Mr President Sir, I trust that this meets you well.
I know it has not been easy since you came on board, so many wahalas, so much yawa, frustration and hopelessness. First rule of leadership: everything is your fault. Sir, Nigerians are surely dying and, quickly. They can no longer see the light, they feel the Heat.
The welfare of the common man must be your top priority henceforth or God forbid, Nigeria and Nigerians will die in your hands.
Since you assumed office as President of Nigeria, there has been a remarkable dissonance within your government. I wonder who is in charge.
Sometimes I wonder whose thoughts you're thinking or whose agenda you're executing; while at other times, I wonder if you are held hostage by the gangsters called The Cabal.
Can you say you are oblivious of the hardship and suffering we all are going through?
I remember two years ago when I visited the Aso villa, then occupied by your predecessor. During our discussion and my lamentation about the nigerian youths I was not particularly shocked by a reaction that seemed like one throwing both hands in the air and saying "Charly, I am held hostage here, I am surrounded by enemies".
Sir, are you the one in charge or like your predecessor, are you being held hostage by the cabals and obnoxious sycophants, so much so that our plight and cries as Nigerians are none of your concern?
Na wa o, this is certainly not the change we thought you promised or do we just assume that your words don't mean much?
Oga mi, abegi check the matter, you cannot ignore the five percent of voters who did not vote for you but whose resources the country depends on as alarm don blow, to cater for the 97 percent who voted for you. This kind "one chance" is sending a wrong signal to the whole country. Sometimes I just wonder how things can function properly when the formation and the foundation of the ruling party is not based on any sound ideology, but on frustration, bitterness, divisive politics and a gathering of strange bedfellows. Kai!!! for the full article, kindly visit BUGHARIA
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Saturday, 3 September 2016
Buhari to Zuckerberg: I am impressed by your simplicity
Following the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg, the former has disclosed what he thinks about the young IT entrepreneur.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while granting audience to Zuckerberg at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari said the various meetings held with Nigerian youths since his arrival in the country were most timely as the country was already exploring opportunities to spur development through entrepreneurship.
He said, “Nigeria has always been identified as a country with great potential for growth, especially with our youthful population, but now we are moving beyond the potential to reality.
“I am impressed by your simplicity in sharing your knowledge and wealth with those with less income.”
The President noted that the simplicity and magnanimity of the entrepreneur, who is among the world’s richest men, had also challenged the culture of lavish wealth display and impulsive spending that had become peculiar to Nigerians.
“In our culture, we are not used to seeing successful people appear like you. We are not used to seeing successful people jogging and sweating on the streets.
“We are more used to seeing successful people in air-conditioned places. We are happy you are well-off and simple enough to always share,” he said.
In his remarks, Zuckerberg said he was impressed by the interest, energy and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by young Nigerians in all the ICT camps that he had visited.
“I was highly impressed by the talent of the youths in the Co-creation Hub in Yaba. I was blown away by their talent and the level of energy that I saw,’’ he said.
Zuckerberg added that he is in the country to promote the penetration of “fast and cheap” internet connectivity, Express-wifi, that would help people create online businesses and reduce poverty.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while granting audience to Zuckerberg at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari said the various meetings held with Nigerian youths since his arrival in the country were most timely as the country was already exploring opportunities to spur development through entrepreneurship.
He said, “Nigeria has always been identified as a country with great potential for growth, especially with our youthful population, but now we are moving beyond the potential to reality.
“I am impressed by your simplicity in sharing your knowledge and wealth with those with less income.”
The President noted that the simplicity and magnanimity of the entrepreneur, who is among the world’s richest men, had also challenged the culture of lavish wealth display and impulsive spending that had become peculiar to Nigerians.
“In our culture, we are not used to seeing successful people appear like you. We are not used to seeing successful people jogging and sweating on the streets.
“We are more used to seeing successful people in air-conditioned places. We are happy you are well-off and simple enough to always share,” he said.
In his remarks, Zuckerberg said he was impressed by the interest, energy and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by young Nigerians in all the ICT camps that he had visited.
“I was highly impressed by the talent of the youths in the Co-creation Hub in Yaba. I was blown away by their talent and the level of energy that I saw,’’ he said.
Zuckerberg added that he is in the country to promote the penetration of “fast and cheap” internet connectivity, Express-wifi, that would help people create online businesses and reduce poverty.
Friday, 2 September 2016
The Mark Zuckerberg visit By Reuben Abati
Mark Zuckerberg’s two-day visit to Nigeria has done a lot for the country; it is a pity no government official or agency has tried to tap into the gains of that visit. He arrived at a time there was much talk about economic recession, concerns about companies folding up or retrenching staff, or international investors leaving the country in droves, out of frustration with the uncertainties in the system.
Zuckerberg’s arrival raised our hopes: co-founder of Facebook and the 5th richest man in the world, sneaked into Nigeria to meet with developers and entrepreneurs and to discuss investments in Nigeria’s growing start-up ecosystem. And for two days, he went round the city of Lagos, visiting start-ups and interacting with young entrepreneurs.
The way Nigeria is often painted abroad, and in those travel advisories that foreign ministries issue, you would think Nigeria is such an unsafe place where kidnappers are permanently on the prowl. Zuckerberg helped to show the rest of the world that Nigeria is not so bad at all, and that something really exciting is happening here among the country’s young population. He had no bodyguards. He did not have to hire a lorry load of Nigerian policemen to keep watch over him. He trekked on the streets of Lagos, surrounded by a few of his hosts. On Wednesday morning, he jogged across the Ikoyi-Lekki bridge. He ate pounded yam, shrimps, snails (I thought they said he is a vegan!) and jollof rice (Nigerian jollof (!) not that one from Ghana). His visit went smoothly. More investors may well be encouraged to visit Nigeria too, seeing how confidently a whole $53.7 billion walked freely about in Nigeria, and he was not stolen or kidnapped.
Zuckerberg’s visit also provided great publicity for Nigeria’s emerging Silicon Valley, and the young entrepreneurs to whom Zuckerberg paid compliments. He has already invested in a Nigerian start-up, Andela, and he has made friends with other young Nigerians, the guys behind Jobberman and C-Creation Hub (CcHUB) and so many others. Zuckerberg cut the picture throughout his visit of a true inspirational figure. His simplicity and humility was impressive. He kept going about in a T-shirt, and interacted freely with everyone he met.
Many young Nigerians can learn from his example: the way some people whose biggest possession is a laptop sometimes carry their shoulders in the sky, if they were to be half of what Zuckerberg is, they won’t just claim that they are voltrons or overlords, they will look for more intimidating labels. But Mark Zuckerberg, who is just 32, shows that it is not all about money, or influence, character matters. There is no doubt that his hosts were also impressed with him. And that probably explains the protest that greeted the attempt by CNN International and American artiste, Tyrese Gibson, to refer to the visit as Zuckerberg’s visit to sub-Saharan Africa. Young Nigerians kept shouting back that Zuckerberg is in Nigeria, not sub-Saharan Africa! They wanted the publicity for their country.
Inspired by Zuckerberg’s visit as the tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s Silicon Valley may have been, the Nigerian government should see in the visit, and the excitement that it has generated, the need to provide greater support for technological innovation in the country. There are many young Nigerians out there who are gifted, hardworking and innovative. They belong to the 21st Century. They are aggressive. They want to operate at the international level and become superstars. They have ideas. They are ready and willing. The basic thing that government owes them is to provide an enabling environment for their talents to flower. It has taken a few young men and ladies to bring Mark Zuckerberg to Nigeria. There are other young Nigerians doing wonderful things in other sectors of the economy who can save this country if they are given the chance. There is also a large army of untapped and yet-to-be-discovered talents, whose future we cannot afford to waste. Investment in education will help. Uncommon sense will make things happen.
Zuckerberg’s visit also did a lot for Nollywood. He described Nollywood as “a national treasure”. That statement should be framed and sent to every major agency in the private and public sectors in Nigeria. He may not yet have invested in Nollywood, but there was no doubt that the members of Nollywood and other celebrities who met with him appreciated their being recognized by one of the most successful young men of the 21st century. I watch Nollywood movies, but I don’t think I have ever seen those Nollywood stars who met with Zuckerberg smile that heartily and broadly - not even in the movies. The ones who did not bare their 32, were staring at the Facebook ambassador in that typical Nigerian fashion: “ah, see money, Mark, abi make I send you script make you sponsor?”
The way the visit went, if Mark Zuckerberg had wanted a Nigerian wife, or girlfriend, he would have been met at every turn with echoes of “Yes, Yes, Yes…come and hold something.” But he is already married. So, don’t worry, Priscilla Chan (Mark’s wife), your husband is safe, Nigerian ladies will only admire him, they don’t mean any harm, and they won’t initiate him into coded runs. But of course you trust him - you know he is not Justin Bieber. But money is good oh. After money, it is money. Ha, Ori lonise, eda ko la’ropin o, Edumare funmi ni money…
Altogether, it was a great business outing for Zuckerberg and Facebook. Over 16 million Nigerians are on Facebook, it is the largest and most influential social media platform in the country; on a daily basis, over 7 million Nigerians log onto the website. Many more are on whatsapp, another Facebook acquired platform. With Zuckerberg’s visit, that number is bound to grow. The strategic friendships and partnerships that he has been able to build is a demonstration of power and influence: Facebook is on the ground in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, and he has taken that further by visiting Kenya - look beyond the T-shirt, this young American billionaire is building constituencies and spheres of influence across Africa; he is exploring new markets and staying ahead of the competition in a continent that many other investors may overlook, or desert for reasons of inconvenience.
As a business strategy, Mark Zuckerberg’s exploration of the African market is brilliant. It may be the subject someday of a Management, Leadership and Marketing Class. Businesses must innovate, innovate and innovate and the best way to do that is through people. Nigerian entrepreneurs have a lot to learn in this regard: the mindset of the business leader is the soul of strategy. There are too many thermostatic leaders in the Nigerian business environment, and that is why at the slightest confrontation with hard choices, they close shop and run. Here is Mark Zuckerberg, in the face of proven recession, he wants to support start-ups and SMEs in Nigeria; at a time others are fleeing, he is coming into Nigeria and Africa. He is smart. Wicked problems in a business environment should inspire genius, change and innovation. That is what leadership is all about.
Beyond business and culture, there was a small political side to the Zuckerberg visit. The Facebook CEO had said Facebook will promote the use of Hausa Language, some reports indicated he had said he loves Hausa language, and then a storm followed, resulting in a hot, healthy spat between two friends, colleagues and brothers of mine, Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) and Reno Omokri (@renoomokri), with one claiming that Americans are promoting Northern hegemony (John Kerry, now Zuckerberg and Facebook), and the other saying it is not a big deal, and in the exchange, we got some lectures about Nigeria’s ethnic and hegemonic politics.
On Wednesday at a town hall meeting, Zuckerberg more or less edited himself by saying “I am glad we support Hausa, and we are planning on supporting more languages soon.” He didn’t specify what those other languages are. I hope he knows Nigeria has over 400 languages and ethnic groups, and they all form part of the Nigerian Facebook community. He should tread carefully here, because I am not too sure Facebook can adopt Yoruba language before Igbo, or vice versa, without a social media war on its hands, and if Facebook chooses to accommodate the three major languages in Nigeria, it could be confronted with a major battle over minority rights on its platform. We are like that in this country, Mark.
But the difference is that Mark Zuckerberg is not a politician, he has voted only once (in 2008) and he doesn’t make political statements, except when business interests are at stake. Eyin boys, FFK and Reno, Zuckerberg doesn’t really care about the local fights we fight: he wants to create new markets and if promoting Hausa on Facebook will create more customers in that part of Nigeria, so be it. And in case religion is part of that politics, it doesn’t concern him either, he was born Jewish, but he is a self-declared atheist. If he worships any religion, it is the religion of Facebook. In Nigeria, he has Igbos, Yorubas and other Nigerians working for him. (https://techpoint.ng/2016/08/31/nigerians-working-with-mark-zuckerberg-facebook/).
He is interested in their intellect not where they come from. One more thing: The Nigerian government snubbed him or did he snub our government? When he got to Kenya, he was received at the airport by the Cabinet Secretary of Information and Communications and later given a delicious lunch of fish, semo and soup (https://techpoint.ng/2016/09/01/mark-zuckerberg-in-kenya/), no Nigerian government official offered him common sachet water and yet he was here to create jobs and markets! We shouldn’t frighten him away with our politics! The good news, though, is that he is a humanist even if a secular humanist: End of story.
Thank you Marky, for the visit and for giving us a good story to tell.
Why should never loose sleep over any date or relationship
Love is a beautiful thing and when one finds it, its always a memorable moment.
Why You Should Never Loose Sleep About That Bad Date
Why You Should Never Loose Sleep About That Bad Date
We should learn to listen to our intuition is invaluable when it comes to dating. It can feel as though we are alone at times, navigating through turbulent waters as emotional experiences.
Most Relationships bring out our stuff. As you tap into your intuition, you can remain confident and happy while testing the waters in the ocean that is dating.
Below are five tips to help you rest easy no matter what.
◦Love is eternal
Real and true love does exist. If you find yourself losing sleep over a bad date, wishing you had said or done something differently, know that everything is perfect when it comes to love.
The right person will completely understand even if they don’t show it at first. There are no mistakes in love and real love lasts.
◦Love is unconditional:
Going through the experience of dating can be challenging if we set the expectations that we will be perfect or our date should be perfect.
Let yourself relax and be in the moment when you are with your date. Don’t think about how you look or what you are going to say next. Accept and love yourself unconditionally while on the date and this will help you radiate love instead of needing it from someone.
Unconditional love for yourself and others, no matter what, will help you stay open and available to receive love, care and guidance while dating, lending itself to clear communication and less dating mishaps.
◦Listen to your intuition:
Listening to the voice of intuition while dating is very valuable. You can be with someone and get that gut feeling of approval or non-approval and you can talk yourself out of it.
Be willing to look honestly within yourself and check in with your feelings. People show you who they are. Listen to that voice within that knows the highest and best love for you.
See the end in mind: You have a lot of power when it comes to dating. Use your creative abilities and imagine the best-case scenario even before you go out on a date.
Use the power of your intention to harness energy that can change the potential of your date into infinite greatness. Imagine the great time you will have, the great relationship in your mind and this will help you attract it.
◦There is someone for everyone:
If you are in the throes of dating and it feels as though you will never find “the one” it helps to know that there is a love just for you. Not only that, but on the way to discover that, there are helpers along the way.
If you are on a date that you feel is not going anywhere, you are still learning and moving closer to your perfect love. Every experience, when valued, keeps you in the energy of love attraction.
Feel grateful to be out, to be alive during this amazing time on the planet, where true love not only lives, but also lasts.
As Culled From: DirectGist.com
Why You Should Never Loose Sleep About That Bad Date
Why You Should Never Loose Sleep About That Bad Date
We should learn to listen to our intuition is invaluable when it comes to dating. It can feel as though we are alone at times, navigating through turbulent waters as emotional experiences.
Most Relationships bring out our stuff. As you tap into your intuition, you can remain confident and happy while testing the waters in the ocean that is dating.
Below are five tips to help you rest easy no matter what.
◦Love is eternal
Real and true love does exist. If you find yourself losing sleep over a bad date, wishing you had said or done something differently, know that everything is perfect when it comes to love.
The right person will completely understand even if they don’t show it at first. There are no mistakes in love and real love lasts.
◦Love is unconditional:
Going through the experience of dating can be challenging if we set the expectations that we will be perfect or our date should be perfect.
Let yourself relax and be in the moment when you are with your date. Don’t think about how you look or what you are going to say next. Accept and love yourself unconditionally while on the date and this will help you radiate love instead of needing it from someone.
Unconditional love for yourself and others, no matter what, will help you stay open and available to receive love, care and guidance while dating, lending itself to clear communication and less dating mishaps.
◦Listen to your intuition:
Listening to the voice of intuition while dating is very valuable. You can be with someone and get that gut feeling of approval or non-approval and you can talk yourself out of it.
Be willing to look honestly within yourself and check in with your feelings. People show you who they are. Listen to that voice within that knows the highest and best love for you.
See the end in mind: You have a lot of power when it comes to dating. Use your creative abilities and imagine the best-case scenario even before you go out on a date.
Use the power of your intention to harness energy that can change the potential of your date into infinite greatness. Imagine the great time you will have, the great relationship in your mind and this will help you attract it.
◦There is someone for everyone:
If you are in the throes of dating and it feels as though you will never find “the one” it helps to know that there is a love just for you. Not only that, but on the way to discover that, there are helpers along the way.
If you are on a date that you feel is not going anywhere, you are still learning and moving closer to your perfect love. Every experience, when valued, keeps you in the energy of love attraction.
Feel grateful to be out, to be alive during this amazing time on the planet, where true love not only lives, but also lasts.
As Culled From: DirectGist.com
Donald Trump's wife Melania Trump sues Daily Mail and US blogger for $150m over sex worker claims
Melania Trump is suing a British newspaper and a US blogger for $150m (£114m) over allegations she was a sex worker in the 1990s, her lawyer says.
The Daily Mail suggested Mrs Trump may have worked as a part-time escort in New York, and met husband Donald Trump, who is now running for the White House, earlier than previously reported.
Blogger Webster Tarpley wrote that Mrs Trump feared her past becoming public.
The claims were "outright lying", lawyer Charles Harder said.
"These defendants made several statements about Mrs Trump that are 100% false and tremendously damaging to her personal and professional reputation," Mr Harder said in a statement.
"Defendants' actions are so egregious, malicious and harmful to Mrs Trump that her damages are estimated at $150 million dollars," Mr Harder's statement said.
Mrs Trump, 46, was born in Slovenia and moved to the US to work as a model in the 1990s. She married Mr Trump in 2005.
The article on the Daily Mail's website quoted claims published in Slovenian magazine Suzy that the modelling agency Mrs Trump was working for also functioned as an escort agency, court papers show.
The newspaper also quoted Slovenian journalist Bojan Pozar, author of an unauthorised biography, who claimed Mrs Trump had posed for nude photos in New York in 1995 and alleged that she had met Mr Trump that year, three years before their reported first meeting in 1998.
Her lawyers say she moved to the US in 1996.
Mr Tarpley meanwhile alleged that Mrs Trump was "reportedly obsessed by fear of salacious revelations by wealthy clients from her time as a high-end escort" and had suffered a "full-blown nervous breakdown".
Both Mr Tarpley and the Daily Mail have since retracted their articles.
The Daily Mail's retraction, published late on Thursday, insisted it had not suggested the sex work claims were true but said that, even if false, they could affect the US presidential campaign.
BBC
The Daily Mail suggested Mrs Trump may have worked as a part-time escort in New York, and met husband Donald Trump, who is now running for the White House, earlier than previously reported.
Blogger Webster Tarpley wrote that Mrs Trump feared her past becoming public.
The claims were "outright lying", lawyer Charles Harder said.
"These defendants made several statements about Mrs Trump that are 100% false and tremendously damaging to her personal and professional reputation," Mr Harder said in a statement.
"Defendants' actions are so egregious, malicious and harmful to Mrs Trump that her damages are estimated at $150 million dollars," Mr Harder's statement said.
Mrs Trump, 46, was born in Slovenia and moved to the US to work as a model in the 1990s. She married Mr Trump in 2005.
The article on the Daily Mail's website quoted claims published in Slovenian magazine Suzy that the modelling agency Mrs Trump was working for also functioned as an escort agency, court papers show.
The newspaper also quoted Slovenian journalist Bojan Pozar, author of an unauthorised biography, who claimed Mrs Trump had posed for nude photos in New York in 1995 and alleged that she had met Mr Trump that year, three years before their reported first meeting in 1998.
Her lawyers say she moved to the US in 1996.
Mr Tarpley meanwhile alleged that Mrs Trump was "reportedly obsessed by fear of salacious revelations by wealthy clients from her time as a high-end escort" and had suffered a "full-blown nervous breakdown".
Both Mr Tarpley and the Daily Mail have since retracted their articles.
The Daily Mail's retraction, published late on Thursday, insisted it had not suggested the sex work claims were true but said that, even if false, they could affect the US presidential campaign.
BBC
Press release from MTN Ambassadors for 2016/2017
LIB broke the news yesterday that MTN has suspended/dropped many of their celebrity ambassadors including Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Sound Sultan, Kcee, Harrysong and others and kept others. The company has now released a statement, announcing their ambassadors for 2016/17. Read below...
In line with its commitment to supporting Nigerian musicians by providing alternative platforms through which they can receive lucrative value for their intellectual property, MTN has announced brand ambassadors for 2016-2017. According to MTN’s General Manager Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge, this is designed to enable the company continue to support the development of the entertainment industry by
financially empowering Nigerian artistes and musicians through the promotion and monetisation of content on its various digital platforms – MTN Music+, Caller Ring Back Tunes (CRBT) and Value Added Services (VAS). Music ambassadors for 2016-2017are: Praiz (Praise Adejo); Iyanya (IyanyaMbuk); Chidinma (Chidinma Ekile); Falz(Folarin Falana);Tekno Miles (Augustine Kelechi) and Skale s(Raoul Njeng-Njeng) Four other ambassadors are - Saka,(Hafiz Oyetoro); Nedu ;Osuofia(NkemOwoh) and Adamu Zango. Speaking on this, MTN Executive, Amina Oyagbola said, “MTN remains proud to be associated with the growth and development of the careers of all our ambassadors, past and present. We specially thank all our former ambassadors for their immense contributions to building our brand and making us the network of choice in Nigeria.
We will definitely continue to maintain the strong and mutually beneficial relationship with them through the monetisation of their content on all our digital platforms - MTN Music+, CRBT and VAS.” Iweanoge again said, “With the significant investment made so far in Nigeria’s music industry, MTN remains and will continue to beone of the biggest supporters of the music industry. We have a track record of consistently providing the stage for some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes to shine and express themselves”.
He stated that through its Caller Ring Back Tunes (CRBT), MTN is the largest music distributor in Africa. “Through the platform, we ensured that Nigerian musicians would no longer suffer the scourge of piracy. They are able to make good money as a result of their hard work. Also, as Nigeria’s most innovative telecoms company, we have been able to deploy music as a platform to give other value added services to our teeming subscribers,which have also proved to be a significant source of revenue for the artistes such as theMTN Music+ app and a host of other platforms.”
For MTN, we see the growth of the music industry as a continuum and not a destination. That is why we will continue to engage and support our local artistes so that they can find full expression for their talent. We will also continue to explore other areas of collaboration with ALL artistes through these platforms and many more, as we work to fulfil our vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world” Iweanoge, however, posited that for the purpose of keeping alive the original concept of music brand ambassadorship, MTN decided to retain the services of past winners and participants of its Project Fame music reality TV show, which include Inyanya, Chidinma and Praiz. “MTN is particularly proud of these musicians because we not only gave them the platform to express their talent through Project FAME, we have consistently supported them over the years by making them our ambassadors. We are proud to have been able to contribute to some of Nigeria’s biggest music acts.”
Beyond the Project Fame alumni, Iweanoge also saidthat in order to nurture other artistes so that they too could attain greater heights, MTN wouldstill retain the services of some of its newly-signed brand ambassadors like Falz, Skales and Tekno who are the faces of its youth segment proposition – MTN Pulse. He added that there will be a renewed focus on building MTN’s digital platforms.
LIB
In line with its commitment to supporting Nigerian musicians by providing alternative platforms through which they can receive lucrative value for their intellectual property, MTN has announced brand ambassadors for 2016-2017. According to MTN’s General Manager Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge, this is designed to enable the company continue to support the development of the entertainment industry by
financially empowering Nigerian artistes and musicians through the promotion and monetisation of content on its various digital platforms – MTN Music+, Caller Ring Back Tunes (CRBT) and Value Added Services (VAS). Music ambassadors for 2016-2017are: Praiz (Praise Adejo); Iyanya (IyanyaMbuk); Chidinma (Chidinma Ekile); Falz(Folarin Falana);Tekno Miles (Augustine Kelechi) and Skale s(Raoul Njeng-Njeng) Four other ambassadors are - Saka,(Hafiz Oyetoro); Nedu ;Osuofia(NkemOwoh) and Adamu Zango. Speaking on this, MTN Executive, Amina Oyagbola said, “MTN remains proud to be associated with the growth and development of the careers of all our ambassadors, past and present. We specially thank all our former ambassadors for their immense contributions to building our brand and making us the network of choice in Nigeria.
We will definitely continue to maintain the strong and mutually beneficial relationship with them through the monetisation of their content on all our digital platforms - MTN Music+, CRBT and VAS.” Iweanoge again said, “With the significant investment made so far in Nigeria’s music industry, MTN remains and will continue to beone of the biggest supporters of the music industry. We have a track record of consistently providing the stage for some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes to shine and express themselves”.
He stated that through its Caller Ring Back Tunes (CRBT), MTN is the largest music distributor in Africa. “Through the platform, we ensured that Nigerian musicians would no longer suffer the scourge of piracy. They are able to make good money as a result of their hard work. Also, as Nigeria’s most innovative telecoms company, we have been able to deploy music as a platform to give other value added services to our teeming subscribers,which have also proved to be a significant source of revenue for the artistes such as theMTN Music+ app and a host of other platforms.”
For MTN, we see the growth of the music industry as a continuum and not a destination. That is why we will continue to engage and support our local artistes so that they can find full expression for their talent. We will also continue to explore other areas of collaboration with ALL artistes through these platforms and many more, as we work to fulfil our vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world” Iweanoge, however, posited that for the purpose of keeping alive the original concept of music brand ambassadorship, MTN decided to retain the services of past winners and participants of its Project Fame music reality TV show, which include Inyanya, Chidinma and Praiz. “MTN is particularly proud of these musicians because we not only gave them the platform to express their talent through Project FAME, we have consistently supported them over the years by making them our ambassadors. We are proud to have been able to contribute to some of Nigeria’s biggest music acts.”
Beyond the Project Fame alumni, Iweanoge also saidthat in order to nurture other artistes so that they too could attain greater heights, MTN wouldstill retain the services of some of its newly-signed brand ambassadors like Falz, Skales and Tekno who are the faces of its youth segment proposition – MTN Pulse. He added that there will be a renewed focus on building MTN’s digital platforms.
LIB
OMG! Nigerian economy officially in recession as inflation hits 17.1%
According to latest report released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Nigerian economy is in a recession.
Over a month ago, Finance Minister Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, said the economy was in a “technical” recession.
But the figures released yesterday by the NBS confirmed that the economy has slipped into recession after inflation rose for the ninth consecutive month in July.
The figures confirmed the nation’s worst economic recession in over a decade.
According to the figures, Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased last month to 17.1 per cent from 16.5 per cent in June.
The NBS report stated that the CPI, which measured inflation, was 0.6 per cent points higher from the points recorded in June.
The report noted that increases were recorded in all ‘COICOP divisions, which contributed to the headline index, reflecting higher prices across the economy.
It stated: “The pace of the increase in the headline index was however weighed upon by a slower increase in three divisions; health, transport, recreation and culture divisions.
“The onset of the harvest season is yet to have a significant impact on food prices. It is yet to have a significant impact as the Food Sub-index increased by 15.8 per cent (year-on-year) in July, 0.5 per cent points lower from rates recorded in June.
“Prices however increased at a slower pace across a few groups within the food sub-index, namely milk, cheese and eggs; oils and fats; and fruits.’’
The report added that imported foods as reflected by the imported food sub-index increased by 0.4 per cent points from June to 20.5 per cent in July.
It stated that energy and energy-related prices continued to be the largest increases reflected in the core sub-index.
The report further stated: “In July, the core sub-index increased by 16.9 per cent during the month, up by 0.7 per cent points from rates recorded in June (16.2 per cent).
“During the month, the highest increases were seen in the electricity, liquid fuel (kerosene), solid fuels, and fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment groups.
“Month-on-month, the headline index increased, albeit, at a slower pace, for the second consecutive month in July.
“The index increased by 1.3 per cent in July, 0.4 per cent points from 1.7 per cent recorded in June.’’
The NBS also yesterday said the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declines by -2.06 per cent (year-on-year) in the second quarter of 2016.
It said in its GDP Quarterly Report posted on its Website that the figure was lowered by 1.70 per cent points from the growth rate of -0.36 per cent recorded in the preceding quarter.
The Bureau also said that the figure was lowered by 4.41 per cent points from the growth rate of 2.35 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2015.
According to the bureau, it records an increase of 0.82 per cent quarter on quarter.
It said that the nominal GDP during the quarter was N23.48 trillion at basic prices representing 2.73 per cent higher than the N22.86 recorded in the second quarter 2015.
The NBS said that the growth was lower than the rate recorded in the second quarter of 2015 by 2.44 per cent.
In the period under review, the Bureau put the real growth in the oil sector as 17.48 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2016.
It, however, said that growth declined by 10.68 per cent and recorded 15.59 per cent relative to growth in the second quarter of 2015 and first quarter of 2016 respectively.
The Bureau said that quarter-on-quarter, growth also slowed by -19.11 per cent but as a share of the economy; the oil sector contributed 8.26 per cent to total real GDP.
This, it said, was down from the contribution recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 by 1.54 per cent and 2.03 per cent respectively.
The NBS said that growth in the non-oil sector was driven by seven activities from agriculture, information and communication, water supply, arts entertainment and recreation, professional scientific and technical services, education.
It said that other services grew positively, while the remaining 19 major sectors, many of which were substantially indirectly dependent on the oil sector, recorded negative growth.
The Bureau said that the non-oil sector declined by 0.38 per cent in real terms in the second quarter of 2016, while recording growth rate of 0.20 per cent.
It also said the country recorded employment of 106.69 million persons aged between 15 and 64 in the second quarter of 2016, a 0.65 per cent higher than 106.00 million recorded in the first quarter.
The Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, said economically active population or working age population such as persons between 15 and 64 years increased from 106.00 million in first quarter to 106.69 million in second quarter of 2016.
Dr. Kale said: “This represents a 0.65 per cent increase over the previous quarter and a 3.02 per cent increase when compared to second quarter of 2014.
“In the second quarter of 2016, the labour force population (those within the working age population willing, able and actively looking for work) increased to 79.9 million from 78.5 million in the first quarter of 2016.
“This represents an increase of 1.78 per cent in the labour force during the quarter.’’
According to him, this means that 1.39 million persons from the economically active population entered the labour force.
Those in the economically active population are the individuals that were able, willing and actively looking for jobs to do.
His words: “This magnitude of this increase between first and second quarters of 2016 is smaller when compared to four quarter of 2015 and first quarter of 2016, which was an increase of 1.59million in the labour force population.
“Within the reference period, the total number of person in full time employment (did any form of work for at least 40 hours) decreased by 351,350 or 0.65 per cent when compared to the previous quarter and also decreased by 749,414 or 1.38 per cent compared to second quarter of 2015.’’
The statistician-general said that with 106.69 million and 79.9million, it meant 26.8 million persons within the economically active or working age population decided not to work for one reason or the other in the second quarter of this year.
“Hence, they were not part of the labour force and cannot be considered unemployed,’’ Kale said.
The NBS described the unemployed as those who were actively looking for work but could not find any for at least 20 hours during the reference week.
“Accordingly, you are unemployed if you did absolutely nothing at all or did something but far less than 20 hours during the reference week”, the report said.
The Bureau put the value of share capital imported by different sectors of the economy at 202.70 million dollars in the second quarter of 2016.
The figure represents a 16.77 per cent decline against 84.17 per cent recorded in 2015.
Kale stated: “Capital is either imported in the form of shares, or directly imported by different sectors of the economy.
“In the second quarter of 2016 the value of share capital imported was estimated to be $202.70 million, which as for capital importation as a whole sets the record for the lowest value for the second consecutive quarter.
“The figure represents a decline of 16.77 per cent relative to the previous quarter, and a decline of 84.17 per cent relative to the same quarter of 2015.’’
The Bureau’s chief noted that this was a smaller year-on-year decline than in the previous quarter, in which it was 87.41 per cent.
He said that the share capital accounted for 31.32 per cent of total capital imported, less than half its share in the second quarter of 2015 of 70.41 per cent and the lowest level in seven years.
His words: “Nevertheless, the share capital still accounts for a larger proportion of total imported capital than any individual sector.
“For the first time on record, the sector to import the largest amount of capital was servicing, which accounted for $130.98 million, or 20.24 per cent of the total.
“This follows a large increase when the Direct – Equity Portfolio – Equity Portfolio – Money Market Instruments Other – Loans value was $12.83 million in the second quarter of 2015.’’
The Bureau said the increase also recorded when the value was $55.05 million in the previous quarter.
“In all the previous quarters, the sector to import the most capital had been either banking, financing, production or telecommunications. For the second consecutive quarter, production was the sector to import the second largest amount of capital,’’ Kale said.
This sector, he said, imported 92.62 million dollars, equivalent to 14.31 per cent of the total, following a quarterly increase of 14.86 million dollars, or 19.10 per cent.
The NBS chief also said that the capital imported by the production sector increased by 80.92 per cent year-on-year, stating that there were six sectors that recorded no capital importation in the second quarter of 2016.
“These sectors are fishing, marketing, hotels, tanning, transport and weaving,’’ he said.
Kale said that half of the 20 sectors recorded a decline in the amount of capital imported relative to the previous quarter.
“The largest fall was in the electrical sector, which recorded 61.32 million dollars less. By contrast, telecommunications recorded the largest increase, and imported 64.10 million dollars more than in the previous quarter”, the statistician-general said.
Over a month ago, Finance Minister Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, said the economy was in a “technical” recession.
But the figures released yesterday by the NBS confirmed that the economy has slipped into recession after inflation rose for the ninth consecutive month in July.
The figures confirmed the nation’s worst economic recession in over a decade.
According to the figures, Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased last month to 17.1 per cent from 16.5 per cent in June.
The NBS report stated that the CPI, which measured inflation, was 0.6 per cent points higher from the points recorded in June.
The report noted that increases were recorded in all ‘COICOP divisions, which contributed to the headline index, reflecting higher prices across the economy.
It stated: “The pace of the increase in the headline index was however weighed upon by a slower increase in three divisions; health, transport, recreation and culture divisions.
“The onset of the harvest season is yet to have a significant impact on food prices. It is yet to have a significant impact as the Food Sub-index increased by 15.8 per cent (year-on-year) in July, 0.5 per cent points lower from rates recorded in June.
“Prices however increased at a slower pace across a few groups within the food sub-index, namely milk, cheese and eggs; oils and fats; and fruits.’’
The report added that imported foods as reflected by the imported food sub-index increased by 0.4 per cent points from June to 20.5 per cent in July.
It stated that energy and energy-related prices continued to be the largest increases reflected in the core sub-index.
The report further stated: “In July, the core sub-index increased by 16.9 per cent during the month, up by 0.7 per cent points from rates recorded in June (16.2 per cent).
“During the month, the highest increases were seen in the electricity, liquid fuel (kerosene), solid fuels, and fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment groups.
“Month-on-month, the headline index increased, albeit, at a slower pace, for the second consecutive month in July.
“The index increased by 1.3 per cent in July, 0.4 per cent points from 1.7 per cent recorded in June.’’
The NBS also yesterday said the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declines by -2.06 per cent (year-on-year) in the second quarter of 2016.
It said in its GDP Quarterly Report posted on its Website that the figure was lowered by 1.70 per cent points from the growth rate of -0.36 per cent recorded in the preceding quarter.
The Bureau also said that the figure was lowered by 4.41 per cent points from the growth rate of 2.35 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2015.
According to the bureau, it records an increase of 0.82 per cent quarter on quarter.
It said that the nominal GDP during the quarter was N23.48 trillion at basic prices representing 2.73 per cent higher than the N22.86 recorded in the second quarter 2015.
The NBS said that the growth was lower than the rate recorded in the second quarter of 2015 by 2.44 per cent.
In the period under review, the Bureau put the real growth in the oil sector as 17.48 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2016.
It, however, said that growth declined by 10.68 per cent and recorded 15.59 per cent relative to growth in the second quarter of 2015 and first quarter of 2016 respectively.
The Bureau said that quarter-on-quarter, growth also slowed by -19.11 per cent but as a share of the economy; the oil sector contributed 8.26 per cent to total real GDP.
This, it said, was down from the contribution recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 by 1.54 per cent and 2.03 per cent respectively.
The NBS said that growth in the non-oil sector was driven by seven activities from agriculture, information and communication, water supply, arts entertainment and recreation, professional scientific and technical services, education.
It said that other services grew positively, while the remaining 19 major sectors, many of which were substantially indirectly dependent on the oil sector, recorded negative growth.
The Bureau said that the non-oil sector declined by 0.38 per cent in real terms in the second quarter of 2016, while recording growth rate of 0.20 per cent.
It also said the country recorded employment of 106.69 million persons aged between 15 and 64 in the second quarter of 2016, a 0.65 per cent higher than 106.00 million recorded in the first quarter.
The Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, said economically active population or working age population such as persons between 15 and 64 years increased from 106.00 million in first quarter to 106.69 million in second quarter of 2016.
Dr. Kale said: “This represents a 0.65 per cent increase over the previous quarter and a 3.02 per cent increase when compared to second quarter of 2014.
“In the second quarter of 2016, the labour force population (those within the working age population willing, able and actively looking for work) increased to 79.9 million from 78.5 million in the first quarter of 2016.
“This represents an increase of 1.78 per cent in the labour force during the quarter.’’
According to him, this means that 1.39 million persons from the economically active population entered the labour force.
Those in the economically active population are the individuals that were able, willing and actively looking for jobs to do.
His words: “This magnitude of this increase between first and second quarters of 2016 is smaller when compared to four quarter of 2015 and first quarter of 2016, which was an increase of 1.59million in the labour force population.
“Within the reference period, the total number of person in full time employment (did any form of work for at least 40 hours) decreased by 351,350 or 0.65 per cent when compared to the previous quarter and also decreased by 749,414 or 1.38 per cent compared to second quarter of 2015.’’
The statistician-general said that with 106.69 million and 79.9million, it meant 26.8 million persons within the economically active or working age population decided not to work for one reason or the other in the second quarter of this year.
“Hence, they were not part of the labour force and cannot be considered unemployed,’’ Kale said.
The NBS described the unemployed as those who were actively looking for work but could not find any for at least 20 hours during the reference week.
“Accordingly, you are unemployed if you did absolutely nothing at all or did something but far less than 20 hours during the reference week”, the report said.
The Bureau put the value of share capital imported by different sectors of the economy at 202.70 million dollars in the second quarter of 2016.
The figure represents a 16.77 per cent decline against 84.17 per cent recorded in 2015.
Kale stated: “Capital is either imported in the form of shares, or directly imported by different sectors of the economy.
“In the second quarter of 2016 the value of share capital imported was estimated to be $202.70 million, which as for capital importation as a whole sets the record for the lowest value for the second consecutive quarter.
“The figure represents a decline of 16.77 per cent relative to the previous quarter, and a decline of 84.17 per cent relative to the same quarter of 2015.’’
The Bureau’s chief noted that this was a smaller year-on-year decline than in the previous quarter, in which it was 87.41 per cent.
He said that the share capital accounted for 31.32 per cent of total capital imported, less than half its share in the second quarter of 2015 of 70.41 per cent and the lowest level in seven years.
His words: “Nevertheless, the share capital still accounts for a larger proportion of total imported capital than any individual sector.
“For the first time on record, the sector to import the largest amount of capital was servicing, which accounted for $130.98 million, or 20.24 per cent of the total.
“This follows a large increase when the Direct – Equity Portfolio – Equity Portfolio – Money Market Instruments Other – Loans value was $12.83 million in the second quarter of 2015.’’
The Bureau said the increase also recorded when the value was $55.05 million in the previous quarter.
“In all the previous quarters, the sector to import the most capital had been either banking, financing, production or telecommunications. For the second consecutive quarter, production was the sector to import the second largest amount of capital,’’ Kale said.
This sector, he said, imported 92.62 million dollars, equivalent to 14.31 per cent of the total, following a quarterly increase of 14.86 million dollars, or 19.10 per cent.
The NBS chief also said that the capital imported by the production sector increased by 80.92 per cent year-on-year, stating that there were six sectors that recorded no capital importation in the second quarter of 2016.
“These sectors are fishing, marketing, hotels, tanning, transport and weaving,’’ he said.
Kale said that half of the 20 sectors recorded a decline in the amount of capital imported relative to the previous quarter.
“The largest fall was in the electrical sector, which recorded 61.32 million dollars less. By contrast, telecommunications recorded the largest increase, and imported 64.10 million dollars more than in the previous quarter”, the statistician-general said.
Thursday, 1 September 2016
Network Provider MTN suspends contracts of their celebrity ambassadors
According to exclusive report as culled from LIB, Last week, a major move happened in the Nigerian entertainment industry that is being kept hush hush but it's our job to let y'all know what's going on. MTN Nigeria has suspended the ambassadorship of many of their ambassadors. Minus their regional ambassadors, Project Fame ambassadors including Iyanya, Praiz and Chidinma, and other ambassadors like Falz, Skales, Tekno and Nkem Owoh, everyone else has been suspended.
MTN told them that they had no roles for them at the moment and didn't want to renew their contracts immediately. So right now, everything is pending.
Their reason? It may not be unconnected with the fact that the giant telecommunication company is paying over three hundred billion Naira fine to the Nigerian Govt for not disconnecting subscribers when they were supposed to. Guess they want to set priorities!
Fingers crossed as we awaits possible response from various ambassadors.
LIB #Lokko
MTN told them that they had no roles for them at the moment and didn't want to renew their contracts immediately. So right now, everything is pending.
Their reason? It may not be unconnected with the fact that the giant telecommunication company is paying over three hundred billion Naira fine to the Nigerian Govt for not disconnecting subscribers when they were supposed to. Guess they want to set priorities!
Fingers crossed as we awaits possible response from various ambassadors.
LIB #Lokko
Open Heavens 1 September 2016: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – No Room for the Devil
Topic: No Room for the Devil [Thursday 1, September 2016]
Memorise: Abstain from all appearance of evil. – 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Read: Psalms 15:1-5 (KJV)
1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 10-12, Psalms 46
MESSAGE:
‘Looking unto Jesus’ are three very important words of salvation, encouragement and direction for daily Christian living. Nicodemus, in his search for the true God and eternal life, approached Jesus for possible understanding. The Lord Jesus made the new birth very plain by using an Old Testament illustration of the fiery serpents of brass put on a pole for the Israelite's to look upon as recorded in the book of Numbers 21:8-9.
The fall of Adam and Eve, and the temptation of Jesus Christ, exposes humanity to two important realities among many others. First of all, the devil is out to destroy all human beings without exception. Secondly, the devil cannot do a perfect Job at destroying a person without the consensual agreement of that individual. Consequently, the devil seeks the permission of an individual to have the access required to destroy his life. That is why the Bible in Ephesians 4:27, admonishes us not to give way to the devil.
Moreover, the devil does not make this request directly; neither does he require a clear answer from anyone. The language of the devil is always implied and shrouded in ambiguity, such that no one is ever fully aware of the implications of any transaction with the devil until reality dawns on them. For these reasons, children of God should be mindful of their responses to any proposal by the devil because ordinary interest is usually taken as consent or approval by the devil. Men and women who showed interest in various proposals of the devil in the past were soon captured and enslaved to the point of being addicted to such harmful practices like alcoholism, gambling, illicit sex, hard drugs, prostitution, etc. For these reasons, the Bible outlines several ways in which believers should respond to the devil. Evil is to be avoided at all cost as indicated in Psalms 1:1:
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
And in Proverbs 4:14:
“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.”
And 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says:
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Evil is to be hated with passion and resisted with everything we have in line with Proverbs 1:10:
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”
And James 4:7,
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Above all, children of God should pray every day in response to evil, Matthew 6:13 says;
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:”
I pray that you will not be a victim of evil in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Father, please keep evil far away from me and my entire family 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.
Memorise: Abstain from all appearance of evil. – 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Read: Psalms 15:1-5 (KJV)
1 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 10-12, Psalms 46
MESSAGE:
‘Looking unto Jesus’ are three very important words of salvation, encouragement and direction for daily Christian living. Nicodemus, in his search for the true God and eternal life, approached Jesus for possible understanding. The Lord Jesus made the new birth very plain by using an Old Testament illustration of the fiery serpents of brass put on a pole for the Israelite's to look upon as recorded in the book of Numbers 21:8-9.
The fall of Adam and Eve, and the temptation of Jesus Christ, exposes humanity to two important realities among many others. First of all, the devil is out to destroy all human beings without exception. Secondly, the devil cannot do a perfect Job at destroying a person without the consensual agreement of that individual. Consequently, the devil seeks the permission of an individual to have the access required to destroy his life. That is why the Bible in Ephesians 4:27, admonishes us not to give way to the devil.
Moreover, the devil does not make this request directly; neither does he require a clear answer from anyone. The language of the devil is always implied and shrouded in ambiguity, such that no one is ever fully aware of the implications of any transaction with the devil until reality dawns on them. For these reasons, children of God should be mindful of their responses to any proposal by the devil because ordinary interest is usually taken as consent or approval by the devil. Men and women who showed interest in various proposals of the devil in the past were soon captured and enslaved to the point of being addicted to such harmful practices like alcoholism, gambling, illicit sex, hard drugs, prostitution, etc. For these reasons, the Bible outlines several ways in which believers should respond to the devil. Evil is to be avoided at all cost as indicated in Psalms 1:1:
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
And in Proverbs 4:14:
“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.”
And 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says:
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Evil is to be hated with passion and resisted with everything we have in line with Proverbs 1:10:
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”
And James 4:7,
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Above all, children of God should pray every day in response to evil, Matthew 6:13 says;
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:”
I pray that you will not be a victim of evil in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Father, please keep evil far away from me and my entire family 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.
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Open Heavens 31 August 2016: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – How to Overcome Fear
Topic: How to Overcome Fear [Wednesday 31, August 2016]
Memorise: Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; – Psalms 91:5
Read: Psalms 91:1-9 (KJV)
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 7:30-9:26, Psalms 45
MESSAGE:
God has a reservoir of power to protect His children each time they are in trouble. This is why there is nothing as good as making God the source of your power. God is the most secure place to keep your life. There are many conflicts in this world, there are many happenings that cause fear but we are sure and confident of our victory through the blood that was shed on the cross of Calvary. God is the one who can deliver us from all the dangers of life when we trust in Him. God is the Secret Place that keeps one from the enemy. I decree into your life; those who want to attack you will fall into destruction in Jesus’ name. Those who put their trust in God have nothing to fear.
As far as God is concerned, fear is not allowed for His children. You cannot have God as your father and live in fear, because the spirit of fear is not part of your destiny as a child of God. Your portion is the spirit of boldness and a sound mind. Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego did not give in to fear because they knew that the God they serve will never let them down and they demonstrated this boldness before the King and all the people by not bowing before the image of the King. They overcame their fear with their conviction in the Almighty God. The King made the furnace seven times hotter, yet they were not afraid, neither did they change their minds, because they knew God will wait for them inside the fiery furnace. For a reader of this devotional, I prophecy into your life; all those arrows that the enemies are throwing in order to put fear into your heart shall lead to your promotion in Jesus’ name. When it appears that you are dropping and about to hit the ground, just remember that His everlasting hand is waiting to lift you up.
The children of Israel were afraid of the giants in the land they were to possess. They saw themselves as grasshoppers before the giants because they suddenly forgot that the same God that opened a path for them to cross through the red sea was the same God that wanted them to overrun the land. You need to trust God and never doubt His promises. The moment you doubt God, you are challenging His ability and existence. Those who doubt God usually pay for it and it is not always pleasant. As chicks flee for safety under the wings of the hen, so must we run to the protection of God. There are numerous dangers around, but we know that the God we serve and the power in His Word delivers us from all dangers and fears. As we set our minds on Him, all those things that cause us to worry are taken care of. He will give answers to pressing prayers. He will deliver those who are threatened with different kinds of trouble. He will give you long life by keeping you in perfect health. This is why I want to tell a user of this devotional whose medical report indicates a limited time to live; the Almighty God will change such report in your favour in Jesus’name.
Prayer Point: Father, I receive victory over every fear and doubt in my life 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.
Memorise: Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; – Psalms 91:5
Read: Psalms 91:1-9 (KJV)
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 7:30-9:26, Psalms 45
MESSAGE:
God has a reservoir of power to protect His children each time they are in trouble. This is why there is nothing as good as making God the source of your power. God is the most secure place to keep your life. There are many conflicts in this world, there are many happenings that cause fear but we are sure and confident of our victory through the blood that was shed on the cross of Calvary. God is the one who can deliver us from all the dangers of life when we trust in Him. God is the Secret Place that keeps one from the enemy. I decree into your life; those who want to attack you will fall into destruction in Jesus’ name. Those who put their trust in God have nothing to fear.
As far as God is concerned, fear is not allowed for His children. You cannot have God as your father and live in fear, because the spirit of fear is not part of your destiny as a child of God. Your portion is the spirit of boldness and a sound mind. Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego did not give in to fear because they knew that the God they serve will never let them down and they demonstrated this boldness before the King and all the people by not bowing before the image of the King. They overcame their fear with their conviction in the Almighty God. The King made the furnace seven times hotter, yet they were not afraid, neither did they change their minds, because they knew God will wait for them inside the fiery furnace. For a reader of this devotional, I prophecy into your life; all those arrows that the enemies are throwing in order to put fear into your heart shall lead to your promotion in Jesus’ name. When it appears that you are dropping and about to hit the ground, just remember that His everlasting hand is waiting to lift you up.
The children of Israel were afraid of the giants in the land they were to possess. They saw themselves as grasshoppers before the giants because they suddenly forgot that the same God that opened a path for them to cross through the red sea was the same God that wanted them to overrun the land. You need to trust God and never doubt His promises. The moment you doubt God, you are challenging His ability and existence. Those who doubt God usually pay for it and it is not always pleasant. As chicks flee for safety under the wings of the hen, so must we run to the protection of God. There are numerous dangers around, but we know that the God we serve and the power in His Word delivers us from all dangers and fears. As we set our minds on Him, all those things that cause us to worry are taken care of. He will give answers to pressing prayers. He will deliver those who are threatened with different kinds of trouble. He will give you long life by keeping you in perfect health. This is why I want to tell a user of this devotional whose medical report indicates a limited time to live; the Almighty God will change such report in your favour in Jesus’name.
Prayer Point: Father, I receive victory over every fear and doubt in my life 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.
Season of letters! Presidency replies Cardinal Okogie's letter
The Presidency has responded to the letter written by Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity claimed President Muhammadu Buhari was already addressing the hunger in the land as advised by Okogie.
“The respected cardinal asked the President to do something fast to address hunger across the country. That is exactly what the President is doing. He is working hard for Nigerians, so that they can say a final farewell to poverty and hunger.”
Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity claimed President Muhammadu Buhari was already addressing the hunger in the land as advised by Okogie.
“The respected cardinal asked the President to do something fast to address hunger across the country. That is exactly what the President is doing. He is working hard for Nigerians, so that they can say a final farewell to poverty and hunger.”
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Open Letter To President Buhari, By Cardinal Anthony Okogie
Dear Mr. President : Last year, when you assumed office, the chant of “Change,” your campaign slogan, ushered you into the Presidential Villa. Today, cries of “hunger” could be heard across the length and breadth of our vast country.
Nigerians hunger, not only for food, but also for good leadership, for peace, security, and justice. This letter is to appeal to you to do something fast, and, if you are already doing something, to redouble your effort.
May it not be written on the pages of history that Nigerians die of starvation under your watch. As President, you are the chief servant of the nation. I, therefore, urge you to live up to the huge expectation of millions of Nigerians. A stitch in time saves nine.
This is the second year of your administration.
You and your party promised to lead the masses to the Promised Land. It is not an easy task to lead. But by campaigning for this office, you offered to take the enormous task of leadership upon yourself. Nigerians are waiting for you to fulfill the promises you made during the campaign.
They voted you into office because of those promises. The introduction of town hall meetings is a commendable idea. But in practice, you, not just your ministers, must converse with Nigerians. You are the President. You must be accountable to them. The buck stops on your desk.
Even if your administration has no magic wand at least give some words of encouragement. On this same score, please instruct your ministers, and insist that they be sincere and polite at those town meetings. Their sophistry will neither serve you nor Nigerians.
Mr. President, if you want to leave a credible legacy come 2019, in all sincerity, please retool your administration. Change is desirable. But it must be a change for the better. Let this change be real. Change is not real when old things that we ought to discard refuse to pass away.
You will need to take a critical look at your cabinet, at the policies and programs of your administration, and at those who help you to formulate and execute them. You will need to take a critical look at the manner of appointments you have been making.
It is true that commonsense dictates that you appoint men and women you can trust. But if most of the people you trust are from one section of the country and practice the same religion, then you and all of us are living in insecurity. The Nigerian economy has never been in a state as terrible as this.
You as President are like the pilot of an aircraft flying in turbulence. Turbulent times bring the best or the worst out of a pilot. We can no longer blame the turbulence on past administrations. You know quite well that some of the officials of your administration served in previous dispensations.
Blame for what we have been experiencing is, in fact, bipartisan in character. The entire political class needs to come together, irrespective of party differences, to acknowledge its collective guilt and to seek ways of saving the sinking ship that our country has become.
This cannot be done if some officials of your administration demonize and alienate members of the opposition. If a large portion of the blame for the present situation is to be laid on the doorsteps of the entire political class, the search for a solution must involve everyone.
That is why no one should be alienated. All hands must be on deck. This is the time to revitalize moribund industries, reinvigorate our agriculture, make our country tourist and investor friendly, and enable our young men and women to find fulfillment by contributing to the common good.
None of these lofty goals can be achieved without good education. On this particular issue, recent appointments you have made in the education sector raise a question: have you really appointed the best? Still, on education, it is important that our universities be allowed to use their own criteria to admit students.
It is a gross violation of the principles of federalism and academic freedom for the federal government to insist that only a federal parastatal can decide on who gains admission into our universities. It is the role of the university senate, not of government bureaucrats, to decide on who gets admitted and who is awarded a certificate.
Mr. President, your desire to wage a war on corruption is just and noble. But a just war must be waged with just means. Those who have stolen the wealth of this country have broken the laws of our country. They must be treated according to the law and not outside the law, and the outcome of the judicial process must be respected by the government.
Even accused persons have rights. Where those rights are violated, we risk a descent to anarchy. It is our candid opinion that corruption is not found in only one party. No political party in Nigeria has a monopoly of looters. That is why we need an EFCC that is thoroughly independent of the presidency, and an Attorney General without party affiliation working in partnership with various independent accounting institutes.
This will ensure that we come up with an objective list of those who plundered our treasury. Mr. President, pardon me if I sound like a gratuitous counselor. I owe you the truth and nothing but the truth. In my life as a public figure and a religious leader, I have offered my counsel, for whatever its worth, to quite a number of Presidents in this country.
I do this because I desire that you succeed. For the success of the leader is the success of the citizens. If there is no solution to Nigeria’s problem, there may be endless war. You strike one town, you gain it, and you come again to regain it. Remember that you cannot put a crown on your head.
It is the people who put it on you. Otherwise one day, you will get tired of it. Please listen to the legitimate cries of your fellow citizens.
Cardinal Anthony Okogie, the emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, writes from Lagos. Culled from SaharaReporters
Read more: http://newsrescue.com/open-letter-president-buhari-cardinal-anthony-okogie/#ixzz4ImkSvyKZ
Nigerians hunger, not only for food, but also for good leadership, for peace, security, and justice. This letter is to appeal to you to do something fast, and, if you are already doing something, to redouble your effort.
May it not be written on the pages of history that Nigerians die of starvation under your watch. As President, you are the chief servant of the nation. I, therefore, urge you to live up to the huge expectation of millions of Nigerians. A stitch in time saves nine.
This is the second year of your administration.
You and your party promised to lead the masses to the Promised Land. It is not an easy task to lead. But by campaigning for this office, you offered to take the enormous task of leadership upon yourself. Nigerians are waiting for you to fulfill the promises you made during the campaign.
They voted you into office because of those promises. The introduction of town hall meetings is a commendable idea. But in practice, you, not just your ministers, must converse with Nigerians. You are the President. You must be accountable to them. The buck stops on your desk.
Even if your administration has no magic wand at least give some words of encouragement. On this same score, please instruct your ministers, and insist that they be sincere and polite at those town meetings. Their sophistry will neither serve you nor Nigerians.
Mr. President, if you want to leave a credible legacy come 2019, in all sincerity, please retool your administration. Change is desirable. But it must be a change for the better. Let this change be real. Change is not real when old things that we ought to discard refuse to pass away.
You will need to take a critical look at your cabinet, at the policies and programs of your administration, and at those who help you to formulate and execute them. You will need to take a critical look at the manner of appointments you have been making.
It is true that commonsense dictates that you appoint men and women you can trust. But if most of the people you trust are from one section of the country and practice the same religion, then you and all of us are living in insecurity. The Nigerian economy has never been in a state as terrible as this.
You as President are like the pilot of an aircraft flying in turbulence. Turbulent times bring the best or the worst out of a pilot. We can no longer blame the turbulence on past administrations. You know quite well that some of the officials of your administration served in previous dispensations.
Blame for what we have been experiencing is, in fact, bipartisan in character. The entire political class needs to come together, irrespective of party differences, to acknowledge its collective guilt and to seek ways of saving the sinking ship that our country has become.
This cannot be done if some officials of your administration demonize and alienate members of the opposition. If a large portion of the blame for the present situation is to be laid on the doorsteps of the entire political class, the search for a solution must involve everyone.
That is why no one should be alienated. All hands must be on deck. This is the time to revitalize moribund industries, reinvigorate our agriculture, make our country tourist and investor friendly, and enable our young men and women to find fulfillment by contributing to the common good.
None of these lofty goals can be achieved without good education. On this particular issue, recent appointments you have made in the education sector raise a question: have you really appointed the best? Still, on education, it is important that our universities be allowed to use their own criteria to admit students.
It is a gross violation of the principles of federalism and academic freedom for the federal government to insist that only a federal parastatal can decide on who gains admission into our universities. It is the role of the university senate, not of government bureaucrats, to decide on who gets admitted and who is awarded a certificate.
Mr. President, your desire to wage a war on corruption is just and noble. But a just war must be waged with just means. Those who have stolen the wealth of this country have broken the laws of our country. They must be treated according to the law and not outside the law, and the outcome of the judicial process must be respected by the government.
Even accused persons have rights. Where those rights are violated, we risk a descent to anarchy. It is our candid opinion that corruption is not found in only one party. No political party in Nigeria has a monopoly of looters. That is why we need an EFCC that is thoroughly independent of the presidency, and an Attorney General without party affiliation working in partnership with various independent accounting institutes.
This will ensure that we come up with an objective list of those who plundered our treasury. Mr. President, pardon me if I sound like a gratuitous counselor. I owe you the truth and nothing but the truth. In my life as a public figure and a religious leader, I have offered my counsel, for whatever its worth, to quite a number of Presidents in this country.
I do this because I desire that you succeed. For the success of the leader is the success of the citizens. If there is no solution to Nigeria’s problem, there may be endless war. You strike one town, you gain it, and you come again to regain it. Remember that you cannot put a crown on your head.
It is the people who put it on you. Otherwise one day, you will get tired of it. Please listen to the legitimate cries of your fellow citizens.
Cardinal Anthony Okogie, the emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, writes from Lagos. Culled from SaharaReporters
Read more: http://newsrescue.com/open-letter-president-buhari-cardinal-anthony-okogie/#ixzz4ImkSvyKZ
Open Heavens 30 August 2016: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Principles of Divine Blessing
Topic: Principles of Divine Blessing [Tuesday 30, August 2016]
Memorise: Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. – 1 Samuel 2:30
Read: Deuteronomy 28:1-6 (KJV)
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 5:14-7:29, Psalms 44:17-26
MESSAGE:
If you want to command the blessings of God, you must be willing to pay the price. If you want the kind of blessing that does not have any form of sorrow, you must be willing to obey the instructions of God. If you want the kind of blessing that is no respecter of seasons, you must be willing to live a holy life. This means it is very possible for you to enjoy God’s blessing all the days of your life; however, there are principles that command this blessing. When you follow and honour God, you have no fear of tomorrow. There are many people who are worried about what their tomorrow looks like. They don’t know what will happen next. For those who are living holy, they know their tomorrow will be alright as promised by God in His Word, they know they will prosper. This is automatic for them because the Word of God says:
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:” - Isaiah 1:19
If you are living a holy life, God will supply all your needs. There are many people who are blessed but they have no peace. For those who walk in the path of God, He blesses them and adds peace to their blessing.
“Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.” - Isaiah 3:10
If you want a glorious promotion, you must live a holy life. The Almighty God is no respecter of persons. He will never bend His standards. He is very strict and perfect. It is the blessing of God that takes an individual to the top. The moment you choose to live by His standards, God will lift you up on high. If you do not live holy, you will always see yourself falling down. Those who are down always suffer but when you are on top, the Lord will bless you greatly. This is why you have to make up your mind to pay the price of consecration. The knowledge of God produces material and financial blessings. The moment you honour God with your life, you will have access to the good things of life. You will attract blessings from all parts of the world and He will give you the wisdom to keep the blessings. Obedience brings blessings; if you are obedient you will have victory in every aspect of life. You will have access to the fullness of God’s provision. Only those who walk in the principles of God can command the blessing of God. He fed the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness without them working for one day. The blessings of the Almighty God are inexhaustible. When you distance yourself from the principle of tithing, the blessings of God will always be distant from you. There is no blessing for the wicked unless the wicked repents and comes to Jesus. Fools are those who know the consequences of something and still go into it. They know that the wages of sin is death and still continue in sin. Divine blessings come to those who keep the commandments of God. They enjoy good success and prosperity. The moment you begin to walk in the principles of God, everything you touch becomes blessed. It is obedience to the Word of God that attracts blessings into one’s life.
Key point: It pays to follow God.
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.
Memorise: Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. – 1 Samuel 2:30
Read: Deuteronomy 28:1-6 (KJV)
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 5:14-7:29, Psalms 44:17-26
MESSAGE:
If you want to command the blessings of God, you must be willing to pay the price. If you want the kind of blessing that does not have any form of sorrow, you must be willing to obey the instructions of God. If you want the kind of blessing that is no respecter of seasons, you must be willing to live a holy life. This means it is very possible for you to enjoy God’s blessing all the days of your life; however, there are principles that command this blessing. When you follow and honour God, you have no fear of tomorrow. There are many people who are worried about what their tomorrow looks like. They don’t know what will happen next. For those who are living holy, they know their tomorrow will be alright as promised by God in His Word, they know they will prosper. This is automatic for them because the Word of God says:
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:” - Isaiah 1:19
If you are living a holy life, God will supply all your needs. There are many people who are blessed but they have no peace. For those who walk in the path of God, He blesses them and adds peace to their blessing.
“Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.” - Isaiah 3:10
If you want a glorious promotion, you must live a holy life. The Almighty God is no respecter of persons. He will never bend His standards. He is very strict and perfect. It is the blessing of God that takes an individual to the top. The moment you choose to live by His standards, God will lift you up on high. If you do not live holy, you will always see yourself falling down. Those who are down always suffer but when you are on top, the Lord will bless you greatly. This is why you have to make up your mind to pay the price of consecration. The knowledge of God produces material and financial blessings. The moment you honour God with your life, you will have access to the good things of life. You will attract blessings from all parts of the world and He will give you the wisdom to keep the blessings. Obedience brings blessings; if you are obedient you will have victory in every aspect of life. You will have access to the fullness of God’s provision. Only those who walk in the principles of God can command the blessing of God. He fed the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness without them working for one day. The blessings of the Almighty God are inexhaustible. When you distance yourself from the principle of tithing, the blessings of God will always be distant from you. There is no blessing for the wicked unless the wicked repents and comes to Jesus. Fools are those who know the consequences of something and still go into it. They know that the wages of sin is death and still continue in sin. Divine blessings come to those who keep the commandments of God. They enjoy good success and prosperity. The moment you begin to walk in the principles of God, everything you touch becomes blessed. It is obedience to the Word of God that attracts blessings into one’s life.
Key point: It pays to follow God.
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.
Foster teenager, 15, dubbed Girl X died of a ‘speed ball overdose’
Reports: Daily Mail
A teenager, dubbed Girl X, overdosed after she was repeatedly raped inside a care facility after being removed from her home as a one-year-old, an inquest has heard.
Authorities were so concerned for her welfare that she was removed from her family before her first birthday, but the 15-year-old died on April 21, 2014 after a ‘speed ball’ overdose following years of being ‘used and abused’.
Counsel assisting Donna Ward told the Glebe Coroner’s Court on Monday that the young girl had been dragged into criminal activity, probably prostituted, had been injecting hard drugs and cut ‘I hate feelings’ into her leg.
‘(She had been) tragically used and abused by many of the people she should have been able to rely on for comfort and care,’ Ms Ward told a packed courtroom.
The night before her death, it’s believed she injected a ‘speed ball’ – a dangerous combination of heroin and speed, while living at a residential care home.
A teenager, dubbed Girl X, overdosed after she was repeatedly raped inside a care facility after being removed from her home as a one-year-old, an inquest has heard.
Authorities were so concerned for her welfare that she was removed from her family before her first birthday, but the 15-year-old died on April 21, 2014 after a ‘speed ball’ overdose following years of being ‘used and abused’.
Counsel assisting Donna Ward told the Glebe Coroner’s Court on Monday that the young girl had been dragged into criminal activity, probably prostituted, had been injecting hard drugs and cut ‘I hate feelings’ into her leg.
‘(She had been) tragically used and abused by many of the people she should have been able to rely on for comfort and care,’ Ms Ward told a packed courtroom.
The night before her death, it’s believed she injected a ‘speed ball’ – a dangerous combination of heroin and speed, while living at a residential care home.
Tributes flood in for the 'magic' Gene Wilder after Willy Wonka star dies aged 83 following a secret battle with Alzheimer's
The actor's nephew says Wilder died late Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut from Alzheimer's complications
•The actor best known for paying Willy Wonka was diagnosed with the disease three years ago, but chose to keep his condition private
•Actor did not want to disappoint fans with the news and 'couldn't bear the thought of one less smile in the world'
•Wilder was 83 years old at the time of his death and is survived by his wife Karen Boyer
•Was a longtime collaborator with director Mel Brooks, starring in such comedies as Blazing Saddles, The Producers and Young Frankenstein
Tributes have flooded in to the legendary actor Gene Wilder who died aged 83 on Sunday night after a secret battle with Alzheimer's.
Friend and longtime collaborator Mel Brooks led the outpouring of emotion, attesting to the 'magic' that Wilder brought to the screen, including his most well-known role as Willy Wonka.
'One of the truly great talents of our time,' Mel Brooks tweeted on Monday. 'He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship.'
Fellow comic Jim Carrey added: 'Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take human form. If there's a heaven, he has a golden ticket.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3764037/Gene-Wilder-dead-age-83-Legendary-actor-played-Willy-Wonka-suffered-non-Hodgkin-s-lymphoma.html
•The actor best known for paying Willy Wonka was diagnosed with the disease three years ago, but chose to keep his condition private
•Actor did not want to disappoint fans with the news and 'couldn't bear the thought of one less smile in the world'
•Wilder was 83 years old at the time of his death and is survived by his wife Karen Boyer
•Was a longtime collaborator with director Mel Brooks, starring in such comedies as Blazing Saddles, The Producers and Young Frankenstein
Tributes have flooded in to the legendary actor Gene Wilder who died aged 83 on Sunday night after a secret battle with Alzheimer's.
Friend and longtime collaborator Mel Brooks led the outpouring of emotion, attesting to the 'magic' that Wilder brought to the screen, including his most well-known role as Willy Wonka.
'One of the truly great talents of our time,' Mel Brooks tweeted on Monday. 'He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship.'
Fellow comic Jim Carrey added: 'Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take human form. If there's a heaven, he has a golden ticket.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3764037/Gene-Wilder-dead-age-83-Legendary-actor-played-Willy-Wonka-suffered-non-Hodgkin-s-lymphoma.html
Monday, 29 August 2016
Deji of Akure Land releases statement on the sealed APC secretariat
Wonder they say shall never end! in the bid up for governorship election in Ondo state, so many activities are cropping up. The attention of the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Odundun II, the ...Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure, has been drawn to the sacrilegious act carried out at the Ondo State Secretariat of the All Progressive Congress early this morning.
Ekiti state governor Ayodele Fayose signs open grazing bill into law
They are also prohibited from grazing their cattle in areas that are not designated for grazing. The law prescribes six months imprisonment without option of fine for any herdsman who violates the grazing prohibition while any herdsman found with arms will be charged with terrorism in the state.
LIB
Afe Babalola University says No to smartphones on campus, reactions trends on twitter
"Mobile Phone ; The University would allow students to use telephone but limited to non-smartphones. Any TELEPHONE aside the University’s specification, inclusive of TABLETS or IPADS shall be CONFISCATED and the Student shall be SANCTIONED"
Twitter Users (some students) however expressed displeasure. See the reactions after the cut.
Sensational Rihanna and Drake kiss at the 2016 VMAs
'She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old, she's one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life I have looked up to her even though she is younger than me. 'She is a living and breathing legend of our Industry...'
Politics as APC Secretariat in Ondo state turned into a 'Shrine'
Party faithfuls are not finding it funny as some aggrieved
members of APC in Ondo state have turned the party's Secretariat in the
state into a shrine. The party members are at loggerheads over who
would be their governorship candidate in the state's gubernatorial
election come November 26th.
Open Heavens 29 August 2016: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Great Invitation
Topic: The Great Invitation [Monday 29, August 2016]
Memorise: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. – Isaiah 1:18
Read: Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 3:6-5:13, Psalms 44:9-15
MESSAGE:
There are numerous invitations we receive during the course of our lifetime, but there is an invitation that changes the life of a person permanently and that invitation is only found in Jesus. Sometimes, people can invite you to great occasions where you dine and wine with very important people in the society but that does not put an end to the trouble you are going through as an individual. You dine with them, but upon returning to your private closet, you carry your problems again. However, when you respond to the invitation of Jesus, He solves all your problems. This is why you cannot afford to respond inappropriately to this invitation. With this invitation, you come as you are. Present yourself to Him the way you are and let Him turn your life around. This is why the invitation of Jesus is the greatest of all invitations; it is also unique because He has all the power and the resources to turn any situation around. No matter how blessed an individual is, there is a limit to how many people he can help. No matter how buoyant your organisation is, there is no CEO that can employ everyone in a country. Jesus is the only employer who can pay everyone that comes under His government. There is no restriction, it is open to all.
This invitation is to those who live under the stress and turmoil of this world. He wants to deliver them from all their troubles. There are those who have problems with their spiritual life. Jesus is available to release grace and mercy in the state of their spiritual poverty. There are people living under the bondage of emotions and religion, Jesus wants to set them free and deliver them from all their battles both within and without. There are many people who are struggling on the inside. When you see them, they appear alright but they have troubles, fears, worries, anxieties and depression. Jesus is calling you to come to Him. He wants to remove the yoke that the devil and his agents have put on you. He wants to uproot every plant that He has not planted in your life. He wants to deliver you from the burdens of this world that causes frustration and depression. However, you must submit to Him before He can be of help to you.
It does not matter how far you have gone into the world of sin, Jesus is calling you to come. There is no sinner without a future and there is no saint without a past but in Jesus everything becomes new;
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17
One finds peace and rest of mind by understanding that his sins are forgiven by the grace of God through the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross of Calvary, because where there is no shedding of blood there is no remission for sins. You can cast all your worries and anxiety on Jesus; it is part of your redemption right because all those troubles have been exchanged for peace through His death. However, you must know that the glory of God is His holiness. His dwelling is in holiness. His way is holy and the invitation to us is not an invitation to lawlessness but an invitation to holiness.
Key Point: There is no sin that is beyond the redemption at cross.
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.
Memorise: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. – Isaiah 1:18
Read: Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 3:6-5:13, Psalms 44:9-15
MESSAGE:
There are numerous invitations we receive during the course of our lifetime, but there is an invitation that changes the life of a person permanently and that invitation is only found in Jesus. Sometimes, people can invite you to great occasions where you dine and wine with very important people in the society but that does not put an end to the trouble you are going through as an individual. You dine with them, but upon returning to your private closet, you carry your problems again. However, when you respond to the invitation of Jesus, He solves all your problems. This is why you cannot afford to respond inappropriately to this invitation. With this invitation, you come as you are. Present yourself to Him the way you are and let Him turn your life around. This is why the invitation of Jesus is the greatest of all invitations; it is also unique because He has all the power and the resources to turn any situation around. No matter how blessed an individual is, there is a limit to how many people he can help. No matter how buoyant your organisation is, there is no CEO that can employ everyone in a country. Jesus is the only employer who can pay everyone that comes under His government. There is no restriction, it is open to all.
This invitation is to those who live under the stress and turmoil of this world. He wants to deliver them from all their troubles. There are those who have problems with their spiritual life. Jesus is available to release grace and mercy in the state of their spiritual poverty. There are people living under the bondage of emotions and religion, Jesus wants to set them free and deliver them from all their battles both within and without. There are many people who are struggling on the inside. When you see them, they appear alright but they have troubles, fears, worries, anxieties and depression. Jesus is calling you to come to Him. He wants to remove the yoke that the devil and his agents have put on you. He wants to uproot every plant that He has not planted in your life. He wants to deliver you from the burdens of this world that causes frustration and depression. However, you must submit to Him before He can be of help to you.
It does not matter how far you have gone into the world of sin, Jesus is calling you to come. There is no sinner without a future and there is no saint without a past but in Jesus everything becomes new;
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17
One finds peace and rest of mind by understanding that his sins are forgiven by the grace of God through the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross of Calvary, because where there is no shedding of blood there is no remission for sins. You can cast all your worries and anxiety on Jesus; it is part of your redemption right because all those troubles have been exchanged for peace through His death. However, you must know that the glory of God is His holiness. His dwelling is in holiness. His way is holy and the invitation to us is not an invitation to lawlessness but an invitation to holiness.
Key Point: There is no sin that is beyond the redemption at cross.
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.
Sunday, 28 August 2016
Pres. Buhari in Kenya for the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development
African leaders were united in calling for increased trade ties between the continent and Japan as the Sixth Tokyo International Conference of African Development kicked off in Nairobi at the weekend.
Some 23 presidents are part of the huge delegation of leaders in Nairobi for the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development — the largest delegation of Heads of States on Kenyan soil at the same time in recent years.
Speakers pitched for increased financial and technical support in agriculture, infrastructure, health, security and innovation.
The meeting underscored the role of the private sector, NGOs and the civil society, with leaders confirming that it is important to build a resilient economy.
The conference brought together 34 Heads of State and government and delegates from across the globe.
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/mobile/article/2000213637/when-half-of-africa-s-leaders-came-calling-for-tokyo-summit
Some 23 presidents are part of the huge delegation of leaders in Nairobi for the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development — the largest delegation of Heads of States on Kenyan soil at the same time in recent years.
Speakers pitched for increased financial and technical support in agriculture, infrastructure, health, security and innovation.
The meeting underscored the role of the private sector, NGOs and the civil society, with leaders confirming that it is important to build a resilient economy.
The conference brought together 34 Heads of State and government and delegates from across the globe.
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/mobile/article/2000213637/when-half-of-africa-s-leaders-came-calling-for-tokyo-summit
Winning Wisdom: He's Given You the Keys
Topic: He's Given You the Keys [28/8/2016]
Text: Matthew 16:17-19
God intended man to have control over his life and make the best out of it. He never wanted man to be controlled by the forces and circumstances of life. Before Jesus went to the cross, He told His disciples in Matthew 16:19 "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Jesus was telling them that He will give them the keys of the kingdom of God to control their lives here on earth. God wants us to be in control of what happens to us. He wants the only things that happen in our lives to be the things we allow, as we walk in tune with heaven's agenda for our lives. Don't allow Satan hijack your life. Your destiny is what you make out of it. It is what you allow that heaven will allow but heaven won't do anything about a negative occurrence or situation if you don't.
The keys are with you. They have been handed to you by God. Make the best use of them to make your life what you want it to be. Nobody, not even the devil has the ability to control the affairs of your life. You are the sole controller of your life. Even God can only do as much as you want Him to. But it is always best to permit Him to get involved in all your affairs. Because for you to make the best of your life, heaven has to seal it. Remember, it is when heaven's seal of approval is on what you want done, that it will be done.
Keep winning daily.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the keys of the kingdom to control the affairs of my life. Only what I allow in my life is allowed. Satan's influence is cut short in my life. And as I work with You, I receive the seal of approval to keep winning daily in my life, in Jesus' name. Amen.
By Ese Ehimare Dave
Text: Matthew 16:17-19
God intended man to have control over his life and make the best out of it. He never wanted man to be controlled by the forces and circumstances of life. Before Jesus went to the cross, He told His disciples in Matthew 16:19 "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Jesus was telling them that He will give them the keys of the kingdom of God to control their lives here on earth. God wants us to be in control of what happens to us. He wants the only things that happen in our lives to be the things we allow, as we walk in tune with heaven's agenda for our lives. Don't allow Satan hijack your life. Your destiny is what you make out of it. It is what you allow that heaven will allow but heaven won't do anything about a negative occurrence or situation if you don't.
The keys are with you. They have been handed to you by God. Make the best use of them to make your life what you want it to be. Nobody, not even the devil has the ability to control the affairs of your life. You are the sole controller of your life. Even God can only do as much as you want Him to. But it is always best to permit Him to get involved in all your affairs. Because for you to make the best of your life, heaven has to seal it. Remember, it is when heaven's seal of approval is on what you want done, that it will be done.
Keep winning daily.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the keys of the kingdom to control the affairs of my life. Only what I allow in my life is allowed. Satan's influence is cut short in my life. And as I work with You, I receive the seal of approval to keep winning daily in my life, in Jesus' name. Amen.
By Ese Ehimare Dave
Growing Nigeria travel and tourism a lesson to learn from Seychelles
Travel & Tourism’s impact on the economic and social development of a country can be enormous; opening it up for business, trade and capital investment, creating jobs and entrepreneurship for the workforce and protecting heritage and cultural values. To fully understand its impact, however, governments, policy makers and businesses around the world require accurate and reliable data on the impact of the sector. Data is needed to help assess policies that govern future industry development and to provide knowledge to help guide successful and sustainable Travel & Tourism investment decisions.
The industry generated US$7.6 trillion (10% of global GDP) and 277 million jobs (1 in 11 jobs) for the global economy in 2014. Recent years have seen Travel & Tourism growing at a faster rate than both the wider economy and other significant sectors such as automotive, financial services and health care. Last year was no exception. International tourist arrivals also surged, reaching nearly 1.14 billion and visitor spending more than matched that growth. Visitors from emerging economies now represent a 46% share of these international arrivals (up from 38% in 2000), proving the growth and increased opportunities for travel from those in these new markets.
One of such countries to learn from is Seychelles. The direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to its GDP was 21.3% of total GDP in 2014 and it’s forecast to rise by 6.0% in 2015 and to rise by 4.9% pa, from 2015-2025, to 24.7% of total GDP in 2025. In 2014, Travel & Tourism directly supported 10,500 jobs (22.9% of total employment). This is expected to remain unchanged in 2015 and rise by 2.5% pa to 14,000 jobs (28.1% of total employment) in 2025.
This included employment by hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services (excluding commuter services). It also includes, for example, the activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists. By 2025, Travel & Tourism will account for 14,000 jobs directly, an increase of 2.5% pa over the next ten years.
What has been largely responsible for such growth and enormous contribution to the country’s GDP? Seychelles relies on its local experts in drawing up a Masterplan. It doesn’t solicit the support of a global agency, or foreign expertise to grow its tourism industry. Nigeria as a country can take learnings from Seychelles if it is to make any significant progress in turning the tourism and hospitality industry into a melting pot for the economy. The tourism industry remains the pillar of the Seychelles economy, which is why the Government continues to consult to ensure the industry is consolidated for the long term. The country’s tourism strategic plan set out for the upcoming five years covers strategic areas pointing to policy formulation, product development, human resource development and risk management.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has been assisting Nigeria in drafting a Masterplan for moving the country’s tourism forward. Worthy of mentioning is the fact that this Masterplan hasn’t been able to contribute greatly to its growth. Experts have stated that some of the factors crippling the successful implementation of the Plan may include: Nigeria’s difficult governance environment, local conditions were not taken into consideration and the political implication of that error crippled the project to a point where it could not take off since 2006. Sadly, the country’s tourism minister had gone back to the UNWTO to seek for help in making the unworkable Plan work.
No doubt, the action plans suggested by the apex tourism agency are indeed virile to boost any country’s tourism industry. Some of the actions include: technical assistance, capacity building and the revision of the country’s Tourism Master Plan, organisation of international conferences in Nigeria and the certification of tourism courses, widening access to the e-library for Nigerian tourism officials and offering support for relevant tourism institutions and agencies in Nigeria; data collection for the elaboration of tourism statistics, rural tourism development, hotel classification and in designing programmes to create awareness for tourism.
Whilst all these plans are plausible, there is need to allow the local expertise to draft a Masterplan for promoting this sector with a view to turning it into a melting pot. Besides, these local experts understand the Nigerian environment better than any foreign agency. This is not to say that the intentions of the apex global agency is bad. Rather, this is a call for inclusion of more local experts who also have international exposure.
Additionally, there is also need to collaborate with industry players within the sector. Such players will include hoteliers, travel consultants, hotel booking portals like Jumia Travel, channel managers and many more.
Growing Nigeria’s tourism and travel industry will definitely require some time. The determination to get it right once-and-for-all should propel the honourable Minister to accommodate more local experts to drive the tourism agenda, as against seeking to have the Masterplan revised by UNWTO.
*Data Source: World Travel & Tourism Council
By Olukayode Kolawole
Head of PR & Marketing at Jumia Travel NG
The industry generated US$7.6 trillion (10% of global GDP) and 277 million jobs (1 in 11 jobs) for the global economy in 2014. Recent years have seen Travel & Tourism growing at a faster rate than both the wider economy and other significant sectors such as automotive, financial services and health care. Last year was no exception. International tourist arrivals also surged, reaching nearly 1.14 billion and visitor spending more than matched that growth. Visitors from emerging economies now represent a 46% share of these international arrivals (up from 38% in 2000), proving the growth and increased opportunities for travel from those in these new markets.
One of such countries to learn from is Seychelles. The direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to its GDP was 21.3% of total GDP in 2014 and it’s forecast to rise by 6.0% in 2015 and to rise by 4.9% pa, from 2015-2025, to 24.7% of total GDP in 2025. In 2014, Travel & Tourism directly supported 10,500 jobs (22.9% of total employment). This is expected to remain unchanged in 2015 and rise by 2.5% pa to 14,000 jobs (28.1% of total employment) in 2025.
This included employment by hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation services (excluding commuter services). It also includes, for example, the activities of the restaurant and leisure industries directly supported by tourists. By 2025, Travel & Tourism will account for 14,000 jobs directly, an increase of 2.5% pa over the next ten years.
What has been largely responsible for such growth and enormous contribution to the country’s GDP? Seychelles relies on its local experts in drawing up a Masterplan. It doesn’t solicit the support of a global agency, or foreign expertise to grow its tourism industry. Nigeria as a country can take learnings from Seychelles if it is to make any significant progress in turning the tourism and hospitality industry into a melting pot for the economy. The tourism industry remains the pillar of the Seychelles economy, which is why the Government continues to consult to ensure the industry is consolidated for the long term. The country’s tourism strategic plan set out for the upcoming five years covers strategic areas pointing to policy formulation, product development, human resource development and risk management.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has been assisting Nigeria in drafting a Masterplan for moving the country’s tourism forward. Worthy of mentioning is the fact that this Masterplan hasn’t been able to contribute greatly to its growth. Experts have stated that some of the factors crippling the successful implementation of the Plan may include: Nigeria’s difficult governance environment, local conditions were not taken into consideration and the political implication of that error crippled the project to a point where it could not take off since 2006. Sadly, the country’s tourism minister had gone back to the UNWTO to seek for help in making the unworkable Plan work.
No doubt, the action plans suggested by the apex tourism agency are indeed virile to boost any country’s tourism industry. Some of the actions include: technical assistance, capacity building and the revision of the country’s Tourism Master Plan, organisation of international conferences in Nigeria and the certification of tourism courses, widening access to the e-library for Nigerian tourism officials and offering support for relevant tourism institutions and agencies in Nigeria; data collection for the elaboration of tourism statistics, rural tourism development, hotel classification and in designing programmes to create awareness for tourism.
Whilst all these plans are plausible, there is need to allow the local expertise to draft a Masterplan for promoting this sector with a view to turning it into a melting pot. Besides, these local experts understand the Nigerian environment better than any foreign agency. This is not to say that the intentions of the apex global agency is bad. Rather, this is a call for inclusion of more local experts who also have international exposure.
Additionally, there is also need to collaborate with industry players within the sector. Such players will include hoteliers, travel consultants, hotel booking portals like Jumia Travel, channel managers and many more.
Growing Nigeria’s tourism and travel industry will definitely require some time. The determination to get it right once-and-for-all should propel the honourable Minister to accommodate more local experts to drive the tourism agenda, as against seeking to have the Masterplan revised by UNWTO.
*Data Source: World Travel & Tourism Council
By Olukayode Kolawole
Head of PR & Marketing at Jumia Travel NG
Open Heavens 28 August 2016: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Unusual Messengers
Topic: Unusual Messengers [Sunday 28, August 2016]
Memorise: And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. – 1 Kings 17:4
Read: 1 Kings 17:1-5 (KJV)
1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 1:1-3:5, Psalms 44:1-8
MESSAGE:
Messengers are stewards often sent to speak, act, or deliver a message on behalf of their master. In addition to the angelic beings that God normally sends as messengers to speak, deliver messages, or carry our specific assignments, He also uses humans and other living or non-living beings as messengers. The purpose of God’s legitimate messengers is always to inform, enable, protect, empower, and guide the people of God. But they are sent occasionally to punish. I pray that you will never do anything to provoke divine judgment in Jesus’ name. The most prominent among God’s messengers are Prophets, humans and angelic beings. However, unusual messengers are sometimes deployed by God to carry out special assignments. 1 Kings 17:4-6 says,
“4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.”
In the above passage, the most unusual messengers - ravens were the stewards sent to provide food for Elijah in the wilderness. Ravens are large heavily built carnivorous birds of the corvine family. God used a great fish, gourd plant, worm and a vehement east wind as unusual messengers to teach Jonah the lesson of his life in Jonah 4:6-8. He used another unusual messenger to play an important role in the story of Balaam in Numbers 22:19-35. Numbers 22:27-28 says;
“27…. and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. 28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?”
The use of supernatural beings are natural elements as God’s messengers therefore underscores God as the Lord of Hosts, with the special ability to make all things work in favour of His beloved children. Therefore, give your life to Jesus today, and become one of God’s beloved. Then you can be sure that all things will begin to work together for your good according to the Word of God in Romans 8:28.
Prayer Point: Father, please command all things to work together for my good and the fulfilment of my destiny in the name of Jesus.
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.
Memorise: And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. – 1 Kings 17:4
Read: 1 Kings 17:1-5 (KJV)
1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 1:1-3:5, Psalms 44:1-8
MESSAGE:
Messengers are stewards often sent to speak, act, or deliver a message on behalf of their master. In addition to the angelic beings that God normally sends as messengers to speak, deliver messages, or carry our specific assignments, He also uses humans and other living or non-living beings as messengers. The purpose of God’s legitimate messengers is always to inform, enable, protect, empower, and guide the people of God. But they are sent occasionally to punish. I pray that you will never do anything to provoke divine judgment in Jesus’ name. The most prominent among God’s messengers are Prophets, humans and angelic beings. However, unusual messengers are sometimes deployed by God to carry out special assignments. 1 Kings 17:4-6 says,
“4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.”
In the above passage, the most unusual messengers - ravens were the stewards sent to provide food for Elijah in the wilderness. Ravens are large heavily built carnivorous birds of the corvine family. God used a great fish, gourd plant, worm and a vehement east wind as unusual messengers to teach Jonah the lesson of his life in Jonah 4:6-8. He used another unusual messenger to play an important role in the story of Balaam in Numbers 22:19-35. Numbers 22:27-28 says;
“27…. and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. 28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?”
The use of supernatural beings are natural elements as God’s messengers therefore underscores God as the Lord of Hosts, with the special ability to make all things work in favour of His beloved children. Therefore, give your life to Jesus today, and become one of God’s beloved. Then you can be sure that all things will begin to work together for your good according to the Word of God in Romans 8:28.
Prayer Point: Father, please command all things to work together for my good and the fulfilment of my destiny in the name of Jesus.
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.
Nigeria’s economic woes, self inflicted, says Soludo
A former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Prof. Charles Soludo, said, yesterday, that the economic recession Nigeria is experiencing was self inflicted, insisting that oil, for most part of the country, had been a curse. *Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo*Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo Soludo, in a key note address at Delta State Economic and Investment Summit, said the collapse of oil prices was the only way to take the country out of its economic quagmire. “For too long, we have lived with borrowed robes, and I think for the next generation, for the 400 million Nigerians expected in this country by the year 2050, oil cannot be the way forward for the future”, he said. “Oil, for most part of the country, has been a curse. I thank God that, at this particular point, we are moving forward. There is a saying that every disappointment is a blessing, and this is now an opportune time to discover the blessing and that is the hard work that should begin”. While explaining that the economic downturn was avoidable, he said, “I want to commend the federal government that is finally coming to terms with the fact that, you cannot fix prices and quantities at the same time. If you fix prices, if you fix the nominal variables, the quantities will adjust. “We must deal with the exchange rate issue. Currently the exchange rate quandrum is largely overshooting and it is self inflicted. Those so called 41 items ineligible for foreign exchange should never have been the concern of monetary authorities, it is wrong yesterday, it is wrong today and it will be wrong tomorrow”. Saying that economic and political reforms were veritable prerequisites for a sustainable economy, the erstwhile CBN Governor said: “We should go back to a version, just a version, not completely, of the 1963 republican Constitution on prescription and revenue thing, where the regions have control over their resources including natural resources and simply pay tax to the federal government.”
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/nigerias-economic-woes-self-inflicted-says-soludo/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/nigerias-economic-woes-self-inflicted-says-soludo/
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