How Adeboye entered the Ekiti political circus

How Adeboye entered the Ekiti political Circus
 Politics by OkogbaComments By Emmanuel Aziken How the Man of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye became entangled in the ever unfolding political theatrics in Ekiti State would amuse even those that had become accustomed to the subterfuge that is ever on offer in that state.
Pastor Adeboye’s Master, Jesus The Christ, was Himself not unfamiliar with such theatrics that are served by political leaders who seek to use the platform of religion to consolidate political power. John the Baptist, Simon Peter, Paul of Tarsus and some other early Christian leaders were also in similar awkward circumstances in which political leaders sought to promote their political profiles using the platform of religion. Adeboye was in Ekiti State on Christmas Eve during which time he visited the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. Governor Ayodele Fayose not surprisingly joined the Ewi to receive the Man of God.
In a clearly unmistakable tone, the pastor had given his endorsement of certain administrative initiatives of the governor. “We thank God for your life sir. We thank God for your courage, for your boldness, we thank God for your being willing to take risks so that your people can be protected. You have been a governor who knows when to say enough is enough in defense of his people. And I’m sure you know what I’m talking about and I am sure the world knows. I don’t want to say more than that, but be assured that we are praying for you and you will succeed in Jesus Name.” Even though not a politician, a scrutiny of Pastor Adeboye’s words would show that his words were carefully measured. First, Adeboye who is more than 20 years older than the governor addressed him as sir, indicative of the fact that he addressed him in his official capacity. He lauded the governor’s willingness to draw the line on issues that seemingly denigrate the dignity of the rights of his citizens. Since the GO didn’t spell it out, one can only guess references to actions like the enactment of the law prohibiting open grazing in the state. However, in a setting where political conspiracies unfold by the hour, it was not long before the endorsements turned into a political maelstrom. Within 24 hours of the visit, a statement was circulated in cyberspace in which the chairman of the APC in the state, Mr. Jide Awe was quoted to have denounced Pastor Adeboye. If true that it came from Awe, it would be the first time in almost two years that Awe would issue a press statement. Awe, however, came out to disown the statement as he claimed that the statement in which he, Awe was quoted as abusing Adeboye was fabricated and issued by Governor Fayose’s aides. According to Awe, the Fayose led-PDP wanted to paint the APC in a bad light by giving the impression that the APC was insulting the highly revered Adeboye. The developments in Ekiti underscore the desperation of the political class to go to whatever extent to score political points. It is an extreme that should not be tolerated given the cushion that the true worship of God plays in our lives. However, other men of God have not been as discreet as Adeboye in engaging the political class. No state perhaps exemplifies the saturation of the political pastors in the polity as Akwa Ibom State. There, one cleric, Pastor Bassey James went to the extent of formulating a new line of study when he espoused the gospel of Akpabioism as a study in the life of former Governor Godswill Akapbio. Whatever the men of God in Akwa Ibom saw in the former governor was never divulged; but the extent to which they took the support for the former governor was quite unfathomable given the extent they went in promoting the former governor!
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/adeboye-entered-ekiti-political-circus/

Sambisa Forest Borno State and its myths by Malik Shabbazz

Sambisa Forest Borno State and its myths
Who is planning to cash in on this myth ?
Over years I have heard and I am sure you have too, that Sambisa Forest Borno State spans a land mass of 60,000 sq km . This is not true !
Sambisa is centered mainly on parts of Gwoza Bama KONDUGA Askira Uba and Chibok .
Sambisa even reaches Monguno Abadam and Kukawa LGAs .
I know this because in the course of my work o have travelled to all these places collecting blood samples in my HIV intervention work with USAID/Nigeria .
Now , between Bauchi State and Jigawa state , there's another forest called BALMO , and inside Jigawa alone , there's LAMBA forest.
The only common thing with these forests is that they are mutually accessible.
In KANO , the Falgore Game Reserve aka Falgore forest has link roads to Sambisa and the Alagarno forest.
The entire of Borno state is 70,000 sq km, so how on earth is it possible that Sambisa Forest is 60,000 sq km?
In Yobe State , you have the SASSAWA forest which also has link roads to Sambisa in Southern Borno . In Bauchi State again , you have the LAME BURRA forest which is also linked by roads to the Sambisa forest in Borno .
So the question is; who is trying to make a killing from the story line that Sambisa alone spans 60,000 sq km? To completely eradicate Boko Haram , you'd need to comb the whole of Sambisa and rid it of elements of terrorism right? That means more money to purchase firearms et al! Possibly a defense contractor and mercenaries will be hired and then more and more money will be pumped into that falsehood to line pockets of some greedy elements in the top offices of the HQ Nigerian Army .
So you see why they needed to sell the story of 60,000 sq km?
Well, they can fool some people but not all at the same time .
We will always be ready to expose them for every lie they intend to sell to Nigerians .
Malik Shabbazz Abdulmalik

Open Heavens 29 December 2016: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Resist the Devil

Open Heavens 29 December 2016: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Resist the Devil

Topic: Resist the Devil [Thursday 29, December 2016]
Memorise: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7
Read: James 1:12-16 (KJV)
 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 5-6, Psalms 139:1-16
MESSAGE:
 The Bible presents the devil as the accuser of the brethren, but more importantly, the devil is also in the business of presenting God in a bad light to human beings at every opportunity he gets. He usually puts questions in the heart of men in order to cast doubt on God’s acts of love towards humanity. He successfully did that in the Garden of Eden, and he is still using the same trick today. The Psalmist, in the midst of his troubles asked questions.
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” - Psalms 42:5
 There is a difference between questions and queries. He asked why his soul was feeling downcast. In other words, he expected his soul to look up to see the brighter side in the midst of gloom. When you ask God questions, but still demonstrate faith in Him and His ability, it is okay. But when your questions do not reflect your past experience of what you enjoyed from God’s mercies and faithfulness, you are already issuing God a query. Before any child of God issues out a query to God, the fellow must have changed his view about God and how powerful He is, if not, he wouldn’t dare query God. After all, you cannot issue a powerful king a query. Romans 9:20 says,
“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”
Similarly, the one who would query God is in doubt of God’s love and good intentions. He believes God is negligent, carefree and irresponsible. At such a time, he has believed the lies of the devil.
 Beloved, God loves you much more than anything else, He is the One who gave Himself for your salvation and washed you clean in His Blood. No matter the situation, His love for you will never diminish as long as you remain in His Kingdom. Believe the best about Him. Believe His good intentions even when you do not understand. The One who died for you will not work against you when you are in a good relationship with Him. Never query God; it will worsen your situation.
Prayer Point: Father, please forgive me for all the queries I have issued through doubt in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
 iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Billy Graham’s daily devotional December 28, 2016 - Cure for Our Troubles

Billy Graham’s daily devotional December 28, 2016 - Cure for Our Troubles

Topic: Cure for Our Troubles [December 28, 2016]
. . . preaching peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all). — Acts 10:36
 Would it not be wonderful if we could find an absolute cure for the troubles of human nature? Suppose we could give a shot in the arm to the whole human race that would fill people with love instead of hate, with contentment instead of greed. Suppose, also, a cure could be found for the past mistakes, failures, and sins of mankind.
 Suppose by some miracle all the past could be straightened out, all of life’s tangles could be unraveled, and the broken strings of life could be repaired. The most thrilling news in all the world is the fact that there is a cure! A medicine has been provided! The sin, confusion, and disillusionment of life can be replaced by righteousness, joy, contentment, and happiness. A peace can be imparted to the soul that is not dependent on outward circumstances.
Prayer for the day: In complete dependence upon You, Lord Jesus, let me relay Your message of love and peace to the desperately needy souls I meet.
Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 27, 2016 - The Power of Simple Words

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 27, 2016 - The Power of Simple Words

Topic: The Power of Simple Words [December 27, 2016]
Read: 2 Peter 1:12–21, Bible in a Year: Zechariah 1–4; Revelation 18
 We did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16
 Raucous laughter marked the guests in my father's hospital room: Two old truck drivers, one former country/western singer, one craftsman, two women from neighboring farms, and me.
 "...and then he got up and busted the bottle over my head," the craftsman said, finishing his story about a bar fight.
 The room bursts into laughter at this now-humorous memory. Dad, struggling for breath as his laughing fought with his cancer for the air in his lungs, puffs out a reminder to everybody that “Randy is a preacher" so they need to watch what they say. Everything got quiet for about two seconds, then the whole room exploded as this news makes them laugh harder and louder.
 Suddenly, about forty minutes into this visit, the craftsman clears his throat, turns to my dad, and gets serious. "No more drinking and bar fights for me, Howard. Those days are behind me. Now I have a different reason to live. I want to tell you about my Savior."
 He then proceeded to do just that, over my father's surprisingly mild protests.  If there's a sweeter, gentler way to present the gospel message, I've never heard it.
 My dad listened and watched, and some years later believed in Jesus too.
 It was a simple testimony from an old friend living a simple life, reminding me again that simple isn't naïve or stupid; it's direct and unpretentious.
 Just like Jesus. And salvation.
 Go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19
Insight:
 Nothing hits home for people like a straightforward, unembroidered recounting of personal testimony about how Christ has changed our lives. The blind man of John 9:25 blurted out, “One thing I know. I was blind but now I see.” His healing was unarguable. There is nothing quite like the unadorned truth of testimony—“Tell it like it is.”
 This message was written by Randy Kilgore [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 26, 2016 - On Time

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 26, 2016 - On Time

Topic: On Time [December 26, 2016]
Read: Luke 2:25–38, Bible in a Year: Haggai 1–2; Revelation 17
 When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son. - Galatians 4:4
 Sometimes I joke that I'm going to write a book titled On Time. Those who know me smile because they know I am often late. I rationalize that my lateness is due to optimism, not to lack of trying. I optimistically cling to the faulty belief that “this time” I will be able to get more done in less time than ever before. But I can't, and I don't, so I end up having to apologize yet again for my failure to show up on time.
 In contrast, God is always on time. We may think He's late, but He's not. Throughout Scripture we read about people becoming impatient with God’s timing. The Israelites waited and waited for the promised Messiah. Some gave up hope. But Simeon and Anna did not. They were in the temple daily praying and waiting (Luke 2:25–26, 37). And their faith was rewarded. They got to see the infant Jesus when Mary and Joseph brought Him to be dedicated (vv. 27–32, 38).
 When we become discouraged because God doesn't respond according to our timetable, Christmas reminds us that “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son . . . that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Gal. 4:4–5). God’s timing is always perfect, and it is worth the wait.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess that I become impatient and discouraged, wanting answers to prayer in my own time and on my schedule. Help me to wait patiently for Your timing in all things.
 God’s timing is always right—wait patiently for Him.
Insight:
 The story of Simeon, Anna, and the baby Jesus at the temple is found only in Luke’s gospel. Some scholars believe that much of this unique material could have come from Luke’s personal interaction with Mary the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:1–2).
This message was written by Julie Ackerman Link [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Olusho just released his hit single titled “Lati Ebute Metta”

As culled from LIB, Olusho, whose real name is Lanre Bakare was born in Lagos, Nigeria. As a young lad born and raised in Ebute Metta, Olusho played the piano as a child, but didn’t take music seriously until he was in his teenage years. He later joined a band and began performing at churches and other music shows.
 As a teenager, he enrolled in a music school where he learnt the music business and how to play other instruments apart from the piano.

 As he became an increasingly popular rapper in Ebute Metta, he continued honing his song writing and rapping skills. Olusho has cited successful rappers like late Dagrin, Kendrick Lamar as musical influences. He also has an extensive library of different rap and hip hop songs where he learns both classic and latest styles.
 Olusho just released his hit single titled “Lati Ebute Metta” under Gbainde records. The song was produced by Echo, mixed by Indomix and is currently making waves across Nigeria and beyond. The video for Lati Ebute Metta was directed by AJE Filmworks and shot in Lagos, Nigeria. Watch and Enjoy through the link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u_1zOX9zmU&sns=em


http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/12/new-video-olusho-lati-ebute-metta.html?m=1

Buhari's Grass-cutter and the Case of the Properly 'Spended' Funds!

Buhari's Grass-cutter and the Case of the Properly 'Spended' Funds!
This article is published in today's ThisDay!
In a week the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics released unprecedented unemployment (13.9%), inflation (18.49%) and poverty rates, Nigeria was treated to both a wedding and birthday of unprecedented proportions.
A man who had to borrow money to buy his Presidential nomination form is now so well off that he can throw a lavish wedding for his daughter and a regal birthday party for himself while his citizens who could afford to throw lavish weddings for their children and grand birthday parties for themselves can no longer afford it.
It seems Buhari traded places with Nigeria. Buhari could not afford many things until he became our President. Nigerians could afford many things until Buhari became our President! What a reversal of fortunes!
And all these is coming amidst the backdrop of the unprecedented corruption  allegations coming from the very heart of the Buhari administration.
Even in Abacha's kleptocracy, nobody in government has been so brazen as to allegedly award a contract to clear grass (or invasive plant species if you want to mystify the contract) to the tune of ₦272,524,356.02!
This life! Audu Ogbeh wants to import grass from Brazil with billions meanwhile the Secretary to the Government of the Federation allegedly clears grass from Nigeria with millions! One man's grass is another man's grace!
Now you have a President who stole (or is it plagiarized?) another President's speech to launch a #ChangeBeginsWithMe initiative that was allegedly stolen by his minister of information from one Akin Fadeyi, asking his Attorney General of the Federation who was accused by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of professional misconduct, to probe his Secretary to the Government of the Federation using an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission whose Chairman has been accused of corruption by the Department of State Security whose head was appointed by the same President who nominated the accused Chairman. If by now your head is spinning, I will not blame you! The web of lies, deceit, corruption and cover ups will bamboozle even the great Houdini!
But the shocking thing is that those who shouted crucify Sambo Dasuki, Femi Fani Kayode and Reuben Abati are suddenly chanting 'innocent until proven guilty' for Magu and Babachir!
How convenient! Suddenly a government that does not respect court orders and judges now wants to follow due process before it does the needful yet the same President sub judicially convicts accused person from the Jonathan administration in his public comments at home and abroad!
And it is not that someone allegedly stole. It is that they allegedly stole from Internally Displaced Persons. A person that can do that can do anything and I mean anything!
President Jonathan was the one who set up the Presidential Initiative for the Northeast otherwise known as PINE. He was the one who set up the Victims Support Fund which raised ₦58.79 billion for IDPs, yet this very same Buhari appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and others in this administration publicly go about accusing ex President Jonathan of not  loving the Northeast. Now President Buhari's government that has not given any kind of financial assistance to the Borno state government (as stated by the Borno state governor in his testimony to the Senate ad hoc Committee on the Humanitarian Crisis in the North-east when they visited Maidugurj) is alleging stealing from the PINE that Jonathan created. Yet they say it is Buhari that loves the Northeast! May double standards not destroy Nigeria!
And when we thought we had seen enough drama from Magu and Babachir, Buhari's educationally challenged minister of sports unleashed his own personal telenovela on an already politically shell shocked nation.
Not content with murdering the Nigerian sports industry, Solomon Dalung proceeds to murder the English language stating inter alia in his testimony before the House of Representatives Committee on Sports  that the funds ‘spended were properly spended’!
I am telling you that you cannot make up the things that happen in the Buhari administration. As Fela once sang of this very same Buhari's military administration, 'na craze world be that'!
Solomon Dalung is a summary of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. Professing to have a degree yet unable to act in a manner consistent with someone who earned the degree he claims to have received.
I mean this man allegedly read law and even went beyond that to lecture at the Law Department of the University of Jos! If their lecturer is a man who appropriately 'spended' Nigeria's money what are we to expect from his students?
President Buhari's cabinet and Fuji House of Commotion certainly have more than a few things in common! It is no surprise that Nigeria is so broke and suffering from recession under this educationally challenged government. How can a nation earn money when we have a government that refuses to learn? It is not a coincidence that KNOWLEDGE  and IGNORANCE both have 9 letters and RICH and POOR both have 4 letters. We are poor not because the price of oil has fallen. No. We are poor because the intelligence of our leaders has fallen!
The rule for earning money is simple. First LEARN, and after learning, simply remove the letter L and you will start to EARN. The Buhari administration is against learning. It prefers to BLAME and after you BLAME, simply remove the letter B and you become LAME!
Last week the National Economic Council held at Aso Rock Presidential Villa and the communique from the meeting centered not around solutions to the multifarious challenges Nigeria is confronting but on a one liner-'Buhari Is Not to be Blamed for economic woes!'
In the history of statecraft the world over, it is doubtful if there has ever existed an administration so fixated on the word blame as the Buhari government!
And Nigerians have lost all hope in this regime and invested all their hope in the Mavrodi Mondial Movement. Even when MMM suspended subscribers accounts for a month, Nigerians still continued to believe in the pyramid scheme. They refuse to believe that Mavrodi has made off with their money!
Even in churches and mosques, it is hard to see the same level of faith that Nigerians have for the resurrection of MMM come January 2017!
The funniest thing is that Nigerians had this same level of faith in Buhari when he was sworn in on May 29th, 2015, but after seeing the value of the Naira crash from ₦220 when President Buhari took over to ₦485 Naira to a dollar as I write this, after seeing the price of rice increase from ₦8,000 under Goodluck to ₦24,000 under this administration, after seeing an increase in killings by herdsmen all over Nigeria to the extent that in November 2015, the Global Terrorism Index listed them as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world (according to the Global Terrorism Index, herdsmen which killed 80 Nigerians in 2013 had killed thousands annually since Buhari became President), they have enough sense to know that President Buhari's credibility died on March 24, 1999 and his name was Tunde Idiagbon!
And back to the Naira. What is the true value of Naira? Is it
Budget ₦305/$
Interbank ₦315/$
BDC ₦389/$
Parallel Market ₦450/$ or
Black Market ₦485/$
How can one question have five answers? Only in Buhari's Nigeria. I am sure if you ask the Buhari administration to explain this anomaly, the response you will get back is that the value of the Naira to the dollar has been adequately 'explaineded'!
God save Nigeria!
Omokri is the founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center in California, author of Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God and Why Jesus Wept and the host of Transformation with Reno Omokri

Crisis brews in Ondo over plan to install rival Eze Ndigbo

Crisis brews in Ondo over plan to install rival Eze Ndigbo
By Dayo Johnson Akure—A seeming crisis is brewing among the Igbo community in Akure, the Ondo State capital over the plan to install a rival Eze Ndigbo by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi. Consequently, some concerned Igbo leaders in the state have raised alarm that if care was not taken the unpopular decision would pitch the community against their host community and the traditional ruler. A statement signed by their spokesmen Messrs James Chukwujekwu and Samuel Maduka on behalf Concerned Igbo Indigenes in Akure said that the plan may disrupt the existing peace in the state capital. Chuckwujekwu and Maduka said Sir Gregory Iloehika has been elected as Eze Ndigbo by the entire Igbo communities in the state since August 2011 and any attempt to appoint another leader for the community may lead to crisis. The spokesmen said: “We wish to reiterate that the presence of the Igbos which led to the emergence of Igbo association call Ndigbo has existed for long in Ondo State over nine decades.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/crisis-brews-ondo-plan-install-rival-eze-ndigbo/

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 22, 2016 - The Best Gift Ever

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 22, 2016 - The Best Gift Ever

Topic: The Best Gift Ever [December 22, 2016]
Read: 1 Peter 3:8–16, Bible in a Year: Micah 6–7; Revelation 13
 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15
 At a winter retreat in northern New England, one of the men asked the question, “What was your favorite Christmas gift ever?”
One athletic man seemed eager to answer. “That’s easy,” he said, glancing at his friend next to him. “A few years back, I finished college thinking I was a sure bet to play professional football. When it didn’t happen, I was angry. Bitterness ate at me, and I shared that bitterness with anyone who tried to help me.”
 “On the second Christmas—and second season without football—I went to a Christmas play at this guy’s church,” he said, gesturing toward his friend. “Not because I wanted Jesus, but just to see my niece in her Christmas pageant. It’s hard to describe what happened because it sounds silly, but right in the middle of that kids’ play, I felt like I needed to be with those shepherds and angels meeting Jesus. When that crowd finished singing ‘Silent Night,’ I just sat there weeping.
“I got my best Christmas present ever that very night,” he said, again pointing to his friend, “when this guy sent his family home without him so he could tell me how to meet Jesus.”
It was then that his friend piped up: “And that, guys, was my best Christmas present ever.”
Prayer: This Christmas, may the joyful simplicity of the story of Jesus’s birth be the story we tell to others.
 The best Christmas gift is Jesus bringing peace and forgiveness to others.
Insight:
 Do you struggle at times to find the right words to talk about the good news to someone who hasn’t yet accepted it? If so, the apostle Peter offers a refreshingly flexible approach to sharing our faith. He urges us to give others a reason to ask about our hope in Christ (3:15). If we honor Christ as Lord in our hearts first, the difference it makes in us will prompt questions (v. 15). Peter envisions the kind of transformation that others will envy—in the best sense of the word. Those living under the influence of Christ will treat one another with compassion and humility (v. 8). They won't return evil for evil, or insult for insult, but rather blessings for curses (v. 9). This difference in our lives will help others open themselves up to receiving the best gift they could ever receive.
 This message was written by Randy Kilgore [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

So sad! Engineer assassinated in Ekiti state

As culled from LIB, An engineer identified as Kunle Enisan was assassinated at Housing Estate along Afao road in Ekiti state on Monday December 19th.
 According to family sources, the father of two who works as an engineer at the Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state, was killed around 8pm.

 On the day he was murdered, Enisan and his wife were on their way home from work when he dropped her off and asked her to continue the journey home as he had a meeting. After waiting endlessly for him to return home, his wife and a group of people decided to go out to search for him.
 They found his lifeless body beside his car few meters away from their home.
 The state police command Public Relations Officer, Albert Adeyemi, confirmed the incident and said further investigations into the matter is ongoing.

 This attack comes barely twenty-four hours after the Paymaster of the Ekiti State Police Command, Idowu Taiwo, was gruesomely murdered by unknown gunmen on the streets of Ado Ekiti.


LIB

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 20, 2016 - Spreading Joy

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 20, 2016 - Spreading Joy

Topic: Spreading Joy [December 20, 2016]
Read: John 16:16–24, Bible in a Year: Micah 1–3; Revelation 11
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” - Luke 2:10
 When Janet went to teach English in a school overseas, she found the atmosphere gloomy and depressing. People did their jobs, but no one seemed happy. They didn't help or encourage one another. But Janet, grateful for all that God had done for her, expressed it in everything she did. She smiled. She was friendly. She went out of her way to help people. She hummed songs and hymns.
 Little by little, as Janet shared her joy, the atmosphere at the school changed. One by one people began to smile and help each other. When a visiting administrator asked the principal why his school was so different, the principal, who was not a believer, responded, “Jesus brings joy.” Janet was filled to overflowing with the joy of the Lord and it spilled over to those around her.
 The gospel of Luke tells us that God sent an angel to ordinary shepherds to deliver an extraordinary birth announcement. The angel made the surprising proclamation that the newborn baby “will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10), which indeed He did.
 Since then this message has spread through the centuries to us, and now we are Christ's messengers of joy to the world. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we continue the practice of spreading the joy of Jesus as we follow His example and serve others.
Prayer: How might you spread the joy of Jesus to others today?
 Take the joy of Christmas with you every day.
Insight:
 Just as the angel appeared in the night sky to give shepherds reason for joy, Jesus also used a dark moment to offer His disciples reason for hope on the other side of His suffering and their confusion. What they didn’t yet know would only be revealed in time. Christ’s death was a loving Father’s way of reconciling a rebel world to Himself. The despair of that night was necessary so that, three days later, a reason for hope now, and fullness of joy later, could be offered to all (v. 33).
This message was written by Julie Ackerman Link [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

OMG! Many dead as Dangote truck crushes a commercial bus in Ore, Lagos-Benin expressway

As culled from LIB. An accident involving a Dangote truck and EFEX executive bus along Akintelu, Ore, Lagos-Benin expressway have led to the death of many. According to Facebook user, Oluwi Olakunle Brown who shared the photos, the accident occured on Sunday, 18th December 2016 and all passengers in the commercial bus lost their lives. See the graphic photos below through the link.

http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/12/graphic-photos-many-dead-as-dangote.html?m=1

Will Donald Trump losses out in becoming the American President?

For Anti-Trump supporters, there is still some glimmer of hope that president-elect Donald Trump won't be sworn in as president of the United States come January 2017 due to today's Electoral College votes.



In the recently concluded U.S Presidential election, Trump won the electoral college votes, defeating Clinton in major states, while Clinton won the popular votes, amassing over 2 million votes than her rival.

There's a possibility, though slim, that Trump won't be president if electors in the elctoral college vote decide to vote against the victor and vote against their states' results.



Read the interesting article by CNN.com after the cut.




The 538 members of the Electoral College are set on Monday to make President-elect Donald Trump's victory official.



In all 50 state capitals and the District of Columbia, electors -- chosen by the state parties of the candidate who carried their state, Trump or Hillary Clinton -- will meet to cast their ballots. The gatherings will remove the last bit of drama from 2016's unprecedented election season -- and post-election efforts to persuade Republican electors to vote against Trump, in some cases in violation of state laws requiring electors to support the victor.




Heightening the tension in recent weeks: Clinton actually won the popular vote by about 3 million -- making Trump the worst-performing winner in the popular vote since 1876.

Trump's victory is not, as he has described it, a landslide. He is expected to garner just 56.9% of the electoral vote, assuming all electors vote according to their states' results. That will give Trump the 44th-largest share of the electoral vote out of 54 presidential elections since the modern system started in 1804.




It's a better performance, though, than President George W. Bush's razor-tight victory in 2000 and slightly larger win in 2004.

Bush, too, lost the popular vote -- but Trump lost by a larger margin. He will become the worst-performing president in the popular vote relative to his closest rival aside from Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876 and John Quincy Adams in 1824, an election that featured four candidates and was decided by the House of Representatives.

Clinton won 48.2% of the vote to Trump's 46.2% -- a lead of more than 2.8 million votes and more than 2% as of Friday, with that lead expected to grow as the final ballots are tallied.




There's no national meeting of the Electoral College. Instead, electors gather in each state -- usually in the Capitol.

Under federal law, though, electors must gather on December 19. And each elector must sign six copies certifying their votes for president and vice president.




Two ballots go to the National Archives. One goes to the president of the Senate. Two go to their state's chief elections officer. And one goes to a local judge.

After Monday's votes, there is still one last step: On January 6, Congress has to officially count the electoral votes. Vice President Joe Biden will preside over the count.

Lawmakers can technically object -- in writing, with objections signed by at least one House and one Senate member -- to individual electoral votes or entire states' results. If the House and Senate support that objection, the vote or votes in question are thrown out. But that has never happened.
After the votes are counted, the results are final, and Trump is officially set for his inauguration at noon on January 20.





Source: CNN

Fed Govt releases funds for Falcons

Fed Govt releases funds for Falcons!
Players and officials of the Super Falcons have been paid various sums of money as approved by the Federal Government after the Nigeria Football Federation received the sums on Friday. “The bank accounts of the players and officials are being credited as we speak. They will all receive credit alerts of the monies due to them, as released by the Government, before the end of the day,” NFF’s Head of Women’s Football, Ruth David, said. The monies were for the Super Falcons’ participation at the 10th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals, which the team won after defeating hosts Cameroon 1-0 in the final in Yaounde on 3rd December.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/fed-govt-releases-funds-falcons/

Winning Wisdom: Don't Let Satan Steal The Word

Winning Wisdom: Don't Let Satan Steal The Word
Author: Ese Ehimare Dave
Topic: Don't Let Satan Steal The Word [Sunday, 18th Dec. 2016]
The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Luke 8:12 ESV
 The potency of the Word of God is never in doubt. God always wants His Word to be our experience. He said in Isaiah 55:11 - "so shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Every of God's Word has the ability to produce what it talks about. But sometimes, we allow Satan to steal God's Word from our hearts, denying the Word the opportunity to produce what it talks about.
 But how do we stop this negative trend from happening? Jesus said to us, "to you it has been given to [come progressively to] know (to recognize and understand more strongly and clearly) the mysteries and secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables..." (Luke 8:10 AMP). This is the point where we need to arrive at - to recognize and fully understand God's Word more strongly and clearly. When we understand the Word more strongly and clearly, there is no way Satan can steal God's Word from us.
 At this point, we have internalize the Word. It is now a part of us and we have meditated and gotten the revelation of the Word. This is the point where we "behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP). Satan can't steal the Word from you at this point, rather, the Word would be producing all it talks about. Glory to God!
 Keep winning daily.
Prayer:
 Your Word is a shining light, that shines brighter into every dark alley of my life. It produces what it talks about. Satan can't get Your Word from my heart, because it is now a part of me. And I live in the reality of what Your Word says about me, in Jesus name. Amen.

Will God Save All People?

Will God Save All People?

Author: Emode Victor
A Promise For You From Bible Promises:
 Topic: Will God Save All People? [17/12/2016]
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? Ezekiel  18:23. Read: Jn 3:15-19
 Will God actually save all men on earth to His Kingdom at the end? I think the question should be, will all men be willing to be saved by God? Because Jesus death is not for a specific people but for the whole world. He died to save all, not some. Jn 4:42 says, Christ is the Saviour of the world. Jn 6:33 says, Jesus gives life to the world. Jn 12:47 also says, Jesus did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. And God said in the above scripture that, He is not willing that sinners should perish in their sin, but that they should turn and live.
 So God's intent is that all men should be saved, but not all men are willing to be saved. Therefore, God can save all people on earth to His Kingdom by His power but not all people can be saved due to their decision. Joshua told the people, I and my household have chosen to be saved by God, you too must choose whether you want to be saved by him. Jos 24:15. Even if you are not saved yet, come He is willing to save you right now, are you willing to confess Him? Don't follow those that say that God already known those that would be saved. Even if you believe that, I am telling you now that you are part of the people God wants to save.
 #BiblePromisesQuote
 * Your willingness to come to His saving knowledge will bring God to help and save you. Be willing today.

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 16, 2016 - Another Side of Comfort

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 16, 2016 - Another Side of Comfort
Topic: Another Side of Comfort [December 16, 2016]
Read: Jeremiah 7:1–11, Bible in a Year: Amos 4–6; Revelation 7
 Hear the word of the Lord. Jeremiah 7:2
 The theme for our adult camp was “Comfort My People.” Speaker after speaker spoke words of assurance. But the last speaker drastically changed the tone. He chose Jeremiah 7:1–11 and the topic “Wake Up from Slumber.” Without mincing words and yet with love, he challenged us to wake up and turn away from our sins.
“Don’t hide behind the grace of God and continue to live in secret sin,” he exhorted, like the prophet Jeremiah. “We boast, ‘I am a Christian; God loves me; I fear no evil,’ yet we do all kinds of evil.”
We knew he cared about us, yet we shifted uncomfortably in our seats and listened to our own Jeremiah declare, “God is loving, but He is also a consuming fire! (see Heb. 12:29). He will never condone sin!”
Jeremiah of old quizzed the people, “Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury . . . follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, ‘We are safe’—safe to do all these detestable things?” (7:9–10).
 This speaker’s brand of “Comfort My People” was another side of God’s comfort. Like a bitter herb that heals malaria, his words were spiritually curative. When we hear hard words, instead of walking away, may we respond to their healing effect.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You love us too much to let us continue defying Your instructions. Your correction is never to harm us but only to heal us. You are the God of all comfort.
 God’s discipline is designed to make us like His Son.
Insight:
 The idea of loving correction is a consistent message of the Scriptures. God portrays Himself to us as a loving parent, a father who wants to protect and provide the very best for His children. This is seen in the way God dealt with Israel in the wilderness wanderings. This imagery is seen in the New Testament as well.
In Hebrews 12:4–6, the Scriptures make it clear that divine discipline is not an expression of punishment or vengeance. It is the loving Father correcting our wrong behavior so that we can live wisely with and for Him.
 This message was written by Lawrence Darmani [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

President Buhari’s speech at the presentation of 2017 ‘budget of Recovery and Growth’

President Buhari’s speech at the presentation of 2017 ‘budget of Recovery and Growth’
Read full text of President Buhari’s speech at the presentation of the 2017 budget SPEECH OF H.E. PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI ON THE 2017 BUDGET OF RECOVERY AND GROWTH AT JOINT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 14TH DECEMBER 2016  Protocols
 1. It is my pleasure to present the 2017 Budget Proposals to this distinguished Joint Assembly: the Budget of Recovery and Growth.
 2. We propose that the implementation of the Budget will be based on our Economic Recovery and Growth Strategy. The Plan, which builds on our 2016 Budget, provides a clear road map of policy actions and steps designed to bring the economy out of recession and to a path of steady growth and prosperity.
 3. We continue to face the most challenging economic situation in the history of our Nation. Nearly every home and nearly every business in Nigeria is affected one way or the other.
 4. Yet I remain convinced that this is also a time of great opportunity. We have reached a stage when the creativity, talents and resilience of the Nigerian people is being rewarded. Those courageous and patriotic men and women who believed in Nigeria are now seeing the benefits gradually come to fruition. I am talking about the farmers who today are experiencing bumper harvests, the manufacturers who substituted imported goods for local materials and the car assembly companies who today are expanding to meet higher demand.
 5. Distinguished members of National Assembly, for the record: For many years we depended on oil for foreign exchange revenues. In the days of high oil prices, we did not save. We squandered.
 6. We wasted our large foreign exchange reserves to import nearly everything we consume. Our food, Our clothing, Our manufacturing inputs, Our fuel and much more. In the past 18 months when we experienced low oil prices, we saw our foreign exchange earnings cut by about 60%, our reserves eroded and our consumption declined as we could not import to meet our needs.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/president-buhari-speech-at-the-presentation-of-2017-budget-of-recovery-and-growth/

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 14, 2016 - Living in the Light

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 14, 2016 - Living in the Light





Topic: Living in the Light [December 14, 2016]
Read: 1 John 2:3–11, Bible in a Year: Joel 1–3; Revelation 5
The darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 1 John 2:8
 It was a dark morning. Low, steel-colored clouds filled the sky, and the atmosphere was so dim that I needed to turn on the lights in order to read a book. I had just settled in when the room suddenly filled with light. I looked up and saw that the wind was pushing the clouds to the east, clearing the sky and revealing the sun.
 As I went to the window to get a better look at the drama, a thought came to mind: “The darkness is passing and the true light is already shining” (1 John 2:8). The apostle John wrote these words to believers as a message of encouragement. He went on to say, “Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble” (v. 10). By contrast, he equated hating people with roaming around in darkness. Hatred is disorienting; it takes away our sense of moral direction.
 Loving people is not always easy. Yet I was reminded as I looked out the window that frustration, forgiveness, and faithfulness are all part of maintaining a deep connection with the love and light of God. When we choose love instead of hate, we are showing our relationship with Him and reflecting His radiance to the world around us. “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
Prayer: Dear God, help me to experience Your love more fully so that I can share it with others. I want to live in the light of Your grace and mercy.
 Choosing to love people well shows the world what God is like.
Insight:
 Today’s passage has perplexed many believers. Is John teaching that if we have any hatred in our hearts, then we are not genuine believers? It is very important to understand a concept in Greek grammar in order to capture what the passage is saying. The verb tense used here means “continuous action in the present.” This means the verb could be paraphrased “continually hating.” Therefore, when John speaks of someone hating, he is talking about an unrepentant lifestyle of continuously living in hatred toward another. The authentic walk of faith is not a sinless walk, but one in which the believer feels uncomfortable with sin and reaches out to God for forgiveness and change.
 This message was written by Jennifer Benson Schuldt [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Rivers rerun: Enough is Enough! As Group urges Buhari to Stop APC from using ‘federal might’ to intimidate voters

Rivers rerun: Enough is Enough! As Group urges Buhari to Stop APC from using ‘federal might’ to intimidate voters
Nigerian Wailers has called on President Muhammadu to prevail on his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to stop intimidating electorate “Federal Might.”
The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the group, Usman Abubakar, said this in a statement on Tuesday.
Nigerian Wailers made the call at a time when some stakeholders frowned at the conduct of the Saturday’s rerun election in Rivers State over irregularities that marred the election.
Recall that the Governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike had accused security agents of hijacking and attempting to rig  the Saturday’s election.
But the body in the statement said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria headed by President Muhammadu should call both the ruling APC and PDP to order.
“He should also stop his party members from intimidating the electorate with what they termed as “Federal Might”, this is one critical problem that must be resolved.
“When the people perceive that the election is being compromised by the federal government via the law enforcement agencies, they are tempted to take laws into their hands to resist oppression and intimidation. This is not part of our tenets of democracy.

“No citizen should be forced to resort to lawlessness and anarchy because the instruments of government and government Agencies are subverting their wishes.
“The Government must carry out its duties and functions by ensuring that the security provided does not infringe on the people’s rights during electioneering process.”


dailypost
Nigeria Wailers

Trending: Panic, humour as MMM 'crashes'

Trending: Panic, humour as MMM 'crashes'
Babanla • 27 minutes ago The beginning of sorrows for those who would never listen. I remember years ago that Nospecto followed this same path by first telling her members that their monies were safe and that business will continue after the turbulence but it was never going to be - the aftermath was suicides, heart attacks and violent quarrels among members and the company owners. The question MMMers should ask is why were their accounts frozen since they claim they were out to help the poor? When does the poor need all the money if not this Yuletide period? Is MMM aware of how many people that are planning to buy cars, build houses etc this season with their 30% only for their accounts to be frozen? Truth be told, information has it that EFCC in conjunction with FBI are after the proponents of MMM Nigeria and have set December 14 as the target date to shut down MMM Nigeria. So Mavrodi is only being pro-active so as not to lose everything. I DOUBT IF MMMers will ever get anything after this exercise. May be he will borrow 30% of all the members' investments from CBN sha.


Epsilon_Delta  Titanium Tj • 17 minutes ago It has crashed! If they can't withstand the xmas pressure, by January their problems will be multiplied. Everyone would want their money back and people won't be providing help.



Femi O  Manny • 22 minutes ago May God give you the fortitude to bear the loss. continue to stand when you are tired you go sidon. sorry o.







Mamudu Ibrahim Kasim  Manny • 14 minutes ago I dey laugh.

Mamudu Ibrahim Kasim • 12 minutes ago MMM aka MUMU MUST BE MUMU about to crash. MUMU when will u lean that this was just to "Rob Peter to pay Paul"





B? • 33 minutes ago Why will problem not mount? When MUMU can not afford to pay MUNGU any longer: the problem will not only mount, it will be mountain mavro.


source. Punch

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 13, 2016 - Good News!

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 13, 2016 - Good News!





Topic: Good News! [December 13, 2016]
Read: Nahum 1:7–15, Bible in a Year: Hosea 12–14; Revelation 4
Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Nahum 1:15
 World news bombards us from the Internet, television, radio, and mobile devices. The majority seems to describe what’s wrong—crime, terrorism, war, and economic problems. Yet there are times when good news invades the darkest hours of sadness and despair—stories of unselfish acts, a medical breakthrough, or steps toward peace in war-scarred places.
 The words of two men recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible brought great hope to people weary of conflict.
 While describing God’s coming judgment on a ruthless and powerful nation, Nahum said, “Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!” (Nah. 1:15). That news brought hope to all those oppressed by cruelty.
 A similar phrase occurs in the book of Isaiah: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation” (Isa. 52:7).
 Nahum and Isaiah’s prophetic words of hope found their ultimate fulfillment at the first Christmas when the angel told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11).
 The most important headline in our lives every day is the very best news ever spoken—Christ the Savior is born!
 The birth of Jesus is the best news the world has ever received!
Insight:
 We can associate “good news” of peace from war (Nahum 1:15) with the “good news” of Jesus’s birth (Luke 2:10). We might imagine a huffing, puffing runner (in Nahum 1:15)—like the famed runner to Sparta for whom “marathon” is named—who has come a long distance. Is he now pausing “on the mountains” to shout to hearers in the valley, “The war is over!”? No wonder the herald’s “feet” are celebrated—he “proclaims peace!” (1:15). In Old Testament thought “peace” (shalom) is not just the absence of war; it is a full-orbed idea that represents wellness and wholeness. Have you received the Christ who Himself, through His death, is the believer’s peace? (Eph. 2:14–15).
 This message was written by David McCasland [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

You Have No Future Without Christ

You Have No Future Without Christ




Author: Emode Victor
A Promise For You From Bible Promises:
 Topic: You Have No Future Without Christ [12/12/2016]
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the HOPE OF GLORY. Colossians 1:27. Read: Mk 8:36-37
 A life without Jesus is a life without hope of the future. When a life lacks hope, discouragement will set in and when this happens, life becomes worthless and meaningless to such a person. Hope is the anchor of the soul and only in Christ alone can you find such hope. Only in Christ can you find satisfaction of the soul. In the Kingdom of God, every soul without Christ is considered as lost. Many consider the future only to be their tomorrow, no. In God's Kingdom, your future is more than your tomorrow. Your future is your Eternity. A life after now. A life after tomorrow.
 Jesus said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark  8:36-37. He went further to say in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me". Your future (whether in this life or in the life to come) depends on Jesus Christ. No matter who you are what you've achieved now, without Jesus in those achievements, your future is not certain. Don't forget, you are living a borrowed life and one day, the owner of the life will require it from you.
 #BiblePromisesThought
 * A life without Jesus (though might be prospering now) has no root to survive the test of time. Life is sore without Jesus.

Uyo church building collapse: How Gov. Udom survived, over 200 dead during service

Uyo church building collapse: How Gov. Udom survived, over 200 dead during service
By Dennis Udoma and Chioma Onuegbu Tragedy struck in the least anticipated place, yesterday, Reigners Bible Ministry, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, after the church building collapsed during a service. Conflicting accounts put the death toll at between 50 and 200 while Governor Udom Emmanuel, who was present when the incident occurred, survived.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/uyo-church-building-collapse-gov-udom-survived-200-dead-service/

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 10, 2016 - Wounds from a Friend

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 10, 2016 - Wounds from a Friend

Topic: Wounds from a Friend [December 10, 2016]
Read: Proverbs 27:5–10, Bible in a Year: Hosea 1–4; Revelation 1
Wounds from a friend can be trusted. - Proverbs 27:6
 Charles Lowery complained to his friend about lower back pain. He was seeking a sympathetic ear, but what he got was an honest assessment. His friend told him, “I don’t think your back pain is your problem; it’s your stomach. Your stomach is so big it’s pulling on your back.”
In his column for REV! Magazine, Charles shared that he resisted the temptation to be offended. He lost the weight and his back problem went away. Charles recognized that “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted” (Prov. 27:5–6).
 The trouble is that so often we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism, for truth hurts. It bruises our ego, makes us uncomfortable, and calls for change.
 True friends don’t find pleasure in hurting us. Rather, they love us too much to deceive us. They are people who, with loving courage, point out what we may already know but find hard to truly accept and live by. They tell us not only what we like to hear but also what we need to hear.
 Solomon honored such friendship in his proverbs. Jesus went further—He endured the wounds of our rejection not only to tell us the truth about ourselves but to show us how much we are loved.
 Think of a time when a friend said something honest that caused you pain. Did it benefit you? Is it wise to accept everything our friends tell us?
  A friend is one who can tell you the truth in love.
Insight:
 Ephesians 4:15 is a New Testament counterpart of Proverbs 27:6. It refers to two virtues that we must learn to keep in balance—“speaking the truth” and “love.” The word “speaking” is actually not an explicit part of the original Greek text, but is translated from a single verb. Some translators have suggested that the verb might better be rendered “truthing it” or “truthifying it in love.” The verb, when joined with “in love,” implies a lifestyle of integrity where truth is united with love. If we emphasize truth without love, then we can brutally hurt another person. On the other hand, if we express love at the expense of truth, we can fail to caringly confront some sin or problem that genuinely needs to be faced.
This message was written by Poh Fang Chia [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Rerun Polls: APC Unleashes Full Weight of Federal Might on Rivers

Rerun Polls: APC Unleashes Full Weight of Federal Might on Rivers
This is election of our lives, says Transport Minister
• State govt declares Ganduje persona non grata
• Illegal withdrawal of my CSO has put my life at risk, Wike tells IG

 
Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) admitted yesterday that it came to Rivers State with the full complement of the federal might to ensure the success of the party in tomorrow’s federal and state legislative rerun elections in the state.
This came as the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, described the polls as “the election of our lives” and called on APC members and supporters to defend themselves if attacked on Election Day.
Addressing an APC mega campaign rally for the polls at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt yesterday, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, declared that the party brought the federal might to Rivers State ahead of tomorrow’s polls.
No fewer than 10 state governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly and other party bigwigs attended the rally.
APC state governors that attended the rally included Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi).
Also present were Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), as well as Ondo State Governor-elect, Rotimi Akeredolu, and his deputy, Hon. Ajayi.
Odigie-Oyegun said: “As you can see, we came in full force; the whole federal might is here. We have the governors here today. Our senators and other members of the National Assembly are here today. Our women leaders are here today to pass one message.
“That is because we respect you, our members in Rivers State. We respect the courage of our members in Rivers State; we are behind you. We want to let you know that we have heard your cries; we have seen your anguish.
“The message is simple: enough is enough, enough is enough. This is the beginning of the rescue mission in Rivers State.”
He stated that the situation of things in Rivers State had degenerated under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration and said the APC would come to the rescue of the people.
“We now have a blood-thirsty regime in Rivers State. I am glad with what I am hearing: if they push you, push them. If they snatch a result sheet, snatch it back,” he said.
Also addressing the rally, Amaechi called on members of the APC not to allow members of the PDP to intimidate them during the rerun elections.
He said: “This is the election of our lives. Before, I used to tell you, please, don’t fight. What I will tell you today is do not kill anybody but do not get killed. My friend in the army says if you hear the sound of a gun, it is not meant for you. The implication therefore is that if you allow them to shoot, you will die.
“It is not only them that have the right to life, you also have a right to life. I don’t want to hear that they shot me and took away result sheets. If they take result sheets from you, collect it back from them. You know I have never said anything like this before.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Legislative Rerun Election Campaign Committee of the APC and Kano Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, described Rivers State as the most corrupt in the country, adding that the APC was bent on changing the status.
“There is no peace in Rivers State. Peace is lacking, peace is dead. Rivers State is the centre, nucleus of corruption in Nigeria. That is why you have to vote APC candidates to apply the brakes to the drama that is taking place in the Rivers State Government House,” he said.
He also called on APC supporters to defend themselves during and after the elections.


http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/12/09/rerun-polls-apc-unleashes-full-weight-of-federal-might-on-rivers/

The calm after Ondo election

It is pleasantly surprising to note the peace and calm which have followed the gubernatorial election in Ondo State over the past weekend in spite of the heat and vapour that characterised the electioneering activities. This follows in the pattern of a similar election which took place in neighbouring Edo State only two months ago. But the Ondo election ended on a more pleasant note because the outgoing People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, congratulated the winner, Rotimi Akeredolu, the flag bearer of the arch rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is in spite of the fact that the candidate Mimiko supported, Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, has decided to seek justice at the Election Tribunal. The third placed candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Olusola Oke, also congratulated Akeredolu.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/calm-ondo-governorship-poll/

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 7, 2016 - Beautiful Unity

Our Daily Bread devotional, December 7, 2016 - Beautiful Unity





Topic: Beautiful Unity [December 7, 2016]
Read: Ephesians 4:1–6, Bible in a Year: Daniel 5–7; 2 John
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
 Seeing three large predatory animals cuddle and play together is extremely unusual. Yet this is precisely what happens daily in an animal sanctuary in Georgia. In 2001, after months of neglect and abuse, a lion, a Bengal tiger, and a black bear were rescued by Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary. “We could have separated them,” said the assistant director. “But since they came as a kind of family, we decided to keep them together.” The trio had found comfort in each other during their time of mistreatment, and, despite their differences, they live peacefully together.
 Unity is a beautiful thing. But the unity Paul wrote about in his letter to the believers in Ephesus is unique. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to live up to their calling as members of one body in Christ (Eph. 4:4–5). By the power of the Holy Spirit they would be able to live in unity as they developed humility, gentleness, and patience. These attitudes also allow us to lovingly bear “with one another in love” through the common ground we have in Christ Jesus (4:2).
 Despite our differences, as members of the family of God we have been reconciled to Him through the death of our Savior and reconciled to each other through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to grow in gentleness and patience toward others. Show me how to love others, even when we may have differences.
 We keep unity by being united in the Spirit.
Insight:
 The ancient city of Ephesus was large and diverse. In the first century, many philosophies and religions in Ephesus competed with Christianity, and this diversity presented some unique theological and ethical challenges to the Christ-followers who lived there. In his letter to the believers in Ephesus, the apostle Paul wanted to be sure they understood that peace with God could only be achieved through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. Other ideas might sound appealing, but salvation rests exclusively in Christ. Saving faith is not about converting to a religion; it is about receiving and then living out a new life from Christ that reflects God’s love, mercy, and wisdom.
This message was written by Marvin Williams [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Sanusi lied; CBN’s lending to FG is N1.467 trn – Presidency

Sanusi lied; CBN’s lending to FG is N1.467 trn – Presidency

By Omoh Gabriel, Business Editor LAGOS — New facts emerged yesterday that the CBN advanced the Federal Government the sum of N1.193 trillion as Ways and Means as at 2nd December 2016. Asanusi fact sheet of the accounts of the Federal Government with the CBN, obtained yesterday from Presidency sources disclosed that the Federal Government did not borrow above its limit from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The Presidency fact sheet showed that inflows into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account, TSA, as at December 2 stood at N4.4trillion. The figure also indicated that foreign exchange transfers into the account was N101.7 billion, giving a grand total of N4.574trillion. The fact sheet also showed government spent N1.913trillion. As a result, credit balance in the TSA as at December 2, 2016 was N2.66trillion. Again, according to the fact sheet, money lent to the Federal Government by the CBN through Ways and Means was N1.467trillion, far less than what Sanusi claimed. Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II had asserted last week that the account of the Federal Government, domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria, is overdrawn to the tune of N4.7 trillion by the Buhari administration. According to the traditional ruler, “CBN claims on the FGN now top N4.7 trillion — equal to almost 50 per cent of the FGN’s total domestic debt. This is a clear violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007 (Section 38.2), which caps advances to the FGN at five percent of last year’s revenues.” CBN-FG relationship His words: “The CBN-FGN relationship is no longer independent. In fact, one could argue their relationship has become unhealthy,” he said.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/sanusi-lied-cbns-lending-fg-n1-467-trn-presidency/

NYSC releases statement addressing the death three corp members in bath B 2016

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has released a statement addressing the loss of three corp members in different camps across Nigeria, recently. The Management has promised to set up a committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes responsible for the loss.The statement reads;




The National Youth Service Corps regrets the loss of three Corps members, Elechi Chinyerum Nwenenda, Oladepo Ifedolapo and Asuquo Ukeme Monday, during the on-gong 2016 Batch 'B' (Stream I) Orientation Course in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States respectively.



The death of the trio followed brief illnesses and after medical teams in the camps battled to save them in line with established procedures. Their demise, coming in their prime time when they were bracing up for further roles towards advancing their respective families, the nation and the rest of humanity, came as a rude shock to us in the NYSC family.



On behalf of the Management, staff and Corps members nationwide, I wish to express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased Corps members. May the Almighty God grant them eternal rest and give their families and the rest of us the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.



While we mourn the demise of these Corps members, who, out of patriotic zeal, answered the clarion call to serve their fatherland, we are constrained to correct the impression of negligence being created in some quarters. Management wishes to state that the welfare of Corps members has always remained topmost in the priorities of the Scheme, and we have continued to strive to give our best in that regard. The policy of the Scheme regarding healthcare during Orientation course provides for the setting up of camp clinic manned by qualified Doctors and other Corps Health Personnel.



The clinics, which are also provided with drugs and other basic equipment, are detailed to render round-the-clock medical services on camp with standing arrangement to refer and ensure immediate movement of patients to more sophisticated health facilities when necessary. We want to inform the public that medical teams in our camps have always been guided by the procedures of practice and in the most professional ways possible.



However, in view of these unfortunate incidents in Bayelsa, Kano, and Zamfara states, Management has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the loss the Corps members.



Management appreciates the concern of stakeholders, and wishes to assure the general public, especially serving and prospective Corps members as well as parents and guardians that the Scheme will continue to take measures aimed at ensuring the security and general well being of youths enlisted to serve the nation on the platform of the Scheme.



Signed:
SZ Kazaure
Brig Gen
Director-General

ONDO ELECTION, 2019 AND THE BATTLE WITHIN APC : Pro-Buhari elements Vs Tinubu’s men

ONDO ELECTION, 2019 AND THE BATTLE WITHIN APC : Pro-Buhari elements Vs Tinubu’s men

Dayo Johnson, Akure Though peaceful, last weekend’s governorship election in Ondo State was seen by many observers as a ‘bazaar’ in which the highest bidder got the lion share of the votes. But, whereas all the major political parties allegedly took part in the undemocratic game, the way the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly went on spending spree put to question the anti-corruption crusade of the ruling government at the federal level. No fewer than six governors of the APC whose states’ civil servants are owed salaries for several months were said to be part of the ‘bazaar’ staged in the name of election. They were allegedly led to Ondo by the Chairman of the party’s Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha, who is the Imo State governor and a former governor of Ekiti State but now Solid Minerals Minister, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Security operatives and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were believed to be part of the alleged voters inducement as they pretended that nothing of such was going on. They looked the other way after they had allegedly been taken care off. It was an inducement allegedly done with impunity by all the political parties. Meanwhile, the alleged voters’ inducement was done in flagrant disobedience of the police authorities threat before the election that nobody should come to the polling units with more than N5,000 as such people would be arrested.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/ondo-election-2019-battle-within-apc-pro-buhari-elements-vs-tinubus-men/

Open Heavens 3 December 2016: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Dealing With Unclean Spirits

Topic: Dealing With Unclean Spirits [Saturday 3, December 2016]
Memorise: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. - Mark 16:16
Read: Matthew 10:1 (KJV)
 1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 15-16, Psalms 115
MESSAGE:
 Demons are fallen angels that were driven out of heaven because of their rebellious acts. The Bible presents demons as the authentic source of every manner of immorality in this world. Also, demons are the foot soldiers that the devil uses to steal, kill, devour and wreck all manner of evil against humanity. I pray that you will not become an easy prey to the devil and his demons in the Name of Jesus.
 However, demons were subject to the authority of Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry and subsequently in the ministry of the Church. Demons and idols bow in the Presence of our God. If you study how demons related with Jesus Christ and His disciples in the Bible, you will observe that they recognized God’s Presence in Jesus Christ and his disciples, and they surrendered without argument. I have always told my spiritual children that if we have enough of His Presence in us, demons will flee when they sight us, how much more when we command them to go out. In Mark 5:1-6, when Jesus stepped on the shores of the Gadarenes, a very notorious, heavily demon-possessed mad man immediately reported to Him even before He said a word. It is very easy to cast out demons when your life is full of God’s glory. When Jesus came to earth, He brought with Him the glory and dominion of Heaven. Consequently, if demons see that same glory of God in you, they will have no choice but to submit to the King of Glory whose Presence you carry.
 Until you carry a higher level of His Presence in your life, you may not realize the activities of demons in your environment. Believe it or not, they are everywhere, performing their negative assignments. But as God increases His Presence in your life, there will be commotions, because demons recognize the Presence of God and they won’t be at rest. Even in the church, while God’s anointed Word is being taught in power, demons will not be able to withstand the power. One day, Paul and is co-labourers in God’s vineyard were on their way to a prayer meeting when the spirit of divination in a young lady became restless because of God’s Presence. If only you carry a higher level of His Presence, the demons around you will manifest from wherever they are hiding. Ask God for more of His Presence upon you.
 Prayer Point: Father, please baptize me with Your power today in Jesus’ name.
 Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
 iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Donald Trump names Gen James 'Mad Dog' Mattis as defence secretary

Donald Trump names Gen James 'Mad Dog' Mattis as defence secretary

US President-elect Donald Trump has named General James Mattis as his defence secretary.
"He's our best," Mr Trump said, as he announced the nomination to a rally of supporters in Ohio.
Gen Mattis, who is known as "Mad Dog", was an outspoken critic of the Obama administration's Middle East policy, particularly on Iran.
He has referred to Iran as "the single most enduring threat to stability and peace in the Middle East".
◾'Warrior Monk' who will head Pentagon
◾Trump warns of 'consequences' for firms leaving US
◾Trump assembles America's 'richest cabinet'
◾The people around Donald Trump
Mr Trump made the announcement in Cincinnati at the start of a "USA Thank You Tour 2016" for his supporters.
"We are going to appoint 'Mad Dog' Mattis as our secretary of defence," he told the crowd.
"They say he's the closest thing to General George Patton [World War Two commander] that we have."

Campaign Trump on top form - Analysis by Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter
This was billed as the first stop on President-elect Donald Trump's "thank you" tour of states he flipped from Democrat to Republican in the 2016 election.
It ended up being more like an extended end zone dance, an "in your face" primal scream at all his critics and naysayers.
He took swipes at Hillary Clinton, to a chorus of "lock her up" chants from the crowd. He bemoaned the lack of support he received from his own party. And, as always, he fired invective at the media, as the boos rained down on the reporters typing away in their cordoned-off pen.
The one bit of news he did reveal - that he had picked retired General James Mattis to be defence secretary - was seemingly impromptu. "Don't let it out of this room, promise," he said, to cheers.
It was Campaign Trump in top form. He clearly had a script - unveiling his "action plan" for his presidency - but he enthusiastically deviated from it, much to the crowd's delight.
"Should I go on just a little bit longer?" he asked. The crowd roared.
During his speech he said a divided America must come together, but it seems unlikely any Democrats watching felt like sharing a group hug.

Mr Trump has previously described Gen Mattis, 66, as "a true general's general".
The retired Marine Corps officer led an assault battalion during the first Gulf war in 1991 and commanded a task force into southern Afghanistan in 2001.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38178625

BBC: Africa highlights

Africa highlights: Soyinka 'cuts up green card over Trump', Senegalese 'giant' sculptor dies
Summary
Nigeria's Soyinka 'cuts up green card over Trump'
Renowned Senegalese sculptor Ousmane Sow dies aged 81
UN warns ethnic cleansing is under way in South Sudan
Ethiopia arrests Oromo opposition leader Merara Gudina
Pro-Biafra leader denied bail in Nigeria
Gambia bans internet and international phone calls during polls
Confusion for 200,000 Nigerian graduates reporting for new government jobs
Email stories and comments to africalive@bbc.co.uk

I may quits PDP if the crisis continue says Gov. Fayose

The governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, on Wednesday hinted that he would leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, should the crisis in the party continue by 2018.
The governor, who gave the hint while meeting with the Suppliers Association of Nigeria, Ikere chapter, at Ikere-Ekiti, expressed concerns over the crisis which led to the failure of the PDP to win the Ondo State governorship election held Saturday.
“I don’t know the platform I will use for the 2018 election yet and at the appropriate time, I will tell you,” Mr. Fayose said.
“We are still studying the situation. We have to play the game left, right and centre and whoever we are going to use and the platform, you will all be part of the process because party politics is about the people.
“You all saw how people sold their votes in Ondo state, I am confident that that will not happen in Ekiti.
“I am close to the people; you are the source of my strength. Even if it requires just 48 hours to any election, if I tell you where to go, you will surely follow me there.”
He said the emergence of Rotimi Akeredolu of All Progressives Congress as governor of Ondo State posed no threat to the PDP in Ekiti State.
At a separate meeting with junior workers of the state civil service, Mr. Fayose assured that his party would defeat the APC in the 2018 governorship election, while promising to ensure the payment of salaries of the workers.


Premiumtimes

Happy new month to all my esteemed readers

In everything, I will always appreciate you all my great reader from across the globe. Happy new month to you all. I say thank you.
This month is another step on your way to happiness and realization of your dream. Keep running and you’ll reach your goal very soon.
As You can’t control the weather in this changeable and moody month, but you can control your emotions. Start a new month with good mood and inspiration and you’ll see how it will influence your inner peace and harmony.
While time is the most precious thing in our life. Appreciate it, spend it wisely and never waste it on nonsense. Have an incredible month full of unforgettable moments that won’t make you regret eventually! Good luck!
Peace out.

Ondo polls: APC denies inducing voters, challenges PDP to provide video evidence

The All Progressives Congress, Ondo State chapter has denied the claims by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that its members (APC) were inducing voters with money during the just concluded governorship election in the state.
The party in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro challenged the PDP to provide visual evidence that it actually lured people with money during the poll.
Otaloro urged the general public to ignore the story being peddled by the PDP media team which lost the chance of retaining power seat in the state during the Saturday poll.
He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a malicious publication on the internet purporting that one of our party chieftains, Engr. Tunji Light Ariyomo was sharing money to voters in Ward 2 in Akure South Local Government (LGA) area, Ondo State on Election Day.
“As a party, we want it on record that this is a concocted mischief designed originally by the PDP to upset the momentum carried by the APC unto the election day in Akure South LGA by undermining the credibility of one of our frontline leaders in the local government. We are particularly disappointed that some media houses could lend themselves to propagating such outright malicious fabrication even when the PDP noisome accuser in the video never made such claim.


Source: http://dailypost.ng/2016/11/28/ondo-polls-apc-denies-inducing-voters-challenges-pdp-provide-video-evidence/
        

Go girls!!! Super falcons to play Cameroon in final of AWC

Nigeria’s Super Falcons last night silenced a boastful Banyana Banyana of South Africa with a 1-0 win to set up a date with hosts, Cameroon in the final of the Africa Women Cup of Nations. Desire Oparanozie from the edge of the box powered home with a screaming shot that rattled the Banyana Banyana players to the bone. They had come into the game strongly, causing some anxious moments for the Super Falcons. However, coach Florence Omagbemi kept urging her wards to calm their nerves.
 Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/awcon-falcons-battle-cameroon-final/

Ohio attacked ! Suspect identified as Abdul Razak Ali Artan

The identity of the person who attacked other students at the Ohio University campus Monday has been revealed.  According to CBS, the attacker was Abdul Artan, an 18-year-old student at the university. He was a Somali refugee who left his homeland with his family in 2007, lived in Pakistan and then came to the United States in 2014 as a legal permanent resident of the United States, officials said.
He posted a rant shortly before he plowed a car into a campus crowd and stabbed people with a butcher knife in an ambush that ended when a police officer shot him dead, a law enforcement official said. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, wrote on what appears to be his Facebook page that he had reached a "boiling point."
"America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially Muslim Ummah (community). We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that," the post said.
Two hours before that, a cryptic post on the page said: "Forgive and forget. Love."


LIB/CBS

Kanye West still hospitalized

According to TMZ, Kanye West is not out of the woods -- not even close -- because we've learned he will not get out of the hospital as planned. Sources with direct knowledge of the situation told us over the holiday, the plan was to release Kanye yesterday, monday. We're told his personal doctor was going to take charge of him upon release.
We're now told Kanye is still not stable and will not be released today. In fact, there is now no release date set, because he has not recovered from his breakdown a week ago.
 As we reported, Kanye has had a rough time at UCLA Medical Center, struggling with extreme paranoia -- at one point he would not even let the doctors touch him.
Kim is still by his bedside ... which is where she has been almost nonstop for a week.

Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a priceless asset says Pres. Buhari

President Buhari has dismissed rumors that himself and the APC leadership are at war with the National leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, describing such rumors as unfounded and mischievous.
 The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement released yesterday, said President Buhari was highly embarrassed by such "suggestions" and that he was in regular contact with Tinubu before, during and after the Ondo gubernatorial election.

 Garba said any suggestions that the President and the party machinery were working to destroy Tinubu had no foundation in truth or any credibility, explaining that the President was impressed by Tinubu's assurance not to work against the party in Ondo and he honoured his words.
 The Presidential Media Aide also explained that President Buhari regards Tinubu as a priceless political asset to the party whose immeasurable contributions to the development and progress of the ruling party are known to all. Garba Shehu advised rumor mongers to stop spreading the seeds of discord and animosity between the President and Tinubu or the party, adding that the President is proud of Jagaban and his pivotal role in the party and the movement.
 President Buhari commended Tinubu's spirit of comradeship in promptly congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu who was elected Governor. The President also noted that at a time his administration is preoccupied with governance issues, rumours of divisions and alleged scheming within the party are counterproductive to internal unity and cohesion in APC. He appealed to APC members and supporters to ignore rumours that could harm party unity.

Ondo election: Power shifts to Owo, 33 years after Adekunle Ajasin

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dayo Johnson, Charles Kumolu & Gbenga Oke * Babatope, Mohhammed, Peterside, others react WITH the victory of Ondo State Governor-elect, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in last Saturday’s election, power will return to the Owo axis of the state when Governor Olusegun Mimiko, quits in February 2017. The last time an Owo person governed the state was in 1983 during the era of late Second Republic and first civilian governor of Ondo, Chief Michael Adekunle.
 The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, declared Akeredolu, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the Ondo State governorship poll. He polled 244,842 votes to beat his closest marker, Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who got 150,380 votes. He emerged victorious with a margin of 94,462 votes and won in 14 of 18 local councils.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/ondo-election-power-shifts-owo-33-years-adekunle-ajasin/

Open Heavens 28 November 2016: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – A Faithful Steward?

Topic: A Faithful Steward? [Monday 28, November 2016]
Memorise: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. – 1 Corinthians 4:2
Read: Luke 16:1-8 (KJV)
 1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
 4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
 5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
 6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
 7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
 8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 4:1-6:13-3, Psalms 109:21-31
MESSAGE:
 Faithfulness is another obligation that God requires of us as human beings and particularly as His children. God is faithful and He wants us to resemble Him with this attribute of faithfulness. In our text today, we read about a steward who was found unfaithful and the master was about to sack him, this unfaithful servant then went about from one debtor to another to falsify records in order to please his master. The efforts this steward put up to regain his master’s approval did nothing for the expansion of his master’s business, but the master still commended him. If the unfaithful servant could go to the extent he went in order to remain in service, why can’t the children of light go a greater extent to please our Father in heaven? The conclusion of our Bible reading says:
“And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely; for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” - Luke 16:8
 Another lesson we can learn from this story is that your upward movement to the next level is predicated upon how well you perform in your present level of operation. Luke 16:11-12 says:
“11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?”
Beloved, the Lord is interested in promoting you. As a matter of fact, your promotion is long overdue. I am happy to announce to you that this is your time, however, what are you doing with your present level of position? Are you productive or you are hoarding your ideas so that you can have something to use when you come to a leadership position? You are just destroying and delaying your progress if this is your attitude. To be faithful simply means to be full of faith. Do you have faith in the organisation you are working with? You will not be at your best if you don’t have faith in that organisation you work with? Proverbs 22:29 says:
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”
Daniel was a typical faithful steward. This is how he survived four generations of rulers – Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Cyrus and Belshazzar. The faithfulness of Mordecai saved the entire Jewish race during the reign of Ahasuerus. My prayer is that you will be highly favoured by the virtue of your faithfulness in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Father, I want to be faithful, please take away from me the spirit of unfaithfulness in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
 iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Ondo has decided Am humbled says Akeredolu

Following the Ondo state Governorship election which held yesterday, 26th November, 2016 and which the results are still being collated and announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the All Progressives Congress, APC, party candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu has thanked the people of Ondo state for voting him, saying he is humbled by their decision in choosing him at the poll. Akeredolu made the statement through his twitter handle, @RotimiAkeredolu, in an unwavering anticipation of finally being declared the winner of the election by INEC. Out of the 18 local government areas in the state, the results of 17 have been collated and announced while one is being awaited.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/ondo-decided-humbled-akeredolu/

Ondo State Election... 14 LGs so far

Continuation
The Okitipupa LGA result issues has been sorted out. The issue is with the invalid figures and not the figures of the parties. (14)IDANRE LGA Reg. Voters: 72,344 Accred. Voters: 25,957 @APCNigeria: 10,981 @OfficialPDPNig: 7,575 AD: 4836 APC Wins

Source: Vanguard

Ondo: Official INEC result update in 13 LGAs

The con
(11)AKOKO North West LGA Reg voters: 64,735 Accred: 30,369 @APCNigeria: 13,048 @OfficialPDPNig: 6,049 AD: 4,831 APC Wins Note: Result of Akoko North did not match the total votes cast. The officer has been asked to go sort it out for re-announcement. (12)OKITIPUPA LGA Reg. Voters: 99,359 Accred. Voters: 43,518 @APCNigeria: 14, 930 AD: 16,294 @OfficialPDPNig: 8,031 AD Wins Note: Also, the Okitipupa LGA result did not sum up. The INEC officer has been asked to go and sort it out for re-announcement. (13)OWO LGA Reg. Voters: 118,131 Accred. Voters: 42,759 @APCNigeria: 32,988 @OfficialPDPNig: 4,241 AD: 2,469 APC Wins

Source: Vanguard

Ondo: Official INEC result update in 11 LGAs

INEC resumes collation. (8) Akure North LGA Reg. Voter: 65,268 Accred. Voters: 24,076 @APCNigeria: 10710 @OfficialPDPNig: 6498 AD: 4128 APC wins (9) Akoko South East LGA Reg. Voters: 31,068 Accred. Voters: 14,036 @APCNigeria : 6,384 @OfficialPDPNig: 4,239 AD: 2, 270 APC Wins (10)AKOKO South West LGA Reg. Voters: 93,314 Accred Voters: 40,719 @APCNigeria : 19,892 @OfficialPDPNig : 7,691 AD: 9,359 APC Wins (11)AKOKO North West LGA Reg voters: 64,735 Accred: 30,369 @APCNigeria: 13,048 @OfficialPDPNig: 6,049 AD: 4,831 APC Wins Note: Result of Akoko North did not match the total votes cast. The officer has been asked to go sort it out for re-announcement.
 Source: Vanguard

Ondo: Official INEC result update in 7 LGAs

In battle for the coveted seat in Alagbaka house, as culled from Vanguard.
Prof. Abdul Ganiyu Ambali of the University of Ilorin is the Chief Returning Officer , REC, for the Ondo state Governorship election. The state has a total of 18 local government areas. Below is the results according to local government.
 Collation of results in Ondo Governorship election at INEC HQT, Akure. (1) IRELE LGA Total Reg. Voters : 60,264 Accred. Voters: 26,225 @APCNigeria : 11,138 @OfficialPDPNig : 5,907 AD : 6,710 APC wins (2)ONDO East LGA Total Reg. Voters : 45050 Accred Voters: 15987 @APCNigeria : 4253 @OfficialPDPNig : 7317 AD: 2742 PDP wins (3)Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo LGA Reg Voters: 66090 Accred Voters: 26281 @OfficialPDPNig : 8,306 AD: 4525 SDP: 144 @APCNigeria : 10681 APC Wins (4)AKOKO North/East LGA Reg Voters: 72911 Accred Voters: 31129 @APCNigeria: 13,645 @OfficialPDPNig : 6496 AD: 5867 APC Wins (5)IFEDORE LGA Reg. Voters: 70359 Accred. Voters: 24501 @APCNigeria :10958 @OfficialPDPNig : 6747 AD: 4629 APC Wins (6)OSE LGA Reg. Voters : 63,397 Accred. Voters : 26,548 @APCNigeria : 13,454 @OfficialPDPNig : 6,520 AD: 4, 272 APC Wins (7)ONDO WEST LGA Reg. Voters: 155,346 Accred. Voters : 40,028 @APCNigeria : 10, 672 @OfficialPDPNig :17,382 AD: 7,154 PDP Wins INEC now in recess, to reconvene and continue collation at 6am.
 

Rig Ondo & see the dogs of war by Femi Fani-Kayode

Prince Adedeji Soyebi who is the INEC National Commssioner for the south west is leading the team for the Ondo state governorship election today whilst Professor Kayode Soremilekun the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye is the Returning Officer.
This is a dangerous combination. Both men are anti-PDP and Soremilekun is the same individual that was appointed as the returning officer for the Edo state 2016 governorship election. Sadly we witnessed the havoc that he caused there. He shamelessly rigged the election for APC in Edo and he is under orders to do the same in Ondo state tomorrow.
 We must stop him and those that sent him on this robbery operation. Ondo state is not Edo and if they rig the election there will be consequences. We must begin to learn from history. We must remember the fire and carnage that engulfed old Ondo state in 1983 after the ruling party of the day, the NPN, rigged the governership election.
 We must draw the necessary lessons from that and never allow it to happen again. That single act of electoral robbery led to the death of many innocent souls and signaled the end of the second Republic because it resulted in a military coup d'etat a few months later.
 The truth is that rigging in the south west, whether it be in the elections of 1964, 1983 or 1993, always results in massive violence and its consequences are always felt way beyond the shores and boundries of Yorubaland. It also always results in the total and complete destabilisation of the entire nation and a violent, unconstitutional and controversial change of government at the centre. Permit me to explain.
 The rigging of the south western regional elections in 1964 and the violence that followed it was the primary justification and reason for the bloody and violent coup that took place on January 15th 1966. Many were killed that night. Again the rigging of the governorship election in 1983 and the violence that followed it was the primary reason and justification for the coup that took place a few months later in that same year and that ironically brought General Muhammdu Buhari (as he then was) to power.
 Again many were killed that night. Finally the rigging (or the "annulment") of the June 12th 1993 presidential election, in which the free and fair election of Chief MKO Abiola, a leading son of the south west, as President of Nigeria was cancelled at the last minute caused a violent reaction in the south west (and indeed consternation all over the country) and resulted in the "stepping aside" of General Ibrahim Babangida as Head of State in 1994. Again many were killed that night.
 We must avoid a repeat of any of these scenarios at all costs. We must not allow murder, arson and violence to hold sway or take root.
 We must pray for and keep the peace. INEC should not allow itself to be used by a rappacious and desperate Federal Govermment to win the state "at all costs". They must not do anything that will provoke the wrath of the people of Ondo and they must ensure that the election is free and fair. That is the only way to guarantee and ensure peace.
 Anything short of that will result in the murder of sleep, the invocation of the clouds of uncertainty and the release of the dogs of war. To the PDP in Ondo state I have just this to say: we are very proud of you, your state and your governor, Segun Mimiko.
 You have fought against all odds and ensured that you were not robbed, murdered and buried by the enemies within and the cockroaches, vultures, traitors and usurpers that infiltrated your ranks and that sought to cripple, disable and destroy you.
 The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal have given you justice and God has brought you so far. Now is the time for you to shed all your fears and anxieties and exercise your faith in God and express your confidemce in your governor, your leaders and your candidate.
 Do not be overwhelmed and do not be intimidated by the rantings, intentions and plans of the enemy because the Lord, who is always faithful to His own, is with you. He will never allow you to be put to shame. The whole nation is watching you and praying for you.
 Go forth and do us all proud. Go out in your millions, vote for our candidate Eyitayo Jegede and make sure that you stand firm and guard your votes jealously. Do not be intimidated by the power of the Federal Government or the threats, taunts and insults of their numerous emissaries and agents because in the end we shall surely prevail.
 Saturday the 26th November is your day of victory and vindication. Go forth, claim it, take it and show them that your God is mighty.