Nigeria Versus Tunisia: The Super Eagles of Nigeria can defeat the "Catharge Eagles" of Tunisia for the third place at AFCON 2019! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium

Courageous Super Eagles of Nigeria lose to the "Dessert Foxes" of Algeria! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium Me thinks the Super Eagles met a side that out-classed them in virtually all departments of the game! The Algerians had a better goalkeeper, they defended better, they had better control of the mid-field...!

FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES The expectations of citizens from the government (8) SAM AWEDA, Lagos, Nigeria Not only trained teachers can be sent to schools, all graduates of tertiary institutions who are unemployed can equally be posted to Ministries relevant to their studies. The idea behind all these proposals is just to make sure that the wealth of the nation reaches as many people as possible and the great advantage is that the Devil will not find any idle hand for any evil activities.

A swift Open Letter (reply) to OBJ and Nigerians! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Toronto, Canada With painful nostalgia, just have a quick reminder of what you did to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief MKO Abiola, Gen. Musa Yar'Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians. You thwarted the genuineness of these compatriots from achieving their dreams for a country we love with passion. Nigeria is a repetitious metaphor of a country!

THE CHRISTIAN WALK 12 Basic Reasons Satan and His Demons Hate the Human Race; You and Me MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA Satan hates you. Satan hates the True Lord God Almighty Who created him. Since the moment Satan and his fallen spirits: principalities and demons; were flushed out of heaven, because of their disobedience and rebellion, they have vowed that they would oppose everything Godly on earth.

Implications of Ruga Settlement Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA I have searched for the word 'Ruga' in English Dictionary but did not find it. Also I searched for it in the Encyclopedia of English Language, all to no avail. It is not an Igbo, Yoruba or pigin English terminology. Finally I discovered that Ruga is a Hausa word for cattle/Fulani settlement. Experts say that Ruga means 'dominate' in Northern language.

Wole Soyinka @ 85: An intellectual gnome in the forest of a thousand cacodemons! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Kongi, a ghomid and; terrestrial intellectual; Property to voyagers of the muse.; A conscience of the nation; Grinding in a confused enclave; and wasteland.

Killer-herdsmen symbol on the new Nigerian passport: Implications Rev. Fr. FRANCIS A. OBORJI, The Vatican Very disturbing was the secretive way, the administration cleverly inserted the Fulani herdsmen terrorists' inscription in the new Nigerian International Passports. By inserting the symbol of the world fourth most deadly terrorist organization on the Nigerian International Passport, President Buhari has finally told the world the kind of value his government believes in, and he himself, is promoting in Nigeria.

In defence of the Vice President of Nigeria - Professor Yemi Osinbajo Pastor AMOS D. DADA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada I am not writing to seek his favour in any way. I am writing this article because I am concerned about how members of the body of Christ as well as some members of the Yoruba community have and continue to criticize, vilify, abuse, cursing and say terrible things about Osinbajo.

Super Eagles of Nigeria fly into the semi-finals of AFCON 2019, leaving the stubborn "Bafana-Bafana" of South-Africa stumbling in their wake! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium It was an epic battle of two titans of African soccer. ... A team that eliminated the hosts; a team of the calibre of Egypt, cannot but be classified as a titan of African soccer!

Osun: Now that the strife is over! ABIODUN KOMOLAFE, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State At this stage, the 'excuse' of lingering governorship litigation awaiting adjudication is no longer an issue! Coincidentally, some quarters have become infested with the notion that he [Gov Oyetola] is already moving fast too slowly; and that is not too good for a state that is desperately in pursuit of 21st century development.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria can get past the "Bafana-Bafana" of South Africa! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium The South-Africans are gradually getting to the top of their game once again, and are gradually nearing the standards of the 1996 and 1998 teams that were African champions and Vice-champions respectively. They will certainly provide a good measure of competition to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Super Eagles of Nigeria shoot-out the impressive "Indomitable Lions" of Cameroun, in a thrilling encounter !!!!!!! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium ...raised their game from the performance of the first round. They give one the impression that they are gradually getting to their peak; this portends well for the team, for Nigerians and all other Super Eagles' supporters, as the competition gets to the crucial stages!

The future of Christianity in Nigeria and betrayal of politicians Rev. Fr. FRANCIS A. OBORJI, The Vatican What many of our Christian Politicians have forgotten in the present dispensation is that the failure on the part of any disciple to stand up for Christ and His Church at a critical time like ours today in Nigeria, is a sin of betrayal. It is a sin of betrayal comparable to that of Judas Iscariot.

Dr Okezie Ikpeazu: The irredeemable governor NNANNA IJOMAH, New York, New York, USA With the Abia State Governor and judging from his job performance after his first four years in office, it is evidently obvious that ... after watching his first 100 days in his second term confidently say the man is beyond redemption.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK The demon-god of self-strength and why the United States is perpetually at war? MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA The United States of America, my adopted home country had just celebrated its 241st year independence, but historically, this beautiful land is 525 years old. In its existence, the United States of America has been fighting wars, both within and without; either ignored or veiled acknowledgement.

The Heavenly Race Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA It is then clear that what follows God's judgment is either heaven or hell. The intermediary is purgatory. Purgatory is a place or condition of temporal purification of one's soul due to venial sins or punishment due for forgiven mortal sins. Some people see purgatory as only a Catholic doctrine.

UZOKWE'S SEARCHLIGHT Citizens of other nations now live longer, Why can’t Nigerians? – Part 4 of 4 ALFRED O. UZOKWE, Harrisburg, PA, USA Medical malpractice in Nigeria is not helping longevity: ... a relative lost his sight, in Nigeria, because of the carelessness of the surgeon. The standby generator was not functional when the main power source went off, in mid surgery.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: One of our icons of inspiration! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie makes us proud! She is one of our cultural icons and received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Yale University during the university’s 2019 commencement ceremony.

ENGLISH TEST (Mark Angel Comedy) (Episode 218)

Topic: Learn to endure! Pastor AMOS D. DADA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada When you are arrested! When you are provoked. When you are molested, hated, betrayed etc, Jesus says endure to the end. ... What the Holy Spirit is saying today is accept reality of challenges within relations, parents and children, spouses, colleagues, even in churches.

Treacherous Christian Politicians and Denial of Persecution of Christians in Nigeria (1) Rev. Fr. FRANCIS A. OBORJI, The Vatican There is no doubt that a good number of our Christian politicians serving in the present administration of President Buhari have taken the unfortunate route of Judas Iscariot. Many of them have betrayed Jesus Christ, the church and the persecuted Nigerian masses by their actions and inactions in their chosen mission as politicians.

UZOKWE'S SEARCHLIGHT Citizens of other nations now live longer, Why can’t Nigerians? – Part 3 of 4 ALFRED O. UZOKWE, Harrisburg, PA, USA ...in Nigeria where self-medication is the norm. When people feel sick, they assume they know what ails them. They easily walk into a pharmacy, buy any medication and commence a treatment course. ... So while they treat a phantom ailment, the real ailment is lurking in their body, worsening by the day, sometimes becoming debilitating or leading to death.

An Open Letter to President Buhari on Ruga Settlement YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Sir, the "new normal" is not always normal in our country-Nigeria. It has always been one-day-one-dose-of-trouble for our beleaguered (troubled) nation. Our needless-man-made and recurring problems are intractable. You must suspend the RUGA issue for now if the majority of your citizens oppose it.

Nigeria Versus Cameroun: The "Indomitable Lions" of Cameroun are beatable! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium It is yet another clash of the titans; a clash between two African power houses in soccer. Two countries with a rich and beautiful history in soccer and with a history of intense rivalry between them, in soccer.

When we were Warriors ABI ADEGBOYE They whispered, trepidation and fear drowning their words, 'It's Fulani herdsmen! They've taken over our farmlands and towns. They are killing people. We have nowhere to go.' The old warrior, asked in disbelief, 'Ni Ikire? (In Ikire?)' The cowering horde nodded in unison.

Abia and its development partnerships OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU Development partnerships are very essential in every government. This is because of the fact that government cannot do it alone but will always require collaborations with development partners.

Book Review: Exploring Okey Nwachuku, George Awoonor-William's African belief on the relationship between the dead and the living OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU One belief is strongly rooted in some African tradition. This is the belief that the dead has strong relationship with the living and can influence them either positively or negatively. Two works have highlighted this belief substantially. They include Okey Nwachuku's 'Talon of the Python' and George Awoonor-William's poem' Songs of Sorrow'.

An evening walk with Buktu (Poem) AUGUSTINE C. OHANWE The powerful sun has just set, but it’s not yet fully dark.; The sky still maintains its afterglow ; and tints the forest landscape with a beautiful monochrome.

Old layer Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA The economic condition of our country, Nigeria, often bites me without mercy. When I have no money to purchase fuel for my car, I engage myself in miraculous prayer, so that my petrol tank meter will not go down. As I was travelling one cloudy afternoon, I prayed and prayed, but all to no avail.

Seyi Makinde's progressive baptism in governance YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state seems more genuine in his frame of mind to bringing Oyo State at par with other developing states in Nigeria. In less than one month of Makinde's administration, he seems to know the business of governance.

My Month of Divine Intervention Pastor AMOS D. DADA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada For God to intervene in your matter there are three things you need to know. God can tell you to do nothing about the predicament, because you cannot do anything about it within your capacity, like the parting of the Red Sea, he just told them to be 'still'. The second one is he might tell you to do something.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been unconvincing so far! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium How are the mighty fallen? Why did this happen to the Super Eagles in the match- up against Madagascar? Why have the Super Eagles been unconvincing so far in the AFCON 2019?

LINK UPDATED: Biafra, an Igbo tragedy E O EKE, UK It is heart wrenching to watch the disintegration of Igbo society in the name of agitation for Biafra. As I recount the hundreds of youth who have died in the name of this struggle, I ask myself does it worth it.

Nigerian lawmakers' alarming JUMBO PAY! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA As of 2019, the base salary for all rank-and-file members of the U.S. House and Senate was $174,000 per year, plus benefits. That's $14,500 per month. The US Congress counterparts in Nigeria earn egregious and a whopping sum of $474,000 per year. That's $39,500 per month, plus other benefits and pervading 'egunje' in the discharge of their duties!

Hon Chinedum Orji and the 7th Abia House of Assembly OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU Other things being equal, we are expecting a very active house that will not relent to wield its big hammer on those who are ever willing and ready to disobey the laws and resolutions passed by the house.

Southwest security and our governors' dilemma ABIODUN KOMOLAFE, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State Nigerians expect Buhari to proactively degrade this sense of shame that is currently troubling our Israel before he returns to Daura with his 'reputation of integrity' in 2023. But then, history has shown without fail that the Southwest is one region whose rich heritage can't be blackmailed or contaminated with illegitimate steps.

Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi: A model of leadership in Nigerian university system JACINTA A. OPARA, Accra, Ghana With enormous accomplishments recorded, Prof Njodi is being referred to in some quarters as the "Architect" of modern development of the University. He remained focused and refused to be distracted by shadows, rumours, gossips, fanaticism, sychophancy, ego-massaging and petty issues.

VIDEO: Super Eagles of Nigeria cruise into the knock-out phase of the 2019 Nations' Cup competition! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium It was indeed a revamped Super Eagles of Nigeria, in comparison with the team that played Burundi, in the opening group's match. The team was revamped not only in terms of the substituted players ... but also in terms of the style of play.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK How to identify Pseudo-Christian sects and para-secret organizations MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA When we started our series on pseudo-Christian organizations and satanic sects few weeks ago as commanded by the Holy Spirit, we knew and anticipated the likely and sure backlash from the agents of Satan and Darkness. You see, para-secret organizations come in different stripes and there are many of them today composed of the highly intelligent and influential members of the world...

Nigeria: Between the policeman, the kidnapper and the armed robber PATRICK IBEKWE, Port Harcourt, Nigeria The above three groups or segments of the Nigerian society have become the hottest topics amongst Nigerians in recent times. Their activities and exploits feature daily in the print and electronic media, as well as in the daily discussions of many Nigerians.

Nigerian embassies abroad: Shame of a nation! (They need a complete overhaul) YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Our cultural nomenclature, mission and national representations abroad are failing us. To renew your expired Nigerian passport is a herculean task!

Apollo 11 exploration and African conundrums! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA The Apollo 11 mission occurred eight years after President John F. Kennedy (1917-63) announced a national goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. As I stay glued to my TV tonight for the revival of history, my heart ... aches and bleeds for Africa for retrogression and medieval thoughts. Nigeria is a bad example for Africa!

FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES The expectations of citizens from the government (7) SAM AWEDA, Lagos, Nigeria Having traveled widely, I will give examples of how the responsible governments of the world create job for their citizens, which enables everyone to share in the state's wealth rather than sharing the public money among their friends and party loyalists.

In Buhari and arrogance of Miyetti Allah, Nigeria died E O EKE, UK The call by Miyetti Allah for the establishment of Fulani militia in East Nigeria is another clear evidence that the essence of Nigeria has been lost and that the Fulanis are in arrogant and blood thirsty conquest mood.

Super Eagles of Nigeria manage a narrow victory against the battling "Swallows" of Burundi! CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium ...battling against a Burundian team, rated the lowest of all participating teams at the nations' cup tournament, and managing to eek out a lone goal victory, was certainly not good enough for the three-time African champions, with their array of talented players!

Much ado about new cabinet formation Shola Babs-Aro-Lambo, Dublin, The Republic of Ireland It is pertinent to reemphasize the idea of putting round pegs in round holes. Just as it is wrong to appoint a man as the minister for women affairs, it is equally wrong to appoint a medical doctor as the minister for Employment, Labour and Productivity.

Never give up! Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA Few days ago, I was behind the wheels on my way to visit a sick person, which was about seven kilometers journey. At a point I came to a hilly road. I accelerated the engine higher. Suddenly, I met a tipper lorry in front of me. It was carrying a trip of fresh sand, dripping water on the road. The lorry was making a hopeless sound as it was ascending the hill.

2020: Joe Biden and the Democratic National Convention YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Those who are bringing ugly history and black reparations to the current conversation are not helping matters to defeat the POTUS.

An Open Letter to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun Statee ADEKUNLE AKINYEMI, Pikesville, Maryland, USA WE THE PEOPLE OF OYO AND OSUN STATES OF NIGERIA are embarking on this rescue mission for and on behalf of the current students and Alumni of LAUTECH, Workers and Lecturers of LAUTECH and finally the well-wishers of the 'Noble' State (Osun) and of the Pacesetter (Oyo) State.

UZOKWE'S SEARCHLIGHT Citizens of other nations now live longer, Why can’t Nigerians? – Part 2 of 4 ALFRED O. UZOKWE, Harrisburg, PA, USA Some believe that one only needs a doctor when one is sick. Trying to convince me that he was healthy, a contemporary in Nigeria told me that he last saw a doctor “five years ago”. He did not understand that every ailment goes through different stages of incubation.

Atomic God (Poem) AUGUSTINE C. OHANWE Science, what a wonderful religion!; Proud to be one of its largest congregations. ; Physicists are our infallible high priests, ; and proton, neutron and electron our archangels.

Rumour and propaganda are negative to Abia development OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU Recently elements whose stock-in-trade has been to deploy arm twisting measures to subdue government into gaining one favour or the other, took to their usual trade by invading some social media platforms and reeled out some unfounded claims to malign and denigrate some public officials.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK The religion of football and the demon-god of soccer decoded MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA Is soccer as it is known in non-American World, which is being glorified around the world a religion? Many born-again Christians will argue hoarse that there is nothing wrong in joining the rest of the people of the world in the frenzied ecstasy and worshipful glorification that soccer or football has become. But the Holy Spirit reveals that soccer is another religion of the world that has been fetishified by billions of souls on earth today.

Pay your taxes, too Pastor AMOS D. DADA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada I will never forget my shock at my first time of filling tax forms at our NNPC Warri Head Office more than three decades ago. Let me recall the event below as my memory will permit.

Rescuing LAUTECH: A task that is long overdue ADEKUNLE AKINYEMI, Pikesville, Maryland, USA One then wonders why the LAUTECH issue has refused all humanly possible solutions to date between the two brother States of Osun and Oyo. Why should it be made to look like the Institution has been jinxed and dying?

Gaduje, a governor without balls CLIVE AKINSOLA The recent imbroglio between the Kano state governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Gaduje and the Emir Lamido Sanusi is somewhat very intriguing because of the power play. Nonetheless, the criticism that the Emir leveled against the governor is legitimate and valid.

An interesting conversational taunt between Mr. Integrity (PMB) and Mr. Honesty (PYO)! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Mr. Honesty: Sai Baba, you know what sir? Our integrity and honesty are assets to bring Nigeria back from self-ruin. It's working in the minds and consciousness of the people.

Sitting by the forest brook (Poem) AUGUSTINE C. OHANWE All objects in nature do speak,; all in their diverse languages, ; difficult if not impossible for; the finite brain to grasp.

Necessary Evil Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA The love they had for each other died a sudden death. Initially the husband called the wife 'My Baby.' The wife used to call him 'Sweet Honey'. Today the Baby is dead. The Sweet Honey has turned into Bitterness. The husband now calls his wife Monkey, [Even in the presence of their five children he calls her so.]

UZOKWE'S SEARCHLIGHT Citizens of other nations now live longer, Why can’t Nigerians? – Part 1 of 4 ALFRED O. UZOKWE, Harrisburg, PA, USA The idea of a doctor using medical information about a patient and family members to design medical checkups sound so simple but that remains elusive in Nigeria for many reasons.

Super Eagles of Nigeria battle the impressive "Warriors" of Zimbabwe to a goalless draw, in Asaba CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium It was indeed a thrilling encounter notwithstanding the 'obstacles': an inclement weather condition, it rained buckets for all of ninety minutes; a friendly match situation, before a major tournament, none of the players wanted injuries....

The resurrection of June 12 and Buhari's place in the history of Nigeria! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Whoever is doubtful of President Muhammadu Buhari's integrity, and his assured place in the history of Nigeria will be disingenuous to history. Whoever is also closing his eyes to Buhari's fallibility and shortcomings has a dotted mind with alternative facts and biases.