According to Pythagoras, "all things are numbers." This does not make any logical sense given the fact that there are a lot of things in life that do not have anything to do with numbers. However, the spate of air travel related accidents involving commercial airliners within the past 12 months (3 to be precise) in Nigeria seem to suggest that Pythagoras may not be totally illogical. The air safety record of the aviation industry in Nigeria is once again called to question and the reality is that over a hundred families are saddled with the sad burden of burying loved ones who met their untimely deaths a la the Nigerian airspace. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine on them. May they rest in peace.

Inasmuch as it will be premature to blame this accident on the safety record of the airline involved (ADC) or some other reason and pending the preliminary results of the investigation of the crash, it does look like we have a situation with managing the safety of air travel in Nigeria. With democracy finally taking root, the injection of foreign investment into our petro-based economy is a conditio sine qua non for the growth, development and sustenance of our economy. Bad safety records, especially air safety will not provide an enabling environment for the much needed foreign investment.

While on the issue of economic growth and development, it is important to take a look at the on-going crisis in the delta region of Nigeria. News of clashes between government forces and the militia is on the tubes on a daily basis. Foreign oil workers are being kidnapped randomly by the militia and the government of Nigeria apparently cannot ensure their safety. This point ties into the problem with air safety and feeds the spooky air about working in Nigeria. The instability in the delta region definitely would scare away foreign investors who would otherwise have loved to engage in capital intensive projects in Nigeria.

Another destabilizing issue that does not encourage foreign investment is the state of our volatile political structures. Several state governors are facing the threat of impeachment (I'm not suggesting that they should not be impeached if they are truly guilty of the offence they are being accused of and if the offence qualifies as an impeachable offence) and some of the legislators that are initiating the process lack basic understanding of it and the qualifying events that necessitates invoking this constitutional process. They therefore sometimes start the impeachment process but then bungle its execution because of lack of proper application. The ineptitude of some of our politicians is a pointer to why the voting public needs to elect politicians who understand the political terrain and process. They should also be individuals with integrity and a track record for success and achievement. The OBJ/Atiku finger pointing show continues and from a lay man's view, it looks like they both had their hands in the candy jar.

While on the issue of integrity, it is necessary to comment of the "Ekiti debacle"and the star and various actors involved in the Ekiti soap. The former governor of Ekiti State(he claims he is still the governor) shamelessly plundered the resources of the state to the tune of over 1 billion naira. In spite of the pyramid of evidence against him and his thieving ways, he is out there claiming to be innocent and he has been quoted as saying he will rule Ekiti again because God has ordained it as such. Ayodele Fayose is a disgrace to the very well educated and industrious people of Ekiti. The deputy governor is no better. She is a kleptocrat and should be punished according to the dictates of the law. Some state legislators that have been implicated in this scandal should face the people too and account for their despicable actions. This should serve as a lesson to all other states governors and public office holders. You will be caught and disgraced if you decide to line your pocket with public funds. Pythagoras may be right and infact, logical afterall.

As the November elections draws near, there is an upsurge in sex scandals in congress and there are some congressmen that are facing economic impropriety allegations . A lot of political pundits are saying that these issues are less likely to influence how people vote in November. I also do believe these recent rash of misconduct in congress will not solely determine how voters cast their votes. This is because there are several other issues that are staring the American voters in the face and it is suddenly not clear cut on how people are going to vote because of these multi-dimensional diplomatic, social, moral, cultural and political issues.

Let us start with Afghanistan that is being described as a "failed state" by many analysts because of uncontained insurgent activity and because of the recent momentum in violent activity by the Taliban against NATO forces. Opinions are rife about how Afghanistan was literally mismanaged economically and politically after the US invasion and how the Taliban are getting ready for a come back. Voters are going to be concerned about what went wrong after American blood was spilled to chase these hoodlums away from Kabul and who and what is responsible for ensuring that they are permanently out of commission.

The Iraqi war is being touted as the single most important issue on the minds of Americans as they prepare to go to the polls. As the situation gets more volatile, as reported by the news media, the American voters are going to vote based on how they feel on the Iraqi invasion and the management of the peace. As American soldiers continue to die in large numbers everyday, some voters are concerned about the possibility of laying down some sort of exit strategy without abandoning the Iraqi's. The insurgency is, based on what we see on TV, getting better at killing coalition soldiers and the security situation in Baghdad and it's environs is precarious. Inasmuch as I do not support the immediate withdrawal from Iraq, I however believe that Washington should reach out to other nations that can influence the insurgent activity in Iraq so the senseless kilings of innocent civilians and coalition forces can stop.

Another issue that will influence how people vote is how the North Korean and Iran nuclear crisis is managed. The need to nip this dangerous development in the bud cannot be overemphasized. The world cannot and should not standby and watch another nuclear arms race begin. With a nuclear North Korea, countries like Iran, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, South Korea, Taiwan and so many other countries could feel the need to invest more resources in this dangerous science.

The other deciding factors for voters are immigration, job loss, big business influence on Washington, the economy and the declining moral values. As Americans prepare to go to the polls, there is an unprecedented desire for information so as to decide on how to vote and who to vote for. That, my friends, is the beauty of democracy.

The UN Security council's vote over the weekend to sanction the DPRK was expected after the flagrant disregard for the calls around the world to "Lil Kim" not to carry out a nuclear test. Proper enforcement of this sanction is equally important. The UN and the Security council should learn from the failed Iraqi sanction effort. The Iraqi administration, though sanctioned by the UN, was able to fly under the radar and conducted business with several governments and individuals around the world and that made the government solvent. The governments of China, South Korea and Japan, because of their borders with North Korea have a great role to play in enforcing these sanctions.

The Pyongyang continues to defy the world and there are claims that activity consistent with another nuclear test is on-going right now and that the North Koreans are eager to prove to the world that their nuclear weapons program is successful and very much alive. What is wrong with this man? He is certainly crazy. There is indescribable poverty and deprivation in North Korea and there is flagrant abuse of human rights. Basic amenities are lacking and people are dying from preventable diseases, yet Lil Kim finds enough time and money to down several shots of Hennessey daily. Maybe if he gets sober someday soon, the world may be a better and safer place.

The Iraqi debacle is dangerously spinning out of control. News of American, coalition and Iraqi army and policemen dying everyday is heart breaking. There is a deliberate attempt to avoid the use of the words "Civil War" to describe the Iraqi situation. However, the escalating violence between the Sunni's and Shiite's seem to suggest that regardless of how we describe the situation, the situation is dire and in need of quick action. According to the BBC, the James Baker committee that is working on helping the White House get out of this jam are considering involving the Syrians and the Iranians in resolving this issue. The non inclusion of the regional powers in the middle east in resolving the Iraqi problem, in my opinion, is misplaced hubris.

Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose impeached finally. The rogue, according to news from Nigeria, tried escaping through the Idiroko border. I'm happy for the people of Ekiti State who can now focus on healing and fixing the damaged and neglected infrastructures during the mega-kleptomaniac rule of Fayose. The moral of this story is that the endemic culture of corruption and personal enrichment from public funds is finally becoming unpopular and Nigerians are pushing back and asking questions. All looting public officials should be brought to justice.

On a sad note, the OBJ/Atiku soap opera continues and unfortunately the future of democracy in Nigeria is dependent on how these clowns resolve this problem that threatens the stability of the nation. I read on Nigeriaworld.com that OBJ is offering Atiku amnesty if Atiku abandons his presidential ambition come 2007. What is going on fellas? Let the truth be told. Some school of thought suggests that OBJ should be investigated as to the source of the money he is investing in his (Bell) private university. Secondly, there are some (including governor Kalu of Abia State) who are suggesting that Temperance Farms owned by OBJ got a new lease on life after OBJ became the president and that the link should be investigated. Why not? Let us see the facts.

Another school shooting in Missouri this morning. I'm happy that nobody got hurt. I'm not even going to dwell on that because it is absolutely redundant. This issue needs to be addressed quickly by the authorities and pragmatic solutions should be proffered. Republican Representative Frank Lasee of Wisconsin last week suggested that teachers and principals should be armed to prevent school shootings. This don't sound like a plausible argument, it could only lead to more violence in my opinion. Let us find ways of stopping these kids from killing other kids and adult men going into schools to execute young and defenseless children. Nuff said.

To a more serious issue, (this is not to suggest that school shootings are not serious) the mad man of the DPRK (The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea), Kim Jong II, carried out his threat of a nuclear bomb test over the weekend. This unprecedented event in the face of a world trying to control nuclear proliferation is irresponsible and a grave threat to world peace. World leaders should unite in an unequivocal condemnation of this barbaric act and China and Russia should join the other permanent members of the security council of the UN in sending a clear message to "Lil Kim" that this is unacceptable and has consequences.

The impact of this irresponsible act by the DPRK, if it is not checked quickly, is that it will empower other rogue nations like Iran and Syria to go ahead with their nuclear programs. The even more scary scenario is the issue of this technology being transferred to terrorists organizations. Pyongyang, because of its stagnant and battered economic situation could toy with the idea of nuclear technology transfer to terrorists organizations and also to nations that harbor them to raise funds. In spite of what the proponents of nuclear technology research say, we should note that the dangers associated with nuclear accidents far exceeds the merits for the research. Consequently, nuclear research should be deemphasized even among developed nations and funds should be directed towards alternative energy sources. The problems of nuclear waste is another issue that even the developed world is grappling with at this time. Irresponsible research in nuclear technology should be discouraged across board. Nuclear research is capital intensive and dangerous. The citizens of the DPRK are poor and hungry, and in spite of this grave humanitarian crisis, "Lil Kim" continues to invest scandalous amounts of money into nuclear weapons research. Sad. A clear message should be sent to Pyongyang, the world would not tolerate this. This is the time to have all hands on deck and to bring all rogue nations into compliance.

I am not a behavioral scientist or psychologist nor do I lay any claim to any mental health expertise, however the recent school shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and the bomb threat yesterday in Culpepper county in Virginia makes me wonder if there is a spike in mental health issues or do we just have individuals that relish violence and enjoy being copy cats.

There is so much violence and conflicts around the world and cable television brings all the news into our living rooms all day. The war in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad Republic, the massacre in Darfur, to mention but a few perhaps fuels this spike. Also the implosion of negotiations on the Iran and North Korea nuclear programs is a huge cause for concern. Could these issues and threats be having a negative impact on the mental health of people around the world and therefore be responsible for the upsurge in violent activities? I will leave that determination to the scientists.

On a lighter note, though I have never used marijuana, and I have no intention of using it, however the fact that "researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California found that marijuana's active ingredient, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, can prevent the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from breaking down more effectively than commercially marketed drugs" and that THC is also more effective in blocking clumps of protein that can inhibit memory and cognition in Alzheimer's patients as reported in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics", presents a dilemma for people who don't use marijuana. The "pot heads" are probably giving each other hi-fives right now in celebration of the potential positive effects of this research. I feel sad because I don't use "pot" and research is suggesting that I am more susceptible to dementia and memory loss than a "pot head" That is a big pile of cow dung. I will continue to stay "pot" free and I will take my chances with dementia.

Damage control is the name of the game. The Republicans are scrambling to manage the "Foley debacle" that broke just a few weeks before the November elections and the situation has gone "from bad to worse to bizarre" Foley's attorney dropped the bomb about the ex-congressman's sexuality. HE IS GAY. He was also molested when he was a young boy. I feel bad that he had to go through this at such a young age and shame on those "clergymen" who cannot keep their hands off little boys. Having said that, it is becoming clearer by the day that some people had information about this disgusting and lewd IM between the young man and the ex-congressman and did nothing. The American people deserve to know. In the same token, I hope the Democrats did not sit on this information only to release it a few weeks to elections. That will amount to politicking with the safety and future of our kids and that would be just as disgusting as the despicable act of the congressman.

Enough said on that. Back to the kleptocrats in Nigeria. The poster child for kleptocratic tendencies among the governors in Nigeria is considering resigning his position after much pressure from his constituents and the EFCC. I am a believer. Institutions like the EFCC, if properly staffed will work in Nigeria. Democracy will work in Nigeria. Nigerians are quickly finding out that they possess the power to kick thieving politicians out of office. Our political awareness is becoming better as we continue to grow democratically. Halleluyah. This governor and his "friend" have set his state back to the tune of over 1 billion naira. He needs to go straight from government house to the jail house. Nigerians are tired of politicians stealing public funds and flaunting it before our very eyes. Asking to be voted for should mean the recipient of the votes is totally committed to serving the people that are casting the votes. It should not be the other way round. As a nation, our political maturation was stunted and stymied by the several unnecessary interruptions to the democratic process. The escalating and ongoing feud between the VP and the President is a sad development. For the sake of the unity of Nigeria and to prevent another "Khaki takeover" from "incompetent politicians", these feuding parties should work towards strengthening the democratic institution in Nigeria. Don't get me wrong, if the VP or the President himself, are found wanting, they should face the full extent of the laws of the land.

Rep. Mark Foley checked into an unnamed alcohol rehab clinic over the weekend. This was revealed by his attorney David Roth. Apparently, alcohol is not his only problem. Rep Foley resigned from his job as a congressman from Florida on Friday amidst the revelation of the inappropriate and sexually charged email he sent to one of the congressional pages. There is a lot of mudslinging across party lines about the conduct of Mark Foley. I think ensuring the safety of the young men and women on the congressional page program should come first and this issue therefore should not be politicized. However if Rep. Mark Foley is found to be a sleazeball like he is being accused of being right now, he should be investigated and all those responsible for the cover up, if any is established, should be reprimanded.

Shame on me. I almost forgot that today is Nigeria's independence anniversary. Happy 46th buddy. You sure look older than 46 though. Hang in there and it will get better. You'll be bright someday when there is electric power everywhere and you'll be smooth when all LG chairmen, governors and federal officials decide to stop looting and spend the allocations for road repairs for what they were allocated for. Cheers buddy.

The rift between OBJ and Atiku ( the guys at the helm of affairs in Nigeria) is no secret. OBJ wants to nail Atiku so bad with corruption charges and Atiku claims OBJ is a dirty politician too. The soap opera took a new dimension with the shooting and death of one Victor Okonkwo, a SSS officer attached to the VP (Atiku) by the police. There are several versions of the incident that led to the death of this young man. I will not even try to determine the veracity of the stories because it does not really matter. Bottom line, another young man cut short in his prime. Was he a pawn in the chess board of the powerful and untouchable or is this just a freak accident? If he was murdered as some are claiming, would the culprits face a just and fair judicial process?

This is not totally surprising given the fact the attorney general (Bola Ige) of Nigeria was brutally murdered in his house and that remains an unsolved case. Funsho Williams was murdered, Dr. Daramola was murdered and the list goes on. I hope it gets better because it is really bad now.

Babangida in the race for president come 2007. Isn't that depressing? This man institutionalized corruption in Nigeria and he wants to rule again? This is sad. IBB has a bunch of praise singers claiming he is the man for the job. Alex Akinyele was quoted as saying IBB should get the job because he is just as qualified for the job as all other kleptocrats that are jostling for the job. I beg to disagree with Chief Akinyele. Governor Donald Duke was recently cleared by the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes commission) for not being a looting governor and given how he is operating in his state, I believe he will make a good president if he decides to run. To IBB I say, go back to your 60 room mansion or whatever it is in Minna and enjoy your ill-gotten wealth. I think you should be grateful that OBJ does not have the will power to prosecute you for plundering and pillaging the national purse. Nigerians will resist you and your thieving cronies. Seriously.

The president, come 2007 should be a detribalized, well informed, educated and politically savvy man or woman that can work across party lines for the betterment of the nation. He could be from the south, east, west, north, north west, north east, middle belt, south east, south west, south south or even a returnee from the disputed Bakassi region. As long as he has the qualities of a good leader and a proven track record, nobody should care about his ethnicity. I don't. Rotational presidency is not democratic in my opinion.