IT IS FINISHED - Joseph Prince

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:30
- DECEMBER 31 -
IT IS FINISHED!
Imagine looking at Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre museum. Would you think of adding more brush strokes to it? Of course not! It was done by a master, so what could you possibly add to the painting to improve it?

In the same way, that is how we are to look at Jesus’ work on the cross. He cried out, “It is finished!” You cannot complete a completed work. You cannot finish a finished work. Our salvation is won. Our sins are all forgiven. We are made forever righteous by His blood. Christ paid completely and perfectly for our total forgiveness, righteousness and every blessing!

In fact, these three words, “It is finished”, come from one Greek word teleo. In the days of Jesus, a servant would use it when reporting to his master: “I have completed the work assigned to me.” (John 17:4) The word means, “It is finished, it stands finished and it will always be finished!” Perhaps the most significant meaning of teleo is how it is used by merchants: “The debt is paid in full!” When Jesus gave Himself on the cross, He met fully the righteous demands of the law. He paid our debts in full!

Today, it is not our works that will bring us the blessings. It is Christ’s finished work. Christian living is not about doing, but believing in His finished work. Under the law, we must do. Under grace, it is done!

Maybe you are faced with overwhelming odds today. Jesus promises, “It is finished!” You are not going to be delivered because you have already been delivered. You are not going to be healed because you are already the healed! God healed you 2,000 years ago! Isaiah 53:5 declares, “By His stripes you are healed!” You are already pregnant with healing. Keep resting in His finished work and it will manifest!

My friend, the work is finished. The victory is won. Our blessings have been bought by His blood! Live life knowing that there is nothing for you to do—only believe! It is finished!

 Joseph Prince Ministries

Blame National Assembly, Judiciary for Political Prisoners - HURIWA

2018: BLAME NATIONAL ASSEMBLY; JUDICIARY FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS-: HURIWA

As Nigerians join billions of humanity globally to mark the beginning of the year 2018, Nigerians have been asked to blame the docility of both the National Assembly and the Judiciary for the executive lawlessness that resulted in the existence of many known and unknown prisoners of conscience in Nigeria.

A prominent Civil society and Non-Governmental organisation- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) made this assertion in a New Year message to Nigerians even as it condemned the Presidency and the office of the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice headed by the Kebbi state born politician Alhaji Abubakar Malami for the gross abuses of the constitutional liberties of hundreds of citizens detained extralegally by the Department of State services (DSS); Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the notoriously incompetent Nigeria Police Force.

HURIWA also decried the extremely high rate of extralegal executions of suspects by members of the armed security forces just as it has called for wide ranging actions to ensure that all those operatives responsible for the wide ranging cases of extralegal killings are brought to justice.

HURIWA said every year atleast 3000 suspects are killed by security forces through extra judicial means. The group condemned the reinstatement of an assistant commissioner of Police in Abuja who led the armed squad that wasted 6 young Nigerian traders based in Apo Abuja after a charade of a judgment by the chief judge of FCT Mr Ishaq Bello.

HURIWA in the media statement endorsed jointly by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, said it was shameful that citizens are hauled into dungeons called detention centers by supposed law enforcement agencies even against extant judicial pronouncements through constitutionally binding Court orders recognised under various statutes and section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 (as amended).

The group said the notoriety of the DSS in carrying out arbitrary arrests and extralegal detentions has become increasingly phenomenal.

Citing the cases of the erstwhile National Security Adviser to the President Colonel Sambo Dasuki; the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzakky and his wife; and the numerous alleged detainees being kept in the underground dungeons of different security forces including Army; DSS; SARS of the Nigerian Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the group blamed the lacklustre approach to their respective constitutionally guaranteed checks and balances by both the National Assembly and the Judiciary for these persistently perennial violations of human Rights and constitutional norms.  The group said that obedience to binding court orders is the kernel of constitutional democracy and wondered why such a government could be rewarded with a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council as was the case during a recent election at the United Nations.

HURIWA said it was unimaginable that the nation's judiciary did not stage symbolic protest or embark on a strike action to demonstrate her disdain for the brazen violations of the Court orders as displayed by the President Muhammadu Buhari's administration just as the Rights group said the National Assembly which enjoys the powers of constitutional impeachment of a misbehaving head of the Executive branch of government has pandered to the partisan whims and capricious overbearing influences of the Executive branch of government and allowed the sanctity of the Nigerian Constitution to be desecrated by the President through the wanton disobedience of validly issued orders of higher competent Courts of law.  It therefore asked these bodies to embrace her constitutional powers or watch as constitutional democracy collapses under the tyranny of a power-drunk Presidency.

HURIWA also carpeted the deliberately weakened national institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission; Public Complaints Commission for sleeping on duty whilst the fundamental human rights of Nigerians guaranteed under the constitution are flagrantly violated with shocking speed by the operators of the Executive Arm of government headed by President Muhammadu Buhari. HURIWA also lamented the abysmal human right situations in some states of the country whereby the state houses of assembly are in the pockets of the all powerful but corrupt minded governors.

HURIWA also stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has consistently watched as the security forces unleashed violence including emotional, psychological and physical tortures on civilians even as he was the principal that directed the recently concluded operation python dance two in the South East of Nigeria in which an undetermined number of casualties were recorded by Non Governmental groups even as the same President has done nothing to check the infighting between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission versus the Department of State services; National Intelligence agency and the office of the Federal Attorney General.

HURIWA also challenged the Nigerian military to allow unfettered monitoring by groups and the media of the human right situations of theatres of counter terror war in the North East of Nigeria.

The Rights group has therefore charged both the National Assembly and the Judiciary to sit up and become vigilant to safeguard the constitutional independence of their institutions by adopting measures to compel obedience of court orders by the Executive branch of government at both the National and State levels.

HURIWA has also called for the physical audits of all detention centres administered by all the law enforcement agencies by the National Assembly; the National Judicial Council and the National Human Rights Commission so as to take proper inventory of the identities of all the detainees, their legal Status so as to quicken the dispensation of justice and to eliminate the high rate of disappearances by Nigerians after being arrested by the security forces for unspecified offences. Also, the Rights group has for the umpteenth time called for the unconditional releases of all prisoners of conscience in the country now including erstwhile National Security Adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki and the leader of Shiites Islamic movement- ElZaczacky and his wife.

My Response to the Buhari Administration's Achievement - Omokri

My Response to The Buhari Administration’s 17 Achievements of 2017

By Reno Omokri

The Buhari government released a list of 17 of its greatest achievements a few hours ago and after reading it, I was embarrassed for the regime.

The Buhari administration counts exiting a recession that it put Nigeria into as its greatest achievement of 2017! This government is the definition of cluelessness! We exited recession by growing at 0.5% meanwhile our population grew by 2.6%. Do the math and pray that 2019 is the end of this nightmare!

And going further they go on to list stabilizing the Naira as one of their achievements! A Naira they met at ₦199 to $1 and which is presently ₦365 to $1 has not been ‘stabilized’, it has been murdered. The Naira is in such bad shape that $1 can give you a Naira for every day of the year.

And how can this propagandist regime list bumper harvest as achievements when the latest Global Hunger Index published by the US based International Food Policy Research Institute, indicates that hunger has increased in Nigeria?

And stating that “the Nigeria Customs Service recorded its highest-ever revenue collection, crossing the One Trillion Naira (N1,000,000,000) mark” is nothing short of fraud.

What the Buhari administration and the Nigerian Customs Service failed to tell Nigerians is that this amount is less than half what the Nigerian Customs Service generated in 2014 when you factor in the devaluation of the Naira.

In 2014, the Nigerian Customs Service generated ₦978 billion. When you factor in the official exchange rate in 2014 of 150 Naira to a dollar, that ₦978 billion was equivalent to $6.5 billion.

However, when you convert the ₦1 trillion the Nigerian Customs Service generated in 2017 using the official interbank exchange rate of 365 Naira to one dollar, that ₦1 trillion is equivalent to $2.7 billion!

In other words, the Nigerian Customs Service generated less than half of what it generated in 2014 and this fact cannot be hidden with their infantile propaganda.

You go through these 17 so called achievements and you soon realize that there is nothing tangible, like a road built or a refinery started. All their farcical ‘achievements’ are non tangibles.

Finally, let me add that Nigeria is broke. The Buhari administration has borrowed more than any government before it. Our total debt stands today at slightly over $64 billion.

Foreign and domestic lenders are now wary of lending to the Nigeria government. The landing cost for petrol is ₦171.40 per litre. Buhari has been secretly paying a subsidy of ₦26.40 per liter because he was ashamed of being exposed as a hypocrite for telling Nigerians that subsidy does not exist and Jonathan was deceiving the nation. Now he can no longer afford the deception. Don’t be a fool. Prepare for fuel price increase. IT WILL HAPPEN!

That is one achievement I can credit the Buhari administration with.

Reno Omokri
Number One Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years: Chibok, 2015 and Other Conspiracies

Major on Mercy - Copeland

Major on Mercy
...I beseech thee, show me thy glory.
– Exodus 33:18

What would you say is the single, most outstanding thing about God? What's His most important characteristic? Some people would say it's His power. Others, His holiness. But God Himself would give a different answer.

You can find that answer in Exodus 33. There Moses is asking God to show him His glory.

Now the word glory could literally be translated "heavy weight." It refers to the heaviest, biggest, grandest thing about someone. It's the sum total of their worth.

So what Moses was actually saying was, "Lord, I want to see the weightiest thing about You. I want to know Your grandest attributes." What did God say to him in response?

Chapter 34:6-7 tells us, "The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin."

Just think about that! When Moses asked God to show him the most important thing about Himself, God showed him His mercy.

That means if you and I are to imitate God (Ephesians 5:1) we must major in mercy too. Mercy, goodness, forgiveness and compassion must mark our behavior above all else.

Major on mercy and others will see the glory of God in you.

Kenneth Copeland

Remember Noah - Copeland

Remember Noah
And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
– Genesis 6:7-8

One of the dirtiest, most damaging lies that the devil ever told you was when he said, "You aren't important." Don't you ever believe that.

You are important! Every born-again member in the Church of Jesus Christ has a part to play in God's plan. God has something for you to do that no one else can do just like you can. If you don't take your place and do your part, things won't be quite right.

I can just hear you thinking, Oh, Gloria, I'm just one person. What could I possibly do that could be so significant?

Look in Genesis 6, and you'll see the answer to that question. There you'll see that the people on the earth had gotten so wicked that God had regretted that He'd made them. He was ready to wipe the whole population out—but He didn't. Why? Because of one man: Noah! One obedient man saved the human race.

Think about that. What if Noah had said, "Well, this is just too much pressure for me. I can't live upright before God in the middle of this ungodly generation. I mean, everyone around me is living the other way. Every man around me imagines only evil in his heart. I can't make any difference in this dark world anyway. I'm just one man."

Praise God, Noah didn't say that. He didn't picture himself as an insignificant man whose life didn't matter. According to Hebrews, he saw himself as a man to whom God had spoken and by faith he obeyed God. And because of that he ended up being the only thing that stood between mankind and total destruction.

Next time you're tempted to shrug off the instructions of God and be disobedient, next time you catch yourself thinking, It doesn't matter what I do—remember Noah. Consider the fact that, whether you understand it or not, God is counting on you to carry out your part of His plan. Live like you're someone important in the kingdom of God. And sooner or later you'll realize, you are.

Gloria Copeland

YOUR PROBLEM MUST BOW TO JESUS NAME - Joseph Prince

…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

Philippians 2:10
- DECEMBER 28 -
YOUR PROBLEM MUST BOW TO JESUS’ NAME
Whatever is troubling you, if it has a name, it must bow to the name of Jesus! Cancer must bow to the name of Jesus. Poverty must bow. Shame must bow. The Bible tells us that God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee must bow!

That is exactly what happened when a severely demon-possessed man saw Jesus. The demons in him—called Legion for there were many of them—not only begged Jesus not to torment them, but they also fled when Jesus commanded them to go. The man was left whole, healed and in his right mind. (Luke 8:26–35)

My late father was similarly delivered from his drinking addiction of many years. I remember how he was in a drunken stupor one day. I prayed over him in Jesus’ name for him to be loosed from his addiction to alcohol. He threw up violently soon after that and from that moment on, he never touched the bottle again!

Beloved, if your child is sick, lay hands on him and say, “In Jesus’ name, cough, stop. Fever, go in Jesus’ name. Health flows in your body in Jesus’ name!” If there is strife and confusion at home, deal with it the same way. I have used the name of Jesus as I prayed for a couple who were quarrelling in a food center. It was amazing. All the strife between them seemed to melt away and they started to talk calmly after that.

That is the power of the name of Jesus because that is the name of the one who died for you, who rose again and today is at the right hand of God, for you! That is the name which is above every name, and at which every knee must and will bow!

 Joseph Prince Ministries

DON'T ANSWER - Copeland

Don't Answer
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
– Romans 12:2

Be not conformed to this world. If you live like the world, you'll be overcome by the world. It's as simple as that. So don't let the world squeeze you into its own mold.

Instead "...be transformed" by the entire renewal of your mind. Overcome the world by having your mind transformed to think like God thinks. In other words, when you see something in the Word, say, "I agree with that. From now on I'm acting on that instead of what I used to think."

For example, when sin calls your name, don't answer. Agree with the Word instead and say, "I'm dead to that, Devil. You can't pull me into it anymore!"

As you do that, you'll find yourself changing. You will find yourself living like a world overcomer!

Gloria Copeland

GOD SEES GLORIOUS THINGS IN YOU - Joseph Prince

…For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
- DECEMBER 27 -
GOD SEES GLORIOUS THINGS IN YOU!
Picture David when he was a shepherd boy. Many who knew him in his pre-Goliath days would very likely have seen just an ordinary youth—one who lived at home with his parents and siblings, enjoyed the outdoors and loved music. But where others saw a typical teenager, God saw a king in young David. He saw David’s name being uttered in honor forever for even the Lord Jesus is called the Son of David!

Picture Moses after he had settled down comfortably in the desert with a beautiful wife, lovely children and good in-laws. He might have seen himself happily retiring in the near future. But God had bigger plans for him. God had big dreams for him. God saw the Red Sea opening up before him and an entire Egyptian army being wiped out in his presence. God saw in Moses the deliverer of His people.

Now, step back a little less far in time with me. See a little boy standing alone during playtime. Nobody wants him on their team because he is scrawny and seen as a weakling. As he grows into his teens, he suffers from an inferiority complex. He stammers and stutters so much that all his classmates laugh at him.

But today, he is the senior pastor of New Creation Church. Each week, he stands in front of a crowd of more than 30,000 people to preach. And he receives invitations to speak in churches and pastors’ conferences worldwide. In those early years, there was no way I could have ever conceived in my mind what God saw in me and the dreams that He had for me.

Beloved, God does not see as man sees. God saw in fearful Gideon a mighty man of valor and called him so even when he was hiding from his enemies in fear. (Judges 6:12) God saw in young David a king and anointed him as one. (1 Samuel 16:10–13) God saw in meek Moses a deliverer and drew him out from obscurity. (Exodus 3)

Today, God looks beyond what man sees and says about you, and He has dreams for you that are bigger than you can imagine!

 Joseph Prince Ministries

The Inhuman Side of the Tyrant President, Buhari - Ndukwe

Jude Ndukwe: The Inhuman Side Of The Tyrant President Buhari [MUST READ]

The Media and Publicity Department of the State House is currently running a documentary on major national television stations it titled “The Human Side of President Buhari”. The documentary which is meant to showcase the ‘human’ side of Buhari has eventually turned out to be nothing but a loud testimony to what a majority of Nigerians already knows about the General who has an infamous reputation for political vendetta, vindictiveness, wickedness, circumvention of the constitution and such other flagrant displays of despotism.
The fact that Buhari and his handlers found it imperative to produce the documentary showing the human side of the president is an admission that Buhari has always been living out his inhuman side which has since become his identity.

The thought of packaging such a documentary alone and airing it at a time Nigerians are suffering, wasting irrecoverable man hour queuing up and searching for fuel till no end and undergoing enormous stress as a result of the well documented failures of the same Buhari as president and minister of petroleum is the height of wickedness and insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.

Apart from being inconsiderate of the unfortunate situations Nigerians have been made to pass through since he became president, the documentary is a great injustice to the president by those who thought they are doing him favours by embarking on it.

With the thick darkness that has pervaded the land no thanks to unabated power cuts and lack of fuel to power generators, only very few and insignificant percentage of Nigerians had the misfortune of enduring what eventually was a drab, uninspiring and amateurish documentary conceived in vile, produced in vindictiveness, packaged in impudence and delivered in sophistry and deceit.

Ordinarily, and going by its title, one would have thought that such a documentary would relate with Nigerians and how the president has been treating them and issues concerning them with milk of human kindness and democratic principles, but it turned out to be an exercise in further exposing the president’s heartlessness and his weak work ethics.

Pray, how could such a documentary that is supposed to be of national importance be emphasizing on how the president loves jokes and cartoons over other important issues in newspapers! Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stressed on it, John Odigie-Oyegun emphasized on it; Femi Adeshina did the same; Garba Shehu followed suit while Abike Dabiri was not left out as if that has any importance to suffering Nigerians.

It is even more insolent that apart from the current biting fuel scarcity, the documentary is being aired at a point Nigerians were greeted with the news that a whopping 7.9 million of them have lost their jobs in just 21 months, from January 2016 to September 2017, under Buhari. At an average of four persons per family, it simply means that over 31 million people have become seriously disconcerted, discomfited and disconnected from being able to afford the basic needs of life for themselves and their other dependants.

Rather than empathise with Nigerians on these multiple tragedies which the Buhari administration has visited on Nigerians, what pre-occupies the minds of presidency officials is to further rub salt into the fatal injuries the citizens have suffered by airing what at best is a banal documentary.

The documentary that attempts to further portray Buhari as a man of integrity and a president who respects the constitution and constitutional processes falls flat on its face. It is obvious that the motivation for that needless work is to attempt to deceive Nigerians.

How can one ever say Buhari respects our constitution when he is infamous for flagrantly disobeying court orders and impudently defying the judiciary?

Sheikh El Zakzaky, leader of the Shiite Muslims in Nigeria, has been incarcerated for t

Buhari's Son Recuperating in the Hospital After Operation - Garva Shehu

Buhari’s Son Hospitalised After Bike Accident
Son of President Muhammadu Buhari, Yusuf, was on Tuesday night involved in bike accident in Abuja.

He reportedly sustained head injury and had one of his limbs broken.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed the accident in a statement on Wednesday.

Yusuf, according to the statement, had undergone a successful surgery and was in a stable condition.
It reads: “Yusuf Buhari had a bike accident last night around Gwarimpa in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“He broke a limb and had an injury to the head as a result. He has undergone surgery at a clinic in Abuja. He is in a stable condition.

“The President and his wife, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, are thankful to Nigerians for the good wishes and prayers for their son. May God reward you all.”

Know God as Daddy - Copeland

Know Him as Daddy
For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!
– Romans 8:15, The Amplified Bible

One night after a worship service a friend of mine and I stepped outside and were suddenly awed by the beauty around us. It was one of those crisp, clear winter nights when the brilliance of the moon and stars nearly takes your breath away. I said to my friend, "Tommy, will you look at that!" Then he looked up with one of those Holy Ghost whole-face smiles and with a voice full of tenderness said, "My Daddy made that!"

"My Daddy...." I'll never forget the way he said that.

Some people might think he shouldn't have been talking in such familiar terms about God, but they'd be wrong. It's scriptural to talk that way about Him. The Aramaic word for father—Abba—is used several times in the New Testament. The most accurate translation for that word in English is "Daddy." It's a word that signifies closeness. It speaks of a relationship that's been developed through time spent together.

"Father" is one thing. "Daddy" is another.

Growing up, my father was sometimes my "Father" and sometimes my "Daddy." When we were out duck hunting, he was "Daddy." When he gave commands he meant to be obeyed instantly, he was "Father."

God is like that too. He's your Father and He's your Daddy. There are times you'll be very serious and down to business with one another. Other times you'll be more lighthearted. But either way, once you fellowship with Him enough to get to know Him, I guarantee, you'll want to be close to Him all the time.

Kenneth Copeland

EPL BOXING DAY RESILTS

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 5 - 2 SOUTHAMPTON

AFC BOURNEMOUTH 3 3 WEST HAM

CHELSEA 2 0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1 - 1 STOKE CITY

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 2 BURNLEY

LIVERPOOL 5 - 0 SWANSEA

DON'T SWEAT IT, REST! - Joseph Prince

Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”
Ruth 3:18
- DECEMBER 26 -
DON’T SWEAT IT, REST!
God does not want you to “sweat”. Sweat here does not refer to your body’s perspiration, but your self-reliance or self-effort. God does not want you to believe that if you don’t do anything, nothing will happen. That may be true for someone without God in his life, but it is not true for you because you have God. And when He is in the picture, the God-factor changes everything!

When you are resting in God, He works for you. In fact, when He works, you end up with more. He is the one who is giving to you. It is not about you trying to give to yourself.

This was what happened to Ruth in the Old Testament. After laboring in the barley fields from morning to evening, she was able to glean one ephah of barley (Ruth 2:17), which was equivalent to a 10-day supply of barley. Certainly, this amount was a blessing to her.

But when she rested at the feet of Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, and did not labor, she received six ephahs of barley (Ruth 3:15), which was equivalent to a 60-day supply! When Ruth sought her own blessing, she obtained only one ephah. But when she sought the blesser, she received much more.

Ruth’s blessings did not stop there. While Ruth rested and sat still as her mother-in-law Naomi had instructed, Boaz, who was the owner of the barley field, went to work, initiating actions, executing them and speaking on Ruth’s behalf. Right through it all, Ruth sat still and rested. Eventually, Boaz, the barley man himself, married Ruth. (Ruth 4) That meant no more measured wealth of six ephahs, but the yield of the whole barley field in total!

Boaz is a picture of Jesus, our heavenly kinsman-redeemer. When we rest in the Lord, He will not rest. He will work on our behalf. What do we do then? We just trust in and enjoy His love for us.

Beloved, stop striving and be at rest. If salvation, the greatest work, comes to us by resting in Jesus’ finished work, how much more will all the other blessings?

 Joseph Prince Ministries

JESUS WAS BORN TO DIE SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE - Joseph Prince

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:12
- DECEMBER 25 -
BORN TO DIE SO THAT YOU MIGHT LIVE
You are probably familiar with the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The Bible says that when the time had come, Mary “brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger”. (Luke 2:6–7) But have you ever wondered why the angel told the shepherds that the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger was a “sign”?

A manger is actually a feeding trough for livestock. Do you know what a feeding trough in those days looks like? I have seen a similar one at Solomon’s stables in Meggido, Israel. It is basically a big rectangular block of stone with the trough hewn out of it. So baby Jesus, who was wrapped in swaddling cloths, was placed in such a stone trough.

But why was that a sign? Because if you have seen the empty tomb of Jesus at a place called The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, you would have noticed that the place where His body was laid, inside a tomb hewn out of rock, resembles a stone trough. The Bible says that after Jesus’ crucifixion and death, Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in linen and laid it in a tomb hewn out of a rock. (Mark 15:43–46)

Can you see the similarities? Wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, baby Jesus would one day be wrapped in linen and laid in a tomb. That was the sign the angel was referring to. It pointed to Jesus’ death.

Jesus was the only child in all of humanity born to die. Once you realize that, you will realize how much God loves you. You will realize that He gave up His Son for that one purpose, and that His Son willingly came for that one purpose—to die for your sins and mine.

Beloved, can you imagine living your life knowing that you are just qualifying yourself to die on the cross to save the world? That was the life that Jesus lived. He lived to die, so that we might live and enjoy life abundantly today!

 Joseph Prince Ministries

PDP Congratulates Fayose On Ekiti Lg Poll

December 26, 2017


Press Statement


Ekiti LG Polls Confirmation of PDP’s Popularity

…As Party Congratulates Gov. Ayo Fayose, Citizens


The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that its sweeping victory in the Ekiti state local council election is clear and firm evidence of its popularity not only in Ekiti State but also in the entire Southwest and the nation at large.


PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on Tuesday described the election as credible, free and fair, adding that “the landslide victory is a direct response by the people to the achievements of the Governor Ayo Fayose-led PDP government, in line with the ideology, vision and programmes of the party”.


Stating that the southwest region has always been its stronghold, the PDP further said that it has repositioned to retake the governorship of all its original states, particularly those in the southwest and the northern parts of the country while ultimately winning the Presidency and the majority in the National Assembly, come 2019.


The party said Nigerians have since seen through the deception and incompetence of the APC and are now very eager to kick out the ruling party at all levels of government.


The PDP thanked the people of Ekiti state for their unrelenting support and charged the newly elected officials to reciprocate the gesture by working hard to ensure that the people continued to enjoy the dividends of democracy as already consolidated by Governor Fayose.


It congratulated Governor Ayo Fayose over the victory and urged its members across the nation to redouble their efforts in mobilizing for future elections, particularly, the 2019 general elections.


Signed


Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary

Buhari's Age, a National Disgrace - PDP

President Buhari’s age controversy , a national embarrassment, says PDP

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday labelled as a "national disgrace" the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari, that he had all the while believed he was 74 this year until told his age was 75 this year.

The party in a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said many Nigerians and even the global community must have been taken aback that a 21st century leader of a country like Nigeria did not know his real year of birth.

The PDP queried "How many other inconsistences are in Mr. President's biodata submitted to INEC? We are sure there are more. And the world is waiting on the body to give details about our President”.

"We advise INEC to revisit those forms President Buhari filled in all elections he had participated in, especially those he filled before 2015 elections to unearth other inconsistences therein. In a normal clime, electoral umpire would have set in motion verification modalities to avoid further national embarrassment and expose Mr President.

"Come to think of it, a leader that does not know his real age, could not be said, to have sound knowledge of the people and country he governs, let alone knowing the peculiarities of the governed. This is simply not the kind of president Nigeria needs at the moment”

"Not too long ago, Nigeria became laughing stock with the inappropriate designation of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel as President of West Germany by President Buhari.

"We recall President Buhari once admitted that his age would slow down his performance in office. For a country that could fall into emergency situation anytime, like the present government-failing induced fuel scarcity, we don't need a president that forgets things easily”

"We advise Mr. President to consider turning in his resignation letter to avoid further slowing down the country because of his age, and to also safe our corporate image as a country that had a Presidential with “occasional memory failure."

Buhari Felicitates with Dogara at 50

PRESIDENT BUHARI FELICITATES WITH YAKUBU DOGARA AT 50

On behalf of the Federal Executive Council and all Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari warmly felicitates with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, as he turns 50 years.

President Buhari joins the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association, friends and family of the erudite and charismatic leader in celebrating the years of remarkable achievements and awards that have culminated into this golden jubilee.

The President extols Dogara’s humility, simplicity and discipline in providing exceptional leadership for the lower house for over two years by diligently bridging the gaps and creating a harmonious atmosphere for debates and exchange of ideas for national development.

President Buhari affirms that the Speaker’s personal attributes of selflessness, maturity and friendliness have substantially eased the relationship between the Executive and the Legislative arm, resulting in the passage of bills that directly impact the livelihood of Nigerians.

Recalling his personal interactions with the Speaker, and having followed his political trajectory in the House of Representatives, President Buhari believes Nigeria’s future can only be secured with great leadership by younger Nigerians, who are fired with the zeal to build one great nation that everyone can call a home.

President Buhari prays that the almighty God will grant the Speaker longer life, good health and wisdom to serve the country and humanity.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media& Publicity)
December 26th, 2017

Good Success - Copeland

Good Success
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt...have good success.
– Joshua 1:8

Good success is a way of life that comes from being established in the Word of God. It comes from spending so much of your time and your thought life on the Word that it becomes what you and I could call "second nature." It comes from hearing and obeying the Word so consistently that it begins to guide your actions even when you're not consciously thinking about it.

When I started flying airplanes, I learned to train myself by getting the handbook for a certain airplane and reading it over and over again. In my mind's eye, I'd visualize everything that could occur in that airplane. I trained myself by meditating on what I needed to do.

And that's exactly what I started doing with the Word of God. I thought about it day and night. Before long, I started getting excited about what I was reading.

I'd sit at home and think about how I'd apply the Word in different situations. I'd see myself praying for the sick and having them recover. The Word became "second nature" to me.

Practice meditating on the Word that way. Let it become part of you. See yourself obeying it in every possible circumstance. It will guarantee you "good success."

Kenneth Copeland

Scripture Reading: Psalm 1
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

A Time to Forget - Copeland

A Time to Forget
Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him...Until seventy times seven.
– Matthew 18:21-22

Remember when...? That's a question we hear a lot this time of year. Reminiscing with family and friends, we browse through Christmases gone by, enjoying the memories until inevitably, we stumble across the memories we would rather forget.

Suddenly, the pain comes rushing back. The sting of a parent's criticism, the broken promise of a friend, the rejections, the disappointments, the heartaches....

What should we do with memories like that? Do we have to drag them along, like so much baggage, from year to year?

No. We can leave them behind. In fact, we must leave them behind. And there's only one way to do it—through forgiveness.

Forgiving someone sounds like a simple thing to do. Yet few of us actually do it. We treat forgiveness as if it were one of life's additional options, something we can take or leave alone. But it's not. It's a basic requirement for every believer. In fact, as far as God is concerned, unforgiveness is wickedness. And in Matthew 18, Jesus tells a parable that illustrates the terrible consequences of it. The parable involves a servant who owed his lord a debt equivalent to millions of dollars. When the debt came due, he pleaded with his master, "Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all" (verse 26). His master was so moved that he canceled the entire debt!

Soon after, that same servant sought out a man who owed him $15. Finding him unable to pay, he ignored the man's pleas for mercy and had him cast into prison.

When his lord heard about it, he was incensed. He called him a wicked servant and delivered him to the tormentors until he paid all that was due.

Look again at the size of that unforgiven debt. Fifteen dollars. The little debts are the ones that most often trip us up. The petty resentments between husband and wife, between brother and sister. Tiny bits of unforgiveness that seem too insignificant to bother with. Beware. Those are the kinds of debts Satan uses to torment you.

After all, Jesus paid off a mountain of debts for you. You can afford to be generous about the nickel and dime debts of others.

Spend time with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to reveal the unforgiveness in you. Then repent and release it. Make this Christmas more than just a time for remembering. Make it a time to forget.

Kenneth Copeland

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-35
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Fuel Crisis or Leadership Crisis - Adamu

Fuel Crisis or Leadership Crisis?

By Dr. Ahmed Adamu

A leader is someone who looks into the future, and anticipates what challenges and promises the future holds, and prepares and leads people to it. A leader should not have to wait until problem arrives, he should prepare defensive mechanisms to avoid it in the beginning. It is easier to avoid problem than to fix it. Making reference to the ongoing fuel crisis in Nigeria, I would like to pay tribute to Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua for being a role model leader. When he was on power, he anticipated fuel crisis ahead before anyone realises it, and he created defence mechanisms, he leased filling stations from private owners to ensure adequate outlets, he increased petroleum supply, and reduced the price of petroleum products. President Yar’adua reduced petrol price to N65 per litre, and at that time, international crude oil price was $65 per barrel, and as I write this article today, the international crude oil price is also $65 per barrel, but now petrol price is N145 and above per litre. There has to be a magic done by President Yar’adua to keep petrol price at N65 when crude oil price was equally $65 per barrel.

I felt disheartened with what is happening today. Seeing long queues on filling stations at this demand peak period is sympathetic and disappointing. What is more disappointing is the exploited price charged on poor consumers. At a time when real poverty is pervasive, and life is becoming more expensive, petrol price keep increasing as a result inflation and poor price control. Someone reported on Facebook buying petrol at a price more than N170 per litre, and this continues without adequate check. People now postpone economic activities and travels due to fuel crisis, which ruins the economy more. The torture and suffering people undergo is just beyond illustration, the depression lingers.

Nigerians deserve fuel subsidy; the way fuel subsidy was blackmailed and rashly executed gave no room to look at it from holistic point of view, rather than from narrowed and sentimental lens. A forensic petroleum consumption study was supposed to be conducted to identify actual consumption by Nigerians, and then identify the actual consumption by social classes, so that a targeted petroleum subsidy can be implemented. Targeted subsidy is the subsidy that targets the vulnerable, where a poor man can enjoy subsidy as a social investment. Instead of giving cash or food incentives to the poor, creating easy and cheap life for them is more important. Giving a poor person N5000 in an economy where inflation is 15.90% and fuel price is at least 49% higher is just like a single drop of water in a desert. Though social investment is good, but it can only be impactful given a conducive economic atmosphere.

Another option is subsidy quota, where every private petroleum consumer will be licensed and given a unique identification number (let us say like the BVN) with which every consumer can claim up to 70 litres (for car users) per month as subsidy, but the subsidised consumption can only be claimed on the registered vehicle and after biometric identification. For motorcycle users, a maximum of 20 litres per motorcycle can be allocated per month. Any consumption on those vehicles above these quotas will not be subsidised. Any other unnecessary demand will be at the consumer’s costs. What if someone used the other person’s allocation, for example, if I give someone my own subsidy allocation? Someone might ask. That is fine, as long as you agreed to a term to give someone your own subsidised product, and if that happened, two economic benefits have taken place. This subsidy quota will give authorities an idea how much to spend every month constantly for subsidy. The rate of subsidy can also fluctuate based on the government economic condition.


In leadership, a leader cannot use challenges as excuse not to fix issues. A leader is meant to face challenges and fix it. A leader is supposed to give hope to his followers by his actions, not by words. When disaster befalls, it is already too late to seek sympathy with words. Being proactive to avoid a disaster is what will earn a leader trust and confidence, but being proactive only after a disaster has already consumed people is little too late to get sympathy. Work speaks louder than words.
It is good for a leader to trust other’s abilities and seek constructive feedbacks no matter how much it pains. No one is perfect, but deliberately seeking constructive criticism is what will make one a better leader. A blind, confused and ignorant follower is the one that sees constructive criticism as hatred, constructive criticism is love. A360 degree feedback should give a leader all round and sincere feedback on his performance.

A leader must surround himself with competence not acquaintance, and the easiest way to lose control and influence is loose competency for loyalty. Leadership is a serious business, more important than any other, and it is the business that requires competence more than anywhere. A leader must then draw himself closer to different opinions and experience. A leader must come down and see by himself what is going on at grassroots level, he should not rely on reports or friends’ reports. A leader must be energetic and active to follow things as they evolve especially critical issues that affect welfare and wellbeing of the people.

Finally, a political victory for followers is not just to have their candidates emerged, and wait for another election. Political victory is when you feel the impact and see a better change in your lives, if you can have a better life, it doesn’t matter whose candidate emerged. You may have a winning candidate, but if you are not making any progress, you have lost a political victory. It is a mere mislead to believe every rich person is corrupt and to think a political victory is when a well-to-do is made poor, a political victory is when poor is made to do well too.

Dr. Ahmed Adamu
Petroleum Economist and Development Expert,
First-Ever Global President of Commonwealth Youth Council,
University Lecturer (Economics),
(08034458189, 08188949144 ahmadadamu1@gmail.com)

https://ahmedadamu.blogspot.com.ng/2017/12/fuel-crisis-or-leadership-crisis.html?m=1

EPL: ALL RESULTS FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Arsenal 3 - 3 Liverpool

Everton 0 - 0 Chelsea

Manchester City 4 -0 AFC Bournemouth

Southampton 1 -1 Huddersfield Town

Stoke City 3 -1 West Brom

Swansea City 1 - 1 Crystal Palace

West Ham 2 - 3 Newcastle United

Burnley 0 - 3 Tottenham

Leicester City 2 -2 Manchester United

Buhari Gives Message of Hope at Christmas

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI’S 2017 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO THE NATION

Dear Compatriots,

I felicitate with all Nigerians, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, on the occasion of this year’s Christmas day celebration.

The commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ is an important opportunity for us to show love to one another and encourage unity by spending quality time with our friends, families and the less-privileged.

It is also an occasion to draw inspiration from the exemplary lifestyle and teachings of Jesus Christ, who constantly stood for what is right, true and honest.

The Holy Book describes Christmas as a festival of peace, joy, healing, hope and fulfilment. It kindles great expectations in the heart, irrespective of the challenges of the moment.

As we celebrate this Yuletide season, let us devote some time to pray and appreciate the sacrifices of members of our armed services to keep our nation safe and secure.

By the same token, and keeping with the spirit of the season, our gallant troops serving in the frontlines in the fight against insurgency; those wounded, lying in the hospital, as well as civilians who have suffered the brunt of evil and wicked elements these past years, deserve our fervent goodwill and sustained prayers.

The personal fortitude of these individuals will continue to inspire us to victory as we turn the tide against the enemy and annihilate those who work against the unity of our nation.  

In this season of hope, let us remember to provide refuge to those who cannot enjoy Christmas at home with their families, or have been driven from their homes by insurgency or violence, particularly the Internally Displaced Persons.

Lately, we have witnessed an upsurge in the activities of trans-border syndicates who lure our youths to modern slavery through irregular migration. While we have stepped up our efforts to halt this wickedness against the upwardly mobile generation, and have evacuated some of our compatriots stranded abroad, we appeal to them to shun the allure of embarking on such perilous journeys.

I am deeply convinced that better days lie ahead for us as a nation as we make progress on all the major fronts where we have set our energies to surmount the challenges.

I wish you all Happy Christmas celebrations.

Muhammadu Buhari

GOD'S GLORY HAS BEEN RESTORED TO YOU - Joseph Prince

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
John 17:22
- DECEMBER 23 -
GOD’S GLORY HAS BEEN RESTORED TO YOU
When God made man, the Bible says that God crowned him with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:5) The word “crowned” here means to encompass or to surround like a glorious circle. The glory of God was therefore man’s clothing. In other words, Adam’s whole being was gloriously radiant.

When man sinned against God, he forfeited the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) But when Jesus Christ was born, the glory of God came down. (Luke 2:9) And many years later, Jesus, before He died, said to His Father, “The glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.”

So the glory of God which man forfeited has now been restored to him because Jesus has come. When He died on the cross, He took our shame, gave us His righteousness and restored the glory of God to us.

But what exactly is the glory of God? Doxa, the Greek word for “glory” here, means having a good opinion concerning one that results in praise, honor and glory. This means that in restoring to us His glory, God wants us to have the sense that we are praiseworthy, honorable and glorious because of His constant good opinion of us!

Beloved, because God’s glory is on you, there is a weightiness about you. People don’t know why, but their spirits are lifted when they are in your presence. There is something about you that impacts them even if they have only been with you for a short while. When you talk, they listen because there is substance in what you say.

Also, because God’s glory is on you, you can expect it to touch every aspect of your life—your finances, relationships, work and health. Your body, for example, will glow with divine health.

So my friend, because Jesus has come and restored the glory of God to you, be conscious of God’s constant good opinion of you. Know that there is a weightiness about you and arise, shine!

 Joseph Prince Ministries

HOW TO HAVE DOMINION OVER DEATH - Copeland

Go When You're Ready
With long life will I satisfy [you], and show [you] my salvation.
– Psalm 91:16

Did you know that it's not God's will for you or anyone to die young? His will for you is to live the full number of your days. You ought to live 70 or 80 years, and if you are not satisfied, live awhile longer! The Bible says that when Abraham died, he died at a good old age, full of years. That's the way it ought to be with all of us.

Some believers don't realize that and they've gotten themselves in a mess. When they get sick, instead of just believing for healing, they start wondering if it's God's will for them to die. Maybe He's ready to call me home, they think.

Don't ever entertain thoughts like that. If God has His way, He won't call you home until you're good and ready to come. The Apostle Paul understood that. In 2 Timothy 4:6-7, he said, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Paul didn't die until he and Jesus were ready for him to go.

Regardless of your age, if the devil is telling you God isn't going to heal you because it's time for you to go home, he is lying to you. God promises in Psalm 91:16 that if you are living under the shadow of the Most High, He will satisfy you with long life. (That means that you are abiding in Him as Jesus taught in John 15.)

If you're not satisfied that you have finished your course yet on this earth, it's not time for you to die. So ignore the devil and keep right on living. Resist sickness and disease in the Name of Jesus. Stand on God's promise!

Then, when you're ready to go on to heaven, go! But go satisfied, healed and ready! Go in victory shouting the words of that old joy-filled song—"Heaven is near and I can't stay here. Goodbye world, goodbye."

Gloria Copeland

FUEL SCARCITY: Nigerians Languishing Under Buhari Rule - PDP

December 22, 2017



Press Statement



PDP Challenges President Buhari On Lingering Fuel Scarcity

…Says Nigerians Languishing Under His Rule



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari, as Minister of Petroleum Resources, to find a quick solution to the lingering fuel scarcity now ravaging all parts of the country.



The PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Friday insisted that it is not enough for the President to sit in his comfort zone and put the blames of the fuel scarcity at the doorsteps of marketers, while Nigerians continue to suffer untold hardship.



“The unbearable fuel situation in the country is completely unacceptable. Mr. President must become up and doing. He should not allow anybody to push him to claim that the issue of fuel scarcity is not under the purview of the Minister of Petroleum Resources. When he took office as President of Nigeria and also as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, he was aware that the buck stops at his table.



“Nigerians must not be made to suffer especially at this time of the year when we have the yuletide and New Year festivities, which come with a lot of activities.



“This is the same APC government that promised that it will make fuel available and affordable. Today, under their deceitful and corrupt watch, fuel has not only become extremely scarce, the price has also risen from where the PDP left it at N86.50k per liter to as high as N300 per liter and above.



“The effect is that transport fares, running costs, prices of food, medicines and other basic needs have soared beyond the reach of Nigerians, who are now groaning heavily under the hardship of APC misrule.



“But should Nigerians be subjected to this type of anguish and pain after supporting APC to win election in 2015? Does APC indeed deserve another support in 2019?”



“Whereas we know that the time is already up for the APC, we nevertheless urge Mr. President to, within the remaining short time, rise up to his responsibilities as the minister of petroleum or immediately relinquish that position and allow a competent person to run the ministry. Enough is enough”, the party said.



The statement urged Nigerians not to despair but rekindle their hope in the future as the PDP is now repositioned to regain power in 2019 and return the nation to the path of good governance, social stability and economic growth, for which it is generally known.



Signed:



Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary

DON'T JUST SIT THERE...ARISE - Copeland

Don't Just Sit There...Arise!
Now four men who were lepers were at the entrance of the city's gate; and they said to one another, Why do we sit here until we die.... So they arose.
– 2 Kings 7:3-5, The Amplified Bible

No matter how bad the problem is you may be facing today, no matter how far under the circumstances you may be, in 24 hours you can be back on top!

"Oh, Brother Copeland, that would be impossible!"

That's what the Samaritans thought in 2 Kings 7. Their land was being ravaged by famine. Enemy troops had surrounded them and cut off all source of supply. Mothers were eating their own children just to survive.

But right in the middle of that, the Lord told the prophet Elisha that in 24 hours the whole situation would change. Flour and barley would sell for just a few pennies and there would be abundance for all.

What did God use to turn that situation around?

Four lepers! Four lepers who, instead of sitting around feeling sorry for themselves and waiting to die, decided to arise and take their chances in the enemy camp. When they got there, they found it abandoned. All the warriors had been frightened away by the angels of God, and they'd left enough food behind to feed all of Samaria!

Sometimes you and I are like the officials in that story. We get problem centered instead of Word-of-God centered. We let ourselves be so surrounded with the loud voice of the world that the vision of our victory is pushed out of sight.

When that happens, faith and power begin to subside and life caves in on us from every side.

If that's happened to you, stop crying about it. Stop looking at your problem and feeling sorry for yourself. That won't change anything!

Just like He did for Elisha, God's given you a word. He's promised you victory. He's promised to make you an overcomer.

So don't just sit there till you die. Don't accept defeat. Rise up in faith. Stand up on God's Word and fight for your life. Get mad at Satan. Cast him out. Get mad at that sickness. Get angry with poverty and start giving.

Rise up and receive the deliverance of the Lord!

Kenneth Copeland

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 6:24-33, 7:1-20
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

ABUNDANCE THROUGH JESUS' POVERTY -Joseph Prince

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9
- DECEMBER 22 -
ABUNDANCE THROUGH JESUS’ POVERTY
When we think of God, we think of the most powerful and richest being in the whole universe. But do you know that our Lord Jesus was actually born into a poor family? We know this from the offering His mother Mary brought to the temple after Jesus was born, according to the Law for purification. (Luke 2:22–24) She brought a pair of turtledoves or young pigeons, which was the only type of offering the poor could afford. (Leviticus 12:2, 8)

But with Jesus in their lives, Mary and her husband Joseph didn’t remain poor. Wise men came to Jesus with treasures—“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)

Jesus’ presence brought gold, frankincense and myrrh—two of the most expensive spices—to His family. The wise men must have come with quite an entourage for the Bible records how all Jerusalem was fearful when the wise men came to the city. (Matthew 2:3) Can you imagine the amount of gold, frankincense and myrrh which accompanied that entourage, and which was given to Jesus’ parents?

My friend, the moment you are born again, you have Jesus in your life. And when you have Him in your life, get ready for His abundant supply to come your way! But don’t look for the blessings, look to Jesus—He is the power to get wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:18) The presence of the Son of the living God in your life attracts good things. Because of His grace toward us, Jesus, though He was rich, was made poor at the cross for your sake so that “you through His poverty might become rich”.

Beloved, when you have Jesus in your life and when you know that He has paid the price for your abundance, you can boldly declare, “Jesus was made poor at the cross for my sake so that through His poverty, I am made rich in all things!”

 Joseph Prince Ministries

STICK TO YOUR CALLING - Copeland

Stick to Your Calling
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God.... who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
– 2 Timothy 1:6-9

Are you doing what God called you to do?

If you haven't ever thought about it before, that may sound like an odd question to you. You may be tempted to shrug it off and say, "Oh, I'm not really called to do anything. I'm not a pastor or a teacher or a minister of any kind...I guess I'm just what you might call a little finger on the Body of Christ."

Let me tell you something: No matter who you are, God has put a holy calling in you. He's designed you and called you to meet a need in the Body of Christ that nobody else can meet quite like you can.

You may be called to be so successful in business you can finance the gospel worldwide. You may be called to a ministry of prayer and intercession. You may be called to a ministry of healing right there in your own neighborhood. But no matter what that calling is, it's important and you need to follow it!

If you're like many believers I know, you may have let your life become so overgrown with other things that you just don't have time to pursue your calling. You may be so overwhelmed with the cares of life that you can't imagine how you can fit in anything else.

Over the years, a pastor friend of mine got involved in so many different areas of ministry that he was about to fold up physically under the strain of it. The overload was actually about to kill him. Finally, the Lord spoke to him one night and said, John, it's not your calling that's nearly killed you. It's everything else you've added to it.

I've had to deal with that in my own life. I've had to quit doing things just because they need doing. I've had to discipline myself to sticking to what I'm called to do.

Make up your mind to prayerfully trim away the extra things you've added to your life. Stir up the gift God has placed inside you. Get back to what He has called you to do.

After all, that calling is vital. It's holy...and it's yours. Don't ever let it slip away from you.

Kenneth Copeland

Fix Your Eyes on God's Words - Joseph Prince

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
- DECEMBER 21 -
FIX YOUR EYES ON GOD’S UNSHAKABLE WORD
People of the world feel helpless as the systems of the world go up and down. They turn on the television and they hear, “This war will plunge the world into a recession.” They open the newspapers and they read that “Unemployment is at an all-time high”.

Beloved, God does not want you to feel helpless because you are not of the world. (John 17:16) You are of God and therefore need not be subject to the world’s systems. Whatever the world’s situation is, fear not because “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

Notice that Philippians 4:19 says that “God shall supply all your need”. It does not say that God may supply some of your needs. It also says that God will do it “according to His riches”. It is not out of His riches. If a millionaire gives you a hundred dollars, it is out of his riches. But if he gives to you according to his riches, it means that he is lining up his millions for you!

Lastly, the verse says that God does it “according to His riches in glory”. It is not according to the riches of your company or how well the economy is doing. No, it is according to God’s riches in glory!

So how do you stop yourself from feeling helpless in uncertain times? The same way I stopped myself from getting seasick when I was on board a navy ship for the first time during my National Service stint. A senior naval officer had advised me, “Don’t look at the waves around you. Look at the horizon far away. Look at that stable, stationary line and you will feel better.” When I fixed my eyes on that unshakable, unwavering line, even though the ship bobbed up and down in the rough sea, I did not feel so seasick anymore.

My friend, don’t look at your circumstances or the bad things that are happening in the world because you will get “earth-sick”. Instead, look at the unshakable, eternal Word of God. Your heart will become stable and you will see your God supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!

 Joseph Prince Ministries

My Arrest Illegal - Innoson CEO tells EFCC

Press Release: Innoson thanks  Nigerians

May I use this opportunity to express my gratitude to fellow countrymen who stood by me in this period of my Illegal arrest by EFCC.

Firstly, I want to thank Mr President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his believe in the rule of law. I thank also the various State Governors who condemned my illegal arrest and fought to see my release.

I also thank the distinguished members of the National Assembly for their support in voicing out my illegal arrest, the traditional rulers across the divide from the North to the South, your support and contribution to my release is well noted. Thank you.

To all the Media organizations, various human rights groups, the youths, the #FreeInnoson social media crusaders and everybody who gave a voice to condemn my illegal arrest, thank you all.

I still maintain that my arrest was illegal, as there was never a period that EFCC under the leadership of Ibrahim Magu invited me for any reason. In due time, I will tell Nigerians the whole truth about this matter. I intend to work faithfully with the EFCC on this alleged investigation so as to clear my name which has been badly damaged, and I will follow up this so called investigation to its logical conclusion.

Once again, thank you my fellow Nigerians, with this high level of support and love showered on me during this period of my travail, I reiterate my strong resolve on the robust industrialization project of our dear nation, which will make her truly great again. I thank you all once more for your support.

Chief Dr Innocent Chukwuma OFR
Chairman/CEO
Innoson Group

HIJAB: Arrest Salihu Shehu Now - YouthCAN tells DSS

Law school Hijab controversy: Arrest Professor shehu now - YOWICAN tells DSS http://dankwadas.blogspot.com/2017/12/law-school-hijab-controversy-arrest.html

Law school Hijab controversy: Arrest Professor shehu now - YOWICAN tells DSS

December 20, 2017

The last may not have been hard on the controversy surrounding the Nigerian law school hijab of Ms Abdulsalam Fiedaos Amosa, as it has taking another dangerous dimension with the Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria ( YOWICAN) asking the Director- General of Department of Security Service (DSS) to arrest professor  Salihu Shehu , the deputy secretary of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs over his abusive comments  on Christians.

In press statement issued after an emergency meeting of the north east leadership of the group and signed by the national president of the Christians Youth wing group, Engr. Daniel Kadzai, condemned in totality the statement credited to professor shehu, discribing it as not only troubling but an inciting comments Christians , but an inciting one by  tagging Christians as militia group.

" we are stating here without fear of intimidation, harassment by any body or agency that if within seven days security agents charged with the constitutional responsibility of maintaining law and order fails to take action on the abusive comments of professor Shehu on Christians in Nigeria, we will react by issuing the same comments that may not be good for the peace of this country. Nobody has the monopoly of abusing another religion, without reply in a more poisonous words," he stated.

Part of prof Shehu statement reads: " The NSCIA demands that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Justice, call the Council for Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School to order so that they will not stoke religious crisis in the country. Our Council patiently waits for what the Ministry will do as it puts other options on the table including litigation and nation-wide protests."

" Those who think they can ride roughshod on the rights of Muslims just because their co-Christian colonialists did it successfully will have to wake up and realise that Muslims are equal stakeholders in this country." It beggars belief that the Islamophobic posturing of the Nigerian Christian establishment is legendary even if this dates back to the Christian colonial past and its vestiges. The hatred for Muslims and Islam appears to be a virulent cancer that has spread across the body of those who use religion to oppress and deprive others of their religious rights."

 "The mosques in the South are being demolished within and outside institutions of higher learning while Muslim minorities in the North like those of Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State (just because the name will ring a bell) are banished from their communities by Christian militias. Court of Appeal granted the rights of Muslim students to build a mosque in the River State University of Science and Technilogy (RSUST) but they are denied till today while the vibrant Press remain silent."

The Christians group pointed out that prof Shehu only hide under the law school incident to attack Christian religion, noting that since the school is not a Christians institution , there is nothing to link Christians to the issue.

"Let me re-quote the words of former American president Barak Obama who said that "All terrorists are Muslims,but not all Muslims are terrorists,". " prof Shehu should tell Nigerians whether Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen are Christians terror group or Muslims, since he called Christians as militias,"? He stated.

" The Nigerian law school code of conduct rule 29(a) provides the dressing code for its students, so if the dressing code did not conform with Ms Amosa's religious belief she has the right to opt out of the school or use her legal knowledge to fight her case in court instead of hiding under religion to blackmail the school authority ," he said.

"  The question is those other Muslims female law graduates are not true Muslims? , will Amosa refuse to wear trouser in NYSC camp, in the name of her religion, ? .If she is a good Muslim as she claim she can abandon law school and go into other ventures that cannot affect her religious belief,"he maintained.

"For peace and harmony of the country to continue, especially as we are approaching electioneering period, we urged the Director- General of DSS to take quick action , on Prof. Shehu to avoid our reaction to his abusive comments on Christians." He maintained.

PDP Speaks on the Purported New Faction

PDP Speaks on the purported new Faction
December 20, 2017

PDP Remains United

The PDP is completely unperturbed by the comical act of some individuals who make outlandish claims in the media regarding our party

The fact is that we are happy with the efforts of the Governor Seriake Dickson-led Reconciliation Committee as well as the responses from all the respectable and responsible leaders of our party in that regard.

We will however not be responsible or respond to any person or groups of individuals who decide to allow themselves to be used by forces from another political party in a laughable and childish attempt to distract us

The PDP under the Prince Uche Secondus-led national leadership will continue to focus on repositioning our great party to be the formidable opposition that will guarantee checks and balances in our polity and ultimately regain power in 2019.

-          Kola Ologbondinyan
National Publicity Secretary

Why EFCC Arrests Me - Innocent Chukwuma

Press Release

Re: EFCC ARRESTS INNOCENT CHUKWUMA (INNOSON)
Our attention has been drawn to the Official Statement with the above caption released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, stating the reason Dr Innocent Chukwuma was arrested by the Commission.

According to the statement published on EFCC’s official website, Dr Innocent Chukwuma’s arrest “followed his refusal to honour invitation by the Commission having earlier jumped an administrative bail granted him in a case being investigated by the Capital Market and Insurance Fraud Unit of the Commission’s Lagos office.”

The statement went further to claim that Dr Chukwuma rather than honouring invitation by the EFCC, “mobilized six truckloads of thugs pretending to be staff of his company tohis residence, where they manhandled EFCC operatives”.

In as much that we would not want to join words with EFCC, but because their Official Statement has been widely circulated among many News media including various online blogs and social media platforms, we would for record purposes state the facts on the alleged invitation as well what happened in his residence during his arrest yesterday.

1. We wish to deny EFFC’s claim categorically that Dr Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson) was invited by the Commission or was there any time or that he jumped an administrative bail granted by the EFCC. Dr Chukwuma (OFR) is a law abiding citizen, a public figure and a well-known industrialist of international repute. It is not possible he would be invited by the EFCC and he would ignore or refuse to honour the invitation.

2. Dr Chukwuma has never had any issue or query from the EFCC recently. The last issue he had with EFCC was an invitation extended to him in 2012 based on a complaint against him by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), which he duly honoured

3. Upon the completion of investigation, EFCC requested him through a letter to pay some money to GTB saying that the money is what Innoson owes GTB after deducting excess charge of about N560M which GTB illegally and unlawfully took from their account. Innoson rejected the demand maintaining that it was GTB that was owing it and that GTB is to pay interest on the excess and unlawful charges. This resulted in a stalemate between Innoson and EFCC. Consequently, Innoson commenced a lawsuit against GTB at Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/AWK/139/2012 at Federal High Court Awka division and thereat got a judgment in its favour in the sum of N4.7B against GTB.

4. As a consequence of the above, EFCC filed a charge against him at the Lagos High Court. The Charge was subsequently struck out after EFCC filled a notice of discountenance. However Dr Innocent Chukwuma and Innoson Nigeria Ltd appealed against the order striking out the case on the basis that it ought to be dismissed and not struck out. The appeal- appeal no: CA/I/1330Cm/2017 till date is still pending at the court of Appeal Lagos State. Since then EFCC has never invited Dr Chukwuma again

5. We challenge EFCC to show proof and evidence of EFCC invitation extended to Dr Chukwuma; the various dates of the invitation and the letter of invitation extended to him. We further challenge EFCC to also show proof of how and when did Dr Chukwuma jump an administrative bail granted to h

6. EFCC also claimed that Dr Chukwuma is being investigated by the Capital Market and Insurance Fraud Unit of the Commission’s Lagos office. We equally challenge EFCC to show proof of this investigation: On whose petition is this investigation being carried out and proof of any letter on this investigation ever written to Innoson from this unit stating also the month and year

7. The Commission is being economical with the truth by stating that Dr Chukwuma “mobilized six truckloads of thugs pretending to be staff of his company to his residence, where they manhandled EFCC operatives”. The truth available at our disposal is that some factory workers on hearing their boss was being arrested,  mobilized themselves to his residence to protest what they said was an illegal arrest. However the EFCC operatives together with the Police team fired tear gas and dispersed them. We have pictures to back up our claim. At no point did these factory workers manhandle the armed EFCC and Police officials at his residence. This is pure falsehood aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Dr Innocent Chukwuma (OFR).

8. EFCC as a law abiding organization and a strong advocate of rule of law as constantly shown and practiced by its Head led by Ibrahim Magu should allow the court processes to reach its logical conclusion. Dr Chukwuma’s case against GTB is already at the Supreme Court. We have absolute faith the Nigeria Judiciary. They should be allowed to adjudicate over this matter without undue interference from any quarters.

For Innoson Group:

Cornel Osigwe

Head Corporate Communications.

$1bn ECA: Bayelsa Governor Makes a Demand!

DEDUCT 13 PERCENT DERIVATION FROM $1BN ECA FUND AND SEND TO OIL PRODUCING STATES - BAYELSA GOVT TELLS FG

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Honorable Henry Seriake Dickson, has demanded that the 13 percent Derivation component of the one billion Dollars  Excess Crude Account funds to be withdrawn for national security be deducted and sent to the various oil producing states.

The Governor stressed that releasing the 13 percent derivation of the funds to the producing states was important to prevent subjecting them to making double contributions to the security funds.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, on Wednesday, Governor Dickson posited that the implication of the withdrawal inclusive of the 13 percent, was that the oil producing states would be making double contributions to the security funds.

He stressed that the oil producing states would be contributing not only their statutory allocations like other states, but also their 13 percent derivation fund
constitutionally designed to address special circumstances including security, occasioned by the hazards of oil production.

The Governor stated further that he had discussed the issue with the Vice President in his capacity as Chairman of the National Economic Council and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.

Dickson noted that while Bayelsa was not against the withdrawal of the funds to enhance national security, the utilization of the funds involving the armed forces, intelligence services and police must cover every part of the country.

The Governor said, “Our position generally has been that leaders should collaborate on issues of national security and the economy. On these matters, there should be no partisanship or showmanship because these issues touch on the core of our nation and the individual wellbeing of everybody.

“Secondly, as it has been done before, Bayelsa has no opposition to the withdrawal of money for national security expenditure targeted at improving the capacity of our military and security agencies to protect the territorial integrity of the country and all Nigerians.

“Our position is that the 13 percent derivation element be deducted and sent to the states. Not do do so means that the oil producing states would be contributing from both ends: we will be contributing our statutory allocations like every other state, and then the 13 percent derivation which is meant to address special circumstances as oil producing states, including security challenges.

The Bayelsa Governor further demanded that a committee of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum be set up to interface with the Chairman of the National Economic Council and leadership of the national security agencies to receive briefings on the details of items to be procured.

According to him, it is necessary for the committee to be briefed on the modalities of the procurement to allay concerns already expressed by a cross segment of the populace.

Dickson said that Bayelsa like other states, would be interested in knowing what component of these security procurements would directly benefit the security architecture in Bayelsa.

“That a committee of the Governors’ Forum be set up forthwith to liaise with the Vice President as Chairman of the National Economic Council, and heads of the national security agencies to receive briefings on details of the proposed procurements in order to allay the concerns being expressed segments of our population. We would like to know specifically what aspects of these investments are coming to Bayelsa,’’ he added.

Your Next Stop is a Place of Abundance - Joseph Prince

…we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
Psalm 66:12
- DECEMBER 20 -
YOUR NEXT STOP IS A PLACE OF ABUNDANCE!
Are you in a situation where people are stepping all over you and they seem to have the upper hand? You feel as if the challenge you are facing is so big that you are going through fire. And you are so overwhelmed by everything that is happening around you that you feel as if you are drowning.

My friend, I want you to know that your heavenly Father hears your cry for help and He will rescue you. The psalmist says that “we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment”. If you have been through the fire and water, then your next stop is a place of rich fulfillment or abundance!

This place of abundance was indeed the next stop for a church member who had suddenly found himself facing allegations involving some money laundering activities within the bank where he was one of the top executives. Investigations later exonerated him, but because of the bad vibes caused by the incident, he was asked to resign.

He was then aged 52. Friends told him to retire and relax, but retirement was far from his mind. This brother believed that if God had allowed this to happen, it must be that He was leading him to a better place, one of rich fulfillment. And indeed, soon after this difficult experience, one of the top banks offered him a handsome salary to join them in one of their top positions.

A few years later, at age 56, he was headhunted by one of the biggest public-listed companies to start a new division. He accepted the offer and was paid double what he had been earning.

Beloved, your heavenly Father does not lie when He tells you that He will bring you out to rich fulfillment if you are going through a difficult time. Trust Him and you will find yourself stepping into your place of abundance!

 Joseph Prince Ministries

A Little Bit of Heaven on Earth - Copeland

A Little Bit of Heaven on Earth
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another...even as Christ forgave you.
– Colossians 3:12-13

Living in a home filled with the love and the peace of God Himself is almost like living in heaven right here on earth. We all know that's true. And we long to live in such a home. Yet, time and time again, we shortchange our families. We spend our kindest words and our most winning smiles on those beyond our front door.

Have you ever wondered why?

The answer is simpler than you might suspect. Spiritually speaking, your family is under attack. You see, it is not only one of your most precious gifts, when it's operating in harmony, it's one of your most powerful resources. Satan knows that even if you don't—and he's out to destroy it.

His battle plan is simple. He will do everything he can to create strife in your home. He'll stir up feelings of self-pity and jealousy. He'll encourage you to nurse resentments and harbor bitterness. And through it all, his purpose remains the same: to divide and destroy your home.

When God's people get in harmony with each other, miracles start to happen. Their agreement creates an atmosphere in which God's supernatural, miracle-working power is free to flow! So Satan is constantly tempting us to spoil that atmosphere, to foul things up by being at odds with each other. All too often we fall prey to his tactics simply because we don't realize just how dangerous strife really is. One close look at the Word of God will solve that problem, however. James 3:16 says, "Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

Don't open the door of your home to Satan by allowing your family the "luxury" of a few quarrels.

Stop the destruction before it starts. Anchor yourself to God's Word. Find out what He has to say about the power of agreement. Stop looking at your family from your own limited perspective and start seeing it as God sees it—as a powerhouse! That way you won't drift helplessly into an argument every time a gust of emotion blows through your home.

Determine right now not to let the devil have your family. Instead, pray for them, support them and love them. Bring them together, so you can all enjoy a little bit of heaven on earth.

Gloria Copeland

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12-25
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

DON'T SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST - Copeland

Don't Settle for Second Best
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
– James 1:2-3

I admit, it's tough to be enthusiastic about going through tests and trials. But can you get excited about being totally supplied in every way, in want of nothing? Well, according to the Word of God, if you'll use your trials to develop patience, you're going to be in precisely that position!

You see, patience doesn't mean what you thought it meant. It does not mean settling sweetly for second best. It does not mean standing meekly by while the devil romps all over you.

No, patience is a powerful word. The New Testament meaning of it as translated literally from the Greek is "to be consistently constant or to be the same way all the time, regardless of what happens."

To understand how much power is involved in that, you have to realize that it's one of the most outstanding attributes of God Himself. The Bible says He's the same yesterday, today and forever.

Think about that for a minute. The guy who absolutely cannot be changed by anyone or anything is an extremely powerful fellow, wouldn't you say? Obviously, God has that much power.

But you know what? You do too!

By the power of the Holy Ghost working within you, you can be the same every day no matter what happens. If you'll put your trust in the Word of God and let patience go to work, it won't matter what happens. You won't ever have to accept anything less than victory again.

Now that's something to get excited about.

Kenneth Copeland

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

MIRACLE? YOU ARE NEXT! - Joseph Prince

For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
Psalm 50:10
- DECEMBER 19 -
YOU ARE NEXT!
Suppose you have just heard of someone whose financial debts have been miraculously cleared. Or your elated friend has just told you that despite being an average student in school, he scored straight As in all his subjects. Perhaps on Sunday, you heard a newlywed couple share about how they won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Hawaii, or how a once-childless couple is now expecting their miracle child.

When you see or hear of others being blessed, do you ever wonder when it will be your turn? Or do you even find yourself saying, “Oh, he got blessed with the very thing that I have been praying for. There goes my blessing.”

Now, just because man’s economy operates on the principle of shortage, it does not mean that God operates in the same manner. So the next time somebody gets blessed, tell yourself, “I won’t be disheartened. I won’t be jealous. I am the next one to be blessed!”

Always remember that God does not have to bless anyone at your expense. Nor does He have to bless you at anyone’s expense. We don’t have to be jealous of each other. There is a portion that God gives to you which no man can touch because it has your name on it—“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven”. (John 3:27)

Our God is a rich God. He owns the whole universe. He has contacts and blessings you do not know of and which are reserved just for you! There is more than enough for everybody with plenty of leftovers. In fact, you will not be able to take it all because when the blessings start coming in, they will come in a net-breaking, boat-sinking style. You will have to call for your friends in the other boats to come and help you! (Luke 5:1–7) That is the kind of blessings that our God gives. So get ready for your blessings and overflowing abundance!

 Joseph Prince Ministries

President Buhari Extends Tenure of CDS, Service Chiefs

President Buhari Extends Tenure of CDS,  Service Chiefs

The President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, having carefully reviewed the on-going military operations across the nation and the efforts of the Chief of Defence staff and the Service chiefs in the counter insurgency operations in the North East coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region, has graciously approved the extension of tenure of service of  General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-EteIkwe Ibas, the Chief of Naval staff and Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, the Chief of Air staff.

This extension is pursuant of the powers conferred on the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised.

The Honourable Minister of Defence Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali therefore congratulate the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for earning the confidence of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria  leading to their extension of service.

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

Signed:
Colonel Tukur Gusau
Public Relations Officer to the Hon Minister of Defence
18 December 2017

PENGASSAN Suspends Nationwide Strike

SUSPENSION OF NATIONWIDE STRIKE

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN)  issued a seven (7) days ultimatum which expired on the the Sunday  17th December, 2017 with respect to  anti union posture of indigenous companies and marginal field operators including Neconde, which transferred employees at will and inconsiderably, sacked and intimidated union members. Despite all entreaties by the Association, the management of Neconde was recalcitrant and adamant.

As a matter of fact, the union directed its members across zones to embark on a nationwide strike.

Going by the aforementioned, the Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, engaged both the leadership of PENGASSAN and the Neconde management. The Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe kachikwu, representatives of the NNPC, and representatives of other government agencies were also in attendance.

Neconde management agreed to unconditionally recall the sacked staff and take steps to allow their employees to be members of the union.

It was also agreed at the meeting that the resolutions reached will be reviewed after three months to determine the adherence of Neconde management to the details of the resolution.

The meeting also resolved to address the anti-union posture of other indigenous companies and their abuse of court processes to stall the resolution of issues, including Specialty Drilling Fluid (SDF), CETCO, Century Energy, Oil Data Services, Frontier Oil, Universal Energy, Mobil Producing Nigeria and Fugro by the third week of January 2018, to avert a full blown industrial crisis and ensure that they abide by the Nigeria Constitution, extant labour laws and ILO conventions.

In view of the above and in the spirit of the yuletide, on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of PENGASSAN, the Central Working Committee (CWC) hereby suspends the nationwide strike with immediate effect and all members are to resume normal duties immediately.

We commend Nigerians for their understanding and continue to promise to act in morally justified way that will enhance dignity of labour and reduce unemployment in the country.

Long live PENGASSAN!

Long Live Nigeria!



Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa
General Secretary

Boko Haram Terrorists Attack UNWFP Team, Kill 4

Boko Haram kills 4, hijacks food trucks in Ngala




Boko Haram guerrillas hijack food trucks
Four persons were killed and food trucks hijacked when Boko Haram guerrillas attacked a United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) aid convoy in Ngala, Borno state at the weekend.

The attack was the latest in the region as the conflict with Boko Haram nears its ninth year.

“WFP can confirm that a convoy escorted by the Nigerian military including WFP-hired trucks was the subject of an attack by armed groups 35 km southwest of Ngala in Borno State on Saturday,” the spokeswoman Jane Howard said in an emailed statement on Sunday.

“Four people, including the driver of a WFP-hired truck and a driver’s assistant, were killed in the incident,” the statement said, adding that “WFP is working with the authorities to determine the whereabouts of the trucks.”

The spokeswoman declined to comment on whether the driver and assistant were WFP staff, or give details about the other two people killed.

The Nigerian military has not commented on this latest attack.

Last year, the United Nations suspended aid deliveries in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Borno, the epicentre of the conflict, after a humanitarian convoy was attacked, leaving two aid workers injured.

Last week, in a sign that some work still needs to be done to destroy Boko Haram, the Nigerian governors approved the release of $1 billion (751 million pounds) from the country’s excess oil account to the Federal government to help fight the Boko Haram insurgency.
NAN