Nigeria, Jan. 26 -- Last week, I shared a travelogue describing my visit to Taraba State, where distance is measured not in kilometres but in neglect and where a road becomes a referendum on citizenship. I anticipated interest, but not the overwhelming response: over 2,010 emails, texts, and messages followed-some generous, some stinging, many deeply reflective. Some thanked me for articulating what they have endured for years; others challenged my framing or conclusions, or said I had not gone far enough. The feedback became more than applause or criticism: it sparked a national conversation about what infrastructure means, who the federation serves, and why resilience is often mistaken for progress.

I believe public commentary earns le...