EXPOSING THE NEWS - politics . sports . cartoons

This week brethren, I bring to you cheerful news: that you can actually escape the grim situations of life. All it takes is being aware of it. Your enemies are not those you see; they are principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness of this world…emphasis this “ world ”. Part of their strategy is to strike you with “ fiery ” darts out of “ wickedness ”. And watch this: they have eyes ! And hardly do they miss their targets! But without much ado, be informed that they can hurt you real bad and cause not only frustration but depression as well! So you have to fight your way out. Hear this: In Jeremiah 5 v. 25, the bible actually says: “ among my people are found wicked men, they lay in waiting, set a trap and catch men” . How do you “catch” a man? By simply frustrating and aborting all his intended moves! When a man owes house rent for years and cannot feed his family, such a man is already caged.     The mystery becomes compounded when you are trapped by fake prophets...

With INEC finally setting the September 19 date for the Edo State Governorship Elections, all hands are now on deck for what may turn out to be a titanic duel – unless the warring factions reach a truce. For now, there appears to be no let-up; while the Obaseki/Shuaibu administration are consolidating, the Oshiomole/David Imoise factions are itching for a space to move in.   At the last count, there are no indications to show that any side was ready for negotiation.   It is rather incredulous for the once passionate and brotherly leaders to suddenly become implacable foes. That sudden twist of fate may be traced to Oshiomole’s overbearing attitude on Obaseki/Shuaibu administration.   Politics!   It is said that what you cannot tolerate you don’t impose on anyone.   Oshiomole did not tolerate “godfatherism” in his days at the Osadebey house.   In fact, Oshiomole deployed harsh words in disparaging Benin legends like the late Chief Tony Anenih, O...

What’s going on in Kano State?   This is the big question.   There seems to be no let-up in the ding dung affair to dethrone the Emir, Mallam Muhammed Sanusi. Ever since it emerged that the latter had supported his bitter enemy at the last Guber Poll, Dr. Abdullahi Ghaduje seems determined to uproot him from his exalted throne.   That effort received a giant boost over night when President Buhari declined to mediate in the matter.   Now, the Kano State Governor appears to have been given the clear to finally land the death blow on his target.   Having split his emirate last year, and with the support of the House of Assembly, it may well be a matter of days before they move in for the final blow.   This is not the time to ask whether Ghanduje derives any benefit from his destructive push to unseat Sanusi; if he does, his immediate profit would be that he has finally settled scores with his “arch enemy”.   That wouldn’t be all; he may decide to pr...

For the greater part of last decade many believers were caught or trapped under the throes of deceiving pastors, preachers and perhaps those who call themselves “men of God”.   More vulnerable are those suffering from long delays, abrupt sickness, prolong stagnation and poverty.   It was easier for them to be manipulated and in most cases subjected to more misery.   But the good news is that God is aware.   In Hosea 4 vs. 6. He said:   “ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”.   Going further the Lord showed me Isaiah 42 vs. 7, “ To open the blind eyes; to bring out the prisoners from the prison and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house”.   Meaning that you could be in “prison” without your knowing it; also, you may be shielded from the good things of life without your awareness; when people experience difficulties in life they may actually be sitting in contrived “darkness” packaged by enemies. Anyone who is in “prison ho...

The ban on Okada from plying certain areas in Lagos State has received unexpected boost from the Federal Capital, Abuja.   This is because a group known as the Abuja Professionals Association (APA) has labelled the decision as timely to guard against safety of lives, property and particularly against criminality.   Addressing reporters, Chairman of the Association, Mr. Kenneth Okoh heaped praises on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for finding the courage to take the step.   “The decision may not be popular; but as Governor of Lagos State, he is duty bound to protect lives and property”, he stated.   Mr. Okoh said Governor Sanwo-Olu is discharging his duties as expected.   “People have to believe that the Governor did not just wake up to impose the ban”.   The Chairman disclosed that a long negotiation must have taken place before such as move.   “We have not met Sanwo-Olu face to face before; but from his action and utterances, he must be a good list...

The ranks of realists gathering to resist the perceived high handiness of the embattled APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole appears to be swelling with the launch of the Obaseki/Shuaibu Movement in Abuja.   Addressing pressmen, last Saturday, 8 th February, leader of the Movement, Chief Prince Ebri Ukagu and Dr Omo Odigie, they harped on concerted effort to curtail the excesses of Comrade Adams Oshiomole.   They insisted that this is not the job for Governor Obaseki and his Deputy alone.   “We must let the message to Oshiomole sink”, the leader announced.   “We are very concerned that despite peace efforts Oshiomole has not relented and is determined to root out Obaseki/Shuaibu”, they stated. The leaders explained that they know Oshiomole’s tactics.   “He is going to storm Benin with Federal might, bully officials and possibly write the results.   They did it in Lagos State against Ambode and got away with it”. Speaking further,...

The combative President Donald Trump fresh from his narrow escape from being removed from office has wasted no time in wielding the big stick; he fired two key impeachment witnesses: Lt. Col. Yaugemy Windman, a lawyer for the National Security Civil Authority and Godwin Soundland, US Ambassador to the European Union.   Trump had previously fired one Sally Yates (fmr. Acting Attorney-General), James Comey (FBI Director), Andrew McCabe (Deputy FBI Director), Jeff Sessions, Rex Tillerson. James Mattis had quit in protest.   The bottom line is this: America may no longer be the same.   With Washington Post, New York Times all signaling their readiness to take the battle further and with President Trump becoming adamant, Americans should gear up for more fireworks.   Nancy Pelosi is waiting by the corner still licking her wounds, obviously bruised by Trump’s irascible acts.   Between Trump and the Speaker the last has certainly not be heard.   Though major...

Overall, 29 people lost their lives in another needless carnage which occurred over the weekend.   A Thai Soldier with military firearms rampaged through a bustling shopping mall in Nakhom Ratchasima and an army camp, killing 29 people before he himself was shot dead after a 17 hour stand-off with security operatives.   The shooter, a 32 year old Jakrapath Thomma was a Sergeant in the Thai Military.

Since the exit of the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Federal Loans Board, Hajia Hannatu Fika, there seems to be simmering crisis as to who takes over the reins of leadership.   Whereas Hajia Hannatu made no secret of her desire for Hajia Salamatu Ahmed to take over, the mantle however fell on Muhammed Soba to act as the Executive Secretary, being the most senior director at the time. But he is due for retirement next April, 2020. His brief tenure has strangely produced no result instead stifling the growth of the loans board. Insiders say, since his assumption of office, he has spent a deal of time sleeping on the job with hundreds of files remaining in the cooler. To date, no Developer has been paid and fewer subscribers have received payment either. The situation is said to be worrisome unlike the good old days when Fika was in charge and not a few enjoyed relief. Efforts to speak to Mohammed Soba proved abortive as he is said not to favor granting the Press access...

The dilemma confronting the country now is not one of reflating the economy, but how to contend with the spate of barbaric blood-letting, kidnapping, banditry and armed criminality.   This grim spectacle spreading like wildfire has even produced a twin terror – that of beheading!   This is not all, another deadly aspect is the gruesome specter of driving through Nigeria’s decrepit roads; no matter how strong your composition, your heart is bound to melt or elicit massive fear; this is no fluke because anyone unfortunate to be caught in the cauldron will certainly be subjected to savage treatment; in nearly all the cases recorded there is often little or no retribution or even tepid response from the appropriate quarters.   How Nigeria descended into this chilling bend is best left to imagination.   But to suggest that anarchy is not far from the corner is a big lie.   Regardless of the dreadful siege, those saddled with the responsibility of fighting bac...

  The message for Nigerians today is that there is hope.   Hope comes from above where all else fails, when human comprehension becomes warped, God steps in.   Right now, amidst accusation upon counter accusations against the brutal killing, blood-letting, serial murders, beheading, communal strife’s, kidnappings, Nigerians tremble with fear and tread with alarm. There appears to be no help from the relevant quarters; but am glad to say to you that God is still on the throne.   He never sleeps.   The perpetrators behind these woes may have begun to concoct in their memory the supremacy theory of their origin or even flaunt their invincibility, but nothing is hidden under the sun.   Two scriptural examples would suffice to throw happiness into the hearts of Nigerians.    In 2 nd Kings 19, and Isaiah 37, King Sennacherib boasted of his prowess and supposed conquest over the children of Israel.   The Israelites who were soaked in fear ran t...

The blistering pace promoted by the U.S Democrats to bring to an ignominious end the reign of President Donald Trump has at last been halted by the U.S Republicans.   Voting by 52 – 48, the Republicans effectively threw out the “thrash” initiated and spearheaded by the vengeful Nancy Pelosi, longtime foe and Speaker of the Democrats filled House of Representatives.   The historic verdict quashed the two articles of wrong doing and gave Trump a clean bill of health.   Trump has all along called the process “hoax” and “diversionary”.   Once the news broke out, Jubilant Americans became overjoyed.   It was clear that Trump’s acquittal was overwhelmingly accepted by the generality of Americans a blunt signal to President Trump’s impending victory at the November 2020 Polls! And trust President Trump; in his State of the Union address dripping with concealed venom he lambasted Pelosi and Mith Romney calling them “horrible”, “terrible” people. What a way to end ...

Unknown to many, a new north is emerging. Among those oblivious of this fact are the Miyetti Allah group. And in case you don’t know, Miyetti Allah pursues a course quite different from normal expectations. They are distinctly far removed from practical reality and reasonable existence. Nevertheless, the scenario playing out is like this: One is the growing influence of   this same   abrasive “Miyetti Allah”, composed mainly of   nomadic cattle dealers; secondly,     the increasing generation of brilliant, literal and technologically inspired young vibrant boys and girls from the same north. .   This development will arguably go down in history as one of the deep but astonishing mysteries enveloping that part of the country.   Whereas the spiteful Miyetti Allah group remain stagnated in traditional customs prides itself in mischievous primordial instincts, and retarded in crude vengeful procedures draped around issuance of threats, confrontations ...

Corona are a large group of viruses on a loose which was previously common among animals that scientists confirmed to be zoonotic meaning it can be transmitted from animals to human. Originated from south of the Chinese wholesale seafood market of Wuhan, it is said to have spread across the border to some parts of India. The symptoms include mere cold, running nose and sore throat. Rising temperature later progress to swelling of lungs which will make breathing difficult for the patient and further leads to organ failure. By this junction, a patient sadly has few moments to live. This disease has caused shut downs of a few cities around the southern province until further notice and a new hospital had to be erected in twelve days to specifically contain, monitor and find cure to this epidemic.

The National Basketball Association of United States was thrown into mourning as the news broke of the unexpected demise of their legend Kobe Bryant who played at the professional level for 20 years.  Kobe Bryant was killed alongside his daughter Gianna in a tragic helicopter crash in the early hours of Sunday the 26 th of January. Kobe played for the Los Angeles Lakers team winning five championships with the same team. He was a mentor to many stars including the living legend, Lebron James who called Kobe his senior brother. Kobe and his daughter were reportedly heading for a basketball game which was supposed to start by 2 pm but however, destiny didn’t give them a chance to get there. Kobe was also a family man with 4 daughters and the youngest at less than a year old. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.

The Abuja based Committee of Patriotic Professionals comprising of experts from various private and public sector department have hailed the fight back by Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State, against Comrade Adams Oshiomole.   Speaking through their Chairperson, Arch. Prince Ebri Ukagu, the Committee urged Obaseki to put an end to the divisive politics of Oshiomole in Edo State.    They condemned in strong terms the regressive style of the APC National Chairman to drag the State into chaos, anarchy and thus destroy the bedrock of Edo State hitherto “gentleman” politics. The Committee frowned completely at Oshiomole’s unprofessional approach to stage parallel rallies outside the recognized state structure; they advised Obaseki to watch his back carefully.   They hailed the new Commission of Inquiry set up to probe the disastrous Benin Hospital Project as well as the ban on political rallies.   “The message should be clear to Oshiomole: you can...

As the scales of political appointments tilts heavily in favor of a particular section of the country, confusing signals have begun to envelope the nation.   Almost daily, Nigerians wake up to behold the wave of political appointments streaming the way of the President’s kinsmen.   There is even now a new dimension: “professionalism” may have been sacrificed in place of ethnicity.   The appointment of Mr. Muhammad Nani, a Sociology graduate into such a large based financial Institution as Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) simply because of where he comes from is being regarded as a drastic shift from putting round pegs in round holes. Add the appointments of the Director-Generals for the Rural Electrification (REA) and Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency’s (NITDA) and the replacement of Mr. Samson Osagie, former Executive Director with Nigerian Satellite Communication Agency with a Northerner; these are, according to reports unhealthy; Recently, M...

Two great sons of Delta State Mr. Godwin Emefiele and Mr. Jim Ovia the one governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the other Managing Director of Zenith Bank have been advised to spread their humanitarian gesture.   The call is coming from the leader of the Edo Vanguard for Employment.   Addressing a crowd of reporters at the departure lounge of the Benin Airport, Mr. Geoffrey Abu while praising the two Agbor born greats drew their attention to what he called the missing link.   “These two sons have been employing indigenes from Delta State into lucrative position in government, giving them scholarship as well from   secondary to University levels and even donating to the needy and homeless”, Mr. Geoffrey observed.   “But, there are other people as well from Edo State who should also benefit from their large heart.   “Today in Zenith and Central Bank of Nigeria, you could count no less than one hundred staff from that area”, he stated.   Mr...

  This is the puzzle for the Palestinians to answer.   They either come up with reasonable answers or remain mired in endless quagmire.   After so many peace efforts, the latest being the Donald Trump Master Plan, the Palestinian’s have again overwhelmingly rejected the move.   The big reason behind the rejection is:   The Israelis must go back to their ancestral land and Jerusalem must be their Capital!   Anything less, they insisted cannot be accepted.   This then forms the crux of their intractable resistance.   And in pursuance of this objective, the Palestinians have thrown, and continue to throw caution to the winds clamoring for the extermination of the Jews (this is utterly irresponsible) and now they have turned peaceful settlement of the crisis into a Gordian knot.   All peaceful strategies have now turned cold; when leaders continue to stick to irreversible methods the next option open is inevitable war. But the big qu...

Vehicle Inspection Officers, otherwise known as VIO have come under heavy attack.   Speaking at a Civic reception, the Chairman, Committee for Transparency, a non-governmental organization, Dr Godwin Igbinosa descended heavily on the dreaded institution calling them “decadent”.   The Chairman described their attitude as “negative”, “backward” and “outdated”.   “How can they since all these years not adapt to modern strategies?” he questioned. The Chairman blasted their crude tactics of crowding the road, blocking motorists, causing severe obstruction and embarrassing car owners.   “This is shameful; unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue”, Dr Igbinosa charged.   He said, if they have to continue searching for relevance, they must find better ways of checking for particulars or be scrapped.   The Chairman noted that the rest of the world has moved on but here, in Nigeria, they remain stagnant thriving on the same antiquated methods of...

The Editor-in-Chief of the Newspaperman organization recently paid a working/fact finding visit to the Edo State Government House to feel the pulse of the occupants following the alleged bomb attack on the home of a factional APC chieftain in Benin-city.   The outcome was telling.   Everywhere was calm.   The Editor-in-Chief spent a good two hours at the premises of the office of the Deputy Governor.   High profile officials, one of them the APC State Party Chairman, Anslem Ojezua emerged from the office accompanied by the SSG Mr. Osarodion Ogie.   Another official, Mr. Brown Ebewele also emerged from the office.   It was clear the Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Phillip Shuaibu was having a busy schedule holding meetings.   The Governor’s side of Osadeby House was rather quiet.   Enquiries showed that the governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki was out of town.   His office recorded fewer visitors.   But the general mood was convivial; there wasn’t ...

An Abuja based professional Group the Association for Good Governance (AGG) has told Hon. Rally Iriase former member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Owan East Local Government to pocket his thoughts of Mr. Godwin Obaseki.   The veteran member had called on Mr. Godwin Obaseki to account for N251.08 billion he allegedly misappropriated since assumption of office. Speaking at a public fora in Abuja, Chairman of the Abuja based group, Comrade James Akande disclosed that Hon. Pally Iriase was the last person to ask the Edo State Governor to render account of his financial stewardship. The Chairman wondered how cheap some people can be when confronted with life challenges.   “This is a man who held sway twice as Local Government Chairman, before moving to the National Assembly”, Comrade James told his audience.   “For years, they thrived under the tutelage of late Chief Anthony Anenih and Alhaji Inu Umoru. “ Nobody else qualified for Government ...

Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu’s performance as Executive Governor of the coastal enclave of Lagos State has been fetched exceptionally high rating according to a recent poll conducted by the leadership of the Newspaperman Research Team. The poll conducted over a study of two month period was carried out watching out for indices such as Sanwo-olu’s general conduct with his commissioners, private staff, larger state government staff, and relationship with contractors, visitors, his party and the external public. His management style and approach to financial matters was also accessed. It was found out that Sanwo-Olu maintained a strict but relaxed financial attitude; relevant officials were allowed to run their schedules with minimum supervision showing increase in trust; it was also found out that Sanwo-Olu, though firm, was also flexible in approving worthy ventures that touches the life of the people. The poll scored Sanwo-Olu an exceptional 80% in his relationship with people notwithsta...