Nigerians are of the consensus that the Obasanjo presidecy for the past eight years is a failure. So, why did a man who started with so much promises fail the nation he loves so dearly? What factors contributed to his failure to lift Nigeria from doldodrum and take her to the promised land?

I am sure this assessment will offer the man an insight into why he failed so woefully in the assignment he pursued so passionately.

Since it is obvious Alhaji Umar Yar' adua has successfully been imposed on us as President for the next four years, it becomes necessary to begin to imagine how the country will fare under his presidency.

So, based on his antecedents and political history, what kind of Nigeria will the Yar'adua presidency produce? Will the economy survive or boom? Will there be instability or stability? Does he have what it takes to lead Nigeria to the promised land?

Let's task our imagination a bit for the sake of Nigeria.

I have always known Obasanjo is the worst thing that happened to modern Nigeria. How can a President unilaterally declare public holiday to satisfy his selfish agenda? I don't understand this at all. I think Nigeria deserves a better leader.

Can't wait to see the man leave on May 29.

Well,

I am in possession of an official letter from Lagos PFN endorsing Pedro for the guber race.

Okotie was reportedly turned down, a situation that created a crack in the body. A top Exco member even resigned but had to be prevailed upon to withdraw his resignation.

The PRO of the body, few days after Pedro's endorsement, spoke to media men and berated the body for the action.

Is politics not widening the disunity in the church already?

Won't politicians cajole pastors for support only to turn them against themselves?

Results of the December BEEC/ NIPR professional exams are out. Share what you learnt during the exams.

I realise that many people are in jobs they never like. It is all too common to hear people who have been working for years talk about "My dream job". So, what is your own dream job? What is it that job? What would you really like to do that you are not presently doing?

Donnie,

The point is : should a pastor endorse a candidate. The aspirant you were refering is Pat Utomi, who we know Pastor Chris is supporting. Is that fair and right? Shouldn't a pastor be neutral and avoid the murky waters of politics.

I am keenly interested but i DON'T BELIEVE THE onile angle. Agents say a lot of that only for on yo find out it is not always so.

Deboo,

Thanks for the name angle. I had also been wondering why someone would call himself backslider. Brother backslider may you always front-slide. Amen. Love you so much!

No Nigerian pastor can officially endorse a candidate for any elections. And the reasons are because Nigerian politics is not always issue-oriented. This is unlike what obtains in America where most christian conservatives support Republican Party because of it stance on issues like abortion, gay marriage and others.

Nigerian parties have little or no ideologies, leaving the task of endorsing any candidate officially impossible for any pastor.

But they have ways of doing it. They use back-door communication channels to do this. For example, many of them have sworn to work against AC Lagos guber candidate, Fashola, because he is not a muslim. But you will never hear them say this openly except at closed-doors meetings. I happen to be at one where this decision was taken.

It may be hard for me to share. But Lagos PFN for example is rooting for Femi Pedro. Another group in the body is rooting for Jimmy Agbaje. A renowned Lagos-based Bishop is supporting Fashola. You see you cannot nail them to any of these endorsements but those counting on them know how to decode their body languages.

I find the fact that someone said we are returning to the Samuel's day as amusing. Comparatively, don't we stand to lose more by endorsing candidates through our church structure.

It makes me laugh to think or say there are no pastors endorsing candidates. Why are politicians fighting over themselves to curry their favour?

The truth is they do but won't make it open. To be frank, I know many leading pastors and the candidates they are rooting for.

But is it right for pastors to endorse candidates? Won't that run contrary to their position as fathers to all? Can their endorsement really influence the voting pattern? These are issues I think we should react to.

Last week, two leading presidential aspirants, Umar Yar Adua of PDP and ANPP'S Muhammed Buhari paid courtesy calls on some church leaders in Nigeria

While Yar Adua went to respected Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Buhari was with Charismatic Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel and outspoken Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly.

Why would they make these visits? To seek for prayers, support or endorsement? How far can such pastors' support help their presidential bids? Do pastors now qualify as godfathers?

Why?

Because he is the worst thing that happened to Nigeria lately.

Trini girl,

I find your anger about the endless criticism against christianity uncalled for. I understand that christianity gets the highest bashing and that is just inevitable. It is the most celebrated, embraced and practised religion. Even Christ was bashed like no other person. Yet, he never diminished in stature and personality. I imagine that trini girl would have objected so seriously if she were there when Christ was criticised.

But what did he do? He took everything in his strides. He remained focus, explained where necessary and allowed people to run their mouth. Nothing can ever stop the outburst against the church. The criticism against the church is sometimes warranted; there are too many contradictions in the church that can only be flushed out through constant whipping. I see nothing wrong in that. I do that to engage in internal cleansing, which is necessary. if we don't talk to ourselves, who will?

But I also admit some are reckless and ill-motivated. there is nothing we still can do about that. I think the beauty of it all is that God is a democrat and appreciates constructive criticism. I am a Christian because it is the only religion that allows me to question what I don't know and criticise what is anathematic. No religion is that liberal. The moment we can neither query nor criticise things in the church, we become mere zommbies suck bt the deceit of religion.

So, Trini girl, let people run their mouths. Christianity cannot be undermined or releagated. It remainsa force and can only get better through more critics.

Good riddance to bad rubbish!

I need a 3-bedroom apartment somewhere in Oko-oba or Abule for lease. Kindly contact me at suntolaontop@yahoo.com.

I equally need a good plot of land at Ikorodu or Mowe.

Insert Quote
the government regulators should not let them do that ,except if they have taken some egunje

Pray, what is greedy about consolidating one's leadership in the market? Which business owners would not want to maximise gain?

Why not spill the bean rather than asking us to contact you?

I think we should discourage thread that promises so much without explanations. Any idea that cannot be spelt had better remain in the confines of their owners' minds.

So, what and what are involved? These are what we should demand for instead of indicating hasty interest.

One does not demand from us what we do not have. So, babysisi, if it is a flower that you have, it becomes your first fruit.

The misconception has to do with how to practise it in modern days. For me, it means giving God one's best, which is relative and never fixed. When there is a payrise, one can also give a fraction of the difference to God. Unlike tithe, the percent is not defined, meaning individuals are free to give whatever they deem fit. Only that it has to be from one's first earning. What I disagree with is that it must be everything. If it is the case, then it becomes allfruit and no longer firstfruit.

Hello All,

I agree that we try to explain the correct version of firstfruit according to the bible. Though it is an old testament ordinance, let us try to explain how to practice it in modern day. This will empower Christians to do the right thing and not be fleeced by greedy pastors.

Thanks

I am dying to hear the facts o! I have heard about the possibility but needs to be guided on how to take-off. Thanks

Yes it is true. I am actually an investor there. I started last July. Like many people, I doubted the authencity of the offer but it turned out to be true.

The organisation is called NOSPECTO and is on the 10th floor of Elephant building IN Apongbo Marina Lagos.

The earlier we believe it, the better for us. It is real and I have met church members who admitted they have been told to do it. One minister even said pointedly on Tv that those who default are setting themselves up against God this year. What further evidences do you need?

It's January and workers are looking eagerly to the first salary of the year. But some preachers are insisting the first salary must be paid to God in conformity with the firstfruit commandment from God. Will you pay 100% of your January salary to God?

What is your idea of the firstfruit? Are churches right to demand members compulsorily pay firstfruit? The controversy is raging and your view may just be the missing link.

Cheers.

Certainly. Thank God my financee is one and I will do anything to ensure she keeps it. We have dated for four years now without sex though I must admit the pressure is enormous.

But then, I ran into a quote years ago in a friend's apartment. It says, "Virginity is nothing; virtue is everything". I couldn't agree more. Many lost it through to circumstances beyond their contro. I don't think it's fair to crucify them. But for those who still have it we must encourage them to keep it at all costs.

The National Population Commission has released the figures for the last census exercise. Though details are still sketchy, it was stated there are more males than females in Nigeria. Precisely, it said there are 71 million plus males in Nigeria compared to 68 million females.

Could this be true considering the fact that females are known to be more than males? If this is true, what is the implication for Nigerian economy? How will this affect social interaction and marital relationships?

Cheers!

It smacks of insensitivity to the feeling of others to make noise with church services. I think I will clampdown on these churches if I have the powers.

With the flagbearers of the main parties for the Presidency already nominated, who are you voting for? Kindly include what informs your choice as well as why your candidate towers above others. Thanks

As at the last count, there are nothing less than 10 Christian private universities in Nigeria with the inclusion if those seeking approval.

Much as it is commendable, there are cries that many church members cannot actually attend the universities they donated to establish. What is the take on Christian Universities in Nigeria? Are they tuitions justifiable? How can more members be accomodated?