Hot News Naija: May 2014

Saturday 31 May 2014

Osun Guber Poll: Akande, Arergbesola Welcome Adeleke To APC (PHOTOS)

Former Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke has finally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress, APC, today at the Freedom Park in Osogbo , Osun state.

The Former Governor of the state and National interim Chairman of the party, Chief Adebisi Akande and the incumbent governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf adesoji Aregbesola as well as the crowd members of the party welcomed the former Governor Isiaka Adeleke to the fold of the Progressive party called APC.
The immediate pass Governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola may also join the APC soon.

Super eagles' coach, Stephen Keshi has said that he knows the players that will make his final list of 23 to the 2014 World Cup, but will wait till the last minute before making it public. The Big Boss was speaking about the team trained at the Philadelphia Eagles Stadium in Philadelphia.

“Yes, I have an idea of those who will go with us to Brazil but we will still wait till the last minute before we announce the list,” he said.

Keshi added that he was also having another look at the players who are not measuring up.

The United States Government has condemned what it described as message of violence by some political leaders in Nigeria as the people prepare to vote in the June 21 and August 9 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States respectively.

Also, the guest speaker at the sensitisation workshop for Ekiti State political parties and other stakeholders in 2014 gubernatorial election, Kunle Fagbemi, noted that for democracy to work, everybody must agree to accept the results of a free and fair election, while all contestants are also expected to relate with one another in a good sportsmanship atmosphere.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria,.. reffery Hawkins, in his goodwill message at the workshop said it was worrisome that political leaders were sending the message of ‘rig and roast’ as the elections approach, saying such would not augur well for peaceful conduct of the elections.
According to him, "Rig and roast is not the kind of message Nigerian youths should hear from their leaders."

NAN reports that the AU has announced plans to engage the Federal Government and other stakeholders in a meeting, in a fresh move to rescue the more than 200 girls abducted by insurgents in Chibok, Borno.

The AU Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, Mrs Benita Diop, made the disclosure at the close of the Conference of Ministers of Social Development in Addis Ababa on Saturday.

Diop, who is to lead a delegation to Abuja on Monday, June 2, is to intimate the Federal Government on the “new approach’’ to rescue the girls, abducted on April 14.

Vladimir Putin: love him or hate him, now you can eat him

Chocolate figurines of the Russian president are big sellers in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

Are you still furious about Russia's invasion of Crimea? Are you concerned about the violent clashes in eastern Ukraine? Are you hungry?

Sounds like you need to bite the head off a chocolate figurine of Vladimir Putin!

In the western city of Lviv, that's now an option, thanks to a politico-culinary collaboration between the famous Lviv Chocolate Factory and EuroMaiden activist Oleh Matsekh, who designed the figure after the invasion of Crimea.

"When you buy it, you can treat it the way you perceive Putin," Matsekh said. "If you hate him, you can bite his head off. If you love him, you can lick or kiss this piece of chocolate. It's up to everyone to decide."

Matsekh sounds diplomatic. His figurine design is less so.

It's available in two forms. "Big Putin" wears a crown and is holding a bomb behind his back. "Little Putin" is dressed like Napoleon.

The tag reads, "PTN-PNH" — an abbreviation that stands for "Putin, go f*ck yourself."

For now, the figurines are only available in Lviv, but there are plans to begin selling them in other cities, including Kyiv.

Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko has vowed to punish "bandits" after pro-Russian rebels shot down an army helicopter, killing 12.

Russia has reiterated calls for Ukraine to stop its military campaign against the pro-Moscow rebels and "start a real national dialogue".

Shehu Sani: Jonathan is not ready to end Boko Haram insurgency

Calls for Release of Boko Haram Detainees in exchange for Chibok Giels

The president of the Civil Rights Congress, Shehu Sani, has described the steps outlined by the Federal Government as inconsistent and incapable of bringing the insurgents to the negotiation table. The statement is coming just 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan declared measures to end insurgency in the country.

The Civil rights Activist who had been involved in two previous attempts to negotiate for peace between the government and the insurgents, said the Federal Government had never been serious in finding a lasting solution to the rising surge of terrorism in the north.

According to him, Federal Government does not want to negotiate with the sect so as not to be seen as a weak government and surrendering to insurgents. He told newsmen yesterday that “it was the insincerity of the Federal Government to accept and implement the conditions previously given by the sect that had given rise to the attacks being launched by the group, saying that if the government had accepted the agreement brokered by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and himself with the sect members in Maiduguri, the problem of insurgency would not have escalated to its present deadly form.“

A House of Representative member representing Jos South/Jos East, Hon. Bitrus Kaze has described the reported efforts being made by the Federal Government to offer amnesty to Boko Haram terrorist sect despite its continued bombings and killings of innocent citizens as a step in the wrong direction.

“I do not subscribe to any form of dialogue with terrorists; we will not grow weary of making the point resoundingly clear that no country the world over has succeeded in curbing the menace that way,” said Kaze.

The lawmaker stressed in a statement issued in Jos yesterday, that such effort, coming at a time the international community has declared to support Nigeria to stamp out terrorism, will boomerang.

He added: “Motivated by the tension, anxiety and sense of fear permeating the nation as a result of terrorism, those who canvass this awkward idea cannot be right. This should explain exactly why the Alhaji Kabiru Turaki dialogue committee was and will continue to be a perpetual failure”.

Alhaji Alabi Ajikobi, a driver of the former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, was shot dead on Friday by unknown gunmen in Ibadan.

Ajikobi was shot by suspected armed robbers while returning from the bank where he had gone to cash some unspecified amount of money. Ajikobi was said to have been shot around the Bodija area of Ibadan.

Mrs Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident, said that the deceased was shot and killed on his way from the bank. ``It is true. We learnt that he went to a bank to collect some money. A man stopped him and had some discussion with him on his way back.

Donald Sterling filed $1billion lawsuit against NBA

Clippers co-owner Donald Sterling has filed a lawsuit against the NBA for more than $1 billion, his lawyer said. The league, meanwhile, said it reached a deal on the team's sale with the Sterling family trust.

The NBA announced a resolution with Sterling's estranged wife and the trust under which the Clippers will be sold to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, pending approval by the NBA Board of Governors. A June 3 meeting to discuss forcing the team's sale was canceled.

Also Friday, two sources with detailed knowledge of the situation told CNN that two neurologists deemed Donald Sterling to be mentally incapacitated. Sterling's lawyer, Maxwell Blecher, called the declaration a "vast overstatement."

INTERSOC/NG/002/05/14/FGN/ABJ

His Excellency

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan

President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Federal Republic of Nigeria

The State House, Three-Arms-Zone

Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.

Sir,

Boko Haram Terror & Other Unlawful Killings: A Demand For Presidential Invitation Of The Chief Prosecutor For International Criminal Court Security, For Investigation & Prosecution Of Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes & Related Others-Part One

(Rule of Law & Onitsha-Nigeria, 29th of May, 2014)-The leadership of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law-Intersociety writes Your Excellency concerning the above subject. This letter of ours is coming four months, two weeks and two days after our first letter of the year was addressed to Your Excellency. Your Excellency will recall that the first letter under reference was dated 13th day of January, 2014 (averting chaos & bloodletting imminent in 2015 general polls). Today, being 29th day of May, 2014 marks 15 years of return to civilian rule in Nigeria with over 65,000 citizens estimated to have been unlawfully killed within the periods under reference-May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2014.

Issues Warranting This Important Letter: As Your Excellency is aware, the state of security in Nigeria is under a serious threat. For us at Intersociety, the country operates a woefully failed security system. It is a clear case of a country using typewriting security measures to counter ICT security challenges. The Boko Haram terror and other unlawful killings have caused the country an irreparable damage. As we write, there is steady movement of people from northern parts of the country to southern parts. These mass movements are caused by insecurity and other unsafe conditions caused by Boko Haram terror and other ethno-religious violence.

Yes I mean our Armed forces. With the recent circular to press by the Military, it is evident that there is some personality crisis in the armed forces. It’s now taking a political pose probably to efface its glaring failures and the damaged international image of its own making. The latest victim of the Boko Haram saga is a North-East first class emir who was shot dead today, therefore to suggest that there are political figures in the North East who are sympathizers of Boko Haram is an understatement. It is just mischievous.

We should first and foremost dispel the notion that those men and women in uniform or the commander in chief of the armed forces own the armed forces. This is the first fundamental step to saving and liberating the armed forces from the shackles of the much talked about parochialism, corruption and nepotism that has crippled this giant Africans are looking up to. The members of the armed forces are Nigerians owned one hundred percent by Nigerians and sustained by Nigerians. This has to be made clear to all members of the armed forces and it has to sink into their psyche. They are here to serve not to be served. Their duty is to protect and maintain the integrity of our dear nation not to terrify the law abiding citizens and humiliate them.

Ahead of the August 9th Governorship pool in Osun state, the Osun PDP reconciliation committee led by Alh Shuaib Oyedokun has commence moving around to plead with the aggrieved members of the party.

The committee today visited Hon. Wole Oke who is one of the Governorship candidates of the party who contested and looses with sen. Akinlabi Olasunkanmi at the party's primary against the party's flag bearer, Sen. Iyiola Omisore.

The All Progressive Congress, APC, is battle ready to devour any adversary come August 9th election as it is evidently clear that it will be very easy for a donkey to pass through the eye of a needle than for opposition to wrestle power from the Aregbesola led administration in Osun state.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 31 MAY 2014 - THEME: IN VIEW? BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 31 MAY 2014 - THEME: IN VIEW? BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 49:16

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

READ: ISAIAH 49:14-16

14 But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.

15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

MESSAGE

UN has added the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to its list of terrorist organisations formally recognised as being associated with al-Qaeda, according to a report by Defenseone.com. The listing puts Nigeria on the UN map of countries having an Al-Qaeda affiliate.

The website said the UN in its statement stated that Boko Haram, “has maintained a relationship with the Organisation of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb for training and material support purposes.”

President Goodluck Jonathan had on Thursday in a national broadcast declared a full war on the group following its abduction of over 200 school girls on April 14, 2014.

Borno State Government Confirms the Death of Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta

The Borno State Government regrets to announce the unfortunate murder of His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta.

The Emir was killed around 9am today following a bloody attack by some gun
men believed to be members of the Boko Haram along Tashan Alade on the
way to Biu town, headquarters of Biu Local Government Area in Southern
Borno State.

The late Emir was in company of the Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn
Muhammadu Askirama and Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza, all of
whom drove in the same vehicle as they headed to Biu to pick the Emir of Biu
so they could all drive in convoy to Gombe State to attend the funeral of the
late Emir of Gombe who is scheduled for burial in Gombe today.

The late Emir of Gwoza had visited his counterpart, the Emir of Uba yesterday and passed the night in Uba ahead of their planned trip today. The two Emirs were this morning, joined by the Emir of Askira. The three drove in the same vehicle with the intention of going to Biu to be joined by their counterpart in Biu.

Unfortunately as they were driving in convoy to Biu, they were ambushed by gun men around Tashan Alade, soon after passing Garkida. The gunmen came after the convoy,specifically targeted the vehicle conveying the three Emirs and opened fire.

Fellow Nigerians, I greet and felicitate with you all, today, as we mark 15 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in our beloved country.

Our dear nation, Nigeria, has certainly come a long way and made notable progress since our first Democracy Day on May 29, 1999 when the military finally relinquished power and handed over to a democratically-elected government, marking the true beginning of a government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Although I have ordered a low-key commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day in deference to the current mood of the nation, there can be no doubt that the past 15 years, the longest period of sustained democratic governance in our country, have been a blessing to us, as a people.

As we commemorate 15 years of our Fourth Republic today therefore, I believe that it is fitting that we pay tribute once again to all those who played a part in restoring our nation to the true path of democratic governance, built on the foundations of rule of law and freedom of expression.

As a result of our collective efforts since 1999, democratic governance is now entrenched in our nation and institutions. I wholeheartedly believe that our people are the better for it. The scope of fundamental rights and liberties enjoyed by our people over the past 15 years has been expanded beyond measure.

The Nigeria's Military Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Friday said the body of Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idris Timta, who died when Boko Haram gunmen attacked a convoy of three emirs had been recovered. The gunmen attacked the convoy of emirs of Gwoza, Uba and Askira who were travelling to Gombe for the funeral of the late Emir of Gombe.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information. The statement said that troops deployed in Garkida responded to the attack and the emirs of Uba and Askira were secured.

It said that troops were currently on patrol along the entire route with a view to apprehending the perpetrators and keeping the area safe. According to the statement, the troops of the Special Task Force (STF) operating in the North-Central part of the country have led to the arrest of 23 members of armed gangs terrorising the area.

Hardly had the hope and inspiration that the President's Democracy Day speech and new found valour set in when, the very next day, we heard some very bad news: Boko Haram had struck again.

This time their targets were not defenceless and innocent little girls and boys at their schools but first class traditional rulers. The killing of the Emir of Gwoza and the abduction of two other Emirs by the terrorists on Friday morning is an indication of the fact that the activities of the Islamist terrorists in Nigeria has reached a new level of barbarity.

It is time for the whole nation, whether they be christians, muslims or traditional worshippers, to come together, close ranks, join hands and cleanse our land of the Haramites and their secret sponsors once and for all.

Contrary the reports that the former director general of NAFDAC and one time Information Minister,Prof. Dora Akunyili is dead, the media adviser to the ailing former NAFDAC DG has debunked the rumour going round that the former Minister of Information is dead.

See the statement released via her official Facebook page.

Pls disregard the rumour about Prof. Dora Akunyili’s purported death. It’s the same baseless rumour circulated every 2/3 days by some people for reasons best known to them. They have been at this for about 4 weeks now and are likely to continue, since they apparently derive pleasure from doing so. The situation, as confirmed by former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, who visited Dora in the hospital earlier this week, is that she is getting better. Thank you all. -Isaac Umunna, Media Adviser to Prof. Dora Akunyili, Lagos, May 30, 2014.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Divorces His Wife, Anita

Christ Embassy Queries – Pastor Chris Oyakhilome‘s marriage to his wife, Anita Oyakhilome has begun to draw concern from the members of Christ Embassy Church in the UK.

The concerned UK members have also gone on to create a Facebook page demanding to know the whereabouts of Rev. Anita Oyakhilome, the wife of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

There were claims today that The Federal Government hired thugs to beat up that Nigerian mothers who for the last 29 days have STOOD with the ‪#‎ChibokGirls‬ in there continuous protest that the presidency should by all means bring back the kidnapped school girls from the den of the Boko Haram terrorists.

The Nigerian Police at the scene look other way as the thugs attacks the helpless women protesters.

The FG TODAY HIRED THUGS to BEAT UP NIGERIAN MOTHERS who for the last 29 days have STOOD with the #ChibokGirls . The @PoliceNG STOOD ALOOF.
— oby ezekwesili (@obyezeks) May 28, 2014

In my previous write up for a New Nigeria. I have asked this big question; Are we not better to back to regional rule? Our colonial master United Kingdom is working from the bases of different cultures within United Kingdom -Wales has their assembly, Scottish has their assembly. And they all send their reps to the House of parliament in London.

We have taken to presidential system that does not work in our country Nigeria due to the fact that we are so corrupts from bottom to the top and power is centralized in Abuja. The economy cannot contain the amount of money our leaders is spending monthly, wasted projects that does not help the masses. Many other factors that we know that cannot work if the power is put on corrupt leaders that are greedy and ready to use you and drop you like wasted tissue.

Nigeria Police Brutally Repress Protesting Polytechnic and Colleges of Education Students, Arrest SaharaTV Camera Crew in Lagos

A team of anti-riot police brutally attacked a peaceful protest by students of Nigerian polytechnics in Lagos earlier today.

The police tear-gassed and assaulted the protesters, and arrested more than 100 students and reporters, including Segun Olawoye, a citizen reporter affiliated with SaharaTV. The arrested students accused the police of also using tear gas on them after they were herded into prison vehicles known as Black Maria.

The protesting polytechnic students said they wanted to draw attention to their plight as they have been out of school for close to nine months owing to a general strike by their lecturers. The protesters accused the Goodluck Jonathan administration of triggering the strike by refusing to honor a 2009 agreement with polytechnic teachers across Nigeria.

It is not that we didn't have enough hints of the chummy relationship between Nigeria and evanescence. Seems like every thing we touch or move close to disappears no matter the size. In 2003 or thereabouts, two fully loaded oil supertankers, MT Jimoh and MT African Pride, vanished from Nigeria's territorial waters after being arrested. Two. Ships. Vanished. Just like that! Our eyes saw pepper before the ships mysteriously reappeared. As the Cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel to elect a successor to Pope John Paul II, I recall that the self-deprecating joke circulating was that if they gave it to the Nigerian in the room, the world could wake up one day to find an empty space where Saint Peter's Basilica currently stands. It was said that we could take advantage of our son's Papacy to disappear the entire Vatican. I thought it was a sick joke.

This is the moment to be sincere to ourselves. Please consider this:
Sometime ago, armed robbers made life very unbearable in South-East. The people of South-East gathered themselves (traders, drivers, motorcyclists, workers), all gathered together, some formed ''Bakasi Boys'', etc, and they went around towns and cities, arrested and killed known robbery kingpins and their members. Some sort of peace returned in South-East.

Also, in South-East, to tackle kidnapping. the APGA govt under Obi and now Obiano initiated a policy that if anyone is caught as kidnapper, his/her houses must be demolished, and govt will take ownership of all his/her properties. Many kidnappers have been flushed out and their houses destroyed.

A former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has commenced efforts to reach out to the extremist Boko Haram sect, in a series of attempts at negotiating with the sect to free over 250 school girls it abducted more than a month ago from Chibok, in Borno State. A source close to the former leader said on Tuesday that Mr. Obasanjo has contacted a go-between, who assisted him in his unsuccessful attempt at mediating with the Boko Haram group in 2011.

The go-between, a lawyer, was led by a prominent civil rights activist, Shehu Sani, to meet with Mr. Obasanjo weekend in his Otta farm in an “exploratory” effort, our source said. Mr. Obasanjo’s 2011 attempt at negotiations with the deadly sect ended on a bloody note with the murder of Babakura Fugu, the man who received him and made effort to establish a link between Boko Haram and the former president.

At least 30 people including Nigerian troops and policemen from a Nigerian military base and police barracks in Buni Yadi died when Boko Haram militants launched yet another attack on Tuesday.

Reports has that Boko Haram terrorists, Tuesday, killed more than 30 persons comprising soldiers, policemen and civilians in separate attacks in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and Chinene village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Divisional Police Officer of Bunu Yadi Division, Superintendent Hassan Thlama, was among the policemen killed, while many others sustained gunshot injuries.

Iranian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Saeid Koozechi has warned the Super Eagles not to underrate the Iranian national or expect to stroll past them when both meet on June 16 for their group F opening match at next month’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Mr Koozechi said the Asian minnow will be a surprise package at the World Cup and will shock Nigeria. He said the Iranians will be a tough nut for the African champions crack.

The wife of the Chairman of the ongoing National Conference, Idris Kutigi, is dead.

Mrs. Mariama died at the National Hospital, Abuja, on Wednesday morning at about 2 a.m.

The death was announced by the leadership of the Conference when it resumed sitting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The conference, therefore, adjourned till Monday.

Premium Times

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR WEDNESDAY 28 MAY 2014 - "THE WISDOM OF MEN" BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

MEMORY VERSE: Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. Deuteronomy 1:39

READ: GENESIS 2:15-17

15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Killings Updates: More than 20 killed in fresh Boko Haram attack

The Islamist Boko Haram group struck again on Sunday killing at least 20 people in Kumuyya village in Borno State.

Reuters reports that the Islamist assailants shot people as they gathered to trade in the village open air market.

A source from the village confirmed that the militants arrived in the early hours of sunday in three military vans and numerous motorcycles. They drove to the residence of the district head and demanded N250, 000 in order to spare the town and its inhabitants. When the community leader told the militants that he could not afford the sum, they asked him to summon other residents of the village to contribute the amount. The villagers were only able to N71,000.

Incensed by their failure to extort more cash from the villagers, armed gangs caught more than 20 villagers, tied their hands, and shot them in the head at point blank. They also set houses on fire and burnt some vehicles loaded with foodstuff.

In a speech that is bound to catch his allies, foes and watchers of his administration by surprise, President Goodluck Jonathan today assured Nigerians that a different government and leadership would be installed in Nigeria in 2015.

Mr. Jonathan made the surprise statement at a “Democracy Day” church service held Sunday in Abuja.

Before the president’s speech, the head of the Nigeria Pilgrims Commission, Reverend John Kennedy Opara, had set the tone when he told the gathering that this year's Democracy Day would be the last to be celebrated by Mr. Jonathan.

Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky who is one of the controversial Islamic scholars and leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria popularly called Shiite Muslim group, has alleged that the leader of the Boko Haram insurgents, Abubakar Shekau was being shielded by the Nigerian military.

Speaking at the Movement’s 2014 Martyr day in Zaria on Sunday, he alleged that the Boko Haram activities were part of covert operation by the developed nations to balkanize Nigeria and plunder its resources. Claiming that he knows the hide out of the nation’s most wanted man, “Abubakar Shekau is presently being kept safe in a military camp.

The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) says at least three people were killed and three others injured in the Saturday night explosion near a football viewing centre at Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

NEMA Coordinator for the North Central , Abdulsalam Abubakar, on Saturday night told the BBC Hausa service that the explosion killed three people and injured three others who were rushed to hospital, adding that the explosion damaged a residential home where the bomb-laden car was parked, but that fire service officials put out the fire quickly to prevent further damage.

Police spokesperson in Plateau state, Felicia Anslem, said only one life was lost in the explosion while 2 others were injured. Mrs. Anslem called for calm, saying security officials have cordoned the area of the blast.

HOW TO LEAD PEOPLE JUSTLY AND FAIRLY - Letter of Caliph Ali bin Abu Talib to Malik Al-Ashtar

....a leadership classic and must read......

Know, O Malik, that I am sending you to a land that has been through many regimes, both just and unjust. People will look at your administrationwith the same critical eye with which you have looked upon previous administrations, and will speak of you in the same way as you have spoken of those other rulers before you….Remember that righteous men are recognised by what God utters about them through the voice of His creatures.

Let your most cherished treasure be your accommodation of good deeds, and this treasure can be collected only through keeping your desires under control, abstain from what is not permitted to you, no matter how ardently you may desire it.

For those placed under your rule, cultivate compassion, kindness and love; do not become a predatory beast, seeking to devour them and regarding that your success. Among them there will be two categories of persons; those who will be your brethren in faith, and those who are nonetheless God’s creatures, like you and liable to mistakes…extend to them forbearance and forgiveness as you seek it yourself from God. Do not exult in meting out punishment. Do not act precipitately when in anger; try instead to avoid and suppress anger.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SUNDAY 25 MAY 2014 - "LUST: ENEMY OF GREATNESS" BY PASTOR E. ADEBOYE

MEMORY VERSE: 3 John 1:2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

READ: 1 JOHN 2:15-17

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

MESSAGE

BREAKING: Another Bomb explodes in Jos football viewing centre

Bomb explodes at a football viewing centre along Bauchi Road in Jos, police spokesperson Felicia Anselm confirms. A team of security agencies deployed to the scene of the fresh blast in city has confirmed one person dead in the incident.

Details later.

BREAKING: Real Madrid win the Champions League for a record 10th time after scoring three goals in extra time

Real Madrid 4 Atletico Madrid 1

Real Madrid defeat city rivals Atletico Madrid to claim a 10th European Cup and end their search for a 10th European Cup.

Three quickfire goals in extra time gave Real Madrid a 4-1 win over city rivals. Real Madrid win the Champions League for a record 10th time after scoring three goals in extra time.

At the 93rd minute, who would have thought 'Real' would win 4-1? Congratulations on the tenth!

Diego Godin opened scoring for Atletico after Iker Casillas error
Sergio Ramos forced extra time with dramatic 93rd-minute header Goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo seal win.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have resolved to impeach Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State,it was learnt yesterday.

According to a source, the Presidency was the brain behind the move. Their decision follows Nyako’s recent memo to Northern governors on the insecurity in that part of the country. The Presidency and the PDP consider the memo a danger to national security.

They are also relying on the reports of security agencies into the allegations contained in Nyako’s letter. The security agencies, including the Police, have faulted Nyako’s observations and rated the letter as “subversive and seditious.”

At least three persons, including a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Abu Haruna, and a corporal, Solomon have been arrested for illegal trafficking of arms and ammunition.

The third suspect, Onuwa Attaka, is the driver of the arms laden vehicle. It was gathered that their confession showed alleged involvement in supply of arms to insurgents in Northern Nigeria.

The three suspects, who were heading to the North from Imo State, were intercepted in Nsukka, Enugu State, by officers and men of the Nigerian Army while travelling in a bus.

Items recovered from them include- 40 AK47 magazines, 4 boxes of AK47 live ammunition, 100 pieces of live cartridges, one piece of Denin Mopol khaki and charms concealed in a cap.

One of the army officers who spoke to reporters under anonymity disclosed that a police corporal serving in Imo State Police Command was also involved in the arms running.

He said: "When we asked the occupants of the vehicle to come down, we discovered a police corporal in uniform among them.The corporal on getting down pretended to be pressed; he later ran away".

It was gathered that the suspects were taken to Nsukka Police Division before their transfer to the state CID.The retired DSP, Abu Haruna, confessed that he had been in the business of arms dealing since he retired from the police.

He said their mission was to supply the ammunition to their buyer in Taraba State.

The source said Haruna further confessed that they decided to go on the supply after the buyer complained that the first batch was incomplete.The Police corporal's identity has been traced to Imo State Police command; his name was simply given as Solomon, even as efforts are still being made to effect his arrest.

Meanwhile, the Nsukka Police Area Commander, ASP. Ros-Amson Haladu has praised the gallantry of the soldiers in combating crimes in the area."I want to commend the Army Officers for their vigilance in tracking down these illegal arms dealers."At the same time, I warn criminals to leave this vicinity or risk being apprehended by security operatives", he said.

Chelsea, PSG agreed on terms for transfer of David Luiz

Chelsea confirm David Luiz has passed a medical and agreed terms with PSG ahead of £50m switch

Brazil international, David Luiz will become the world's most expensive defender as Chelsea Football Club and Paris Saint-Germain have agreed on terms for the transfer of the player to the French club.

The move is now subject to David Luiz agreeing personal terms with PSG and passing a medical examination as PSG medical staff flew to Brazil for medical at the World Cup hosts' training base on Fridayafter Chelsea gave green light.

Boko Haram: Our current Islamic teaching creates violence and hatred toward Non-Muslims - Dr. Tawfik Hamid

"I am a Muslim by faith.... a Christian by spirit....a Jew by heart....and above all I am a human being."Dr. Tawfik Hamid"

Dr. Hamid is an Egyptian scholar and author From the heart of a Muslim - "I was born a Muslim and lived all my life as a follower of Islam. After the barbaric terrorist attacks done by the hands of my fellow Muslims everywhere on this globe, and after the too many violent acts by Islamists in many parts of the world, I feel responsible as a Muslim and as a human being, to speak out and tell the truth to protect the world and Muslims as well from a coming catastrophe and war of civilizations. I have to admit that our current Islamic teaching creates violence and hatred toward Non-Muslims. We Muslims are the ones who need to change.

No Mutiny Iin Maimalari Barracks - Defence Headquarters

The Nigeria Defence Headquarters yesterday announced the discovery of a deadly rocket launcher production facility in Dorayi District in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major-Gen. Chris Olukolade in Abuja. “The discovery follows the arrest of a prominent member of the terrorist group,” the statement said.

“Locally made anti-aircraft gun and mortar accessories, as well as rocket propelled grenade tubes and launcher along with accessories were recovered.

Boko Haram sect kills 30 in reprisal attacks on vigilance groups

Boko Haram Islamist militants are now targeting vigilance group members in Borno State killing about 30 in separate attacks on at least two villages in Borno State on Thursday.

The vigilance members were attacked at Morofo in Marte local government area where 25 were killed and Kinmi in Biu Local government area which lost five residents. The deceased were described as members of the local vigilance groups.

The Boko Haram attacks appeared to be reprisals on vigilance groups following the recent killing of scores of Boko Haram members by vigilance groups in two communities in the state. Most villages have formed vigilance groups to protect their communities from militant attacks.

Global Overview 2014: people internally displaced by conflict and violence - Nigeria

~Number of IDPs 3,300,000
~Percentage of total population Up to 2%
~Start of displacement situation1999
New displacement in 2013: At least 470,500

Causes of displacement
✓ Armed conflict
✓ Generalised violence
✓ Human rights violations

The militant extremist armed group Boko Haram carried out an increasing number of brutal attacks during 2013, which triggered significant new displacement in north-eastern Nigeria. The attacks, as well as heavy-handed counterinsurgency operations, also compounded ongoing inter-communal conflict in the country's central Middle Belt region. There are concerns that the violence may increase as the 2015 elections draw nearer and political allegiances shift.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 24 MAY 2014 "THE COVENANT OF TOTAL RECOVERY" BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 24 MAY 2014 "THE COVENANT OF TOTAL RECOVERY" BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

MEMORY VERSE: Philippians 4:19

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
READ: GENESIS 17:1-7
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

#BringBackOurGirls: Group Plans Protest March To Presidential Villa In Abuja

Security was on Thursday morning beefed up around the Presidential Villa as marches and rallies to keep the pressure on Abuja officials keenly fixed on the whereabouts and the rescue of over 250 young female students in Borno, continues. Perhaps the most dramatic Nigerian gathering will bring the pressure to the door of the president’s home.

In a press release by the group, there was an announcement of the march to the presidential villa set for Thursday the 22nd of May. The release read in part:

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Saturday 31 May 2014

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No Mutiny Iin Maimalari Barracks - Defence Headquarters

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