Pat Utomi

Rajiv took India down the track of the computer age and Rao-Singh opened up the pace he gently tried to crack open. Today the question is not whether India is a Hindu elephant or Asian Tiger. India answers the question: who says elephants cant dance, as posed by Luis Gestner Jr

I join in marking the anni of passing of Rajiv Ghandi. As Jonathan Storey noted 33 years ago and I concurred, he was the 1st Indian PM that recognized India needed to divorce its past but was trapped by the difficulty of denouncing his forebears, the Nehru-Ghandi dynasty.

A close reflection of the quality of life medical and academic staff like the Okonjis had then, compared to today, tells the story of the decline of Nigeria. Those days were before the Oil boom. Like many of their colleagues they migrated to Saudi Arabia at a point for work.

Flying across the big pond to be at the burial of Mrs Patricia Okonji was laced with emotion. When 58 years ago I crossed from Biafra to resume school in Ibadan she and husband both of UCH looked after me. I have memories of their residence in UCH which I visited from Loyola

Les than 48hrs ago I was at lunch in DC on Nigeria. Today I joined Chief Anyaoku and Patriots in Lagos on state of nation, and attended Mass in Delta for funeral of cousin Mrs P Okonji. Small world. How come those in power here ignore how others act in this global village

I am humbled by the kind receptions I have received in Michigan, Chicago, Durham, NC, and Charlotte. I know an attitude of gratitude gives altitude with certitude so I am thankful for the warmth of welcome and look to the wings to fly for my appreciation that I am not desering

No.3 is that the smart leader thinks inclusion but the impostor thinks zero sum and excludes or divides people. When they are devious they turn to divide and rule and sow seeds of discord that go on for grnerations

No.2 is that leadership begins with a heart for a greater tomorrow. Without a sincere heart for future proofing initiatives for the good of all and a disciplined and accountable disposition the leader wannabe labors in vain

One question I have been getting at meetings with Nigerians in the US is what lessons can we draw from leadership failure in Nigeria. No. 1 is that leadership behavior that is not people centered and places self or peers ahead of the common good is recipe for disaster

In 1976 the tall ships from 1776 visiting for the bicentennial were trending and Jimmy Carter was running for President. Today King Charles is visiting. Back then the world was optimistic for the future today the mood of humanity is more subdued

What a difference 50 yrs makes. First songI heard exiting Heathrow was Real Things: You to me are everything. On way from JFK, across the big pond, the first song I heard was Lou Rawls ; You will never find another love like mine. This time I did not listen to radio either side

I just re-enacted a historic voyage without realizing it. I arrived into Washington to US celebration of 250 years after Lunch in London with a Loyola high school classmate. 1n 1976 as a UNN undergrad I arrived US to bicentennial events after partying in London with same Uzo.

Solidarity shout out to friends in Sokoto and Kano. Hear it’s been so hot people are spending the night sleeping outside. A goodly Bishop assures me it’s not penance he inflicted. Hot here in Lagos too. With ‘NEPA’ on leave streams of sweat mark our day. Persevere

AI madness. Just to clear the air. Kayode Akintemi and I have never had a disagreeable conversation. Last we saw for an interview, he walked me to my car. I do not have the temperament to walk out on people, in the first place. If it is to start, not with him.

What I will suggest is not new. I suggested it 26 years ago. We should limit what goes to FAAC account to last year’s budget benchmark. Earnings past that up to $10 a bbl should go to a stabilization fund. Anything above should go to a future fund - Sovereign wealth fund

If we had a NASS I would suggest laws that would checkmate the squandering of Hormuz windfall. But the Akpabio Assembly does not exist. In Cost Benefit terms the 10th Assembly is all costs no benefit to the Nigerian people

The IMF briefing in Washington suggests harder times are ahead for Nigerians despite today’s Oil Price windfall. How much more pain can a people bear before they break. Worse still those who lead may squander the windfall and make the day after tomorrow harder than tomorrow

Like Nixon like Amupitan. Both lawyers. Both engaged with cover up allegations. One quit the most powerful job on earth the other is holding on to what is proving to be the most powerful job in Nigeria where they show that those who vote do not count like those who count the vote

Those who see truth and cloak themselves in the garb of silence, including religious leaders, senior lawyers,and traditional rulers, will someday dance naked in the market place. Speak now and redeem yourselves or forever live with the shame

If the NBA cannot prevail on Amupitan to resign the fall of Nigeria through institutional and moral safety nets has become a free fall. History will hold all Lawyers and Amupitan accountable in a way that will embarrass the children of their children