Why we’ve not defeated Boko Haram – Jonathan

ABUJA—President Goodluck Jonathan said, yesterday, that the fight against Boko Haram terrorists has taken so long because Nigerians were not yet fully united to fight the menace.

Speaking at an interdenominational Church service to mark the country’s 54th Independence celebration, President Jonathan said when Nigerians are fully united, there is no problem that they cannot overcome.

Citing the case of Ebola Virus Disease which Nigeria has effectively contained, President Jonathan said despite political differences, Nigerians were able to unite across political, ethnic and religious divide to fight it.

While thanking religious leaders and other Nigerians for their continued prayers for the country, the President said their prayers have continued to sustain the country.“God knows that we have challenges and before they came up, God knew. Because of the prayers of Nigerians, we will overcome our challenges. God is with Nigerians and we will overcome our challenges. If we are united there is no problem we cannot conquer.

We were able to defeat Ebola because Nigerians were united and agreed that we should fight it. We have not defeated Boko Haram because Nigerians are not all united yet”, he said.

President Jonathan enjoined politicians to be cautious in their struggle for political space, saying the interest of the country should be the driving factor.

“When I listen to some comments by some highly placed individuals, I feel sorry for this country. There are some of us who, while struggling to get what we desire, forget that we can not get it if we destroy our country. So, if we come together, while pursuing whatever achievement we want, since we don’t have any other country than Nigeria, I am sure we will overcome Boko Haram.

“We were able to defeat Ebola because Nigerians agreed together to wage war against the disease. That is the strength of unity. Some of the challenges we are having, whether kidnapping or the greatest problem which is terror, it is because all of us have not united to fight these challenges.”

He commended the Armed Forces for their efforts at containing terrorism and called for  encouragement from Nigerians to do better.

“Let us commend the security services because if some of you know what they pass through, and the sabotage, you will appreciate the little they have done.”

In his sermon, President  of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejefor prayed for God to use the occasion of the independence day celebration to bring back peace and unity to the country.

The CAN president explained that all the problems facing Nigeria as a nation were self inflicted, including corruption and terrorism, perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect.

He said corruption in Nigeria was caused by poverty mentality as a result of people not being satisfied with what they have. According to him, the country’s woes were also caused by those who are desperate to take power.

Pastor Orisejefor, who noted that Nigeria was being troubled by Nigerians, said: “Troublers of Nigeria, get ready for judgement. It doesn’t matter what level you are, the judgement of God will find those who are troubling Nigeria.”

He disagreed with insinuations that the level of terrorism in the country was as a result of poverty. “Terrorism  is not fuelled by poverty but poverty can create an environment where more people can be recruited.”

Quoting from the Bible in Acts chapter 5, the CAN president also warned Nigerian women to desist from shielding their husbands who perpetrate crimes against the country.

Pastor Orisejefor stressed the need for deliberate steps to “de-radicalise those who are radicalised because of extremist religious beliefs”, addin that Nigerians should support the military.

The first reading was taken from the book of 1 Sam 30: 1-19 by Justice Walter Onoghen while Senate President David Mark took the second reading from Mark 4:35-41.

A special prayer which was sent from the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis I was read at the service.

Other dignitaries who attended the event included deputy senate President Ike Ekweremadu; deputy speaker Emeka Ihedioha; former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon; former head of Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan; Secretary to the Government of the Federation Ayim Pius Ayim; Head of Service of the Federation, Ambassadors of Israel and Greece, the service chiefs and Arch Bishop Nicholas Oko, Primate of the Anglican Communion, among others.

culled from vanguardng

$9.3m arms deal: You have no justification to criticise Oritsejafor, group tells Okogie

ABUJA – The Christians United Against Boko Haram (CUAB), yesterday, berated the former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie for his comments on the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor on the $9.3million arms deal in South Africa.

Okogie was quoted to have, while reacting to the $9.3 million arms deal in South Africa, criticized Oritsejafor for establishing a University and for allegedly romancing with President Goodluck Jonathan, saying it had totally derailed him (Oritsejafor) from the essence of Christian leadership.

But the Executive Secretary of CUABH, Deacon Olusola Oyedokun in a statement issued on Sunday, in Abuja, said Okogie’s attack on the integrity of the current CAN President was hypocritical and unbecoming of a man of his personality.

CUAB told Okogie to keep quiet, because under him Nigeria was taken to the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

While urging him “to be mindful of his words and avoid being used by enemies of the Body of Christ”, the statement warned that “those who live in glass houses should not throw doyens at the undeserving.”

Oyedokun expressed disappointment that Okogie could compare his tenure to that of Oritsejafor.

He said, “As CAN President under whom a secular Nigeria was taken to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Okogie has very little moral grounds to stand on to attack the integrity of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor whose name invokes apprehension in those who wish to entrench one religion over the other in Nigeria.

“We are surprise at Okogie for criticizing Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor for opening a University and wonder whether Cardinal Okogie considers education as Haram. To recall that if opening universities was wrong, then the Catholic Church has participated in the wrong doing by being behind Madonna University. It is double standards for Cardinal Okogie to close his eyes to Madonna University and attack Pastor Ayo’s University.”

Oyedokun urged Cardinal Okogie not to act on rumour and innuendo with regards the $9.3 million that was to be used by the Office of the National Security Adviser to buy arms.

He said that if people were to act on rumour and innuendo, certain people would not be able to explain exotic videos for which they were rumored to have appeared.

culled from vanguardng

Oh dear! Check out what Doris Simeon wore to Oct. 1st premiere

Celebs stormed Kunle Afolayan's October 1st movie premiere last night all dressed in old school outfits and hair. This is what actress Doris Simeon wore to the event. That hair though. Very creative!

source:lindaikeji

Pics from the 54th Independence Anniversary interdenominational service

President Jonathan, First Lady Patience Jonathan and other top government functionaries celebrated Nigeria's 54th independence at an interdenominational service at the National Christian Center Abuja yesterday Sunday Sept. 28th. See more photos after the cut...

Abortion is ungodly and unbiblical - Pastor Enoch Adeboye

The GO of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye, says abortion is ungodly and unbiblical. He made his position known via his Special Assistant on Personnel and Administration, Pastor Johnson Odesola, at the monthly prayer and thanksgiving service organised for pregnant women at the RCCG National Headquarters in Ebutte-Metta, Lagos.

"You can prevent pregnancy but once the egg and the sperm meet and is formed, anything that suggests that it should be terminated is against God’s word. The option of abortion is an option preferred by medical professionals but as Christians, we believe in miracles and that God is able to take away every problems. There is nothing God cannot do even if the life of the woman is at stake; pray for a divine intervention and God who created the universe knows what to do in any situation we find ourselves as we look up to him in faith.” pastor Odesola said on behalf of pastor Adeboye

So wait, if the life of the woman is at stake, she shouldn't abort but pray for divine intervention? I'm totally against abortion, but I also think it's okay to go ahead if you're advised by your doctor to terminate it if your life is at stake. What do you guys think?

source: lindaikeji

Liberian mother claims her baby turned into a man in seconds & ran away

Nothing you will not hear in this world...lol. This report is so silly but the only reason I'm sharing it is because not only did it make newspaper front page news, there are quite a few people in Liberia who believe this story and have expressed shock over what happened. Yes, really! Hehe

According to the story, a Liberian mother is claiming her 2 months old son transformed into a full grown man in seconds right in front of her eyes and ran into the bush. The 16 year old mother said she was on her way to the farm carrying her baby on her back on Tuesday September 23rd when the baby asked her to put him down. (2 months-old talk now? lol) When she did, she claims he turned into a man and ran away. For real? Read the full bizarre nonsense story after the cut...


From Liberian Observer

Residents of Foquelleh in Panta District in Bong County were said to have been in unbelievable shock when a two-month-old baby, identified by family members as Smith Freeman, Tuesday, September 23, morning grew into a full grown man and escaped into the bush with his mother’s lappa.

According to the mother of the child, Lorpu Kollie, 16, on Tuesday she and the child were on their way to the farm when the child on her back tied in lappa spoke to her and told her to put him down.

She told the Daily Observer that as they approached the crossroad, the child repeated his call on the mother to untie her lappa and put him down.   As soon as she put the baby down, she continued, the two-month-old boy instantaneously began to grow into a full grown man!

Lorpu Kollie narrated that the child informed her that he (the child) was on his way back home since his grandmother, Lorpu Kollie’s mother, was in the constant practice of raining insult at him.  He even threatened bring incense and garlic into the home.

“This was my first time seeing a two-month-old baby talking so clearly like a five year old child,” Lopu Kollie explained through a mobile phone interview with our reporter.

She told the Daily Observer the baby who grew into man immediately took away her lappa and made his way with it into the bush.

The 16-year-old mother intoned that she had earlier had dreams of her son where they both went into a town and entered a house without doors but they leaned on the house and found their way in as instructed by her son, Smith Freeman.

She explained that in the dream, her son was the one serving guests with the food and her son emphatically warned her not to dare telling the dream to anyone.  But according to her, she revealed the dream to her mother, Gormah Kollie.

Lorpu Kollie was swift to tell this newspaper that Smith Freeman did not have any scar or deformity on his body that could convince community dwellers that the baby was somehow belonging to the dark world.

“The boy told me that he was going back home because my mother had threatened to bring incense into the house. He said the grandmother told him she had the power to drive away any witch craft,  Lorpu Kollie told this reporter.

Speaking earlier to this newspaper, the father of the baby, Watson Freeman said since his girlfriend, Lorpu Kollie conceived, she complained of body and other related pains until she finally gave birth.

Watson Freeman described the mysterious disappearance of his son as incredible and mind-blowing, saying he did not experience any apprehension about him being beyond being a normal human being.

For his part, the grandfather of the baby, Jerome Kowan, said the unexplained vanishing of two-month-old Smith Freeman is the handiwork of the dark world.

He maintained that the situation could stigmatize his daughter and drive away any man who may wish to take her as a future wife.

Meanwhile, traditional leaders in the area have commenced a traditional investigation into the situation and advised people who made farms in the direction to which the baby escaped to stay away for a couple of days and observe.

Story for the gods. Someone needs to be arrested for the missing baby...

source: lindaikeji

Building collapse: Lagos state govt may prosecute T.B Joshua

It looks like Synagogue leader T.B Joshua will be prosecuted by the Lagos State Government over the collapse of his building on September 12th that left more than 115 people dead.

According to Punch, the state government has set up a coroner of inquest for the purpose of investigating the cause of the building collapse. This was made known in a statement credited to the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, on Sunday.

According to the statement, Ipaye had instigated the coroner’s inquest pursuant to Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s System Law No. 7 of 2007.

The coroner of inquest, headed by Magistrate O. A. Komolafe, has been charged with the duty of establishing the cause of the collapse of Synagogue’s six-storey building that killed no fewer than 115 persons.

Ipaye, who spelt out the responsibility of the coroner, said its final submission might necessitate the institution of a criminal charge against the church.

The commissioner was quoted to have said, “The law requires the verdict of a coroner, as certified in writing, to be forwarded to the State Attorney General and such verdict may form the basis of criminal prosecution depending on the evidence collected.

“The coroner in this case is Magistrate O. A. Komolafe, who also sat as coroner in the Dana Air Crash case. He is expected to announce his sitting or visitation schedules and other details and to hold the inquest at the premises of the High Court of Lagos State, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja.

“In doing this, he (Komolafe) has all the powers of a magistrate to summon and compel the attendance of witnesses, including medical examiners, and require them to give evidence, produce documents or present other relevant materials.”

Source: Punch

Pastor Anita divorced Pastor Chris:How would members take this

Author of rhapsody is now just pastor chris oyakhilome

The beautiful pic of the couple no longer appear on each rhapsody's page

i took 2 snapshots of Rhapsody Of Realities october 2014 edition and i was wondering..if i was a member of christ embassy would i still want to remain in the church expecially after the main source of my inspiration "The Rhapsody Of Realities" has been modified in such manner.

Keshi invites bench warmer, ignores Uche

Stephen Okechukwu Kesh

 There are some strange untested new faces in the squad list made public on Friday afternoon, with as many as four players earning call ups for the first time. The coach still ignored inviting Ike Uche. Interim Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has announced his squad for back to back African Nations qualifiers against Sudan next month.Striker Sunday Emmanuel, a bench-warmer at Austrian Bundesliga strugglers SV ScholzGrodig, who has 65 minutes of playing time since the start of the season was considered good enough by Stephen Keshi.

Also in line to make his international debut is Ugonna Anyora, a central defender cum defensive midfielder currently on the payroll of Haugesund.

The 23 – year – old has struggled to earn a starting shirt for his Norwegian team in the current season, having made 11 starts out of a possible 24.

Reading midfielder Hope Akpan and in- form Guangzhou R & F attacker Aaron Samuel will get their chance to don the colours of the Super Eagles for the first time, after they both missed out on the provisional World Cup roster.

There are recalls for Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses and Raheem Lawal while Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche remains in the international wilderness after being ignored by Stephen Keshi.

source: vanguardng

Still from Boko Haram video purportedly shows 20 men about to be executed

The pic above is purportedly a screen-grab from a horrific video Boko Haram members released online today. It allegedly shows about 20 men on the ground as they await to be executed...

 

Can anyone translate what it says on the pic? I'm sure we'll know more about this in the coming days

source:lindaikeji

Photos: Davido & actress Eniola Badmus play around in New York

They both shared the pics on their instagram pages...

Flavour and Sandra Okagbue welcome daughter

Flavour and former Delta Soap queen Sandra Okagbue have welcomed their first child together. Sandra gave birth to a baby girl in a hospital in the US yesterday Saturday September 27th. Mother and daughter are said to be doing great. Congrats to them.

Photo: Agbani Darego shows off her hot bikini body

The ex-Miss World is currently in Marbella, Southern Spain. Hot woman!

From Dubai,Linda Ikeji posted a pic of her family

she shared this pic from Dubai. she is currently flexing there now...enjoy your money Linda

An excerpt from her blog.

 "I'm currently in Dubai and some of you have been asking for pics. Here are a few. I'm here with my dad (left), my famous younger sister..hehe..Laura Ikeji (2nd left), my only brother Peks (by my left), another younger sister, Sandra (in yellow), and my cousin, Valentine (right). That's me in all-gray. I usually don't bother with make up when I travel. I don't see the point...lol."