At least two people, one alive and one departed, must be shaking their heads, with sadness and disbelief, when reading that story about Akwa Ibom. This was one tragedy they struggled for eight years to bring to an end in the state. And they largely succeeded such that by 2007, Akwa Ibom state was rid of child traffickers and baby factories. Now, it appears as if the progress made by 2007 had been dissipated in another eight years. The most important question which should bother all of us is: if the progress which we see daily advertised about the state is real, why are people still engaged in this trade/ why are kids still being treated worse than slaves? It was not always like this; not in 2007.

Penultimate, week, the country’s ruling elite led by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan held the centenary celebration of Nigeria as a single geopolitical and economic unit. From media reports, about twenty-eight heads of state or their representatives attended the event held in Abuja. As a bona fide Nigerian citizen who knows that billions of naira must have been spent for the occasion, it is pertinent to ask pertinent questions, answers to which would help clarity the propriety or otherwise of the celebration.

Last week, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar announced the promotion of 24,118 police personnel in the country. According to Police spokesman, Frank Mba, the exercise ranks as the highest number of Police Officers promoted in one fell swoop in the history of the Force. The announcement was a happy one for many families including that of this writer-our own cousin Joe, being one of the beneficiaries.

Modern Nigeria came into being one hundred years ago, so it was with the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of the former British colony. Stay with me now. One hundred years ago there was a merger, that long ago but fast forward today the south/north divide remain divided and has not changed for the better. It is in fact a gulf and in the midst of paranoia and distrust on all sides.

Trust is a very big thing for most of us; trust is the key that opens the door of our hearts. Once we give someone our trust; we hand over the key to the strong room of our soul. Sadly placing trust in our fellow man can be hazardous; the Bible agrees and if you split the good book right in the middle you will find that Psalm 118 verse 8 says and I quote ” It is better to trust in The Lord than to put confidence in man”.