Counter the Voices of Division, Violence, War - Osinbajo

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REMARKS BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, AT THE CONSULTATION MEETING WITH TRADITIONAL RULERS FROM THE NORTHERN STATES HELD AT THE OLD BANQUET HALL, STATE HOUSE, ABUJA ON TUESDAY, 20TH JUNE 2017

I welcome you, our royal fathers, elders and leaders, to this important meeting. I thank you for taking the time to respond to our invitation to dialogue and engage with us. Your demonstration of commitment and leadership is heartwarming, and I have no doubt that we will all be enriched by our interaction today.
This meeting is the third in a series that commenced last week. I have met with Leaders of Thought from the North, and Leaders of Thought from the Southeast, and on Sunday with Traditional Rulers from the South-East. Yesterday you graciously consented to joining us at the Iftar, ahead of today’s meeting.
As Royal Fathers and Traditional Leaders, your place and your role in our society and nation is significant. You are the custodians of our cultures and traditions, and living embodiments of our rich heritage.
You are, by virtue of your vast knowledge, wisdom and experience, both a vital link with our past, and an important guarantee for the success of our future. This is why your role in national affairs is critical.
The reason for these series of meetings is well known to all of us: it became necessary in the wake of a spate of divisive statements, in recent months and weeks, pitting the South-East against the North. We are all aware of the so-called ‘ultimatum’ issued by a group of Northern youths, asking that all Igbos living in the North vacate the region.
Before then, there was the clamour – and it’s still ongoing – by some South-Eastern youths, operating as IPOB and affiliated groups, demanding secession from Nigeria.


In all our previous engagements with Northern and South-Eastern leaders, we all came to the consensus that Nigeria is stronger and better together, and that these hate-filled and divisive rhetoric and agitations are unjustifiable, unacceptable and often times illegal. And I would like to reiterate that today.
Nigeria has seen enough violence and bloodshed in its history, the price of our unity has already been paid in the blood and lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
President Muhammadu Buhari spoke of his commitment to one Nigeria as arising from his experience in the Military, where he fought side by side with Nigerians of every tribe and faith. He said “we protected each other, put our lives on the line for each other, we were brothers even in the face of death.” This is the type of nation we must maintain.
As Royal Fathers and Leaders, I think you will agree with me that we all have a role to play in countering the voices of divisiveness, and the elements who seek to take us down a bloody path.
Let us continue to counsel the misguided elements among our youth, who think that ethnic confrontation is a game and that words can be thrown around carelessly without repercussion.
Having said this, let me say that we are not deaf to the legitimate concerns and frustrations arising from around the country. Every part of Nigeria has its own grievances. But these have to be expressed graciously and managed with mutuality rather than with scorn and disdain.
I would like to assure you all that we are here to listen and to answer, and, very importantly, to reassure everyone that we are committed to the unity of Nigeria, and that upon the foundation of that unity we can together build a prosperous and great country.
We must never take our diversity for granted; the fullness of our strength actually lies in that diversity. And we must wield that diversity, not as divisive tool, but instead as a binding agent.
As we round up these consultations tomorrow with a meeting with governors, it is clear to me that we are all resolved to, by words, conduct and action, promote the unity of our dear nation.
On our part as government, let me say that we will ensure that the entire apparatus of government is deployed to ensure that no one threatens Nigeria’s territorial integrity, that no one threatens the lives or livelihoods of any Nigerian living anywhere in the Federation.
Our objective is to provide the environment for a prosperous nation, a nation where all regardless of ethnicity or religion can pursue their legitimate aspirations peacefully and securely.
Once again I thank you for your time, and your unyielding cooperation and support.

May the Almighty God continue to give you the wisdom and the strength to preside over your Kingdoms and the good health to reign long and reign well.

Quit Notice on Igbo: Guild of Editors Cautions Elders, Police

Communiqué of the second quarterly meeting of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) held on June 16, 2017 in Lagos

The Nigerian Guild of Editors held its second quarterly meeting on June 16, 2017 in Lagos and resolved as follows:

1. The Guild condemns the hate speeches from different sections of the country and calls for restraint and tolerance among Nigerians, stressing that the country remains stronger together.

2.  The Guild notes that those sowing seeds of discord should realise that they are not just destroying the dreams of the nation's founding fathers but the progress we have made over the years as a nation; their actions have the capacity to alter the destiny of Nigeria negatively.

3.      The Guild reminds the hate agents that as major stakeholders in the Nigerian Project, Editors and Journalists fought for the enthronement of the current democratic dispensation, with some paying the supreme price, to birth a constitutional government.

4.      The Guild regrets that elders from different parts of the country kept quiet for too long, which allowed the youths to take over the socio-political space and brought the nation to the present situation. The Guild urges the elders across the country to always keenly take interest in the affairs of the nation, rather than play the ostrich.

5.      The Guild also urges Nigerians to ignore those agitating for the dismemberment of the country and to go about their businesses without fear or let, and focus more on repositioning the country for present and future generations.

6.      The Guild appreciates the firm and decisive intervention of the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, which has calmed the situation and urges the government to do more.

7.      The Guild notes that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has been issuing orders to his men to get these persons arrested but is worried that no commensurate action has been taken. It urges the Police to be more responsive and pragmatic.

8.      The Guild commends the Nigeria Police Force for the arrest of the kidnap kingpin, Chukwudi Dumeme Onuamadike and other kidnappers and urges that they should do more to ensure the release of the abducted pupils of Igbonla Model College, Epe in Lagos State, who have been missing for more than three weeks now.

9.      The Guild notes and condemns the overzealousness of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other security agencies against the media. At all times, duties come with deep responsibilities that must be upheld.

Signed

Funke Egbemode, President

Victoria Ibanga
General Secretary

Nigeria Cannot Afford Another Civil War - Osinbajo (Full text)

TEXT OF OPENING REMARKS MADE BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, AT HIS MEETING WITH LEADERS OF THOUGHT FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES HELD AT THE OLD BANQUET HALL, STATE HOUSE, ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 14, 2017
“The reason why it cannot be tolerated is that the very many innocent men, women, children and the vulnerable amongst us deserves safety and security and our own emotions must not be allowed to run wild in such a way as to endanger the lives of so many”.
Protocol
Let me first say how deeply grateful I am that you have responded so well and so quickly at very very short notice to this invitation.
Yesterday I kicked off a series of consultations and engagements with Leaders of Thought from the Northern States of Nigeria. It was a very useful meeting and today’s meeting is the second in the series with you, the Leaders of Thought from the Southeast.
After this, I will meet with Religious and Traditional Leaders again from the Southeast and on Monday I will be meeting with Religious Leaders also from the North. And then in the final consultations next week, I will be meeting both with state Governors and finally with all of the groups that I have met with from the North, the South and we’ll be joined I hope then, by the Governors also and we all hopefully be in the same room for further engagement and consultations.
I want to say again a very very big thank you for your making the time to come to this particular meeting.
These consultations are extremely necessary, and important, especially because of the recent events in our country and I’m sure that most of us have followed this quite closely.
You are all aware that there have been loud and sometimes hostile agitations by young people in the Southeast calling for secession from Nigeria. And then there was the recent ultimatum issued by a group of young people also from the North, asking all persons of Southeast origin living in the North to leave by October 1 this year.
Both of these expressions and agitations from both sides, have been attended with some controversial and very hateful approach including patently illegal and violence-inducing remarks.
I firmly believe that we ought to address these agitations and proclamations urgently and decisively. Burying our heads in the sand and expecting the storm to blow over of their own accord is not an option.
But equally not reasonable is falling for the temptation for any kind of tit-for-tat whether it is in the language used or it is in the kinds of gestures that have been expressed. This has never worked or moved anyone closer to a peaceful or sensible resolution.
And so it’s in our bid, as government, to deal with these pressing issues and grievances, that we’ve convened these series of consultations, with various groups. It’s the right and responsible thing I think for us as leaders not to shy away from the responsibility to ensure and uphold peace and security in our country.
And it’s my view that the responsible role of those of us who are privileged to be leaders in our society is to chart progressive and lofty courses for our people, for the ordinary people. As leaders, we carry the burden to secure the peace, progress and prosperity of our people. And that is why our voices ought to be heard and heard loud and clear at moments like this in the defense and articulation of what is truly beneficial to the nation and the people, and what is right and patriotic.
Our dear nation has gone through very m any difficult times. We’ve survived bloody coups, several rounds of ethno-religious violence, we’ve emerged even from a long and bloody Civil War. All of us here have seen close-up what violence can do to a country. I believe I speak for us all when I say that no one here is keen to see Nigeria embroiled in violence or bloodshed of any kind. Especially not when we are only just emerging from a brutal insurgency that has consumed more than 20,000 of our brothers, sisters and children, as well as the  better part of a decade in the Northeast of Nigeria.
One thing is clear – violence and war are not going to do anyone any good. They are terrible and they mean no good. They are easy to start but near impossible to end.
In fact, history has shown us especially contemporary history that wars today hardly ever end. They just simply go on. Indeed, you’re all aware of the Igbo proverb that says that “aman who rushes into battle does not realize that battle entails death.” We are witnesses to the unspeakable devastation that war continues to inflict across the world. No one who has seen the horrors of war – even merely on television – would wish it on their worst enemy.
It is also clear that wars sometimes start, not with bullets, but with words. Hateful, incendiary speech, opening floodgates of blood. The tongue, like the pen, is often mightier than the sword – because it is what pushes the sword into action. When we throw words like stones in a marketplace we do not know who or what it will hit.
Knowing this, under no conditions whatsoever should we tolerate or excuse or justify hate speech or hateful conduct of any kind, especially where such is illegal. Let me of course acknowledge that as part of living together in this space called Nigeria, misunderstandings and frustrations are inevitable. Because resources are limited there will always be a striving to get what is perceived as the best seat at the table.
All of that is normal and to be expected, especially in a democracy, like ours. A healthy democracy ought to be a theatre of energetic striving by all parties and stakeholders. But things should never descend to a level where mutual suspicions override the desire to live together in peace and harmony.
Yesterday I made it clear, very clear that hate or divisive speech, or divisive behaviour, where it is illegal, will be met with the full force of the law. And I want to say it again today that let there be no doubt whatsoever of the resolve of government to ensure that no one will be allowed to get away with making speeches that can cause division especially violence. We will take very seriously any attempts to cause violence or to disrupt the peace of Nigeria and it will certainly not be tolerated.
And the reason why it cannot be tolerated is that the very many innocent men, women, children and the vulnerable amongst us deserves safety and security and our own emotions must not be allowed to run wild in such a way as to endanger the lives of so many. And I believe that all are clear that we’re resolute in our determination as government to protect every Nigerian, everywhere in the country. Everywhere in this country, it is the primary duty of government to ensure the security of lives and property and we take that duty very seriously indeed
We will do everything within our power to defend and uphold the terms of our constitution, which declares that we are one nation under God.
It also guarantees the free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the country, as well as full residence rights for every citizen in all and any parts of the land of their choice. It is also the aspiration of the Constitution to ensure a country in which, and I quote, “loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.”
And it is the responsibility of the Government to create the conditions for the attainment of these ideals. There is something that President Buhari is fond of saying, and he’s repeated it am sure so many of us have heard it: that without peace and security there can be no development. That the first obligation that we owe if we want to develop, is to ensure peace and security. We cannot develop a country that is not in the first place safe and secure for all people. For this reason we take extremely seriously our constitutional responsibilities as your government.


Those responsibilities also include listening to, consulting, and engaging with you; giving every citizen and every part of the Federation a sense of belonging and significance. And that is why we are here today.
I expect that our conversations here today will be frank and constructive, open and that all our deliberations will go towards ensuring that our country is a better place, a more peaceful place to live in. This is an important moment for all of us and for our country, and I hope that at the end of it we will all be satisfied that we have accomplished something significant not just for ourselves but for the future.
By the grace of God we will leave to coming generations a peaceful, secure and prosperous nation; a nation in which all citizens, regardless of their ethnic, religious affiliations, or their ages or gender will feel deep and enduring pride.
Thank you very much again for making out time to come and I hope that our deliberations will be very fruitful and like I said, please let us be as frank as possible.

Police Unveiled Unlawful Property of Evans the Kidnapper

PROPERTY OWNED BY CHUKWUDI DUMEME ONUAMADIKE a.k.a EVANS AND IDENTIFIED VICTIMS KIDNAPPED:

~ He has two (2) Mansions in Magodo GRA Phase 2 worth about three hundred million naira (N300,000,000). He also has two (2) House in the Highbrow area of Accra City in Ghana among many other properties such as exotic cars, expensive watches, Jewelries e.t.c, he bought from the ransom.

EVANS KIDNAPPING EXPLOITS IN LAGOS INCLUDES;

a. Mbarikatta William Uboma, 35, kidnapped June 16th, 2012 at about 11.am on his arrival from Hungary while he was close to his house. He was in his Toyota Car 2010 model in company of his brother to drop him at his house when a Passat car emerged from nowhere and blocked his car. They blindfolded him and forcefully abducted him to an unknown destination. They later demanded a ransom of N10M. However, N2M was later paid while they collected other personal accessories. He was finally dropped at Okota on the third day.

b. Paul Cole, 34, from Ohafia in Abia State. A Director with Ocean Glory Commodities, Apapa, kidnapped August 3rd, 2012 at Festac Town together with his General Manager, Jude Ugoje and another staff, PiriyeGogo, and taken to an unknown destination. They demanded for N10M. On August 6th 2012, they collected N5M ransom at Maza-maza area of Lagos State.

c. Mohammed Jamal, 22, a Lebanese, kidnapped on August 19, 2012 at Ajah by three armed men, taken away blindfolded. N7M ransom was later paid at Ojo Barracks.

d. Kingsley Nwokenta, 34, kidnapped September 19, 2012 after he left Lebanana Bar in Festac at Mile two under bridge. Later, paid N1.5M ransom while they made away with his black Toyota Venza and other accessories.

e. Anthony Ozoanidobi, 41, kidnapped in October 10th 2012 along Marwa road Satellite Town. Ransom of N1.5M paid after which he was released at Apple Junction, Amuwo-Odofin.

f. Leo Abraham 58, kidnapped August 20, 2012. Paid ransom of N5M and was later released along Badagry road, Lagos.

g. OjukwuCosmas, 45, sells Toyota parts at Aspanda Trade Fair, Kidnapped January 21, 2016 at Festac Town. It was not clear when and how he was released.

h. James Uduji; kidnapped close to his house at 7th Avenue Festac late last year. Held for 6 six weeks. Paid $1M.

i. Chief Raymond Okoye – Odu- Na –Ichida, kidnapped 2015. Paid $1M as ransom, held captive for 2months

j. Uche Okoroafor, trader at Alaba, kidnapped 2015, held captive for three (3) months, paid $1M.

k. Elias Ukachukwu kidnapped November 2015. Paid $1M. Date of release unknown but it was gathered that his abductors were insisting on another $1M claiming family members were rude to them during negotiation.

l. Francis Umeh also a spare parts dealer at Aspanda, kidnapped July 2016 at RajiRasaki Estate, released after two months in captivity.

m. The last Victim is Mr DanatusDunu he kidnapped in Ilupeju February 2017 and fortunately the man escaped from the Igando House where Evans kept him with his boys last month.

EVANS GANG MEMBERS:

i. Felix Chinemerem 36yrs Native of ArichukwuOhafia LGA of Abia State second in command of Evans.
ii. NwosuChikodiChukwuma aka Sudo 42yrs, 3rd in Command to Evans. He has over 20yrs experience in Armed robbery and about 8yr experience in Kidnapping.
iii. UchechukwuAmadi Native of Anambra State longtime Evans Boy and head of the detention Camp in Igando.
iv. OgechiAmadi is the woman who rented the house and cooks for the Kidnappers and their victims in the camp.
v. Suoyo Paul aka Nwana 42yrs Native of Bayelsa States Gangmember and Supplier of Rifles and Ammunitions to Evans.
vi. IkennaEmeka 28yrs Native of Anambra State.

During interrogation and preliminary investigation, Evans and his Gangs confessed to all the kidnappings linked to them and make confessional statements to the various roles they played in the commission of the crimes. They will be charged to court on completion of investigation.

· ARREST OF MOST WANTED, VICIOUS AND HIGHLY NOTORIOUS KIDNAP

Security Opetatives Arrest Abuja-Kaduna highway kidnappers, other criminals

DSS Nabs Abuja-Kaduna kidnappers and other Criminal Gangs Nationwide

The Department of State Services wishes to inform the public of the successes recorded in its tactical operations, some of which were planned and executed with sister agencies and targeted at kidnappers, terrorists and other high profile criminals across the country.

In this regard, the hunt for the notorious kidnap kingpin, Terwase AKWAZA (aka Ghana), led to the arrest of some of his close associates. For instance, on 9th June, 2017, the trio of Dondo ORSAA, Terhile MBALOHA and Teryima IHIAMBE(aka Clark) were apprehended at various locations within Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue State for their sustenance of kidnap operations across Benue and Taraba States. During the operation, one (1) AK-47 rifle, a 9mm Pistol, Ammunition and complete set of Army uniform were recovered from ORSAA. Relatedly, on 10th April, 2017, one Terna SAPKO, an informant to the AKWAZA syndicate was arrested around the Army Barracks in Takum, Taraba State.

In Edo State, the Service on 9th June, 2017 at Aviele, Etsako West LGA, arrested fifteen (15) kidnap suspects led by Lance Corporal Samaila MADU, a dismissed soldier. Another member of the gang, Ibrahim TOPA sustained gunshot injury in his left leg while he was trying to escape.

Similarly, in Ebonyi State, one Chinonso ONWE (a.k.a Abino Flash) was arrested at Izhia Community, Ohaukwu LGA on 1st June, 2017, by the Service in collaboration with the Community’s Security Council for armed robbery and kidnapping. He was identified to be a member of the Black Axe confraternity. During his arrest, two (2) locally made pistols and a pair of Nigerian Army fatigue were among items recovered from him.

Prior to these arrests, the Service, in collaboration with the Military, on 11th May, 2017, at the Kano State stretch of the Falgore Forest, arrested five (5) suspected Kidnappers/Cattle rustlers namely– Sani HASSAN (aka Ashana); Suleiman ABDULLAHI (aka Dogo Sule); Bashiru ABDULLAHI (aka Lamo); Amadu ABDULLAHI (aka Mallam); and Auwalu SANDA (aka Maitaru).

Also, on 17th May, 2017, along the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) road, Rivers State, the Service arrested one Alesa ABDULKARIM, for his alleged involvement in the kidnap of one Mayowa AKINKUADE.

Similarly, on 19th May, 2017, at Achala Autonomous Community, Obowo LGA, Imo State, the Service arrested one Chinyere ONYEANULUM for his connection with the kidnap of one Jennifer Chizitere ANURUO.

Concerned with the plethora of kidnappings on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, the Service, on 28th May, 2017, arrested Aminu ALIYU in Sokoto State for the kidnap of Ifeanyi AMOS (a Nigerian Army Captain) on 27th May, 2017 along the Jaji-Kaduna Highway.

On 7th June, 2017, the Service also arrested Yusuf ALIYU at Ungwar Danmani, Rigasa, Kaduna-North LGA, for his suspected membership of the syndicate terrorizing users of the Abuja-Kaduna Road.

Again, on 9th June, 2017, at Dankande village, Rigachiku, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State, the Service confronted a notorious kidnap gang. Though Isah BAKI, leader of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds, three (3) of his members namely: Hassan ABDULLAHI (22 years), Abubakar ABDULLAHI (27 years) and Suleiman ABDULLAHI (30 years) were arrested.

On the same 9th June, 2017, along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Road in Kaduna, the Service engaged another dangerous kidnap group and arrested two (2) of its members: Yusuf SANI and Yusuf ADAMU. Two (2) AK-47 rifles and nine (9) live ammunitions were recovered from the suspects who are currently being interrogated.

Committed to the effort aimed at achieving a terror free country, the Service sustained its counter terrorism/insurgency operations. To this effect, it continued the degrading of the capabilities of these terrorist elements. Consequently, the Service in a joint operation with the Military on 9th June, 2017, arrested Abdulhamid ISIAKA (aka SMALL) and Habib AUDU, at Obajana and Ibilo in Kogi and Edo States respectively. It is instructive to note that ISIAKA is a Libyan returnee, who had travelled to that country alongside Abu UWAIS, a most wanted terrorist. While in Libya, ISIAKA had undergone terrorism training and also acquired a cache of weapons in preparation for attacks in Kogi and Kaduna States. He however became notorious and specialized in gun-running, kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorist acts. ISIAKA has made useful statements to facilitate further investigations and actions against the terrorist and kidnap networks on the Abuja-Okene and the Kaduna-Abuja axis.

Earlier, on 1st May, 2017, at Galadima, Kogo District in Shiroro LGA of Niger State, Ishaq HASHIM and six (6) of his accomplices namely: Hassan MOHAMMED, Uzairu UMAR, Adamu ABDULLAHI, Sa’idu ABDULLAHI, Salisu HARUNA and Abubakar MUHAMMADU were arrested by the Service, in collaboration with the Military, for their notoriety in Boko Haram activities.

These groups were responsible for several armed robberies and string of kidnappings in Niger State, especially around the Suleja area.

On 8th May, 2017, at Damaturu, Yobe State, the Service arrested one Samaila ABDULLAHI (a.k.a Mohammadu), a close associate of Mai-Mata, an ally of a Boko Haram Commander, Abu AMMAR.

Following the ongoing concerted operations by the Military in the North East, some Boko Haram elements in a bid to spread their network resettled in Kaduna and its environs. The Service’s current operations in the Kaduna axis are targeted at thwarting the new terror cells before they become fully active and deadly. For this reason, on 19th May, 2017, the Service arrested six (6) suspected Boko Haram insurgents at various locations in Igabi and Kaduna North LGAs, Kaduna State. Those arrested have been identified as Abubakar Sadiq MUHAMMED, Muhammed NAZIFI, Abubakar USMAN, Yusufu Idris USMAN, Usman Idris USMAN, and Ismail IDRIS. At Unguwan Sanusi, Kaduna South LGA, Abubakar MOHAMMED, a Boko Haram suspect was also arrested.

Lastly, on 30th May, 2017, at Gwagwalada Town, Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, two (2) suspected Boko Haram insurgents, Muhammed BABANGIDA and Abdullahi SALIHU, were arrested by the Service.

The Service wishes to reiterate its commitment to public peace and order and renewed determination to partner with appropriate agencies and authorities to ensure that the country is cleared, within the confines of the law, of criminal elements. Sequel to this, law abiding citizens and residents are enjoined to go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance.

Tony OPUIYO
Department of State Services,
National Headquarters,
Abuja.
12th June, 2017

Arewa Pastors' Forum Kicks Against Quit Notice on Igbo

After an emergency over night meeting, the AREWA PASTORS FORUM FOR PEACE (APFFP) TARABA STATE CHAPTER under the CHAIRMANSHIP of  REV. DR. MAJOR JOHNSON DABOH (RTD) ,  BISHOP DAVID K. NWIRIM;VICE CHAIRMAN, ELDER DR. PHILEMON A. SAREDAU; STATE SECRETARY, BISHOP JOHNWESLEY YOHANNA; PATRON, REV. DR. AYUBA USMAN PATRON, BISHOP DAN KASHIBU;PATRON, REV. DR. SAMSON NGENEMI;PATRON,  and all Members wish to express profound displeasure by condemning in totality the resent Press release telling Igbo People to leave the North by some Boko Haram members and their sponsors in Kaduna State, in the name of so-called AREWA YOUTHS who want to bring about Ethnic War that will put the Northern Region in Bloody Rain and shadow of Tears to Unborn Generations to Come...
Therefore, the AREWA PASTORS FOCUS FOR PEACE hereby Disassociates Themselves openly and call on ALL IGBO NATION to Feel at HOME in the NORTH by Carrying out their NORMAL LIGETIMATE BUSINESSES IN INVESTING/BUYING PROPERTIES, MARRYING OUR DAUGHTERS AND GIVING THEIR DAUGHTERS TO OUR CHILDREN TO MARRY.

REV. MAXWELL MIJINYAWA BARDE; PRESS SECRETARY APFFP TARABA STATE CHAPTER.

Southern Kaduna Disassociates Itself from the Quit Notice on Igbo.

SOUTHERN KADUNA PEOPLE’S UNION (SOKAPU)

Press Statement

9/6/2017

SOKAPU Disassociates Itself From the Reckless Kaduna Declaration.

            On June 6, 2017, a coalition of groups describing themselves as “Northern Youths” came together and issued what they called ‘The Kaduna Declaration’. They issued a three-month ultimatum to all Igbos to leave the north while asking all northerners to also leave the South-East. The coalition served the Igbos its intention to “reclaim, assume and assert sole ownership and control of … landed” properties and assets owned by Igbos in Northern Nigeria. Interestingly and by implication, the group claimed to be speaking for the 19 Northern States of Nigeria. The alleged crime of the Igbos was their quest for secession.  

            We in SOKAPU held back for a while to carefully study the national implication of that declaration, but we can say now without doubt that Section 41, Sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria very explicitly safeguards the rights of all Nigerians to reside in any part of the country with no hindrance whatsoever. The “Arewa Youths” that spoke lack the mandate to speak for all the people of the north, and, certainly, not for Southern Kaduna people. We insist that all Nigerians have the right to live and carry out legitimate affairs in all parts of the Country.

            We unequivocally disassociate ourselves from the toxic fumes of hate and bigotry belched out against the Igbos without provocation by the so-called Arewa Youths for the following reasons:

a.       The lgbos did not in anyway offend Southern Kaduna People. We are a hospitable and accommodating people. We assure the Igbos that their property and assets (movable or immovable) in Southern Kaduna are secured, assured and guaranteed. The security of all Igbos in Southern Kaduna is guaranteed. We will continue to accommodate the Igbos and all persons of goodwill towards us irrespective of their primordial, ethnic or religious cleavages.



b.      The expressed desire of the Igbos to have a separate country of their own is an inalienable right which has not in any way, in our opinion, translated into a crime or provocation to us in Southern Kaduna, the North or the Nigerian State

c.       The lgbos have so far in our estimation merely exercised their rights to gather and to protest peacefully. They exercised their constitutional rights to acquire property in the nooks and crannies of this country. These are not criminal actions.



d.      We were not consulted by the so-called Arewa groups before issuing the Kaduna Declaration despite the fact that Southern Kaduna is in the North West. The declarants, it appears clearly, do not see us as part of the North. None of the 53 ethnic nationalities of Southern Kaduna were consulted. Neither was SOKAPU the umbrella body of the 53 ethnic nationalities of Southern Kaduna consulted. They have, it appears, excised us from the North. They have shown utter contempt and disregard for us as a people. They did not speak for us. Those making such calls threatening fire and brimstone on the Igbos have only served to poignantly demonstrate their bizarre nature. They should be arrested and prosecuted by the Nigerian State immediately. To threaten bona fide Nigerians with eviction and confiscation of their properties is to beat war drums. It is incitement against the Igbos. We condemn the Declaration without reservations.



We ask the “Northern Youths” to look carefully inward into the north and they would find that other bigger problems facing the north’s existence, unity and cohesion has been festering without any comments from them. They should work towards strengthening the fragile trust that exists between and amongst all northerners with other ethnic groups than resorting to hate statements and incendiary ultimatum to bonafide Nigerians. These issues should be of immediate concern to them and not the Igbos.

Thank You.

 Signed: Mr Yakubu Kuzamani, PRO

You Shall be Above Only - Joseph Prince

You shall be above only, and not be beneath…

Deuteronomy 28:13 - JUNE 7 -
THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL

One of our church members saw his sales performance hit rock bottom by the middle of the year. As a result, he was ranked 320 out of the 420 financial advisers in his company.

Devastated and on the verge of giving up, he started listening to my messages and claiming God’s promises such as “the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath” and “many who are first will be last, and the last first”. (Matthew 19:30)

He committed everything to God because he believed that only God could turn things around for him. And God did just that.

By the end of that year, he was ranked second in his branch and 10th in the whole company! He qualified for a trip for two to Barcelonia, Spain, worth about S$20,000. That was not all. For the first time in his 12 years as a financial adviser, he qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table Award. Only the top six per cent of advisers in the entire industry qualify for this international award.

Beloved, when God makes you the head, you will end up on top of your circumstances. Consider the story of Joseph. (Genesis 39) Even when he was a slave, he was the head and not the tail because God prospered everything that he did.

“But Pastor Prince, when I look at my life, there are times when I am up and there are times when I am down. Yet, the Bible says that I will be above only. I don’t understand this.”

What you are going through is only temporal. Keep believing that you are above only and not beneath, even when you have hit rock bottom. It is God who always causes you to triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14) You cannot cause yourself to triumph. Only God can and He has promised in His Word that you will be the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. So believe His Word in spite of your circumstances and expect to see victory!

Put the Rumour to Rest - Kenneth Copeland

Put the Rumor to Rest

And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt...but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

– Exodus 10:22-23

Years ago Satan started a rumor. He told a few Christians they had to live like the world, sharing all the same misfortune, defeat, poverty and failure as those around them. Well, the word spread. You may have heard the rumor yourself. But I am telling you right now that it is a crafty lie.

The Word of God says in Psalm 91:10, that evil can’t even come near your house if you are abiding in Him.

In John 16, Jesus Himself says He has deprived the world of power to harm you. And Exodus 10:23 says that when thick darkness surrounded the Egyptians, the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

By these and other scriptures, you can see that God never intended you to experience all of the junk that the world suffers. He’s always wanted His children to live above it, to stand out as light in a dark world.

In the Old Testament, God’s fame was established because of the miracles He had worked for His children. That same thing should be true today with you and me. We should be glorifying God by the miraculously victorious lives we live. People should be coming up to us and saying things like, “I’ve heard how God healed you.” Or, “I’ve heard how your children were delivered from drugs,” or, “God has really brought you out of a financial crisis.”

Can you see now why Satan would spread a rumor that would make you believe you have to suffer with the world instead of live as victor over it? He doesn’t want people running after you asking where you get your power, your peace, your health and prosperity.

But that’s exactly what God wants to happen. So, put the Word of God to work and dare to receive the blessings He has promised to you. Let the light of God’s power in your life put the devil’s dark rumors to rest!

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:1-16

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

Threats to National Unity is Unlawful - Centre for Crisis Communication

THREATS TO NATIONAL UNITY

The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has followed with concern the chain of events that has culminated into the unfortunate ultimatum issued to Igbos to vacate the northern region by the so-called Coalition of Arewa Youths. The Centre views this kind of pronouncement as unconstitutional, provocative and a threat to the peaceful co-existence among the citizens and capable of severing the cord that binds the Nigerians.


No doubt, the coalition’s declaration may have been in response to the resurgence of secessionist tendencies orchestrated by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement of the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in the South East of Nigeria. IPOB and MASSOB have in the recent past been engrossed with the idea of actualising a sovereignty state of Biafra, and have gone about this venture in a manner that is unacceptable by the majority of Nigerians. Indeed, the Centre has had reasons to admonish IPOB and its leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu since 2015 on the need not only to modify their modus operandi by embracing dialogue with a view to addressing the myriads of socio-economic and political issues of the South East but also to project ideas devoid of antagonistic tendencies.


Against the backdrop of IPOB’s secession plans which whipped up the civil war sentiment of the people of the South East to declare 30th of May, 2017 a sit-at-home action in remembrance of the Igbos that died during the war, perhaps this must have compelled the equally divisive declaration by the Arewa Youths.  It is on record that millions of Nigerians from all ethnic divides died in that unfortunate Nigerian civil war.


In view of the dangerous dimension these conversations are taking, the Centre wish to state as follows:


a. That Chapter Four of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of movement and the inalienable rights of all Nigerians to live wherever they wish and to equally pursue their legitimate livelihood wherever they wish devoid of any hindrance or molestation by any individuals or groups.


b. No group, association or coalition under any guise has the right to threaten Nigerians with ultimatums to relocate from certain parts of Nigeria.


c. That the 15th January of every year which is the Armed Forces Remembrance Day should be expanded to be a National Remembrance Day to be set aside to celebrate the unity of the country and commemorate the civilians and military personnel who lost their lives during the unfortunate civil war in order not to give room for mischief makers.


d. That the media should be conflict-sensitive in their reportage of information that have ethnic or religious connotations.


e. The Centre wishes to commend the quick intervention by the Kaduna State Government as well as Northern Governors’ Forum in unequivocally condemning the unguarded pronouncement of the Coalition of the Arewa Youth.


The Centre for Crisis Communication is the Secretariat of Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA).


Signed


Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd)

Executive Secretary

8 JUNE 2017

Saraki Asks Tribunal to Dusmiss False Assets Declaration Charges Against Him

Saraki Asks Tribunal to Dismiss False Assets DeclarationCharges Against Him ... Tribunal Reserves Ruling



The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki pointedly told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to dismiss the false assets declaration charges brought against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja by the Federal Government on the ground that no prima facie case has been established against him.



He told the Tribunal that from the 18-count charges and the totality of evidence adduced by the government witnesses, he had not been linked in any way with the allegations against him.



In his no-case submission argued by his counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), Saraki said that the prosecution failed to establish the charges against him and as such there was no need for him to be ordered to enter defence by the Tribunal in respect of the charges.



He said that the charges against him were predicated on petitions and that throughout the prosecution's case, the reports of investigation on the petitions were never made available to the Tribunal for verification.



Saraki’s counsel pleaded with the tribunal to painstakingly read all the petitions so as to be able to establish that the petitions have nothing to do with the Senate President.



Apart from the fact that the reports on the investigation on the petitions were no made available to the tribunal by the Federal Government, the counsel submitted that none of the petitioners was invited as witness in the charges against the defendant.



Agabi specifically informed the tribunal that he made a no case submission for his client because the charges against him were founded on faceless petitions and pleaded with the Tribunal to dismiss the charges so as discourage writers of faceless petitions.



The senior lawyer also drew the attention of the tribunal to counts 1, 2, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16, adding that in the counts Saraki was charged with false declaration of assets by making no declaration of assets.



Agabi insisted that the charges were full of anomalies and also inconsistencies adding that false declaration by refusal to declare is unknown to law.



He maintained that Saraki declared his assets as required by law and that no one can make declaration that the statement of a public officer is false unless such a person is authorized by law to do so.



Throughout the prosecution's case against Saraki, Agabi a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice said that nobody was mentioned as having declared the assets declared by Saraki in his assets declaration forms as false.



Agabi specifically referred the tribunal to the evidence of Mr. Samuel Madojemu, the Head of Investigation and Intelligence Unit of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and his affidavit evidence adding that throughout his testimony, he based his evidence on hearsay from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), adding that witnesses ought to be called to prove the case were no called.



The senior lawyer therefore urged the tribunal headed by Hon Danladi Yakubu Umar to decide the no case submission on justice and not on sentiments from the prosecution.



However, in his opposition to the no case submission, counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) insisted that serious prima facie case has been established to warrant the defendant to be called upon by the Tribunal to enter his defence in the charges against him.



He drew the attention of the Tribunal to some assets forms of the defendant, adding that investigations established false declaration of assets.



Rotimi told the Tribunal that discharging the defendant at a no case point level will defeat the fight against corruption and purpose of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.



He maintained that name of the defendant was mentioned in the petitions and that even, without that, a person can still be prosecuted without any petition against him.



The prosecution counsel urged the Tribunal not to form opinion, evaluate evidence or make observations on the facts at this level and urged the Tribunal to hold that a prima facie case had been effectively established against the defendant.



The Tribunal chairman, Hon. Danladi Yakubu Umar, after taking arguments from both sides announced that he will sit down with his colleague on the panel to decide on the no case arguments and that a date for ruling will be communicated to the lawyers when the ruling is ready.



It will be recalled the Federal Government had in September 2015 slammed charges of false declaration of assets on Saraki while the charges were amended three times in the cause of the trial.



Saraki’s trial was initiated by government shortly after he emerged Senate President against the government preferred candidate.

We Are Not Aware of Any Coup Plan - Nigerian Air Force

MISCHIEVOUS ALLEGATION OF INVOLVEMENT OF NIGERIAN AIR FORCE IN PURPORTED COUP PLANS

The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to a mischievous allegation by an online media organization of the NAF’s involvement in the planning of a purported coup d’état to take over the reins of government.

The NAF considers it most ridiculous that anyone in his/her right senses, especially in the Twenty First Century, could still be fixated on the possibility of effecting a change in government in Nigeria in any way other than through the ballot box.

It would be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar had on 18 May 2017, while commissioning new residential accommodation for personnel at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive Abuja, emphatically pledged the loyalty of the NAF to the President and Commander-in-Chief as well as to the Nigerian Constitution.

It is imperative to state that the earlier stance of the NAF on the unfortunate coup rumours has not changed.

The NAF is a highly professional and apolitical Service that is focused on ensuring the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as facilitating a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to prosper while conducting their legal businesses. The strong belief of the NAF in democratic values was also demonstrated during the recent Gambian crisis.

The NAF was the first and only air force that ensured the will of Gambians was not subverted by promptly deploying its fighter aircraft, in addition to its transport aircraft to airlift needed troops and logistics, in readiness to preserve the country’s democracy, in line with the Federal Government’s directives.

It is therefore inconceivable that the same NAF would be involved in any way in any attempt to dismantle the political structure in Nigeria.

It appears some individuals with unknown intentions are bent on further spreading the malicious misinformation and hence, the need for the NAF to react.

The Chief of the Air Staff would like to assure Nigerians as a whole of the unalloyed loyalty of all NAF personnel to the President and Commander-in-Chief as well as to the Government of Nigeria as democratically constituted.

We therefore appeal to those peddling these false stories to cease, as they are constituting a source of distraction to NAF personnel, who are sacrificing on a daily basis to ensure the security of Nigeria.

You are please requested to use your medium to disseminate this information for the awareness of the general public. While thanking you for your usual support and cooperation, please accept the assurance of my best regards.


OLATOKUNBO ADESANYA
Air Commodore
Director of Public
Relations and Information

Release the Power in You ! -Joseph Prince

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Ephesians 3:20 - JUNE 8 -
RELEASE THE POWER IN YOU!

How much power is working in you right now? God’s Word says that there is “power that works in us”. It is a tremendous power that shakes the heavens and the earth because it comes from the throne of God, “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”! The problem, however, is that many of us don’t release that power.

God wants us to release that power because there are things that will not happen on earth until we do so. Jesus said that “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven”. (Matthew 16:19) What Jesus is saying is that what you permit to happen, heaven will permit. What you disallow, heaven will disallow!

So how do we release God’s power in us? One way is to pray in tongues. When we allow His Spirit to make intercession for us (Romans 8:26), miracles happen.

Some time ago, the aunt of a church member underwent surgery to remove a diseased kidney. In spite of the surgery, the prognosis was poor. At home, the church member and his wife were prompted by the Spirit to release the power that works in them by praying in tongues for their aunt.

Back at the hospital, the aunt underwent further observation. When an X-ray of her abdominal area was taken, the doctor was shocked to find two healthy kidneys. Five other doctors were consulted who subsequently examined the aunt. At first, they thought that the surgeon who had performed the operation had made a mistake and did not remove the diseased kidney. But further investigation showed that the kidney had indeed been removed. They could not explain what had happened.

But the church member and his wife needed no explanation because they knew that when they released the power that worked in them, God did exceedingly abundantly above all that they could ask or think—He gave their aunt a new kidney.

Beloved, He can do the same for you when you pray in the Spirit and release the power that works in you!

Addicted to the Word - Kenneth Copeland

Addicted to the Word

Ye know the house of Stephanas...and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.

– 1 Corinthians 16:15

I want you to begin to develop an addiction today—an addiction to the Word of God. That may sound odd to you, especially if you don’t have much of an interest in the Word right now. But, believe me, it’s possible. I’ve done it myself and I’ve seen others do it, time and again.

All you have to do is make a decision to give yourself to it. To focus your time and attention on it. The more you give yourself to it, the more your desire for it will grow. Eventually, it will consume your thinking.

Surprised? You shouldn’t be. That happens with anything you totally give yourself to. It happens, for example, with people who give themselves to pornography. As they focus their attention on it, the spirit behind it moves in on their consciousness and eventually draws them from mental activity into physical activity. Finally, they come to a place where they can’t be satisfied. They can’t get enough.

That same principle works on the positive side when you begin to give yourself to God’s Word. You can give yourself to it to the point where it totally consumes your mental and physical life. The more of it you get, the more you want. The Spirit behind the Word, the Holy Spirit, will draw you and lead you closer to Jesus than you ever imagined possible.

I’ve never yet met anyone walking in faith and power who at some time hadn’t developed that kind of addiction by giving themselves totally to the Word for an extended time. I don’t mean just a few minutes here and there either. I’m talking about some serious time.

So determine to do that. Determine to become a “Word addict.” Once you do, you’ll never be willing to live without it again.

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:1-12

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

Ndigbo Will Not Be Intimidated - Uzuko Umunna tells Nothern Youth

Ndigbo will not Bow to Threats by Northern Youth – Nzuko Umunna


A leading Igbo socio-cultural group, Nzuko Umunna, has reacted to the threat issued by a coalition of Northern Youths, asking all Nigerians of Igbo extraction to vacate the northern part of the country of face “visible actions”.


The threat which has caused some disquiet in the country came to many as a shock.


Reactions have also trailed the threat which Nzuko Umunna in its press release signed by Ngozi Odumuko (coordinator) and Jude Ndukwe (publicity secretary) described as “puerile”.


The group urged northern leaders to call their youth to order in order to “forestalling an impending cycle of violence that could further worsen the already fragile socio-economic and political situation of the country”.


It went further to hail the swift steps taken so far by some northern leaders especially the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in bringing the situation under control.


Nzuko Umunna concluded that Ndigbo would continue to pursue their collective aspirations as a people peacefully but vigorously.

Below is the full text of the statement.


We read the open threat by a group of supposed northern youths said to comprise Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum and Northern Emancipation Network, asking all Igbo resident and or doing business in the north to vacate the region within the next three months.


While we would have loved to ignore such puerile calls by these obscure groups, it is pertinent to put our people on high alert following the antecedents of some misguided youths who over the years have always falsely assumed that they have the monopoly of violence over every other person.


We want to believe and we have strong reasons to do so, that the position of these youths on the Igbo resident in the north is not the same as those of the larger population including the elders, traditional rulers, political leaders, businessmen/women, leaders of thought, students and all law abiding citizens of that region.


While we call on leaders and people of the north to call their youths to order, we wish to use this opportunity to draw the attention of the international community to the looming crisis arising from these threats.


The agitation of the Igbo for their collective aspirations has been peaceful so far and will always remain so. This is within our rights to so do. It would amount to an unprovoked invitation to avoidable crisis that would blow no one any good wind if anybody or group of persons decide to use this to threaten the people.


While we also strongly urge the authorities to investigate these threats and bring the authors to book immediately as a way of forestalling an impending cycle of violence that could further worsen the already fragile socio-economic and political situation of the country, we urge Ndigbo to remain calm but vigilant as they go about their normal businesses everywhere.


Our governors and traditional leaders should, as a matter of absolute necessity, kindly begin to engage their counterparts from the north. Such engagements are the hallmarks of a peace loving people even in the face of extreme provocation.


In light of the above, we must commend the efforts of Gov Nasir El-Rufai who has swiftly risen to the occasion by ordering the authorities in Kaduna to bring all signatories to the so-called “Kaduna Declaration” to book with a view to prosecuting them forthwith. If Nigeria must remain a united nation, this is the kind of non-partisan approach to issues that would heal festering wounds.


As a safeguard, all seeming violence against the Igbo in the north should be reported immediately on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nzukoumunna/ and or on our twitter handle at https://twitter.com/nzuko_umunna for immediate response.


Finally, while we call on these youths supposedly speaking for the north to rescind their threats, we assure Nigerians of northern extraction, and indeed every Nigerian, of their continued safety and well-being anywhere they reside and or do business in Igboland even as the Igbo will not in any way relent in pursuing their aspirations peacefully but vigorously.



Signed:


Ngozi Odumuko                                                                                                                      Jude Ndukwe

Coordinator                                                                                                                             Publicity Secretary

Be Free From Being Partisans - Oba of Benin tells EFCC

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N`Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II has charge officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC not to be intimidated in the discharge of their duties. The revered monarch stated this today when he received officials of the EFCC from Benin zonal office in his palace.


The Oba charged EFCC to uphold the principle of   uprightness in the discharge of their duties. "You should not be intimidated, be transparent in your work. Always ensure that petitions are investigated thoroughly before arrest so that EFCC is not seen as a witch-hunt agency," he said.


He admonished the Commission not to allow itself to be used by greedy and unscrupulous individuals to achieve their goals.  "EFCC should be independent, fight corruption and desist from being partisans".  His monarch thanked the federal government for establishing an EFCC office in Benin and wished the Commission success in all its endeavours.


Earlier, Mailafia Yakubu, head of the Benin  Zonal office of the EFCC, said he and his team were in the palace to pay homage to the Oba and also inform him that EFCC has opened an office in Benin. He said the Commission deemed it imperative to inform the Oba and seek his royal blessings and support.



Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media and Publicity

8th June, 2017

Lagos Orders Release of 18 Prison Inmates

PREROGATIVE OF MERCY: LAGOS ORDERS RELEASE OF 18 KIRIKIRI INMATES

The Lagos State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy on Thursday handed over an order to the Nigerian Prisons Service for the immediate release of 18 inmates serving life sentences at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.


The order was handed over to the Service through the State’s Controller of Prisons, Mr Olatunbosun Ladipo.


The 18 inmates, who included 15 male and 3 females serving life sentences for various offences, and having spent more than 30 years in incarceration, were recommended for immediate release by the Council on compassionate grounds.


The inmates were ordered to be released having been found to have fulfilled the very stringent conditions for their freedom.


Speaking at the small handing over ceremony held at the hall of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Chairman of the Council, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, applauded the benevolence of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode in assenting to exercise the prerogative in favour of the recommended inmates.


Oyewo, who was represented by Mrs Bolatunmi Animashaun advised the pardoned inmates to turn a new leaf when eventually they are reunited with their families into the larger society, adding that they must steer clear of every temptation that could make them a repeat offender and jeopardize the once in a lifetime opportunity.


Also speaking, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem encouraged other inmates still serving in the Prison to be of good behaviour and exhibit conducts that could qualify them to benefit from such order.


Kazeem, who was represented by Director of Legislative Drafting in the State’s Ministry of Justice, Mrs Yejide Kolawole advised the inmates to improve themselves, as the application of other inmates eligible for State pardon were still under consideration.


The pardoned inmates were very jubilant and thankful to the Governor for his benevolence in giving them the opportunity of a second chance at living a purposeful life.


They also pledged to be of good behaviour, and to be law abiding citizens as they return back to the larger society.


In his response, the State Controller of Prisons commended Governor Ambode for his efforts at ensuring the wellbeing of inmates in the State Prisons through the regular assistance.



KAYODE OYEKANMI

ASST. DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS

LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

JUNE 8, 2017

Your Quit Notice to Igbo Unlawful - Police tells Northern Youth

RE: -JOINT POSITION PAPER BY THE AREWA CITIZENS ACTION FOR CHANGE, AREWA YOUTH CONSULTATIVE FORUM, AREWA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, AREWA STUDENTS FORUM AND NORTHERN EMANCIPATION NETWORK ON THE IGBO PERSISTENCE FOR SECESSION



The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publications in the media accredited to the Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum and Northern Emancipation Network on the Igbo Persistence for Secession, on their alleged ultimatum to Nigerians of Igbo extraction residing in the Northern Nigeria to relocate within three (3) months.


The Nigeria Police Force sees this ultimatum by the above mentioned groups as illegal, unlawful, provocative and capable of causing breach of the peace currently being enjoyed across the Country.


Consequently, the Inspector General of Police has directed all Commissioners of Police in charge of Police State Commands in the Country and their supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the Zonal Commands of the Federation to beef up security in their respective States and ensure that the alleged ultimatum is not actualized.


They are under strict instructions to maintain law and order and to sustain the protection of fundamental rights of every Nigerian as provided for by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, particularly sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 which are very sacrosanct and must be protected.


Every Nigerian including the Igbo or any other ethnic group have the rights to life, personal liberty, freedom of movement and the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria. No individual (s) or group (s) under any course, guise or excuse have the right to issue any ultimatum or warning to compel any Nigerian to leave or relocate from or to any part of the Country without their wish.


The Nigeria Police Force is imploring all well meaning Nigerians most especially the People of Igbo extraction to disregard the alleged ultimatum and go about their lawful engagements and other activities without fear or apprehension as adequate security arrangements have been put in place by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to protect them and their properties across the Northern States and other parts of the Country. They should report any suspicious/untoward happenings observed in their neighbourhoods to the nearest Police station.


As a result the Force is calling on Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum and Northern Emancipation Network on the Igbo Persistence for Secession, to desist forthwith the ultimatum and any further act that can precipitate tension and cause breach of the peace anywhere in the Country.


The Nigeria Police Force is closely monitoring the activities of these groups and will apply full weight of the law on any violator of the law or anyone who attempt to molest, mistreat, panic and cause fear in the mind of any other Nigerian anywhere in the Country.


The Force wishes to advise traditional rulers, opinion leaders, religious leaders, parents and guardians to prevail on their subjects, adherents, children and wards not to allow themselves to be used by any group (s) to cause disturbance of public peace, and unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians anywhere in the country.


The Nigeria Police Force will continue to respect the diversity of the people and ensure that the rule of law prevails everywhere in the Country.

                             

                           

Signed

CSP Jimoh Moshood

Force Public Relations Officer,

Force Headquarters,

Abuja.

...................................................................................................................................................

Quit Order on Igbo: Fani-Kayode Spits Fire

"The northern youths must be warned and told in very clear terms. This is not 1966.


Any pogrom or slaughter of Igbos in the north will lead to a swift, immediate and devastating retaliation throughout the south.


Those that gave the Igbo quit notice in the north are playing with fire and that fire will consumme them.



They are opening the gates of hell and they will enter that gate.


They are plunging us into darkness and we shall enter that darkness together. Nigeria belongs to us all.


I urge the core Muslim northern elders and leaders to call their youths to order before they spark off a series of events and a crisis that may not only lead to a second civil war but will also lead to the end of Nigeria.



This time around the Igbo are not alone. An attack on them is an attack on every southerner and every Middle Belter. And such an attack will have grave and unfathomable consequences"-

(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Culture and Tourism and former Minister of Aviation, 8th June, 2017)

T. B. Joshua: Murder in the Church (Part 2) - Fani-Kayode

T.B. JOSHUA: MURDER IN THE CHURCH (PART 2)

I have many friends in the intelligence agencies both within Nigeria and outside. I was at Harrow School, Kelly College and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom with many that ended up in M15 and M16 and their sister agencies all over the world and we are friends till today.

Most of them are decent, law-abiding patriots whose purpose is simply to ensure that their country is safe and that its citizens are well-protected.

One of them, who is a good friend of mine till today and who actually heads a formidable and weĺl-known intelligence agency, recently told me that he sees his country as a plane that is in mid-flight which is being flown and piloted by the politicians and whoever may be the President, Head of State or Prime Minister at any given point in time.

He said the role of the intelligence services is to ensure that the engine of that plane runs well and that it does not overheat or knock whilst the flight is in motion and whilst the plane is in mid-air.

This is a profound description and eloquent testimony of what the intelligence agencies are meant to do. And all over the world most of them do it very well.

These are mostly courageous and patriotic men and women who live in the grey areas of our mutual existence, who operate in the murky world of secrecy and subtefuge, who do jobs and carry out operations that few of us can do, who are hardly celebrated and who are mostly unsung yet who do such a great job at keeping us safe and who carry out such a vital and critical role. Without them we would be lost.

There is, however, also a darker side. I say this because, generally speaking, these are people that are obsessed with secrecy and haunted by some of the atrocities that they and their friends and associates may have commited in the past.

A few of them are cold-blooded and have multiple personalities. Worse still they are almost sociopathic in nature. They have no feeling, empathy or sympathy for their targets, their victims, the subjects of their enquiries or the objects of their interest.

Most relevant of all is the fact that they do not always operate within the confines and parameters of the law.

Sometimes they do the most hideous and barbaric things which is why their oath and culture of secrecy unto death is so vital.

They can be very nice and pleasant on the surface but below that they are utterly ruthless and exceptionally dangerous.

Their Nigerian counterparts are no different and I have worked closely with many of them over the years.

As it is with all intelligence agents and spies,
deception and deceit is their language and their loyalty is, more often than not, to the state than to their friends and family members.

That is their training and I guess no-one can blame them for that. Finally they operate like a cult and they literally have their own strange code of conduct and coded language which is exclusive to them.

Yet despite this chilling and grim analysis quite a few of them are humane and decent people who have a deep sense of what is right and wrong and who, more often than not, wish to make amends for some of the horrific things they have done or witnessed in the past.

It was from a few of those that share this kind, generous and charitable disposition that I was given the true picture of things and the relevant information about what really happened to Prophet T.B. Joshua's church and how and why it was brought down.

I will not mention their names but I will tell their story. And that story is as follows.

They told me why the operation was carried out, how those involved covered it up and how they attempted to hit TB Joshua the second time but failed.

They told me that it was the same group of operatives that were behind the fatal "crash" of General Patrick Azazi's (the former National Security Advisor) helicopter and how Governor Patrick Yakowa (the Governor of Kaduna state) was purposely lured on that helicopter  in order for them to literally "kill two birds with one stone".

They told me how the operation was conducted by rogue elements in the intelligence agencies without the knowledge of Mr. Eta Ekpeyong, the head of the Department of State Security (DSS) at the time who was totally loyal to Jonathan  but with the knowledge and support of a handful of disloyal and ruthless senior operatives from other arms of the intelligence agencies who provided the logistics, hardware, man-power and funding for the operation.

They told me that there was a foreign component to the whole affair which I will touch on in part 3 of this essay.

They told me that there was a religious dimension to the whole affair and about how a group of fifth columists within the security agencies in Jonathan's government had sworn that they would destabilise his government and either kill him or stop him from coming back in 2015 and how they assisted the then opposition by providing them with sensitive and often false information to use against the government.

Their view was  that the country must not be ruled by a Southerner or a Christian and that Jonathan must be stopped at all costs.

T.B. Joshua's crime was that he knew too much and that he was secrety exposing their plans to those that cared for Jonathan. He needed to be discredited, stopped, "kept busy", rubbished or permanently silenced.

In part 3 of this essay I will go much futher into this matter and expose far more about this issue but for now two things remains clear.

That firstly the entire horrendous episode and the terrible tragedy that occured in T.B. Joshua's church must be revisited and properly investigated by the security agencies with a view to bringing the real perpetrators, and not their victims and targets, to justice.

And that secondly the Nigerian people would do well to question ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that their government (and I mean ALL governments and not just the Buhari administration) tells them about such events or that they read, watch or listen to in what President Donald Trump so eloquently describes as the "mainstream media" (MSM).

At this point readers may ask, do intelligence agencies and governments actually kill people? Unfortunately the answer to that question is "yes, they do".

This is especially so when they believe it is in the national security interest to do so or when they want to discredit or weaken the government that they purport to serve.

It is also pertinent to note that when they do these horrendous things they always look for someone else or some innocent group of people to use as scapegoats, to blame it on and to carry the can.

Many innocent people have either gone to jail or have been executed as consequence of this.

One should also note that oftentimes they use violent criminal networks and bloodthirsty gangsters to do their dirty work for them.

In return they give such men of the underworld official protection and sometimes even funding.
Consequently when we hear that people were eliminated by the local mafia, a group of armed robbers or any other criminal gang, they may well have done so at the behest of one of the intellingence agencies and they would have been well paid for it.

As the great writer and analyst David Icke often says, "nothing is ever as it seems or appears".

This is the way things work in the dark "cloak and dagger" world of intelligence and espionage and this is the way things are done by what has come to be known and universally described as "the system".

In the parlance of that murky world they call such practices "extreme measures", "special ops" or "black ops" and those that actually carry out such operations (i.e. the footsoldiers that actually pull the triggers or detonate the bombs) are referred to as "wet boys" because what they do is not only deadly but also wet and messy.

It is a universal practice and it is something that is well-known to anyone that has

Nigeria's Absence at ECOWAS Heads of Govt Meeting with Netanyahu - Fani-Kayode Kicks

"Mark this: the boycotting of the ECOWAS Heads of Government meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu by the Buhari/Osinbajo government marks the beginning of the end for them.

It may also mark the beginning of the end for Nigeria. It has resulted in a deep and debilitating spiritual wound.

We are not a Muslim country but rather a modern, plural, 21st century, multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-racial secular state in which over 90 million Christians love and adore the great nation of Israel.

For Acting President Osinbajo particularly, who lays claim to being a Pastor and a believer, to snub and insult the Jewish state in this way is not only disappointing but also shameless, reprehensible and deeply repugnant.

Is his fear of the cabal greater than his fear of God?

He knows the spiritual implications of what he has done even if he will not admit to them publicly.

The bible says "what profiteth a man to gain the world and lose his soul?"

Let us wait and see those implications manifest and the consequences of his action unfold"- FFK

We Are Not Absorbing Legionaires - Nigerian Army

NIGERIAN ARMY IS NOT ABSORBING LEGIONARIES

The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to activities of a group of some unscrupulous elements that duped gullible members of the public especially ex-servicemen.

According to reports, the group has been collecting the sum of N80,000 from legionnaires across the country with a view to bringing them back into its service.

While efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend them, the Nigerian Army wishes to disassociate itself with such criminals and their activities and advise the public to be wary of them and report same to any of the security agencies. Above all, the laws, terms and conditions for enlistment into the Army are very clear; it is free. One does not need to pay anyone a dime or give any gratification to be recruited.

The public is please requested to take advantage of the newly established Nigerian Army Information and Call Centre to report any such issue and other security concern by calling the short code 193 using any of the telecommunication service providers in Nigeria or through email at na.callcentre@army.mil.ng

You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium.

Thank you for your kind cooperation.


Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations

Army Investigates Alleged Misconduct Against Personnel at IDPs Camp

NIGERIAN ARMY TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MISCONDUCT BY SECURITY PERSONNEL AT INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS CAMPS

The Nigerian Army has noted with great concern growing allegations of misconduct against some persons on security duties at Internally Displaced Persons’ camp in Bama, Borno State.

We would like to state that Nigerian Army personnel have been doing their best in bringing peace and security in various parts of the country especially in the north east, any act of misconduct could negatively impact on these good works.

Although these allegations are unsubstantiated, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has today directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated by both the Director Military Intelligence and Provost Marshal (Army).

We would like to reiterate that the Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for any misconduct among its officers and soldiers especially those that are trusted with onerous responsibility of guarding and securing those Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps. Anyone found culpable, would be severely dealt with.

We would like to enjoin the public to please take advantage of the newly established Nigerian Army Information and Call Centre to report any such issue and other security concern by calling the short code 193 using any of the telecommunication service providers in Nigeria or through email at na.callcentre@army.mil.ng

You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium.

Thank you for your kind cooperation.


Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations

T. B. Joshua: Murder in the Church - Fani- Kayode

T.B. JOSHUA: MURDER IN THE CHURCH (PART 1)

A few weeks ago I tweeted that I would write an essay about the bombing of a building at Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua's Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN).

Though I have been writing essays and contributing to the public discourse for over 27 years, I have never received the number of threats from known and unknown sources as I did after that tweet.

Yet I am not deterred. As a matter of fact such threats always strenghen my resolve to stand firm, do the right thing and dig even deeper.

I am a servant of truth and the voice of the voiceless: I cannot be intimidated and I will not be silenced.



Part of my calling is to speak truth to power, to stand up for the oppressed and to speak up for the victims of barbarity, persecution, wickedness and injustice and I will not shy away from  doing so on this occassion.

Prophet TB Joshua started his ministry 30 years ago in 1987 when he founded his Church. He is a strong and credible voice in the Body of Christ in Nigeria.

He is a respected and much-loved Christian leader who is doing great works and wonders for the Kingdom of God both in and outside of our country. He is reverred in many nations in the world, including numerous countries in South America, South East Asia, Africa, Europe, the far East, Israel, Lebanon, India and the United States of America where he is a regular visitor that is welcomed and received with much love and enthuisiasm.

Such is his following that it is on record that out of every 10 foreigners that visit Nigeria every year, 6 of them have come to spend time in T.B. Joshua's Church and receive ministration from him.

Yet despite all these laudable achievements it is clear that he has many enemies.

I am not a member of his Church, I have never worshipped there and neither do I have any reason to defend him or to speak up for him other than the fact that, in my humble opinion, in this particular case and matter, he and his Church members are undoubtedly the primary targets and victims of injustice, wickedness and what can only be described as nothing less than pre-meditated and cold-blooded mass murder.

They are also the subjects of one of the greatest cover-ups in Nigerian history and of a massive and well-orchestrated disinformation campaign.

It says a lot for him, his resilience, his ministry, his calling, his members and the enormous amount of strength and grace that he enjoys from the Living God that, despite the sheer hell that he has been put through as a consequence of these ugly events and tragic affair, he has refused to be broken or silenced.

Rather than capitulate he has risen to the occasion, gone from strength to strength, stoically accepted the numerous challenges that he has been faced with and stood firm in the preaching of the gospel and in the battle against the Kingdom of darkness.

He has also refused to be cowed and instead has stood-by, comforted and assisted the families of those who lost their loved ones in this brutal attack as best as he could.

The truth is that whether his detractors wish to admit it or not, T.B. Joshua has weathered the storm well and he remains one of the most respected and celebrated Pastors and men of God in Nigeria today and certainly one of the most internationally-acknowledged and acclaimed of them all.

The truth is that there is nothing that is ordinary about this man. It appears that the more his haters (and there are many of them in Nigeria) throw bricks at him and seek his downfall, the more he grows, prospers and increases. Only God can do this for any human being.

Like those that are healed of numerous ailments by the Holy Spirit in his Church, his strength and survival and his uncanny readiness and ability to continue to spread love and charity to the poor, the weak, the challenged,  the despised and the helpless all over the world, regardless of his own personal challenges, is not only exemplary but also borders on the miraculous.

The truth is that if the events that I am about to describe had happened to ANY other person or man of God in this country I am not sure that they would have been able to survive it.

To all intents and purposes Joshua is a mystery. He is a modern-day enigma.

He is a profoundly good man whose humility is second to none, who is deeply courageous and who is filled with the light and power of the Spirit of God.

Yet his towering status, his selfless ministry and his good works is hardly the point here. If what he was subjected to three years ago had happened to anyone else and if the details were brought to my attention I would have written about it and exposed it in exactly the same way that I am about to do now.

Today I present the first and second parts of this essay. I have almost finished part three, which is the most telling of them all and, once done, I will release it after those whose names that I have mentioned have been duly consulted and informed.

Here I have written what I believe is the truth. I have risked my life and the life of my sources by doing so but I have no regrets.

It is for us to do as we are led by the Holy Spirit and it is for God to protect us. I leave all to Him and I give Him the glory.

Here we go.

One of the single greatest atrocities perpetuated by rogue elements in our intelligence agencies in modern history was the blowing up of a guest house in Prophet TB Joshua's church which resulted in the death of approximately 116 people, most of whom were foreigners. This took place on September 12th 2014.

The perpertrators of this utterly barbaric act were the same people that covertly and cleverly spun the tale that the building collapsed as a result of a weak foundation and fed that pernicious lie to a gullible and easily manipulated Nigerian media.

As trusting as ever, the Nigerian people bought this hideous mendacity lock, stock and barrel whilst many prominent clerics and Church leaders who were envious of Joshua's rising profile, power and popularity revelled in the lie and helped to preach, spread, perpetuate and consolodate it.

They argued that the building was built without the relevant permits and conveniently overlooked the fact that, according to my sources at Alausa, Lagos state, between 60 and 70 percent of buildings in the environs and suburbs of Lagos state either never had a building permit in the first place, procured one only after the relevant building was constructed or have fake ones which were procured through bribes.

That being the case it seems strange that far many more buildings have not collapsed in Lagos if the assumption is that they ALL have weak foundations.

The "weak foundation as a consequence of no building permit theory" appears to me to be implausible. In my view it lacks credibility and it is in fact a false and fake narrative.

This was not the cause of the tragedy and the real cause was far more sinister and macabre than that.


The motive for the attack was to silence and discredit Joshua who, by that time, had become a thorn in the flesh of many within the corridors of power simply because he was exposing the deepest secrets about what was going on in the country and those who were covertly working against former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He went as far as to prophesy and predict everything that would happen in the 2015  election which was scheduled to hold two years later, with great accuracy, if President Goodluck Jonathan did not remove certain people (whose names were mentioned) within his government and inner circle.

The counsel was put on record and when I was doing my research for this write up I actually read the transcripts of this interesting discourse and I was utterly amazed at the accuracy of his predictions.

The attack involved the use of certain members of our intelligence agencies who used a large remote-controlled drone to fly over the building and who then activated an explosive device which had been planted in the building days earlier with the drone.

There is a video on Youtube of the drone hovering at very close range over the building three times just before it collapsed. I urge readers to look for it and view it.

After the third time the entire building collapsed like a pack of cards. This was AFTER a loud explosion, which was clearly heard by many of the survivors within and outside of the building, shattered the tranquility, peace and silence of the structure and blew out its foundations.

Sadly many people were killed and even more were badly injured. This was Nigeria's own 911 but unlike the real 911 the victims were never properly celebrated or mourned and the perpertrators were never identified or brought to justice.

The whole thing appears to have been covered up and those in high places in the intelligence agencies at the time, having discovered that this was yet another rogue operation by a group of fifth columnists within the security apparatus who were keen on silencing the Presidents friends and who wanted to use the operation to embarass and terrify their perceived enemies and adversaries, decided to brush the whole thing under the carpet and keep it quiet.

The trauma that the families that lost their loved ones suffered, most of whom were South Americans, Europeans, white South Africans and other foreigners was harrowing and unimaginable and the outrage that was expressed by the Nigerian public as a consequence of it was, rightly, unprecedented.

Even greater and more pronuonced was the pain, anguish and deep sense of loss of Prophet TB Joshua himself and members of his SCOAN Church who were utterly devastated by this horrendous and tragic event, this inexplicable slaughter and this frightful and unexpected loss of the lives of their friends, colleagues, loved ones and Church members.

Such was the outrage from members of the public in Lagos as a result of the matter that the Federal and State Governments felt that they had to act fast in order to manage the fall-out from the whole ugly episode.

And this is where things went badly wrong. In a typical Nigerian manner, instead of digging deep and patiently trying to establish the relevant facts and setting in motion a forensic-based and professional investigation, the security agencies looked for a scapegoat, turned on the man of God, made him the subject of a criminal investigation and claimed that the building collapsed because it had weak foundations and because it had not been properly built.

They ignored all the evidence that suggested that there was far more to the matter than that and instead sold this unlikely and utterly absurd narrative and dummy to the Nigerian people and the international community.

They then proceeded to initiate criminal proceedings against Joshua and some of his Church members and sought to discredit, disgrace, shame and utterly destroy him.

With this they had managed to divert attention away from the real cause of the collapse of the building, they had found an easy and convenient scapegoat and consequently the real perpertrators managed to escape any form of suspicion or scrutiny. (TO BE CONCLUDED).

Jesus is Still Jehovah Rapha -Joseph Prince

…I am the Lord who heals you.”

Exodus 15:26 - JUNE 5 -
JESUS IS STILL JEHOVAH RAPHA

Do you know that the first compound name that the Lord revealed to the Israelites after they came out of Egypt was Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals you? It was as if He was telling them, as they began their new life with Him, that He had already healed them of all the diseases and pains they suffered when they were in bondage in Egypt. Indeed, when He brought them out of Egypt, “there was none feeble among His tribes”. (Psalm 105:37)

Today, just as the Israelites were delivered from their bondage in Egypt and from slavery to Pharaoh, you have also been delivered from the bondage of sin and sickness, and from slavery to the devil, by the blood of the Lamb. And the Lord, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, still says to you, “I am the Lord who heals you.”

A church member, who was experiencing pain in her womb for several months, looked to Jesus as her healer even as she went to see a doctor, who performed an ultrasound scan on her womb. When told that she had two big tumors and several blood cysts in her womb, she continued to look to Jesus as her healer. The doctor then had her blood tested to see if the tumors were cancerous.

Three days later, she saw the doctor again and was told that the tumors were not cancerous. Not only that, but a second ultrasound scan also showed that all the cysts and one of the tumors had completely disappeared! The other tumor had also shrunk. Although she had taken medication, the doctor told her that based on the original size of the tumor, it should have taken months to shrink that much. He commented that this was the quickest healing he had ever seen!

Beloved, if the doctor has given you a bad report regarding your health, don’t despair. Look to Jesus and expect healing for your body. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is still Jehovah Rapha—the Lord who heals you!

Trust Him to Deliver You - Gloria

Trust Him to Deliver You

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.... There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

– Psalm 91:7,10

Naturally speaking, this is a terrifying world we’re living in today. A world that staggers from one disaster to another. Almost daily we hear about wars, about the dangers of nuclear weapons and chemical warfare, about oil spills and earthquakes and floods, about diseases on the rise and crime sweeping through our cities.

But in the midst of it all, God is promising to be a refuge and a fortress to those who will trust and dwell in Him.

“But, Gloria,” you might say, “He made that promise thousands of years ago when things weren’t in as desperate shape as they are today!”

That may be so, but you know what? That promise is right up-to-date. It was made for our generation. Just think about it. Back when Psalm 91 was written, man hadn’t even invented weapons that could destroy 10,000 people at once. We’re the generation that did that. So when He said, “No evil will befall you,” He was including us.

No evil will befall you. My, what a statement! You need to catch hold of it and believe it today. Believe that God wants to be God in your life. He wants to be your protection. He wants to be your security. He wants to be the first Name you call when trouble comes your way. He wants to be the One you trust in and look to, to keep you safe. And if you’ll do that, He’ll never, never let you down.

He can handle all the dangers that surround you. I don’t care how bad they are, He can handle them! He proved that with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were bound and thrown into a fiery furnace that was so hot that the men who threw them in were killed by the heat. Now you can’t get in any more trouble than that. But God brought them through and when they came out, they didn’t even smell like smoke. Hallelujah!

So, no matter how terrifying things around you seem to get, trust God. He’ll always be faithful. He’ll never be out doing something else when you need help. He’ll be right there to deliver you from any problem, any catastrophe, any kind of devastation.

Let Him prove in your life what He proved in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: No other can deliver like He can!

Scripture Reading: Daniel 3