From Sons to Servants - Kenneth Copeland

From Sons to Servants

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. – Acts 2:18-19

You and I are living in the most exciting days this earth has ever seen. All around us God is pouring out His Spirit in preparation for the endtime revival that will bring this whole age to a glorious close. Some of God's children are just standing by as spectators, watching Him work. Others, however, have become a vital part of it all. They've volunteered for service in this great end-time army. They've become what the Bible calls the servants and handmaidens of God. Who are those servants and handmaidens? They are those who have committed themselves totally to their Lord. They are those who, instead of being content simply to be born-again children of God, have gone even further, stepping into servanthood out of love for the Father. The servants and handmaidens of God are those who've said, "I want to be involved in what God is doing in this hour. I want to be His bondslave, available to do His bidding 24 hours a day." Those who make that powerful decision are experiencing the great outpouring of God's Spirit that Peter spoke of in Acts 2. They are the ones whose Spirit-inspired words of prophecy and prayer are releasing the power of God upon the earth. They are the ones whose words are opening the way for the signs and wonders. Do you want to be among them? You can be. God wants you to be. In fact, He needs you to be! He needs those who will cut every cord that binds them to this natural world. He needs people He can call on in the middle of the night for intercession. People who will get up and do it no matter how tired they may be. That's the quality and depth of dedication servanthood requires. It's a demanding role but its rewards are rich. Those who are willing to fill that role will be God's mouthpiece here on the earth in these final days. They will be vehicles of His Spirit and of His mighty power. They will be key players in the Holy Spirit's greatest earthly production. Make a decision now to become one of them. Take the step of faith into servanthood today.

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-21

© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Your Answer is in God's Word - Joseph Prince

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart;

Proverbs 4:20–22

- MARCH 31 -
YOUR ANSWER IS IN HIS WORD

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God has given us a sure way to receive the answers to our problems and challenges. It is His Word. Every answer or solution we need is found in the Bible.

Yet, many Christians are not walking victoriously in certain areas of their lives. This is because the devil continuously wages a war of distraction against them. He has managed to take them away from the one thing that can bring them victory—the Word. He will do everything possible to prevent them from opening the Bible because he knows that the Word will deliver them.

The distraction can be very subtle: A lot of things to get done, a lot of TV programs that interest you, or it may take the form of a big problem that makes you feel that you need to focus all your attention on it. The enemy knows that if he can get you to take your eyes off the Word of God, he can keep you from winning the battle.

When you are going through a tough time, it is not enough to know that God’s answer to the problem is “somewhere in the Bible”. Find the scripture in which God has promised the solution. Meditate on it until the truth of that scripture is revealed to you. When you do this, no demon or devil can prevent that word from God from bearing fruit in your life.

Even Jesus Himself used the Word to defeat the devil in the wilderness—“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4) The way to defeat the enemy is with “It is written…”

My friend, there is no substitute for the written Word. God tells us that we will find life and health if we give our attention to His Word and keep it in the midst of our hearts. So get into the Word and let God’s promises abide in you.

Nigerian Air Force Displays Combat Readiness

 

NAF Dislays Combat Aircrafts at Competition

The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) displays dominant air power capabilities as some of its fighter jets led by the L39 Albatross and the F7Ni supersonic jet, dazzled citizens of the state to several frightening air displays as part of activities drawing the curtain on the 2017 NAF Combat Sports drills completion.

Several dignitaries at the Nigerian Air force Military School Sports pavilion including Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state who was the special guest, Minister of Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalong, members of the Kogi State Executive Council, Directors, Joint Services and Air force at the Ministry of Defence could not help but marvel at the dexterity and maneuverability of the NAF pilots aboard the aircraft. 

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello commended the Nigerian military improved performance in combat operations, especially against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North East and other parts of the country because of efficiency and accountability by the current Service Chiefs

Bello attributed this to transparency  in procurement or arms and ammunition such as the number of aircrafts in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) inventory and platforms as well as advanced training of personnel.

The Governor stated this on Thursday as a the Guest of Honour at the end of the NAF Second Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition in Jos, Plateau State.

He said, more than his predecessors, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has done enough to equip the Nigerian military with the needed weapons and right kind of training provided by the service chiefs   to defeat the insurgents around the country.

"I learnt that in the past we only have three air crafts but today we have enough combat air crafts that are doing tremendously well against the terrorists.

We have seen what our military are doing in containing the security situation in the country,  especially in the North East, which has improved. So I don't know what people are saying. What more do they want from President Muhammadu Buhari as obviously he has done well together with the Service Chiefs he appointed," he stressed.

Speaking Bello commended the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for initiating a workable and pragmatic vision for the NAF.

He said: "The excellent skills and talents showcased by the participants in the respective sporting events left no one in doubt of their capability. For those who are privilleged to witness these events, I am sure we are now better informed of the physical fitness of NAF, which have to be brought to bear in defending the territorial integrity our dear country.

"With the new skills and experience acquired in the course of the competition, NAF personnel are now better poised to give back to the system their take away, by way of putting in their utmost best in defence of our dear father land Nigeria. This is essentially imperative in this testing and trying times of widespread insecurity in the country."

 Bello said indicpline and corruption nearly drowned the air force but that "NAF is back to winning ways" because the current "CAS took away stealing of airforce money".

"Gone are the days of hiding it in safety tanks and bank account of wives ...we are seeing results to be different," he said.

In the same vein, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, "the airmen and women for active participation in sporting activities despite being actively engaged in war against terror".

Dalong however, noted that sports is a crucial source of development and economic growth for any nation.

"I have said that sports is what can drive Nigeria out of the present economic recession. I am saying this because the highest paid person in the world today is a sports person. If we invest in sports we will be creating a lot of jobs and employment opportunities for our youths.

"What I am seeing here today convinced me that there is hope for the nation as it needs the lubricant for both sports and military, which is discipline, " he stressed.

Also speaking, Air Marshal Abubabakar promised to sustain the sporting competition, which he says helps the combat readiness of the Nigerian Air Force.

He also presented trophies to the winners of the competition in different sporting events including taekwondo, judo, boxing, combat relay race, combat swimming and shooting among others.

Five teams competed with Team Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (HQ NAF) emerging the overall best with nine golds; followed by Team Training Command with eight gold medals, and third position went to the Team Special Operations Command. The fourth and fifth positions went to the Team Logistic and Mobility Commands respectively.

Others sporting event winners include: Combat Relay (Training Command), Thug-of-war (Logistics Command), Boxing (HQ NAF), Obstacles Crossing (Logistics Command), Shooting (Special Operations Command), Combat Swimming (Training Command), and  Judo (Training Command) among others.

Let Imprisonment Not Be the Last Chapter for Inmates -Security Expert

The Nigeria Security and Justice Adviser, West Africa Conflict and Security Team (CSSF), Katrina Aitken-Laird has charged members of the Prison Media Network (PERMNET) to focus on the plight of prisoners by generating actions to ensure that imprisonment does not translate to a last chapter closed on the fortunes of inmates.

She made the appeal at the monthly meeting of PERMNET members held in Abuja.

Katrina noted that objective information about the Nigerian Prisons Service will certainly shape public opinion and guide policy makers towards evolving a sense of collective responsibility for better prison system. Media component is particularly important because prison institutions are key to socio-economic development of any nation she further stated.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in sponsoring Justice Sector Reform (JSR), recognised the invaluable role of the Prisons in perfecting justice process hence the need to accommodate the NPS in JSR programme.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), DCP Francis Enobore who spoke on behalf of the Controller General of Prisons, Ja'afaru Ahmed, commended the sponsors and PERMNET members for their support and objective reportage noting that prison connotes an environment where offenders are given opportunity and assistance to show penitence.

Francis added that: “Anything and everything about the prison should sermonize re-socialisation and changing 'the undesirable' to 'the desirable' thus requiring interventions that reflect this ideal.”

Also speaking at the occasion, Dr. Uju Agomoh, former Executive Director of Prisoners' Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) encouraged members to generate forward looking issues that are rich, purposeful, focused and factual in order to attract needed attention from stakeholders.

She noted that the re-entry process of prisoners back into the society should be of paramount concern hence the need for humane custody and quick justice delivery.

The PRNigeria gathered at the forum that the total inmate population in Nigeria Prison as at 27th March 2017 is 69,110 made up of 47,142 pre-trial detainees and 21,968 convicts.

Nigerian Civil Defencec Sanctions Two Officers

NSCDC SUSPENDS TWO OFFICERS FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS.

As the lead agency in the Protection of National Assets and Critical Infrastructures of the Federation Government of Nigeria, the Management of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have noted with dismay, the alleged possession of illegal petroleum products suspected to be AGO by two officers of the Corps who were recently arrested and paraded in Bayelsa State.



The Commandant General of the Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu who made this known, says the Corps have set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the matter for proper action to be taken in line with the public service rules. However, the affected personnel, Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASCI) Agah Utavie and Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASCII) Angel S.K. are hereby suspended from the service until investigations are concluded in this case.



The Corps helmsman is using this opportunity to warn officers and men  of the Corps and all others with similar intentions to desist in their own interest as NSCDC is repositioned and ever ready to fulfil her core mandate for national development and will not tolerate any act of sabotage.





ACC EMMANUEL OKEH

CDPRO

nscdcnhqpro@gmail.com

Military Operations in Nigeria

DIRECTOR DEFENCE INFORMATION BRIEFING AT MARCH 2017 PRESS FORUM

INTRODUCTION
1.      Directorate of Defence Information briefing is held on monthly basis or as the need arises to keep both the public abreast of contemporary issues through the media.  It is equally a forum to address and update them on issues of strategic and national security importance that must have been topics of public discourse, which requires clarification.  The brief will cover the activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in particular in all the geopolitical zones of the country, the international arena and other security matters.

2.      The purpose of this forum therefore is to ensure that; accurate information is provided by the DDI through the media to the public.  It is hoped that this would engender a better working atmosphere between the media and the Directorate and reduce distortion of information to the public globally and locally to a large extent.  It is a truism that “if we don’t say it, they will say it for us”.

NORTH EAST
3.      Operation LAFIYA DOLE.   The major Operational activity of the Nigerian Armed Forces in NE is Op LAFIYA DOLE with emphasis on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.  It has the NA, NN and NAF components.  The AFN has been able to decimate and degrade the Boko Haram terrorists (BHT) from their TERROGENSIC activity to splinter acts of terrorism here and there mostly within Borno State.  Currently, clearance operation is on going jointly by the AFN to eliminate both active and passive acts of terrorism in the NE.  It is worthy of note that some countries such as Britain, USA and France among others provided one form of assistance to the military in our effort so far in the NE.  It is hoped that the collaboration would continue to ensure that; this “evil of terrorism is eliminated from Nigeria and equally degraded globally.

NORTH WEST
4.      Operation SHARAN DAJI.  Op SHARAN DAJI is the joint operation by the AFN to curtail banditry and cattle rustling in particular among others in the NW.  Currently, the activities of the criminals has been checkmated tremendously.  It is highly desirable to point out here, that a good number of criminals that were engaged in these activities embraced the amnesty offer by Zamfara State Government.  It is expected that, other states in the NW would emulate Zamfara State, so that; this wickedness of criminality is eradicated from the zone in particular and Nigeria in general.  However, I must say that the AFN acknowledge and appreciate all other forms of support provided so far by the various states in the NW aimed at ensuring the security of lives and property.

NORTH CENTRAL
5.      Operation SAFE HAVEN.  Op SAFE HAVEN is the Operation being conducted in the NC zone with the epicenter in Plateau State.  It is aimed at curtailing incessant ethno-religious crisis, combating cattle rustling, armed robbery, sectarian crisis and erstwhile attacks by BHTs among others.  It can be rightly said that relative peace has returned particularly to Plateau State.  The efforts of opinion, community and religious leaders among others were key to the success of the AFN and other paramilitary agencies involved at ensuring that peace returns to the general area.  However, it is necessary to sustain this effort through encouragement by the State Government.  The support of the Government to the Task Force is highly appreciated by the Nigerian military.  Leaders in various categories in other states of the country are requested to emulate those of Plateau State to facilitate peaceful co-existence and security of lives and property.

SOUTH WEST
6.      Operation AWATSE.  The main Operation by the AFN in the SW part of Nigeria is Op AWATSE aimed at curbing; pipeline vandalism and petroleum products related criminality with negative socio-economic consequence for the country.  It is ongoing.  Surveillance is key to the success of the military in this operation, which is based on accurate and timely

EFCC Re-arraigns FUTA Vice Chancellor, Bursar for N156m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 30, 2017 re-arraigned the duo of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Adebiyi G. Daramola and the Bursar, Emmanuel Ayodeji A. Oresegun before Justice W. R. Olamide of the Ondo State High Court, Akure on a 9-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretense, abuse of office, misappropriation of funds and  conspiracy to steal to the tune of N156,984,455.33 (One Hundred and Fifty Six Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Five Naira, Thirty Three Kobo).


The accused persons however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.


In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, Benedict Ubi prayed the court for a trial date.

Counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants, O. O. Ogunbade and Ibakun Fasami Prayed the court to allow the defendants continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted them by Justice S. A. Bola on the 14th of February, 2017. The EFCC counsel did not oppose the application.


Justice Olamide granted bail to the accused on the previous terms and adjourned the case to  3, 4, 10 and 11 of May, 2017 for hearing.


The VC and the Bursar's journey to the dock followed a petition  to EFCC sometime in 2016, alleging that the duo and the governing council of the University were entrenched in unmitigated corruption, fraud, mindless stealing of the funds of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. It was alleged that the VC misapplied funds, collects housing allowances whilst living in government residential quarters, drew Furniture Allowance annually instead of once in 4 years as approved by Salaries and  Wages Commission, uses public funds to finance private expenses, illegal payment of allowances to Council members, amng others.

On of the charge reads: “That you, Professor Adebiyi G. Daramola on or about the 2nd of September, 2016 at Akure within the Akure Judicial Division of the honourable court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Twenty Four Million Two Hundred and Twenty Three  Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty Four Naira (N24, 223,484.00) only from the Federal University of Technology Akure, when you falsely represented that the said sum of money was for your Biennial family vacation overseas for the year 2015 and 2016, which representation you knew was false”

Amnesty International Receives Praises from Civil Society Coalition

Civil Society Coalition Present Palm Frond, Torchlight in Solidarity Rally to Amnesty International Nigeria

A large coalition of civil societies from all over Nigeria converged on the Unity Fountain, Abuja, on Wednesday, March 22, from where they marched down to the Abuja offices of Amnesty International Nigeria to show solidarity and support to the global human rights body.

Received at the Amnesty International premises by some officials of the organization led by Onyinye Onyemobi, speaker after speaker eulogized the body for its consistency in compiling and exposing the appalling human rights abuses of state agents despite the overwhelming intimidation, blackmail and harassment it is made to pass through in the hands of such agents.

Opening the stage for the deluge of speeches that characterized the rally, Comrade Abdul Mahmud, a former national president of NANS and leader of Public Interest Lawyers League, who was also among the leading lights of the rally, went down memory lane and recalled how in 1991 during one of Nigeria’s darkest military eras, he alongside some other officials of NANS were illegally detained for six months and brutalized by the military junta, it was Amnesty International that first exposed the illegality to the world and also worked assiduously for their release by continuously piling pressure on the government of the day.

While presenting an official statement of all the CSOs represented at the rally, Jude Ndukwe, national leader of the Movement for the Advancement of National Transformation (MANTRA), and a co-convener of the rally, recalled “the ignominious display of ludicrousness by that group of rented crowd masquerading as members of a civil society organization under the name ‘Global Peace and Rescue Initiative (GOPRI)’ against Amnesty International Office, Abuja” the previous week describing their anti-Amnesty rally as shameful and condemnable.

He lampooned GOPRI for its brazen and impudent threat for Amnesty International to leave Nigeria within 24 hours, describing the carrying of a coffin to the offices of the international human rights organization as an act that has brought opprobrium upon the nation.

Reiterating its support for Amnesty International, the coalition of CSOs declared that “Amnesty International has come to stay. Amnesty International is going nowhere. You have our full support. Keep the focus and do not be intimidated or deterred, for those who are for you are greater than those who are against you.”

Also speaking, one of the spokespersons of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria who turned out in their large numbers, Abdulmumin Giwa, recounted how the military killed about a thousand of their members in Zaria in December of 2015 and attempted to cover up their heinous crime by burying a majority of them in shallow graves. He said but for the prompt reactions and reports of organizations like the Amnesty International, the murder of IMN members would have been swept under the carpet.

The highlight of the rally was a symbolic presentation of palm frond and torchlight to Amnesty International which was done by Comrade Ariyo Dare-Fatoye, Leader of the Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC), and a co-convener of the rally. While presenting the items, Ariyo stated that “with the powers vested upon us by the oppressed citizens of this great nation, some of whom have died just for exercising their fundamental human rights of association and assembly, mowed down by those paid to protect them, we hereby CANCEL the ultimatum by GOPRI for Amnesty International to leave Nigeria.

“In place of the coffin and its evil significance brought here by GOPRI, we present to Amnesty International this palm frond which is a symbol of peace, victory and triumph.

“For the darkness they brought here, we bring light which this torchlight symbolises, and for the death they placed here we bring life. We nullify their evil plans and void their threats. We render all their enchantments puerile and nullify all their incantations”.

Receiving the items and responding on behalf of Amnesty International Nigeria, Onyinyechi said they are not in any way deterred by the activities of those trying to intimidate them and thanked the organizers of the rally for standing by them, saying the solidarity visit has further encouraged them to keep on with their work.

She presented copies of a book “Amnesty International Report 2016/2017: The State of the World’s Human Rights” to leaders of the rally.

Also present at the rally were members of Global Rights and Human Rights Watch.

God says 'I will' in the New Testament

- MARCH 29 -
GOD SAYS ‘I WILL’ IN THE NEW COVENANT

You may be feeling stressed at work today because your boss just gave you a list of things to do. Maybe he told you, “You have to type this letter. You have to meet this client. You have to write this report. You have to…” Wouldn’t it be nice if your boss had, instead, said, “I will type this letter for you. I will meet this client for you. I will write this report for you. I will…”?

Well, your boss may not be that gracious, but your Father in heaven is! When He found fault with the old covenant and established the new covenant (Hebrews 8:7–8) in His Son’s blood, His “Thou shalls” became “I wills”.

You see, under the old covenant, the focus is on you—Thou shall not…Thou shall not…Thou shall not…It is all about your performance, your obedience, your works. But under the new covenant, God says, “I will put My laws in their mind…I will be their God…I will be merciful to their unrighteousness…their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” It is no longer you working for God, but God working for you, in you, through you!

“Isn’t there something for me to do?” you may ask.

My friend, the only thing for you to do is to believe God’s “I wills”. The more you believe His “I wills” or promises, the more you will see His heart for you and the more your faith will grow.

It is foolish for me to just tell you, “Come on, man, have faith!” You will still find it hard to have faith because I am not giving you anything to build faith in you. But if I were to tell you all about what God says He will do for you, faith will arise in your heart. Faith is a response to knowing what God says He will do for you.

So the best thing you can “do” under the new covenant is to not focus on what you must do for God, but what God says He will do for you!

Joseph Prince

Nigeria Calls For Calm Over India Attacks

DABIRI-EREWA CALLS FOR CALM IN INDIA ATTACKS

Following multiple distress calls by Nigerian students in India on concerns on their safety as a result of renewed attacks on them, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has urged Nigerians in India to remain calm, be watchful of their surroundings.

Dabiri-Erewa said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday that the renewed Tuesday attacks on Nigerian students' in India was uncalled for. While condemning the mob action as unwarranted and deplorable, the SSA noted that the Indian authorities currently have five suspects in custody.

Dabiri-Erewa noted that though the situation was calm at the moment, the Indian government has a responsibility to protect Nigerian students in India going about their normal duties. She urged the Indian government to ensure that any alleged suspect should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

She said the Chargé d'affaires in India, Amb. Mrs Queen Worlu has promptly visited the scene of the incident and also visited the three patients in hospital. According to available reports, two of the victims are two brothers, Precious and Endurance Amalawa and Chukwuma Igboamalu. Other reports have it that nine Nigerians were attacked, all students of Noida International University in India.

"I have also spoken with Mr Charles Kennedy, President of the Students' association in Greater Noida where the attacks occurred. He said though a Kenyan girl who was working alone in the early hours of today was attacked, more police patrol vehicles have been deployed to all areas.” He confirmed that the situation is calm and is pleased with the prompt actions of the Nigerian Chargé d'affaires in India and the Indian government so far.

She noted the steps taken so far by India government which includes patrol of the area and immediate arrest of suspected culprits with more arrests likely. Dabiri-Erewa, however, prayed for the quick recovery of the three in the hospital in India.  

Signed.


Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora

No Senator Was Involved in Seized Vehicles in Kano - Customs

No Senator Was Involved in Seized Vehicles - Customs


NCS PRESS STATEMENT
The attention of Nigerian Customs Service has been drawn to a mischievous publication in some prints and online platforms that the service has seized vehicles belonging to a Senator in Kano.

Since this is capable of misleading the public into wrong insinuations, it is imperative to state the facts.
·        That the Operatives of NCS Compliance Team, based on credible intelligence, trailed the movement of some smuggled vehicles from Maigatari, Jigawa State to a house at Magaji Rumfa, GRA Kano.
·        On the 7th February, 2017, eleven (11) vehicles, 10 Hilux and one (1) Land cruiser jeep were retrieved from the house at Magaji Rumfa GRA, Kano and taken for detention at the HQ of Customs Area Command Kano.
·        That the officers discovered there were no occupants in the house, hence the gate was forced opened to retrieve the smuggled vehicles.
·        That investigation into the smuggling of the vehicles is still on to establish the true owner.

From the above, it is clear that whoever introduced the “Senator” angle to the story is out for pure mischief and does not represent the position of the service on this issue.

Accordingly, the false and misleading report should be discountenanced please.


Joseph Attah
Public Relations Officer
For: Comptroller-General of Customs

Press Statement

RIWAMA Sole Administrator, Bro. Felix Obuah Commends Gov. Wike Over ‘Operation Leave the Road’ Programme

…Says Daily Inspection Of Business Premises, Residential Areas Still On Course



The Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah has commended Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for initiating the Operation Leave the Road programme with a view to keep the streets and roads safe, clean  and healthy.

Bro. Obuah in a statement described the directive as another bold step aimed at restoring the Garden City status of Port Harcourt, the State capital.

The Sole Administrator expressed confidence that the programme would go a long way in making Port Harcourt and its environs clean and safe at all times.

He also lauded the programme for its timeliness as it aims to complement the aesthetic beauty of the State which is currently carrying out activities as part of her Golden Jubilee celebration.

Bro. Obuah regretted that the previous administration failed to discourage indiscriminate trading on the streets because it lacked the political will to do so, adding that Gov. Wike has taken the bull by the horn to bring sanity and order in governance.

The RIWAMA boss, therefore, appealed to all traders who carry on their businesses on the streets and roads in Port Harcourt, the State Capital, and its environs to embrace the initiative and keep off the streets and roads for the programme to achieve its objective of making the State safe and clean.

He reminded the traders that doing business on the roads and streets poses avoidable hazards occasionally by human and traffic congestion aside from defacing and making the streets less attractive.

Bro. Obuah also enjoined traders to imbibe the culture of cleanliness in their places of business, adding that cleanliness should not be limited to the home alone but to places of work and business, reminding them that the daily inspection of business premises and residential areas by the Agency is still being carried out and will cover all parts of Port Harcourt and its environs.

He urged them to cooperate with government to avoid the risk of arrest and prosecution as a Task Force has been set up to implement the directive.

Signed:



Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to

Bro. Felix Obuah, Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency

(RIWAMA).

Police Arrest Notorious Kidnappers, Cultists, Armed Robbers

PARADE OF VICIOUS AND NOTORIOUS KIDNAP FOR RANSOM GANG/CULTISTS RESPONSIBLE FOR SEVERAL KIDNAPPINGS, ARMED ROBBERIES AND CULTISM IN RIVERS AND OTHER STATES IN THE SOUTH- SOUTH.

 AT THE FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA  BY CSP JIMOH MOSHOOD, FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA

ON 28^TH  OF MARCH, 2017

 

Gentlemen of the Press, you are welcome to today’s press briefing. The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni, concerned with kidnappings and other violent crimes in Rivers and other South – Southern States mandated IGP Monitoring Unit to unravel those responsible for the heinous and dastard act and put an end to the menace.

 

 

CASE 1:         ARREST OF   KIDNAP FOR RANSOM SUSPECTS, RESCUE OF VICTIM AND RECOVERY OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION

 

SUSPECT:

i.             Michael Obi ‘M’ 34 years old native of Boki Town cross Rivers State

ii.           Kelechi Ndukwu ‘M’ 30 years old from Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State

iii.         Ifeanyi Ezechukwu ‘M’ 28 years

iv.         Chinedu Amadi ‘M’ 18 years

 

 

 

EXHIBITS:

i.             one (1) locally made Revolver Pistol

ii.           Four (4) live ammunition

iii.         One (1) expended ammunition

iv.         One (1) locally made Pistol

v.           Three (3) live cartridges

vi.         One expended cartridge

vii.        Two hundred thousand naira (#200,000) ransom Money.

 

2.  The operatives of IGP Monitoring Unit carried out raid on a kidnappers hideout at Umuike Allu area of Rivers state on 20/3 2017 about 1230hrs and arrested the above mentioned suspects Michael  Obi 34 years and Kelechi Ndukwu  30 years old,  and rescued the victim (name with held), a student of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State.

Equally, on 23/3/2017 about 1010hrs, another raid was carried out at Umuanwa community Ikwerre LGA in Rivers State and arrested Ifeanyi  Ezechukwu 28 years and Chinedu Amadi 18 years for kidnapping their land Lady and her son who were promptly rescued by the Police team and reunited with their family.

The suspects were identified by the victims and will be charge to court on completion of investigation.

 

CASE 2:           RAIDING OF CULTISTS HIDEOUT

 

SUSPECTS:

i.                   John Oteh ‘M’ 25 years

ii.                Atochi Oteh ‘M’ 41 years

EXHIBITS:

i.             One (1) Military Lar Rifle No. 770786

ii.           One (1) locally made double barrel gun

iii.         Two (2) locally made single barrel cut-to size guns

iv.         One (1) locally made pistol

v.           Seven (7) cartridges

vi.         One (1) expended cartridge

 

3.     On 20/3/2017 at about 0500hrs, sequel to the directive of Inspector General of Police on the activities of Cultists in Rivers State and environs , the IGP Monitoring Unit in Rivers State Command working on actionable intelligence with other specialized Technical Units of the Force under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, swooped on the hideout of vicious kidnap for ransom and cultist gang “Iceland Confraternity” Den in Ebitanwo/Rumuakude Communities and arrested two (2) members of the gang and recovered the exhibits listed above from them: They confessed to the crime admitting to the various roles they played in the commission of  various armed robberies, kidnappings and other cultist activities linked to them. They will be charged to court on completion of the investigation

 

4. The Inspector General of Police wishes to assure the good people of Rivers State and other states of the Federation of adequate security and implore them to co-operate with the Police personnel deployed in their localities to serve them better by providing useful and timely information necessary for crime prevention and detection in their areas.

 

CSP JIMOH O. MOSHOOD

Force Public Relations Officers

Force Headquarters

Abuja.

Court Jails Fraudster 14years for Issuance of Dud Cheque

Justice Simon Aboki of the State High Court sitting in Mararaba, Nasarawa State on Thursday, March 20, 2017 convicted and sentenced one Hanna Abraham to 14years imprisonment on a 3-count charge of obtaining by false pretence and issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N7million preferred against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. 

The convict was said to have, under false pretence, obtained the said sum as loan to supply 22 trucks of diesel to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, and diverted it to other purposes other than what it was meant for. 

The offence contravenes Section 1 (1) a, Section 1 (b) (i) and Section 1 (b) (i) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006 and Dishonoured Cheque Offences. 

She pleaded not guilty to the counts when she was arraigned. 

After diligent prosecution, Justice Aboki found Abraham guilty on all three counts. 

Delivering the judgment, Justice Aboki sentenced her to 10years imprisonment on count one and two years each on counts two and three without option of fine. 

While the sentence is to run concurrently, the convict is to refund all monies collected from the complainant.

Wilson Uwujaren 

Head Media & Publicity 

21st March, 2017 

N3bn Loot: Ex-NNPC boss, Yabuku Gets N300m Bail, Remanded in Prison

Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 granted bail to Andrew Yakubu, a former Group Managing Director, GMD, Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, who is standing trial on charges of money laundering, non disclosure of assets and fraud.

He was admitted to bail in the sum of N300million with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be an owner of landed property that is worth the bail sum within the FCT, while the other surety shall be employed and resident in Abuja having a permanent home address. The sureties must depose to an affidavit of means, as well as, submit their two recent passport photographs.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on March 16, docked Yakubu on a six-count charge, following which the court ordered his remand in prison custody pending ruling on his bail application.

However, Yakubu’s counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, had through an application dated March 13 prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail pending trial.

He urged the court to admit the defendant to bail on self recognisance or on the alternative, admit him to bail on liberal terms

Raji also brought a prayer asking the court for the interim release of his client’s international passport to enable him embark on a three week medical trip.

Arguing the application, the learned silk told the court that the defendant had no criminal record, adding that he was invited by the EFCC and voluntarily surrendered himself.

Counsel to EFCC, Prince Ben Ikani, countered the application and urged the court to “enforce stringent conditions that will make the defendant stand his trial”.

The judge relying on Section 158 of the ACJA regarding right to bail, noted that the defendant was not arrested but reported himself to the EFCC upon invitation and the respondent (EFCC) never denied anywhere that the defendant reported to the EFCC.

He added that, “the fact that the defendant did not refuse to honour the invitation extended to him by EFCC has shown that he is ready to stand his trial.”

On the defendant's prayers for the interim release of his passport to enable him travel abroad, Justice Mohammed said, “what the court is concerned with at this stage is whether or not the defendant (Yakubu) is entitled to bail”.

He said, “the court, at this stage, will not delve into whether the defendant is entitled to travel or not as the application before the court is for bail”.

In refusing the prayer, the judge warned that the defendant should not travel out of the country during the pendency of the case and ordered his (Yakubu) remand in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail terms.

“The defendant is to remain in prison custody pending fulfilment of all the bail conditions”, Justice Mohammed ruled.

The case has been adjourned to May 9, 2017 for hearing.

Yakubu’s ordeal started on February 3, 2017, when operatives of the EFCC stormed a building belonging to the former NNPC boss and recovered a staggering sum of $9,772,000 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand United States Dollars) and £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) stashed in a huge fire proof safe. 

On February 8, 2017, the NNPC boss reported to the Commission’s Kano Zonal Office where he admitted being the owner of both the house and the money recovered claiming it was part of monetary gifts he received on various occasions.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head Media & Publicity

21st March, 2017

You can stand successfully against the devil's strategies! - Kenneth Copeland

Stand Against the Devil's Strategies!

Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. – Ephesians 4:27, The Amplified Bible

If you give the devil place, he will take it. You have to stay alert and keep your shield of faith high because if you don't, he'll turn around and steal back from you the ground you just took. There have been people who have received their healing and have fallen back into their old thinking patterns of sickness. They let their faith down and gave the devil an opening. When he came along with an old symptom, they weren't ready for him. They fell victim to his counterattack. You can stand successfully against the devil's strategies! But before you do, you're going to have to make three quality decisions. First, you must make the Word of God the final authority in your life. Line up your thinking with whatever the Word says. Next, you must decide to live your life by faith in what God has said. The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17, New King James Version). Finally, you must decide to live by the love of God because faith works by love. Without love, your faith won't function. Without the Word, you can't have faith. So don't try to make one of these decisions without the other two. You need to make all three of them. This lifestyle of the Word, faith and love keeps you in a place of resistance to the devil! I suggest you get alone with God and pray: In the Name of Jesus, I commit myself from this day forward to live by the Word of God, to live by my faith, and to live by the love of God. Decide today to give the devil no place!

Scripture Reading: John 15:7-12

© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

The Blood of Jesus Protects - Joseph Prince

And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13

- MARCH 19 -
THE BLOOD OF JESUS PROTECTS

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For 400 years, the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt. Life for them was one of hard labor, pain, loss and even death. When Moses their deliverer came, what soon followed was one plague after another on the Egyptians. But none of the plagues caused Pharaoh to release the Israelites until they put the blood on their doorposts. What nine plagues could not do, the blood did! The Israelites were finally set free because of the blood.

Are you under any kind of bondage? Are your loved ones held captive by the destroyer who is bent on destroying them? Plead the blood of the Lamb of God over all that is yours and your family’s. When nothing else seems to work, His blood always works!

When I was a teenager doing a stint as a relief teacher in a primary school, one of the girls in my class was absent from school one day. I didn’t think too much about her absence until I returned home that afternoon. As I was praying, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for her protection and to cover her with the precious blood of Jesus.

It was revealed later on that she had been abducted by a notorious serial killer who had murdered a number of young children. My pupil recounted how she had been tied up and offered to the “deities” the killer had in his flat. Miraculously, he released her when the evil spirits found her to be an unsuitable offering.

Why was this pupil released unharmed? I believe that she was presented to the deities on the same afternoon that I pleaded the blood of Jesus over her. Of course, the evil spirits did not want her because the Most High God would not allow them to have her. God was protecting her. She was set free because of the blood of Jesus!

You see, when you plead the blood of Jesus, the destroyer cannot come near. When he sees the blood, he must respect the blood. He cannot touch what is covered by the blood. The blood of Jesus truly protects and sets you free!

Kenneth Copeland Explains What Humility Means to God

Be Clothed With Humility

And be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. – 1 Peter 5:5

Most believers don't know anything about true humility. If you tell them they're the righteousness of God, they'll fight to keep from believing it. You can give them scripture references to prove it, and they'll still argue. "Oh no," they'll say, "I'm not righteous. I'm just an old sinner saved by grace." They're making a sincere attempt to be humble. But they're sincerely wrong. They're so afraid of being exalted by pride that they've let Satan trick them into falling right into it. Let me show you what I mean. According to 1 Peter 5:5-6, to be truly humble is to submit to God. That means when God says something, you believe it no matter how foreign to your "religious" thinking it may be. When He says you've been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, you say that too. In fact, you wouldn't dare say anything else because to do so would be to dare to disagree with God. And, when you get right down to it, that's the ultimate form of pride, isn't it? Don't let Satan keep you groveling in the dust of false humility. Agree with God. Find out what His Word says about you, then be bold enough to say it yourself. Banish pride by submitting to His truth. Clothe yourself in true humility. It's sure to look good on you.

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:5-11

© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Joseph Prince Teaches You How to Enjoy God's Love

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:10

- MARCH 20 - LET GOD LOVE YOU INSTEAD "You have to love God more! You must have more passion for God!” You have probably heard this type of preaching and may have even tried your best to love God, only to fail miserably. But what is the true definition of love? Let the Bible define it for us: “…this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us…” Yes, it is not about our love for Him, but His love for us! “Pastor Prince, the Bible says that you must love God with all your heart, soul and strength!” Yes, that is true according to the law (Deuteronomy 6:5), and even Jesus taught that as the great commandment when He walked on earth. (Matthew 22:37) But that was before He died on the cross. At the cross, He became the very fulfillment of this law for us when He loved us with all His heart, soul and strength, by laying down His body and life on the cross for us. Today, we are no longer under the law but under grace. And grace tells us that God loves us, not that we love God. Yet, we will love Him when we see how much He loves us. The Bible says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8) That’s how much He loves us! Beloved, God has seen you trying your best to love Him. And because He loves you, He wants you to sit down and be still, and let Him love you instead. He wants to love you with all that He is and all that He has. He loves you unconditionally regardless of who you are or what you have done because His love is not dependent on you but on Himself. He will never stop loving you. So let God love you today. Don’t worry about loving Him. The more of His love you receive, the more you will fall in love with Him!