The agitation for the convocation of what some called Sovereign National Conference has been around us for a long time and particularly gained currency in the last ten years. Some of the agitators with all their political and intellectual pedigree still show a remarkable lack of understanding of the socio-political dynamics of the country, especially the intricate logic of being a country of several configurations.

A FEW weeks before the start of the unnecessary but costly Biafran war or The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), I wrote an article in the Daily Times with the caption, ‘CAN WE AFFORD TO FALL APART?‘. In my pardonable innocence, I examined the economic implications of a break_up on internal trade and movements of people.

FOR give my interest in this field. I am the son of a professor of Medical Microbiology so it must be in my genes. So aside from petroleum engineering, project management and information technology where I can mix it with the best, politics and medicine with a tilt towards microbiology also hold a place in my heart.

CALLS for a Sovereign National Conference (SONACO) are widespread; and the will of the majority is supposed to be acted on within a democratic context. But – many of my friends will be very angry with me for saying this! – I think that President Jonathan should dodge the SONACO option, if he can.

OF all the fine definitions of terrorism, the one offered by the ninth edition of Black’s Law Dictionary at page 1611 is the most appealing: The use or threat of violence to intimidate or cause panic, especially as a means of affecting political conduct. This definition accepts the fact that terrorism takes place at every level, every time, and every where.