Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Our cultural and literary icon YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Nauseatingly, why do we not celebrate the good ones among us? Why do the brown-envelope Newspapers in Nigeria, and social media hogwash us with naughty and noxious things? Why don't people rejoice with our collective achievements domestically and on the world stage?

Season’s greetings to Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi; the great advocate for the masses IFEANYICHUKWU MMOH, Jos, Nigeria Not too many Nigerians understood why Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi was named honorable ministerfor transport again upon the reconstitution of the federal cabinet following the landslide victory of President Muhammadu Buhari....

This House has Fallen ERIC TENIOLA, Lagos, Nigeria Since the publication there has been reactions on the book, Mr. Nicolas Okpe said "the book is typical post-colonial prejudice by western journalist". The book x-rays Nigeria's past and present problems.

CHANGEUP TONIC The Ride of Honor… GBENGA OWOTOKI, Florida, USA Can you imagine if the president of the free world calls you and said, 'I need you' I can imagine your response, but we are talking about the one that is greater than all the presidents of the world combined requesting you release your life to Him.

The future of Africa and the botched "Nigeria Vision 2020" YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA 'Nigeria Vision 2020' was a jamboree imagination with much fanfare! In the pseudo 'Nigeria vision 2020,' a careful peruse of its manuscript revealed a comprehensive vision to unleash the potential of Nigeria's resources within 20 years. A beautiful blueprint with imagination for possibilities was botched by the same technocrats and leaders who initiated the vision.

2020: My Year of Greatness Pastor AMOS D. DADA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Be ready to be great. Your greatness starts with hearing, watching or reading this message and applying it to areas in your life where it is needed. God wants you to be great, God wants you to prosper, God wants you to make impact in your generation, but God will never force you.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK Dealing with family hatred, kindred demons and familiar enemies in 2020 MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA He [Lucifer] was able to draw one-third of the angels to join him in his coup d'état which tragically for them ended in a fiasco thus necessitating their complete, irredeemable and scorched banishment from heavens. Incensed and bitter, these lost angels proceeded to set up a diametrically-opposed kingdom on earth and categorized themselves into principalities, effete powers, and demons, forces of evil and wicked agents of destruction in the four levels of creation namely: the sea, arboreal realm, atmospheric plain and the eco-system.

My 2020 year message to everyone! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA What makes 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 or the previous years so different from the incoming year-2020 and beyond is the ugly or beautiful events of each year. It depends on your experiences or which side you are on!

Nigeria's imminent Jihad and the proposed 'Free Entry Visa' Policy Rev. Fr. FRANCIS A. OBORJI, The Vatican There is every cause for concern with regard to the proposed "Free Entry Visa" Policy for all Africans, announced recently by Major General Muhammed Buhari, Nigeria's maximum leader. Very instructive is the fact that General Buhari chose to make the announcement during his visit to Egypt....

"Mamalawo", one year after, just like that! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Professor Sophie Oluwole was a cynosure of all eyes in the university community. 'Mamalawo' as she was popularly called in the literary circles, was Arogidigba (a timber and caliber) in the academic community.

Nigeria is under the rule of men E O EKE, UK Justice is a favour granted at the pleasure of the president. This is the sad tragedy of the state of Nigeria, under Rtd Major General Mohammadu Buhari.

Nigeria: Now a federation divided by hate & slowly overtaken by aliens IFEANYICHUKWU MMOH, Jos, Nigeria Therefore, divided by hate; Nigeria was slowly been overtaken by aliens, most of whom were encouraged to come in so as to boost the North’s chances of electoral victory in 2015.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK Nigeria 2020: The 8 cities in the next spiritual warfare in Africa's most populous nation MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA I will now expatiate more on the nature of this spiritual warfare and the eight major cities of spiritual flashpoints. Other cities and states should be spiritually guarded, but these eight cities are pivotal.

Sowore: My 2019 best Christmas gift from President Buhari???? YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Last night, I was in bed musing to write another clamor letter to appeal to President Buhari for the release of Mr. Omoyele Sowore before Christmas and New Year! I never knew a beautiful gift was awaiting me from Aso Rock....

Origins and Spiritual Imports of Christmas at a Time like This Rev. Fr. FRANCIS A. OBORJI, The Vatican In the midst of conflicting ideologies in a world controlled by secularized media, market-economy, lust for power, neo-geopolitical hegemony, racism, cultural and religious intolerance and bigotry, nepotism and tyranny of all sorts, it is not uncommon nowadays, to hear people give wild interpretations concerning the origins and significance of Christmas.

Merry Christmas & Goodbye to 2019 Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA Whatever that has a beginning must have an end. There was a certain humble woman who unluckily married a wicked wealthy man. There was no day that passes without the husband beating her mercilessly. ... 'When will this ill-fated marriage come to an end?' An inner voice answered her, 'Until death do us part.' Thus her frequent point of prayer was ....

FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES Jesus welcomes sinners SAM AWEDA, Lagos, Nigeria Jesus heard their criticism and replied 'Sick people need the doctor, not healthy ones! I haven't come to tell good people to repent, but the bad ones.'

ONYINYE'S MIRROR ON LIFE Delicious December ONYINYE OYEDELE, Ontario, Canada Food is calling everywhere you go. A cookie here and there, a slice of this or that.... Sometimes it seems like December is the envy of other months....

The lynching of Onyema CHIGACHI EKE We therefore owe it a duty to Nigerians and Americans to give an accurate account of the real circumstances of Onyema and his Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, FEHN.

Proposed National Assemby renovation and the great outcry against its budget IFEANYICHUKWU MMOH, Jos, Nigeria Though the uproar over the cost of renovating the complex has more than proved that I am not the only one who feels this way; yet it feels good to know that one was not a lone ranger...

CARRY OVER Part 4 (Mark Angel Comedy) (Episode 242)

Can somebody talk to our youths? OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU The list is becoming endless: tramadol, jegemi, blue tongue.Even drugs that are designed to serve some useful clinical purposes are now grossly abused such as diazepam.

Softly, softly General T.Y Danjuma! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA It is also very disturbing and disquieting to see our elders, whom the youth should seek advice from, making unguarded statements that can trigger uprisings in a troubled nation struggling to unearth peaceful coexistence.

The Blessing of Venison Pastor AMOS D. DADA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada This morning the Holy Spirit taught me what I think is the main focus of this story- the blessing synonymous with venison. The story of how eating venison provokes fatherly blessings.

Adieu Philip Osondu, alias "Zanza"! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium The death of Philip Osondu, is painful and certainly a big blow to the Nigerian soccer family.

Again, who killed Bola Ige? ABIODUN KOMOLAFE, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State In Jane Mayer's view, 'nothing predicts future behavior as much as past impunity.'

THE CHRISTIAN WALK Why does God allow Christians to suffer? Does He not care? MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA This is strictly for the truly-regenerated and genuinely-converted believers and followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

POTUS: Impeachment and removal defined! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA It's a sad and unfortunate day for America and the world to see American exceptionalism threatened by the vile and unthinkable behavior of her seating President.

President Buhari at 77 YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA We pray to Almighty God to give you good health, more strength, and unalloyed bliss, wisdom, and power to your elbows, to be able to shoulder our multifarious and multifaceted problems in Nigeria.

Remove French language course from our school curriculums: A call for true independence for our country OMOH T. OJIOR My beloved people of our country, in the name of Osinegba, Oghena, Olorun Olodumare, God, and the Gods of our land, Africa, please remove all the foreign language courses from our children's school curriculums.

Rejoice! Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA Few years ago, I was walking with two of my colleagues from Cameroun along a busy street in Germany. The three of us were cracking jokes and laughing in high tones as if this world is a bed of roses.

FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES Jesus, the hope of mankind; I proudly celebrate Christmas SAM AWEDA, Lagos, Nigeria Some Christians say they do not celebrate Christmas, I do not care the academic status or Christian height or the acceptability in the society of such people. I do not care about the origin or the semantics or argument anyone has about the word 'Christmas'. The understanding and intention of what we are doing is all that matters to me.

Orji Uzor Kalu: Why Abia North Senatorial District deserved another Senator! IFEANYICHUKWU MMOH, Jos, Nigeria The idea of a constituent and a representative is one that was modeled to be symbiotic. Looking at the situation now, particularly given the pronouncements from the national assembly, it becomes immediately clear that our democracy seemed to attach more value to the person of the representative.

Buhari, the burn fire of democracy and take over of Nigeria by Islamists E O EKE, UK After the assault on the rule of law at the federal high court last week and the statement by the Chief Justice of Nigeria that Islamic law should be taught in Arabic in Nigerian universities....

MC Abuatik's sudden death: Let's take a moment each day to find peace, honesty, and love for humanity! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA When we lose a life fully and moderately ensconced in flashy and beautiful personality, the death speaks volumes to us in the race of life! Softly, softly!

Abuatik MC: A beautiful soul is gone forever! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA I am shocked beyond imagination.; The sudden death of the AbuAtic MC; Is a great loss to men and women of goodwill.; A beautiful smiling soul has exited the; Void world full of nothingness!

Mr. Tortoise and political hanky-panky in Nigeria YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA The more I try to be muted of Iyabo's grotesque grandstanding, the more I feel guilty to be part of the acquiescence and silent individuals to Mr. Tortoise's political opportunism.

The retention of Coach Gernot Rohr, at least till 2022, is a conditio sine qua non CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium Coach Rohr, unlike a typical German coach, is not 'tactically dogmatic'! He is flexible in his tactical choices and, thus, exhibits: 'tactical flexibility' and '- adaptability'!

NIPOST, FIRS and Stamp Duty Collection ABIODUN KOMOLAFE, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State Let FIRS be informed that, until the Acts of Parliament that established NIPOST are changed, nothing can alter the situation on ground.

Our involvement in xenophobia ERIC TENIOLA, Lagos, Nigeria Nigeria, now a victim, has aggressively indulged in xenophobia before.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK Why God allows His anointed to die and be murdered? The power in the believer's blood MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA Every genuine Christ believer and true follower must have an experiential encounter with the prince of this world, either directly or through his menageries of agents that would test our faith and belief in the One Who gave it all for us to have eternal life.

Onyema saved American lives CHIGACHI EKE Ten years after Onyema played a big role in ending a war that could have claimed more American lives and businesses, the US Department of Justice turned against him.

Time Up! Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA I was at the pulpit delivering the Word of God during 6.00p.m Mass. It was getting dark gradually. Suddenly an unholy and stupid action took place inside the House of God. A young man of about 20 years of age stood up from the back pew, holding a red card like a referee in the football pitch.

Sowore, Buhari, morality, hate, bigotry, this writer and good conscience in Nigeria YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA The two people (Sowore and Buhari) who are agitating for an egalitarian society from a wasteland are victims of a society from which they operate.

A tribute to Reinhard Bonnke Pastor AMOS D. DADA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Reinhard Bonnke is gone from this part of the world to a better part, with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

Open Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari! Release Sowore now! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA I am an avowed Buharist and unrepentant supporter of your efforts to see a country of our dream. ... Sowore is not flight-risk! Sowore is not a criminal. His gaffes and misdemeanor should not morph to hate and disregard for the rule of law and our sacred constitution.

FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES Jesus and Religion; The difference SAM AWEDA, Lagos, Nigeria Religion also includes what to wear and what not to wear; what and what not to eat. It also includes what obligations to make at any particular time of the day, week, month and year. The Holy Spirit in one self has no role or guide in religion. It is simply a rule of Dos' and Don'ts. It has rules for all spheres of living.

The conspiracy against Onyema CHRIS EKIYOR My immediate impression was that Allen was a man who had my type of gene for great ideas. I was already aspiring to become the president of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC. Allen immediately saw the transformative opportunity of converting me to the Kingian non-violence approach to social change.

The futility of wants and desires! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Some men of yesterday basked in the euphoria of yesterday. To their chagrin, yesterday has now expired.

Is Nigeria now a terrorist state and Nigeria police a terrorist group? E O EKE, UK It was very sad to watch the video of houses in Oraifite, Anambra State, home of of Barister Ifeanyi Ejiofor set ablaze by the Nigeria police and heart wrenching to read the police attempt to justify this act of terrorism and barbarism.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK The 3 choices before Prof. Oluwayemisi Oluwaleke Osinbajo, VP, Federal Repulic of Nigeria MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA Now that Prof Yemi Osinbajo has got to this level so far, he has the sacred right and duty to resign so that his loyalty to his boss will not continue to dog the Buhari Administration.

Why Senator-elect Smart Adeyemi must be smart! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Those who are surreptitiously maneuvering to usurp political power must now be unenthused by their inordinate political ambition.

Kogi West Senatorial Rerun: Can the aggrieved seek redress at the tribunal? IFEANYICHUKWU MMOH, Jos, Nigeria It has happened finally and, just as many of us had predicted it would. Not a few analysts saw the coup against Senator Dino Melaye as a foregone conclusion.

Not for Sale Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA The story of the evil woman whose husband put her for sale has thought many a lesson for life. ... Keeping alert is not cowardice. To take a risk is a dangerous gamble. Since our society became dangerous, most people have learnt to sleep with one eye closed and the other opened by day and by night.

American Thanksgiving: A reflection for Nigeria YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Every time you go out of your comfort zone or house here in the United States or travel to other States of the Union, it’s a sad reminder of the sorry state of our roads in Nigeria. It’s like our leaders are under a spell.

Igbo Presidency and hazards of negative consensus CHIGACHI EKE The starting point is endorsing the position of the Okechukwu Isiguzoro-led 27-man 2023 National Committee on Igbo Presidency Project: For proper integration, unity and maintenance of healthy democracy....

FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES Question about Tithing; Summary (tract) SAM AWEDA, Lagos, Nigeria So a giver of ten percent gets in return, a reward, proportionate of a tenth and a giver of nine-tenth, receives in return a reward proportionate of nine-tenth. But the reward being talked about does not necessarily have to be received here on earth but stocked or banked for us in heaven.

Open Defecation-free Nigeria & Sundry other issues not likely covered in the Executive Order 9 IFEANYICHUKWU MMOH, Jos, Nigeria The announcement of the Executive Order 9 took a great number of Nigerians unawares. It caught many asking questions like: what is our business with open defecation-free Nigeria?

Nigeria's dirtiest city JUSTUS B. OBEKPAH Located on the banks of the River Benue, the historically accommodating North Central Nigerian city of Makurdi does offer, in relative abundance, natural, idyllic and strategic features....

THE CHRISTIAN WALK 7 Biblical ways a true born-again Christian can play politics and not be corrupted MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA A truly-regenerated and genuinely-converted person inspired by the Holy Spirit to go into politics and public service will be instructed by the Holy Spirit to accomplish specific objectives.