Last week I argued that we cannot abandon our world to misanthropes in the guise of religious fundamentalists, despite the real dangers associated with criticism of religious dogmas, because doing so would imperil human civilisation. This time around, in consonance with my conviction that columnists must help spread enlightenment especially about religion among the reading public, I undertake, in the following series of essays, to lay the ground for atheism.

Where were you in 1960? That is fifty-two years ago, the year of Nigeria’s independence, and what should be considered a memorable year, in any event. It was on the first day in the month of October, and the anniversary is actually in two days’ time, which brings it to the first burner at this time.

We are in difficult times as a nation. We are getting deeper and deeper into the abyss of inaction and poor rendition of leadership essentials. It is becoming humiliating and shameful to some of us seeing the level Nigeria has plunged into. The transformation mantra that heralded this administration has since plummeted and the fresh air that was promised has since become a hollow ritual.

Two close friends of mine who are senior members of the ruling PDP, got caught in the face-off between Arik Airline and the FAAN last weekend. One, a Senator in the last dispensation, spent the entire day at the airport in an ordeal that started a day earlier when he had to queue up for over an hour to purchase an airline ticket, only to be told some two hours later, that the flight had been cancelled.

Another independence day is here. Nigeria is 52 years old. So far,can we say truthfully that we are happy where we are?

It has been observed that no single day has passed without reference being made to the President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan either in one critical form or the other.

I was in Liberia and I saw the Eagles play 2-2 with the Lone Star in Monrovia. When I watch a game I celebrate goals but I lay emphasis on performance. I try to analyse the performance of the players individually and as a team.

Fresh facts that will guarantee the restoration of Bakassi Peninsula to Nigeria have been abundantly established.

This stammerer in our little village, Oghada, woke up one morning and burst into tears, unwittingly coming up with what later became a song in the village: “Oghada come, come and see, come and see that a lame man has run faster than me”.

I think that deep down, those who rule Nigerian would rather they had on their hands the peace of the graveyard, where rulers do as they pleased and citizens are subjects.

JUST about everything that should be said about the illness and absence of Dame Patience Jonathan has been said. Her aides and Presidential spokesmen have been accused of lying, deception, cover-up, insensitivity and irresponsibility over her whereabouts and illness.

“ You again. I wish it was that easy. A lot of people just turn deaf ears. They are not interested whether you are doing well or not. Theirs is just to get you out. ..How now, was surprised when I heard that you called. Hope all is well? Are you in Nigeria?”

Reading Dr. Jide Oluwajuyitan’s column in The Nation newspaper of September 13, 2012 aroused again in me an idea I have been nursing for a long time now.

THE Vanguard of Monday July 30, 2012 carries an alarm on its front page titled: “State of insecurity: Nigeria must not break up OBJ, IBB warn”.

Fresh facts that will guarantee the restoration of Bakassi Peninsula to Nigeria have been abundantly established. Vanguard Newspapers has shouted itself hoarse over the past two weeks with these facts backed up with informed opinions from a variety of well-meaning Nigerians, calling upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to take action and reopen this case at the International Court of Justice, ICJ, before the 10-year window closes forever on October 10, 2012.