In line with its title, the book covers most of the challenges that should be addressed by the people and their leadership if Nigeria is to achieve its full potentials as a viable modern state and great African nation capable of responding effectively to the challenges of today's world environment. Author: J.O. Irukwu ISBN: 1856092526

Dedication
Foreword
Foreword and Introduction
Preface
Acknowledgements
About the Book
About the Author

PART ONE: The Early History of Nigeria
Chapter 1 The Origin and Evolution of Modern Nigeria

Self Government, independence and the Golden years ot the Founding Fathers of Modern Nigeria - 1956-1966

Independence and the First Republic 1960 - 1966

Progress and Stability disrupted by Political Upheavals

The Politicisation of the Military and Military Intervention in Governance - 1966 - 1999

The Score Card at the End of Military Rule in 1999

Chapter 2 From Military Coups to Civil War 1966 - 1970

Reasons for Military Interventions in Modern African States

Nigeria's counter-coup of July 29, 1966

Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon heads second military government - August 1, 1966

The Nigerian Civil War: July 6. 1967 to January 15, 1970

The task of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

The Lessons of the Nigerian Civil War

Chapter 3 The Political Scene after the Civil War under the Gowon Post-War Government 1970 - 1975

Chapter 4 From Gowon to Murtala Mohammed/Obasanjo Military Government

The assassination of General Muhammed and the abortive coup of 13th February, 1976

Lt. General Olusegun Obasanjo becomes the Head of State

The 1979 Presidential Elections

Chapter 5 Brief Return to Civilian Rule: the Shagari Administration 1979 - 1983

Installation and swearing-in ceremony of President Shagari

Chapter 6 The Buhari, Babangida, Abacha and Abubakar Military Regimes (1983 - 1999)

The Buhari Regime 1983 - 1985

The Babangida Regime 1985 - 1993

How did Babangida fare in all these problems?

From Shonekan to Abacha

The Prayer Industry during the Abacha Years and the Concept of Divine Intervention

End of the Abacha Era

Divine Intervention and the Death of Abacha

The Abubakar Military Regime from June 9, 1998 to May 29, 1999

The Death of Abiola on July 7, 1998

PART TWO: The Return of Democracy in 1999

Chapter 7 Abubakar and the Rebirth of Democracy in 1999

The Inauguration of Preident Obasanjo

Chapter 8 From Prison to Prediency: Obasanjo and the Return of Democracy in May 1999

The Election and RE-election of the PDP Government and Others, 1999 - 2003

Three Years of Democracy: May 1999 to May 2002

The International Viewpoint on Three Years Democracy in Nigeria under Obasanjo Administration

PART THREE: Fron Unhealthy Politics to Economic Distress

Chapter 9 The Effect of the Political Environment on the Economy

The Nigerian Economy from 1960 to 2002

The Financial Services Industry

The Central Bank of Nigeria

Insurance and Reinsurance

Government intervention in Insurance

Chapter 10 Rebuilding the Financial Services Industry for Economic Recovery

The nature and scope of the financial services industry

The Financial market; Money market and Capital market

The Most Commonly used Financial Securities

The Nigerian Financial Services Industry and the National economy

Regulatory laws should Promote Viability and Recovery, not Distress

Main Participants in the Nigerian Financial Services Industry

How Has The Nigerian Financial Services Industy fared over the years

Enactment and Enforcement of Enabling Laws

Democracy, the Economy and the Financial Services Industry

Some Notable Nigerian Initiatives

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Chapter 11 The Case for a United, Peaceful and Stable Nigerian Nation

The strategic importance of Nigeria

A Tribute to the Founders of Modern Nigeria

Today's Nigerian Environment and the Elimination of Factors the Impede Development

How To Ensure a Peaceful, United and Stable Nigerian Nation

Some Lessons from the 20th Century

All Ethnic Nationalities to play Key Roles in the Reconciliation Project


Chapter 12 The Challenge to Nigeria

The Challenge is to Prove them Wrong

The Blackman's Capacity for Excessive Consumption with Little Regard For Productivity

Chapter 13 The Nigerian Dream is Attainable

Nigerian Dream Attainable if Dangerous pitfalls are eliminated

Democracy, the Rule of Law and National Stability

Demovracy and the Year 2003

Leadership, Democracy and National Stability

The Dangers of Poor Intolerant Leadership

The Presidency, Democracy and National Stability

The Importance of the President's Leadership Style And Public Posture

Ethnicity, Leadership and National Stability

Religious conflicts

The Economy, Poverty and National Stability

Chapter 14 The Media, President Obasanjo and National Stability

The Media as a Protector of Democracy

The President and the Nigerian Condition

The President's Travels and National Development

Impeachment Threats, Democracy and the Media

Chapter 15 Disturbing Signals and the Lessons of History

Solving The Real Problem

Chapter 16 Conclusions: The Future

The Judiciary

The Integrity of the Presidential System

The concept of Rotational Presidency

The Electoral Process and the Case for Free and Fair Elections

The Attitude of the Electorate

The National Interest, Ethnicity and the Future

The Role of Women in Nigeria's Future Growth and Stability

National Reconciliations As a Vehicle for Achieving Peace, National Unity, Stability and Development