Reflecting I saw how few Spaniards, Conqistadores, defeated millions of warrior Aztecs. It was not the guns of 200 people but microbes from the warm welcome of the colonizers who survived the black plague that nearly wiped out Europe from contact with animals and now had immunity

In Nigeria, I can see how a few ‘small’ things from years of poor judgement and discretion have broken our institutions and stunted progress in the country. Yet we continue to extend retirement for select public servants in ways that ultimately damage institutional integrity

Small things like petty nepotism, petty corruption, petty cronyism eventually add up to spending billions of dollars to fix refineries that every dummy knew was beyond fixing. Money that could save millions from dying from a simple disease like Malaria. Everything has consequence

Hearty cheers to a dear friend of about 40yrs for arriving on the 7th floor. Turning 70 takes the grace of God. Was glad to surprise Col Kayode Are, former DG of the SSS on this pleasant day. Someone there nearly fainted seeing me dancing. The distant image was of always serious

I joked that I could in small group of close friends. Once she fell for it I felt free to bring up that I was Director of Socials at UNN and that my place was serious party corner in the 80s. My wife confirmed. I truly wonder at the myth images from TV interviews create. Myths.

I have always taken the things I do Seriously but very seldom taken myself seriously. Had fun and still relax as unofficial lead comedian among my friends, a tradition that goes past when I was Director of Socials at UNN in 1975 to my group of Surulere boys, the Fab 10 in 1969

From 1975 interview of UNN DOS.in the Daily Times newspaper.

The news of the passing of Dr Doyin Abiola took me to a place of much sadness. She was a true freedom fighter. During the June 12 struggle my friend, Tunde Akinleye, she and I formed a rapid response troika. We continued to meet on Sundays to discuss Nigeria even after

After watching the boarding of the Ibom Air flight that descended into unwelcome drama I arrived Nsukka as a new Vice Chancellor was taking charge. He has my prayers. Almost exactly 52 years since I enrolled at UNN I feel the need for change. Much worrying for me is the culture.

It’s probably a year since a portion of the highly trafficked Benin-Onitsha Highway, inside Asaba, collapsed. What a stress test for road users. I nearly failed that test this morning. And the mber months high season is knocking. God help us

When the news is good you feel good. Just this morning I lamented the state of the road at Asaba. This evening I have been privileged to travel from across the Niger, through Owerri to Umuahia on decent roads.

Was elated to spend yesterday in Umuahia celebrating Sam Ohuabunwa at 75. Appreciate very much the initiative of the Abia state government to showcase the state’s finest no matter their political loyalties. The needed civility in public life comes through in the fine event

Visiting both Enugu and Abia states also showed the impact good leadership at subnational levels can have on the quality of life of citizens. It should be obvious now that the middle class have a duty to insist on good governance. It clearly is possible.

This birth of a goat on my farm provoked some reflections. In addition to the goats and Guinea Fowl I farm fish, Tomatoes and vegetables. Imagine If every retiree got assets in livestock and seedlings with Agric extension support how many new births would enhance food security

I am joining in prayer for peace in our world today. If one reflects on just the material progress that comes in times of peace it should bother that people do not place a greater premium on justice so that peace will flow from there.

Some mantras have been marked in my writing, teaching and speaking in 40yrs. They include the title of my 1999 book To serve is to Live; readers are learners and leaders; to lead is to love; because it hurts does not mean it’s not right. Reflected on them today. Peace.

Some say Shalom, or Salaam and then shoot. Enough blood has been shed since Cain and Abel to flood the earth. That pale blue dot Carl Sagan reminded us has been home to tyrants ordering rivers of blood for their ego, could use peace and justice for the poor

Without a higher moral pull or boundaries from strong institutions the temptation to bully those seen as weaker is high. It’s a better world when the powerful avoid those temptations than the world being delivered from the calamities of the evil of falling into them.

These days of praying for peace on earth reminds of the hypocrisy of terms of measurement. Technically Nigeria is not at war. But more Souls meet a violent end everyday in Nigeria than in the big wars of our planet. I have called it a creeping and rolling Civil war. Let’s stop it

And we can if elite stop thinking of just themselves. As the death of every person diminishes me Nigeria makes me feel like an incredibly shrinking person. If we commit to building lives over Airports and Flyovers there may too few available to recruit into crazy causes that kill