By Ali Alkali

Sen. Aloysius Etuk, Chairman Senate Joint Committee on Establishment, States and Local Governments, probing pension management in the country has re-assured the nation that the committee will continue with its work even though the public hearing at the Senate had come to an end, saying the committee will continue the public hearing at zonal levels of the country.

Nigerian security services are considering making contact with moderate members of shadowy Islamist sect Boko Haram via “back channels”, even though explicit talks are officially ruled out, the national security adviser said on Friday.

Speaking a day after emergency meetings with President Goodluck Jonathan and top security officials in response to a spate of deadly Christmas Day bombings by the sect, National Security Adviser General Owoye Andrew Azazi told Reuters officials were looking at broadening efforts beyond pure security measures — including addressing northern economic grievances.