I’M writing this piece from the Jordan Valley, about 40 km from the Jordanian capital of Amman. I have been here for a week, attending the Second World Science Forum, WSF, which took place from 7 – 11 November.  More than 3,000 scientists were assembled, in fields ranging from astronomy and theoretical physics to medicine, bioengineering, genetics and robotics.

WE have maintained that organisational agility is the essential quality needed by firms and businesses to survive in a recessed economy. There are three  forms of agility: operational, portfolio and strategic.

GOOD morning. I feel highly honoured to have been invited to address this Old Boys Association of St. John Chrysostom Junior Seminary, Osina, Imo State. For reasons I cannot fully explain, I feel deep love and rapport with Imo people. There is no doubt that your school has fulfilled its mission: I see before me distinguished alumni from all walks of life; men of sterling quality; men distinguished not only by intellect but also by character and virtue. I salute you all!

THE person of Jacob Zuma, current President of the Republic of South Africa, came into the news in our country in connection with the erection of a life-sized sculpture by the restless Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha. That gesture has drawn a lot of flak at home and abroad.

CORRUPTION is a major challenge for our country as it is for many parts of the world. It thrives best where controls are lax; in an eco-system in which institutional state capture by powerful groups encourages a politico-economic alliance between the state and the private sector in a manner that robs both government and society.

DURING July/August, I spent part of my summer in the beautiful city of Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s Catalan region. I gave a talk at an international conference on the New Silk Road in which China hopes to invest over a $1 trillion to create a new co-prosperity sphere stretching through Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean.

I SPENT my Independence Day Anniversary quietly in our federal capital of Abuja.  The city wore a rather world-weary, mournful look.  The address by President Muhammadu Buhari, was, in my view, appropriately solemn.

THE latest statistics on the national debt indicate that we owe some US$15.05 billion to foreign creditors and a staggering N14.06 trillion to domestic creditors.

WE live in difficult times. The word ‘crisis’ is a much overused term. And yet, if truth be told, we have a crisis in our hands. There are a few misguided idiots out there who are determined to bring down our country in an inferno of fire and destruction.

OUR current national prevails remind me of the mythical two-faced Roman god, Janus, the god of war who presided over both conflict and peace. When I reflect on Nigeria’s unfolding drama, I think of Janus as wearing two faces, one denoting tragedy and the other, hope.

LATE  Kenyan political scientist Ali Mazrui once described Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana as “a Leninist Czar”.  He argued that Nkrumah had his positive side as a revolutionary leader committed to justice and social transformation, but was also a despot who brooked no opposition. That sobriquet captures the moral paradox of Paul Kagame’s statecraft in Rwanda.

THIS column joins other Nigerians in welcoming President Muhammadu Buhari back home after 105 days’ medical sojourn in London. During his absence, his loyal and faithful deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, did his best in steering the ship of state.

IN Matthew 5:13 we read: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

THE theme of this summit, “Arise O Lord”, is very timely. The ancient prophets of Israel often invoked the power of God at crucial turning-points in their long and tumultuous history.

I AM writing this piece from Conakry, capital of Guinea. It’s my first time here, and I’m enjoying it. The locals are friendly. The only snag is that, at this time of year, it seems to rain all the time in Conakry.