dilemma was to be delivered by another eminent guest and Lagos State Attorney-General…