I was absolutely devastated when I heard, at the beginning of this week, that my former boss, Dr Rilwanu Lukman, had died in Vienna, following a prolonged period of ill health. And my profound sorrow about the passing of this globally revered Nigerian is combined with a deep sense of guilt.

THAT this country is blessed with both human and natural resources is axiomatic. Also, every day or week in Nigeria provides its own events – good or bad. It is the delight of any clever newspapers` columnist to either analyse or satirize. It is always fun.

THE same spirit that propelled “the weeping prophet”, Jeremiah, to write the book of Lamentations at the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon, with her people killed, tortured or taken captive, is more than enough to make us reside permanently in lamentation for today’s world that is filled with injustice, poverty, crime, war and all forms of rebellion.

I don’t think that Nigerians, in their heart of hearts, are tired of living together in one country. Everything points to the fact that Nigeria still holds a very prime attraction for its people because this country gives so much to its citizens.

Early this week, the National Security Council, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, and attended by the nation’s top security chiefs, directed states registering and deporting “non-indigenes”, “to stop the practice forthwith”.