CRITICS certainly are important in any society that is democratic or claims to be one. They do not only draw attention to problems, omissions or oversight by functionaries of state, but also point to possible alternatives or solutions.

The first of these pitfalls is the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan failed to adhere to the recommendations of the Uwais Panel on the appointment of INEC chairman, a recommendation that would have required him to make his choice from among nominees recommended by the National Judicial Council, before sending his choice to the Senate for ratification.

Without the support of the Southern minorities, Biafra would have successfully seceded from Nigeria and the North would have been just another Niger Republic. Also, it was with the support of Rivers and Cross River State in the Second Republic that the North-dominated National Party of Nigeria (NPN) was able to win the 1979 elections.

My fervent prayer is that after leading the rebels in the ongoing civil war in the House, he would not once again change sides. Whatever the case, I’m glad that at least for now, the fiery Dino is on the same side with us, the progressive Nigerians.

This is the first World Cup on African soil. Some say given the organizational bar raised by the South Africans, perhaps it will take South Africa again to host the next one. This is Africa’s World Cup and there has been a lot of efforts to make it an ‘African World Cup.’

Nigerians maybe forgiven if they do not know that the cumulative effects of the policies of the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) are generally responsible for the level of economic growth and price stability in the country.

Hi readers! A lesson for us divorced mothers is that it is unwise to try to use your children to fight the new madam in your ex’s home. You never know where the loyalty of your kids may lie, even though some may allow themselves to be manipulated by their mothers for a while, and they’re nasty to their father’s wife.

Another June 12 anniversary has come and gone. It is time, therefore, for a critical reflection on the events that precipitated the anniversary in question and on how “June 12” has been hijacked by carpetbaggers, publicity seekers, and political area boys and clowns to enhance their own narrow selfish interests.

It is greed that must be at the back of those who want House Speaker Dimeji Bankole removed more because he refused to via the capital vote for allowances than that he had mismanaged the House funds. It is greed that is at play when our managers of the economy want our excess crude reserve shared now rather than save it for future use or build structures that would outlive present holders of public offices.

Close to One Trillion Dollars worth of oil profits later, the Niger Delta is in the end an ecological Armageddon. It fits perfectly into what the Canadian journalist and author, Naomi Klein, would describe as evidence of the consequences of “disaster capitalism.”