WHEN I saw the Failed State Index done by the United States Think-Thank Fund for Peace and which ranked Nigeria as 14th under the alert section, I was overwhelmed with sadness as this shouldn’t be so for the giant of Africa. Under the surge of emotion I was prompted to write this little piece on what I feel should be the best way out of Nigeria’s challenges.

WHEN President Goodluck Jonathan was campaigning for the highest office in the land in 2011, he easily came across to the electorate as a humble individual, a sincere and trustworthy person.

In the times of victory, prophets are unnecessary distractions – Trevor Roper
In 2010, the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) met and constituted a committee chaired by a former finance Minister, Adamu Ciroma. The committee had, in its terms of reference, the responsibility of selecting a single candidate out of the contestants then, as a way of charting a formidable political direction for the North.

EACH time Governor Adams Oshiomhole of EdoState blows up and expresses what is now known as the Oshiomhole syndrome, he reminds Nigerians of a state chief executive who is yet to adjust to what it takes to occupy that exalted position.

BEFORE the Domestic Debt Data Exercise and Solvency Test conducted in the 36 states across the country by the Debt Management Office, DMO, in December 2012 which its findings were recently published in The Guardian newspaper, many Nigerians were quite aware that some states were in serious financial quagmire to the extent that they were surviving on borrowing.