Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo has narrated how she was circumcised when she was a little girl. She says a razor blade was used and no anaesthetic was administered for the pain. She also added she bled close to a week, and as a result, years later she fakes orgasms during sex.
Female circumcision involves cutting off the clitoris and parts of the labia minora.
Read below, via IBTimesUK
Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo still remembers the secluded area behind the Oja Oba market in Ibadan, capital of Nigeria's Oyo state, where she was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM).
Olunloyo, now a renowned journalist in Nigeria, was five-years-old when her family took her and her sister to visit an old man, who made the two girls lay on his laps "and then cut part of our vagina and clitoral area off."
Nearly 50 years later, memories of the encounter that would leave an indelible mark in Olunloyo's life are still vivid in her mind.
"There was no anaesthetic and a sharp razor blade was used. I remember my sister and I screaming afterwards. We went home bleeding in diapers and, for a week, it was like we were little girls with menstrual periods. My mom was bathing us and diapering us. Deep down, mom was not happy for some reason," Olunloyo told IBTimes UK.
After years of resentment towards her mother, Olunloyo finally confronted her in 2012. "She burst into tears telling me that our late paternal grandmother ordered my dad to have us do it," she explained.
"This tradition is over 70-years-old. Our grandmother was a traditional Muslim woman who dictated many rules to her young son, my dad."
Lifelong repercussions
Some women and girls who undergo FGM, have their entire genitalia cut and "sewn closed."
Olunloyo's genitalia were only partially removed, meaning she did not experience difficulties while giving birth.
However, the psychological and physical consequences of the mutilation still linger in her life.
"Calling it an operation is nothing. It was a cultural barbaric act used to decrease the female libido. It caused me post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for life," she said.
"I don't experience orgasm during sex and when I tried to promote the use of sex toys among Nigerian women, men started attacking me saying I was discouraging African women 'from the real thing'.
"Sex is not important. I have no libido or urge to have sex and I've been celibate for 10 years. Millions of women in Nigeria go through this, but they cannot talk or be outspoken like me. It is shameful and a disgrace to them," she continued.
"Many women say they fake orgasms and others have husbands who go out to prostitutes and girlfriends. FGM has destroyed marriages here."
On the practice and prevalence of FMG in Nigeria, she said
"Oyo state still practices it . Only the Ijebus people across the Yorubaland where I am from in Nigeria don't do it at all."
"My message to girls who have been through it is to stay strong and get into support groups. I would like to be a UN Ambassador and travel around Africa forming support groups in communities and educating girls about sex education the right way, instead of cutting part of their genitals off causing a lifelong traumatic problem," she concluded.
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Saturday, 22 October 2016
Friday, 21 October 2016
Open Heavens 21 October 2016: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – I Know your Works VI
Topic: I Know your Works VI [Friday 21, October 2016]
Memorise: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Read: Revelation 3:7-11 (KJV)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Bible in One Year: Amos 1:1-5:17, Psalms 83
MESSAGE:
Another exciting thing about the Almighty God is that He is the most generous employer of labour. He pays the best wages in history. This is reason Apostle Paul admonishes us in today’s memory verse to always abound in the work of the Lord because He will definitely pay us wages beyond our imagination. The disciples asked Jesus Christ what they should do that they might work the works of God? He answered them: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29). You may not appreciate the ability to believe that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon you, until you discover the outcome of those who died as a result of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-19). God celebrates those who exercise faith in Him; this is why without faith we cannot please Him (Hebrews 11:6). In the message of Jesus Christ to the Church in Philadelphia, it is written:
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” - Revelation 3:8
One serious point to note is that there are many practical unbelievers in Christ, playing empty religion. They do not believe in the Name of Jesus Christ and He knows their works! How do we explain this? The Bible says that He shall be called Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins. This category of Church goers do not believe that through His Name we can receive deliverance from sins. They deny the possibility of living above the power of sin, and so their slogan is “let us sin the more that we may enjoy the grace the more”. Against this background Apostle Paul wrote:
“1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” - Romans 6:1-2
Beloved, in the light of these, do you believe in the saving name of Jesus? Are you ready to keep His Word? He has promised that the agents of Satan shall not do you any harm. Rather, they would bow before you and acknowledge the fact that you are a beloved of the Lord. He promised:
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” - Revelations 3:10
Action Point: Find out the areas where you have been exercising unbelief and repent today.
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: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Read: Revelation 3:7-11 (KJV)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Bible in One Year: Amos 1:1-5:17, Psalms 83
MESSAGE:
Another exciting thing about the Almighty God is that He is the most generous employer of labour. He pays the best wages in history. This is reason Apostle Paul admonishes us in today’s memory verse to always abound in the work of the Lord because He will definitely pay us wages beyond our imagination. The disciples asked Jesus Christ what they should do that they might work the works of God? He answered them: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29). You may not appreciate the ability to believe that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon you, until you discover the outcome of those who died as a result of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-19). God celebrates those who exercise faith in Him; this is why without faith we cannot please Him (Hebrews 11:6). In the message of Jesus Christ to the Church in Philadelphia, it is written:
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” - Revelation 3:8
One serious point to note is that there are many practical unbelievers in Christ, playing empty religion. They do not believe in the Name of Jesus Christ and He knows their works! How do we explain this? The Bible says that He shall be called Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins. This category of Church goers do not believe that through His Name we can receive deliverance from sins. They deny the possibility of living above the power of sin, and so their slogan is “let us sin the more that we may enjoy the grace the more”. Against this background Apostle Paul wrote:
“1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” - Romans 6:1-2
Beloved, in the light of these, do you believe in the saving name of Jesus? Are you ready to keep His Word? He has promised that the agents of Satan shall not do you any harm. Rather, they would bow before you and acknowledge the fact that you are a beloved of the Lord. He promised:
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” - Revelations 3:10
Action Point: Find out the areas where you have been exercising unbelief and repent today.
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.
Thursday, 20 October 2016
Open Heavens 20 October 2016: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – I Know your Works V
Topic: I Know your Works V [Thursday 20, October 2016]
Memorise: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41
Read: Revelation 3:1-6 (KJV)
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Bible in One Year: Joel 1-3, Psalms 82
MESSAGE:
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the most practical personality that has ever lived on the earth. This should not be surprising, since He is both God and man; He came to show us the way to live a victorious and fulfilled life. He affirmed that He came that we may have life and to have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
In the Lord’s letter to the Church at Sardis, He told the Church that they were living in self-delusion; that they thought they were vibrant and full of life, whereas, they were half dead and something must be done urgently to preserve the remaining half of their lives, because their works were not perfect before God. They were to watch and pray to rejuvenate their spirituality. Our compassionate Lord, who would not want anyone, particularly those who have confessed Him as Lord to perish is here in today’s reading, appealing to and warning the Church to remember how they started and hold fast the Word of truth. One lesson here is that God is not interested in the death of a backslider but that the backslider should repent and be saved.
“Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:” - Jeremiah 3:14
Another interesting lesson we must learn from today’s reading is that the Almighty God knows the state and details of our lives, both spiritually and physically. In spite of the indictment of the imperfect works of the Church at Sardis, the Lord still revealed the truth that not all the members of the Church were corrupt.
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” - Revelations 3:4
The accurate judge said that there are names (though few) that are worthy! I pray that you will be declared worthy in Jesus’ name. However, you have to watch over your soul in this pervert generation and pray always if you will be worthy at the end of the age. Moreover, the Lord promised that He would judge individuals in the church, according to each person’s deeds. There shall be no collective responsibility when it comes to spiritual accountability.
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” - Ezekiel 18:20
Action Point: Since the Lord knows your works; take a self-examination of yourself and see where you need to repent, watch and pray for restoration.
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: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41
Read: Revelation 3:1-6 (KJV)
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Bible in One Year: Joel 1-3, Psalms 82
MESSAGE:
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the most practical personality that has ever lived on the earth. This should not be surprising, since He is both God and man; He came to show us the way to live a victorious and fulfilled life. He affirmed that He came that we may have life and to have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
In the Lord’s letter to the Church at Sardis, He told the Church that they were living in self-delusion; that they thought they were vibrant and full of life, whereas, they were half dead and something must be done urgently to preserve the remaining half of their lives, because their works were not perfect before God. They were to watch and pray to rejuvenate their spirituality. Our compassionate Lord, who would not want anyone, particularly those who have confessed Him as Lord to perish is here in today’s reading, appealing to and warning the Church to remember how they started and hold fast the Word of truth. One lesson here is that God is not interested in the death of a backslider but that the backslider should repent and be saved.
“Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:” - Jeremiah 3:14
Another interesting lesson we must learn from today’s reading is that the Almighty God knows the state and details of our lives, both spiritually and physically. In spite of the indictment of the imperfect works of the Church at Sardis, the Lord still revealed the truth that not all the members of the Church were corrupt.
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” - Revelations 3:4
The accurate judge said that there are names (though few) that are worthy! I pray that you will be declared worthy in Jesus’ name. However, you have to watch over your soul in this pervert generation and pray always if you will be worthy at the end of the age. Moreover, the Lord promised that He would judge individuals in the church, according to each person’s deeds. There shall be no collective responsibility when it comes to spiritual accountability.
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” - Ezekiel 18:20
Action Point: Since the Lord knows your works; take a self-examination of yourself and see where you need to repent, watch and pray for restoration.
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, 19 October 2016
Open Heavens 19 October 2016: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – I Know your Works IV
Topic: I Know your Works IV [Wednesday 19, October 2016]
Memorise: 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless – 1 Timothy 3:1-2a
Read: Revelation 2:18-24 (KJV)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Bible in One Year: Hosea 11-14, Psalms 81
MESSAGE:
It is amazing and at the same time fearful to realise that the Almighty God takes note of the so-called minor misses of the Church as seen in today’s Bible reading. God is mindful of those who occupy His altar and He will hold in contempt, not only those who climb the altar with profanity but also those who allow them to climb. In Revelation 2:20, God said:
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
The first lesson to be learnt from today’s reading is in verse 18. The One that is assessing the Church in Thyatira has eyes like unto a flame of fire! In other words, He sees everything done in secret and in public. Absolutely nothing is hidden from Him. Psalms 139:11-12 says:
“11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
As we have mentioned over and over, the Almighty God knows the details of our service. This should always be a consolation to us, especially when it seems our services in the Church are not being appreciated. Know this; your Father in heaven who sees in secret will always reward you in the open. If you are a Deacon and you labour for the church like the General Overseer, it will amaze you that the reward of a General Overseer will pursue, overtake and stay with you. David was fighting like the commander-in-chief of the hosts of Israel and God rewarded him handsomely in many respects even before he was crowned. The greatest lesson with a strong warning is that your service is not perfect when it is laden with immorality and any form of evil. A Church is in danger when she allows profanity to take over the sanctuary. The Lord is warning someone using this devotional that has been using service to cover up his or her immorality and greed. Please, repent today and stop polluting the sanctuary of the Lord. The consequence of your defiant attitude to this warning are severe as seen in Revelation 2:22-23. May the Almighty God have mercy in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Father, wherever I have been missing it in my service to You, please help me make amends.
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: 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless – 1 Timothy 3:1-2a
Read: Revelation 2:18-24 (KJV)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Bible in One Year: Hosea 11-14, Psalms 81
MESSAGE:
It is amazing and at the same time fearful to realise that the Almighty God takes note of the so-called minor misses of the Church as seen in today’s Bible reading. God is mindful of those who occupy His altar and He will hold in contempt, not only those who climb the altar with profanity but also those who allow them to climb. In Revelation 2:20, God said:
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
The first lesson to be learnt from today’s reading is in verse 18. The One that is assessing the Church in Thyatira has eyes like unto a flame of fire! In other words, He sees everything done in secret and in public. Absolutely nothing is hidden from Him. Psalms 139:11-12 says:
“11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
As we have mentioned over and over, the Almighty God knows the details of our service. This should always be a consolation to us, especially when it seems our services in the Church are not being appreciated. Know this; your Father in heaven who sees in secret will always reward you in the open. If you are a Deacon and you labour for the church like the General Overseer, it will amaze you that the reward of a General Overseer will pursue, overtake and stay with you. David was fighting like the commander-in-chief of the hosts of Israel and God rewarded him handsomely in many respects even before he was crowned. The greatest lesson with a strong warning is that your service is not perfect when it is laden with immorality and any form of evil. A Church is in danger when she allows profanity to take over the sanctuary. The Lord is warning someone using this devotional that has been using service to cover up his or her immorality and greed. Please, repent today and stop polluting the sanctuary of the Lord. The consequence of your defiant attitude to this warning are severe as seen in Revelation 2:22-23. May the Almighty God have mercy in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point: Father, wherever I have been missing it in my service to You, please help me make amends.
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.
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
Open Heavens 18 October 2016: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – I Know your Works III
Topic: I Know your Works III [Tuesday 18, October 2016]
Memorise: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; – 1 Timothy 4:1
Read: Revelation 2:12-17 (KJV)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Bible in One Year: Hosea 6-10, Psalms 80:8-19
MESSAGE:
In the Bible reading, Jesus Christ commended the Church in Pergamos, reassuring them that nothing about them is hidden from Him. The interesting thing about this Church is that in spite of the nearness of the Church to the seat of Satan, they still held on to the Name of Jesus Christ, they never denied their faith even in the face of terrible persecution. However, Jesus Christ had a serious allegation against them. They tolerated in their midst those who were holding on to and practising false doctrines. This is a food for thought for Christians of the 21st century. In this end-time, we compromise a lot of the apostolic orthodox in the name of civilization and fundamental human rights. We have forgotten that just as God is not a democrat, He is also not a human activist. He has His set of rules that we must abide by, however, we compromise this divine standard because we think we can through that, win these blasphemers into the Kingdom. As a matter of fact, because we have tolerated them so much, they now see themselves as Christians too, setting worldly standard for the Church as they dangle their wealth at the saints.
Will Jesus not hate such a compromise in the name of magnanimity when it becomes a stumbling block to the saints? The saints are living their first love because of the doctrine of Balaam. This compromise spoiled the good works of the Church in Pergamos. In Revelations 2:16, Jesus warned the Church:
“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
One major revelation in this passage is that the message of repentance was preached to the Church in Pergamos. We are hereby encouraged to heed this warning too, so that we can overcome these temptations through genuine repentance. When we overcome, our reward will be the hidden manna and a testimonial of perfection written on precious stone.
Beloved, do not be deceived by your longevity in Church. God knows your works and He will reward you accordingly.
Prayer Point: Father, help me to disassociate myself from worldly pollution.
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: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; – 1 Timothy 4:1
Read: Revelation 2:12-17 (KJV)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Bible in One Year: Hosea 6-10, Psalms 80:8-19
MESSAGE:
In the Bible reading, Jesus Christ commended the Church in Pergamos, reassuring them that nothing about them is hidden from Him. The interesting thing about this Church is that in spite of the nearness of the Church to the seat of Satan, they still held on to the Name of Jesus Christ, they never denied their faith even in the face of terrible persecution. However, Jesus Christ had a serious allegation against them. They tolerated in their midst those who were holding on to and practising false doctrines. This is a food for thought for Christians of the 21st century. In this end-time, we compromise a lot of the apostolic orthodox in the name of civilization and fundamental human rights. We have forgotten that just as God is not a democrat, He is also not a human activist. He has His set of rules that we must abide by, however, we compromise this divine standard because we think we can through that, win these blasphemers into the Kingdom. As a matter of fact, because we have tolerated them so much, they now see themselves as Christians too, setting worldly standard for the Church as they dangle their wealth at the saints.
Will Jesus not hate such a compromise in the name of magnanimity when it becomes a stumbling block to the saints? The saints are living their first love because of the doctrine of Balaam. This compromise spoiled the good works of the Church in Pergamos. In Revelations 2:16, Jesus warned the Church:
“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
One major revelation in this passage is that the message of repentance was preached to the Church in Pergamos. We are hereby encouraged to heed this warning too, so that we can overcome these temptations through genuine repentance. When we overcome, our reward will be the hidden manna and a testimonial of perfection written on precious stone.
Beloved, do not be deceived by your longevity in Church. God knows your works and He will reward you accordingly.
Prayer Point: Father, help me to disassociate myself from worldly pollution.
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.
Femi Fani Kayode releases statement on the drama about his Wife and EFCC that happened in Ado Ekiti
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ILLEGAL DETENTION AND ARREST OF MY WIFE ON THE ORDERS OF THE EFCC
This govt is sick and cowardly and so are the EFCC. If you have a problem with me face me and leave my family alone.
My wife travelled to Ado Ekiti to see my friend and brother Governor Fayose and his family.
They were on their way out of town when they went to Access Bank in Ado Ekiti to get some money.
When they got there my 8 month old son Aragorn and wife Precious Chikwendu were illegally detained, brutalised and put under arrest on the orders of the EFCC at a bank in Ado Ekiti today.
She has never had any business with me, she has never been formally invited by the EFCC or asked any questions about her transactions and neither have they written to her on any issue even though they are always sending letters to my house and sending people there.
If Buhari wants to deal with me why doesnt he face me like a man obstead of trying to harm and hurt my 8 month old son and wife.
Had it not been for the intervention of Governor Ayo Fayose they would have been taken them away and subjected them to all manner of harm and indignities simply because she is married to me.
This was an account that has 200,000 naira in it and that has never had more than 500,000.
She has operated it since 2005 and she stopped using it in 2013. The account has no connection with me and I did not know it existed till today.
In an attempt to starve and harass me and my family all my accounts and wifes accounts have been frozen.
Now they are resorting to arresting peoples wives and children for no just cause.
I thank God for Gov. Fayose and the people of Ado Ekiti who stormed the bank and freed my wife from this illegal detention and attempt to kidnap them.
Had it not been for the governors intervention and prescence the bank would have been burnt down by the crowd. My family have since left Ekiti state.
This is Buhari's Nigeria and we will resist his wickedness and tyranny.
We intend to sue the bank and to sue the EFCC for this illegal and wicked action. They have no right to do this.
If they want to see my wife all they need to do is to invite her. We have nothing to fear. They do not need to be so primitive and barbaric to people.
This govt is sick and cowardly and so are the EFCC. If you have a problem with me face me and leave my family alone.
My wife travelled to Ado Ekiti to see my friend and brother Governor Fayose and his family.
They were on their way out of town when they went to Access Bank in Ado Ekiti to get some money.
When they got there my 8 month old son Aragorn and wife Precious Chikwendu were illegally detained, brutalised and put under arrest on the orders of the EFCC at a bank in Ado Ekiti today.
She has never had any business with me, she has never been formally invited by the EFCC or asked any questions about her transactions and neither have they written to her on any issue even though they are always sending letters to my house and sending people there.
If Buhari wants to deal with me why doesnt he face me like a man obstead of trying to harm and hurt my 8 month old son and wife.
Had it not been for the intervention of Governor Ayo Fayose they would have been taken them away and subjected them to all manner of harm and indignities simply because she is married to me.
This was an account that has 200,000 naira in it and that has never had more than 500,000.
She has operated it since 2005 and she stopped using it in 2013. The account has no connection with me and I did not know it existed till today.
In an attempt to starve and harass me and my family all my accounts and wifes accounts have been frozen.
Now they are resorting to arresting peoples wives and children for no just cause.
I thank God for Gov. Fayose and the people of Ado Ekiti who stormed the bank and freed my wife from this illegal detention and attempt to kidnap them.
Had it not been for the governors intervention and prescence the bank would have been burnt down by the crowd. My family have since left Ekiti state.
This is Buhari's Nigeria and we will resist his wickedness and tyranny.
We intend to sue the bank and to sue the EFCC for this illegal and wicked action. They have no right to do this.
If they want to see my wife all they need to do is to invite her. We have nothing to fear. They do not need to be so primitive and barbaric to people.
On AfDB’s lending to Nigeria
Written by the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper
It is an irresistible financial help the President of African Development Bank (AfBD), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, offered the other day in the form of USD10.00 billion the bank is making available to the government of Nigeria for development purposes. The fund, which will be made available within the period, 2016 to 2019 would be used for improvement in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure, electricity, small and medium enterprises, women and youth inclusion. The Bank of Industry (BOI) would be assisted with USD100 billion for onward-lending to small and medium enterprises at low interest rates while Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) would be provided USD5 billion for investment in the real sector of the Nigerian economy. The report confirmed that part of the fund from AfDB would also be used to reform the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to position it to be able to attract funds for its operations. However, for the current year 2016, AfDB would provide Nigeria with USD1.00 billion “budget support” finance which will assist the government in financing the 2016 budget deficit. It will therefore, address the budget imbalance and assist in bringing about macro-economic stability in the country.
To ensure that the money serves its intended purpose successfully, the AfDB rightly demanded that the government should ensure proper synergy between the fiscal and monetary policies. The importance of synergy between monetary and fiscal policies is in the fact that both policies will not work at cross-purposes and thus serve to achieve the desired stability in the macro-economy and eventual growth and development.
There is hardly any doubt that it is a welcome development that AfDB is availing the country the financial life-line at a time the country is facing drastic decline in its revenue earning capacity, expenditure is trending higher and economic recession has occupied the environment. The AfDB deserves to be commended for not only recognizing the unique position of its largest shareholder, Nigeria but coming to its assistance at the moment of its travails.
There are several reasons the country must appreciate the availability of the AFDB funding. Perhaps, the most important is that the money will assist government to meet some of its obligations under the 2016 budget without further excuses. When this happens, Nigerians will equally be able to fend for themselves without agonizing too much about the rampaging recession and associated inflation. The second is that the credit facility has, according to reports, a low interest rate of just 1.2 per cent per annum. This means that the service cost will be affordable. Third, the intended purposes have been made public, thus providing the citizens the opportunity to monitor deployment of the funds.
Given the foregoing, it is important to emphasize that government must avoid diversion of the money into unintended purposes and uses. The right thing for government to do is to deploy the money to clearly prior identified critical need areas that promise quick turn-around for positive impacts on the socio-economic well-being of the people. To achieve this, government bureaucracy must be disarmed. This is even moreso given, that the financial year is less than three full months to end. There is also the need for the government not only to commence sensitisation and enlightenment of the public on the roles they are expected to play under the current dispensation but also to lead such propagations by credible examples.
It is imperative for the government and people of Nigeria not to forget that AfDB is neither a Father Christmas nor a Good Samaritan. Any availed financial facility to the country must be repaid with interest. Thus, government must not just be excited at availability and utilization of the credit facility but must also be concerned about how to raise money to pay back when the facility is due. This, it is expected to do without jeopardizing the economy. In this wise, while borrowing at this point of the country’s dire need of funds to cover serious revenue shortfalls is the right thing to do, the other side of the coin is making sure that the borrowed fund is paid back in line with agreed terms and conditions. Anything short of this will ruin the country’s credit worthiness with grave consequences. Indeed, non-repayment of any portion of the credit facility will throw a big obstacle at Nigeria’s ability to access the balance promised by the bank in the upcoming years of 2017 to 2019.
A serious government which has multiple daunting challenges like Nigeria must be disciplined in the management of available resources. Thus, it will be evidence of good governance if the government of President Muhammadu Buhari ensures effective monitoring and supervision of the use to which the money would be put. There is also the need for an independent mechanism that will, on sustained basis, assess and evaluate this. For transparency’s sake, the government should periodically inform the Nigerian people of the areas to which the funds had been deployed, the progress made and its overall impact.
It is an irresistible financial help the President of African Development Bank (AfBD), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, offered the other day in the form of USD10.00 billion the bank is making available to the government of Nigeria for development purposes. The fund, which will be made available within the period, 2016 to 2019 would be used for improvement in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure, electricity, small and medium enterprises, women and youth inclusion. The Bank of Industry (BOI) would be assisted with USD100 billion for onward-lending to small and medium enterprises at low interest rates while Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) would be provided USD5 billion for investment in the real sector of the Nigerian economy. The report confirmed that part of the fund from AfDB would also be used to reform the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to position it to be able to attract funds for its operations. However, for the current year 2016, AfDB would provide Nigeria with USD1.00 billion “budget support” finance which will assist the government in financing the 2016 budget deficit. It will therefore, address the budget imbalance and assist in bringing about macro-economic stability in the country.
To ensure that the money serves its intended purpose successfully, the AfDB rightly demanded that the government should ensure proper synergy between the fiscal and monetary policies. The importance of synergy between monetary and fiscal policies is in the fact that both policies will not work at cross-purposes and thus serve to achieve the desired stability in the macro-economy and eventual growth and development.
There is hardly any doubt that it is a welcome development that AfDB is availing the country the financial life-line at a time the country is facing drastic decline in its revenue earning capacity, expenditure is trending higher and economic recession has occupied the environment. The AfDB deserves to be commended for not only recognizing the unique position of its largest shareholder, Nigeria but coming to its assistance at the moment of its travails.
There are several reasons the country must appreciate the availability of the AFDB funding. Perhaps, the most important is that the money will assist government to meet some of its obligations under the 2016 budget without further excuses. When this happens, Nigerians will equally be able to fend for themselves without agonizing too much about the rampaging recession and associated inflation. The second is that the credit facility has, according to reports, a low interest rate of just 1.2 per cent per annum. This means that the service cost will be affordable. Third, the intended purposes have been made public, thus providing the citizens the opportunity to monitor deployment of the funds.
Given the foregoing, it is important to emphasize that government must avoid diversion of the money into unintended purposes and uses. The right thing for government to do is to deploy the money to clearly prior identified critical need areas that promise quick turn-around for positive impacts on the socio-economic well-being of the people. To achieve this, government bureaucracy must be disarmed. This is even moreso given, that the financial year is less than three full months to end. There is also the need for the government not only to commence sensitisation and enlightenment of the public on the roles they are expected to play under the current dispensation but also to lead such propagations by credible examples.
It is imperative for the government and people of Nigeria not to forget that AfDB is neither a Father Christmas nor a Good Samaritan. Any availed financial facility to the country must be repaid with interest. Thus, government must not just be excited at availability and utilization of the credit facility but must also be concerned about how to raise money to pay back when the facility is due. This, it is expected to do without jeopardizing the economy. In this wise, while borrowing at this point of the country’s dire need of funds to cover serious revenue shortfalls is the right thing to do, the other side of the coin is making sure that the borrowed fund is paid back in line with agreed terms and conditions. Anything short of this will ruin the country’s credit worthiness with grave consequences. Indeed, non-repayment of any portion of the credit facility will throw a big obstacle at Nigeria’s ability to access the balance promised by the bank in the upcoming years of 2017 to 2019.
A serious government which has multiple daunting challenges like Nigeria must be disciplined in the management of available resources. Thus, it will be evidence of good governance if the government of President Muhammadu Buhari ensures effective monitoring and supervision of the use to which the money would be put. There is also the need for an independent mechanism that will, on sustained basis, assess and evaluate this. For transparency’s sake, the government should periodically inform the Nigerian people of the areas to which the funds had been deployed, the progress made and its overall impact.
Monday, 17 October 2016
Buhari meets Tinubu’s men over party’s internal wrangling
By Leke Adeseri, South-West Regional Editor & Omezia Ajayi Abuja—FOLLOWING what has been perceived as frosty relations between President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urgent steps are being taken to reconcile the duo before more damage is done to the well-being of the party. President Buhari, who returned to the country from a three-day official visit to Germany, weekend, immediately went into a meeting with close associates of the former Lagos State governor, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); At the meeting, said to be the first, after President Buhari’s return, were former Interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and Senator Sola Adeyeye from Osun Central, who are Tinubu’s very close associates. Bola Tinubu Colloquium -President Buhari being received by Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as President Buhari attends the 8th Bola Tinubu Colloquium at the International Conference Centre Abuja on 29th March 2016President Buhari being received by Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu.(File photo) Details of the meeting were sketchy, last night, but sources said the meeting may have deliberated on the alleged strained relationship between Buhari and Tinubu. Also said to have been discussed were internal wrangling within the ruling APC, particularly in Ondo State. A source at the Presidential Villa said the issues discussed must have been crucial since President Buhari convened it moments after he arrived from Germany. The APC has been embroiled in crisis in Ondo State, after the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, allegedly overruled the party’s National Working Committee’s decision on the party’s governorship primaries and submitted the name of Chief Rotimi Akeredolu as the party’s candidate in the election. Sources said the meeting may have also discussed other pockets of crises in the party. None of those at the meeting could be reached for comments, last night. While he was in Germany, the President’s wife, Aisha, in an interview with BBC, alleged that those who did not campaign for her husband had taken over the government. Mutual associates of the President and Tinubu were yesterday linking the ‘bust-up’ between the first couple to her apparent feeling that Tinubu and a number of those who campaigned for the president’s election had been left out in the scheme of things after the inauguration of the new government. While it could not be confirmed if Aisha’s assertion came up at the meeting, sources told Vanguard, yesterday, that the apparent marginalisation of some of those, who actively campaigned for the APC, may have come up. APC chieftains laud moves to reconcile Buhari and Tinubu Meanwhile, chieftains of the party, yesterday, lauded moves to reconcile President Buhari and Tinubu. Presidential aides, however, claimed to be ignorant of the meeting as of press time, yesterday. A prominent APC chieftain, however, said that the move to reconcile the President and Tinubu had been on for some time. Tinubu’s aides, who confirmed that the meeting took place did not give any indication of what happened. A member of the Board of Trustees, BoT of the APC, Mr Olisaemeka Akamukalem, however, welcomed the intervention of the three men and called for a functional BoT to tackle such conflicts in the future. Spokespersons of Governor Aregbesola, Mr Semiu Okanlawon and Chief Bisi Akande, Mr Lani Baderinwa refused to speak on the issue last night. He said: “I think it is a welcome development that Mr President should wade or is wading into it, but let me reiterate what other people have been saying, that instead of this piecemeal resolution of conflicts, we should have a functional BoT because they would have nipped in the bud this issue which is essentially between some stalwarts and the National Working Committee, NWC. “The crisis is not healthy for the party. The national chairman is our national chairman. Asiwaju (Tinubu) is a respected party leader and I can tell you that without his political sagacity, there would not have been this change, but having been a party leader for over 30 years, I think we should not rubbish the party like this. There should be a way of resolving such issues and this is why the BOT has to be reconstituted and made functional.” Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Sola Adeyeye, said they were in Aso Rock to see the President on national issues. When asked if the visit was at the instance of the President, he declined to make further comments.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/buhari-meets-tinubus-men-partys-internal-wrangling/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/buhari-meets-tinubus-men-partys-internal-wrangling/
English Premier League table
UPDATES AFTER SOUTHAMPTON-BURNLEY English Premier League table after Sunday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Man City 8 6 1 1 19 8 19
Arsenal 8 6 1 1 19 9 19
Tottenham 8 5 3 0 13 4 18
Liverpool 7 5 1 1 18 10 16
Chelsea 8 5 1 2 15 9 16
Everton 8 4 3 1 12 6 15
Man Utd 7 4 1 2 13 8 13
Southampton 8 3 3 2 10 7 12
Crystal Palace 8 3 2 3 11 9 11
Watford 8 3 2 3 13 13 11
Bournemouth 8 3 2 3 12 12 11
West Brom 8 2 4 2 9 8 10
Leicester 8 2 2 4 8 14 8
Burnley 8 2 1 5 6 12 7
West Ham 8 2 1 5 9 17 7
Hull 8 2 1 5 8 20 7
Middlesbrough 8 1 3 4 7 11 6
Stoke 8 1 3 4 7 16 6
Swansea 8 1 1 6 8 15 4
Sunderland 8 0 2 6 6 15 2
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/english-premier-league-table-26/
Man City 8 6 1 1 19 8 19
Arsenal 8 6 1 1 19 9 19
Tottenham 8 5 3 0 13 4 18
Liverpool 7 5 1 1 18 10 16
Chelsea 8 5 1 2 15 9 16
Everton 8 4 3 1 12 6 15
Man Utd 7 4 1 2 13 8 13
Southampton 8 3 3 2 10 7 12
Crystal Palace 8 3 2 3 11 9 11
Watford 8 3 2 3 13 13 11
Bournemouth 8 3 2 3 12 12 11
West Brom 8 2 4 2 9 8 10
Leicester 8 2 2 4 8 14 8
Burnley 8 2 1 5 6 12 7
West Ham 8 2 1 5 9 17 7
Hull 8 2 1 5 8 20 7
Middlesbrough 8 1 3 4 7 11 6
Stoke 8 1 3 4 7 16 6
Swansea 8 1 1 6 8 15 4
Sunderland 8 0 2 6 6 15 2
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/english-premier-league-table-26/
Who Shall Stand On That Great Day?
A Promise For You From Bible Promises:
Topic: Who Shall Stand On That Great Day?
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 6:17. Read: Rev 6:12-17
In the book of Zephaniah 1:14, the Bible says, The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Without being told, you can understand this scriptures that indeed, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is near with all the happenings all over the world. That day is going to be great because many great men and women would cry bitterly for mercy, they will seek death, but won't find it. They will try to hide from the face of Jesus, but cannot because it's a day everyone will give an account of his/her life to the giver of life. Fear will grip everyone. The question is, who shall be able to stand on this fearful day of the Lord?
Proverbs 28:1 tries to gives us a glimpse of those that will stand. The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Only the righteous shall be able to stand on that great day. Those that walk uprightly, those that speak truth in their heart, they would stand firm in His presence. If Jesus finally returns now, would you be able to stand before Him comfortably? Are you upright, righteous in your heart? Examine yourself now.
#BiblePromisesQuote
* Only the pure in heart would see Jesus and be able to stand on that day.
Topic: Who Shall Stand On That Great Day?
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 6:17. Read: Rev 6:12-17
In the book of Zephaniah 1:14, the Bible says, The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Without being told, you can understand this scriptures that indeed, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is near with all the happenings all over the world. That day is going to be great because many great men and women would cry bitterly for mercy, they will seek death, but won't find it. They will try to hide from the face of Jesus, but cannot because it's a day everyone will give an account of his/her life to the giver of life. Fear will grip everyone. The question is, who shall be able to stand on this fearful day of the Lord?
Proverbs 28:1 tries to gives us a glimpse of those that will stand. The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Only the righteous shall be able to stand on that great day. Those that walk uprightly, those that speak truth in their heart, they would stand firm in His presence. If Jesus finally returns now, would you be able to stand before Him comfortably? Are you upright, righteous in your heart? Examine yourself now.
#BiblePromisesQuote
* Only the pure in heart would see Jesus and be able to stand on that day.
Sunday, 16 October 2016
Revealed!!! I was made to sign a confessional statement at gunpoint- Justice Adeniyi Ademola says
Wonder they say shall never end. Could this be true? Is this a democracy? Justice Adeniyi Ademola who was among the judges that were arrested and detained last Saturday by agents of the Department of State Security, says he was made to sign a confessional statement at the DSS office with a gun pointed at him.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ademola alleged that the sting operation carried out by DSS at his home in Abuja, was a personal vendetta against him masterminded by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
According to Justice Ademola, Malami is trying to get at him because while he was serving as a Federal judge in Kano between 2004-2008, he ordered the arrest of Malami for being involved in professional misconduct. In the letter addressed to the CJN, Justice Ademola stated that the DSS operatives held guns to his head to sign a document detailing items allegedly found in his house as well as confessional statements.
DSS in a statement released after the arrest of the seven judges in various parts of the country, stated that it recovered over N362 million during the operation. The arrest and detention involved two Supreme Court justices, Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, and two judges of the Federal High Court, Ademola (Abuja Division) and Muazu Pindiga (Gombe Division), was widely criticised.
Justice Ademola's letter to the CJN reads in part “Contrary to media report being circulated, I have never confessed to any crime or implicated anybody, including judges, in my statement obtained from me by the DSS. What is more intriguing in this whole episode is that I see it as a vendetta/revenge from the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Mallami, SAN, (who) whilst I was in Kano between 2004 and 2008 as a Federal High Court judge was involved in a professional misconduct necessitating his arrest and detention by my order. However, with the intervention of the Nigerian Bar Association, Kano Branch, the allegation of misconduct was later withdrawn by me. Consequently, the National Judicial Council referred Abubakar Mallami to the NBA Disciplinary Committee for disciplinary action. It was a result of this he was denied the rank of SAN by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee for the period of four years, until when he produced a fake letter of apology, purportedly, addressed to me. It was then he was conferred with the rank. Since the above incident, Abubakar Mallami has threatened to revenge and swore to do anything to bring me down. My Lord, with this infringement of my fundamental right, I seek for the leave to commence an action against the DSS to encore my right that was breached,” he stated.
Justice Ademola also alleged that he was arrested by the DSS because he granted bail to former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and also freed the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
“For and interest of my life, and unknown persons with mask on their faces, I collected the written items and signed the document. Upon signing the document, they told me that I am under arrest and ordered me with guns still pointed at me to move outside. As I was going, they told me they were taking me to their office, Department of State Services office, without showing any warrant of arrest. I obeyed them and about six o’clock in the morning, I was whisked away from my residence to the DSS office without any warrant of arrest or reason for my arrest. From the time of my arrival at the DSS office, at about 6:45am on 8/10/2016, I was not told what my crime was for over 24 hours till the evening of 9/10/2016. A DSS official finally informed me that the search of my house and arrest were based on these three allegations: petition of Hon. Jenkins Duvie dated 4th of April 2016 to the National Judicial Council; granting bail to Col. Sambo Dasuki and the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu; and using my office to secure my wife’s appointment as the head of civil service through Senator Bola Tinubu.”
LIB
In a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ademola alleged that the sting operation carried out by DSS at his home in Abuja, was a personal vendetta against him masterminded by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
According to Justice Ademola, Malami is trying to get at him because while he was serving as a Federal judge in Kano between 2004-2008, he ordered the arrest of Malami for being involved in professional misconduct. In the letter addressed to the CJN, Justice Ademola stated that the DSS operatives held guns to his head to sign a document detailing items allegedly found in his house as well as confessional statements.
DSS in a statement released after the arrest of the seven judges in various parts of the country, stated that it recovered over N362 million during the operation. The arrest and detention involved two Supreme Court justices, Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, and two judges of the Federal High Court, Ademola (Abuja Division) and Muazu Pindiga (Gombe Division), was widely criticised.
Justice Ademola's letter to the CJN reads in part “Contrary to media report being circulated, I have never confessed to any crime or implicated anybody, including judges, in my statement obtained from me by the DSS. What is more intriguing in this whole episode is that I see it as a vendetta/revenge from the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Mallami, SAN, (who) whilst I was in Kano between 2004 and 2008 as a Federal High Court judge was involved in a professional misconduct necessitating his arrest and detention by my order. However, with the intervention of the Nigerian Bar Association, Kano Branch, the allegation of misconduct was later withdrawn by me. Consequently, the National Judicial Council referred Abubakar Mallami to the NBA Disciplinary Committee for disciplinary action. It was a result of this he was denied the rank of SAN by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee for the period of four years, until when he produced a fake letter of apology, purportedly, addressed to me. It was then he was conferred with the rank. Since the above incident, Abubakar Mallami has threatened to revenge and swore to do anything to bring me down. My Lord, with this infringement of my fundamental right, I seek for the leave to commence an action against the DSS to encore my right that was breached,” he stated.
Justice Ademola also alleged that he was arrested by the DSS because he granted bail to former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and also freed the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
“For and interest of my life, and unknown persons with mask on their faces, I collected the written items and signed the document. Upon signing the document, they told me that I am under arrest and ordered me with guns still pointed at me to move outside. As I was going, they told me they were taking me to their office, Department of State Services office, without showing any warrant of arrest. I obeyed them and about six o’clock in the morning, I was whisked away from my residence to the DSS office without any warrant of arrest or reason for my arrest. From the time of my arrival at the DSS office, at about 6:45am on 8/10/2016, I was not told what my crime was for over 24 hours till the evening of 9/10/2016. A DSS official finally informed me that the search of my house and arrest were based on these three allegations: petition of Hon. Jenkins Duvie dated 4th of April 2016 to the National Judicial Council; granting bail to Col. Sambo Dasuki and the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu; and using my office to secure my wife’s appointment as the head of civil service through Senator Bola Tinubu.”
LIB
A Good Lady In The Presidential Villa – By Dele Momodu
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing…” – Proverbs 18: 22
Fellow Nigerians, please forget the shakara of all men who try to act macho, most men are ultimately controlled by their wives, and sometimes girlfriends. Right from the Biblical Genesis, women had always known their enormous power and they’ve mastered how to use it. It does not matter if you are a king or a President, your wife is always your boss. You may be as big as an elephant outside but you are only a small rat at home. I always say this to my wife “how come a man can never be a superstar at home?” I am yet to find an answer to that conundrum.
Your wife is the one who knows you inside out. She has seen you in good times, when you were soaring like an eagle, and in bad times, when you were down and flat out. She’s witnessed when the ruthless hands of fate has dealt you some fatal blows and you are feeling less than a man. No matter who or what you become in life never matters again because she holds the copyright to your authentic story. She is the author of life who has seen you in your totality.
Women are generally intuitive and sometimes possess the gift of clairvoyance. As men we tend to ignore or dismiss the advice of our wives sometimes but they turn out to be right most times much to our chagrin and often, regret. That has been my personal experience with mine. I have learnt to accept her as my mum on earth since the departure of my biological mum in 2007. Whenever she tells me she doesn’t like a particular friend of mine, I may argue and struggle to defend my friend but something always happens to show she was right and I was wrong in my assessment.
I believe this is the situation our President, Muhammadu Buhari, and his beautiful wife, Aisha, have found themselves now. A lot of water must have passed under the bridge before the wife of a President would burst out openly and publicly on a global platform like the BBC, even if it is the Hausa version. It is a fact that Mrs Aisha Buhari brought elegance and panache to the campaign of her husband. She worked tirelessly and I believe she must have endured a lot during those days of her husband’s horrendous tribulations. I particularly love the way she has brought up their children as very responsible young people. We must always give credit to our wives because they are always the ones taking care of our kids when we have gone our different ways trying to make a living and bring bread to the table. The little I have seen of President Buhari’s children suggests a close-knit family and a well-educated one at that. This should make our President very proud and happy and grateful to Allah and his wife of nearly three agonizing decades.
If such a lady has chosen to speak out loud and clear about her frustration with the direction her husband’s government is going, President Buhari should please listen to her message and ignore the messenger. God has a way of reaching out and ministering unto people. Aisha is the guardian angel sent to our President in order to avert a cataclysmic fall a second time. History has an uncanny way of repeating itself and I’m sure Lady Aisha can see a lot of striking similarities between now and the past. In law this would be called similar facts. They do not bear repeating in full but it does not seem such a huge coincidence of history that President Buhari came to power in on the last day of 1983 in a military putsch, on the back of what was a seemingly corrupt and inept government on an anti-corruption and war on indiscipline platform. Eerily in 2015, the same conditions appear to have thrust the President back into power in what was a democratic coup that swept an inept and corrupt government away on the mantra of anti-corruption and change. Less than 18 months after the President came to power as a military dictator there was great disenchantment with his administration such that people were jubilant after his fall. Now the position appears to be the same less than 18 months after assuming power. The President is now being seeing as a maximum ruler who has lost the tremendous goodwill that greeted his ascension to power for a second stint at governing this unruly country.
Indeed, it was with trepidation and shock that I first read about the brave outburst of the Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari as to the dangerous state of things in so far as the President’s inner circle and his party, APC, are concerned.
I could not believe my eyes when I read that she had said the following in no particular order on a BBC Hausa Service interview:
“Whether he knows or he doesn’t know, those who voted for him know. There is nothing I will tell him.” ( With reference to those in his Government causing difficulties for the President).
“He can see. Among all the people he selected, if he is asked among 50 people, he doesn’t know 45. I don’t know them despite staying with him for 27 years.”
“This worries us a lot now. Because they believe they are the ones who suffered, but are nowhere today. Those who didn’t do anything who don’t even have voter’s card are the ones in position, ding everything.”
I’m almost certain she would have tried to communicate with her husband and the following could have happened. (a) She never got the audience required; (b) She got the audience she sought but was told to mind her own business or (c) she got her few minutes and was heard but was even insulted for daring to put her mouth in matters of state. She probably reached out to some members of the new mafia who she believes have virtually hypnotized and hijacked her husband and she met a brick-wall there too.
If truth must be told, there is nothing new or strange about what she has said in this apparently explosive interview. The only difference this time is that this is coming from the wife of the President. Even outsiders like us had raised these observations in the last few months; that it seems some people are misleading Buhari; that his team needs to be energized; that the ruling party has set fire on its own roof by engaging in a war of attrition and alienating their core members who fought tooth and nail to make a Buhari Presidency possible after so many attempts; that a cabal has ostensibly manifested itself in the Buhari administration; and so on.
Although Mrs Buhari categorically stated that her husband had not told her whether he he would contest the 2019 elections or not she may have unwittingly let the cat out of the bag and inadvertently exposed the plot of this cabal by saying she is not likely to campaign for her husband in 2019 thus suggesting that the idea of a bid for the Presidency in 2019 is already being contemplated. Tellingly she stated:
“He is yet to tell me but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote lije I did before. I will never do it again.”
Of all the imagined sins of Mrs Buhari in relation to this interview this may be the most injurious to the Cabal’s camp than the issue of poor or sluggish governance. It is a grave indictment when your wife who was such an avid and strong campaigner for you a few years earlier says earnestly that she is fed up and regrets her decision. This is obviously a view that Mrs Buhari believes resonates with a lot of people as she went further to say that “what I am afraid of is the rebellion of 15 million people” in apparent reference to those who elected the President into power this time around.
It is clear that the President must have been taken totally aback by the acidic and acerbic criticism of his administration by the person who should be his number one supporter. His attempt at a jocular sidestep of a tsunamic eruption from his wife has only served to ignite the debate and has somehow managed to portray the President as a person ruling past his time. Women continue to make great strides as world leaders, cue Angela Merkel of Germany, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, Cristina De Kirchner of Argentina, Sheikh Hasina Wajed of Bangladesh, Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, Park Geun-hye of South Korea, Erna Solberg of Norway, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Marie-Louise Preca of Malta, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic of Croatia, Theresa May of Great Britain and hopefully Hillary Clinton of the US, in the not too distant future. Closer to home, there have recently been appointed as Prime Minister and President respectively, Aminata Toure of Senegal and Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic although their terms have ended. It is therefore unfortunate that the President dismissed his wife as perfunctorily as he did. The President said “I don’t know what party she belongs to, but she belongs to my Kitchen and my living room and the other room.” In my view, the President lost a good opportunity to shore up his feminist credentials and deal with those of his critics who would say he was talking like a typical Islamic fundamentalist, which I believe the President is most assuredly not.
The President appears to be suggesting that there is even greater discord in his home by saying that he does not know what party his wife belongs to. It demonstrates a degree of paranoia reminiscent of the internet trolls and acolytes who support the President and who consider every critic, whether constructive or otherwise, as being anti-corruption or a member of the opposition.
But we must thank God for giving Nigeria such a good lady in our Presidential palace. It is sad that rather than being appreciated for her candour and uncommon courage, critics have unleashed a social media war on her. This is most unfortunate. One, she is a Nigerian. Two, she is the wife of our President. Three, rather she has done Nigeria a great service by screaming before it is too late. No matter what happens, I personally wish there are more of such visionary leaders around who do not see power as an end in itself. Now that her husband has come out to diss her before the whole world by saying she belongs in the kitchen and his “other” room, she deserves our prayers and support.
The President did not stop at the one attack on his wife. He effectively lumbered her with the tag of being part of the opposition when he said “So I claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition, because in the end, I have succeeded. It is not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government”. The import of that statement is that President Buhari believes in the course he is pursuing and he thinks everything is on point. History will be his judge in this respect but I hasten to add that right now a lot of Nigerians would share his wife’s views about the state of the nation and not those of the President.
I pray Baba would hearken to the voice of reason that his wife represents and act in the best interest of Nigeria and by implication himself.
Fellow Nigerians, please forget the shakara of all men who try to act macho, most men are ultimately controlled by their wives, and sometimes girlfriends. Right from the Biblical Genesis, women had always known their enormous power and they’ve mastered how to use it. It does not matter if you are a king or a President, your wife is always your boss. You may be as big as an elephant outside but you are only a small rat at home. I always say this to my wife “how come a man can never be a superstar at home?” I am yet to find an answer to that conundrum.
Your wife is the one who knows you inside out. She has seen you in good times, when you were soaring like an eagle, and in bad times, when you were down and flat out. She’s witnessed when the ruthless hands of fate has dealt you some fatal blows and you are feeling less than a man. No matter who or what you become in life never matters again because she holds the copyright to your authentic story. She is the author of life who has seen you in your totality.
Women are generally intuitive and sometimes possess the gift of clairvoyance. As men we tend to ignore or dismiss the advice of our wives sometimes but they turn out to be right most times much to our chagrin and often, regret. That has been my personal experience with mine. I have learnt to accept her as my mum on earth since the departure of my biological mum in 2007. Whenever she tells me she doesn’t like a particular friend of mine, I may argue and struggle to defend my friend but something always happens to show she was right and I was wrong in my assessment.
I believe this is the situation our President, Muhammadu Buhari, and his beautiful wife, Aisha, have found themselves now. A lot of water must have passed under the bridge before the wife of a President would burst out openly and publicly on a global platform like the BBC, even if it is the Hausa version. It is a fact that Mrs Aisha Buhari brought elegance and panache to the campaign of her husband. She worked tirelessly and I believe she must have endured a lot during those days of her husband’s horrendous tribulations. I particularly love the way she has brought up their children as very responsible young people. We must always give credit to our wives because they are always the ones taking care of our kids when we have gone our different ways trying to make a living and bring bread to the table. The little I have seen of President Buhari’s children suggests a close-knit family and a well-educated one at that. This should make our President very proud and happy and grateful to Allah and his wife of nearly three agonizing decades.
If such a lady has chosen to speak out loud and clear about her frustration with the direction her husband’s government is going, President Buhari should please listen to her message and ignore the messenger. God has a way of reaching out and ministering unto people. Aisha is the guardian angel sent to our President in order to avert a cataclysmic fall a second time. History has an uncanny way of repeating itself and I’m sure Lady Aisha can see a lot of striking similarities between now and the past. In law this would be called similar facts. They do not bear repeating in full but it does not seem such a huge coincidence of history that President Buhari came to power in on the last day of 1983 in a military putsch, on the back of what was a seemingly corrupt and inept government on an anti-corruption and war on indiscipline platform. Eerily in 2015, the same conditions appear to have thrust the President back into power in what was a democratic coup that swept an inept and corrupt government away on the mantra of anti-corruption and change. Less than 18 months after the President came to power as a military dictator there was great disenchantment with his administration such that people were jubilant after his fall. Now the position appears to be the same less than 18 months after assuming power. The President is now being seeing as a maximum ruler who has lost the tremendous goodwill that greeted his ascension to power for a second stint at governing this unruly country.
Indeed, it was with trepidation and shock that I first read about the brave outburst of the Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari as to the dangerous state of things in so far as the President’s inner circle and his party, APC, are concerned.
I could not believe my eyes when I read that she had said the following in no particular order on a BBC Hausa Service interview:
“Whether he knows or he doesn’t know, those who voted for him know. There is nothing I will tell him.” ( With reference to those in his Government causing difficulties for the President).
“He can see. Among all the people he selected, if he is asked among 50 people, he doesn’t know 45. I don’t know them despite staying with him for 27 years.”
“This worries us a lot now. Because they believe they are the ones who suffered, but are nowhere today. Those who didn’t do anything who don’t even have voter’s card are the ones in position, ding everything.”
I’m almost certain she would have tried to communicate with her husband and the following could have happened. (a) She never got the audience required; (b) She got the audience she sought but was told to mind her own business or (c) she got her few minutes and was heard but was even insulted for daring to put her mouth in matters of state. She probably reached out to some members of the new mafia who she believes have virtually hypnotized and hijacked her husband and she met a brick-wall there too.
If truth must be told, there is nothing new or strange about what she has said in this apparently explosive interview. The only difference this time is that this is coming from the wife of the President. Even outsiders like us had raised these observations in the last few months; that it seems some people are misleading Buhari; that his team needs to be energized; that the ruling party has set fire on its own roof by engaging in a war of attrition and alienating their core members who fought tooth and nail to make a Buhari Presidency possible after so many attempts; that a cabal has ostensibly manifested itself in the Buhari administration; and so on.
Although Mrs Buhari categorically stated that her husband had not told her whether he he would contest the 2019 elections or not she may have unwittingly let the cat out of the bag and inadvertently exposed the plot of this cabal by saying she is not likely to campaign for her husband in 2019 thus suggesting that the idea of a bid for the Presidency in 2019 is already being contemplated. Tellingly she stated:
“He is yet to tell me but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote lije I did before. I will never do it again.”
Of all the imagined sins of Mrs Buhari in relation to this interview this may be the most injurious to the Cabal’s camp than the issue of poor or sluggish governance. It is a grave indictment when your wife who was such an avid and strong campaigner for you a few years earlier says earnestly that she is fed up and regrets her decision. This is obviously a view that Mrs Buhari believes resonates with a lot of people as she went further to say that “what I am afraid of is the rebellion of 15 million people” in apparent reference to those who elected the President into power this time around.
It is clear that the President must have been taken totally aback by the acidic and acerbic criticism of his administration by the person who should be his number one supporter. His attempt at a jocular sidestep of a tsunamic eruption from his wife has only served to ignite the debate and has somehow managed to portray the President as a person ruling past his time. Women continue to make great strides as world leaders, cue Angela Merkel of Germany, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, Cristina De Kirchner of Argentina, Sheikh Hasina Wajed of Bangladesh, Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, Park Geun-hye of South Korea, Erna Solberg of Norway, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Marie-Louise Preca of Malta, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic of Croatia, Theresa May of Great Britain and hopefully Hillary Clinton of the US, in the not too distant future. Closer to home, there have recently been appointed as Prime Minister and President respectively, Aminata Toure of Senegal and Catherine Samba-Panza of the Central African Republic although their terms have ended. It is therefore unfortunate that the President dismissed his wife as perfunctorily as he did. The President said “I don’t know what party she belongs to, but she belongs to my Kitchen and my living room and the other room.” In my view, the President lost a good opportunity to shore up his feminist credentials and deal with those of his critics who would say he was talking like a typical Islamic fundamentalist, which I believe the President is most assuredly not.
The President appears to be suggesting that there is even greater discord in his home by saying that he does not know what party his wife belongs to. It demonstrates a degree of paranoia reminiscent of the internet trolls and acolytes who support the President and who consider every critic, whether constructive or otherwise, as being anti-corruption or a member of the opposition.
But we must thank God for giving Nigeria such a good lady in our Presidential palace. It is sad that rather than being appreciated for her candour and uncommon courage, critics have unleashed a social media war on her. This is most unfortunate. One, she is a Nigerian. Two, she is the wife of our President. Three, rather she has done Nigeria a great service by screaming before it is too late. No matter what happens, I personally wish there are more of such visionary leaders around who do not see power as an end in itself. Now that her husband has come out to diss her before the whole world by saying she belongs in the kitchen and his “other” room, she deserves our prayers and support.
The President did not stop at the one attack on his wife. He effectively lumbered her with the tag of being part of the opposition when he said “So I claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition, because in the end, I have succeeded. It is not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government”. The import of that statement is that President Buhari believes in the course he is pursuing and he thinks everything is on point. History will be his judge in this respect but I hasten to add that right now a lot of Nigerians would share his wife’s views about the state of the nation and not those of the President.
I pray Baba would hearken to the voice of reason that his wife represents and act in the best interest of Nigeria and by implication himself.
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