THERE are extraordinary moments in the annals of human affairs when history irresistibly beckons on individuals, particularly those who have emerged through various circumstances, as societal leaders to stand up gallantly for the honour of service.

I am sure we have heard the news. Forbes thoroughly slaughtered Nigeria as an investment destination, naming our dear country as where to go if you really want to lose money. After the damage from two major studies in 2018 that left us with the label of the poverty capital of the planet, with a desperate need for investment capital to help turn things around, this is a sucker punch. Forbes dubs Nigeria Africa’s money losing the machine.

The ongoing debate on local governments in the country could end in a cul de sac if the crucial dimensions of the subject are not explicated and addressed. The trigger for the current debate is the directive of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) that, effective from June 1st, all funds from the Federation Account allocated to the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) be credited directly into each LGA’s account. According to reports in newspapers, NFIU’s intervention seeks to put a stop to the widespread practice of State governments hi-jacking the funds allocated to LGAs from the centre through the States Joint Local Government Account (SJLGA) that they control.  And blatant stealing of LGA funds in a few cases have also been reported.

The lack of a speech makes it difficult to hold Buhari on to anything but that doesn’t make him immune from any form of responsibility to Nigerians

NIGERIA has faced many challenges since the advent of democracy in 1999 to the present time. Issues of national identity, economic downturn, insecurity, infrastructure deficit, comatose education, poor healthcare, migration, have stared the nation in the face. Never has the country faced so much sense of despondency as we are all experiencing at the moment.