THE choice of this topic, “Morality and the State”, was prompted by my observations of decades of developments in post-colonial Nigeria. As I noted in my Anthology: Nigeria Yesterday Today (2012), not only have the challenges that confronted our nation during the colonial and immediate post-colonial eras endured, they have grown worse, to the extent that most Nigerians of my generation are beginning to look back, with nostalgic feelings, at the glorious days that we have lost.

THE term revolution has, overtime, come to be used loosely as a synonym for change. Political revolution, however, largely means a drastic change that is often spontaneous, populist and that which leads to a regime change.

ONLY a focused, truly change- conscious, healthy, detribalised and religiously unbiased leader can effect the necessary changes that our country require. That is why this piece is directed to Mr President.

AGAINST the background of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s lacklustre political leadership, the APC electioneering mantra of change found resonance among millions of Nigerians in the run-up to the 2015 presidential election. Then, millions of dispossessed, angry and hungry Nigerians were utterly disenchanted with Jonathan’s leadership. During that period, they desperately wanted the status quo ante in the country to change. 

I have delayed this piece for over  5 months since after the commemoration of Prof. Charles Dokubo’s one year in office as the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Amnesty. This I have done in order to further gauge the level of consistency in his initiatives since it’s a well-known fact that newly appointed CEOs and Chairmen in our climes run out of steam immediately after the celebration of either 100 days or one year in office. Hence this piece comes off as an in-depth critique of his efforts, challenges and achievements in the last one year.