CHIEF Obafemi Awolowo S.A.N. was a man known for meticulous planning and attention to details. It is on record that he was the first man to propose a Federal system of governance for Nigeria and this he did as far back as 1947 in his work Path to Nigerian Freedom. It is remarkable that 68 years down the line, no better model has been proposed for the governance of this country. That seminal proposal had nothing to do with body language. Still on the self same Chief Awolowo. I had the good fortune of watching the same sage on National Television as a pre-teen being interviewed during his campaign for the 1979 general elections. From the dredges of my pre-teen memory I recollect a question and answer session that went somewhat like this: Interviewer: “Chief, why do you believe that you are qualified to lead this Country?”

IN every profession, there are ethics. These involve quality or standards of service, fidelity, community or corporate social responsibility, development of the profession,etc; each according to its peculiar demands. There is no way our country can get out from the doldrums without the positive contributions of our professionals. But,viewed from what they have done so far, they have not lived up to expectations, in other words, they have failed the people.

Permit me to recount my encounter with the late Ooni Sijuwade of Ife as a way of tribute to the late Oba.
The European perceptions of Africans as heavers of woods and drawers of water were stylishly changed by late Oba Ooni Olubuse Sijuwade during his life time. He established that all the menial jobs performed by black man for the white that made the blacks appear inferior can actually be reversed in that order. This is the idea I got from his style during my encounter with him.

ACTIVITIES of cult groups in the country have assumed a more frightening dimension as there is hardly any day that passes by without reported cases of clashes being recorded. The last few months have been a harrowing experience as hoodlums, social miscreants and cultists have engaged themselves in bloody battles for supremacy in many states while the law enforcement agents appear helpless in abating the tide despite the increased number of people being injured, maimed, killed and enormous properties destroyed.

FROM independence in 1960 till today, Nigeria has been turning out 99.9% corruptionists and psychotically corrupt leadership at all levels, so much so that corruption has become the domineering mantra and ingrained culture of Nigerians. Nobody is free, no, not one is free.