₦airaland Forum

Make Una nor set Edo on fire, yeye politicians

NO to Godfatherism in Edo

We are skillful at the art of making excuses,
aren't we? "I don't know how." "I didn't
understand." "I couldn't find the right tools." "The
voices told me to clean all the guns today." "I
threw out my back bowling." "I have a Doctor's
appointment." "There's been a death in the
family." "The hazmat crew is here and won't let
me out of the house." "I have a relative coming
in from Hawaii and I need to pick them up at the
airport." And, my all time favorite: "When I got
up this morning I accidentally took two Ex-Lax in
addition to my Prozac. I can't get off the john,
but I feel good about it."
In the Christian world, we can find all sorts of
excuses not to obey God's voice: "It's the
preacher's job." "It's not my gift." "I've already
served, let someone else do it." "I'm too busy or
too tired or too old or too young."
It has been said, "Excuses are tools of the
incompetent, and those who specialize in them
seldom go far." Ben Franklin wrote, "He that is
good for making excuses is seldom good for
anything else." Gabriel Meurier stated, "He who
excuses himself, accuses himself."
Jeremiah had every excuse ready when God
called him to be a prophet. His excuses are
often our excuses for not heeding God's voice
when he calls. Countering each excuse was a
promise from God.


I. The excuse: The task is
demanding


Jeremiah was called to be "a prophet to the
nations" (Jer. 1:5), not a priest like his father and
his grandfather. A prophet was a chosen and
authorized spokesman for God who declared
God's Word to the people. We often think of
prophets as people who can tell the future. But a
prophet spoke messages to the present that had
future ramifications. They were forthtellers more
than they were foretellers, exposing the people's
sins and calling them back to their covenant
responsibilities before God.

Being a prophet was more demanding than
serving as a priest. The priests' duties were
predictable. Everything was written down in the
law. The prophet never knew from one day to the
next what the Lord would call him to say or to
do. The priest worked primarily to preserve the
past. The prophet labored to change the present
so the nation would have a future. Priests dealt
with externals - rituals, sacrifices, offerings,
services - whereas the prophet tried to reach and
change hearts. Priests ministered primarily to
individuals with various needs. Prophets, on the
other hand, addressed whole nations, and usually
the people they addressed didn't want to hear the
message. Priests belonged to a special tribe and
therefore had authority and respect, but a prophet
could come from any tribe and had to prove his
divine call. Priests were supported from the
sacrifices and offerings of the people, but
prophets had no guaranteed income.
Jesus, too, was called to be a prophet. He
traveled from place to place challenging the
people to change so that their future in heaven
would be guaranteed. Jesus spoke to the hearts
of people. Most did not accept his message of
repentance, for they did not want to change.


The PROMISE



God may assign you a demanding task, but his
call keeps us going when we don't want to go
and are ready to quit. We have the promise of
God's purpose. "I chose you before I formed you
in the womb; I set you apart before you were
born'" (Jer. 1:5). The verb know has much more
meaning than simply being aware of. It carries
the idea of recognition of the worth and purpose
of him who is known. God knew Jeremiah, chose
Jeremiah, and appointed Jeremiah. He was
known by name, hand-picked by God, and
commissioned to serve. Those acts give one a
great sense of purpose. The promise of God's
purpose allows us to let go of our own plans and
to receive God's plan without fear. Like Jeremiah
and Jesus, we need to accept that our future is
not our own. We are God's. He has a distinct
plan and purpose for our lives.


II. The excuse: My talent is
inadequate



"But I protested, ‘Oh no, Lord, GOD! Look, I don't
know how to speak since I am only a
youth'" (Jer. 1:6). Jeremiah felt inadequate as a
public speaker. By the way, this excuse was
shared by Moses (Ex. 4:10).
When they heard the news that I was called to
preach, most people in my hometown thought
the news bearer had made a mistake. "Surely,
you don't mean Ricky is called to preach. You
must mean his twin brother Micky. Ricky is too
quiet." When God's call came I felt honored but
extremely inadequate. My lack of talent was
obvious. My quiet, shy nature was a detriment.
I felt a lot like, Calvin Miller, pastor and author.
He wrote about his call:
"I was so inferior, even the neighbors noted it
and pointed it out to my mother as I grew up. In
my late teens, one of my sisters felt led of God
to help me get in touch with myself by telling me
that in her opinion, which was as inerrant as the
King James Bible, that if God called me to do
anything he must have had a wrong number.
When I told my preacher I was called to preach,
he didn't necessarily feel that God had a wrong
number, but he was concerned that I might have
had a poor connection."
God has a way to overcome weakness and our
insufficiencies, doesn't he? I have learned over
the years, however, that the person most aware
of his own inadequacy is usually the person most
dependent on God's all-sufficiency. My
inadequacy has caused me to rely upon God. His
strength is made perfect in my weakness. His
glory is manifested through my flaws.


The PROMISE


Our talent may appear inadequate, but God
always equips those he calls. We have the
promise of God's provision. "Then the LORD
reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and
told me: I have now filled your mouth with My
words" (Jer. 1:9). The touch was not so much to
purify as it was to inspire and empower. It was
symbolic of the gift of prophecy bestowed on
Jeremiah.

Jesus experienced this touch in a visible, yet
profound way. Following his baptism,
immediately coming out of the water, the
heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended
on him like a dove. And God spoke, "This is My
beloved Son. I take delight in Him" (Matt. 3:17).
God blesses not the silver-tongued orator, but
the one whose tongue has been touched with
coals from the altar. God uses not the most
gifted and talented person, but the one touched
by the hand of God. God uses the most unlikely
persons to shake a church or a community or a
nation. Never underestimate the power of the
touch; especially when God does the touching.


III. The excuse: The time is not
right



Jeremiah said to God, "I am only a youth" (Jer.
1:6). The word youth - unfortunately rendered
child in some versions of the Bible - ordinarily
denotes a young, unmarried man in his teens or
early twenties. Most scholars think that Jeremiah
was around 20 to 25 at the time of his call. His
reply is not so much revealing his age as much
as a deep sense of immaturity. He felt inferior,
inexperienced, and intimidated by the size of the
task to which God was summoning him.


The PROMISE


God's call may come at an inopportune time, but
he never sends forth his servant alone. We have
the promise of God's presence. "Then the LORD
said to me: Do not say, ‘I am only a youth,' for
you will go to everyone I send you to and speak
whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone,
for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the
LORD's declaration" (Jer. 1:7-.

Please note the condition to this promise. Before
Jeremiah could experience God's presence, he
had to go where God sent him, speak what God
told him, and reject fear. Someone once said that
when God calls us to a task, he does not give us
a road map to follow and then leave us to our
resources. God walks with us. His presence
gives us the strength to stand in the face of
every assault.
Jesus felt that same Presence. He and the Father
were one. He could go on because God walked
with him.
What a difference it makes knowing that when we
are being sent, someone is going with us. We
know we do not have to walk the lonesome road
alone, that we have a traveling companion.


IV. The excuse: The teaching is
dangerous



The Lord did not give Jeremiah a joyful message
of deliverance to announce, but a tragic message
of judgment. Consequently, Jeremiah would be
misunderstood, persecuted, arrested, and
imprisoned. More than once his life was
threatened. The people did not want to hear the
truth. Jeremiah told them plainly they were
defying the Lord, disobeying the law, and
destined for judgment.

God used the image of a boiling pot to
communicate his coming wrath. "Again the word
of the LORD came to me inquiring, ‘What do you
see?' And I replied, ‘I see a boiling pot, its lip
tilted from the north to the south'" (Jer. 1:13).
Jewish homes would have a fairly large, wide-
mouth washing or cooking pot. The unusual thing
about the pot Jeremiah saw was that it was not
level. It was titled away from the north. The pot
could at any moment spew its boiling contents
toward the south, scalding the people of Judah.
The pot represented the nation of Babylon that
would invade and conquer Israel. The reason for
the judgment was Israel's idolatry and rebellion
against the God's righteous will.
Jesus' teaching contained mercy and judgment,
grace and punishment. Jesus' teachings were
dangerous, too. In fact, it was his teaching that
cost him his life.


The PROMISE


What God says through us may be dangerous,
but God gives us the strength to endure. We
have the promise of God's prevailing. "Today, I
am the One who has made you a fortified city, an
iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole
land - against the kings of Judah, its officials, its
priests, and the population. They will fight
against you but never prevail over you, since I am
with you to rescue you" (Jer. 1:18-19).
Notice the architectural terms: a fortified city, an
iron pillar, and bronze walls. They are solid and
unshakeable like the God who conceived them,
and the prophet whom they would come to
characterize. God reassured Jeremiah: Attack you
they will; overcome you they can't.
The person who stands with God will prevail.
Someone once said: "One with God is a
majority." Alone we are helpless. With God we
prevail.

In the days of the Roman Empire, the great
Coliseum of Rome was filled to capacity with
spectators, coming for the state games,
watching human beings battle against wild
beasts or against one another until one or both
died. The crowd found its greatest delight in the
death of a human being. When Honorius was
emperor of Rome, in A.D. 404, as the vast crowd
watched the contest, a Syrian monk by the name
of Telemachus leaped onto the Coliseum floor.
So torn by the utter disregard for the value of
human life, he cried out, "In the name of God,
this thing is not right! In the name of God, this
thing must stop."

The spectators became enraged at this
courageous man. They mocked him and threw
objects at him. Caught up in the excitement, the
gladiators attacked him, and a sword pierced
him. The gentle monk fell to the ground dead.
The entire Coliseum fell silent. For the first time
the people with the insatiable blood-thirst
recognized the horror of what they had called
entertainment. Telemachus kindled a flame in the
hearts and consciences of thinking persons.
History records that, because of his courageous
act, within a few months the gladiatorial combats
began to decline, and very shortly passed from
the scene. Why? Because one man dared to
speak out for what he believed was right. His
message was dangerous, for it challenged the
pleasures and enjoyments of the people. Though
Telemachus died, his message prevailed.


V. The excuse: Do I have to go
now?


God was expecting immediate action from
Jeremiah. God said, "Now, get ready. Stand up
and tell them everything that I command
you" (Jer. 1:17). In Jeremiah's day the men had
to tie their loose robes together with a belt in
order to run or to work. Jeremiah was in for a
struggle. He had a fight on his hands. So the
phrase "dress yourself for work" or "gird up your
loins" was a metaphor that meant "Get ready for
action!" Today we would say, "Roll up your
sleeves!"

God called Jeremiah to act. He was called to
move out among people. He was called to
deliver an offensive message. He would not be
welcomed, nor would he be accepted. He would
anger his hearers.


The PROMISE


God expects obedience, immediately, if we don't,
we are in danger of God's wrath. We have the
promise of God's power. "Do not be intimidated
by them or I will cause you to cower before
them" (Jer. 1:17). Immediate obedience is the
only appropriate response when God calls.
Jesus obeyed. Whatever you think of Jesus,
remember this, his heart was a willing and
obedient heart. He always did what his Father
directed. There was no hesitation, no
questioning, no circumventing. Only immediate
action.

Has God called you? Then he will fulfill his
purpose in you, he will equip you, he will enable
you, he will protect you, he will accompany you.
Are you obeying his commands? Then he is with
you to protect you. Are you sharing the word?
Then he will accomplish his purposes no matter
how the people respond.

So sad, Rip

Second Ugbor close to Abuja quarter For Uniben?

This wan muzz me oh

…Obaseki emerges NUT’s Best Performing Gov

Teachers in Edo State have concluded plans for a
Mega Rally to celebrate the emergence of
Governor Godwin Obaseki as the Nigeria Union
Teachers’ (NUT) Best Performing Governor for
2019 on account of his transformation of the
state’s basic education sector.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State
In a letter to the governor, NUT National
Secretary-General, Dr. Mike Ike Ene, had said
Governor Obaseki would be bestowed with the
Best Performing Governor on Saturday, October 5,
2019, based on his efforts in improving Basic
Education and Teachers’ welfare in Edo State as
well as the harmonious relationship with the Edo
State Wing of the Union.

Acceding to plans for the Mega Rally to be held
on Friday, October 4, 2019, the state’s
Commissioner of Education, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai
said all teachers are to assemble by 9.00 am at
the Samuel Ogbemudia Secondary School (New
Era), Upper Mission Road, Benin City, while
students are to stay at home

In a statement, Hon. Ijegbai said “This is to
inform the general public particularly all teachers
in the state that there will be a Mega Thank You
visit organised by the State NUT to His
Excellency, Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr.
Godwin Nghoghehase Obaseki as the Best
Performing Governor in the Education sector in
Nigeria on Friday 4th October 2019 at Samuel
Ogbemudia Secondary School (New Era) Upper
Mission Road, Benin City.”

“Consequently, all teachers are to assemble by
9.00 am at the venue, while pupils and students
are to stay at home,” he added.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/10/nut-edo-teachers-set-for-mega-rally-to-celebrate-obaseki/

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development,
Mr Sunday Dare has relocated his office to the
MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Dare stated that the move was in line with his
promise to ensure that the nation’s sports
facilities are restored to become fully functional.
He made the disclosure in a statement by Mr
Ramon Balogun, Assistant Director, Press in the
ministry.

He said that with the move, he has made good on
his earlier promise to keep a close tab on the
revitalisation of Nigeria’s sporting facilities.
“It is also a sharp departure from what has been
regarded as the norm in the past,” he said.


The Minister indicated that he will be working
sometimes days of the week from the stadium.
He asserted that the Youth and Sports ministry
was a critical artery to Nigeria’s human capital
development, adding, that 13 Ministries have
youth development as part of their budgets and
mandate.

The ministry according to him, will leverage on
the pivotal advantage expressed in the National
Youth Policy for the socio-economic
empowerment of our youths.

He emphasised the importance of communication
to youth and sports development while urging the
press unit of the Ministry to improve on its
professionalism by reporting events timely and
accurately with authentic and approved facts
before disseminating to the Nigerian public.
He also reemphasised his determination to give
the youth component of the ministry’s mandate
massive attention.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/10/sports-minister-sunday-dare-relocates-to-mko-stadium-abuja/