BRIGHT BAYO OLADEJI'S BLOG: May 2018

Thursday 31 May 2018

NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN IS PDP INITIATIVE - PDP tells Buhari

PDP To Buhari: Not Too Young To Run is PDP Initiative

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lampoons President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for attempting to parade themselves as the architects of the ‘Not Too Young to Run Act, which was sponsored and pursued by the PDP members in the National Assembly and state houses of assembly.

President Buhari had no input whatsoever in the bill; never showed any support or enthusiasm towards the initiative but had no option than to perform a mandatory statutory duty of assenting to the bill, given that it had already passed through the constitutionally required approval of two-third of states in the federation.

This development is indeed a democratic victory for the Nigerian youths over forces, particularly, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that had hitherto disdained and disregarded them as lazy and inconsequential but had to succumbed to the dictates of the law and pressure by the youths and the PDP.

The party commends the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Tony Nwulu (PDP, Lagos) and the resilience of the Nigerians youths in getting the initiative through, in line with the vision of the PDP to allow younger Nigerians to actively participate in elective positions in governance at all levels.

In preparation for the passage of the bill, the PDP had since launched our ‘Generation Next Movement’, which has already put younger Nigerians at vantage positions to participate in elective positions ahead of the 2019 general elections.

In line with the ‘Generation Next Movement’, the rebranded PDP among other pro-youth incentives, has since approved certain critical clauses and waivers so that the young people will actively vie for positions in the 2019 general elections.

In line with our dream of providing enabling environment for youths participation in elections and governance, the PDP, after winning in 2019, will further lower the age qualification to entrench our vision that ‘whoever can vote can be voted for’, which is a global standard.

The PDP therefore urged the Nigerian youths to immediately take advantage of the Generation Next platform and incentives already established by the repositioned PDP and actively participate in the collective quest to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

YOU ARE A BLESSING GOING SOMEWHERE TO HAPPEN - Joseph Prince

Daily Grace Inspiration

Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you.
Deuteronomy 28:10

YOU ARE A BLESSING GOING SOMEWHERE TO HAPPEN
Today, we are called by the name of Christ—Christians. Therefore, the blessing of Deuteronomy 28:10, which says, “Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord” is no longer just a promise but reality!

The second part of the verse—“and they shall be afraid of you”—is also true for you. People will respect you. Your boss will favor you and even your competitors will esteem you highly. They know that there is something special about you because good things happen when you are around!

I experienced this blessing when I first started working. I worked in a small third-floor office which constantly smelled of salted fish because there was a salted fish stall on the ground floor. It was in that small, dingy office that I kept on confessing that I was blessed by the Lord, and I experienced divine favor with my clients. My boss could see that there was something different about me.

The company’s business flourished and before long, we moved out of that small office to a building which in the mid-eighties was considered an information technology hub. There, we occupied a couple of offices, and started specializing in computer software and courses. Soon, we occupied the entire floor! That was how much God was prospering us.

God was also blessing me tremendously. I was drawing a very good monthly income, enjoying the favor of my boss and was in his inner circle. A few years later, I decided to go into full-time ministry. When I broke the news to my boss, he cried. I never knew how much I meant to him until then. It was only then that I realized what a blessing I had been to him by the grace of God.

Beloved, because you are also called by the name of the Lord, wherever you go, you are a blessing. His blessing is on you. The people around you will look at you and know that you are a blessing going somewhere to happen!

NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY: Of Ramos and Karious

Nigerian Democracy - Ramos and Karius
A glimpse at Nigeria’s democracy gives the array of boom and doom. Looking through the phases of our national history, we must agree that there has been tussles, alignments and dis-alignments over who takes control and allocates national scarce resources. The question of who gets what; when and how remains turbulent national questions, yet unanswered. Nigeria gained her political independence from British rule since October 1, 1960, but the Nigerian people are currently being enslaved by their fellow countrymen. While assessing the most popular explanation of democracy – “government of the people, by the people, for the people” in the Nigerian context, democracy has been redefined. We live in the society where the minority continue to exercise their political and economic control over the majority. The wealth of the nation is in the hands of the few, our national wealth is in their hands and the proceeds in their potbelly.
Listing the incidences of Nigeria’s democratic woes is a waste of time. In fact, from first republic to the current fourth republic, the list is endless. Elections that has been held since 1999 to date were all marred by conflicts and irregularities. There has not been any record of a free, fair and credible election in Nigeria. The only election adjudged free and fair was nullified by the Niger-lord, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in 1993. This unthoughtful act led to democratic breakdown and social disequilibrium in the country, which we are yet to recover from. The quest for power at all cost have made so many Nigerian politicians subscribe to notorious means. There are no true political leaders in Nigeria, they are political entrepreneurs who are bent on robbing the social consciousness of the apolitical clay.
People mistake nationalists for people who fought for political freedom from colonial rule, but they are not. Nationalists are those who always put the nation’s interest first above any other (self, religion, and ethnic). There are no nationalists in Nigeria. Yes, none! That’s a pitiable. Nigerian political leaders are here to rob, steal and destroy. President Donald Trump’s “America First” is a display of commitment to Nationalism. Has any of our leaders mentioned Nigeria First? No, it is their interest first.
Democracy means freedom. Freedom is not in the Nigerian society; it has since been forgotten in the ocean of history. The word “freedom” is just an English word with dictionary meaning - to Nigerians. It is not operational. Not that it is not practicable but the political lords have made it too expensive to be practiced. In any case, when there is freedom, it is a freedom for political entrepreneurs to amass and siphon National wealth to their personal coffers. In other words, freedom of corruption, using political powers and might. That is what democracy means in Nigeria. Self-government is not for the general will. Though democratically elected, most Nigerian political leaders forced their ways by manipulating electoral processes.
Congratulations to Real Madrid on their European Champions League victory for the 13th time and 3rd consecutive time in a row. Since the game ended, there are two players that has been at the centre stage of discussion and analysis across the football world - Sergio Ramos and Loris Karius. Ramos, a Real Madrid Player, have continued to receive vituperations from many who thought his action that led to the removal of the Egyptian Football Magician – Mohammed Salah from the field of play before half time was inhumane. Ramos attitude could be likened to a Nigerian politician who would always hold the hands of citizens, stopping them from benefiting from the tenets of democracy. They would eventually take the plate away from them and keep them away from reclaiming their rights. In their imagination, Nigeria belongs to him, no other person must be allowed to rule.

What all Nigerians must know is that some people have turned Nigeria to their dynasty. They have established the hegemony and using every election to service their will. Both the people and resources of Nigeria are under their control. They have political power, as well as economic power. They do not allow equality and equity. Our Nigeria belongs to few of them. Should we allow them go with it? No, never! The level of consciousness must be revived.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is always there as the electoral gatekeeper. Just like Liverpool’s Karuis, INEC allows politicians to rig elections. They watch them while they score against the will of the people. It is tantamount to own goal and the masses are on the losing side, they rejoice after the end of every election but start crying after one year of election. This is so because, citizens do not carefully select political leaders.
There is a popular political philosophy going on in the country – “the stomach infrastructure.” This philosophy has been made to stay because of the poverty level and low level of political education of electorates. If the citizens are wise, they won’t keep taking the deceits of people who promised them tomorrow but have never fulfilled what they promised them yesterday. Every Nigerians must know that stomach infrastructure will not lead to national development, it will only, lead each beneficiary on a free trip to the toilet.
Nigerians must be wise to displace every Ramos serving as hindrance to our collective development. They must be sacked. The level of awareness must be raised. If Nigerians would have access to their rights, we will never achieve it through political apathy. Everyone must be involved to select a leader that would represent our common interest.
Non-Government Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Faith Based Organizations and other community stakeholders must be committed to voter’s education, especially by designing orientation programmes with special focus on women. Women participates more in voting process but they do not know who to vote and why they are voting. Mostly, women and other people goes to the polling unit to cast the dice aimlessly. We have come to a point where we must recognize that we have all committed a national mistake by allowing unworthy individuals to occupy honourable positions, over the years. As citizens, we must retain the right to determine – what, where, whom and how? Decision to vote for a candidate must be based on assessment of candidate. With strong determination, political and economic powers can return to the masses – the ideal owners. Equal distribution of societal wealth is possible, citizens only need to stay awake and join the process. Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria.

OjoOluwa Ibiloye, a Political Analyst writes from Abuja

LIVE IN POWER - Copeland

Live in Power
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
– Romans 6:4

As a believer, you actually have residing in you the same new life God gave Jesus when He raised Him from the dead. The old sinner you once were has died. You’ve become a new creation on the inside.

You are full of the resurrection life of God!

But sin, disobedience and living a selfish, carnal life will keep that resurrection life from flowing out. Sin will separate you from the power of God, even though you’re born again. Resurrection life will lay dormant in you if you walk in sin.

You can’t overcome sin by trying to stop sinning, however. You overcome it by walking after the new life God has put within you, by spending time in the Word and in prayer. As you do that, the Spirit of God will strengthen you and enable you to put that sin under your feet.

Remember, though, the Holy Spirit will not subdue those old fleshly habits of yours on His own. He’ll wait on you to take the initiative. Then He will strengthen you to follow through with your decision. He will teach you how to walk in the new life that is on the inside of you.

Take the first step today by asking for His help. Say, “Lord, I desire to experience the power to live by this new life every day. By a decision of my heart, I put down the dictates of sin. I declare myself dead to sin. In Jesus’ Name, I will spend time in prayer and in the Word today. As I do, I believe I’ll receive a Holy Ghost refreshing in my life. I believe I’ll begin to live out the resurrection power that You’ve placed in me!”

Gloria Copeland

Scripture Reading: Romans 7:1-6
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

JESUS ALWAYS HAVE TIME FOR YOU - Joseph Prince

Daily Grace Inspiration

“I am…the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8

JESUS ALWAYS HAS TIME FOR YOU
Ever been too busy to get something done, and then find out that it’s too late when you finally get down to it? As human beings, we live our lives constrained by time. But Jesus, the one who created time, is not time-bound. He always has time for each one of us!Even in His earthly ministry, in His limited form as Man, He always had time to minister to people. Consider a typical day in His ministry: When a severely demon-possessed man cried out from the tombs of a distant region, He had time to sail all the way from Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes to save that lonely, tormented man. On the way there, He had time to respond to the cries of His disciples when a fierce storm arose. He awoke from a much-deserved sleep and calmed the storm for them.After He saved the demonized man and returned to Galilee, another man, Jairus, came to him for help. Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter was dying and he begged Jesus to come to his house to heal her. Jesus agreed—He had time. But on His way there, a woman with a 12-year bleeding condition secretly touched the hem of His garment and received her healing. Though Jairus’ daughter was in the throes of death, Jesus had time to find out who had touched Him, just so that He could minister to that person.While Jesus was ministering to the woman, He received a death report concerning Jairus’ daughter. Now, in the natural, Jesus was “too late”. Yet, He did not consider it a waste of time to encourage Jairus, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” (Luke 8:49–50) He wasn’t troubled or harried. He took time to go to Jairus’ house and He raised the little damsel from the dead.My friend, this same loving Jesus always has time for you, His beloved. He hears your cries, cares about the little and big things that bother you, and will come and save you. Even when He is “busy”, He has time to stop and minister to you. Even when it seems “too late”, He will still see to it that you get your miracle!

Wednesday 30 May 2018

Ex-Governor Sentenced to 14 Years Imprisonment for Corruption

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has sentenced a former Taraba State governor, Jolly Nyame, to 14 years in prison without an option of fine.

Mr Nyame was found guilty of 27 out of 41 counts of alleged diversion of public funds while he served as governor of Taraba State.

He was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly diverting N1.64 billion while he served as governor between 1999 to 2007.

The judge sentenced the defendant to four different terms in prison, after finding him guilty of receiving gratification, obtaining public funds without due consideration, criminal breach of trust and gratification.

The various sentences include a time of prison for two, five, seven and 14 years respectively.

The judge Adebukola Banjoko however noted that the terms are expected to run concurrently, meaning he would serve 14 years in jail unless the conviction is upturned by a higher court.

In the lengthy judgement that lasted over four hours, the judge narrated how several witnesses brought to court by both parties corroborated the allegation of fraud against the defendant.

The EFCC presented various witnesses who alluded to the fact that Mr Nyame approved the diversion of various funds amounting to over N345 million to a company, Saman global, within five weeks in 2005, among other allegations.

Despite claims by Mr Nyame that he never knew the said company, the court found him guilty of breaching public trust after noting that the ex-governor confirmed approving the memo wherein the order for the transfer of the funds was made.

Buhari Lies on Democracy Day - Reno Omokri

BUHARI DEMOCRACY DAY LIES - RENO OMOKRI

I just watched President Buhari’s Democracy Day Speech and I am stunned at the level of lies contained in just one speech. Quite possibly Buhari just broke the Guiness World Record @GWR on most lied in a speech. I will now enumerate his lies one by one #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

1-Buhari lied by claiming to increase foreign reserves.PMB met a reserve of $32 billion on May 29, 2015. In 3 years he has borrowed ₦11 trillion. This is more than PDP borrowed in 16 years combined. It is from this debt that he has ‘increased’ our reserve #BuhariDemocracyDayLies.

2-Buhari lied by claiming Integrated Personnel And Payment Information System (IPPIS) as an achievement of his government. IPPIS was initiated, started, implemented and completed by the Jonathan administration. Here is proof https://t.co/SQpLMFRmr4 #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

3-Buhari lied that he “inherited a weak economy”. He inherited the world’s 3rd fastest growing economy, according to @CNNMoney. He failed to appoint a cabinet for 6 months. It weakened the economy and led to recession. See proof https://t.co/FX7bEx239J… #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

4-Buhari lied when he said Nigerians are enjoying increased power supply. This is such an obvious lie. He has not built a single power station. The last power station built in Nigeria was built by Jonathan. I ask you, has your power improved? #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

5-Buhari lied saying Boko Haram‘s capacity is ‘degraded’. It runs counter to the testimony of the #DapchiGirls who testified that Boko Haram now have planes and they land them within Nigeria.Boko Haram didn’t have planes under Jonathan https://t.co/BLKsE7ZHpD

6-Buhari lied by saying he has improved the education sector. By his third year Jonathan had built 120 Almajiri schools and 12 universities. Giving out licenses to the private sector to build a polytechnic is not an achievement. Buhari should be ashamed #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

7-Buhari lied by claiming 7000 Megawatts power as achievement. The devil will have trouble beating that lie. Nigeria under Buhari is not even regularly transmitting half that number. Perhaps he means IGP’s ‘TRANSMISSION’ and not electric power transmission #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

8-Buhari lied by claiming the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge as an achievement. No bridge has been constructed. No contract has been awarded. The ₦2 billion released was money earmarked by Jonathan not Buhari. Here is proof https://t.co/MGyvYoYzv4 #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

9-Buhari lied by claiming US FAA Category 1 status as an achievement. Nigeria attained US FAA Category 1 on October 23, 2010 under former President Jonathan. Here is the proof. Buhari is desperate for achievements. https://t.co/5jcQFXYxJY #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

10-Buhari lied by claiming the visa on arrival policy as his achievements. This policy was unveiled in 2013 by Olusegun Aganga, Jonathan’s minister of industry. Read about it here in this 2013 interview https://t.co/ehlin9emqQ #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

11-Buhari lied when he said he has reduced inflation. In truth, inflation increased by 50% from 9.8% when Buhari took over in May 2015, to 13.34%. The last time Nigeria enjoyed single digit inflation rate was under ex President Jonathan #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

12-Buhari lied about the so called unprecedented FIRS tax revenue and customs receipt. When you factor in the devaluation of the Naira by the Buhari government. The revenues made is actually about half the revenues made in 2014 when Naira was ₦150 to $1 #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

13-Buhari said the ₦2.7trillion capital expenditure for 2016 and 2017 combined is a record.₦2.7 trillion is worth $8 billion today. It is not up to the ₦1.6 trillion Jonathan allocated for capital expenditure in 2013 which was equivalent to $9.6 billion #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

14-Buhari lied by saying Nigeria is more secure under him. According to the Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria is now the THIRD most terrorised nation in the world. We were number 4 under Jonathan. We have moved 1 step backward. Herdsmen now kill more than BH #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

15-Buhari lied that he has reduced corruption in Nigeria. According to Transparency International, Nigeria is more corrupt under Buhari than it was at ANYTIME during the Jonathan administration. We have moved 12 steps backwards from 136 to 144 on TI’s CPI #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

16-Buhari lied about increased foreign exchange inflos into Nigeria. Whereas Nigeria was the NUMBER ONE destination for FDI in Africa under Jonathan, under Buhari we are not even among the top 10 destinations in Africa. Here‘s proof https://t.co/1QWZ70y5e1 #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

17-Buhari lied when he says he is fighting corruption.Transparency International revealed that unbudgeted security votes given to APC officials have suddenly increased to $670 million. They suspect it is to fund Buhari’s reelection https://t.co/LsoIredAs7 #BuhariDemocracyDayLies
18-Buhari lied he will bring criminals to justice. Facts contradict this assertion. Under Buhari, close to 1000 so called ‘repentant’ Boko Haram terrorists have been released. Herdsmen killing Nigerians have not been prosecuted. Instead they are defended #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

19-Buhari should not attempt to take any credit for the Not Too Young Bill. He is 75 and does not have a single youth in his cabinet. Not even one. His heart is not in the bill. He was not the promoter. He just wants to reap where he didn’t sow #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

Finally, I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to remember that he is fasting and Ramadan fast is not only about abstinence from food, it is also about abstaining from lies. I congratulate him on his new Guinness World Record of most lies in a single speech #BuhariDemocracyDayLies

Tuesday 29 May 2018

God Wants You Well - Copeland

God Wants You Well
If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
– Exodus 15:26

Has the devil ever tried to put you under condemnation by telling you that it’s contrary to the principles of faith to use doctors and medicine when you need healing? If so, here are some encouraging words that I believe will help you put your heart at rest.

It is God’s will to heal you. That’s the first and most important thing for you to understand. If your faith is strong and you can believe the Word without wavering (regardless of what circumstances or symptoms come against you), then you’ll be able to receive that healing by faith alone.

But that kind of faith takes more than just hearing a few sermons about healing. It takes a deep personal revelation of God’s healing power. So, if you haven’t yet developed that kind of faith, the doctor is your best friend.

If you’re not certain whether your faith is strong enough or whether you need a doctor’s help, follow the instructions of the Apostle Paul (Colossians 3:15) and let peace be your umpire.

If fear rises up within you when you think about doing without medical help, then go to a doctor. And go in faith! On the other hand, if you have a sure confidence within you that healing is yours strictly by faith, let your faith do its work and receive your healing directly. Whether or not you go to the doctor is not the issue. It is what you do with your faith.

Either way, you can rejoice knowing God is working with you, meeting you at the level of your faith. Thank God for your healing—however it comes!—and do not let Satan put you under condemnation. It is none of his business!

Kenneth Copeland

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 7:8-15
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Your Police Board's Appointments Are Irregular - HURIWA tells Buhari

BUHARI'S PSC APPOINTMENTS ARE IRREGULAR-: SAYS HURIWA:

*Condemns inclusion of compulsory Arabic exams for potential police recruits:

A prominent civil Rights organization- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider and redress the manifest irregularities that characterised his recent appointments of the members of the governing board of the Police Service Commission to bring it up to speed with extant statutory law setting up the body. The group said the texture of the letter written by President Muhammadu Buhari conveying the appointments on the bases of regional representations and subsequently canvassing legislative confirmation makes it look like Mr President was nominating tribal leaders instead of sticking to the specific classifications enshrined in the enabling Police Service Commission Act.

Relatedly, HURIWA has also condemned as unconstitutional the report it got that the authority of the Nigerian government made Arabic language test compulsory for the prospective police recruits who recently sat for the qualifying aptitude test conducted by the Joint Adminission and Matriculation Examination headed by the erstwhile Secretary General of the Nigerian Islamic Council Professor Oloyede. HURIWA has asked Nigerians who value the secular nature of our constitution and seek its sanctity to challenge this emerging Islamisation of the Nigeria Police force in the court of competent jurisdiction. The Rights group said Arabic language is totally alien to us since English is the nation's lingua franca. It therefore wondered why a non-Arabic speaking Nigerian potential police recruit should be compelled to pass the qualifying examination set in the totally strange language unknown to them unless and except there is a hidden Islamic agenda.

Besides, the Rights group said the appointment of a Moslem to head the establishment of Police Service Commission has now ensured that all internal security institutions and the disciplinary Ombudsman of the nation's policing institution are headed without exception by citizens of same religious faith which directly offends the Federal Character Principles enshrined in the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria of 1999 (as amended).

HURIWA said the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to concentrate the command and control of all the strategic security apparatuses including the Army, Police, Directorate of State services; National Intelligence agency; Nigeria Customs and Nigerian Immigration and now Police Service Commission in the hands of Nigerians of same Religious faith amounts to discrimination of other faiths and is a grave threat to national security.

HURIWA through the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, also specifically faulted the latest appointments into the Police Service Commission in which Mr President listed the names against Regional zones when the law setting up the body only recognises representation on some other grounds such as representatives of Women, Civil/Human Rights Community and the organised private sector.

HURIWA recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the Senate, requesting for the screening and subsequent confirmation of former Inspector- General of Police, IGP, Musiliu Adeola Smith as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, PSC.

HURIWA said the letter from the President erroneously stated that Mr. Smith, is representing South West even as HURIWA recalled that Musiliu Smith was the Police boss in Nigeria between May 1999 to March 2002 and if approved by the Senate, he would replace a former inspector- General of Police, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro.

HURIWA recalled that President Buhari is also seeking the approval of the Senate for the appointment of Justice Clara Bata. Ogunbiyi, retd as full time Commissioner of the PSC , representing the North West and Lawal Bawa, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, as a full time Commissioner.

HURIWA recalled that according to tge letter sent by President Buhari, members of the Commission are Mohammed Najatu, representing North West; Braimoh Adogame Austin, representing South South; Barrister Rommy Mom for North Central and Dr. Nkemka Osimiri Jombo- Ofo for South East.

HURIWA recalled that Buhari in the letter said, “in compliance with the provision of Sections 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria( As amended), I write to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the understated names as the Chairman and members of the Police Service Commission, PSC. I attach herewith their CVs.“While thanking you immensely in anticipation of the early consideration and confirmation of the above appointments by the Distinguished Senate. Please accept, Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

HURIWA however faulted the appointments on these regional and ethnic representations because according to it, the enabling Act ENACTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA in its PART I-ESTABLISHMENT, ETC OF THE POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION; the law stated thus: "1. - (1) There is hereby established a body to be known as the Police Service Commission (In this Act referred to as “the Commission”).
(4th January, 2001) Commencement
Establishment of the Police Service Commission
(2)The Commission-
(a.) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal; and (b) may sue or be sued in its corporate name
(3) The headquarters of the Commission shall be at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
2. - (1) The management of the Commission shall vest in the following members, whose appointment shall be in line with the Federal Character provision
of the Constitution-
(a) a Chairman who shall be the Chief Executive of the Commission; (b) a retired Justice of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal;
(c) a retired Police Officer not below the rank of Commissioner of Police; (d) one representative each of -
Management of the Commission
A4 2001 No. 1
(i.) Women interest;
(ii.) the Nigerian Press;
(iii.) Non-Governmental human rights organisations in Nigeria (iv) organized Private Sector;
(v) the Secretary to the Service Commission".

The Rights group recalled that in all of the above provisions there was no mention of appointments on those regional grounds even though the law clearly provided for respect to the constitutional provision of federal Character Principles which if a total interpretation of the key security appointments made by the current government is to be taken, would show clear violations of this constitutional provisions.

HURIWA has therefore asked President Muhammadu Buhari to tell Nigerians the basis for the appointment of these Nigerians who are to represent their Ethnic groups instead of complying strictly with the letters and wordings enshrined in the enabling law setting up the Police Service Commission. The group has therefore asked the National Assembly to ensure compliance to the law which was enacted by the National Assembly. The Nigerian Union of Journalists should demand that a journalist is also appointed as a Federal Commissioner in the Police Service Commission just as it stated that it may petition the National Assembly to compel the hierarchy to demand strict compliance to the letters of the law.

RECEIVE THE MAN OF GOD - Copeland

Receive the Man of God
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
– John 13:20

I can’t tell you how many born-again, Holy Ghost-filled Christians pick their pastor apart on Saturday night and then expect him to pray the prayer of faith for them Sunday morning! They’ll constantly make critical comments about the evangelists and preachers that God has sent to minister to them and then wonder why the rain of the Spirit has all but dried up in their churches.

Most of those folks would never dream of criticizing the ministry of Jesus. Yet, according to the Word of God, that’s precisely what they’re doing. You see, Jesus said, “He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me.”

I know ministers fail sometimes. I know they make mistakes. Jesus knew they would too. But, even so, He said, “If you receive them, you receive Me.”

If you think some preacher’s doctrine is wrong, then pray for him. Stop sitting under his ministry if necessary. But the Scripture says, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4, New International Version).

The ministers of the gospel are not your servants, they’re God’s servants. Whether they’re right or whether they’re wrong, love them and respect them if for no other reason than to honor the One who sent them.

Learn to receive the minister of God that Jesus sends to you with the same respect and the same honor that you would give Jesus Himself. You’ll open the door for great spiritual power to be released. You’ll clear the way for God to meet your needs. The Anointing of God will be released through the man of God to you.

Refuse to let criticism hold back the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. Then get ready to be blessed because, I guarantee, He won’t hold out on you.

Kenneth Copeland

Scripture Reading: Numbers 12:1-16
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Nigerian Christians Want Police Examination Cancelled

ARABIC LANGUAGE MADE COMPULSORY IN POLICE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION UNACCEPTABLE-CAN
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is disappointed at the incessant insensitivity of the Federal Government to the clarion calls being made by all right thinking Nigerians to stop playing religious kite at the expense of peace and unity of the country.
CAN has severally calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul the security committee of the government with a view to balancing religious dichotomy have been falling on the deaf ear. His government has also failed to stop the unending killings by the criminal Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country especially in the Christian dominated North Central.
In the 2018 Appropriation Bill, the Federal Government reportedly appropriated over N600 million in the 2018 budget for execution of capital projects at the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), just as it has committed N200 million to rehabilitation of the board's buildings ceded to it by the government.
The only reason why Leah Sharibu and other Chibok girls remain in the captivity of the outlawed Boko Haram terrorists id because they are Christians. CAN begins to wonder if the islamisation agenda has become a reality or the government is an hurry to bring the hidden plan into a reality.
The just concluded Nigeria Police entrance examination using JAMB Computer based test (CBT) where Arabic language ( the official Islamic language) was made compulsory for Muslims and Christians alike is another dirty slap on the 1999 Constitution (as amended). To many Christian youths who sat for that examination, the display of the Arabic language questions came as a rude shock. Many could not recover from the setback until JAMB logged them out of the CBT platform. Obviously achieving the aim of the Islamic extremists who are hell bent on fostering their religion and culture on the Nigeria Police Force.
While It is true that in some Police examination centers, some officiating officers advised the candidates to ignore the Arabic language questions but that again ran contrary to the examination instructions wherein a candidate was required to answer 180 questions viz- Use of English 60, Arabic language 40, Fine Arts 40, and Agriculture 40 hence summing up the 180 questions each candidate is required to answer. This deliberate attempt to undermine Christians in Nigeria leaves so many questions as to the unity of the nation. It goes to confirm the following -
1. That in a country we all call our own, because the Inspector General of Police and the President are Muslims, they ensure only Muslims get easy entrance to the force.
2. That they ensure that only Muslims find their way into strategic planning positions . If not how come this policy of forcing Christians to write Arabic language was planned and hatched without any Christian knowing about it until the entire Christian community in Nigeria were told they do not count.
3. It also goes to confirm the plan to make Arabic language compulsory for entrance to our Universities with utter disregard for the principle of secularism of the Nigeria nation will be attempted to be forced down our throats..
However, it's important to warn here that the Christians in Nigeria can no longer be taken for a ride. We therefore call for immediate cancellation of the purported police entrance exams and a proper examination conducted.
The candidates should be informed of the subjects they will be examined on afore time so that they will be properly tested as it is obtained on every sane society..
We also find the puerile justification of this very provocative action by JAMB very ridiculous.
The JAMB explanation does not hold any water at all. Other professional bodies like the West African College of Surgeons, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Pilgrims Board use JAMB for the CBT examination and they don't use any dummy questions. They set only Surgery examinations quesstions or questions relevant to the specific specialty.
Dummies are used for pre test exams, not actual exams to know if the questions are of good standard. And pre-test is performed on very few candidates to gauge the standard of the questions.
In addition, at the Port Harcourt center, it was only few minutes to the end of the examinations, that the candidate were informed that they should answer only USE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE. The implication is that they were short-changed as there was little or no time to complete the test.
The JAMB officer is being clever by half, how can you introduce 120 dummy questions in an exam of 180 questions and then claim they are to answer only 60 questions.
And why Arabic language, even if they claimed it is Alphabetic abracadabra, why not Accounting that comes before Arabic in Alphabetical order? And the statement by Dr Fabian Benjamin, the JAMB Spokesperson published in Punch Newspaper on May 26th, 2019 showed that JAMB doesn't know what Alphabetical order is.
How can Arabic language come before Accounting and Agriculture. If a national examination body does not understand simple Alphabetical order, how can they justify their competence and integrity? And the computer program/software is so versatile that it can be programmed for specific questions, not the so called JAMB Dummies
The most appropriate action is to cancel the exams and conduct a fresh one devoid of controversies.
It will be wrong for the President of Nigeria ( who swore to defend both the Christians and Muslims alike) turn around to allow his appointees seek to divide the nation through their actions . If the President can allow this affront now and he is still seeking the vote of Christians for a second term we do not trust he will keep us alive if he ascends that throne for another four years.
CAN demands evidence of cancelation of the examination and fixing of date for a retake within 72 hours of this notice. Else, the Christian community in Nigeria will have no choice than embark on other measures to seek redress of this national insult.
We also demand evidence of the withdrawal of Arabic language as a compulsory elective for management science studies in tertiary institutions from National Universities Commission.
The leadership of the Association seeks your support in disseminating this information to all the stakeholders.
Thank You.
signed
PASTOR ADEBAYO OLADEJI,
Special Assistant (Media&Communications) to the CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle.
29 May, 2018.

Saturday 26 May 2018

Nigerians Must Reject Buhati's Bill on Environment - Ndukwe

That Bill by Buhari seeking for the FG to take absolute control of all surface & ground waters wherever they are found in Nigeria is a big blow to the widely accepted Restructuring Agenda, and must be resisted as presented.

The implications are far reaching. It simply means that even our village streams would be under the control of the federal government and they can ask the villagers to give up use of the streams at any time, probably for cattle herders, for instance, to have free access for their cattle to drink, a situation that might be exploited for another round of violence.

Let's think ahead and join in condemning the Bill as it is written unless there are substantial amendments to it which would limit FG's control only over waters that cross two States as earlier ruled by the Appeal Court.

Little wonder Senators from the north are already in support of it while those from the South are against it.

We must join voices to resist another draconian agenda of the federal government.

My major concern is that even Senators from Benue and Taraba who should know better are supporting the Bill as it is currently crafted.

Sad!

Benue and Taraba people must rise now and call their Senators to order before Nigerians are accused of not sympathising enough with them if this Bill is exploited by criminal elements to forment trouble.

It is even more unfortunate that this is Buhari's first ever Bill to the national assembly. Knowing him full well, this Bill couldn't have been crafted with pristine intentions.

The time to speak out and act is now!

- Jude Ndukwe

Buhari Under Pressure to Rig Ekiti Guber Poll - Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he is ashamed that Nigeria is now being used as a negative example in the international community.

He cited recent instances when the Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, mocked the poor state of security in Nigeria and the naira’s weakening status.

Jonathan spoke at the inauguration of the first bridge built by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday night.

The former President lamented that things were so bad in the country that Nigeria had lost its respect in Africa.

He said, “He (Ghanaian President) said Ghana is not like Nigeria where cattle roam the streets. At another occasion in the United Kingdom, he made scathing remarks about Nigeria’s currency.

“I feel ashamed as a former President that the president of a neighbouring country used Nigeria as negative examples.

“If a neighbouring African president will use Nigeria to make negative examples, then we as leaders must know certain things are wrong in the country. That means we as leaders must change the way we do things.”

The former President, therefore, urged Nigerian leaders to show serious concern, noting that many things had gone wrong in the country.

Jonathan also advised President Muhammadu Buhari to resist pressure to rig the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State and subsequent elections in the country.

He praised the people of Ekiti for their support for the Peoples Democratic Party, urging them to support the youthful candidates of the party in the election.

The party has elected 50-year-old Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, and 39-year-old Deji Ogunsakin as his running mate.

Jonathan described Fayose as an exemplary leader and loyal party man, who had done the PDP proud in all areas.

He said, “I don’t believe anybody can defeat the PDP in Ekiti if election is going to be held.”

He said, “I use this opportunity to call on Mr. President because I was there before. When you are there, there is so much pressure on you to use your power to subjugate democracy.

“Don’t do that because when you are going; the only thing you leave behind is your good name. If you use it wrongly, posterity will haunt you. I call on Mr. President to use his power to strengthen democracy.”

Jonathan also defended Nigerian youths, saying they were one of the best in the world and should not be branded lazy as recently remarked by Buhari.

“We must encourage young people to work hard. I don’t think Nigerian youths are lazy, I have worked with some of them in my cabinet as governor and president. Nigerian youths are great people with intelligence,” he said.

At the event, Governor Ayodele Fayose said the 77-member election committee raised by the All Progressives Congress for the Ekiti governorship election showed the desperation of the party to win at all costs.

“I will defeat them by the grace of God,” he said.

Nigeria Has Become Bad Example Globally - Jonathan

Friday 25 May 2018

Awake to Righteousness - Copeland

Awake to Righteousness
Awake to righteousness, and sin not....
– 1 Corinthians 15:34

When your alarm clock goes off tomorrow morning, don’t just wake up to another day. Do what the Word says to do and “awake to righteousness”! Reawaken yourself to the glorious fact that you’ve been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and given right-standing with Almighty God.

Why? Because tomorrow—and every other day of your life on this earth—Satan is going to try to convince you that you don’t have any right to the things of God. He’s going to try to bring you into bondage again to sin in order to control your life. But he won’t be able to do it if you’ll reawaken yourself every day to who you really are in Jesus.

Here’s a prayerful confession to help that revelation come alive in you:

“Father, I confess anew Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior today. Lord, You are the head of my life. I completely yield myself to You. My will is now Your will. My plans are now Your plans.

“As a new creation in Christ Jesus, I accept the gift of righteousness and all that gift includes: health, prosperity, peace, joy and life abundant. I put aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets me. I now look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.

“According to Your Word, I can now reign in this life as a king. The power of sin and death in my life has been overcome. No longer am I ruled by the forces of evil but by the God above all gods. I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me.

“I determine today to walk conscious of my right-standing with You, Lord, and with every step to draw closer and closer to You. Thank You for the gift of righteousness. Because of that gift, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

“In Jesus’ Name. Amen!”

Kenneth Copeland

Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:9-15
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Thursday 24 May 2018

SURE TO WIN IN CHRIST - Copeland

Sure to Win in Him
Wherefore remember, that...at that time ye were without Christ...having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
– Ephesians 2:11-13

Have you ever really thought about what it truly means to be in Christ Jesus? Have you ever gotten a clear revelation of that? Once you do, it will revolutionize your life.

You see, it’s in Him that we’re raised up from our sins. It’s in Him that we’re made to sit in heavenly places so that God can show us the exceeding riches of His grace. It’s in Him that we’re made the righteousness of God!

If you want that revelation to explode in you, start searching out scriptures that refer to being in Christ. Watch for the words in Him, with Him, through Him or in whom. Mark those and meditate on them until the truth of them gets down into your spirit man. They’ll give you some powerful ammunition against the attacks of Satan.

When he tries to tell you, for instance, that you’re just a sinner and God doesn’t want to be bothered with your problems, you’ll know he is lying. You’ll be able to answer him boldly and say, “Thank God, I was a sinner, but now I’m the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I’ve been raised up to sit with Him in heavenly places. Now I’m in Him and you can’t touch me at all!”

Be prepared the next time Satan comes at you with doubt, unbelief and condemnation. Be ready to fight back with the scriptures about who you are in Jesus. You’re sure to win once you truly know you’re in Him!

Kenneth Copeland

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:1-14
© 1991 Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc. aka: Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Nigerian Fake Universties Unmasked !

LIST OF 58 FAKE/ILLEGAL UNIVERSITIES OPERATING IN NIGERIA RELEASED BY THE NUC TODAY

1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria

2. Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology, Nkpor, Anambra State or any of its other campuses

3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses

4. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

5. Blacksmith University, Akwa or any of its other campuses

6. Volta University College, HO, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

7. Royal University, Izhia, PO BOX 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any of its other campuses

8. Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi state or any of its other campuses

9. United Christian University, Macotis campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses

10. United Nigeria University College, Okija Anambra State or any of its other campuses.

11. Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its other campuses

12. UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State or any of its other campuses

13. Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Pleateu State or any of its other campuses

14. The International University, Missouri USA, Kano and Lagos studies centres or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

15. Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria

16. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria

17. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria

18. London External Studies, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria

19. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria

20. Lobi Business School, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria

21. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria

22. Bolta University College, Aba or any of its campuses in Nigeria

23. JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna illegal campus

24. Western University, Esie Kwara State or any of its campuses in Nigeria

25. St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

26. EC-Council USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre

27. Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

28. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

29. Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria

30. Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

31. Acada University, Akinlalu Oyo state or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

32. Filfom University, Mbaise, Imo State or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

33. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria

34. Atlantic Intercontinental University, Okija Anambra State

35. Open International University, Akure

36. Middle Belt University (North Central University) Otukpo

37. Lead Way University, Ugheli, Delta State

38. Metro University, Dutse/Bwari Abuja

39. Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State

40. Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State

41. Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja

42. Temple University, Abuja

43. Irish University Business School, London, operating anywhere in Nigeria

44. National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State

45. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and its annex at 41, Ikorodu road, Lagos.

46. University of Education, Wenneba Ghana operating anywhere in Nigeria

47. Cape Coast University, Ghana operating in Nigeria

48. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD) Cotonou, Benin Republic operating anywhere in Nigeria

49. Pacific Western University, Denver Colorado, Oweri study centre

50. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos

51. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko campus)

52. Career Light Resources Centre, Jos

53. University of West Afrrica, Kwali Abuja, FCT

54. Coastal University, Iba Oku, Akwa Ibom State

55. Kaduna Business School, Kaduna

56. Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger State

57. West African Union University, in collaboration with International Professional College of Administration, Science and Technology, Nigeria operating anywhere in Nigeria

58. Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF), Theological University, 165 Isolo road, Cele bus stop, Egbe Ikotun, Lagos

Wednesday 23 May 2018

The Bridegroom Cometh - Copeland

The Bridegroom Cometh
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
– Matthew 25:6

The Spirit of God is delivering a vital message to you today: Get ready for Jesus’ return! It’s an old message. But there’s a fresh urgency to it. An urgency you can’t afford to ignore.

Some believers make the mistake of saying, “Oh well, I just don’t think we’re supposed to know about the Second Coming. It’s supposed to come upon us like a thief in the night!”

But they’re wrong. The Word of God says that as children of light we shouldn’t be taken by surprise. We should be so keen in the spirit that even though we don’t know the day or the hour, we should sense that the season of Jesus’ return has come.

First Corinthians 2:10 tells us that God reveals His plans to us through His Spirit. I suspect that those who are walking in the spirit on the day the Lord comes again will actually begin to anticipate that something is about to happen.

Be like the five wise virgins in Matthew 25 who were prepared when the bridegroom’s arrival was announced. Stay full of the oil of the Holy Spirit and with your light shining!

Don’t get caught sleeping when Jesus returns. Wake up now to the Holy Spirit. Let Him put you on the inside track and get you ready for your Lord. Because just as Jesus foretold, there is a cry going out at midnight. The Spirit of the Lord is announcing His return.

Can you hear it in your spirit? Can you sense the Lord saying, Get up and come out to meet Me. Fellowship with Me. Get in the light now, and at that crucial hour, you’ll be on the inside of My plans.

Obey Him quickly. For, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh”!

Gloria Copeland

Jesus Wore the Crown of Thorns for your sake - Joseph Prince

Daily Grace Inspiration

And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head…
John 19:2
- MAY 23 -
JESUS WORE THE CROWN OF THORNS FOR YOU
If hard work is the formula for prosperity, then everyone who works hard should be prosperous. But this is certainly not the case. Many people who work very hard are still in lack!

I am not advocating laziness. What I am saying is that working hard by the sweat of your brow is not how God’s provision comes. In fact, if you have to work overtime all the time and are stressed out, you are probably operating under the curse.

What curse is that? It is this curse: “In the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread…” (Genesis 3:19) And it refers to the stress, struggle and anxieties that come with working hard and yet producing little. Now, work itself is not a curse since God gave Adam work before the fall—Adam was to tend the garden of Eden. It was only after he sinned that the land was cursed and it brought forth thorns, and man had to toil to eat of it. (Genesis 3:17–18)

But praise God, Jesus wore the thorns on His head to show you that He has borne this curse for you and redeemed you from it. He wore the crown of thorns so that you can work stress-free and yet have the results. You don’t have to be worried and stressed out day and night like the people of the world just to get ahead in life. Your heavenly Father can get you there without the worries and stress. (Matthew 6:31–33)

Beloved, every curse that was supposed to fall on your head fell on Jesus’ head, typified by the crown of thorns. He wore the crown of thorns for you so that you can have peace of mind. He wore the crown of thorns for you and took your curse so that you can wear the crown of glory and take His righteousness, and all the benefits of that righteousness!

Today, don’t labor and toil like the people of the world. Instead, expect to see the blessings of God come into your life without blood, sweat and tears because Jesus wore the crown of thorns for you!

Islamisation Agenda is Real - Catholics tell Buhari

THE TEXT OF AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI GCFR. PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES ON THE OCCASION OF A SOLIDARITY RALLY EMBARKED UPON BY THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS TO DENOUNCE THE INCESSANT KILLING OF INNOCENT NIGERIANS BY SUSPECTED HERDSMEN. TUESDAY MAY 22, 2018.
Your Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR;
On behalf of the entire Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, I wish to use this medium to convey to you, Mr. President, our sadness and deep displeasure over the incessant killings and general insecurity being experienced across the length and breadth of our dear country Nigeria but especially in the North Central part of the nation in recent times. We are very saddened by the fact that our security Agencies have not been able to put measures in place to bring the situation under control. Instead, the signals we are getting are that we do not have enough number of personnel to secure all the people of Nigeria. In the meantime, farmers cannot go to their farms, neither are they safe in their villages. We hear reports of the killers attacking the villages and feeding the yams in the barns of the inhabitants to their cattle. The height of it is that now they have pushed their boundaries to attacking people in their places of worship. If it was Boko haram, as we know it, it would have been sad but not as alarming as when so-called herdsmen are the ones perpetrating these crimes. Most disturbingly, our security agencies seem incapable of dealing with the situation
Mr. President, many Nigerians embraced happily the change mantra upon which they elected your government to power and they welcomed you with open hands and minds, with much hope for a new vista of life for our countrymen and women. Three years after, Your Excellency, our people now live in palpable fear especially because of the killer-herdsmen who actually qualify to be called terrorists. We watch helplessly as our hope for a better tomorrow trickles away in the hands of herdsmen who are proving to be deadlier than even the Boko Haram, if they are not Boko haram in another guise. Innocent people are now being murdered at will and their means of livelihood forcefully taken from them. Children are being turned to orphans, wives to widows, husbands to widowers. Communities are being wiped away in manners that can only be likened to ethnic cleansing. Human life, a most sacred gift from God, has become of less value than that of cattle in this part of the world. This is unacceptable!
Being a secular nation, our constitution clearly provides for freedom of worship without fear or favour in any and all parts of the nation. Alas, in some parts of the country this is not the case in practice. We watch helplessly as thousands of people in communities that are predominantly Christian, particularly in Southern Kaduna and the North Central parts of the country are being massacred, displaced from their ancestral lands and treated as second class citizens. In many towns and rural areas, people of these predominantly Christian communities are victims of religious intolerance as they are denied rights to own lands to build their Churches and worship their God in peace. Out of all the girls that were kidnapped at Dapchi, Leah Shaibu stands out as the one yet to be released simply because she is Christian and has refused to deny her faith. Unfortunately, incidents such as these have led to the fear of an agenda to Islamize Nigeria. Permit me to say, Your Excellency, that you are often accused of being in support of this agenda. We are confident that you would not fail to discharge yourself from such accusations in a way that would be crystal clear to all.
Mr President, today, Tuesday May 22, 2018, is a watershed in the annals of Catholicism in our country Nigeria. It is a day the entire Catholic Church in Nigeria speaks out, in a practical way, against ininjustices, insecurity, nepotism and other vices plaguing our dear country. Today, we rise in unity to express our solidarity with our brothers and sisters who have been killed, and are still being killed, across the country. Most especially, we mourn with heavy hearts the murder of two of our priests, Rev. Frs. Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha and seventeen lay faithful who were mowed down last month, April 16, while attending an early morning Mass at St Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor-Mbalom, Gwer Local Government of Benue State. By these killings, the perpetrators, who unfortunately are still roaming about freely, have further desecrated all that we hold dear as Christians and dared us to do our worst. As these men and women of faith are committed to mother earth today in Makurdi, we bid them perpetual rest in the bosom of our Lord, even as we say with one voice, enough is enough. We can no longer stay still and watch our fellow humans butchered like chickens.
Mr. President, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), in its most recent letter to you, posed some very strong questions: ‘How can the federal Government stand back while its security agencies deliberately turn a blind eye to the cries and wails of helpless and armless citizens who remain sitting ducks in their homes, farms, highway and now, even in their sacred places of worship? Weeks later, we are still waiting for answers to these questions. Left defenceless, the ordinary Nigerians get killed while the politicians and the privileged ones go about with security details.
Permit me, Sir, to say that without any doubt, the Catholic Church in Nigeria has a long history of restraint in its engagement with governments of the country over the years. As partners in progress, we have always maintained integrity and restraint in the manner we react and respond to issues bordering on security and religious harmony. We believe strongly in the preservation of human life. We have consistently been advocates of peace, religious tolerance and inter-religious dialogue with other religions. We have always provided a cordial atmosphere for robust discussions and genuine efforts at ensuring national cohesion. Unfortunately, it is sad to note that we have frequently been at the receiving end of attacks; the most recent being the callous killings in Benue State. Mr. President, we have been provoked far too many times and now we say again, ‘Enough is enough.’
As an institution that upholds the sanctity of human life and the promotion of peace and good neighborliness with all people, in obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ, we want to state categorically that we shall continue to preach restraint and tolerance amongst our members. However, let it be known that our insistence on dialogue and peaceful conduct is not only in obedience to Christ but also in recognition of the truth of the saying attributed to the great Mahatma Gandhi that ‘An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.’ We recognize the strength in seeking and insisting on peaceful resolution of problems and so we hope that will not be taken for granted.
Justice cries out for all the innocent Nigerians who have died in the hands of the gun totting herdsmen. We are aware that the Vice President recently promised that the Federal Government would undertake the rebuilding of the places that were destroyed by the killer-herdsmen in Benue State and hopefully in other similar places. We hope that people will also be compensated for the loss of their farm produce and of their properties so that the Internally Displaced People who have been turned to beggars will get justice and restoration to normal life. Very importantly, we urge you, Mr President, to direct the security agencies to wake up, fish out the perpetrators of these callous killings and neutralize them so that people can once again feel safe. We pride ourselves with having some of the best security agencies in the world. This is the time This is the time for them to prove their mettle by bringing an end to these killings.
Mr President, that time has come for you to act fast and put to rest all the insinuations being pandered all over about you. We reiterate that our call for your urgent intervention is borne out of our deep patriotism and desire to save the country from imminent crisis that could snowball into ethnic, tribal or religious war. May the Lord grant you the wherewithal to carry out your duties and bring peace, security and growth to the nation.

Archbishop Alfred Adewale MARTINS
Catholic Archbishop of Lagos
FOR AND BEHALF OF OVER 3 MILLION CATHOLICS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS

Tuesday 22 May 2018

I Dare You to Probe Me - Obasanjo tells Buhari

$16bn power project: I’m ready for probe – Obasanjo

“It has come to the attention of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo that a statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari, apparently without correct information and based on ignorance, suggested that $16 billion was wasted on power projects by ‘a former President.’

“We believe that the President was re-echoing the unsubstantiated allegation against Chief Obasanjo by his own predecessor but one.

“While it is doubtful that a President with proper understanding of the issue would utter such, it should be pointed out that records from the National Assembly had exculpated President Obasanjo of any wrong-doing concerning the power sector and has proved the allegations as false.

“For the records, Chief Obasanjo has addressed the issues of the power sector and the allegations against him on many occasions and platforms, including in his widely publicised book, My Watch in which he exhaustively stated the facts and reproduced various reports by both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which conducted a clinical investigation into the allegations against Chief Obasanjo, and the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of the Recommendations in the Report of the Committee on Power on the Investigation into how the Huge Sums Of Money was Spent on Power Generation, Transmission And Distribution between June 1999 and May 2007 without Commensurate Result.

“We recommend that the President and his co-travellers should read Chapters 41, 42, 43 and 47 of My Watch for Chief Obasanjo’s insights and perspectives on the power sector and indeed what transpired when the allegation of $16 billion on power projects was previously made.

“If he cannot read the three-volume book, he should detail his aides to do so and summarise the chapters in a language that he will easily understand.

“In the same statement credited to the President, it was alleged that there was some bragging by Chief Obasanjo over $16 billion spent on power. To inform the uninformed, the so-called $16 billion power expenditure was an allegation against Chief Obasanjo’s administration and not his claim.

“The President also queried where the power generated is. The answer is simple: The power is in the seven National Integrated Power Projects and eighteen gas turbines that Chief Obasanjo’s successor who originally made the allegation of $16 billion did not clear from the ports for over a year and the civil works done on the sites.

“Chief Obasanjo challenges, and in fact encourages, anybody to set up another enquiry if in doubt and unsatisfied with the EFCC report and that of the Hon. Aminu Tambuwal-led ad-hoc committee.”
Kehinde Akinyemi Media Aide to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS REJOICE WITH ISRAEL ON JERUSALEM STATUS

CAN REJOICES WITH ISRAEL @70 AND DECLARES JERUSALEM AS THE CAPITAL OF ISREAL IS IN ORDER

Once again, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) congratulates the Israelis government on the relocation of the capital to Jerusalem and on the occasion of 70 years anniversary of their country.
Unarguably, the relocation is the Special Anniversary Present from the God of the Patriarchs.
We are happy that countries such as the United States of America, Guatemala, Honduras, Romania and Paraguay have relocated their embassies from Tel Aviv.
The declaration made by President Donald Trump on 6 December, 2017 was a fulfilment of the Biblical prophecy and it is our prayers that other countries including Nigeria will relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
At a press conference addressed by our late General Secretary, Rev Dr Musa Asake, on 16th January, 2018, we condemned in strong terms the position of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government that voted against the position of the US on the historic decision.
In that statement, we declared, “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is compelled once again, to draw the attention of the Buhari Administration to the non-aligned status of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in international conflicts. We have had cause to express great apprehension when in December 2015, President Buhari, without giving consideration to Section 10 of the Constitution, as well as to the sensitivity of Christians that constitute over 50% of the Nigerian population, led Nigeria to join the Saudi Arabia initiated Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC).
“Since then, there have been other disturbing actions of the President internally, that borders on adoption of Islam as state religion in a Secular State. These include the promotion of Sharia Compliant Finance, using State resources, violation of Federal Character Principle in the Constitution by appointing mostly Muslims to head Security Units in the nation, and the inability of the Government to arrest and prosecute rampaging Islamic militias, amongst others.
“Recently, Mr. President once again dragged Nigeria to interfere in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict by voting against the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at the United Nations. The non-aligned status of Nigeria demanded that Nigeria should have abstained from voting, either for or against, when the issue came up at the UN...
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is placing on record that the negative vote of Nigeria over Jerusalem is not the consensus of the citizens of this country and therefore, it should not be regarded as representing the choice of Nigeria. It is a sectional and unilateral imposition of the President Buhari Administration.”
The President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle seek your assistance in disseminating this information to the public as he prays for your divine protection and all round prosperity.
Thank You.
Signed
Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant (Media & Communications), to the CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle.

MASS BURIAL: CAN Commiserates with Catholics

CAN Commiserates With Catholics
...asks President Buhari to halt his second term campaign
...Congratulates Israelis Government on Jerusalem as the capital
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) commiserates with the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) as it conducts mass burial for the two priests and parishioners killed by the Fulani herdsmen in Benue State recently.

CAN describes the present moment in Nigeria as a trying time for the church, adding, "We also urge all Christians to identify with the Catholic Church in its nationwide peaceful protest against senseless killings in Nigeria.

CAN asks the Nigerian security agencies to rise up to the security challenges in the country. It contends that security operatives have no excuse, while no one should be blamed for the failure to stop the unending senseless killings in Nigeria.

CAN expressed dismay that killing of innocent is assuming global embarrassment with mass burial being carried out at all times without a country like Nigeria fighting a war.

CAN calls on President Muhammadu Buhari not to forget his 2015 campaign promises including fighting insecurity and keeping Nigeria united and upon which Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for him. Buhari's government should not fold arms and watch misguided Nigerians, mostly Boko Haram and herdsmen promote killing as a past a time in the name of politics and ethnic while solution appears very elusive.

CAN said, "It is disheartening to note that criminal Fulani herdsmen, bandits, kidnappers and other hoodlums have reduced Nigeria to a Banana Republic.

"This development is unacceptable and we call on all well meaning people anywhere in the world to join hands in praying for the deliverance, freedom and liberty from this self inflicted bondage"
While CAN is not opposed to the President’s exercise of his civic right by seeking re-election to the office for the second time, we urge him to halt it meanwhile and attend to the security problems occasioned by the criminal activities of the terrorists, herdsmen and bandits.
CAN asks President Buhari to suspend his re-election bid until he restores sanity to the country while ensuring the release of Leah Sharibu, the remaining Chibok girls and other abductees from the captivity of the Boko Haram terrorists.

It said, Buhari's ongoing campaign for re-election without plans to stop the state of anomie in Nigeria is scary, making Nigerians to believe that Nigeria had more than before become unsafe, more for Christians and ethnic groups marked for genocide.
CAN prays for comfort to the bereaved, accelerated recovery to those who are recuperating from the wounds and multiple injuries sustained from terror attacks in the past years and few months.
It is our hope that THIS SEASON OF INCESSANT KILLINGS WILL SOON BECOME HISTORY IN JESUS' NAME.

CAN REJOICES WITH ISRAEL @70 AND DECLARES JERUSALEM AS THE CAPITAL OF ISREAL IS IN ORDER
Once again, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) congratulates the Israelis government on the relocation of the capital to Jerusalem and on the occasion of 70 years anniversary of their country.
Unarguably, the relocation is the Special Anniversary Present from the God of the Patriarchs.
We are happy that countries such as the United States of America, Guatemala, Honduras, Romania and Paraguay have relocated their embassies from Tel Aviv.
The declaration made by President Donald Trump on 6 December, 2017 was a fulfilment of the Biblical prophecy and it is our prayers that other countries including Nigeria will relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
At a press conference addressed by our late General Secretary, Rev Dr Musa Asake, on 16th January, 2018, we condemned in strong terms the position of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government that voted against the position of the US on the historic decision.
In that statement, we declared, “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is compelled once again, tto draw the attention of the Buhari Administration to the non-aligned status of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in international conflicts. We have had cause to express great apprehension when in December 2015, President Buhari, without giving consideration to Section 10 of the Constitution, as well as to the sensitivity of Christians that constitute over 50% of the Nigerian population, led Nigeria to join the Saudi Arabia initiated Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC).
“Since then, there have been other disturbing actions of the President internally, that borders on adoption of Islam as state religion in a Secular State. These include the promotion of Sharia Compliant Finance, using State resources, violation of Federal Character Principle in the Constitution by appointing mostly Muslims to head Security Units in the nation, and the inability of the Government to arrest and prosecute rampaging Islamic militias, amongst others.
“Recently, Mr. President once again dragged Nigeria to interfere in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict by voting against the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at the United Nations. The non-aligned status of Nigeria demanded that Nigeria should have abstained from voting, either for or against, when the issue came up at the UN...
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is placing on record that the negative vote of Nigeria over Jerusalem is not the consensus of the citizens of this country and therefore, it should not be regarded as representing the choice of Nigeria. It is a sectional and unilateral imposition of the President Buhari Administration.”
The President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle seek your assistance in disseminating this information to the public as he prays for your divine protection and all round prosperity.
Thank You.
Signed
Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant (Media & Communications), to the CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle.