Yes my dear brother I'm very okay now. Thank you once again for your compliments, solidarity & for asking. But like I also said, this particular case apart, deleting my (& some other peoples' comments from time to time) is also what they do, including just a few weeks ago. And your remark to that effect applies. And of course if they were not doing it originally, you wouldn't have had any cause to suspect they deleted my comment. By the way your own contributions are also usually outstanding. And I love reading them too & do in fact look forward to them

I have been made to understand that The Whole Truth deleted his own reaction to Mr. Adeniyi's piece on Thursday. I wrongly accused Thisday's Editorial Board of doing the deleting. For that, I am very sorry.

I made the accusation partly because some of my own responses have equally been deleted by the Board in the past. The censoring of one commentator is the censoring of every commentator.

Sorry to hear about your health. I hope you mend well and fast. Many hot (positive) heads have withdrawn from this forum. Your contributions might be uncomfortable to the establishment, but they are informative and enriching to many of us. The standard of reportage and the general standard in the nation have gone so down that any and everyone who can supplement what is on offering is highly appreciated. Thank you for the perspective you bring.

I must apologize to Thisday's Editorial board for wrongly accusing it of deleting your post yesterday.

My dear brother thanks so much for your solidarity. In all fairness though, they didn't delete my comment this time around; I was the one who deleted it myself. They have been deleting my comments in the past. But this time around, it is I, rather than they, who deleted it. I could not articulate very well what I wanted to say well, after a few versions, & ultimately decided to delete it altogether. I never knew someone already saw it before I deleted it.

But your observation applies for the other cases in the past in which they deleted my (& others') comments, the latest being a few weeks back. As a matter of fact, I wish (& they should so wish too), that many more people comment on this page, no matter how unpleasant, because besides allowing the democratic right of self-expression, the comments enrich views here. I guess they appreciate this fact themselves, because sometimes in the past when they closed the comments section, here looked dead like a graveyard & their opinions became monotonous. I wasn't surprised when they eventually reopened it before long. And if that is the case, then they shouldn't be deleting people's comments.

That said, I want to thank you once again (as well as Owo & Nothingdoyou who supported you) for your solidarity. Of course, it is our collective rights you all are also trying to protect. Thank you!

P.S:
Meanwhile, I had taken ill not long after posting. I have been lying on the bed almost since then, without appetite for food or for news/politics. I'm just beginning to regain my strength now

Yet such characters like Dele Alake continue to parade himself as honourable minister of solid minerals !

Sadly, the ministry of Solid Minerals is one that appear to be completely ill conceived, terribly organised and consistently overseen by individuals who obviously lack the knowledge, qualification and competence to manage such responsibilities and function of the ministry . Previously it was Fayemi and now Alake. Both lacked the requisite pedigree, and for the duo it was their fast attempts at ministerial appointments . Little wonder why the mess in the mining sector and fatalities in the mines.

The federal government must halt this ugly trend immediately . The truth is the people and country can benefit well from mining if the sector is properly organised . Government must acknowledge that Nigeria lack institutional knowledge and capacity in mining . This is just as politicians are grossly incompetent and certainly lack the capabilities to head such technical ministry.

The mining sector need help urgently . First , the FG must seek and go into arrangement with foreign technical partner to develop the template for mining in Nigeria as was done for the oil sector. Next is the government to ensure that only technical competent individuals are appointed to the ministry and agencies related to solid minerals and mining . Last, is the need to ensure that applicable laws are in place to safeguard the environment and people working in the mines.

Nobody need to be buried alive at work !

This is supposed to be a democracy that allows for free expression of opinions even when those opinions are unpopular and question prevailing views. Democracies die one piece at at time – when everyone is forced to tow the official or government line; when dissension incurs exclusion. Opposite opinions should, instead, be confronted with truth and superior opinions. This practice is unbecoming of Thisday.

Not when YOU, your kinsmen in the press & beyond give the impression, & carry the campaign to ensure there is no alternative, no nation, no future & no life beyond oil!