THE challenge would have been met square and there would have been better results as far as government performance was concerned. A recent World Bank report confirms unequivocally that corruption is responsible for instability, violence and underdevelopment and that a weak government or a government with weak institutions cannot fight corruption effectively.

THE events of the last fortnight, precisely of April 16, 2011 cannot pass unrecorded for history and posterity. I am one of those who will not take the risk of allowing that day to pass like any other day because it is not. I will thus proceed to put the Goodluck Jonathan victory in the presidential polls of April 16, 2011 in its proper perspective and in its proper historical context.

“We will endeavor to restore the glory of Imo State in national, continental and world sports competitions. Scholarships and other incentives shall be given to our contingents that excel exceptionally in sports activities, to inspire them and challenge the up-coming talents”, Rochas Okorocha wrote on his agenda for sports as stated in the Rochas Campaign Organization website page on his mission statement.

THE “Transformation Agenda” that I present in this Lecture comprises five “Fundamentals”, three “Transformation Result Areas” (TRAs) and some implementation issues. In Part One, I briefly discuss the five selected fundamentals: electoral legitimacy, peace and security, government policy stability, rule of law, and anti-corruption. Part Two is focused on the three TRAs: (i) rehabilitating education; (ii) fixing poor infrastructure; and (iii) achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They are briefly presented with emphasis on some specific actions that could ensure concrete results within the president’s four-year tenure.

As Nigerians, we were “celebrating” the dawn of a new era as ushered in by the recent elections commendably organized by Professor Attahiru Jega, when the nation suddenly became overwhelmed by the horror, carnage and violence that greeted the announcements of results of the Presidential elections in some Northern States.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo did not support Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential bid in order that the Igbo would be rewarded with the position of Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. All those commentators claiming that both Ohanaeze and President Jonathan have betrayed Ndigbo will do well to get their bearing right.

IT is one of the most difficult things to do and, according to Shakespeare, it is not a human attribute, but the character and nature of God.

I DO not envy Dr Goodluck Jonathan his dilemma after the ‘landslide’ or ‘moon slide’ victory he secured from Nigerians by garnering over 22 million votes while his rival, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari recorded 12 million votes to come, perhaps, a distant second.

IT was a war among friends on the floor of the Senate recently on an issue that could have grave consequences for the stability, not only for the revenue generating assets of the country, but also for the security of the country.

IT is indisputable that Senator Akpanudoedehe was the only politician from Akwa Ibom State that had the closest relationship and access to former President Obasanjo and he leveraged on this very well to make Godswill Akpabio Governor of the state. Senator Akpanudoedehe introduced Akpabio, then a mere Commissioner, with limited territorial functionality to Uyo, to the corridors of power in Abuja up to President Obasanjo himself. The rest that followed and the details of its operational dynamics are being reserved for another day.