Often, in a moment of despair, I would like to forget some salient factors in the history of Nigeria. Many times, the situation of the `Nigeria Question` would be so overwhelming in my mind that I would forget that I am a Nigerian and would want to leave the country for a while.

I have consistently advocated in this column for the adoption of common sense economic policies and sensible politics as necessary tools towards the eradication of poverty and the growth of wealth in our country. I have also been preaching the sermon of good management of the country‘s enormous economic resources for the eradication of poverty and the promotion of wealth and prosperity.

In a week dominated by bomb attacks on the offices of Nigerian Newspapers – Thisday, Sun and others and the political reactions to the statement credited to the Nigerian Security Adviser, it is tempting to conclude that the future of the country is in serious jeopardy.

I Have heard it many times and I have read in many papers that Nigeria might break up in the year 2015. Though I could not confirm the actual source to this terrible prediction, but many people have pointed to the credible American source.

RECENTLY, the state of the Nigerian economy came into focus when the Finance Minister, who also bears a grandiose appellation of Coordinating Minister, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala observed the dwindling reserves in the Excess Crude Oil Account and also, the lack of co-operation of state governors on the fortunes of the Sovereign Welfare Fund (SWF).

THE great debate is on. It has something to do with the political stability of our great country – Nigeria. Every Nigerian is expected to join in the search for that golden greatness, which has eluded the country. It may be pertinent to ask, what are we searching for?

AT this moment when the topic of ‘corruption‘ is on the lips of many Nigerians, it will be unethical for the columnists of widely read newspapers not to add a thought, however negative, to the topic of the day. The word corruption, is not new to Nigerians because it is a part of their culture and getting rich by immoral means or sourcing money by all means is an accepted norm in the country‘s daily existence.

As it is being generally said, many factors among which are insecurity and deepening poverty are pointing to the fact that Nigeria is becoming a failing state, but fortunately not a ‘failed state‘ which many enemies of Nigeria prophesied.

Last week-end, the body of Professor Samuel A. Aluko was laid to rest in Ode-Ekiti, a rustic small town – with its natural serenity yet undisturbed by the vagaries of modern life. Professor Aluko was a Professor of Economics at the University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife in Osun State.

In the last three weeks, the nation has been treated to dismal figures of poverty in many parts of Nigeria, especially in the Northern state by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figures show that about 70% of the Nigerian population live below the poverty line with income of less than $1 per day.

In an intelligent reaction to my article last week in this column titled: IS THE BREAK UP OF THIS COUNTRY INEVITABLE?, a reader, Mr. John A of Onitsha asked some pertinent questions on the likely break-up of the country; he would like to know the number of sovereign states; the agitators; the front runners or the stakeholders of these sovereign states.

A FEW weeks before the start of the unnecessary but costly Biafran war or The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), I wrote an article in the Daily Times with the caption, ‘CAN WE AFFORD TO FALL APART?‘. In my pardonable innocence, I examined the economic implications of a break_up on internal trade and movements of people.

AS a critic of the Central Bank`s tightening Monetary Policy, the latest announcement that the benchmark rate would remain unchanged at the moment is a pleasant news. After reviewing the economy in the year 2011, the Central Bank`s Monetary Policy committee has come to a sensible decision that the policy should remain unchanged.

ANY day and anytime,the question of the ‘Nigerian Condition‘ comes to mind. This is based on finding how Nigeria is where it is today among other nations of the world. Questions are often asked, and justifiably so, on why Nigeria is still a poor country in the midst of abundant human and material resources. Perhaps the answer lies within the complexity of the problems of the politics and economics of the country and the perception of the people (Philosophy).