I HAVE not personally encountered Professor Ruqayat Rufai, the new Minister for Education. It does not matter. What matters is that I have seen evidence of her abilities, and I think the person who recommended her to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan for posting to Education is a patriot.

Even before President Yar’ Adua was sworn in over three years ago, those of us who have sports as their culture medium, braced up for four years of disaster, in the first instance.

I do not know when lawyers and journalists will be permitted to see our president. The clerics have seen him, both Muslim and Christian. They must be the ones at the top of the ladder of the holy. We here, on distant earth from heaven, call them the men of God.

If you are wondering what that palaver is all about, let me tell you; because if you are a parent or guardian, with a kid likely to be called for service, this concerns you.

In it Gowon said: “I have now come to the most difficult part of the statement. I am doing it conscious of the great disappointment and heartbreak it will cause all true and sincere lovers of Nigeria and Nigerian unity both at home and abroad, especially our brothers in the Commonwealth.

Dear Dr. Jonathan. I greet you in the name of the Republic. I hope we still have a republic to speak of, seeing that over the years, the foundational republican idea on which this nation was negotiated and founded in the various rounds of constitutional conferences leading to independence has been fundamentally eroded.

A very skinny and almost haggard looking lady walked into a gathering of some friends just as last year was rounding up and quite a number of people were concerned about her appearance. Not being a close friend I had kept my opinion to myself but listened to those who voiced out theirs.

I really do appreciate all my readers. Like I always say, everyone needs encouragement. You really have given me the encouragement I need. To all my readers that bombarded me with mails when they did not get to read my article last week, I thank you for appreciating me and I do apologise.

We clamoured for a new cabinet; now we have one. I was not among those who expected a miracle, but it is only fair to admit that, given our political climate, this new team is the product of high political calculations. If you place it on a chess board, you can rate it as a “Master’s move.”

GROWING up in Lagos, I thought Senegal was one of its suburbs. There was ‘ Bread Senega’ It was harder than other types of loaf but more filling. There were Senegalese men and women who were difficult to distinguish from other Nigerians. Of course, Senegalese dresses remain part of the traditional dresses dear to Nigerians. It is perhaps impossible today, to take a flight from Nigeria to Dakar without encountering Nigerian tailors and traders streaming to Dakar.