The advocacy for a deregulated foreign exchange market to facilitate economic growth and social welfare enhancement commenced over ten years ago. In spite of the validity and strength of the prescription, those government agencies responsible for monetary and fiscal policies have buried their heads deep in the sand, so that they cannot hear or indeed, see the progressive rationale of the argument.

If there is any scintilla of doubt that members of Nigeria’s ruling and business elite, particularly those entrusted with running the political and economic institutions of the country, are hopelessly lost in the mud of corruption I believe that the current bribery scandal which implicated the House of Representatives’ committee on capital markets has blown it to smithereens.

Some days after this year’s Valentine’s day, I asked some young persons in this trendy shop in my neighbourhood how the day had been for them. “Did you tell daddy and mummy, and other members of your family how much you love and appreciate them in your lives? Did you do something special for them, or perhaps give them cards expressing your affection for them?” I asked.

The Lord sent me on an errand. I said: “I go, Sir,” but did not go. He asked me to go out of town to talk to an old man about Christ. I can never say “no” to the Lord, but I dragged and dragged my feet about it. I debated indefinitely what to tell him. I had known the man all my life and felt it would be presumptuous of me to talk to him. I dilly-dallied until I was shocked to hear he was seriously ill and in hospital. Then I became afraid. What if he died?

Oluwole Olumide, an architect and tourism promoter is dead. He was more than that. He was the Balogun of Imo, a well-known quarter in Abeokuta and the Apagunpote of Egba Land. Olumide would have been 70 years old if he had lived till May this year.