The bad news of attack on the United Nations Building in Abuja was followed by another worse tale of deadly clashes in Jos.

The bad news of attack on the United Nations Building in Abuja was followed by another worse tale of deadly clashes in Jos. The story is the same inspite of efforts by security forces to stop the terrible acts of terrorism.

Many Nigerians and foreign friends of Nigeria have cherished common belief and conviction that with such enormous human, physical and mineral resources, Nigeria should by now be a prosperous nation. The present predicament of abject poverty for a great number of Nigerians is a national disgrace and total embarrassment to the developed world.

The pleasant news of the week is that the country‘s respected elders and some past political leaders would meet in Port Harcourt and also in Abuja, the nation‘s capital to deliberate on suitable amendments to some sections of the 1999 Constitution.

In the noble exercise of attempting to plan for the future greatness of Nigeria, perhaps it would be necessary to peep into the past and examine the present. Before the peculiar amalgamation of 1914, British military forces had already prepared ground for Lord Lugard who gave the country the name, Nigeria.

Many Nigerians would always want to discuss the economic and political position of Nigeria or what is often regarded as the ‘National Question‘. Every Nigerian adult, whether educated or not, would want to know the position of the country, as compared with other nations of the world.

MANY Nigerians, perhaps still suffering from a bout of post elections hay fever, are still confused about their present and worried about their future. Apart from the shocking deadly disturbances in some parts of the North after the elections, bombs continue to rock Abuja, the capital city with disturbing frequencies. And yet, Nigerians are hopeful.

LAST week, I recalled an article written in 2002 from my book entitled THE AGENDA. The conclusion was that any government wishing to pursue a policy of FULL EMPLOYMENT should embark on massive public works – activities which would stimulate effective demand. The mechanism would be through a budget deficit that is, spending more than the normal income generated during the period.

It is observed that since the May general election in Nigeria, events seem to have been moving fast as being expected by many patriotic citizens. The new rulers, both at the state and federal levels, have been ushered into their elevated chairs with costly dinners, sweet wines and pleasant launches to marked the beginning of a new era.

Last Sunday saw the inauguration of the President and Governors of the twenty states (some new) with joy and radiance, satisfying new hope and expected transformation. Adherents of the Christian faith would see the colorful event as ‘Baptism’- of the death of sin and the rising of hope.