Archbishop Christian Aggrey Ovwoma Apena of Bethseda Church International, close to tears, tells the story of how he parted ways with the late Archbishop of Church of God Mission, Benson Idahosa, and the Anglican Church. Apena’s father was the first pastor in Isoko land, having been ordained on December 31, 1931. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was close to being ordained an Anglican Church pastor before he was enmeshed in a crisis that led to his exit from the church. “I left the Anglican Church because I had the Pentecostal spirit that they didn’t have. I don’t blame them. I was the first Pentecostal reverend in Delta Province, I was the first Pentecostal bishop in Delta and I’m the first Pentecostal archbishop. I’m the one making bishops now,” said the retired school principal.

“If the President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria insists he wants something and you say you will not allow him to have it, what do you think will happen?”

The above was the question asked by a former state governor in Nigeria’s South-west. He answered the question himself: “War”

The world is a story, interwoven,inter connected, the tale of one; the story of all. The scientists have their explanations and so do all the religions but whatever tale or theory it still follows the evolution or should I say the story of man. The stories are similar and even when locations are vastly different; the heartache of the rich is eerily similar to that of the poor.

Politicians will do anything to get into power. I’m not surprised and I’m not going to lose any sleep over what any politician says or does in order to win over people. I’m not saying I support what they do. I’m just saying I’m not going to lose any sleep because it doesn’t surprise me.

Nigeria Football Federation director of competitions, Sanusi Mohammed has declared that the NFF has full confidence on the home-based Eagles to win the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), beginning on January 11 in South Africa.

Those who put so much hope on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s cashless Nigeria initiative, particularly in Lagos metropolis, got a rude shock during the Yuletide. Some of them were left with a sour festive season with cashless Automated Teller Machines, ATMs and dysfunctional Point of Sale, POS terminals.

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi yesterday at the Abuja National Stadium had the last laugh over his Ethiopian counterpart, Bishaw Sewnet when the second string Nigerian team defeated their Ethiopian counterparts 2-1 in an international friendly used as a tune up game to prepare both sides for the African Nations Championships, CHAN which begins in South Africa next week.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and yours a brighter and purposeful 2014!
On January 1st, Bill de Blasio was sworn in as the 109th New York Mayor, I do not know much about him but, much have been said about his predecessor, Michael R. Bloomberg . Bloomberg had made his fortune before he became Mayor of New York. What made him outstanding was he rejected the $US2.7 million worth of salary to which he was entitled. He instead accepted just $US1 a year, yes,a paltry $1.

Our collective tendency to think of Nigeria in terms of WA-ZO-BIA (Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo) is probably responsible for the enthusiasm with which some of us embrace break-up of Nigeria or even confederation. Some might even think that the British met us neatly divided into East, West and Northern regions. So why not simply return to those enclaves. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not even the Yorubas and Igbos formed one nation before 1914. However, one thing is clear: breaking up along regional lines will leave the nation emerging from the “North” totally landlocked. That unfortunately will be the least of its problems.

The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC has said that the Non- Intelligent 11 digits National Identification Number, NIN is what will genuinely reveal the identity of registrants at any point in time.

The Lepata Mambu – common ly known now as “Vuvuzela” – is a noisemaking plastic horn which football fans now use to cheer on their team. It is South Africa’s contribution to the world of sports, and in many ways is an appropriate metaphor for the self-involved crass called governance in Imo state today under Governor Anayo “Rochas” Okorocha. One of the effects of the vuvuzela, aside from making loud noises, is that it can also cause a loss of hearing. Rochas Okorocha’s use of the political vuvuzela – what the Igbo would call “ndi Otimkpu” – paid, professional noisemakers – has probably caused him loss both of insight and hearing. Imo State is plodding along listlessly under misgovernance.

As a politician of northern extraction, I urge my people to give President Jonathan their complete support to get second term in the spirit of upholding the 60years of unbroken political alliance between the North and South/South initiated and consummated by our founding fathers- Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Festus Okotie Eboh, Chief Melforf Okilo; and consolidated in the 2nd Republic by President Shehu Shagari, Chief Joseph Wayas, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Chief Melford Okilo, Chief Edwin Clark, and currently sustained by the dual mandates of the late President Yar’Adua, President Jonathan & co.

The global IT battle field in 2014 will revolve between triangular dimensions of: IT Policy, e-Government, and e-Security. These triangular parameters will dictate the development and market growth directions of the Information and Communications Technology sector.

Basketball prodigy Anuoluwapo Bamijoko of Babcock University, Illishan Remo in Ogun State has attributed the silver medal won by her school Babcock University to hard work and sheer determination by the team.
Babcock finished second in the women’s Basketball event at the just concluded Nigeria Private University Games (NPUGA) held at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji in Osun State with Benson Idahosa University Benin City carting home the gold and Anu is excited to have helped he school win the silver medal.

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, yesterday, threw his weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the people of the state would give him total support if and when he decides to seek re-election in 2015.
Chime declared that Enugu would not welcome any opposition party as it remains a PDP state.