Sunday 4 September 2016
Saturday 3 September 2016
Garba Shehu writes "What is President Buhari doing with the economy"?
LET me start by asking an important question: who wants to kill racy introspection?xxx There is a cacophony of voices telling the Muhammadu Buhari administration to close its eyes to the past; that given the enormous tasks that lie ahead, history and its consequences for our nation should be the least of the government’s preoccupation at this juncture.
I disagree. Let us keep a fiery memory of the past so that we don’t repeat its mistakes. Look back, look ahead. The future must of necessity be built on the foundations of the past.xx The Conservative Party took power in Britain six years ago from Labour. Check the British press, they are talking about Labour 24/7, is anyone complaining?
Japheth Omojuwa, one of Nigeria’s top three influencers seemed tasked in his patience reacting to calls that we must stop talking about the immediate past administration in this country.
“People are still talking about who ran governments in 1865 you want us to forget those who left government last year? (Expletive)”Music icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who many agree was a philosopher disguised as Afro-musician taught in one of his songs that without knowing where you are coming from, you won’t know where you are going. Wise men say that the empty can doesn’t disappear by simply kicking it down the road.
To avoid repeating the past mistakes, Nigerians must come to terms with what went wrong with the past, how bad were things, what was done wrongly, what the past government should have done, before we come to what needs to be done to right those wrongs. Believe me, episodes from the Jonathan era can fill books, and other possibilities such as courtroom drama thriller. Against this backdrop, I sought to hear our erudite Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun on where we are coming from, vis-a-vis the administration’s chosen path to recovery and accelerated growth. What is the administration doing to revitalize the economy? She spoke at length on the many measures being put in place, many of which are not glamorous. They of necessity come with pain. Why should Nigerians be asked to endure pains? Why should they be asked to make adjustments?
The simple explanation is that the economy was broken, and just as they do the broken leg, you must bear the pain of fixing it. The current situation was caused by years of mismanagement and corruption. As explained by President Buhari again and again, trumpeted by Madam Adeosun and other senior officials, we solely relied on oil, the price of which was as high as US$140 per barrel. Government simply reticulated oil revenue through personal spending by corrupt leaders, wasteful expenses and salaries. This was done rather than investing in what would grow the economy. Economies grow due to capital investment in assets like seaports, airports, power plants, railways, roads and housing. Nigeria has not recorded a single major infrastructural project in the last 10 years. In short the money was mismanaged.
In addition to failing to spend money on what was needed, no savings were made by Government unlike other countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Norway. To compound the problem, the previous government was borrowing heavily and owed contractors, and international oil companies. When this government took over we had accumulated debt back to the level it was before the Paris Club Debt Forgiveness.
All these factors were building up to Nigeria heading for a major crisis if the price of oil fell. Nigeria did not have fiscal buffers to withstand an oil shock.
The oil shock should and could have been foreseen. These are matters that both the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II and Professor Chukwuma Soludo, both of them eminent former Central Bank Governors had occasions to warn the government of the day about, but they were clobbered. The dire warning was written all over the wall, but they were ignored by Nigeria’s economic managers.
What should they have done?
They should have had the courage and vision to do as the present administration is doing through the Economic Team, the Ministry of Finance under Madam Adeosun and the various agencies of the state to envision a better future by first of all fighting corruption. Look at what a civilian administration is today doing to the military, investigating their finance and accounts that the military could not do to themselves.
See what the current administration is doing sanitize the huge salary bill by eliminating payroll fraud. So far, the federal payroll has been rid of about 40,000 ghost workers. More than eight billion Naira stolen monthly has been saved.
We are also saving on wasteful expenses like First Class Travel and Private jets for official trips.
The federal government is not limiting the reforms to the centre but forcing State Governments to reform their spending and build savings or investments.
Government is also increasing spending on capital projects especially on infrastructure needed to make Nigerian businesses competitive and create jobs. The administration is at the same time blocking leakages that allowed government revenues to be siphoned into private hands.
Currently, there is focus on key sectors (apart from oil) that can create jobs and or generate revenue such as Agriculture, Solid Minerals and Manufacturing. If these things had been done when the oil price was as high as US$140 per barrel, Nigeria would not be in the current predicament. We would not be suffering now if we had no cash reserves but we had regular supply of power, a good rail system, good roads and good housing.
Now that the oil has fallen as low as US$28 per barrel, it is very difficult to do what is needed but they must be done to save Nigeria. There is no other way if we want to be honest.
Wodia Training Institute (WOTI) Invitation To Management Training Program.
Participation should be confirmed by sending an
email to support@thewodia.org
or by calling +234 802 307 9485;
+234 813 375 4358.
Payment: After confirmation of participation,
payment should be made into any branch of
Zenith Bank, Account number 1012416876 to
Account name "WODIA Training Institute".
Course Contents:
-Effective Service Delivery.
-Effective Delegation.
-Computer-Aided Filing System.
- Efficient Record Keeping and Information Management.
- Time Management.
-Performance Management.
-Computer-Aided Filing System.
- Efficient Record Keeping and Information Management.
- Time Management.
-Performance Management.
- Organizational Skills.
-Office Maintenance and Security Consciousness.
-Stress and Anger Management.
-Office Maintenance and Security Consciousness.
-Stress and Anger Management.
Objectives:
Objectives are to enhance the competencies of the
participants in office administration and management.
After the course, Attendees will improve their
After the course, Attendees will improve their
performance management, confidentiality and
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strengthen their abilities to
mobilize team for goal attainment.
Participants will develop better time, people,
Participants will develop better time, people,
stress and anger management and their
Information Technology skills of
data management will be promoted.
Fee covers Tuition, Writing Materials,
Resource Materials, Workshop Bags,
Tea, Lunch, Group Photograph and
Certificate of Participation stating all
Courses Undertaken.
Learning Skills:
At the end of the training, Participants would have:
- improved their service delivery competencies,
organizational, communication and
people management skills;
-identified how to manage their anger
and stress at work place;
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that of the staff with higher efficiency;
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engagement;
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knowledge of data management;
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Heads of Divisions, Managers of Private Companies,
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EFFECTIVE OFFICE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
EFFECTIVE OFFICE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
TRAINING WILL:
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About
WODIA Training Institute (WOTI)
-Registered by the Federal Government of Nigeria
as an Accredited Management Training
Institution in Nigeria.
- Has experienced and highly competent
- Has experienced and highly competent
professionals as her Resource Faculties.
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-Utilizes effective Methodologies and modern
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-Accredited British Safety Council Tuition Provider.
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of Four-storey building complex that can
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from over 900 organizations within and outside Nigeria.
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- Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB);
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-Voluntary Service of Cameroon;
-Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, Minna,
Niger State, Nigeria;
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Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC)
In- House Training Programs are available
for organizations.
For more details, Please call any of the above
numbers or send an email to support@thewodia.org
Remember that training your staff will:
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Remember that training your staff will:
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Company Address
WODIA Training Institute
The Boat House, 21, Ogunnusi Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Phone :
+234802307 9485 +234 813 375 4358.
Email: support@thewodia.org
website: http://www.thewodia.org/woti.h
Phone :
+234802307 9485 +234 813 375 4358.
Email: support@thewodia.org
website: http://www.thewodia.org/woti.h
Mike Tee - Sugar Lover (video & audio)
Sugar lover video tells a story of a Man who hasn't had the opportunity to love a woman and is being pressurized by his mother and people to find a wife and coincidentally falls in love with a girl who is a spirit unknowing to him and at the end she........... well watch for yourself and see how it ends. Indeed, it's a great video and a beautiful song.
twitter : @callmemiketee
instagram : @callmemiketee
facebook:@callmemiketee101
youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/
itunes: https://itunes.apple.c
http://old.hulkshare.com/dl/yl
Ambode’s convoy saves motorists from armed robbers on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
However, luck ran out on the robbers when the convoy of Gov. Ambode, was returning from Osun State where Ambode had attended the President Buhari’s visit, realized that the police officers were fake and were in fact robbing people. The Governor's entourage engaged the robbers in a gun fight.
A source at the governor’s office confirmed that they infact saved motorists from being robbed by the crooks.
UNILAG Best Debaters Get Cash, Laptops As Prizes (Photos)
The University of First Choice and the Nation's Pride had
the 6th edition of her annual debate championship.
Of the 24 teams representing all the school's faculties and
College of medicine, only 4 made it to the final round to
battle.
The Faculty of Education came 4th in the debate while the
Faculty of Social Sciences came 3rd. With the faculty of
Law clinging the 2nd position, the debate was won by the
faculty of Business Administration.
Each of the two representatives of the Faculty of Social
sciences went home with 75,000 each
While the Law representatives went home with 100,000 each.
The winners went away with 150,000 each and two laptops.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University presented the
plagues and prizes to the finalists.
This is highly commendable even as we hope other Nigeria
universities start seeing the need for engagements like this.
Wednesday 31 August 2016
Nigeria and UK sign MoU for the return of looted assetsNigeria and UK sign MoU for the return of looted assets
Federal Government of Nigeria and the British Government today Tuesday August 30th signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the modalities for the return of Nigerian looted assets. The move is a follow up to the agreement reached at the London anti-corruption summit in May.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja, noted that the MoU reflected the willingness of both countries to continue cooperation and mutual support.
He outlined the objectives of the MoU to include the fact that the processes of returning stolen assets was a partnership recognising the interest of both countries and based on mutual understanding, confidence and trust. That both countries recognised that they have a mutual interest in ensuring that returned assets are not at risk of being misappropriated again.
"And that both countries recognised they have obligations toward their own citizens for providing such assurances. That both countries recognised the importance of ensuring that the highest possible standard of transparency and accountability are applied for the return of assets." Malami said.
He assured the international community that all funds recovered would be judiciously utilised for projects that would benefit poor Nigerians. Leader of the UK delegation, British Minister of State for Immigration, Robert Goodwill, said that the MoU provided the mechanism by which monies could be returned.
"Our ability to recover and return stolen assets should send a clear message to all who may seek to habour such assets that there is no safe haven in the U.K," he said. "We are keen to do this as soon as the necessary legal process allow. As outlined at the summit, we will be taking steps to accelerate the procedures for identification and confiscation of illegally acquired assets."
He said that they were as committed as Nigeria in ensuring that beneficial ownership of assets was made available to relevant authorities so they know who the real owners of assets held in the UK are.
“Forty jurisdictions, including British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies announced that they will automatically share beneficial ownership information relating to companies, trusts, foundations, Shell companies and other relevant entities and legal arrangements. It is important that everyone can see how returned assets are used to benefit Nigerians. We have therefore agreed in this MoU to be fully transparent about this."
Presidency list 6 things Nigeria gained from Pres. Buhari's recent trip to Kenya
The
presidency in this statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to President
Buhari on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, listed six gains for Nigeria from
President Buhari's recent trip to Kenya where he attended the Tokyo
International Conference on African Development ( TICAD VI). Read the statement
below
TOKYO
International Conference on African Development, "TICAD 6" just ended
in Nairobi, Kenya and in attendance were several African Presidents and Prime
Ministers including our own Muhammadu Buhari and the co-convener of the
conference, Shinzo Abe, the head of the Japanese government.The TICAD seeks a
win-win partnership between Japan and Africa. A key objective of the conference
is to build up African ownership of its own vision of growth and development.
In
furtherance of this, Japan seeks to differ with the other players on the
continent by placing emphasis on high quality infrastructure that do more than
job creation by transferring technology through the training of youth and
women.
The
conference held every five years from the time it started in 1993 until the
last one in 2003 when it was decided that it should be convened every three years
instead. The one that just finished is significant in the sense that this was
the first time it took place in Africa. They met in Japan all the time in the
past.
Another
significant departure is the recognition of the role of the private sector in
the economic take-off of the continent. In this respect, more than 100 Chief
Executive Officers, CEOs from leading Japanese companies accompanied Prime
Minister Abe. This is a clear indication that more and more Japanese companies
are eying the African continent. A modest number of Nigerian business and
state-owned enterprises were equally present.
From its
start, Prime Minister Abe made known the intention of Japan to spend 10 Billion
Dollars in the next twelve months and overall USD 30 Billion over a three-year
period on areas key to African economies, targeting infrastructural projects
such as roads, energy, ports, hospitals and training institutions. The money
will partly be disbursed through the African Development Bank, ADB.
At the end
of the conference, a statement tagged "Nairobi Declaration" was
issued. Among its highlights is the launching of "Initiative for Food and
Nutrition Security for Africa, IFNA." This aims to bring African
governments together to swiftly implement food and nutrition security policies
and programs. There were important resolutions taken on economic
diversification and industrialization; promotion of "resilient health
system for quality of life" and measures for the promotion social
stability and shared prosperity.
For Nigeria
in particular, "TICAD 6" milestones include the important meeting
between President Buhari and Prime Minister Abe, at which event problems
militating against the inflow of Japanese investment into Nigeria were
discussed and agreed upon.
Japanese
companies had done a lot by way of investment in the past in Nigeria but there
has noticeably been a drop in the last decade or two. Chiefly to blame is the
problem of security, disguised in official discussions as "business
environment."
President
Buhari used this meeting effectively in giving assurances that the problem is
being addressed. Boko Haram terrorism is nearly gone and sabotage in the Niger
Delta will soon be ended preferably through dialogue and if not, by force of
arms.
Coming into
close personal contact for the second time, the two leaders discussed the
issues of trade and investment, health, peace and development of the continent.
In addition, they discussed issues in diplomacy and international relations.
President
Buhari's statement at the Head of States' round table meeting with business
leaders underscored the serious efforts government is making to improve
Nigeria's notoriously bad business environment.
At this
meeting, he announced the coming into place of a soon-to-be inaugurated
"Presidential Enabling Business Council, PEBEC."
He described
it as an inter-ministerial council to oversee the efforts of government to
remove various bottlenecks that stifle business and economic activity to give
way to the right enabling environment and investment climate in Nigeria. It
will be powered by the government but will be private-sector driven.
According to
its vision, the PEBEC will make Nigeria one of the most attractive business
destinations in the world. It will start with the modest effort of moving the
country up 20 points in the World Bank ranking in the ease of doing business in
the first year, taking it into the top 100 at the end of the four-year mandate
of the current administration.
A third
takeaway is on the sidelines of the TICAD where the Nigerian government
delegation met a good number of big Japanese enterprises. Collectively and
individually, these businesses expressed their intention of either coming in
newly or expanding their participation in Nigeria's private sector. The
companies with varied interests in power, agriculture, automobile, motor
cycles, textiles, financing and the service sector included the Honda
Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited, representing Honda Motor Co. Ltd; Japan
Tobacco Inc., Marubeni Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation.
Others
included Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Tsusho (Nigeria) Ltd., an affiliate
of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, West African Seasoning Co. Ltd., affiliate of
Ajinomoto Co. Inc., and Japan External Trade Organization, JETRO.
At these
meetings, they explored the scope for the incentive packages the Nigerian
government will give them so as to deepen and expand their investments. These
included export rebates, access to Foreign Exchange, land, interest rates,
transparency in business regulation and favourable regulatory structure.
The fourth
important takeaway is the formation of a new group KENSA made up of industry
leaders on the continent, Kenya representing East Africa, Egypt for North
Africa, South Africa for the South and Nigeria, from West Africa.
The four
countries agreed to consolidate their quadrilateral grouping initiated at the
19th July UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) meeting
and decided to expand business and trade between the four of them, inject
impetus into the CFTA, the African Union-inspired free trade agreement among
African countries and to coordinate their positions on trade and investment
inside and outside Africa.
Fifth,
Nigeria and Kenya seized the opportunity of the meeting of their leaders to not
only strengthen bilateral relations but to follow up on the achievements of the
State Visit to Nairobi by President Buhari earlier this year.
From the
time of the visit, both countries have seen a growing impetus for trade and
investment between them. Kenya which discovered oil lately is picking lessons
from Nigeria's vast experience in oil and gas. Nigeria is learning from Kenyan
experience in managing animal grazing. There are efforts on both sides to share
experience and promote private sector participation in trade, cooperatives,
micro finance, cotton farming and palm oil processing.
Sixth, under
the auspices of the Bank of Industry and the Nigerian Investment Promotion
Council NIPC, several memoranda of understanding, MOUs were signed between
Nigerian parties and their foreign counterparts. From many of these,
investments and jobs will follow.
On the
President's delegation were the Ministers of Agriculture, Health, Budget and
National Planning, and Industry, Trade and Investment.
There were
also the National Security Adviser, NSA and the Director-General, National
Intelligence Agency, NIA.
Members of
the delegation expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the conference and
the side engagements
Thursday 18 August 2016
Prophet Joshua Iginla predicts Zambia election -watch video
It was gathered that it generated a lot of controversies especially when popular prophets across the world especially one from South Africa has chosen the opposition party as winner when the election would hold. Reports revealed that during Iginla’s three days crusade in Zambia On the 5th – 7th of May, 2016
In a Prophecy on December 31, 2015, He said
‘The economy will improve but not as expected. The election in Zambia will be will be like two lions fighting. The president should pray in terms of the election because I see betrayals from his camp and so called faithfuls. But in my vision, I see someone trying to pull him from his seat, yet he remain in the seat’’Sources from Zambia confirmed that all he said about the election which took place on Thursday, 11th of August, 2016 came to pass.
It was a tough time for the Zambians as the battle for the seat of the President was one of a kind, one that has never being experienced.
The battle was between the Leader of Patrotic Front, who is also the sitting President, Edgar Lungu and his opponent, representing United Party for National development, Hakainde Hichilema.
The result of the election was released on Monday, 15th of August, 2016, in favour of President Edgar Lungu, confirming Joshua Iginla’s prophecy.
According to reports, Zambia’s incumbent President Edgar Lungu has been declared the winner of a closely fought presidential election, but the result was immediately challenged by his main opponent Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu, leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), won 50.35 percent of Thursday’s vote, against 47.67 percent for Hichilema, of the United Party for National Development (UPND), the Electoral Commission of Zambia said on Monday. The opposition party quickly, however, rejected the result, claiming the electoral commission had colluded to rig the vote against its candidate, to confirm the prophecy.
Similarly, In 2014, when Zambia President at that time, Michael Sata passed on after suffering from a strange illness, and an election was to be carried out, the Fiery Prophet, Joshua Iginla predicted that Edgar Lungu will be the President of the country whenever the election is carried out, even though Sata’s vice President, Dr Scott was appointed as acting President, Lungu was however appointed as the President after the election was observed.
FG propose bill for Nigerians to pay 9% tax on calls, SMS, MMS, Data, others
Speaking at a function organized by the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, LCCI yesterday, Shittu said the introduction of the new taxes without harmonising existing ones would put pressure on the country’s tax system thereby making it unattractive to investors.
According to him, the outcome of deliberations on the bill would form the basis of his advice to the President.
"This may also be counter-productive in the long run for our targets on broadband penetration. Our ICT Roadmap gives fresh impetus for implementing existing policies and reviewing any that is inimical to the growth of the sector. My focus on any tax regime will be to align any process that will stimulate the economy and also ensure that the tax system is efficient by widening the tax net. It is also to create an effective framework for tax compliance to protect the poor and vulnerable in the society who nonetheless have to use telecoms services for social inclusion and financial services.” According to Shittu, the bill is being considered as a way to help increase the revenue generation of the Federal government.
“I have been reliably informed that the projected earnings from this effort is over N20 billion every month, which is an attraction to the government for funding our budget deficits. I must be quick to say that this government has a human face twined around its decisions"he said The minister added that the government would provide an enabling environment for the ICT and telecommunication sector to thrive through the enactment of relevant legislation.
South Sudan conflict: Sacked VP Riek Machar goes into exile
The sacked vice-president of South Sudan has left the country, weeks after deadly clashes between his troops and government forces in the capital.
A spokesperson said Riek Machar was in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa but that he wanted to travel on to Ethiopia.
According to the Associated Press news agency, the UN had indicated Mr Machar was in danger and had assisted him.
He initially fled the capital, Juba, during violence in July.
A UN spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said the UN had learned on Wednesday that Mr Machar was
in DR Congo near the South Sudan border and decided to airlift him to Kinshasa.
The UN official said Mr Machar needed to be airlifted to safety and that he had been given medical assistance.
Mr Machar demanded a neutral force be deployed in July to keep peace and guarantee his safety after his bodyguards and President Salva Kiir's presidential guards fought each other, sparking days of violence.
Hundreds of people died and more than 100,000 fled across the border.
The fighting erupted less than a year after a peace deal was signed to form a unity government and end the civil war.
Abia governorship: Appeal court vacates High court's judgement nullifying Ikpeazu's election
The judgement had almost thrown the state into confusion after INEC immediately issued Ikpeazu's rival, Uche Ogah, a certificate of return as instructed by Justice Abang. The situation however came under control after Ikpeazu filed for an appeal on the ruling
Marriage is beyond cooking - Pastor Chris Ojigbani
Below is what the pastor wrote
Recently, there was this controversy going on in the social media that a man shouldn’t marry a woman who doesn’t know how to cook or a woman who doesn’t pray for an hour. So, I deem it necessary to clarify the issue. As the apostle of marriage, it’s my responsibility to clarify the issue to avoid causing more delayed marriage, separation and divorce in the world.
This is the will of God concerning the issue: You must not use cooking as a criterion for choosing your spouse. Though food is important in life, cooking must not be used as a criterion for choosing a spouse. Why? I tell you three reasons.
First, a woman who doesn’t know how to cook can actually learn how to cook. Second, a woman can employ the services of a professional cook. Third, a husband can tolerate if his wife doesn’t cook very well. Tolerance is important in marriage because everybody has weaknesses, both husbands and wives. If a woman doesn’t know how to cook, it should be regarded as a weakness and the husband has to tolerate in order to be happy. It’s very wrong for a man to divorce his wife because she doesn’t know how to cook. Nobody used cooking as a criterion for choosing a spouse in the Bible. In fact, when Isaac married Rebekah, he didn’t meet her, it was his servant that proposed marriage to Rebekah on behalf of Isaac and paid the bride price even before Isaac set his eyes on Rebekah. So in Christianity, we don’t use cooking as a criterion for choosing a spouse.
It’s also important you note that praying for an hour must not be used as a criterion for choosing a spouse. There is no scripture that says Christians must pray for an hour before they become good Christians. What Jesus Christ asked his disciples was: why couldn’t they watch with Him for an hour. Watching is different from praying. And when they failed to watch with him for an hour, they didn’t cease to be Christians. Even Peter, who couldn’t watch for an hour became the head of the disciples. If Peter couldn’t watch for an hour and still became the head of the disciples, why should we use praying for an hour as a criterion for choosing a spouse?
Do you know that vain repletion is a sin in Christianity? Jesus Christ said that we should not speak much in prayer. In Matthew 6:7-8, the Bible says that speaking much in prayer is a sin. If you need something, you should ask your Father what you need. Just go straight to the point - the Bible says that He already knows what you need, even before you ask Him. So, if you are not yet married and you are a man, never you use cooking as a criterion for choosing your spouse. It’s very wrong. God will not be happy with you if you do something like that.
I am speaking to you as the apostle of marriage that God has sent to correct the wrong doctrines of marriage in the world. Get married, not because a woman knows how to cook, but because she is a good woman. If you marry someone that knows how to cook and she is not good, what happens to you? Man shall not live by bread alone.
If you are a married man under the sound of my voice, never you divorce your wife because she doesn’t know how to cook. You can teach her how to cook or you tolerate her. Marriage is about tolerance. And as a husband, it’s important you note that it’s your responsibility to nourish your wife, tolerate her, forgive her, and take good care of her. It’s a job you have to do.
God bless you. I love you! Don’t forget: marriage is beyond cooking; marriage is beyond praying for an hour. Marriage is an old fashioned institution. It’s the oldest institution and must be honored.
A look into Ebube Nwagbo’s movie and our today’s youth - by Amaechi Ossai
The youth of today are under pressure. Consciously or unconsciously, the youth box themselves into a needless spot in their pursuit to belong and be termed “popular, cool, fashionable, hip” in today’s pop culture. This need to “fit in” also comes with the added advantage of being accepted by their peers.
In this quest, the youth act indifferent in the face of the damning consequences that lie up ahead. To the youth, they are in-tune with global trends in fashion, music and lifestyle. They “know” everything. Yet, they are totally blind to the end result of their choices.
Of late, unplanned pregnancy has become a common issue. To them, having sex is an integral part of “coming of age” and those who have the good sense to abstain and concentrate on their education, are considered to be strung up, and to use street lingo, “wack” by their peers.
The day a girl discovers that she is pregnant she mentally receives a sudden shot of reality check, and those issues that she was indifferent about all the while starts coming to the fore. She suddenly realizes that her dreams and aspirations were about to take a backseat. She no longer thinks about herself in exclusivity, but about taking full responsibility for another human being. A responsibility she is mentally ill-prepared and ill-equipped to shoulder, financially and emotionally.
To make matters worse, instead of seeking informed opinions, she leans on her peers for advice; ill-informed advice. Some forcing marriage on the fellow who is responsible for her unborn baby, a fellow who may be ill-prepared to shoulder the consequences of his actions. The outcome from such contrived situation is anything but pleasant.
In my view, these pitfalls are avoidable. And it starts with the youth setting their priorities right from the onset. The youth should cling to education and self-development and actualization instead of engaging in activities capable of circumventing their entire future prospects. An educated youth is an informed youth. And an informed youth knows what is right and proper at the right time and under the proper conditions.
I posit that the only way to prevent teenage pregnancy is education. Educating the minds of the youth is the key. I believe that organizing talks on this issue, formal and informal, will go a long way in addressing this scenario. One veritable informal platform is entertainment: the big screen to be precise.
This writer was privileged to watch a sneak preview of a new movie from the stables of Poshworld Productions titled NOT ENOUGH, starring Alex Ekubo, Ebube Nwagbo, Oge
The storyline of the movie dwells basically on youth issues. I recommend this movie to the youth. The movie can also be used as material for youth issues-based workshops and seminars. Also, the youth should make it a priority to watch the movie when it is eventually released for public viewing.
Today’s youth need a reality check. Sex is not love. Love is not sex. Both are not interchangeable. Pregnancy is not, and will never be a ticket to forcing marriage on a man who is not prepared for it. Marriage is a good thing. But marriage under duress is a misnomer.
The right priorities over time, strengthen self-esteem, engender self-actualization and guarantee a great future.
Photos: Pres. Buhari declares open the annual meeting of the Association of African Central Banks
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