LAST week, I recalled an article written in 2002 from my book entitled THE AGENDA. The conclusion was that any government wishing to pursue a policy of FULL EMPLOYMENT should embark on massive public works – activities which would stimulate effective demand. The mechanism would be through a budget deficit that is, spending more than the normal income generated during the period.

AS morning shows the day, it has virtually become the tradition of this column to review its injunctions to elected officials at the beginning of each new government.

IN my column of Thursday, June 24, 2011, entitled “Boko Haram: Even with the bombings, there is no alternative to dialogue”, I had criticised Ochereome Nnanna’s call for an “iron fist” to deal with the problem of Boko Haram. He was “petrified” that government opted for a ‘carrot and stick’ approach to the problem.

AFTER many months of costly hesitancy and apparent confusion, the Federal Government has deployed the military forces against the Boko Haram insurgents troubling the nation’s north eastern frontier. The expedition, codenamed Operation Restore Order, ORO, being conducted by the usual Joint Task Force, JTF, has swung into action in Maiduguri, and Army sources have promised to quickly crush the Islamic terrorists.

My father was, however, not a uniform wearing police officer or, rather he did wear the police uniform for a relatively short period. Most times he wore uniform but only to be photographed on attainment of a new rank. In the three decades or so he spent in the Force he worked in the inner sanctum of the investigative arm of the Nigeria Police at Alagbon Close in Ikoyi, Lagos.

After the Kafanchan riot in 1987 following the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference), the editors of Thisweek magazine decided to go beyond reporting the crisis and get a deeper understanding of the cause. Editors were dispatched to various parts of the North. I was dispatched to Sokoto.

I remember that immediately after the Kaduna festival, I wrote on the madness that trails the publication of medals tables.

It started as one of those normal rumours, especially on the various discussion forums of the Internet. I did not believe it until I actually saw the former Managing Director of the World Bank, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (NOI) gracefully prancing down the steps to take up her place on the podium for screening as minister on the floor of the Senate last Wednesday. Then, I reconfirmed to myself that this lady truly loves Nigeria.

The charming African Queen at the World Bank is set to take another bite at the pie with her successful screening at the Senate last week.

The most difficult decision people sometimes have to make is not between “totally right” and “absolutely wrong.” However, the individual determines what is “right” or “wrong,” anybody who can be regarded as well-adjusted and who is not corrupted or under duress can generally decide to support the “right” and resist the “wrong.” The most difficult choices involve two “rights” or two “wrongs.”

Rochas Okorocha, recently elected governor of Imo State, still has his head in some cloud where he lives as some military-imperator. This is apparent from some of his key actions and declarations since his election in May.

Since Nigerians are unwilling to engage in radical, non-violent, socio-political praxis, members of the ruling elite assume that the people can endure anything, provided they manage to eke out a miserable living.

Professor Grace Alele-Williams is ever positively in our thoughts not only for her invaluable services to the University of Benin as Vice-Chancellor but also for her series of publications many years earlier, on ‘Mathematics Made Easy’. The publications we must confess rescued many of us from the burden of poor performance in examinations which in our days had mathematics as a compulsory subject.

We’ll be safe to presume that those who accused the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido, of not ‘properly consulting’ the Christian community before introducing Islamic banking are not by any stretch of the imagination contesting the legality of his actions. He should only have ‘properly consulted’ before doing so.

A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State and a Life Bencher, indefatigable Mrs.Hairat Aderinsola Balogun, OON, is always a delight to listen to. She was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in the U.K. at 21, and she’s made giant strides since then in her beloved profession. Little wonder, she is set to formally present her latest book, ”To Serve in Truth & Justice,” barely a few months after presenting ”Women in the Law,” a historical research book about women lawyers in the country. Vista Woman had a chat with her about this new book, her law memoirs, which will be presented to the public this week in Lagos at the Metropolitan Club.