Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet. Maya Angelou

Esther 7:1-0
Repay no one evil for evil Rom 12:17

By Pastor Peter Ujomu Of HCCA

When we get hurt by people, we often feel a deep sense of hurt and feel the need to either run from the pain and or seek a way to retaliate. In many cases people spend time looking for a chance to get even. Hate within only destroys the hater. The book of Esther, quoted above shows us just how self - destructive hatred can be. Mordecai, a Jew , refused to bow before Haman, a self important dignitary in the Parsian court this angered Haman. The Bible standard is to turn hatred around and return good for evil. As Christians, we are thought to turn the other cheek when slapped in one. I am not sure that any one will willingly make that choice today. However, we should know that retaliating is not the prescribed response. I pray that God will reveal every devious plot of the 'Haman' in your life and in the lives of your family members. Repay no one evil for evil Paul said do not avenge your selves Rom 12:17_19 do what is right that you may live peaceably with all men. Hatred promotes self destruction , love fulfils Christ 's instruction. Why don't you choose to love that person today instead of looking for a way to even up with him or her. You will find inner peace and joy. Good morning

posted from Bloggeroid

Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state and billionaire businessman, says Igbos are very good in commerce, and in “anything they do” but not in politics.

If Fashola were Igbo, he would have betrayed Tinubu... Orji Kalu.


Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state and billionaire businessman, says Igbos are very good in commerce, and in “anything they do” — but not in politics.

In the latest edition of The Interview, Kalu said a number of the elite in the region are not only selfish, but they get their political calculations wrong.

Referring to the fractured relationship between him and Theodore Orji, his successor, Kalu said were Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos state governor an Ibo man, he could have betrayed Bola Tinubu, his predecessor.

“Igbos are their own worst enemies,” he said.

“Let me tell you, there were more problems between (Asiwaju Bola) Tinubu and (Babatunde) Fashola than there were between me and TA Orji, but it is the discipline of the Yorubas that kept them at bay.

“Igbos have no discipline in terms of politics. They are very good traders; they’re good in anything they do, but they don’t understand politics.”

According to Azu Ishiekwene, managing director of The Interview, Kalu illustrated his point with a conversation he claimed to have had with President Muhammadu Buhari, who wondered aloud why previous high-profile Igbo appointees had done nothing for the region.

Kalu also spoke on the Biafra agitation and the travails of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and allegations that while he governed Abia for eight years, his mother ruled.

posted from Bloggeroid

Gratitude and Appreciation To All My Social Media Friends

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes, texts, twitter shout outs, phone calls, hugs and love you all gave me yesterday! Thanks for making my birthday such a memorable day!
The years have gone by so fast and God has blessed me with a wonderful family and Lovely friends. Your messages brought smiles to my face and to remember the blessings I have “Every day above ground is a good year.
Love to you all.
#HappyBirthday Wishes
Birthday Wishes From Lovely Hearts.
God

posted from Bloggeroid

NIGERIA WILL EMERGE STRONGER , SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja said that Nigeria will emerge better and stronger from it’s current socio-economic situation.


Buhari stated this in a message to the 7th National Prayer Breakfast titled; “A tree and it’s fruits, is yours a blessing or a curse”.

The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, said leaders in the country must strive to be a light to the people they lead.

“As leaders we must strive to be the light of the world, we must resist to talk about our current socio-economic situation with despondency.

"As for me, I have complete faith that Nigeria will emerge from this crisis strong, united, prosperous and secured.

“I believe that all these will come to fruition in the life time of this government, the life time of this executives, legislature and the judiciary,” Buhari said.

In a sermon, Rev. Abu Banko defined a politician as a model for all citizens, adding that a politician must be ready to give not steal from the nation.

According to him, a politician should also be ready to promote the general welfare of the people, and help raise their standard of living.

Banko, therefore, urged all public office holders, including civil servants, lawmakers and those in the executive, to lead Nigeria to its destiny.

He prayed God to guide them steer the affairs of the nation with love, humility and sacrifice. Banko urged all Nigerians to be humble, turn away from sins and seek the face of God, so as to end current problems in the country.

posted from Bloggeroid

Buhari has mandated me to probe every corrupt Nigerian... Ibrahim Magu

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), says President Muhammadu Buhari has given him the mandate to investigate corrupt leaders, “irrespective of political affiliation”.

Speaking in Kaduna on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the National Union of Textiles and Garment Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), the anti-graft czar said the current administration’s fight against corruption is well structured.

“We have cause to investigate and in fact we are investigating even those that are in government without them knowing,” he said.

“Not only that, the president has given me the mandate to investigate every corrupt Nigerian leader irrespective of his political affiliation.

“The fight against corruption is designed and structured to boost confidence in the economy as well as to attract investors both within and outside the country.”

Magu said with the political will demonstrated by Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the country will win the fight against corruption.

posted from Bloggeroid

RECRUITMENT OF GRADUATE TRAINEES/EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS AT DPR.

DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES

THE PETROLEUM REGULATORY AGENCY OF NIGERIA.


See Instructions Here
GRADUATE TRAINEES

EXPERIENCED HIRE

CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO FILL THEIR APPLICATION ONLINE USING THE DPR APPLICATION PORTAL. PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO FILL IN YOUR APPLICATION.


COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION

CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTRATION.

See Instructions Here

RECRUITMENT OF GRADUATE TRAINEES/EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS
The Department of Petroleum Resources(DPR), in line with its regulatory mandate of ensuring sustainable development of Nigeria's oil and gas resources hereby invites applications from suitably qualified University/Polytechnic Graduates as well as experienced and skilled professionals to fill the underlisted vacancies:

1. Graduate Trainees
Successful applicants shall have the opportunity to develop specialist skills and professional competencies in oil/gas regulations and supervision during their career.

Requirements

Candidates For this category Should:

Possess B.Sc/BA/B.Pharm./HND in relevant Engineering and Management/Social Sciences With a minimum of Second Class Lower or Upper Credit.
Possess N.Y.S.C discharged/exemption certificate.
Not more than 30 years old by 31st December,2016.
Be computer literate.


2. Experienced Hire
Successful candidates shall have their career in the regulatory and monitoring of the dynamic Nigerian Oil and Gas industry with very bright prospects of attaining the peak of their profession.

Requirements

Candidates For this category Should:

Possess a minimum of 5 years' experience from the Oil and Gas industry or any other relevant experience.
Not more than 40 years old by 31st December,2016.
Possess NYSC discharged/exemption certificate.
Be computer literate.
continue...
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Candidates are required to have the following available for registration:

Scanned copy of a passport photograph.
Scanned copy of certificates (N.Y.S.C. Discharge/Exemption certificate, Higher Institution Certificate, S.S.C.E. Certificate).
Scanned copy of any other necessary supporting documents.
Candidates are required to fill their application online through the DPR Application Portal. Please follow the instructions to fill in your application:

Only applications in respect of the advertised positions would be considered. All applicants are expected to apply for ONLY ONE position.
Multiple applications by any candidate for more than one job would be DISQUALIFIED.
Upon submission, applicants would receive an acknowledgment containing a reference number which should be quoted in all future correspondences.

Deadline for Submission of application is six weeks from the date of this publication. Only Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.
Click here to apply

© 2016. DPR / Department of Petroleum Resources. All Rights Reserved.

Developed by Snapnet Nigeria

DPR recruitment application online via http://recruitment.dpr.gov.ng/

posted from Bloggeroid

All false prophets are habitual liars and scoundrels. False prophets can never be True Messengers of The One True Eternal Living GOD. Quote Anthony Smythe

THIS SUNDAY; I am forced to ask again and again; Why do we have so many Demonic Mega-Churches and Fraudulent Mega Pastors in the midst of so much Poverty, Hunger, Diseases, Suffering and Hunger? WHY do we have Corrupt Politicians taking Refuge in the Churches? Why do we have so much Fraud being Camouflaged as Miracles in the midst of monumental Religious and Political Criminality?
By

Retson A Tedheke

WHY have we Ignore the least of God's Own and Promoted the Criminals among us? Why is being our brothers keeper now so alien to the Religious and our Political Leadership? WHY have we become those who are so afraid to DIE for a good cause, But keep preaching Heaven as though we will not die before we get there? Why do we seek God in all the wrong places or Churches and Mosque? Why has Materialism become the evidence of God's Greatness and we are so quickly forget that the productive engine of the world (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, India) are neither Christians nor Muslims? Why are we Blinded to the fact that LOVE is the only Connectivity between our Humanity and our Divinity?

READ the BIBLE or the QURAN cover to cover, 1,000 times in this lifetime, it is worthless if what you read is not exemplified in your Words, Actions and your Relationships. To fight for the interest of those who cannot fight for themselves is the greatest good anyone of us can do to Mankind. TO WORSHIP GOD is to Love Humanity as we wish and desire to be loved by Humans. Because the Love of the Works of God is the Love of God. There is no GOD without his creation, which is our Humanity and there is no Relationship with God without a relationship with his creation which is between YOU and I.

There is no better pathway to Heaven than that which involves the Struggle for the Betterment of Mankind and Humanity. Activism, Revolution and the Struggle for the Good of all is the Purest form of Humanity. JESUS the Christ was a Socialist, A Rebel, An Activist and Led a Spiritual Revolution that centered on Fairness, Equality and Justice for all. He Loved, He Sacrificed, He Connected and He was Selfless in his determination to change the world and make it a better place. For this he Died so that we can have the audacity to Revolt against the Evil of Greed, Selfishness and Corruption that betrays the essence of Human Relationships.

In the Words of Mahatma Ghandi, let me underline my Eternal Struggle. "I love your Christ, But I Hate you Christians, You are Nothing like your Christ". The Christ I Believe in is in the Humanity that I see, It is not in your Churches, Christ is freedom, Christ is Endless, Christ is Churchless, Christ is the goodness of our Humility, He is the Eternal Fearless Revolutionist. HE IS LOVE PERSONIFIED. He is everywhere but our CHURCHES.

Happy Sunday, Ya'all.

posted from Bloggeroid

Nigeria house of representatives to probe billings by DISCO,s sale of PHCN assets

Source: Daily Post

The House of Representatives, Thursday, moved to probe the status and sale of non-core assets of Power Holdings Company of Nigeria, PHCN.

The House, therefore, at plenary mandated its committee on power to probe the matter and report back in four legislative weeks.

The House said since 2011, when PHCN’s non-core assets were transferred to the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company, NELMCO, for disposal in order to recover finances, they had been lying fallow, misappropriated and abused.

Adopting a motion by Chukwuemeka Ujam (PDP, Enugu), the House said the assets were supposed to be valued and later transferred for sale or put to use to recoup investments.

Just yesterday, members of the House, in a separate motion, moved to investigate DISCOs’ Billing System across the country. The committee was directed to immediately start legislative input and report back within four weeks.

This was following the motion under matters of national importance by Rita Orji (PDP, Lagos).

Most members, including Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Aniri/Oji, Enugu), called for a closer scrutiny of the operations of DISCOs to confirm whether they were meeting the expectations of privatisation.

He said: “Every year, we buy transformers for our constituencies; they are taken away by DISCOs, when ordinarily they are the ones to provide them, and at the end of the month, you will still be billed for power not consumed.”

Recall that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission recently fined Benin and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) over their failure to comply with the decisions of Forum Offices rulings in complaints filed by their respective customers.

posted from Bloggeroid

Nigeria approves N4 billion to fight malnutrition in northeast.

Focal areas are water, environment, health and nutrition.
“In six months, we want to restore sanity in these four sectors,” said the health minister. “I want to tell you that each sector is chaired by a minister. I chair the sub-committee on health and our budget has been approved for the northeast. That budget will entail spending of N4 billion on health and nutrition in the northeast – with emphasis on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Source - Premium Times

posted from Bloggeroid

May you find inner strength to overcome obstacles in life.

Be An Overcomer
By Pastor Ujomu of HCCA

"And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death ". Revelation 12:11

As Christians we overcome by claiming the finished work of Jesus, public confession of our faith and patient endurance even in the face of hardship and threats of death.
We live in challenging times. Our Christian faith is often challenged daily. People, at times call our faith to question because of our slackness. Events and circumstances also put us in spiritual danger. The word of our testimony should be the key to our victory. Many at times we fail in this regard. Praying and confession should be the first thing we should do when we face issues, sadly that is the last thing we do usually after we have exhausted all options. As Christians, we should lay claim to every word that the Bible has recorded for our benefit. Rom 16: 20 "And the God of peace will crush Satan shortly under your feet..." As you read this devotional, I decree your victory from that power holding you back. I decree that as you call the name of Jesus this morning you will experience salvation, healing, peace, break through, and joy unlimited. When the cricket recognizes what it has done it close its hole, accordingly all those who wish you dead let them hide their faces in shame. You will overcome that problem. Just continue confessing your victory.

Leave a comment or prayer request and we will pray for you

posted from Bloggeroid

While receiving the 21 Chibok girls in the villa the president of Nigeria Muhammad Buhari promised the 21 girls that they would enjoy the best of life, having survived the worst.

We never knew we would return home – Chibok girls tell Buhari


Source: Daily Post

One of the 21 freed Chibok girls on Wednesday told President Muhammadu Buhari that while in Boko Haram captivity, they never believed that they could regain freedom.

Tolu Ogunlesi, head of digital communications for the presidency, made this known in a tweet shortly after the girls met with President Buhari.

According to Ogunlesi, the girls who had spent two and half years as captives of Boko Haram were full of joy when received by the president.

During the meeting which held at the presidential villa, Ogunlesi said the girls sang the Nigerian anthem louder than everyone present.

“We didn’t know we would come back to be a part of Nigeria, but the grace of God made it possible”, one of the girls was quoted to have said.

“We don’t have anything to say again, only thank you”, said another girl.

Following the meeting, Buhari promised the 21 girls that they would enjoy the best of life, having survived the worst.

posted from Bloggeroid

posted from Bloggeroid

This is for those waiting on the Lord for a miracle in their situation

Call Him
By Pastor Ujomu of HCCA

"Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things you do not know" jeremiah 33 vs 3
To call out to some one is an attempt to shout out, speak, or get an attention.
God promised Jeremiah that if he called to Him He will not only answer but He will show him mysteries, great and mighty things that could not other wise be known. Spending time with God is a veritable opportunity for revelations. There are many things about this terrestial plane that are hidden from men. That is why people go any lenght including the occult, and the world of witchcraft for help. Unfortunately those places bring only pain and destruction to the children of God. Call upon the Lord today He is near Isaiah 55,vs 6.
The condition He has given us today is to call Him. Call Him regarding that job. Call Him regarding those challenges. Call Him regarding that your husband or wife. The Lord has promised that there are revelational knowledge in stock as reward for your efforts. Such revelational knowledge are essential for a victorious Christian life. God is Spirit and He hears us even without spoken words. Your heart can do the calling this morning.. Dear reader, you can pray for me, Peter Ujomu, senior. Today 22 years ago I was or ordained as an minister in an Evangelical Mission. Call to God on my behalf this morning for more grace to do this work to the very end.

Leave a comment or prayer request and we will pray for you.

posted from Bloggeroid

A Brief article about me, My marriage and My testimonies. Welcome to Teekayspeaks.blogspot.com. click to read the detail.

10 Years of an Amazing Love Story

By Torkwase Jessica Kuraun


My marriage; a marriage that was consummated in divine love and amazing grace in 2006, is now ten years old. Glory be to Jehovah.


Friends, brothers and sisters listen now, I have a story to tell: Who could have believed that a woman that was persistently, but erroneously described as barren, morally bankrupt, bestial and from socially unacceptable background, would now be a social media celebrity and an exemple of a great wife in one of the most celebrated marriages in Nigeria today.



Yet in the early days of this story, I was abused, harassed, bullied and dismissed as one who could never have a chance to tell this marital story, talk less of a great marriage.

But here I stand with my narrative. I and my husband met in early 2000s in Abuja, and started dating. We loved each other as we still do, but not long after, the devil put to work some of its most wicked agents in forms of friends and family members.

The struggle to put us asunder was so intense that my spouse began to fear for my life. Not only were 'friends' on a daily basis reaching out to my man with lies about me, but they also dug up my past which i had long buried.

But the stench of my past did not offend my God. It only kept Jehovah Ebenezer, the creator of heaven and earth was at work to perfect a union between two broken people.

God did not allow us to do the repair. He descended from heaven, picked the pieces Himself and made us whole.

God turned the 'wise' counsel of the Ahitophels and household enemies to foolishness and delivered them as captives to me.

But it was a painful struggle. Besides battles from those who called me a friend. The most battles came from a family member who should have been like a mother to me and my husband was busy using all available weapons to fight me out of my marriage because she believed and was convinced that I was barren so she recruited an army of mean and persistent opponents against my marriage.

Coming from a spiritually-laid lazy background, I initially couldn't weigh the enormity of the wars stacked against me, so I played easy with all that I came across.

The highpoint of our courtship was in 2005, when my man who had done his Masters Degree in Petroleum Engineering at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen Scotland, took me to the United Kingdom to stay with him, while we prepared for our marriage.

We came to Nigeria and married in the traditional and christian ways, where to the Glory of God, a former Governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Suswam served as the Chairman. after the grand ceremony, we returned to the United Kingdom, but not long after, the forces of evil struck!

Our permits were not extended, and we returned to Abuja without jobs. My husband later found a job, but with a pay of a hotel cleaner. It was the beginning of the worst kind of suffering that turned us to beggers!

Sometimes we will beg for food and money and borrow every thing from toothpaste to tomato paste. The cup of misery became full and we became subjects of mockery in Abuja and Benue . How could resourceful graduates turn to beggers at the beginning of their marriage! But it happened.

But great joy came to us in 2009. After four years of a painful and humiliating search for a child, our merciful father in heaven gave us the fruit of the womb. My entire family rejoiced to high heavens!
We named her Olivia, because peace had come to our home.

Before her birthday, the peace in our home, despite the love that existed between I and my husband, was the peace of the graveyard!

In traditional African societies, including Nigeria, a marriage without a child or children is considered a curse and abominable one. So I was treated like a leper and a cursed woman!

After the child was born, the hatred for me by many, simmered, but it was to be shortlived.

I also remember that around 2010, we, i and my husband, stayed for a week in Abuja for several weeks trying to see an ex minister of State. This Minister who we had considered a member of the family dribbled us till we ran out of the little money we had and returned to borrowing to feed our little daughter who was about 10months old at that time.

We later, as usual, had to borrow to return to our apartment in Lagos and beg the landlord for grace to pay our rent that was long due before our earlier travel to Abuja.

The marriage returned to misery, strife and great tribulation, I prayed, fasted and cried my tongue and eyes out, until in 2012, Almighty God gave me yet again miracle boy!

The pregnancy, though it brought us great joy, nearly killed me. I was actually dead and resurrected from the dead. It took me several days of hard labour, before the doctors at an Island maternity hospital in Lagos opted for a caesarean operation to deliver me of my God sent son Christopher, who came out as a premature on October 1st, 2012.

Baby Christopher Sonnenter has brought us great joy. With his birth, the demands of tradition have been met and in the past four years God has further silenced our enemies who at first thought I could not have a child.

God has been so faithful, and I and my husband, despite the trials and opposition. We still quarrel over issues, but our love has continued to grow in spite of that.

We have also adopted about two children who are doing well. One is a footballer and the other just finishing secondary school.

Our marriage has not only grown to the envy of our enemies, we now have four children and investments to the glory of Jehovah!

I am using my story to advice young married women to keep faith with God and their spouses no matter how tough the times may be.

posted from Bloggeroid

Thank you for making our anniversary very special. You are so sweet and a thoughtful friend.

The big 10. Happy Wedding Anniversary dear @teekbrown and Sir. @jeffdebrown. Wishing you more decades of laughter and happiness. #Cake #Anniversary #WeddingAnniversary #AnniversaryCake #ChefDiary #Friendship #Love. http://ift.tt/2ebEvt6.

posted from Bloggeroid

Teekayspeaks.blogspot.com

posted from Bloggeroid

posted from Bloggeroid

Do you know any ambitious youth leaders between 25-35 years? Have them apply for the Mandela Washington fellowship 2017.

6 weeks of study in a US university and optional 6 weeks internship after that. ALL expenses paid.

This is a really good opportunity please encourage our young people to apply and broaden their horizons in: civic leadership and entrepreneurship.

Deadline Oct 26 2016
Application details: www.yali.state.gov

posted from Bloggeroid

THERE WILL BE NO NIGERIA WITHOUT BUHARI , SAY'S PROF ITSE SAGAY.


‎Itse Sagay, professor of law and chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), on Monday said Nigeria would have collapsed if Bubari had not intervened.

He said this after a presentation of the committee’s report on a new legal framework for fighting‎ corruption.

“We know of some governors who are not supposed to be there, but found themselves on the bloody seats with the help of some judges,” he said.

“If Buhari had not come, I don’t think there would have been a country. Zimbabwe would have been better. The government is operating on a zero budget.

“We need the judiciary, but we need an upright judiciary. If we don’t have a judiciary with moral integrity, then we don’t have a democracy.

“No agency would have dared to arrest Oputa, Obaseki, Eso, and some others. They gave judgments against the military governments. The moral authority of the golden era of the supreme court has crashed.

“No judge should be guilty of corruption; if that happens then they have reduced themselves to our level, so they should take whatever happens. Let us be fair to this country.”

‎President Muhammadu Buhari set up the committee in August, 2015.

In the report, the committee recommended plea bargaining as an alternative means of settling corruption cases.

posted from Bloggeroid

posted from Bloggeroid

Your enemies might try but they will p triumph over you

The Sovereign God


"To you, o Lord, do I it up my soul. O my God, t trust in you. Do not let me be ashamed, Do not let my enemies triumph over me" Psalm 25:1

This Psalm is made of statements of truth. It is a cry for help. Sometimes we feel abandoned, rejected unappreciated and despondent. In the course of life there will be times such as David wrote. Periods like this come so that we can go back to the source. Do you trust in some one to help you or do you look up to the hills from where your help comes from? , Psalm 121:1 it is only God that can truly cover our nakedness and prevent us from Shame.
Shame is a strategy of the enemies. It is designed to make a person feel less than he or she is. Shame can lead people to suicidal act. It can make a person feel less than what God has promised him leading to diminishing confidence. Your enemies might try but they will p triumph over you. You are untouchable, unstopable, you can not be crushed. No matter how big a stone is, the earth worms will always find a place under it. God said I know the thoughts I have for you. That means you have a place in the scheme of the Almighty . Good morning and have a triumphant week.

posted from Bloggeroid

HARDCORE TRUTH ABOUT MARRIAGE!

There is nothing that threatens the security of a wife than the thought of another woman competing for the attention and affection of her husband. Nothing is more painful. Nothing is more disrespecting. Nothing is more insulting. Nothing is more belittling and degrading.
2. Marriage flourishes when the couple works together as a team; when both husband and wife decide that winning together is more important than keeping score.
Good marriages don't just happen. They are a product of hard work.
3. Your children are watching you and forming lasting opinions on love, commitment, and marriage based on what they see in you. Give them hope. Make them look forward to marriage.
4. Husbands: The reason why other women look attractive is because someone is taking good care of them. Grass is always green where it is watered. Instead of drooling over the green grass on the other side of the fence, work on yours and water it regularly. Any man can admire a beautiful woman, but it takes a true gentleman to make a woman admirable and beautiful.
5. When a husband puts his wife first above everyone and everything except God, it gives his wife the sense of security and honor that every wife hungers for.
6. A successful marriage doesn't require a big house, a perfect spouse, a million dollars or an expensive car. You can have all the above and still have a miserable marriage. A successful marriage requires honesty, undying commitment and selfless love and Jesus at the center of it all.
7. Pray for your spouse every day; in the morning, in the afternoon and at evening. Don’t wait until there is a problem. Don’t wait until there is an affair. Don’t wait until something bad happens. Don’t wait until your spouse is tempted. Shield your spouse with prayer and cover your marriage with the fence of prayer.
8. The people you surround yourself with have a lot of influence on your marriage. Friends can build or break your marriage; choose them wisely.
9. One spouse cannot build a marriage alone when the other spouse is committed to destroying it. Marriage works when both husband and wife work together as a team to build their marriage.
10. Don't take your spouse for granted. Don't take advantage of your spouse's meekness and goodness. Don't mistake your spouse's loyalty for desperation. Don't misuse or abuse yours spouse's trust. You may end up regretting after losing someone that meant so much to you.
11. Beware of marital advice from single people. Regardless of how sincere their advice may be, most of it is theoretical and not derived from real life experiences. If you really need Godly advice, seek it from God-fearing, impartial and prayerful mature couples whose resolve has been tested by time and shaped by trials.
12. Dear wife, Don't underestimate the power of the tongue on your marriage. The tongue has the power to crush your marriage or build it up. Don't let the Devil use your tongue to kill your spouse's image, self-confidence and aspirations. Let God use your tongue to build up your marriage and bless and praise your spouse..
God bless you.
BY BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO

posted from Bloggeroid

OUR LOVE STORY... OUR 10YRS WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Really? It's our 10th year Wedding anniversary? How time flies! It's just like our wedding took place few hours ago, all to my lovely and intelligent sweetheart. I have never been more certain that I made the right choice by marrying you, but I must say that over the past 10 years of our ups and down, I have lost count of the number of times I have fallen in love with you. It's certainly an opportunity to appreciate all you have done for me and my loved ones. And I am wholeheartedly saying this for the whole world to bear me witness which is, if I have my way, I will sure marry you over and over again, because I have never stop thinking who, where and what I would be without you in this World.
Happy 10 years wedding anniversary U & I #Brownteekay.
Teekayspeaks.blogspot.com

posted from Bloggeroid

According To The Nigeria Vice President :
200,000 UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES TO GET FEDERAL JOBS IN OCTOBER – FG REVEALS

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
News Source Premiumtimes
.
The Federal Government has revealed that 200,000 out of 500,000 unemployed graduates will get jobs before the end of October.
.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 while speaking with a small group of radio journalists and producers at the Presidential Villa.
.
According to him, “implementation plans for the effective commencement of a number of the social investment programmes of the Buhari presidency has reached advanced stages as the selection of the first 200,000 unemployed graduates to get jobs is now being completed”.
.
Osinbajo added: “The direct government jobs is meant to keep this young people occupied, pay them some amount of money and also give them a device, which will also help them to learn several skills that they can develop as time goes on.”
.
“We expect that before the end of this month, we should have engaged 200,000 of them and we are hoping that before the end of the year we should have engaged more.”
.
The Vice President also disclosed that the Home-Grown School Feeding programme is set to kick off in several states this month, according to Premium Times .
.
“Definitely before the end of this month, we expect that several states would have come on stream with their Home-grown School Feeding Programmes.
.
“The Home-Grown School Feeding programme will energise agriculture in the different states because it is what you plant that you feed the children with, we will be hiring caterers, cooks, etc in each state because it will be Federal Government funded from Primaries 1-3 and the state governments hopefully would be able to cater for the other classes.”
.
According to the Vice President, the Home-Grown School Feeding programme is another section of the Social Investment programmes that impact directly on the lives of Nigerian children and families. He said several states will start implementing the Home-grown School Feeding Programme before the end of October.
.
Equally he stated that the Micro-Credit scheme for which the Buhari administration will give very low-cost loans to more than one million Nigerian artisans, traders, market women and other ranging from N60,000 to N100,000 would also be kicking off this month.
.
According to him, “for women across the country, we are giving loans, micro credit loans to about 1.5 million women. We are focusing on market women and artisans, loans between N60,000 and 100,000 each. We are working through the Bank of Industry, BOI. They are going to be giving out these loans, we‘ve already identified the banks and everybody who is involved in this. We should be flagging-off hopefully before the end of this month”Such soft loans to the artisans, traders and market women, according to him, is meant “to boost their businesses.”
.
The Vice President reassured Nigerians that the current Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari is well focused on ameliorating the plight of the citizens of the country, observing that the administration feels the pains of the citizens and is committed to assuaging them.
.
“We fully understand and appreciate the situation of things in the country and we are committed to ensuring that that pain is assuaged. The President stated that clearly in his October 1st broadcast to the nation. All his life, he has been a salary earner, he has never been a businessman, so he understands why someone who earns a salary and even those who do not, are severely challenged at this time of economic recession such as we are experiencing,” he said.
.
On the economy, Vice President Osinbajo said government is committed to developing it, to enable citizens find opportunities within the country.
.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the government of President Buhari is a very focused and determined government. We are committed to ensuring that we are able to develop the Nigerian economy in such a way that Nigerians are able to find opportunities in their own country,” he said.
.
He listed the ‘Made in Nigeria’ project, moving away from import dependence, boosting agriculture, and encouraging manufacturing as some of the urgent actions being pursued by government in order to move the country forward.
.
The Vice President also emphasized the Buhari administration’s zero tolerance for corruption, as corruption is “the major drain on the country’s resources.”
.
He added that “no one would be spared in the fight against corruption because, even the close friends of the President know that they will not be spared, he will not cover for them. Fighting corruption is a priority.”
.
On the current recession, the Vice President said the fall in oil prices and pipeline vandalism were the immediate causes of the recession, thus reducing drastically, the country’s revenue. But he assured that government will adequately manage the little being realised now.
.
He said: “We were producing up to 2.2 million barrels a day but all of a sudden, the vandalization of our terminals caused us to lose up to a million barrels a day.
.
“So when you lose up to 60 per cent of your revenue or even more, there must be a shock because you are really earning very little and we will ensure that that very little that we are earning is as well managed as possible.”

posted from Bloggeroid

Corruption: Buhari has incriminating evidence to jail Jonathan but chose not – Prof Paden


Source: Daily Post

President Muhammadu Buhari biographer, Prof. John Paden, has claimed that Buhari has incriminating evidence he can use to put his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan in jail for corruption but has chosen not to.

Paden, a professor of International Studies made the claim in his recently launched book, ‘Muhammadu Buhari: Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria’.

The author wrote that the President was more interested in the recovery of stolen loots than sending officials of the past administration to jail.

Paden in chapter 20, page 203 wrote: “As of the early months of 2016, it appeared that the EFCC was not going after Jonathan. Nor was it going after former president Obasanjo. The question of the stability of the entire political system seemed at stake.”

He alleged that Buhari had in his possession evidence of corruption against “Jonathan but his larger purpose was not to put former high-level officials in jail. Rather, it was to retrieve stolen funds and to change the political culture of the country.”

In chapter 8, page 67 of the book, the author claimed that Jonathan withdrew “enormous” funds from the treasury as the March 28 Presidential election drew nearer.

“The threat of postelection violence was palpable. There would be winners and losers, quite likely with a regional or ethnoreligious profile. The international community was deeply concerned. Was Nigeria on the brink? High level diplomatic demarches were made to both candidates. A highly publicised ‘Peace Accord’ was signed by Jonathan and Buhari. But would they be able to control grassroots supporters,” he wrote, explaining events leading to the election.

“As March 28 approached, enormous sums of money were withdrawn from the treasury by the incumbents,” he said.

Meanwhile, the book also claimed that Buhari had letters Jonathan wrote asking for “off-budget funds”.

posted from Bloggeroid

Those waiting on the Lord for a miracle should read this and be encouraged

The Plan Of God

I will say of the Lord, "He is
my refuge and my fortress my God, in Him I will trust" Psalm 91:2
In the book of 1 Sam 4:1-11
We read the story of of one of the several battles involving the people of Israel and the Philistines. First the ark of covenant representing the presence of God was taken away, and the Isrealutes retrieved it to Ebenezer where their army was camped. It does not really matter the size of our resources we will not get it right unless we use it according to God's plan.
Both combatants made serious errors of judgement The two failed to seek the face of God. The Philistines were idle worshippers. But the Israelites had no excuse. Which part do you belong to?
No matter what, let us seek the face of God, trust His leading before we step out.
Reading through the story we see the Philistines at a point showing more respect for the God of Israel. Vs7, they even cursed themselves. Like the Philistines, your enemies will tremble at your presence.
Can you turn this passages in to prayer this day. Pray as the Spirit leads. By Pastor Peter Ujomu.

posted from Bloggeroid

Healthy Marriage Tips

The Most Important Part Of A Growing Marriage
BY RICK WARREN.


Pray for and with one another. “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed” (James 5:16 MSG). Who doesn’t want a marriage where you live together whole and healed? The Bible tells us that will happen when we confess to one another when we’re wrong and pray with each other.

Challenge your marriage spiritually by connecting with other Christian couples. As you learn together to apply God’s Word to your marriages and lives, you’ll sharpen one another spiritually. You’ll also be challenging each other to serve in ministry and share your faith regularly. Growing as a follower of Christ and as a spouse requires that kind of consistent accountability.

Your marriage may have been going through a difficult season, but there’s still hope. Your marriage can find life again. It has to start with you putting Jesus at the center of it. Do what God tells you to do in his Word, and your marriage can start growing again. Jesus is the glue for any marriage. He holds you together when everything is tearing you apart and you feel like giving up.

posted from Bloggeroid

RECESSION: IMF OFFERS NIGERIA, OTHERS ZERO-INTEREST LOANS

The International Monetary Fund is prepared to lend money to Nigeria and other countries facing economic crisis at zero interest rate in order to stimulate their recovery. The Managing Director, IMF, Christine Largade, said this on Thursday in Washington DC, United States, at the ongoing annual meetings of the World Bank/IMF.
“If we want to improve the inequality issue, we must have a strong international safety net. In this context, I am pleased to reveal that our board recently approved the extension of the zero interest rate on all concessional facilities from 2016 to 2018, and thereafter, if there is a need for an extension,” she said.
Our correspondent, however, gathered from top Nigerian officials attending the meetings that the country was not favourably disposed to taking the IMF offer. An official, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, “The IMF people have been talking to us for some time, asking us to come and take loans, but their facilities come with too many unfavourable conditions.
“For instance, they told us to remove fuel subsidy and devalue the naira, which we did. If we take their fresh offer, they may ask us to raise the price of fuel and further devalue the currency, but these will create unrest in the country because the people are already suffering and we are aware of this.
“We will rather take a facility from the World Bank. The IMF facility comes with too many conditions; though we need a lot of funds to come into our economy now, we have to be wary of some of the tough conditions attached to them.”
Giving further details about the facility, the IMF boss said, “That is really important for low-income

countries to be able to actually absorb the shocks without necessarily going to the international markets or relying on bilateral lending capacity of close to $1tn by extending access to bilateral borrowing agreements. The new agreements that are being signed this week will run at least through the end of 2019, and will continue to serve as a third line of defence.
“As you know, the first line of defence is quota; the second line is a new arrangement to borrow; and the third line of defence will be those bilateral loans.
“We have so far received pledges of $344bn from 26 members. We look forward to others joining the effort. We will provide more details shortly; and there will be some signing sessions organised in the course of the next two days.”
Lagarde also said that the outlook for advanced economies remained subdued, while that for the developing economies provided some guarded optimism with great diversities within the various economies.
She added, “Prospects for low income economies may be more challenging with varied outlook. We see growth as too low, too long and benefiting few. By exploiting synergies in policies, we can overcome these challenges. We also believe that each country has something to offer. My hope is that at the end of these meetings, each finance minister, each governor of central bank will go back home thinking of what to fuel growth.
“For example, when monetary policy has been overstretched, fiscal policy can step up. This will also put in place the structural reforms that are much needed, which have been sorted out in some countries, but which are still lacking in other places.”

posted from Bloggeroid

FG IN COLLABORATION WITH AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK COMMENCES EMPOWERMENT OF 100,000 NIGERIANS.

FG IN COLLABORATION WITH AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK COMMENCES EMPOWERMENT OF 100,000 NIGERIANS.


The Employment items include Taxi vehicles, Block Moulding machines, hair-dryers, Power generating sets, Commercial tricycles, called " marwa ", Motor bikes, Sewing Machines, Laptops, among others.

Interested Nigerians are advised to visit the Zonal offices of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to apply, or visit the ministry portal to apply or apply directly through Email via ministryoflabour.ng@gmail.com.

posted from Bloggeroid

Saraki CCT Trial Update: I won’t disqualify myself from your case – Umar tells Saraki

BREAKING: CCT trial: I won’t disqualify myself from your case – Umar tells Saraki


Source: Daily Post

The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Danladi Umar, on Wednesday dismissed the suit filed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki that the former should withdraw from the ongoing trial of the latter at the tribunal over false assets declaration.
Saraki, who is standing trial for false assets declaration had through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, filed an application which sought the withdrawal of the tribunal Chairman on the grounds of bias.

Saraki had, in April, filed a similar application asking Umar to withdraw from the case alleging corruption.

The Senate President had alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was using the chairman against him.

However, the tribunal chairman dismissed the application, saying the application lacked merit.

Agabi had cited a statement wherein Umar said Saraki was employing delay tactics because he was afraid of the “final consequences” of the trail.

‎At today’s resumed hearing, Umar held that the application was founded on “mere conjecture.”

According to Umar, he would not withdraw because there would be no one to sit in judgment over the trial.

He said, “The application to recuse myself has not been contemplated in the constitution. In the absence of a chairman, this trial cannot go on, therefore I cannot recuse myself. The chairman is the tribunal, without the chairman there is no tribunal.

“The application of the applicant is founded on mere conjecture. The application of the applicant is not well-founded, it is hereby dismissed.”

posted from Bloggeroid

Welcome to Teekayspeaks.blogspot.com. click to read more

PARTNERSHIP WITH TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION WILL LIFT CREATIVE INDUSTRIES - MINISTER


The partnership between the Federal Ministry of Information and
Culture and the Tony Elumelu Foundation will help to re-position the
Creative Industries in Nigeria, the Minister of Information and
Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.

Speaking at a ceremony for the signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the Foundation in Lagos
on Tuesday, the Minister expressed the strong belief that the
collaboration will be the much-needed catalyst to transform the
country's Creative Industries to a Creative Economy.

''The MoU contained details of how we will work together to execute
our partnership. More specifically, the areas of collaboration will
include the creation of an enabling business environment for the
creative industries with such incentives as easy access to finance;
the structuring of the Creative Industries to enable it generate
independent revenues locally and also boost exports to increase
Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings; and comprehensive statistics
about the Creative Industries, including its size and projections, to
guide potential local and foreign investors,'' he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said an innovative part of the collaboration ''is the
plan to convene a Creative Economy Task Force to map the Creative
Industries to provide a better picture of what is happening on the
ground and help inform policy development'', adding: ''We also plan to
measure the economic contribution of these industries to the Nigerian
economy and provide a blueprint for action.''

He explained that the agreement was part of efforts by the Federal
Government to ensure that the Creative Industries become a major
factor in the ongoing diversification of the country's economy.

''To reap the full potentials of the Creative Industries, we realized
early on that we will need to reach out to organizations that have the
capacity and the drive to assist us in achieving our goals,
organizations that can utilize their business knowledge, network and
technical expertise to assist the Ministry in the development of
Nigeria’s Creative Industries.

''This explains why we entered into discussions with the Tony Elumelu
Foundation and the British Council. The discussions have now yielded
fruits. On Aug. 24th 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland, we signed an MoU
with the British Council. And today, we are signing another MoU with
the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Together, we will work to re-position the
Creative Industries in Nigeria,'' the Minister said.

He said provision must be made for concrete benchmarks ''to measure
our progress in the implementation of this MoU'' to ensure that ''by
the time we conclude the initial two-year period of this historic
collaboration, no one will need to strain his eyes to see the
achievements''.

Alhaji Mohammed said efforts to lift the Creative Industries have
received support at the highest level of the Administration, adding:
''Last week, at an evening of conversation with the youth, President
Muhammadu Buhari not only rallied support for the sector, he also
directed that such support must reflect in the budget of the Ministry
of Information and Culture in 2017.''

He commended the Chairman of the Foundation, Mr Tony Elumelu, for
throwing his full weight, and that of his Foundation, behind the idea
of a partnership between the Ministry and the Foundation to rejuvenate
the Creative Industries, which range from advertising, architecture,
the art and antiques market, crafts, design, fashion, film,
interactive leisure and software, music, the performing arts and
publishing to Radio and Television.

For his part, Mr. Elumelu hailed the Minister for the partnership
initiative, and assured that even more of his colleagues in the
private sector would support the Creative Industries once they are
properly structured.

The ceremony for the signing of the MoU by the Minister and Mr.
Elumelu, which was held at the National Theatre, was attended by major
industry players, including Nollywood and music stars and Comedians,
as well as beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship
Programme, which aims to identify, over 10 years, a total of 10,000
African start-ups and entrepreneurs with ideas that can generate at
least 1,000,000 new jobs and contribute at least 10 billion dollars in
new annual revenues across Africa.

Segun Adeyemi
SA to Hon Minister of Information and Culture
Lagos
Oct. 4th 2016

posted from Bloggeroid

FG floats N25bn loan scheme for mass transit sector

FG floats N25bn loan scheme for mass transit sector

The Federal Government has set up N25 billion revolving loan scheme for transport companies in the country to access funds for purchase of mass transit vehicles.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of a two-day national workshop for chief executives of mass transit companies.

Enelamah said that the initiative was aimed at boosting the country’s mass transit system as well as encouraging local patronage of local vehicle assembly plants.

He explained that the loan would be administered through the Infrastructure Bank at zero per cent interest rate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop is organised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute for Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria.
The theme of the workshop is “Nigeria Automotive Policy: A National Agenda for Sustainable Mass Transit Operation Development.’’

“Government is determined to develop the automotive industry because of its extensive linkages, impact on job creation, technology transfer as well as foreign exchange savings and earnings.

“The response by investors has been encouraging and we have brought back vehicle assembly and are now focussing on local content development.

“Many of the new assembly plants produce buses and mini-buses. I hereby call on all Nigerians to patronise the products of these assembly plants,’’ he said.

Enelamah urged the workshop participants to come up with innovative solutions for the development of an efficient and affordable mass transportation system in the country.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, stated that the mass transit sector was one of the major engines driving the nation’s socio-economic and cultural development.

He, however, said that in spite of this, the sector was facing huge challenges, including low operational capacity, broken down vehicles, obsolete facilities and poor maintenance culture.

The minister said that a vibrant local automotive industry would significantly address those challenges while at the same time depending on the mass transit sector for patronage.

“This workshop is, therefore, organised to appraise the mass transit perspective of the Nigeria Automotive Policy.
“It is a platform for stakeholders to meet and exchange ideas on the effective implementation of the policy and make recommendations for realising a sustainable mass transport agenda for Nigeria.
“The dynamic leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is poised to address the challenges facing the transport sector. The Federal Government is willing to invest heavily in this sector.

“We are already seeing practical efforts in that regard, especially with the rail transportation system,’’ he said.

Source : The Nation

posted from Bloggeroid

Sale of assets: If FG offers NLNG on credit, I’m not interested in buying – Aliko Dangote

Sale of assets: If FG offers NLNG on credit, I’m not interested in buying – Aliko Dangote


Source: Daily Post

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has dismissed speculations that he is out to buy Federal Government’s shares in the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG company.
This is coming after he enumerated ways Nigeria can come out of the current recession ravaging the economy, which included sale of the national asset.

Recall that the business mogul had, in an interview with CNBC Africa, urged the Federal Government to sell off its stake in the NLNG, as well as dormant but huge capital-generating sectors in the country, stressing that the proceeds generated from the sales should be reinvested into the economy before the end of the fourth quarter.

He also advocated the diversification of the economy as “quickly” as possible, saying that one of the ways for Nigeria to get out of the current recession was to make sure it quickly moved into action by diversifying the economy.

His suggestion had trailed mixed reactions, with some saying he wanted the government to sell off national assets so he could purchase and own it.

Following the criticisms that trailed his suggestion, the business mogul opined that he would not buy the NLNG even if government offered it to him on credit.

Speaking with This Day, Dangote said, “You know the issue, once your reserves are low, the banks, entrepreneurs, including external forces, would definitely attack your currency. They would speculate on your currency.

“We all know that the exchange rate of almost N500 to the dollar is not a true reflection of the value of the currency – the naira cannot be almost N500 to the dollar!

“But you see, if this thing is not handled properly, it can get out of hand. It can get to N600 to the dollar, or even N700 to the dollar.”

The billionaire reiterated that Nigeria needed about $15 billion to jumpstart its economy, saying that if the amount was added to Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves of about $25 billion, this would help attract foreign investors.

“I can assure you that if our forex reserves get to $40 billion, you will be shocked at how people will reject even buying dollars. So, is it worth it for us to keep assets that we are not using? Even the oil assets that I am suggesting for sale, they are not the producing assets. We have a lot of non-producing assets,” he said.

Dangote maintained that he had only advised the government to sell some of its stake in NLNG to shore up the foreign reserves, as a true Nigerian concerned about the state of the economy and the continued depreciation in the value of the Naira.

He said, “But the issue is, why did I suggest that we should sell some of the assets? I know the touchy one is the NLNG. I want to make it categorically clear that even if the government is selling NLNG on credit, I am not interested in buying.

“Even if the NLNG was bringing in $1.5 billion into the federal government’s coffers, once the government reduces its stake in the company and it is run more professionally, Nigeria would generate more funds from it.

“People are just saying it is better to go and borrow, but I don’t know where they are coming from.

“You see, with borrowing, if I have issues with my business today, the bankers who would lend me the money would want to see me doing something first to see how the business can survive.

“There would be conditionalities,” the billionaire added.

posted from Bloggeroid

Ex-Bayelsa Governor, Sylva denies regaining 48 houses seized by EFCC

Ex-Bayelsa Governor, Sylva denies regaining 48 houses seized by EFCC


Source: Daily Post

Former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has objected to a media report purporting his retrieval of 48 houses in Abuja, allegedly, seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement on Monday in Yenagoa by his media adviser, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, Sylva described the report as strange, speculative and malicious.

He said neither he nor the courts had at any time confirmed his ownership of such property and wondered where the publishers of the report got their story.

The former governor threatened legal action against publishers of what he called a “wholly speculative and vindictive report.”

The statement reads, “We have a read report in a national newspaper, which was reproduced by a few online publications and in the social media, claiming that Chief Timipre Sylva had ‘retrieved 48 of his property which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seized during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.’ We view this report with disgust, given its unconcealed speculation and vindictiveness regarding such a sensitive matter.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Sylva does not own 48 buildings in Abuja or anywhere in the world. So the issue of reclaiming ‘48 houses’ does not arise. He has only three houses in Abuja, which he built before he became the governor of Bayelsa State. This point has been made several times before, and neither EFCC nor those who had used EFCC as a tool of persecution against Sylva during the Goodluck Jonathan administration have contradicted this fact.

“EFCC had taken their allegations of property ownership against Sylva to several courts without establishing anything against the former governor during the Jonathan era. Beyond the commission’s routine media prosecution, no court of law has found Sylva guilty of any crime. Indeed, in the course of the trials at the Federal High Court, Abuja, owners of some of the properties wrongfully attributed to him joined to claim their houses. The court ruled on the matter of the said 48 properties since 2013. Why is it now a subject of media attention? Clearly, this is a sponsored publication.

“Sylva takes great exception to the wholly speculative and vindictive report on the matter. He frowns on the malicious audacity of the publishers of such a story, or their sponsors, despite warnings by the courts against media prosecutions and persecutions like this one, and the attempts by the EFCC to burnish its image that was mindlessly battered during the last administration. After failing to prove any crime against Sylva in a democratic court of law for the past four years, this latest media show is another desperate attempt to rubbish him politically.
“To correct the wrong impression that sponsors of the falsehood against him are, obviously, trying to create, Sylva has instructed his lawyers to take legal action against publishers of the fake story.”

posted from Bloggeroid

Tinubu advocates return of history to school curriculum

Tinubu advocates return of history to school curriculum.


Source: Daily Post Nigeria

The All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has made a strong case for the return of history as a subject in the country’s school curriculum.
He said any nation which forgot its past had lost a beacon to guide its actions.

Tinubu’s call came in a short remark after reviewing the book entitled “Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria” on Monday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

He said the removal of history as a subject to be taught in Nigerian schools was disturbing, and lamented that the move would cut off younger generations of Nigerians from learning about the nation’s history and tradition as well as past mistakes.

“If countries including United States of America teach their students about their histories, why not Nigeria with its rich history and tradition. History helps a people to connect with the past and learn from past pitfalls,” he said.

He described the book written by Prof. John N. Paden, which is an authorised biography of President Buhari, as an important one.

According to the APC leader, the book attempts a broad characterization of the different stages of President Buhari’s life and professional career.

“The book explores how his professional career, his personal life and prior experiences in government shaped and prepared him for the momentous assignment he now has.

“From the book’s pages, we see a man who has lived his life on assignments that always intersected with vital moments in the nation’s history. He was a man on assignment, when, in the military, he served bravely in a civil war to keep Nigeria united.

“He was on national assignment when he became military head of state in a well-intentioned effort to straighten things out, and set Nigeria on a better path.

“When he ventured into politics and competed for the Presidency, culminating in his 2015 election victory, he was still on assignment, showing that there was no other way for this nation to go but the way of democracy, no matter how difficult the path may be”.

As a sitting president, Tinubu said Buhari “is on an assignment, against time, to undo the wrongs of nearly two decades of bad governance”.

He said Buhari’s credential as a transformative leader, who had evolved into a committed democrat, was secured in Prof. Paden’s narrative.
“The Nigeria project, which occupies the centerstage in the book, has been Buhari’s life”, he added.

Asiwaju Tinubu, however, provided more details on how the merger among opposition parties in the country was consummated, leading to the emergence of Buhari as APC presidential candidate and powering him to the presidency in the 2015 election.

Asiwaju Tinubu was one of the four reviewers of the book.

Others were former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador John Campbell; defunct ANPP Chairman and Science and Technology Minister, Chief Ogbonanya Onu; and former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

posted from Bloggeroid

Melaye advocates presidential pardon for treasury looters, militants

Melaye advocates presidential pardon for treasury looters, militants

By Ismail Mudashir | Publish Date: Oct 2 2016.


Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West), Sunday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give presidential pardon and amnesty for treasury looters .

Melaye in a statement said the looters should be given six months to return public funds or face the full wrath of the law.

"Though an unrepentant advocate for integrity and forthrightness especially from public office holders, l however sincerely want to recommend that Mr. President grant Presidential Amnesty/Pardon to all those who looted our treasury provided they return all proceeds of their loot to the government within six (6) months of the declaration of the Amnesty.

"This, I believe will encourage the voluntary return of the the looted funds, empower the government financially to immediately commence the implementation of projects and programmes that will stimulate the economy and raise the peoples' standard of living, and save the judiciary and other law enforcement agencies the agony of fruitlessly pursuing the looters in and out of the courtrooms. In the long run, this would be a win-win situation for both the government and people of Nigeria,"he said.

Melaye added that, "At the expiration of the six months' 'Moratorium', all those who failed to comply would then be made to face the reality of aggressive and expeditious prosecution and eventual jail terms for convicts in accordance with the laws of the land", he said.

He also recommended for the removal of 'His Excellency and Distinguished' from the names of President, Vice president, Governors and Senators respectively.

" In this regard, I recommend that henceforth no President, Vice President, Governor, or Deputy Governor should answer the name 'His Excellency' until the material condition of ordinary Nigerians has also become 'Excellent'. No Senator should continue to answer 'Distinguished' until the the masses of the people begin to experience a distinguished existence and no Federal or state Legislator should wear the badge of 'Honourable Member' until the ordinary citizen is himself living a life that can be classified Honourable.

Sources; Weekly Trust

posted from Bloggeroid

JULIUS BERGER AT WORK ON THE LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY DURING THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

PICTURES: JULIUS BERGER AT WORK ON THE LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY DURING THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS


PIX ONE & TWO : Personnel of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at work near the Long Bridge in continuation of the reconstruction, expansion and rehabilitation of the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway on Monday October 3rd, 2016 in fulfilment of the commitment given by the Ministry of Power, Works & Housing that the company would be on site during the Public Holidays in order to speed up work and improve the experience of commuters on the road.

PIX THREE : Personnel of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc cleaning and sweeping in preparation for spraying of Tack Coat on Deck on pile (Long Bridge) on Monday October 3rd in fulfilment of the commitment given by the Ministry of Power, Works & Housing that work on the reconstruction and expansion of the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway would continue during the Public Holidays in order to speed up the rehabilitation and improve the experience of commuters on the road.

_Segun Odunuyi

posted from Bloggeroid

An open letter to President Buhari by A Patriotic Nigerians

Independence Letter to Mr President

Dear President Muhammadu Buhari,


Congratulations on yet another Independence Day celebration as Nigeria’s President. Yours is a cup filled by God your Excellency. Many are those heroes who wished they had a second chance or even a first chance to be on the seat you occupy – the sage Obafemi Awolowo, the Great Zik, Tafawa Balewa, Anthony Enahoro and our dear Chief Moshood Kasimawo Abiola. They all struggled for a great nation with limitless opportunities, abundance and all-round development. Yet, they were taken away by death without having half of your luck. Such is life and such is the enormous responsibilities on your head dear Mr President. Many have died to make your being our leader today a reality. I will like to seek your indulgence to share some thoughts with you on governance and development in Nigeria.

I will start with a story of a treaty that took place about 1500 years ago:

In the sixth year after his migration to Medina (March 628), Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) decided to perform the Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage). Fourteen hundred of the companions joined the Prophet on this pilgrimage journey to Mecca. He ordered them not to carry any weapons of war since they are on a religious journey, but allowed a sword which was customary for the travelers to carry for protection against caravan raids.

The Quraish (Pagans) intent upon not allowing the prophet to enter Mecca closed all access to the city. The Prophet then reached a place called Hudaibiya, on the precincts of the sacred territory of Mecca, and halted there. And a treaty was eventually signed after days of intrigues, negotiations, intimidation and near-warfare between unarmed Muslims led by the Prophet intent on visiting Makkah from Medina to perform pilgrimage and the Makkans armed to the teeth yet aware that Arab tribal tradition permits pilgrims to visit the holy city at any time. The treaty which in fact you are most likely familiar with is known as the Treaty of Hudaibiyah. It included:

“In your name, O Allah. These are the terms of the truce between Muhammad, the son of Abdullah and Suhayl, the son of Amr (of Mecca).
Both parties have agreed to lay down the burden of war for ten years. During this time, each party shall be safe, and neither shall injure the other; no secret damage shall be inflicted, but uprightness and honor shall prevail between them.
The Muslims shall return this year without performing Umrah (the pilgrimage). In the coming year, you may enter it with your companions, staying therein for three days, bearing no arms except the arms of the traveler, with swords remaining in their sheaths.
If a Quraysh person comes to Muhammad (i.e., after accepting Islam) without the permission of his guardian, Muhammad shall return him to them, but if one of the Muhammad’s people come to the Quraysh, he shall not be returned.
Whoever wishes to enter into covenant with Muhammad can do so, and whoever wishes to enter into covenant with the Quraysh can do so.”

Many of the Muslims were not satisfied with the terms of the treaty and they regarded it to be humiliating to themselves. That humiliation to them includes the insulting manners and words of the emissaries from Mecca, to the harm and maltreatment meted to the first emissary to Mecca from the pilgrims side and of course the treaty finally loaded with advantages on the side of the oppressive Makkans. They considered it a disgrace and defeat, and questioned why the Prophet would ever agree to such humiliation. The Prophet Muhammad, however, agreed to the terms in an attempt to end hostilities by peaceful means. With wisdom and farsightedness, he insisted that his followers honor the terms of the agreement. Many of them were reluctant and even angry, including Umar ibn Khattab. The Prophet Muhammad had never faced such a challenge to his leadership, but through quiet example he showed his followers that it was a wise decision.

On their way back to Medina, Allah (The One God) revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) a chapter of the Qur’an known as “Al-Fath” (The Victory, XLVIII). The chapter begins with:

“Verily We have given thee a victory, a very clear victory.”

In 629 A.D., as agreed, the Muslims were allowed to visit Makkah for a three-day pilgrimage. The following year (630 A.D.), the Quraish violated the Treaty of Hudaibiyah by attacking one of the Muslims’ tribal allies. The Prophet Muhammad proceeded to lead a force of 10,000 men to march upon Makkah. Recognizing defeat, the Quraish laid down their weapons and allowed the Muslims to enter the city. The Muslims had won back Makkah without shedding a single drop of blood. The Prophet Muhammad’s first act was to destroy the pagan idols in and around the Ka’aba, dedicating it again to the worship of One True God. His next act was to forgive all members of the Makkan community for the decades of hostility and warfare. His kindness and patience impressed many, and within a few years nearly all the tribes of Arabia had joined the Muslims as either allies or as brethren in faith.

Now why my long story? It has to do with the thorny Niger Delta(ND) issue. Mr President, it is time to NEGOTIATE! Yes, I know you called the bombers and destroyers of our national infrastructure economic saboteurs and those who have raped the treasury. In fact, you are right if you label them ethnic entrepreneurs. The truth is you must accept all insults as a President interested in a legacy of peace and development. Think of the insults meted to the Prophet even with the wording of the said treaty, the Prophet Muhammad showed that he was willing to compromise. For example, when the Prophet instructed his scribe to write “Muhammad the Messenger of Allah,” the Makkan envoy protested that he believed Muhammad to be no such thing. The Prophet relented and instructed his scribe to change the words to “Muhammad the son of Abdullah.”

Dear Mr President, let’s have a full blown negotiation with all the forces in the Niger Delta and let there be a treaty of TOTAL CESSATION of hostilities and vacation of all camps in the creeks with the promise of development for the ND. Let them insert clauses that may seem insulting, pampering and condescending. Yes, we must compromise as a nation to move forward – there has been distrust and injustice from all sides. This pact when put in place will put paid to agitations in Niger Delta and give room for peace which indeed is the precursor to development. And that takes me to the second issue – restructuring.

Dear Mr President, no nation ever remains static; for change is the natural law of life. Nigeria like other nations has been undergoing restructuring planned and unplanned to date. In fact you have been engineering a lot of restructuring since you took over – cabinet shape and number, ministry demarcation and functions, economic focus and your ambitious ₦500 billion Welfare jobs and skills program. You therefore do not deserve being called anti-restructuring. Yet, the current song by many is restructuring. Tell them a loud YES. Mr President, you are ready for restructuring without any need for waste of money or jamboree of national conference. Every known constituency and senatorial district has a representative in the National Assembly(NA). Let them do their job. Please set up a 5-man committee, I am ready to work as an unpaid scribe. Let them draft from all constitutional conferences that has taken place from Macpherson conference in 1956 to recent Goodluck conference an all-encompassing Nigeria Peoples Restructuring Act. Let me proffer four fundamental parts of this act:

1. Regional government consisting of 6 regions (Please add Edo, Kwara and Kogi to South West). These shall be governed by Premiers who will be responsible for developing each region. 50% of all revenue from each region shall be payable to the centre (the federal government). Now the caveat, there shall be a transitional period of ten years when we will continue with the current federal arrangement with continuation of revenue collection at federal level but only 50% will be retained at the centre. The remaining 50% will be shared to the 6 baby regions. They are free to distribute it as they wish in each region. If they like, let each region create 100 states and a gazillion local governments! Let’s embrace and celebrate our diversity. I was part of the Heritage Day celebrated annually in South Africa with every tribe or race encouraged to don their local attires for the day to their places of work. See pictures attached.

2. An act setting up a new “Nigeria Peoples Parliament” and scrapping of the present bicameral legislature. Nigeria is a poor country that can no longer sustain a bicameral legislature. Britain has a parliament yet her budget is in multiples of ours with less population. I know the NA as presently constituted will be resistant, but yours is to start a debate. Let Nigerians take over.

3. Regional police. Nigeria needs more police and policing. Crime rates is soaring. Let NA do their job of debating the modus operandi of such state or regional police.

4. Special corruption courts at Court of appeal level with only appeal to Supreme Court. This shortens time for corruption trials and help develop specialization in our judicial system to kill corruption which is otherwise hell bent on killing Nigerians.

Dear Mr President, shifting the constitutional burden of restructuring to the National assembly frees your time and neck and creates a peace halo for you to focus on governance and development; the sole purpose for which you are elected. And be rest assured those four issues will take the present NA at least 4 years to aggregate views and debate during which you would have been afforded the time and space to lay a foundation for and start the building of a new Nigeria. Two more points your Excellency:

Where is Your Economic Stimulus Bill? We have been hearing rumours with the whole of social media in a frenzy weeks ago. And now the NA has resumed and they are the one begging for the bill. Baba we have no time to waste again. Nigerians are eager to see more massive change in their socio-economic, health, education and security sectors. Now is the time to act. Have a look at the Roosevelt new deal and Obama’s Reinvestment Act. We must have bold plans and actions to take us back to growth with sustainable economic opportunities for all.

Finally, someone or in fact an institution is responsible for state's currency, money supply, forex management, interest rates and oversight functions on the commercial banking system. That institution headed by someone has not been covered with roses or sweet fragrance in the last few years. They promised us stable forex after floating, today we have crashing Naira.

Mr President, it is time for POSITIVE CHANGE!

On May 28, 2019 you will not be judged by the wrecked economy you met or the dilapidated services, institutions and infrastructure left by your predecessors. What will count are your achievements and legacies. Let that be justice, peace and development for all.

Mudasiru Adebayo Salami

posted from Bloggeroid