It is quite a relief to be back here after so many years of absence. It used to be that one would not countenance any other thing until one had submitted the writing for the week until the urge started going down and one could as well miss one or two installment(s) and not feel too bad or weighed down. And now we are reviving and resuscitating the column again, hopefully with the necessary impetus and enthusiasm to sustain it for the (un)foreseeable future. It shows that life has its many phases and reflections and we have to not just live with that reality, but have to acknowledge its place in human life and action, being responsible for and representing the ups and downs and vicissitudes of life. That would perhaps be the reason why most Scriptures talk about life in terms of time and phases, with different times for different things under the sun - a time to talk, and a time for silence; a time for merriment, and a time for sorrow! What is important is to recognize the changing phases and respond appropriately, not insisting on continuing with whatever is on-going even when circumstances change and have called for a new direction.
To be sure, the changing nature of things is not necessarily a bad thing as it also affords a sense of pausing to take in assessment and be able to evaluate properly with a view to having the chance and possibility of changing direction if needed. In the instant case, I must report that I have been blessed and privileged to have experienced growth and development along the way; there have been high turns, low turns and average turns to mark the changing contours of life and the changing times defining the narratives and narrations. We take in more insights, reflect more, with all of this serving as necessary and dutiful experiences of life.
Maturity comes along the way, and that counts for much. Language and sentences construction would become more sober and methodical as against the ‘break the barrier’ extravagance of the younger days. How could we forget the series on the Interim National Government (ING) of Ernest Sonekan which did not end until that unfortunate contraption was done away with. It was just impossible to want to accept and live with the ignominy of playing games with the destinies and lives of Nigerians. A few and/or many thought such unfortunate situation could be exploited for persona gains and profit, but it was neither here nor there as what was uppermost was the pursuit of the truth and the need to protect the truth template for the society. This has always been the guardrail for the column and it is important to say that this cornerstone will not change no matter the phase or the time.
Discourse reflects and represents and is a testament to that commitment to place intellect at the service of the society and the people. It is a platform for the constant critical engagement with every and any issue confronting society and bordering on the need and desire for the pursuit of truth and catering to the welfare of the greater number/mass of the people. It is a timeless commitment and adventure that is also conscious of the place of time and life phases in its rendition. It offers critical but modulated and well considered insights on public issues to the advantage of all. I must state how excited I am to be starting this new phase of the column at this time that has been long in coming, which phase and time represent and reflect the fact that many things are beyond us as humans and happen only at the pleasure of God as the overall Sovereign. I do not take it for granted, even as I considered it a privilege, to have the opportunity of a public intellectual interactive platform of engagement. I therefore look forward to such critical and mutually beneficial interaction here as I welcome you all to yet another iteration of the column in its new phase and time element all to the Glory of God.
As we go on this exciting journey, one thing would be certain and constant - my commitment to the truth and its pursuit would be unyielding!
** Olaitan, Professor of Political Science, was Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
