WORRIED by the level of acrimonious campaign ahead of the crucial February 2015 general elect-ions, politicians have been admonished to refrain from inciting comments that would further heat up the polity and instead run campaigns based on the values they intend to add to the lives of the Nigerian people.

“I want to seize this opportunity to reach out to my colleagues and loved ones, to please quit high consumption of alcoholic drinks and smoking of cigarettes, it kills. You might call it fun but I bet you there is no life in it, it gradually weakens your kidney and liver. Please save a soul by saying ‘No’ to nicotine” she wrote in a Blackberry broadcast to her fans.

We use the expressions “for God’s sake” and “for Christ’s sake” very often. When we use them, it is to insist on getting something from somebody. We might say: “Give it to me for God’s sake.” Or we might say in frustration: “Why don’t you just leave me alone for Christ’s sake?” But these things are mostly said in ignorance; without our fully realising what they mean. “Father, forgive us, for we do not know what we are saying.”

I don’t know about you, but this certificate thing is getting tedious. We need to move on to talk about what really matters; the future of Nigerians. GMB has come out and rejected claims that he did not obtain his school-leaving certificate and as we know, that prospective presidential candidates must have it as a minimum requirement to run for office. The government spin doctors are hell bent on diverting attention away from campaign issues such as unemployment, insecurity and corruption.

Nothing is more pathetic that when a contestant, out of hubris, and refusal to listen to all sides, loses a contest he should have won easily. President Goodluck Jonathan had just handed over Akwa Ibom State to the All Progressive Congress – on a silver platter.

As predicted, Nigeria and host, Egypt will battle for the top prize in the final of the team events at the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior championship in Cairo.

Following four months of an intensive independent study focused on the Gaps in Data Privacy and Security in cloud services in the country, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) has presented the first draft of its findings to key stakeholders at a consultative round table held in Abuja recently.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has approved the appointment of Ms Abimbola Alale as the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) LTD).

Kano Pillars opened their Glo Premier League Super-4 campaign on a winning note in contrast to last season’s outing that saw them fall behind to rivals, Enyimba International and Coach Okey Emordi attributed the performance to a change in orientation at the camp.

The Director General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye has called on the military to synergise with his Commission in the area of sports towards the successful realization of the 2016 Olympics.

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a leader of the Yoruba group, Afenifere, was a top member of the Action Group, led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the first republic. He also belonged to the Awolowo – led Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the second republic. At the inception of the latest democratic experiment in 1999, he joined the late Pa Abraham Adesanya and Chief Bola Ige, among others, to form the Alliance for Democracy which dominated the governments in the South-west. In this interview, he speaks on the state of the nation.

A late goal from substitute Max Gradel salvaged a 1-1 draw for Ivory Coast against Mali Saturday to keep the Elephants’ hopes of making the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations very much alive.

Super Eagles striker Peter Osaze Odemwingie will only get a new Stoke City contract, if he can return to 100 percent fitness.

Chief Ogbonnaya Onu is the first civilian governor of Abia State and National Chairman of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP. Following the formation of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Onu was appointed the Chairman of the party’s presidential screening committee. Amid the controversy trailing the academic records of the party’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, Onu says Buhari fulfilled the constitutional requirements. He adds that it was wrong to attribute the stoning of President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy in Katsina State to APC.

Once again, supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whilst chanting ‘’sai Buhari’’ and carrying brooms, have stoned our candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, on his way to a rally in the north. It happened in Bauchi State. This is the second time that this has happened in two days. The first time it happened was in Katsina State.