THERE is no better way to state the point but to put it as starkly as it is: Nigerians are a suicidal lot. A traffic caution broadcast through social media in the wake of the DANA air disaster in Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, captures this aspect of the Nigerian character very well.

THE crash of the Dana Aircraft last week in Lagos raises many issues regarding the manner our government relates to its citizens. It provides an opportunity to highlight basic flaws in the structure and operations of governance institutions in Nigeria, and identify critical areas where genuine improvements must be made.

“I boarded a Dana Airline on my way back from Abuja. First, the flight was delayed for about two hours. Passengers were frustrated. Thank God I had my laptop with me to do some work whilst waiting at the stuffy departure room. When eventually we boarded I discovered to my great surprise that the plane was a very old one.

THE problem in the Concept of Peer Review is the notion of Peer. Once who is a peer is understood, then the process of peer review can be evaluated.

I seek permission from Demola Olajire, the NFF Media officer for using his coinage as the title of my column today. Saturday evening, when I got Demola’s lengthy and exhaustive report from Blantyre, the phrase stood out, first as excuse for our not getting the maximum three points at stake, then as a commendation for the draw.

It is now clear that over 150 innocent souls perished last Sunday as a result of the Dana air crash. These unfortunate souls may have since been joined by many more, who have tragically lost their lives nationwide as a result of the inertia in one government agency or the other.

“This is what the truth is. Going behind what you hear first. Asking a hundred questions until you make up your own mind on the basis of real evidence.” James A Michener in Hawai.

During the tenure of Tafa Balogun as Inspector General of the Nigeria Police, there was the famous anti-crime strategy known as “Operation fire for fire” which was designed to check the upsurge of criminal activities at the time. Tafa was passionate about it and his administration made much effort to impress its efficacy on the people.

Celestine Onwuliri – “Papauwa” – his oldest and closest friends called him, was a brilliant scientist and a committed public servant. He had served as a Commissioner in the Imo state government under the military, and later as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology in Owerri.

There is no one in the bible as illogical as Paul. He claims he preached the gospel: “not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” (1 Corinthians 1:17). Nevertheless, Luke says: “(Paul) reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath.” (Acts 18:4). Paul’s “reasoning” is often incoherent and contradictory. To accept some of the things he says, one has to take leave of one’s senses.