One of the topical issues of the previous week was the refusal of Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to swear-in one of the newly appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal. The CJN reportedly based her decision on a petition alleging that the Judge concerned, Justice Jumbo-Ofo did not deserve the appointment on the grounds of State of origin. Many commentators especially politicians have loudly and publicly chastised the CJN for the decision. I disagree with them and commend the CJN for living up to her hard earned reputation.

Today’s article was originally intended for publication last week but was for sensitivity sake, shelved because of the plane crash involving Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State. Thank God the Governor and his entire entourage survived and are now receiving medical attention. But is it not too early now to put up the same article?

Each time Nigerians grumble over the failure of successive governments to provide them with electricity, government officials are quick at pointing out that Nigerians are impatient adding that ours is a nation seeking to enjoy within a few years in existence what the developed countries got after hundreds of years.

24 hours to the assumption of office of Justice Aloma Muktar as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), this column opined that it would be difficult to stop justice for sale in Nigeria. Some readers may have at the time felt that such a ‘pessimistic’ piece on the eve of a new era was not fair. They have a point especially against the backdrop of Aloma’s personal sterling qualities.

On September 19, 2012, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega announced that his commission had commenced the printing of 40 million permanent voters’ cards. The cards would contain security features such as barcode, hologram, micro text, fingerprints, contactless/embedded chip with printed voter details and photograph. Another set of 30 million cards according to Jega would be ready by 2013.

History records that in 1929, a massive riot against colonial maladministration was held in Aba. The protesters had many grudges.

In a typical society, the maintenance of law and order which may involve a drastic crackdown on some elements in the society is essentially a civil matter. It is not expected to involve the military; hence most countries hardly call out their military to deal with such matters that are clearly less than war. It used to be so in Nigeria as every infraction was usually left for the police to handle.

Exactly a week ago, I had the privilege of attending a unique ceremony back home in my community of 3 villages. It was an interesting home coming event as many of us in diaspora were in attendance. One of the big guests happened to be a former legislator.

Going by the frequency of debates in Nigeria, arguing back and forth over an issue is now a visible aspect of the nation’s culture. Not long ago, those in favour or against the introduction of Islamic Banking shouted themselves hoarse over its desirability or otherwise.

At the beginning of a venture, certain persons who show ample brightness sometimes end up badly thereby losing the accolades they had received.