THE nation’s banking industry had indeed come a long, turbulent, sometimes prosperous, way, ranging from boom eras of the late 70s and 80s to the failed banks of the Abacha period and culminating in the recent reforms being implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). A lot of water has since passed under the bridge as regards issues raised and unfolding events surrounding depositor interests, investor attraction and the health of the system, as well as the general macro-economic environment. The concern and efforts of all stakeholders in the economy notless. The years 2006, 2008 and 2010 in particular saw the operating licences of a number of insured banks and 103 micro finance banks being revoked, leaving depositors to worry as to what  hit and would become of them or their deposits. This brings to mind the place of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) established in 1989 with the primary responsibility of deposit ...

I couldn’t help but shake my head being flabbergasted, indeed almost laughed in amazement, at the furore, to the point of chestbeating, generated here over the recent detention and later deportation of some hundreds of Nigerian female intending pilgrims from Saudi Arabia Whereas it certainly wasn’ta laughing matter seeing as my fellow citizens on mission to fulfill a most important religious rite were subjected to humiliation, my mind asked if they, or officials here, hadn’t called for it. In other words, we, Nigeria as it were, had it coming for which reason I confess that I had promptly welcomed the action of the Saudi authorities as something that would teach us here to endeavour to do things right, in addition to other lessons. I will explain hereafter. This matter which almost set the two countries on diplomatic collision course started about ten days ago when the Saudi authorities pointedly detained ad then deported over...

Constitution reviews in the country have understandably always come as sensitive, critical and controversial. Just as they have generally always ended more controversially, sometimes exercises in futility. Or at best, exercises which mostly advance the cause(s) of the elites effectively protected and superintended by those in authority. Now, they are at it again as hot, and as contentious and distractive. The issue is on the front burner in national discourse since the senate committee upped discussions, scheming and consultations across the country. Sadly, this all-important matter comes amidst perhaps the nation’s worst bouts of insecurity, corruption and threats to its stability through fanning the embers of hatred and division in various fashions. These issues have continued to challenge the nation’s leaders as spates of bombings, attacks and killings of innocent citizens take place, just as we get inundated with revelations...