The year 2012 was a busy year for the visual art sector, one of the sectors in the Tourism, Culture and National Orientation ministry as it witnessed a flurry of activities from both established and emerging artists, raising hope of a thriving sector if well harnessed.

Like a thief in the night If there is one thing that the Jonathan administration has in abundance, it is its unfailing penchant for sometimes doing itself in to surprise Nigerians, particularly on New Year Day. Like a bond keeper, the administration has faithfully lived up to its billing in giving the nation regular doses of unpleasant surprises.

WITHIN minutes of meeting Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, you would notice he is impatient and wants to be in charge. His impatience with finishing things quickly has had to battle with traditional bureaucracy. There is so much to do that he fears there may not be enough time for him to complete the transformational projects for Rivers State.

I have never seen a group of pessimistic people like the average Nigerian football fan. Days to the much talked about friendly match between the Super Eagles and the Catalonian selected, they had written off the Eagles and predicted disgusting scorelines against the side Stephen Keshi is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations which begins in South Africa in about two weeks time.

It is complicated. And it would be even more complicated. Certain events happen in the life of a nation and those events change the course of history for that nation. Nigeria is no exception. For good or ill, some individuals are thrust on a nation as leaders and their actions and in-actions, consciously or sub-consciously, mould the nation’s path to greatness or otherwise.

AS the CAF deadline for the submission of team’s final 23-man list approaches, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi is “growing grey hairs” over picking his squad for the Africa Nations Cup, officials have said.

When on Friday December 7, 2012, I read the headline ‘SENATE KICKS AGAINST EXTRA 9 billion naira for Vice-President’s residence’, in one of our national dailies, I felt very frustrated and disappointed, and I began to doubt if our rulers are really aware of the myriad problems Nigeria faces, and how to combat them. Or perhaps they do know, but don’t know which are of utmost importance to the nation.

Unprecedented levels of violence and public insecurity or disorder have marred the Nigerian social space, so much indeed that Nigerians at every level now live with a siege mentality. A significant level of this state of siege is encouraged and maintained by irresponsible political leadership.

On Friday December 28, 2012, the Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada was seriously injured in an auto crash. The accident reportedly occurred at Emi Woro village in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state when one of the tyres of the governor’s official car, unexpectedly burst in motion. Wada’s aide-de-camp (ADC), Idris Muhammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), lost his life in the crash.

Babatee my car painter and the Automedics crew, especially Sly, Gbola Oba, Manager, Kunle (the Big Boss) – you ensured that my vehicle remained in top condition throughout last year, thank you very much. Fateye Asodun and Rotimi Omosulu (up and coming scholar), Jude Nwankwo, Dennis Otto, Lugard, Matthew, Igwe, Ojo, Mrs Taiwo and the non-academic staff in Philosophy – I really appreciate your assistance.

DELTA State Coordinator of FADAMA III, Mr Anthony Abanum, in this interview, speaks on how the project is redressing poverty and enhancing agrriculture in the state. He also says the recent flooding in Delta has some positive impact on the project. Excerpts:

Our culture as Africans demands that family members care for their elderly, and most families do this to the best of their ability. However, total commitment to this is declining due to pressures of everyday living and limited time and funds. Besides, our healthcare is yet to include special services for the elderly.

The past has nothing to say that can condemn my present; What is done is done; time to do new and better things. I do agree with the saying that those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it but I go a step further to make an assertion of my own.

NOTE: This was not the original article scheduled for this day. But some issues intrude on the best made plans demanding urgent response. This is one of them; especially because i am involved as you will find out. Pardon me for this. Thanks.

Some say having a girl is like tending a neighbours’ garden. This is narrow minded and condescending perspective of low sense of value placed on females in our society. This is borne out of the way people react to the arrival of the birth of a baby boy: that of jubilation and in contrast,the arrival of a baby girl is often greeted with muted commiserations from friends and family. If the truth be told, the mother is often made to feel a failure if she does not provide the family with a male and a heir.