Senator Anietie Okon – pioneer National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Vice-Chairman of Arik Air and a National Conference delegate – is a very distinguished Nigerian. So when he takes the trouble to make a point, I listen carefully and take him very seriously indeed.

The UK is currently awash with depressing stories about British Muslim youngsters who have stupidly abandoned their studies, jobs and families to covertly travel to the other side of the world, so they can assist Islamic terrorists who claim to be waging “holy” wars in Syria, Iraq, etc.

I was absolutely devastated when I heard, at the beginning of this week, that my former boss, Dr Rilwanu Lukman, had died in Vienna, following a prolonged period of ill health. And my profound sorrow about the passing of this globally revered Nigerian is combined with a deep sense of guilt.

Last week, I said on this page that Boko Haram’s murderous sprees and heartless kidnappings have made Northern Muslims look bad and have strengthened President Jonathan’s chances of being re-elected next year.

In the past few months, no day has gone by without grim news of yet another traumatic, enraging, despair-generating Boko Haram atrocity being announced by media houses and hogging the Nigerian and international headlines.