The recent decamping by Zamfara state governor Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi from ANPP to PDP have once again raised the dust on the morality of politicians switching parties, which most political analysts view as self-preservation and furthering of self interest in the political arena. The decamping bug seems to have sting the opposition ANPP more presently and there are speculations that the remaining ANPP governors may soon decamp to the ruling PDP.

An industrialist and also avid reader of this column recently asked me if he should believe the assurances by the Governor of the Central Bank; and the just inaugurated Presidential Economic Team that naira rate of exchange will improve favourably below its current lowly official rate of about N150/$1. My answer would help the industrialist make his decision whether or not to commit to his pending import order for raw materials to feed his factory.

In August 2007, President Yar'Adua shot down the Central Bank’s proposed Strategic Agenda for the Naira (SAN) on the grounds that the Presidency was excluded from its conception. In spite of the announcement that an adhoc economic team had been constituted to reevaluate the proposal, nothing more was heard of the verdict of government’s economic experts.

Disappointedly as it were, discrimination against women in Nigeria still exists in a large proportion, considering the debilitating occurrences in which women as victims appear to be at the centre stage. However, humanism as a branch of philosophy posits the equality and dignity of all humans. It further advocates the dethronement of all forms of discrimination, oppression or subjugation in its entirety.

Most Nigerians, even those in position of authority do admit that things are not right. Even with abundant human and natural resources , poverty, illiteracy ,corruption, lack of adequate social amenities just to mention a few are some of the features all over the country. Problems bedeviling Nigeria and Nigerians have made every Nigerian with exception of those in authority to become critics without the sincerity of providing alternative solution and the attempt to put things in order.

God bless Uncle Ebenezer Babatope and Pastor Ade Okonrende. Both men taught me the importance of forgiveness, which has greatly influenced the course of my life. One may not wholly agree with Babatope’s viewpoint, but he was the first person I approached sfter being promoted Assistant Editor (Politics) in 2001. My pilgrimage to his NUJ Lighthouse office in Victoria Island, Lagos was to understand the problems with the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.

It is no more news that the Federal Government has orders the National Institute of Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to release the certificate of graduation of the institute to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu former boss of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). What is therefore the news is the alleged corrupt practices by Ribadu while he was the boss of the anti-corruption body.

It is no more news that the Federal Government has orders the National Institute of Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to release the certificate of graduation of the institute to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu former boss of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). What is therefore the news is the alleged corrupt practices by Ribadu while he was the boss of the anti-corruption body.

Over the years women have been relegated to the background in issues of the overall development especially in the developing nations like Nigeria. This is borne out of the sentimental attachment on feminine gender. Historical evidences are available to prove that the Nigerian women have for long been playing crucial role in political life of the country, and this has contributed in no small measure in shaping the political system of the nation.

The euphoria of great expectations of the Niger Delta Summit had come and gone, but its memoir had not been forgotten especially as it was marred by controversy over its leadership. It was widely speculated that the appointment of Prof. Gambari as the Chairman of the steering Committee never represents the interest of the people of the region. This metamorphosed into setting up a 45-man Technical Committee led by Ledum Mitee to collate all the reports and filter a workable sketch for the region..