Preparing for the herald of a new year in global petroleum business is typified byanalysts retreating into the crystal ball game forprice and market projections. As a lay person in crystal gazingmy first thought for 2016wasNigeriain the quagmire of global geopolitical crossfire, and moving unobtrusively into recession.

Felabrations, the activities marking the death of the music icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti were on till last weekend. Although he has been gone for almost two decades now, yet he lives on in the minds and hearts of music lovers the world over, many of whom never met him; many of whom were not even born when he was alive and performing. Such is the power of creativity; such is the value of enriching your environment with your worth that your stock continues to appreciate long after you are gone.

The increasing rise in cult-related violence has given most Nigerians food for thought as many innocent souls are wasted. While the spread of these cult activities are attributed to the urbanization of many Nigerian rural communities, especially in the case of Delta State, that of Lagos cannot be said to be urbanisation.

Nigeria isthe land of political eunuchs. The country is replete with loquacious apostles of morality , sanctimonious technocrats, who come into government with so much promise butare castrated by a brief exposure to the irradiation of power and money.When technocrats in Nigeria are offered political appointments they accept them before considering the moral complexity of the tasks and potential consequences of their engagements.

THE Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has said that the screening of ministerial nominees may not be concluded for another seven weeks.