₦airaland Forum

tsdarkside:
we lock him up,like kanu....what the hell..!!!...

panachuku:
GEJ cannot be tried or arrested. Meaning the dasuki gate parol is all a farse

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sent an open letter to former President Goodluck Jonathan seeking explanations from him on “what you knew or had reason to know on the apparent diversion and sharing of over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram.”

The letter dated 8 January 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, reads in part: “SERAP is sending you this open letter to seek explanations from you, as former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, on what you knew, or had reason to know on the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion meant to purchase arms to empower Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram.”

“SERAP considers that there is enough material in the public domain to suggest that over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms to equip Nigerians soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the North East of the country was diverted and shared among high-ranging government and party officials under your watch as President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces.”

“SERAP and indeed Nigerians reserve the right to pursue justice through appropriate national and international accountability mechanisms to ensure that everyone involved in this heinous crime is brought to justice in accordance with international standards of fairness.”

“Is it correct to suggest that the budget of over $2 billion to purchase arms for Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram in the North-East of the country was authorised by you or your office? In other words, did your former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) seek your approval to collect from the Central Bank of Nigeria the over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms for Nigerian soldiers?”

“If so, Nigerians would like to hear from you whether the apparent diversion and sharing of our commonwealth by your former NSA was expressly or implicitly authorised by you.”

“Is it then correct to suggest that the former NSA implements presidential decisions and not make them? If so, is it also correct to suggest that the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms was a presidential-level decision and that you signed off on it?”

“Is it not correct to suggest that your Administration acted on the basis that it was essentially unrestrained by international or Nigerian law in engaging in or encouraging the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion meant to purchase arms for Nigerian soldiers in order to protect them against attacks from Boko Haram and to enhance their ability to defend the territorial integrity of the country and provide security for its citizens?”

“Assuming you did not directly order or authorise the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion meant to purchase arms for Nigerian soldiers, is it fair to suggest that you at least knew, or had reason to know, that your own former NSA was apparently involved in the heinous crime of corruption to wit: the diversion and sharing of over $2 billion meant to purchase arms for Nigerian soldiers; and did not take all necessary and reasonable measures in your power as Commander-in-Chief and President to prevent the alleged diversion and sharing of our commonwealth, as explained above?”

“Would you accept that the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion was largely due to your failure to ensure: (1) that system was in place to ensure a transparent and accountable spending of budget for military operations in strict accordance with the standards of international law including the UN Convention against Corruption; (2) that any such system was operating in a continuous and effective manner; and (3) that violations of the standards were punished when detected by that system?”

“After the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion was brought to your attention, did you take any step to refer your former NSA and all those involved in the diversion and sharing to appropriate anticorruption agencies to ensure that all those who were alleged to be responsible for this heinous crime of corruption are brought to justice?”

“Would you agree that the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion meant for purchase of arms for Nigerian soldiers has seriously undermined the ability of the soldiers to defend themselves and fight Boko Haram; resulted in some soldiers being unfairly tried for refusing to fight without being provided with necessary arms; inflicted severe pain or suffering; and caused unnecessary loss of lives and displacement of law-abiding citizens?”

“Would SERAP be correct to suggest that you, as President and Commander-in-Chief, knew about the authorization, apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion meant to purchase arms for Nigerian soldiers, in the chain of command involving your former NSA and others?”

“Would it therefore be correct to further suggest that your acts and/or omissions concerning the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $ 2 billion were such as to give rise to personal liability through command responsibility for the actions of your former NSA and others who worked under you?”


“Would you now, on the basis of the above, apologise to Nigerians for the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion and the catastrophic consequences for Nigerian soldiers and their families, including those who have lost their lives; those unfairly tried and convicted; and millions of displaced Nigerians?”

“Nigerians are eagerly awaiting your clarifications on the issues raised above, and your apology.”

sameer1212:
mowa okay dear. How is my Friend Midolian?

UNTIL a few months ago, Mr. Ejiro Diachevbe was a 300 Level student of Economics and Statistics at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, Edo State. His dream of becoming a graduate this year now hangs precariously after he was diagnosed with a rare bone ailment.

A consultant at the Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Dr A.O. Ogbemudia explained that the 22-year-old student’s suffers from a medical condition known as avascular necrosis.

After a series of tests and X-ray, the medical report revealed that he is suffering from avascular necrosis of the right hip joint which requires a N4 million corrective surgery before he can pick up the pieces of his life and move on.

Explaining his situation, the young, promising undergraduate who is now mostly confined to a wheelchair recalled that his travail started when he felt “a sharp pain in the hip” around 2014.

“When I felt the pain in my hip, I went to the Health Services Department of the university (UNIBEN). I was treated and I went home. But the pain remained unabated and I had to return to the health service department days later.”

On his second visit, the doctor recommended
an x-ray for further investigations. “It was when the x-ray result came that I was told of a disease I didn’t know exists,” Diachevbe said

The finding revealed: “There is some deformity with flattening of the right capital femoral epiphysis associated with partial fragmentation. The iliac, pubic and ischia bones are intact. Findings are in keeping with avascular necrosis of the right femoral capital epiphysis.”

Diachevbe said: “When I took the x-ray report to the consultant at UBTH, he said I had avascular necrosis and required surgery to correct. He said the surgery would cost N4 million. I went online and discovered that the disease has to do with compromise of blood flow to the hip joint, and can be caused by abuse of drug and alcohol.

“The only drug I take without doctor’s prescription is anti-malaria drug, which everyone takes. I am a Christian and have never taken alcohol; I am still wondering how I got this disease and I pray to God to rescue me.”

The life of the bubbling young man has been changed by the diagnosis. He explained that the huge cost of examination and treatment had drilled a huge hole in his parents’ finances. His academic pursuit is also on the verge of being placed on hold because of his inability to keep pace with lectures and other activities.

In a voice laced with emotion, one of his close friends who asked not to be named told The Nation that Diachevbe had already missed second semester examinations which were concluded in December, 2015. “We have tried to assist him in the few ways we could, but there is no way we can read and write the exams for him.”

For Diachevbe, the only choice left is to put his education on hold while he battles for his life.

He said: “For the past five months, every Thursday I go for checkups at the Outpatient Clinic of UBTH, and each time I go for checkup, it is either I am told to undergo one x-ray or the other. Each x-ray and laboratory test cost N15,000, apart from the drugs. My condition has drained my parents’ savings.

“As it is customary, students referred from UNIBEN health centre to UBTH are usually given credit facility card, but the university denied me the opportunity because they said surgery is beyond what UNIBEN can finance.

“I have taken my appeal to NGOs and other civil organisation groups, but nothing much has come out from it. I am about to defer the admission so I can source funds to undergo the surgery and return to school. My course-mates have really been helpful. They come here to cook for me and do other domestic chores. I find it hard to go downstairs to get water. So, when students are in the early hours of the day rushing to take their bath,
I wait for them to finish and go to class before I use the bathroom.”

Ejiro Diachavbe can be reached on telephone no: 08172588742.

joseph1832:
Bros everyday no be christmas na. Lol.

modath:
How are you? May 2016 be a year of great & fulfilling things for you !! Was about to send out a missing person brief!

@topic!

Anyone who believes that banquet cost 10% of the bandied sum is just being mischievous.

That the government, appropriated & actually retired that sum, One is not in any place able to speak for or against but it definitely didn't go into hosting prof!!

Wike is a funny souln his days are numbered, he is just having his last dance!!

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has reiterated his warning that when confronted, corruption does fight back.


In a brief statement issued this evening, headed ‘Those Who Flounder In The Sewage of Corruption,”, he acknowledged the unflattering comments of the Rivers State government about the 80th birthday dinner to which he was hosted by the former governor and now Minister of Aviation, Honorable Rotimi Amechi.  

Speaking to press correspondents on Tuesday, the Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Austin Tam-George, accused Mr. Amaechi’s government of spending N82 million on the event.  

“A government that did not pay salaries, closed the courts, but the administration had the courage to expend N82million to fund a dinner for Prof Wole Soyinka,” he had said. “These are facts on ground. The Amaechi administration expended the money under the heading of borrowed funds.”

In a follow-up comment on radio on Wednesday, the commissioner said he would seek the permission of Governor Nyesom Wike to write to Professor Soyinka to find out he was paid part of the money by the Amaechi administration.

Professor Soyinka said he had first ignored reports about the remarks, as it was not, and is not his business to probe into the catering and logistical implications of the hundreds of institutions and governments all over the world who have offered him unsolicited recognition over the years.

“Since then however, I have learnt of some unsavory statements by the insecure incumbent of the Rivers State government Lodge,” he said, adding that they included a loose invitation to anti-crime agencies to investigate the potential crime of being honoured through any occasion. 

“The unprecedented call by this governor is prescient of a warning I recounted in my recent pamphlet publication THE REPUBLIC OF LIARS, and was taken from my address to an anti-corruption global conference that took place in Tunisia two years ago,” he recalled.  “Those words were: CORRUPTION STRIKES BACK.  In this ongoing instance, that expression translates most vividly as ‘Those who are neck deep in the sewage of corruption ensure that they splatter sewage in all possible and improbable directions.’”

“I do however fully support the Wikeleaks call for multi-directional probes,” he continued.  “I recommend further that he involve the services of INTERPOL to guarantee its extension to all international organisations and governments to whom I owe uncountable events of recognition – including birthday luncheons, dinners, cultural receptions and events of real, fictitious, or simply opportunistic flavoring - to which I have submitted myself.” 

Prof. Soyinka expressed regret about what he called the present level of abominable distractions.  

“It is one that even I did not envisage when I warned – CORRUPTION STRIKES BACK!” he said.  

Throwing the matter over to “EFCC and company,” and reminding them that they all know where he lives, he concluded, “Whether it brings honour or dishonour to the nation is another matter – I am saddened, but indifferent.”

Lalasticlala

sameer1212:
Lol.. My oga leave am. Na himself go come beg us say him no drag Aminat again.

A pastor in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria has been forced to marry the corpse of a dead woman whom he impregnated and then forced her to swallow fatal abortion pills.

The man identified as Augustine Mendie had a sexual relationship with the deceased who is a member of his church and then got her pregnant.

Mendie, who is the General Supervisor of a Pentecostal church in the state and is married with children has been accused by his members of sleeping with single and married women in his church.

His illicit activities became public after the deceased got pregnant. Refusing to accept responsibility, he gave her abortions pills and forced her to take them which resulted in a very painful death.

The deceased’s friend broke the news to the church congregation and they mobbed the pastor, forcing him to marry the corpse of the dead female church member.

Lalasticlala

ritababe:
wetin do am abeg i wan know.

ritababe:
no be only territory, na terrorist lol, aminat508 i see u

TonyeBarcanista:
Bros, you better redraw your map o. You know say you na my guy, I for leave Aminat for you but the problem be say I over love her and she over love me. In fact, we don do heart transplant. My heart and her heart don swap already. You should embrace present reality. In fact, you don't have a choice.



But I am looking for alternative for you. This year, a new babe won't pass you by. But forget Aminat. Sorry

TonyeBarcanista:
Call them to witness as our love blossom

ayatt:
Happy new year NL..most especially

om.enka
mid.olian
dunk.em
mynd.a44
amina.t508
samir1.212
Demmocrat.s




And to person above me you denied me FTC.

Boeing777pilot:
For once, I agree with tonyebarcanista.
So you can write sensibly like this?

Tallesty1:
First to comment on your own thread?



See him teeth.

Today is the first of 2016, a year that is pregnant with promises and hope, with Nigerians wishing that the much talked about change would begin to reflect in their socio-economic lives. In this piece, JONATHAN NDA-ISAIAH takes a look at key personalities that would drive the much expected change.

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day”, says Edith Lovejoy Pierce. Or is it the words of Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom, another great mind, that “every New Year brings new expectations, new enthusiasms and new experiences”? These two sayings aptly describe the expectations and hope of every Nigerian in this New Year.

2016 has been tagged the year of change for Nigerians- the year in which we will be inching very close to our Utopia. The All Progressives Congress (APC) led government mantra of ‘change’ must begin to manifest this year, according to political pundits. The ball has been set rolling with the presentation of the 2016 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari. The budget itself is a blueprint on how the change will take place.

In the past years, expectations have been dashed and dreams not fulfilled. Owing of salaries by the federal and state governments became the norm rather than the exception. Fuel queues and scarcity became part of people’s daily lives. Bombings by the Boko Haram insurgents escalated rather than abating. In a similar vein, the rate of kidnappings rose up astronomically as it became a daily occurrence in most parts of the country.

In 2015, most Nigerians began to express dissatisfaction that the change they voted for was slow in coming but however express hope that with the 2016 budget, the much awaited change will manifest. But it appears, however, that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. With the coming of the New Year, most observers have pointed out that the change may practically happen in 2016, but the key personalities would have to be on top of their game in making the much needed change a reality. Below are antecedents of the people Nigerians are looking up to effect the change:

 

President Muhammadu Buhari

2016 will definitely be a year that will define Buhari’s presidency, a sink or swim year for the president. Buhari is seen as the man that will take Nigerian out of the pit of emptiness to the Promised Land- a Houdini by most of his ardent followers. Corruption and insecurity are seen as the monsters militating against growth and development in the country. President Buhari, is seen as that man that can tackle this problem due to his antecedents. Most Nigerians have expressed concern that if President Buhari fails to get it right, then Nigeria may never get it right again. The President must make some hard choices this year for Nigeria to record any meaningful development.

The question of fuel subsidy, should it stay or go; the fight against corruption, will he go all out to arrest those indicted of corruption even if it involves members of the president’s own party; the return of the Chibok girls, will Boko Haram become a thing of the past, are some of the major challenges and questions the president must answer this year.

According to the Economist, economic growth under the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari will be “uninspiring” in 2016. In the 2015 edition of its annual prediction of the economic situation of countries in an approaching year, the paper also said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will limit Buhari’s strides in the management of Nigeria’s oil sector.

In the Economist’s 2016 forecast for the Middle East and Africa, Buhari will address the problem of corruption and insecurity in the country. “The new president, Muhammadu Buhari, will use his political capital to address entrenched problems of corruption, insecurity and low living standards, but the patience of an electorate with high expectations will be short,” the forecast read.

“Clashing interests within the ruling party will limit efforts to improve management of the oil sector. Economic growth will be uninspiring.”

The onus is on President Buhari to prove the Economist wrong by driving the economy forward. The failure or success of his economic team depends solely on President Buhari as the buck stops at his table.

The advent of the social media has given rise to a more knowledgeable and impatient generation of Nigerians, the time is short, that’s is why it is imperative that President Buhari gets things right this year.

 

Yemi Osinbajo

The vice president, Yemi Osinbajo is regarded by many as the intellectual brain behind the change administration. By virtue of being the vice president, he is in charge of the National Economic Council (NEC). He is responsible for charting the economic plan for 2016. It’s no longer news that the economy of the country is tilting towards recession, as they say desperate times call for desperate measures. As a think tank of the economic team, the onus is on the vice president to formulate policies that will drive and revive the economy of the country.

A professor of law, Osinbajo is also expected in collaboration with the judiciary, to make the rule of law the watch word of the administration. The slow administration of the justice system in the country has been criticised by some cross section of Nigerians, as courts take forever to conclude a case. This they opine will have an adverse effect on the fight against corruption in the country.

The vice president had earlier reaffirmed the commitment of this administration in changing the lives of Nigerians and the time has come for us to be part of making sure that the change comes.

According to him, poverty in Nigeria is so disheartening, adding that Nigeria needs immediate fixing.

He further pointed out that the vast majority of people are poor and alienated from all the good things that the government ought to produce for them and it appears that they are well down the ladder.

“With change comes great expectations. Very high expectations. We believe in change and the need for a change in the way our economy is run. We are those called upon to fix it,” Professor Osinbajo said.

 

Senator Bukola Saraki / Yakubu Dogara

For the much needed change to happen this year, a vibrant National Assembly which will keep the executive on its toes is needed. That’s where Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Reps ,Yakubu Dogara come in. The independence of the legislature is key and a rubber stamp legislature will not be healthy for the polity.

The Senate and the House of Reps need to initiate new bills that will have an effect on the lives of average Nigerians. The seventh senate has been described as a waste of legislative years as they did not achieve anything meaningful in their four years.

The eighth assembly has promised to be different and is determined to change the lives of the ordinary man. The legislature must take the oversights seriously as oversight functions in the past were tagged as jamboree functions and avenue for blackmail by some lawmakers. If the Eighth National Assembly wants to be different, oversight must be taken seriously and the relevant committee of the National Assembly must ensure that the 2016 budget is implemented to the letter.

During the presentation of the budget, Senator President,Saraki assured the president that both chambers of the National Assembly are united in their support for his administration.

Saraki said the National Assembly is conscious of the yearning of Nigerians for quick delivery of democracy dividends adding that the legislature has a critical role to play and they recognize this role.

“We both recognize that even as we seek to maintain the integrity and independence of our respective chambers, that autonomy must be embedded within the overriding responsibility we all have, to improve the quality of lives of our people and make them proud once again to be Nigerians.”

Saraki observed that a harmonious National Assembly is essential not only to Legislative progress, but also for the Executive to function effectively and called on the President to take advantage of this relationship, which we have not had for a couple of years, to push through some of the necessary reforms that would promote our economy. He also said it is in this light that the National Assembly is also prioritising the passage of laws that further enhances our business environment and promotes accountability in governance.

“Let me assure you Mr President, that with the Eighth National Assembly, you have got a partner. An ally to help you steer the ship of state in the right direction for growth, transparency, accountability, equal opportunities, inclusion and fairness. We will stand by you and work with you to see Nigeria become the pride of all Nigerians home and abroad and earn the respect it deserves in the global arena, “he added.


Minister of State, Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, who also doubles as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is also one key personality that will drive the change agenda this year. The question of whether subsidy should stay or go will be one key decision the minister and the government must have to take. It’s worthy to note that Labour Unions have also threatened to strike if the government eventually removes subsidy.

Although the government has promised to diversify the economy in 2016, the Petroleum industry will still be one of the mainstay of the economy. With the revival of the Kaduna refinery coupled with the Port Harcourt refineries, Nigeria needs to import just 75 percent of its fuel.

Kachikwu stated that the country will still rely on 75 per cent importation of fuel throughout 2016.

The minister disclosed that Nigeria is still going to import fuel in 2016 and beyond in which the best case situation is 25 per cent local and 75 per cent importation. Worst case is what we are experiencing now.

“Until we begin to get individuals who can co-relocate, we are going to be doing a mixture of local and importation of fuel to meet up demands. In the next few weeks, however, queues will disappear in fuel stations.”

A new pricing template has also been drawn for petrol which would take effect from today.

The corruption in the sector is said to be one of the factors for the downward slide in the economy at the moment. The minister needs to draw out new policies in the oil and gas sector and fight corruption in order for the country to save money which can be put to use in other sectors.


Heads of FIRS, Customs and Immigration

President Buhari has said that based on fall in crude oil price, the federal government will focus on non- oil revenues by broadening the tax base and improving the effectiveness of revenue collecting agencies.

He expressed confidence that with the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account, he expects significant improvements in the collection and remittance of independent revenues.

Accordingly, he said in 2016, oil related revenues are expected to contribute N820 billion. Non-oil revenues, comprising Company Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Customs and Excise duties, and Federation Account levies, will contribute N1.45 trillion.

This he said will be done by enforcing strict compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and public expenditure reforms in all MDAs, the government has projected up to N1.51 trillion from independent revenues.

For this to come to pass, heads of Federal Inland Revenue service (FIRS) Babatunde Fowler, Custom Boss, Hameed Ali, Immigration Boss, Martin Kure Abeshi will have to play critical roles in the move to diversify the economy from oil and make the 2016 budget realizable.

The three agencies in the past were referred to as bleeding points which had become conduits pipes for corruption.

The administration had promised that efforts will be intensified to block revenue leakages and enthrone due process, transparency and accountability.

Blocking of loopholes and leakages in this three revenue generating agencies will make the country less dependent on oil and realise its long awaited dreams of diversification.

Lalasticlala

TonyeBarcanista:
Who be Osedvgirl again? *runs to check profile*


U too de toast. Just leave Medeh and Aminat508 for me biko! It is my destiny to love them and be loved by them. No de delay am abeg!

The night of every 31st of December is a special time for Nigerian Christians. It is that time of the year when they congregate in their millions to listen to prophecies and pray for blessings that will guide them throughout the following year. These watch-night services as they are known often do not end until tithes and offerings have been collected multiple times. Nigerian pastors are ingenious when it comes to extorting money from their members - they persuade members that God will bless them abundantly, but only if the members first bless God with their tithes and offerings. These pastors claim to resurrect the dead and heal all kinds of diseases but when it comes to money they are always powerless, and must always beg for it. They never seem able to explain why an all-sufficient God needs money or why the well-being of the church member is dependent on the donations they make to the pastor.

I do not understand the point of the frenzied prayers that characterise watch-night services neither. As Christopher Hitchens said, "the man who prays is the one that thinks God has arranged matters all wrong and thinks they can instruct Him how to put it right". Praying is not a sign of faith, it indicates a lack of faith. You would not pray if you truly believed in an all-powerful God who has a perfect plan for your life. Nonetheless, Nigerian Christians say the same prayers every year at watch-night services, which begs the question - is God bothered by their prayers? 

[b]One thing is clear - the prophecies are fuzzy proclamations which lack specificity. The prophets all claim to hear from the same God but their prophecies often contradict one another. Even worse, they do not say anything that matters to the life of the Nigerian. I invite the reader to consider my analysis of Pastor Adeboye's prophecies for 2015, Since he made them 12 months ago, the Chibok girls are still missing and no one knows if they will ever be found; Boko Haram (BH) insurgency is still raging on; our national revenue is being threatened by the drop in the price of crude oil, and so on; but none of these featured in God's conversation with pastor Adeboye when He was drawing up the 2015 prophecies. On the occasion that he tried to be specific, the prophecy turned out to be inaccurate. He had prophesied that, "Daddy (referring to God) says all over the world insurgencies will be considerately weakened." I am not sure which world daddy was referring to because the terrorist activities of BH, al-Shabbab, ISIS and the many lone wolves in 2015 on planet earth do not support His claim. At the international level, it appears that God also forgot to tell pastor Adeboye and His other prophets about the Syrian war; the refugee crisis in Europe; the unprecedented floods in Britain; the terrorist attacks in France, Egypt, Algeria, America and Australia; the devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people in Nepal; the blowing up of Russian plane over Egypt by suspected ISIS jihadists. Or the fact that Russia came to the brink of a war with NATO after its fighter jet was shot down by Turkey. The reason prophets do everything they can to avoid being specific when they announce their prophecies is that it weakens them and makes them appear as charlatans.[/b]

It is usual for Nigerian Christians to respond to any criticism of their pastors with the cliché, "touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm". But they forget that the bible also says: "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously.” It goes even further: “But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded . . . . is to be put to death.” Deuteronomy 18:20,22. To me, this means that the prophet (pastor) is accountable.

The other common excuse Christians make for their pastors is: "the pastor did not force anyone to give money." This excuse ignores the threats of the devourer being unleashed on people's health, income, relationships, family or even eternal damnation in hell. This is a form of psychological control and explains why some members who cannot even feed their families or pay their children's school fees would borrow money and still pay tithes and offerings from it. The pastors spend the money as they like on luxury lifestyle, real estates investments, private jets, and are hardly ever held accountable. Some of them have built private schools and universities with the tithes and offering of their members but the members cannot afford the fees for their children. Yet, some of these pastors benefitted directly from the free schools built by foreign missionaries. 

Nigerians are extremely gullible when it comes to religion and would believe every sentence that starts with the word, "God." Charlatans understand this vulnerability and have come up with all sorts of schemes to con them. These include prophecies and miracles. I do not believe in miracles because like gods, demons, spirits, witches and wizards, there's no evidence for their existence. Death certificates and medical reports can be forged. Deafness, blindness, paralysis, epilepsy - they can all be faked. Even death can be faked. A real miracle is watching an amputated limb grow. Real miracles stopped happening from the moment cameras and videos were invented. Christians should consider why there are no videos of pastors Kumuyi, Adeboye, Oyakhilome, Oyedepo, TB Joshua and others growing the limbs of amputees during their numerous church conventions. You would think there would be at least one considering the massive volumes of videos they have accumulated purportedly showing people who have been cured of all kinds of diseases and resurrected from death. No one who claims to resurrect dead people or heal diseases is to be trusted. Surely, if they can perform these miracles then they can magically manufacture money, and should not have to mentally coerce their members for it.

My heart bleeds every time another poor patient dies because their pastor has led them to believe that their illness has been cured and that it is okay to not take their medications. It is unconscionable to exploit the desperate situations of vulnerable people for one's gains. Personally, I feel there is need for a specific legislation to prosecute faith healers who cause demonstrable harm to others through misrepresentations.

omenka:
Walahi!! This 1United1 dude seems to be Midolian's altar-ego. Why chose this pic??

Wike's just counting days before getting a big ol boot in his rump. He'd regret the day he chose to pick a fight with the Lion of Africa and the Slayer of Shepopotamus and Clueless Drunk.

kaorama:
Drunkenness is bad

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, believes the Nigerian military has largely succeeded in defeating Boko Haram because the insurgents are now “only operating from one or two local governments”.

But he urged the media to stop “giving oxygen to the terrorists”, saying the war cannot be successful without the cooperation of journalists.

“Just as I said in my meeting with the newspapers editors in Lagos on the 21st of December, the military has largely met the deadline to defeat Boko Haram, and the military has matched the capacity of terrorists to carry out the attacks they used to,” he said on Channel Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“Of course, I also mentioned that the terrorists will continue to attack such targets as markets, motor parks, entertainment centres and houses of worship; and this is exactly what is going on.

“We know that in an insurgency, the war does not end in one day. The attack on soft targets will continue, but we also want to appeal to the media to stop giving oxygen to the Boko Haram insurgency. When we glamorise the attacks, it gives the terrorists more life and in a time of insurgency like this, the media also has a role to play, which is not to glamorize the attacks.

“What is happening is not unexpected; what is happening is what will happen in any insurgency. But the fact of the attack is that Boko Haram has been sufficiently defeated. Boko Haram can no longer take any territory away from us. And if you look at the context, about a year ago, Boko Haram had complete control of 20 out of 37 local governments in Borno state. There were about six local governments in Yobe and about four in Adamawa. If today, Boko Haram is operating from one or two local governments in the entire country, I think the military has largely succeeded in wiping out Boko Haram.”

Lai argued that isolated bomb attacks on soft targets should not be confused with insurgency, saying such soft attacks will be very hard to eliminate.

“It is possible for insurgents to lay ambush on the road; it does not mean they are in control of that local government.

“We are not saying we are going to eliminate ambush or attacks overnight; it is never done in any insurgency. But what we are saying is that given the fact that just less than a year ago the entire north-east was almost in their complete control, and today they don’t have that kind of command, I think it is only one or two local governments in which they have way at all; and even with what the army have done in the last couple of months, we are very hopeful that before the end of the year a lot of progress would have been met. The media also needs to play its role now and that is also reporting equally the progress reports.”

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