The world’s most-wanted drug lord was captured for a third time in a daring raid Friday by Mexican marines, six months after he tunneled out of a maximum security prison in a made-for-Hollywood escape that deeply embarrassed the government and strained ties with the United States.

That particular day was January 10, Tambuwal’s birthday. I recall vividly asking him why he had to spend 10 hours on his birthday reading books about leadership and development. And his answer was succinct: “We were elected to lead. Every day, birthdays inclusive, we will lead. I subscribe to Albert Pike’s assertion that ‘what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.’”

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:9). Of a truth, the blessings that God has for you are unimaginable. This is so real because it is not man that the blessing is coming from. The El-Shaddai God that is all sufficient is ready to manifest His blessings upon you. Know that there is no barrier to the kind of blessings that God has reserved for you. However, you have a responsibility in appropriating the blessings.

I have come across many references to the past. Some state that the past is very important because it is a guide to the future; some believe that the past must address its present (apologies to Soyinka in his Nobel Lecture) and some, like I want to be part of now, believe that the past is gone and should be allowed to rest in peace; however only to be remembered for its good contributions. I have decided to join this group of philosophers because of what is happening in the country now and what will happen in the near future.

Nigeria got to a giddy height of low crude oil prices which negatively affected our economy and the currency. Foreign Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) are now being sought to upgrade critical mass transit and energy infrastructure worth about N25 billion. Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibajo who oversees President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic policies, late October 2015 said that other SWFs have indicated interest in the fund which would be used to address the nation’s dilapidated roads, rail and power infrastructure.

Like the visit of the Chief Executive Officer of the International Monetary Fund to Nigeria. That is one item that is not splitting my sides with laughter right now. What is she doing here—and at this time? Or has she got the right to just bump in on us? We are a sovereign nation yet, aren’t we? I saw how our high officials were tripping on one another’s heels to welcome her, and I wondered what has happened to our sense of propriety. That is not the proper way to welcome the agent of an institution that has seen this country on the way to ruin.

Philip, my friend’s cousin, has always been the darling of every member of their family. A jolly good fellow, his wife also had a huge sense of humour to complement, so they were really a fun couple to be with at any time. It was as if the two were made for each other from heaven. They had everything going for them: good jobs, two beautiful children, a boy and a girl, a house in one of the freshly springing up estates in Ikoyi and holidays out of the country with the children, two or three times a year.

The Bayelsa State police command has threatened to sanction any personnel who escort their principal to polling units during supplementary election in Southern Ijaw council area and in 101 units across six local government areas of the state. Spokesman of the command Asinim Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police yesterday in Yenagoa said the fresh warning concerning movement of VIPs during the poll was due to the realities on ground.

Cargo handlers have called on government to reduce the current tariffs charged on goods as this has affected the volume of goods leaving and entering the country.

He has to abide by judicial pronouncements while he seeks judicial redress, if available. He is not permitted to hold the decision of a competent court in contempt. The president can hold a negative personal opinion about the decision of a court but he is charged by the constitution to uphold the law and promote justice. The law is what the judiciary says it is. Promotion of justice entails not just submission to court decisions but the mobilization of the citizenry to obey the courts and respect judicial pronouncements as a matter of high civic duty.