THE reaction of the Nigerian Government, as indeed many governments in Africa on the secession of Southern Sudan was muted. They did not want to be seen supporting the breakup of an African country when they themselves are also vulnerable. But the results of the independence referendum released this week should have put paid to that.

PLEASE, do not ask me what political party any politician belongs, I frankly may not know. In this season of primaries, many politicians change parties like the chameleon changes its colours. The problem is not with the politicians; it is the effect of climate change.

THE peoples’ hurricane which swept ferociously through Tunisia making the 25-year presidency of General Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali history, made a strong landing in Egypt on Tuesday, January 25.Its ferocious nature and intensity shocked not just the repressive Egyptian presidency but also the demonstrators themselves.

SENATOR Saminu Turaki was a promising politician in 1999 when he became governor of Jigawa State. He later claimed to have transformed the state into a digital revolution.

IT was a reverse flight: While Tunisian General, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was fleeing his country after a quarter of a century dictatorship, former Haitian dictator, Claude Duvalier alias Baby Doc was returning after 25 years in exile.

IF the message at a convention is fundamental, then I was surprised that as many as 805 delegates at last Thursday’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries voted for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. That left President Goodluck Jonathan with 2,703 votes and Mrs Sarah Jibril with one.

A WOMAN in Texas, United States (US)and her male companion were in November 1979 robbed by two Black men. A month later, Cornelius Dupree Jr, a 21-year old Black man was arrested because to the police his description fitted that of a suspect in another rape case.

IN this season of politics and bountiful harvests, many political giants are becoming political orphans who are in need of shelter. Better put, they are becoming political nomads wandering the landscape in search of better pastures.

IN the old Western movies, there were usually the ‘good men’ who were on the side of the law or justice. On the other hand were the ‘bad men’ who were usually outlaws.

FOR many in my generation, Labour was synonymous with Hassan Adebayo Sunmonu who became the founding president of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) in February 1978.

AS Africans, we face lots of challenges in the new year. But the womb of 2011 also carries what the scan shows as the continent’s newest baby: the independent Republic of Southern Sudan. A January 9, 2011 referendum is expected to give birth to the new baby which would be weaned as a separate country six months later.

MOST of our leaders have risen in one voice to shower encomiums on departed nationalist and warrior of the people, Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro, but I doubt if one percent of this crowd bordered to understand him. Still fewer read or appreciated his ideas but would not want them implemented.

THIS has been quite an engaging year. It is one I am tempted to call the Year Of The Miners in appreciation of the Chilean miners who emerged after been buried seven hundred metres in the earth’s bowels. Their rescue was a miracle enacted by human ingenuity and the blessing of The Almighty.

AT the beginning of 1990, things were pretty bad for the country; it was reeling under directionless military dictatorship. Some Nigerians like Tanko Yakassai, Uche Chukwumerije, R B K Okafor, Frederick Fasehun, Beko Ransome-Kuti and Mahmud Waziri were convinced that something needed to be done fast to save the country from the rapacious military and possible disintegration.

RICHARD Dick Cheney the immediate past Vice President of the United States (US) is an international crook who should be in jail in his country, Iraq, Netherlands, Afghanistan, Britain, Azerbaijan or in Nigeria where last week, a sixteen-count charge was filed against him. But unfortunately, the scales of justice are not balanced, so he will escape justice with his loot.