Whereas it may not be particularly fair to say the last 50 years of Nigeria’s independence represent a total failure, by the same token, it may also verge on foolhardiness not to admit that dreams have turned into nightmares, ambitions have been crushed, hopes dashed and potentials wasted.

In “The Selected Letters of THEODORE ROOSEVELT”, edited by H. W. Brands, Roosevelt had written on June 16, 1902, from Washington, to Senator George F. Hoar, that “I am striving my best, doubtless with many shortcomings, but, as I am sure you believe, with sincerity and earnestness, to hasten the day when we shall need no more force in the Philippines than is needed in New York.

Nigeria is a state of wide cultural diversity consisting of several distinct ethnic groups. What role do these ethnic groups play in Nigerian politics and what impact do they have on political developments in Nigeria?

In Tony Blair’s “A JOURNEY”, the former British Prime Minister talks in Chapter II, The Apprentice Leadership, about fear and courage as he did in many chapters of the book. For instance, he remembers that “The journey from Opposition (read obscurity in Jonathan’s case) to government had taken three years.

The role of the press in deepening this democracy?
The power of the media in shaping society, setting agenda for public discourse and moulding public opinion is long-standing and legendary. That, I guess, was why the third President of the United States and principal author of its Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), once said: “The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral and social being.”

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, 83-year-old chieftain of the Pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, is not in high spirits talking about Nigeria at 51.

The first impression you get from Group Captain Salaudeen Latinwo, former military governor of Kwara State, is of a capable individual. At home, he works physically side by side with his domestic staff- answering the door, serving guests and even working the generator.

AGAINST the backdrop of plans by the Boko Haram sect to hit some government’s targets (National Assets) on or before today (October 1, 2011), military authorities in Abuja who got cracking following the groups’ threat to dent the nation’s 51st anniversary celebrations, have arrested about 950 suspects made up mostly of foreign national from Niger, Chad and Sudan.

IT all started like a joke a few days to the celebrations of Nigeria ’s 50th independence and golden jubilee in 2010. MEND, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta had issued a warning online, that they would detonate bombs in pursuance of their agitation and the security people said they took the matter serious but concentrated their checks only on a 1, 000 meters radius in and around the Eagle Square.

Samson Osagie is the Minority Whip in the House of Representatives. In this interview with GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE in Benin, he describes the call by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the resignation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tambuwal from his position as the ranting of an ant.