The arguments and polemics ricocheted around me in this South African township house. I was in the house of a friend, and as alcohol and food flowed it fuelled a somewhat acerbic debate.

Following the financial sector reforms of the Obasanjo administration culminating in the consolidation of banks, pension reforms, increased capital market activities and reform of the insurance industry, the Nigerian financial services industry grew exponentially for a while and then suffered some form reverses. In all of these little or nothing has been done to achieve financial inclusion and protection of many disadvantaged consumers of financial products. 

They came quite stealthily towards me, as I slowly savoured my drink at my favourite spot at this joint. Their collective, nigh-menacing tread on the probe made me more alert.
There were three of them - all male; now they moved towards me, and I could see that the one in front was holding a newspaper; the small South African paper I edited! The ambience that surrounded the men ineluctably showed that they were none too pleased with me.

I had previously done some work on financial inclusion policies in emerging/developing markets and have been intrigued by Bank Negara Malaysia’s various steps in empowering local consumers of financial products.
A similar effort by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, would go a long way in ensuring market integrity and stability.

The gentleman, decidedly a stranger to me, seemed out of breath, a frisson of scarcely contained excitement about him. “I’m glad I caught you in your office...” he started.
I stared at him as he went on: “As I told the receptionist ‘outside’, I am from a province far away...I am briefly visiting Bloemfontein. The editor would have killed me if I failed to see you in person!” 
“The editor?” I said, wondering what this was all about.

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Close observers of the recent FCPA enforcement actions involving the bribery of Nigerian government officials (under the Bonny LNG Project)  would have observed that over $600, 000 of the over $1.72 billion paid by the violators to USA authorities  in settlements represented disgorgement of profits. 
Disgorgement has been described as the forced giving up of profits obtained by illegal or unethical acts, generally in order to prevent unjust enrichment. It has also been observed that disgorgement is a remedy and not a punishment.

The rather posh club teemed with frenetic people in the heart of the South African suburbs. I was one of the people there, relaxing, watching live on TV the FA Cup football match between Spurs and Bolton. 
I winced with many others when the game was abandoned late in the second half, no thanks to a Bolton player collapsing in horrific fashion on the pitch. It was Fabrice Muamba, who was apparently having a heart seizure!
The paramedics got in on the act, rushing to help Patrice on the turf.

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Speaking at a pre AGM cocktail organised by shareholders of a prominent company, I was inundated, with questions regarding shareholders role in corporate governance.

Speaking at a pre AGM cocktail organised by shareholders of a prominent company, I was inundated, with questions regarding shareholders role in corporate governance.