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).

Perhaps the Federal Government has been very lucky to have taken many Nigerians, especially the commentators on current affairs on a jolly ride either by share deceit or clever maneuvers.

IT is happy news that the dispute on the ‘removal of subsidy‘ between the Federal Government and the organized Labour and Civil Society has ended somehow after the President‘s address to the nation and the reduction of pump price of petrol from N141 to N97. Although Labour said that the new price of N97 was a unilateral action by the government, it was magnanimous enough to call off the strike and the mass protests.

AS Nigerians celebrated the New Year with joy and gratitude, even in the midst of security threats, they still think seriously about the unresolved economic and political problems of the past year…

MANY people often wonder why Nigeria is still being considered a poor country in spite of the abundance of human, material and mineral resources. Some still regard the abundance of oil as a curse rather than an economic advantage.

DEMOCRACY, as a concept would be described as a government of the people, for the people and for the people. It was invented by the Greeks to find a way for people to be governed by their own people for the common good. Thus, democracy could be accepted as one of the best ways to govern a community.

IN Nigeria, the idea of ‘divine intervention‘ is no news to many people who believe that God is a Nigerian because of His many mercies during period of crisis or troubles.

MANY theories are associated with both economic and political developments in many developing countries, especially in Africa. Most development plans follow their European counterparts in formulation and execution.

MANY theories are associated with both economic and political developments in many developing countries, especially in Africa. Most development plans follow their European counterparts in formulation and execution.

Many friends have asked me whether a state of full employment is feasible in a country with no strong industrial base or a pool of skilled workers wanting to be employed. Many analysts doubt the claim of politicians who promise economic growth with full employment but without inflation.

It appears as if the present Federal Government takes measurable delight in heightening the tension of the nation at the crucial time. At the time many Nigerians are expecting the National Assembly to be flooded with bills to create employment through infrastructural developments; the nation is being treated to a game of football with a no score result being celebrated by teams which lack creative strikers.