Nigeria

I have sensed a disturbing complacency in our politicians and intellectuals as they try to enunciate democracy for the rest of us. They assume erroneously that democracy is its own justification – that simply being baptised with the moniker of democracy is sufficient.

For the past three months now, Nigeria’s political stability has been on a cliff-edge as a result of the succession crisis occasioned by the illegal absence of the country's president, Umaru Yar’Adua, due to ill health.

The details of the massacre of more than 100 defenceless poor and exploited persons – mostly women and children – in Nigeria came on 8 March International Women’s Day. It was striking that this news came when society should be spending time honouring the work and contribution of women.