ECHOES FROM THE PITCH 2

There's serious palpitation in the air. The Streets of London eagerly await the 'Great London Derby'. For the Nigerian Committee of EPL fans, it's been speculation galore. Will Arsene Wenger beat Mourinho at last? This comes after at least 12 failed attempts. I think it's high time Wenger repays Mourinho for the infamous 'specialist in failure' rant.

Arsenal and Chelsea are having the time of their lives. Chelsea will most likely be crowned EPL Champions and have already won the Carling Cup. Arsenal are in the FA cup final and for the first time in years, a London 'top 2' is feasible. Unfortunately, tomorrow's derby has little relevance in the title race or in deciding who will drop out of the Top 4. No thanks to the wobbling Tottenham and Liverpools of this world. Mr. Wenger, you just have to beat the self acclaimed Special One. It's long overdue.

Manchester United fans, how market? Congratulations on your likely return to the UCL next season. At least this season, una try small. But seriously, this is a second trophy less season for the famous Man.U. The fact that 'Top 4' is now a trophy for you guys shows that the standards at Old Trafford have dropped. Meanwhile, Wenger promised to win at Old Trafford. Lol. In that case, una fit settle for forth place. That's still an achievement after your transfer bazaar. Did I just hear 'Glory Glory Man United'? That's folk tales guys. Kpele.

ECHOES FROM THE PITCH

It's been a very busy week for lovers of the round leather game. The club fans and 'team bad belle' have been slogging it out in the various leagues. The European Champions League (UCL) is winding down. It was a spectacle at the Santiago Bernabeu (The home of Real Madrid). I've got plenty gist for you guys. Just sit tight.

Who will win the UCL??

THE TRUE PATRIOTS

A patriot simply put is someone who is devoted to and is ready to defend his or her country. Patriotism is a virtue, a word widely used in social and political settings to depict a strong affection for one's country. It's easy to be 'patriotic' when you are in a position of authority or strategically placed to decide how jobs, projects or funds are allocated. This brings me to the question -Who are the true Patriots?

Our political office holders dangle their 'patriotism' in our faces. Their actions are always 'taken in the interest of the Nation'. Same goes for top civil servants, government appointees and captains of industries, especially those that enjoy Government's patronage. I am not disputing their 'patriotism' but with 'employment slots', fat paychecks and allowances, patriotism is relatively easy.

THIS ONE'S FOR THE MEN

This is for the guys. We are the heads in family settings. Men are mostly misunderstood and hardly appreciated. 'Are you not the man'? That's cliche. Children tend to be closer to their mothers and sometimes the fathers are isolated. This is more so in this part of the world. A lady posted this and I thought I should share. Make I hype MEN small. We self dey try. Men in the house, I greet oo. Ladies, feel free to beef. Hehehe. Female breadwinners, this is also for you. 

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Who is a MAN?‎

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A man is the most beautiful part of God's creation.

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He sacrifices his chocolates for his  sisters.‎

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He sacrifices his dreams for just a  smile on his parents' faces.‎

TASTER!!!

Laugh off the stress..

A beer company was hiring a taster, someone to taste the beer before selling out. So they placed adverts and one afternoon, a dirty, rough looking man walks into d Manager's office asking to be employed. The manager tried to figure out how he could drive this man away but couldn't come up with an idea. So he decided to give the man a trial. 

He ordered his secretary to give d man a glass of wine. The man takes a sip and said "Its red wine, a muscat, three years old, grown on a North slope, matured in a steel container." That's correct! The manager exclaimed.  Give him another one and let's see. So he was given, he took another sip & said " Its red wine, cabernet, eight years old, South-western slope, oak barrels". Incredible! said d manager.

SAY NO TO XENOPHOBIA

The term Xenophobia can be defined in simple terms to mean 'a deep dislike of foreigners'. The current situation in South Africa is disheartening. Africans killing fellow Africans simply because they are domiciled away from their home nations is barbaric to say the least. Incidents like this should never be allowed on African soil and indeed, anywhere in the world.

Considering South Africa's recent past, with special reference to her fight against apartheid, Xenophobia
leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Countries that played active roles in liberating South Africa from
apartheid now have their citizens mugged in broad daylight. Businesses are being destroyed, and precious lives wasted.

Reuben Abati's Statement on the Alleged 2 Trillion Naira Campaign Expenditure

Presidential Spokesman Reuben has made an official statement on behalf of the Presidency as regards the alleged 2 trillion Naira campaign funds. Read below..

The front-page story of the Sunday Punch of April 19 alleging that the Presidency spent a whopping N2 trillion on the 2015 General elections, and that a Committee of Five has been set up by President Jonathan to conduct an audit of how the funds were disbursed by party members and state officials is mischievous, false and embarrassing.

The President has not set up any committee as alleged in that story. It is also not true that the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party used state funds, or spent N2 trillion during the campaigns. The innuendoes are wrong-headed; the motives behind the story are suspicious.

The story alleges, for example, that the Presidency spent N2trillion on elections and embarked on a money-sharing spree to party

members, support groups and state officials. The authors of the story and their self-appointed megaphones further insinuate that public funds were deployed in this regard. Their allegation of a theft of public funds is extremely malicious.
How much is the budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria? The annual budget of the Federal Government is a little over N4 trillion.

NIGERIA AND THE THREAT OF ISLAMIZATION

Every passing day, we are inundated with tales of a 'hidden agenda' to islamize our beloved Nation. The fervour displayed by exponents of this idea is alarming. If these rumours were true, I'll keep asking 'Does this make sense' and 'Why now'? The so-called catalyst of this heinous plan has ruled Nigeria before. If Nigeria wasn't islamized then, why will anyone even attempt to do so at this stage?

We have made huge strides as a Nation since independence. I really can't fathom why a country as diverse as Nigeria should be faced with talks about islamization 'aided by a leader'. I sincerely hope that this is the handiwork of mischief makers and disgruntled elements in our nation. We have come this far and can't be taken decades backwards.

EASTER THOUGHTS

It's a glorious day for all Christians. The long awaited Easter Sunday is here. After forty days of Lent, a gruelling crucifixion, HE AROSE!!! Death could not hold him bound. Jesus conquered death to release us from the grip of the devil and free us from slavery to sin. He arose and lives forever with his Saints to reign.

After the fall of man, God gave up his only begotten son for the sake of mankind. God became man just to redeem man. God's love for man was so pure that despite man's endless failings, he never gave up. Jesus lived among us, endured human nature, was betrayed by man and even suffered a cruel death just for our sake. What did the 'son of man' not do for the world? Nothing if you ask me.

THE TIME HAS COME

‎Who knows what time it is? I think I do.

It's Time!!

A time for sober reflection. 

A time for soul searching. 
A time for mind examination. 
A time for true repentance. 
A time to re-focus. 
A time to take a firm stand. 
A time to begin anew. 
A time to reject satan. 
A time to choose life. 
A time to change. 

LOVE! OH LOVE!!

Love! Love!! Love!!! What's Love? 

Love is a gift
Love makes life beautiful 
Consoles wounded hearts 
Puts an end to strife
Love is a garden
nurtured tenderly
Producing good fruits,
blossoming with flowers,
free from thorns
Love inspires hope
in times of distress
Love eases pain
in times of sorrow

THE CHANGE WE WANT

Change! Change!! Change!!! What change? Is this change progressive or retrogressive? The coming months and years will decide this. Nigerians have spoken. Now our voices must be heard. This election has proven one thing. Nigerians don't just bark as used to be the case. We have grown teeth overnight and now BITE.

Every subsequent Government should take a cue from the result of the polls and give the people what they want. The next government will be under severe scrutiny from Day one. We won't accept excuses for non-performance no matter how nicely coined. In the midst of the economic crisis, we need the incoming government to hit the ground running. The enormity of the work needed to reposition this country cannot be overemphasised.

AFTER ELECTIONS, WHAT'S NEXT?

Nigeria is on the verge of making history. This has turned out to be most keenly contested election in the history of Nigeria. Never before have Nigerians been this eager to make their voices heard. No incumbent President has been voted out yet. This record may be broken today. If that happens, it's a victory for Democracy. It may however not translate to a turnaround in our economic fortunes or the much adduced change.

I have to applaud the relative atmosphere of peace that has pervaded this election. Despite the political tension and reports of skirmishes in few places, this election has been relatively peaceful. This has to be sustained irrespective of who is declared winner at the end of the day. So many ambitions may be crushed and billions lost, but Nigeria should come first.