THE challenges that reforms pose are not new to these parts. With a little hindsight, we can remember that the re-structuring of this economy, otherwise called reforms started most emphatically in the public’s mind with the structural adjustment programme, SAP.

OUR politicians do not expect us to take them serious. In their thinking, some bags of rice, or whatever inducement that would swing the impoverished voters to their direction would sustain democracy. They have succeeded so far because the people have been completely alienated from a process that is supposed to be about them.

Before 23 year old Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab attempted to detonate an explosive on an America bound Delta Airline, Nigeria had never featured on the radar as a breeding ground for terrorists.

NIGERIAN authorities must stand up against the American posture of trying to label us a country of terrorists after the Christmas Day incident in which 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab tried to blow up a passenger aircraft as it was landing in Detroit.

AS 2010 begins, people have high expectations. They dream their New Year ambitions. It is an annual ritual that helps brush aside failures of the faded year. The beginning of every year affords deep reflection on the past and plan the future. Some call these New Year resolutions.