Gist Arena

Pastor Kris Okotie of the Household of God Church tells Punch's Gbenro Adeoye in this interview why he still wants to run for president despite his three failed attempts and why he splashed over N150m on two luxury cars recently. The issue about the Catholics was also addressed again... What's your thought about Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's letter to President Jonathan?Like I mentioned in that piece, I don't want to get involved in the presidential skirmishes; but it is common knowledge that I admire President Olusegun Obasanjo as the greatest leader that Nigeria has ever had. He is the ipsissimus of the Nigerian genitive nuance, that is, the personification of the untapped uniqueness of the Nigerian seed.  Why did you describe Obasanjo like this? Is it not ironic because not a few Nigerians feel he was part of the problem of Nigeria?The perception of the Obasanjo persona is always predicated on conjecture and political superstition. Many do not have the nece...

What is happening? Another shocking scandal has been recorded in the heart of the Catholic church... A nun who said she had no idea she was pregnant gave birth in Italy this week after she felt stomach cramps in her convent and was rushed to hospital for proper treatment, Italian media reported on Friday. The 31-year-old nun and her baby boy, who weighs 3.5 kilogrammes (nine pounds), are doing well and some new mothers in Rieti hospital have begun collecting clothes and donations for her, the reports said. "I did not know I was pregnant. I only felt a stomach pain," The Salvadorean nun was quoted as saying at the hospital. La Republica said she gave birth on Wednesday. ANSA said the nun had named her baby Francesco (Francis) — which is the new pope's chosen title and one of the most popular names in Italy, where St Francis of Assisi is the much-loved national patron saint. The nun, who is yet to name the man who impregnated her, belongs to the ...

NOT a few were shocked to their bone marrow when in December, 2013, Nigeria's popular comedienne, Oluwadamilola Adekoya, a.k.a Princess, publicly announced that her marriage of seven months has irretrievably broken up. Different reasons have been adduced for this break-up among which are: Her desperation to get married, age was no longer on her side and the fact that the husband thought she was more financially buoyant than what he eventually discovered. ENCOMIUM Weekly got her to talk on Saturday, January 11, 2014 morning where she opened up to us.   Is it true that your marriage has actually crashed? Since last year now, it's no news again. Yes, we are aware you made a statement late last year that your marriage has crashed. That's all. In your statement you said the marriage crashed due to irreconcilable differences. That's the reason. What were these irreconcilable differences? I am not ready to divulge them.  They are irreconcilable differences, so mention...

PELA Tony Okiemute is about the most talked about young man in Lagos right now. He was made popular when his pictures flooded the social media – the pictures where he was dark and when he got light skinned.  The pictures got a lot of criticisms and side talks.  ENCOMIUM Weekly had a chat with the international businessman and Bells University of Technology graduate at his Furo Ezimora, Lekki, Lagos office and he told us all about his controversies, why he is into skincare business, why he changed his skin colour and much more… You are about the most talked about person in Lagos now as your pictures are all over the internet, so let's get to know you. My name is Pela Tonye Okiemute, from Delta State. When did you start the skincare business? I have been into the skincare business for about nine years now.  I actually started when I was very young. I used to follow my grandma in picking herbs, I used to watch how she used orange and lemon to lighten the skin.  So, ...

NOLLYWOOD star, Halima Abubakar has every reason to be grateful to God.  And the reason is not far-fetched.  A couple of weeks back, the talented role interpreter was down with chronic typhoid and ulcer, but now she is back on her feet.  However, throughout the period she was on sick bed, rumour mill was agog that the Kogi born entertainer was pregnant.  But she debunked this totally when ENCOMIUM Weekly had an exclusive interview with her in her Maryland, Lagos residence on Friday, January 10, 2013.  She also spoke on other issues including her controversial mode of dressing. 2013 has come and gone, how would you assess the year? It was a beautiful and revealing year.  It's also tasking and hard.  No matter how much I achieved during the year, I was also in the hospital before the New Year began.  But at the same time, I give thanks to Almighty God for keeping me alive. What were the things you didn't do well in 2013 that perhaps you inte...

Former Big Brother winner, Uti Nwachukwu is set to pour out the benevolence in him. He's prepared to share as his brother's keeper. The handsome Nollywood actor has floated a charity organization called Uti Empowers Youth and Less Privileged, UELP and Uti Leads The Stars. In this interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly the young man poured out his heart on the vision and mission of his organization and much more.  Would you say 2013 has been rewarding and fruitful? 2013 was an incredible year! It's the best year I've had career wise! I had so many doors opened and so many deals came in. I experienced true blessings also in terms of health and spiritual growth. 2013 was one year I will never ever forget. A lot of ups, life changing challenges/lessons and a lot of gains. I am so grateful to God for such an amazing blessed year. God is so good to me. He always surprises me. His mercies and grace are immeasurable! I'm humbled and I'm in awe of my own growth and success. ...

Former Minister Ezekwesili believes that when it comes to Nigeria's economy and revenues, the buck stops at Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala's table. She therefore wants her to account for the country's missing oil money Former Vice President of the World Bank, Oby Ezekwesili, has taken the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to task over the sloppy manner the government has handled the issue of the 'missing' $49.8billion oil money. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, had, in a memo to President Goodluck Jonathan accused the NNPC of diverting huge oil revenue that should be paid to the federation account. Mr. Sanusi had alleged that the NNPC systematically diverted more than 76 per cent of revenues realised from crude oil sales between January 2012 and July 2013, paying only 24 per cent of the proceeds from crude oil sales within the period into the federation account. Later, at the end of a purp...