For now, it is still a whimper, not a bang. But the octave is beginning to rise. Nigerians are gradually, so it seems, coming to the realisation that politics of ethnicity and religion has done us more harm than good, and should be put away in the cooler.

God sometimes tells us the future beforehand through dreams. Thus, Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar: “There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has told you in your dream what will happen in the future.” (Daniel 2:28). Since only God is able to do this, dreams become one of the things that affirm conclusively that our Lord is God. Jesus says: “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am he.” (John 13:19).

An interesting fall-out of the death of some Nigerians last week while in search of employment at the nation’s Immigration Service was a statement credited to ‘Comrade’ Abba Moro the Interior Minister in charge of the sector. According to media reports, the Minister was convinced that the tragedy was caused by the refusal of the applicants to adhere to the rules of engagement designed for the recruitment exercise.

My fourth-grade teacher – who was also my all-time favorite – Mrs. Beatrice Ohaka was a kindly and charming woman. In her most voluble moments she used to say to us kids: “you are the leaders of tomorrow. You will go to University or to England, and become important people. Do important things. Become teachers, doctors, engineers, journalists, professors; and you will make me proud.”

At this point, let us discuss one of the main reasons for having a low-key centenary celebration, namely, our inability to tame the octopus called corruption and indiscipline, whose ugly tentacles have spread to every facet of our national life, including the judiciary, the purported “last hope of the common man.”