When the news of the illegal diversion of the funds meant for purchase of arms and ammunition to fight terrorism in Nigeria broke, I made a solemn pledge to myself not to run any commentary on it. Unfortunately, I had been called out by friends many times to give an opinion on what has now turned out to be a monumental fraud. To be honest the urge to contribute far outweighed the restraint I put on myself.

A messianic prophecy came from Micah: “Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2). Who exactly, or what, is Bethlehem Ephratah?

With the judiciary already handling allegations by the present Federal Government that a huge portion of the funds for fighting insurgency was diverted by its predecessor, the subject is hardly ripe for comments by columnists who appreciate the rule of law. In the meantime however, there are a number of instructive statements in the public domain which we cannot ignore. A good example of such statements is the one credited to Dr. Peter Odili, a former governor of Rivers State.

Five days from now, it would be Christmas once again, an indication of the cyclic nature of time. As usual with the weeks and days leading up to it, preparations for the celebrations are gathering momentum in all the nooks and crannies of the globe. In the major cities of Nigeria, Santa Claus’s white-bearded cheery face is emblazoned at shop entrances and windows.

You must have heard of a very knowledgeable people who woke up one day and, in their great wisdom, declared that Nigerians were the happiest people in the world. Of course, it was not added that they were of Nigerian stock. They must have come to that fabulous estimation during a festive period like Christmas when almost everybody has something to dance about, and Nigerians will dance at the drop of a pin.