The 2019 general elections: Rivers State, truly Nigerian PATRICK IBEKWE, Port Harcourt, Nigeria The story presented in this piece is especially for diaspora Nigerians. It should help you through the shock and disappointments you feel each time you swagger into Nigeria through our airports (and some of them are no better than taxi ranks), to be accosted with the discomfiting stares of greedy security agents looking for Euros, Dollars and Pounds.

A journey through Okey Nwachuku's Talon of the Python (1) OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU Before now, even up to date in some African cultures, it is widely upheld that the dead have some strong links with the living, up to the point that the dead play critical parts in the affairs of the living.

Expression of gratitude Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA Whenever you get up from sleep, kneel down and thank God for the gift of a new day. No one is conscious of himself or herself during sleep. The soul as a spirit perambulates while we sleep, leaving the body behind. At the time of waking up, both body and soul unite again. This is what we mean by waking up. Waking up is not a personal effort. It is an action of God.

The world is closer to the edge of abyss! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA We are in a deep and seemingly bottomless chasm of our time. A timeless generation that's a menace to itself. Who cursed humanity in a man? Where's our shared humanism? As you expect things to change for good, it's getting worse!

Rwanda is soaring high from the ugly past (Poem) YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Rwanda is sauntering to grace,; To be the pride of Africa.; Rwanda was once a country; At war with itself.; It is now bemoaning; Another giant-for-nothing nation; In west Africa warring herself!

The ill-fated Ethiopian and Lion Airlines' flights (Conclusion) (Pictorial) TEMPLE C. UBOCHI, Bonn, Germany How can one be quiet when he or she knows that death is just a minute away? Business Insider tells us that the crashed Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max plane hit the ground at 575 mph, leaving a crater 32 feet deep and 131 feet long, according to a preliminary report released Thursday, April 4, by the Ethiopian government.

The power of choice! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA In all areas of human endeavors, responsible Nigerians are not found culpable or wanting! In NASA, Science, Sports and Technology, Medicine, Engineering, Space exploration, Armed armament, Academics, etc. You cannot but marvel at our ingenuity and grace outside of the continent of Africa.

Ogunpa and the Money Barons ABI ADEGBOYE Now, in the real beginning, there was Ogunpa, one of the rivers traversing the mighty hills of Ibadan. ... As wont deity, Ogunpa flows where it will, calmly in the dry season and boundless in the rains. Once upon a time, it received the worship it deserved but modernization brought a disregard and utilitarian jaundice.

FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES The expectations of citizens from the government (1) SAM AWEDA, Lagos, Nigeria People are hard up financially. Infrastructures that can promote their businesses are broken down. Repairs are neglected, actually abandoned, while the leaders of the previous profligate governments and their sycophants live in affluence and luxury.

Oyo State in the web of two engineer politicians ADEKUNLE AKINYEMI, Pikesville, Maryland, USA In actual fact, there are more than two Engineers involved in the multilayered sandwich scenario. ... The Oyo State Governor-elect is an Engineer, the Deputy Governor-elect is an Engineer, the incoming Oyo State First Lady is an Engineer and many Senior Advisers of the Governor-elect are reputable Veteran Engineers....

Fashola and his bogus claims OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU APC is peopled by a band of double speakers and elements who speak from both sides of the mouth. ... The Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, ressurected these antics recently when he made a bogus claim that some states in the country enjoy 24 hours power supply.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK Revealed! Moroni, the demon that the Mormons Church of Latter Day Saints worship MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA For those that have been following our series on false Christian sects and demon-energized religious organizations we began three weeks ago and which we shall continue in the next three months, you will notice three eerily itchy commonalities among them.

Our Month of Divine Favour Pastor AMOS D. DADA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Favour is for a cause, favour is for a purpose, God Almighty will favour you this month.... Favour is a mystery word and complex to define, we see the outcome of favour and from there postulate that this and this could not have happened except the person has experienced favour. Favour is manifestation without the hand of flesh. When God chose Saul to be king of Israel it was favour.

Materialistic Adoration Ministries Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA The man I nearly killed on that fateful evening was hundred percent drunk. He staggered accidently into the tarred motor way. ... When he regained consciousness a little, I asked him where he came from and where he was going. With his two eyes turning round he said, 'Father Pastor Bishop, I am just coming out from Assorted Alcoholic Adoration Ministry at Anuruma market square....'

Super Eagles of Nigeria narrowly defeat the Egyptians in a fairly exciting friendly match CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium A more creative Super Eagles' mid-field, would have created more chances against an experimental Egyptian side, with likely more goals for the Super Eagles to boot. The young man and centre-forward, Paul Onuachu, would have scored more goals for Nigeria.

The ill-fated Ethiopian and Lion Airlines' flights (2) TEMPLE C. UBOCHI, Bonn, Germany For Boeing, anything it does now to boost customers' confidence might be too little, too late, as the damage has already been done. It will take Boeing years to assure airlines that its planes are safe again.

Checking the increasing rate of divorce in our society OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU If the truth and biblical principles were to be upheld in the church, Christians who sought unbiblical divorces should not be allowed to hold high offices in the church.

Changing the narrative of Ntighauzo Unity Cup OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU It has a become an annual ritual for citizens of Ntighauzo community in Obingwa local govt of Abia State to gather at Ntighauzo South Community Primary School to treat their eyes with artistic soccer displays from teams of the ten villages constituting the community.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK Spiritual Exposé: Luli, the demon that Celestial Church sect members worship MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA Most of the kids of my age were naturally gung-ho to the white garment church sect that proliferated around us while growing up in Ehin-Ogbe Quarters in my native Owo, Ondo State Western Nigeria about 50 years ago. ... Much later as I began to explore my spiritual identity, the origin and background of how this fast-growing sect of worshipers around the world starred me in the face, thus compelling an inquiry into its teaching.

What will be written on your tombstone? YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA A liberated man is fearless and humanistic. A liberated mind is mindful of his association and carefully chooses his friends and acquaintances. He is conscious and mindful of what he does to other people.

The blacksmith’s shed (Poem) AUGUSTINE C. OHANWE He plunges it into a basin of cold water; with intent to temper it for good. ; I watch his craft of heating, ; beating and tempering ; until the desired shape is achieved.

Success Adegor, the plowshares eight, teenage Daniel and the rest of us OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU Her story is a clear demonstration that men of honour do not keep silent in the face of injustice. It pays to dare an unjust status quo. Initially it looks fatal but at the end of the day it pays all and sundry.

The ill-fated Ethiopian and Lion Airlines' flights (1) TEMPLE C. UBOCHI, Bonn, Germany The worst thing Boeing did was the selling of safety features to airlines at an extra cost. How can the company roll out 737 MAX 8 series with fanfare but didn't make certain safety features for the plane a permanent part of it?

What next for Seyi Makinde of Oyo State? ADEKUNLE AKINYEMI, Pikesville, Maryland, USA Is it going to be the same old stuff or a brand-new beginning? Are we looking for a mediocre group in governance or a star-studded team? Are the criteria ... going to be based on merit or on the Nigerian factors?

Nigerian judiciary: A sigh of relief or not yet uhuru? YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA In the last 24hrs, there have been so many hogwash interpretations and misinterpretations of the Justice Peter Obiora's ruling in the 2018 argy-bargy governorhip election in Osun state.

Super Eagles of Nigeria win their Nations' Cup group CYRIL C. NWOKEJI, Belgium Yours sincerely saw a Super Eagles' coach that used the match essentially as the beginning of preparations for the 2019 Nations cup competition.

THE CHRISTIAN WALK Pseudo-Christian Denominations Series: The Jehovah Witnesses and their heresies MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA They are everywhere. Their ubiquity must have afforded you the opportunity to bump into their phalanx, because they are parabolic peripatetic evangelists. Indeed, their zeal is so infectious you would count them as the real deal and shoo-in messengers of the Good News; except their zeal is not based on knowledge as Apostle Paul aptly noted about the Jews who rejected our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ....

Poetry of Election AUGUSTINE C. OHANWE Democracy, in its cool mien,; stood still and watched, ; while the crushing waves ; of our election ; swept across the nation.

Professor Pius Adesanmi vs Nigeria: The Last Satire PATRICK IBEKWE, Port Harcourt, Nigeria Nigeria: Ol' boy, na ya turn, and we go contribute cry for you. Me I neva die, but you don yamutu!

Vanity of Vanities Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA A coffin maker who says that his business is not booming, why is he still alive? He should die so that one of the coffins will be bought for him. My kinsman says that death awaits anything that breathes. Are you breathing? Breathe up! Breathe down! When you breathe up and do not breathe down again, then death is at work.

Love conquers hate! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA The recent massacre in a Mosque at Christchurch city, New Zealand, by a young man filled up with hate crime is another tragedy of a dysfunctional family defined by hate. ... The minds of children are like the process of pollination; hate or love is carried from parents (anther) to the children's mind (stigma).

Catch them young with love! (Poem) YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Children are the salt of life.; What you do is what they mimic.; What you nurture in them natures Today and tomorrow's society.; One love in their hearts can; Neutralize millions of hate!

Charity at work Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA A certain selfish and stingy man was having a sumptuous lunch when he heard a knock at his door. By that time he had just started eating. The meal was a rich plate of rice garnished with salad and a whole roasted chicken.

A Poem For Tise, Daddy's Daughter! Pius Adesanmi (27 February 1972 – 10 March 2019) YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Tise, your dad dazzled the world; With his intellectual acumen; He mesmerized us with his; Witticisms and erudition.; A gifted satirist who predicted; the reunification of naughty Nigerians!

Milestones for Governor-elect Seyi Makinde (GSM) ADEKUNLE AKINYEMI, Pikesville, Maryland, USA GSM, who refers to himself as Omituntun as his campaign slogan, ordinarily epitomizes humility and respect as his modus operandi. It is therefore expected that Omituntun, meaning 'new water' will symbolize a new wave of governance in Oyo State.

FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES The danger of pride & contempt for God and man SAM AWEDA, Lagos, Nigeria One thing however is common with the three Herods; they were all murderers. Each of them murdered dissent voices. But the youngest Herod added 'pride' to his curriculum vitae (Resume) and he was judged at the fullest of time. God killed him mysteriously in public glare.

A short but memorable life of Professor Pius Adesanmi (27 February 1972 – 10 March 2019) YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA For those of us who did not know Professor Pius Adesanmi, a rare gem and quintessential young Professor before he smiled away to his lord, I am writing this synopsis of his short but memorable life for your perusal.

Them immigrant parents can suck you dry ABI ADEGBOYE How can you work three jobs and still be broke? What have you done with all your money? What about getting a loan from your bank? Questions I'd like to ask my immigrant parent but know better.

Happy 25th Anniversary, Yagba Community Association ABI ADEGBOYE Though he asked the question, he knew the answer. The money contributed for the school had disappeared into the pockets of the current president, his contractor brother, and the village chief. Two years ago, the money raised for the clinic had suffered a similar fate.

All hail the People's General OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU Abaribe's continuous return to the red chambers proves that the Senate is not for political green horns. He has strongly demonstrated high intellectual capability in the Senate....

THE CHRISTIAN WALK 2023 and readers' reactions to why Atiku lost the 2019 presidential election because of N500 million? MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO, Cameron, Texas, USA Hello Dr. Moshood, May the Lord continue to strengthen you. I just read the post election article in NigeriaWorld.com. ... I am not surprised that Atiku didn't take the prophecies and God's words concerning the poll seriously. His arrogance (typical of Nigerian politicians with entitlement status) and over dependence on local and foreign Marabous was his undoing.

Softly, Softly Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Senator Oluremi Tinubu's statement viraled on social media for a couple of days and dampened my spirit. ... A good leader is a leader to all friends and foes.

Air transportation: A beautiful and terrible invention of all time! YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA These giant moving coffins in the air made by man are the safest, most beautiful and terrible invention of all time! ... Anytime I am at the airport, I always feel like I am in prison where inmates sentenced to deaths are awaiting execution.

Our heart goes out to the Ethiopian airline crash victims OKECHUKWU K. UKEGBU God is all knowing. He knows our end from the beginning. ... As these victims set out in their journey to eternity, let everyone join hands to bid them a resounding farewell.

Beyond 2019 election posponement in Nigeria ADEKUNLE AKINYEMI, Pikesville, Maryland, USA An objective look at the rescheduling saga can at best be blamed on three factors in the Nigerian polity, by my own critical appraisal. ... Third is the bloated and jumbo pay packets of Politicians (Legislators) which has led to the mad rush for the 'do or die' politics of the ordinary Nigerian.

Jungle Justice (JJ) Fr. PAT AMOBI CHUKWUMA Few years ago, two bosom friends, Bobby and Sunny, went for an evening party somewhere. Their hostess was a lawmaker in the State House of Assembly. She was a beautiful, generous, honourable and first class lady. ... She greased their palms with fat envelops.

Ajumobi and the insolence of office YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA When you have no respect for the young and gall for the old people, you get carried away by mundane of power; and you forget that power is transient, you will doom your political career.

The 2019 Nigeria's presidential election (Conclusion) TEMPLE C. UBOCHI, Bonn, Germany We're elated that Atiku Abubakar, who might have been the real winner of this election, did not concede defeat. As I noted previously, Atiku conceding defeat after he was robbed of the mandate given to him by the Nigerian people would have amounted to a betrayal....

What Nigerians are expecting from Buhari's "Next Level" Pastor AMOS D. DADA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Excerpts from an online newspaper interview with Pastor Amos Dada PhD; P.Eng, (Chem Eng), President of Say No To Corruption Movement of Nigeria, on the current issues in Nigeria especially the last presidential elections.

Tinubu: A product of "gifted" insults YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Controversially, what the Late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo couldn't achieve or influence in his lifetime seems to have been providentially appropriated to Jagaban, the Iwin (gnome) of Bourdilon, Lagos state.

To mother with love (Let's celebrate women) YAHAYA BALOGUN, Arizona, USA Her impending joy was; An agreement of love;; In the full glares of; the known twosome and the; Unknown!; To mother with love!

In the matter of Atiku Vs Buhari: Why the judiciary must invoke the maxim of “Let Right be Done” EJIKE ONUOGU, New York, USA When individuals are permitted to use one fingerprint to produce thousands of votes for a particular political party while destroying legitimate votes cast for another party, this meets the definition of gross electoral misconduct and establishes grounds for annulment of the said election.

Is The People's Bank coming back? (1) ERIC TENIOLA, Lagos, Nigeria VP Osinbajo declared in Ilorin recently that the FG will float People's Money bank in the country this year. ... When General Babangida introduced the People's Bank, he appointed Dr. Augustus Taiwo Solarin (22/08/22 - 27/07/94), ... as the chairman of the bank. ... After IBB's exit in 1993, little was heard about the People's Bank.