On Thursday, November 27, 2014, the PUNCH, on page 14 reported as follows: “Don’t blame me for naira devaluation – Okonjo-Iweala.” In the report, the Minister of Finance, was quoted as saying that “Nigeria has what it takes to manage its way through. Benchmark for the budget 2015 had been lowered to more realistic $73 per barrel. Never in the history of budgeting in Nigeria had a Finance Minister been so often wrong as Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had been this year. But before presenting the irrefutable evidence, a quick remark is needed about her self-acquittal from blame for the devaluation. Certainly, the Finance Minister cannot be blamed for devaluation.

It does seem clear to many of us who still have, and are guided by a sense of history that Nigeria derailed from its historical course, and drifts, when it abandoned Zikist ideology as its foundational myth. Much of Nigeria’s history, particularly since the civil war, has been shaped by a cynical disregard and disinterest in nation-building.

“Senate President David Mark is scared”. That was the title of a media report that caught my attention the other day. I could not immediately fathom what could scare the nation’s 3rd most powerful citizen until I read the story. It was only then I realized that despite the immense power of his office characterized by his retinue of aides as well as his background as a former military commander, there is not much difference between Senator Mark and my defenceless self who can shiver merely because the end of the year’s harmattan season when everywhere is cold has set in.

It is a bit difficult to celebrate with others when one is not so joyous, it can be a little trying to be happy for others when one is anything but that. I like to engage people in often painful and truthful arguments, the truth can be very bitter but it is also liberating; misery likes company and happy is not always best of friends with sad.

My niece was getting married. The reception was planned as a grand open-air affair. But at the very onset of the event, thick rain-clouds formed, over-shadowing the location. It was clear that it would not only rain, it would pour.