Christopher Uche Okeke, Painter and Professor of the Fine Arts died on January 5, following a long struggle with a devastating stroke, at his home in Nimo, in the Njikoka area of Anambra state, where he had established the Asele institute on his retirement from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Uche Okeke’s death marks a powerful closure of the life of a powerful imagination; a great artistic and cultural presence on the African firmament in the last half century.

Professor Uade Sam Ugbomoiko is a parasitologist and former Head of Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin. His research focus covers parasites of small mammals, epidemiology and control of zoonotic parasites. Ugbomoiko gives a fresh insight into the treatment of diseases in Nigeria and how to stem the tide. He speaks against the backdrop of the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria.

How many times have we heard the pilot announce the final approach to the destination, asking everyone to keep their seat belts upon landing also while the aircraft is still taxing until it comes to a complete stop. What happens next as soon as the plane lands? At times you hear a subtle sound of appreciation then click click click, passengers instantly releasing their seat belts and standing while still in motion. I’m not sure why the rush, they just cannot wait to touch ground and get off that plane. Is it that they had closed ears when the announcements were made? When your neighbor behaves in this manner, just politely tell them to take care, keep seated for safety. Most times the flight attendant should be quick to address this.

At least 10 persons were confirmed dead with scores injured when a group of Boko Haram terrorists who rode on 10 bicycles from Sambisa Forest invaded Mairi Mmumbe village, near Dalori District of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday. The Vice- Chairman of the Civilian JTF in charge of Konduga, Mallam Ahmed Tijjani, said.

RESIDENTS of Benin-City, Edo State, yesterday, told Governor Adams Oshiomhole how the state suffered infrastructurally under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government from 1999 to 2008.

Eight people were rescued while two people were missing, yesterday, when a boat capsized in Badagry, Lagos State.

Rivers State Police Command has denied a report that doctors in the state abandoned their duty posts because kidnappers went on rampage, saying it was a distorted opinion to discredit the successes of the police in the fight against crime in the state.

In my years of writing relationship columns, many couples have come to me and some have written for counselling on the issue of infidelity. Two: recent cases clearly illustrated the tight and wrong ways to handle these potential marital crises. Dokun and Alice are a conventional married couple.

It seems there is no one without a challenge. What differs is the form it takes in one’s life. For some, it is self-inflicted; for others, it is not. Whatever it is , there is likely to be something we are trusting God for. Even those we look up to as super rich, there is usually something they look up to God for. If not for anything, they would ask God to give them long life to enjoy their riches.

I was in Abuja on Tuesday, the day after the Minister made this announcement. As usual, I strolled out of the hotel to buy newspapers. But, from a short distance away, I could see that the vendor had more than the usual number of visitors; something big must be in the papers.

In Nigeria, “Men of God” come by the dozen. You see them regularly on television. They are fixtures in newspapers and magazines. They always have something noble to say on the radio. They sit on the high table at every major social gathering or event. They are the counselors and prayer gurus of presidents, governors and other public officials. There is only one problem with “Men of God:” they don’t inherit the kingdom of God.

The Chairman, Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN), yesterday, identified poor level of education as the reason insurgency thrives in North-East Nigeria.

22- year old nursing mother and student of the Benue State Polytechnic, Nwuese Ayom,has been nabbed by Benue State Police Command for allegedly stabbing 22-year-old Tererse Ayua to death in Gboko town.

FOR seven months since he assumed office, on May 29, 2015, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State found it easier said than done to hold an interactive session with journalists because of duty exigencies and distractions posed by the inflexible challenge to his victory. From the Delta State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to the Appeal Court in Benin City, the Supreme Court finally laid the matter to rest, last Tuesday, and, 24 hours later, Okowa, who acted contrite for the delay, was talking to reporters. Sunday Vanguard was there. Excerpts:

PROFESSOR Alexia Thomas, Chairman, The Commonwealth Liberation Party, TCLP United Kingdom (UK), Chairman of Alliance Treaty Commission and President, Independent Diplomat Commission (IDC) in this interview reveals her Oracle status with a third-eye into the future, as she exposed sequence of danger and disaster that awaits Commonwealth nations, even as 500million citizens of Commonwealth nations would become victims of massacre 15 years from now as beingorchestrated and led by the British Government against the coloured people.