But let me state clearly from the outset that what started as a local insurgency in North Eastern Nigeria has now evolved into the new frontier of the global war of terrorism against our civilisation, our way of life, and against the many prospects of stability in our region

Nigeria is at war! And Nigerians are asking: How did we get to this sorry pass? Could we have averted the situation in which we have now found ourselves, a situation in which Africa’s most populous nation, and one said to have the largest economy on the continent, is now lying prostate, begging the world for help? How did a country that has been at the vanguard of maintaining peace in other countries since 1960 now become something of a panhandler? How can we restore peace to our country and provide safety and security for our people?

Contrary to their protestations, most politicians first think of themselves, and themselves last! Politics, for many politicians of whatever hue, is about how much money they share at the end of the day. They hardly think that their acts lay the foundation or dig the grave for Nigeria. The attitude is that it does not matter now; get what you can, Nigeria will sort itself out.

It is one year exactly today since ace columnist, Pni Jason Onyegbado, passed on. In his memory, we present extracts from the book he was working on at the time death came entitled, ‘Nigeria-The Years of Impunity’.
The book, now ready, will soon be out.

Pini, my very good friend, those of us you left behind in this wonderful, sinful and godless world are still grieving your demise 365 days after. It is unbelievable that a whole year has rolled by since death enveloped you. We will not see you or read your column on the pages of newspapers or hear your voice calling me “Enerable” again. All I am left of you is your book, “A Familiar Road”, and memories of your screaming philosophical words reminding me of what we should not have ordinarily known. Like a properly tuned acoustic percussion or guitar, your inspirational words and kind deeds echo in my mind.