From the comments on this site, as well as those on other sites, we can safely conclude that many Nigerians are tribalists. Luckily, most of us do not use our real names and so evade the consequences. While I do not condone Dr. Ariyo's comments, I think he is no different from many of us who have said hateful things about other tribes. Demanding that he be sacked (or his details passed on to the KKK, like some commenters posted on other sites) is quite extreme. All of us are guilty of tribalism.

I also want to point out that Dr. Ariyo did NOT call for the slaughter of Igbos. He only pointed out the pattern of behaviour from minority groups that lead to pogroms and genocide. As annoying as it may be, history is his witness.

The Igbo pogroms in the North started because Igbos were naive and disrespectful. They had been anti-Igbo sentiments which may have been out of jealousy due to the success of Igbos. But what made the Hausas to go berserk was the behaviour of Igbos after Nzeogwu's coup. As you know, Nzeogwu, an Igbo soldier, alongside his fellow coup plotters, killed predominantly Hausa and Yoruba politicians, and spared Igbo politicians. Among those killed were the Sardauna of Sokoto, a much revered leader of the Hausas. What did Igbos do afterwards, in the face of such injustice? Some of them went dancing and rejoicing, even composing songs about the murders. The Igbo leaders were silent, and Aguiyi Ironsi, the Igbo president at the time, did not punish the coup plotters. Predictably, the long standing animosity turned to rabid hatred which led to that horrible slaughter, and subsequently the civil war.

Dr. Ariyo's comments alongside that of the Oba and other Yorubas, should make our Igbo folks wiser. These people (your hosts) are not happy with your behaviour. Shouting "One Nigeria" is not enough. We have to learn to count our teeth with our tongue. This is the time to build bridges not walls, we are the ones who always suffer when our hosts get tired of us. Calling for harsh judgements against Dr. Ariyo (who doesn't have any power to influence attacks against Igbos) is one sure way of building walls. An Igbo adage says, "when a mosquito lands on your scrotum, you have to be careful". Not everything is to rushed at immediately. This is the time for Igbo sons and daughters to extinguish the flames of hatred which are fanned by overzealous and paranoid people. Let's learn from history to prevent a repeat of it.
May God help us become wiser.

This is fear tactics with a coating of religion to make it appealing. Please dear Nigerian Christians, remember God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7. Use your minds and be wise. Pastor Emmanuel Bosun sounds more like a politician than a pastor urging us to vote in Goodluck just because he is a Christian. He doesn't want us to think but use our sentiments instead. He paints APC as a Muslim party which will islamize Nigeria if voted into power. Far more Muslim presidents have ruled this country than Christians, why didn't they islamize the country? We all know that Islamists like Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda and ISIS operate in countries with weakened leadership or failed states. Goodluck is not a strong leader, his careless handling of terrorism in our country has made it stronger.

There have always been Islamist riots in Nigeria, but all of them are usually crushed within a month and their leaders killed, by Muslim presidents. Think of Maitatine, Zango Kataf, etc. If a Muslim becomes president, do you think he will automatically allow Islamists to take over Nigeria? Don't you see that more Muslims have been killed by Boko Haram than Christians? There is palpable fear in the North and it affects everyone. No one is safe. Boko Haram kills Muslims who refuse to accept their violent ideology, just like ISIS. What we need in this country is a president who is committed to protecting lives. A strong and fearless leader whose passion for the country makes him intolerant of corruption, and religious bigotry.

I am not asking you to vote any particular person, I just want you to use your minds and think properly before voting in the next president. Don't be deceived by pastors and 'Men of God'. They are human and make mistakes too. Don't be deceived by claims of visions and prophecies, we all know how some of them lie in the name of God. Did Rev. Chris Okotie not tell us that God would make him Nigeria's president? Where is he today?
Don't let anyone deceive you with fear, God is not a God of fear, but of power, love and SOUND MIND - 2Timothy 1:7

This is fear tactics with a coating of religion to make it appealing. Please dear Nigerian Christians, remember God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7. Use your minds and be wise. Pastor Emmanuel Bosun sounds more like a politician than a pastor urging us to vote in Goodluck just because he is a Christian. He doesn't want us to think but use our sentiments instead. He paints APC as a Muslim party which will islamize Nigeria if voted into power. Far more Muslim presidents have ruled this country than Christians, why didn't they islamize the country? We all know that Islamists like Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda and ISIS operate in countries with weakened leadership or failed states. Goodluck is not a strong leader, his careless handling of terrorism in our country has made it stronger.

There have always been Islamist riots in Nigeria, but all of them are usually crushed within a month and their leaders killed, by Muslim presidents. Think of Maitatine, Zango Kataf, etc. If a Muslim becomes president, do you think he will automatically allow Islamists to take over Nigeria? Don't you see that more Muslims have been killed by Boko Haram than Christians? There is palpable fear in the North and it affects everyone. No one is safe. Boko Haram kills Muslims who refuse to accept their violent ideology, just like ISIS. What we need in this country is a president who is committed to protecting lives. A strong and fearless leader whose passion for the country makes him intolerant of corruption, and religious bigotry.

I am not asking you to vote any particular person, I just want you to use your minds and think properly before voting in the next president. Don't be deceived by pastors and 'Men of God'. They are human and make mistakes too. Don't be deceived by claims of visions and prophecies, we all know how some of them lie in the name of God. Did Rev. Chris Okotie not tell us that God would make him Nigeria's president? Where is he today?
Don't let anyone deceive you with fear, God is not a God of fear, but of power, love and SOUND MIND - 2Timothy 1:7

This is fear tactics with a coating of religion to make it appealing. Please dear Nigerian Christians, remember God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7. Use your minds and be wise. Pastor Emmanuel Bosun sounds more like a politician than a pastor urging us to vote in Goodluck just because he is a Christian. He doesn't want us to think but use our sentiments instead. He paints APC as a Muslim party which will islamize Nigeria if voted into power. Far more Muslim presidents have ruled this country than Christians, why didn't they islamize the country? We all know that Islamists like Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda and ISIS operate in countries with weakened leadership or failed states. Goodluck is not a strong leader, his careless handling of terrorism in our country has made it stronger.

There have always been Islamist riots in Nigeria, but all of them are usually crushed within a month and their leaders killed, by Muslim presidents. Think of Maitatine, Zango Kataf, etc. If a Muslim becomes president, do you think he will automatically allow Islamists to take over Nigeria? Don't you see that more Muslims have been killed by Boko Haram than Christians? There is palpable fear in the North and it affects everyone. No one is safe. Boko Haram kills Muslims who refuse to accept their violent ideology, just like ISIS. What we need in this country is a president who is committed to protecting lives. A strong and fearless leader whose passion for the country makes him intolerant of corruption, and religious bigotry.

I am not asking you to vote any particular person, I just want you to use your minds and think properly before voting in the next president. Don't be deceived by pastors and 'Men of God'. They are human and make mistakes too. Don't be deceived by claims of visions and prophecies, we all know how some of them lie in the name of God. Did Rev. Chris Okotie not tell us that God would make him Nigeria's president? Where is he today?
Don't let anyone deceive you with fear, God is not a God of fear, but of power, love and SOUND MIND - 2Timothy 1:7

This is fear tactics with a coating of religion to make it appealing. Please dear Nigerian Christians, remember God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7. Use your minds and be wise. Pastor Emmanuel Bosun sounds more like a politician than a pastor urging us to vote in Goodluck just because he is a Christian. He doesn't want us to think but use our sentiments instead. He paints APC as a Muslim party which will islamize Nigeria if voted into power. Far more Muslim presidents have ruled this country than Christians, why didn't they islamize the country? We all know that Islamists like Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda and ISIS operate in countries with weakened leadership or failed states. Goodluck is not a strong leader, his careless handling of terrorism in our country has made it stronger.

There have always been Islamist riots in Nigeria, but all of them are usually crushed within a month and their leaders killed, by Muslim presidents. Think of Maitatine, Zango Kataf, etc. If a Muslim becomes president, do you think he will automatically allow Islamists to take over Nigeria? Don't you see that more Muslims have been killed by Boko Haram than Christians? There is palpable fear in the North and it affects everyone. No one is safe. Boko Haram kills Muslims who refuse to accept their violent ideology, just like ISIS. What we need in this country is a president who is committed to protecting lives. A strong and fearless leader whose passion for the country makes him intolerant of corruption, and religious bigotry.

I am not asking you to vote any particular person, I just want you to use your minds and think properly before voting in the next president. Don't be deceived by pastors and 'Men of God'. They are human and make mistakes too. Don't be deceived by claims of visions and prophecies, we all know how some of them lie in the name of God. Did Rev. Chris Okotie not tell us that God would make him Nigeria's president? Where is he today?
Don't let anyone deceive you with fear, God is not a God of fear, but of power, love and SOUND MIND - 2Timothy 1:7

This is fear tactics with a coating of religion to make it appealing. Please dear Nigerian Christians, remember God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7. Use your minds and be wise. Pastor Emmanuel Bosun sounds more like a politician than a pastor urging us to vote in Goodluck just because he is a Christian. He doesn't want us to think but use our sentiments instead. He paints APC as a Muslim party which will islamize Nigeria if voted into power. Far more Muslim presidents have ruled this country than Christians, why didn't they islamize the country? We all know that Islamists like Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda and ISIS operate in countries with weakened leadership or failed states. Goodluck is not a strong leader, his careless handling of terrorism in our country has made it stronger.

There have always been Islamist riots in Nigeria, but all of them are usually crushed within a month and their leaders killed, by Muslim presidents. Think of Maitatine, Zango Kataf, etc. If a Muslim becomes president, do you think he will automatically allow Islamists to take over Nigeria? Don't you see that more Muslims have been killed by Boko Haram than Christians? There is palpable fear in the North and it affects everyone. No one is safe. Boko Haram kills Muslims who refuse to accept their violent ideology, just like ISIS. What we need in this country is a president who is committed to protecting lives. A strong and fearless leader whose passion for the country makes him intolerant of corruption, and religious bigotry. I am not asking you to vote any particular person, I just want you to use your minds and think properly before voting in the next president.

Don't be deceived by pastors and 'Men of God'. They are human and make mistakes too. Don't be deceived by claims of visions and prophecies, we all know how some of them lie in the name of God. Did Rev. Chris Okotie not tell us that God would make him Nigeria's president? Where is he today?
Don't let anyone deceive you with fear, God is not a God of fear, but of power, love and SOUND MIND - 2Timothy 1:7

Dear fellow Catholics, like many of you, I was a staunch defender of the faith. I was in the Charismatic Renewal and could debate with non-Catholics using Scriptures to justify our doctrines especially the way we honour the Blessed Virgin Mary. But now I know better.

You see I love the BVM, and I do honour her as well as other saints, but I don't pray to/through her anymore. I pray to God through Jesus Christ confident that He LOVES me, He delights in me and wants me to be His friend/daughter. The Bible tells us that Jesus calls us His friends and that we are joint-heirs with Him. He said this even when He knew the disciples were imperfect and would run away from Him and deny Him after His arrest. So why did He say this? It is because God's love in the person of Jesus is unconditional. We are not loved because we do right things, no, we are loved because we are His children.

The best way I can think of explaining this is to liken God's love to the love a mother has for her infant. The baby often cries and wakes her up at night, he pees and poos on her, vomits on her and does so many other annoying things to her. But her love for him and his welfare make her laugh off his childish behaviour. She loves him and will sacrifice her comfort and even her life to make sure he is ok.

That my friends is a tiny glimpse to the kind of maternal love God has for us. Long before we were born or knew about God, He loved us and gave Himself for us. Knowing this will free you from asking the BVM and saints to intercede for you. Instead we boldly approach the throne of mercy confident that He longs to communicate with us and help us (Hebrews 4:16). God is no respecter of persons, we are all equal in His sight. He loves you just as He loves the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints. They are not better than you. Now is the time of truth dear Catholics, know God for yourself. When you stand before God on Judgement Day, He will ask YOU, not the Church, what you did with everything He gave you. He will especially ask you what you did with Jesus and His commands of love (Matthew 25:31-46). He won't ask you about Mary and the saints. Please dear Catholics search and ask God for a deep revelation of His love.

Ephesians 3:16-19: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

To all Muslims who silently approve of what these suicide bombers are doing, especially to Christians, please understand that you are not safe either. Look at the trends in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and other places where extremists are waging a war on moderate Muslims of other sects. There is a Salafist agenda for a Caliphate and Al-Baghdadi has announced himself the new Caliph. His group are against liberal Muslims. This madness in the North is not sponsored by the Christians, please stop believing conspiracy theories. It is an attempt to create a new Caliphate by causing chaos. Wake up dear liberal Muslims, see what is being done to your fellow liberal Muslims in these countries. You won't be spared unless you agree to their violent terms.

Let's unite and speak against evil, most of us want peace. These guys want war and hatred.

I'll advise non-Muslims especially those from the South to leave the North. With this new invasion of Islamic schools, or other places where Muslims will be victims, Christians will be blamed for the attacks. These people don't care when Churches and Christian-dominated areas are bombed. Their clerics and leaders thrive on conspiracy theories and blame-games which their gullible and illiterate congregation swallow hook, line and sinker. Remember the North is littered with a history of mob attacks against Christians over the most ridiculous reason.
Please learn from history.

If you can't leave discretely, then send your children and loved ones away. Learn from the Jews who left Germany just before the Holocaust began. I pray for peace and hope for a united Nigeria, but events and comments online show that the reality is very different from our hopes.
Let's make hay while the sun shines.
May God help us.

Thank you OP for reminding us that the threat of war is very real in Nigeria. Unfortunately many of us youths, specifically those who were born after the Civil War, have only romanticised versions of it. They quote things like “war is peace” and other ridiculous statements made by rogues who started or gained from wars. I wish they would quote the ordinary people who were butchered or starved to death by war. I wish they would quote women who were raped and mutilated by foot soldiers, I wish they would quote the innocent children who cried helplessly while their hungry stomachs rumbled. I wish they would imagine the terror that stalked everyone, the stench of death and blood, the frantic pleadings before the victim was hacked to death.

War is ugly my friends. It is during war that you realise your neighbour will turn against you just to stay alive. You will give your attackers money, jewellery, and all your valued possessions. But they will ask for your head instead. Nothing will give them greater joy than watching you die.

Before they do that, they will bring your loved ones before you and make you watch while they commit the most horrific torture on them. They will brutally gang-rape your wife, mother, sisters and daughters without listening to their pleadings. Not content with that, they will forcefully ram sticks or rods into their private parts. You will look on helplessly as your loved ones slowly but painfully bleed to death. Your sons, father, husband or brothers will not be spared, they will be castrated in front of you before being beheaded.
War is not pretty.

Learn from the Tutsi Rwandans, they experienced unimaginable horrors. The survivors are not better than the dead. They still wake up in cold sweat from nightmares. They still hear the screams and smell the stench of rotting bodies. They still see the sights of horribly mutilated dead bodies. They still suffer from post traumatic stress disorders.

You think America, Britain, France or the African Union will come to our aid? Think again. They abandoned Rwanda, they will refuse to be part of a Black-on-Black war. Besides they know how brutal Blacks are even to outside help. They haven’t forgotten what the Hutus did to the Belgian soldiers who tried to protect the Prime Minister of Rwanda. Neither have they forgotten what the Somalians did to the Peacekeeping Forces. They also know what the Libyans did to the American Ambassador. No they won’t intervene, they will look on while we hack each other to bits. It’s not their war, its not their business.

Perhaps you expect other African countries to run to our help and open their borders to let us in. Have you forgotten we are the most populous Black nation on earth? Ghana, Cameroun, …etc can only take in a tiny fraction of us before closing their borders. They too will look on while our attackers hack us in front of their borders.

WAKE UP NIGERIANS. Stop the tribal bashing. The only people who will suffer will be you and I. Our religious, tribal or political leaders will zoom off in their private jets and abandon us while they watch the carnage on BBC.

For the sake of our loved ones please let us unite. The average Muslim, Christian, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Efik… man/woman on the street doesn’t hate you. He/she wants what you want: peace and progress and a better life for their kids. Please refuse to be used by selfish leaders who incite us to hate each other. Refuse to be used to cause war. We are human beings first before our tribe, religion or politics. Please for the sake of our innocent children, let’s work for peace. WAKE UP NIGERIANS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!!

Thanks OP for taking the time & effort to inform us of these great ideas. May God bless you.

I came across this article written by J. Lee Grady and I think it addresses the issues we see in many churches today as regards money. Hope you receive insight as you read it with an open mind. Thanks

I’m not an African, but in 2008 some Nigerian friends gave me a Yoruba name (“Akinwale”) because I have been to that country so often. My visits there, along with trips to Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Egypt, planted a deep love for Africa in my heart. My first grandson’s arrival this year from Ethiopia made the connection even stronger.

I’m often asked to describe how God is moving in Africa today. Since I’m an optimist, I usually tell of the large churches, the passionate praise and the intense spiritual hunger that characterizes African Christianity. But there is also a dark side, and I think it’s time we addressed one of the most serious threats to faith on the continent.

I’m talking about the prosperity gospel. Of course, I know a slick version of this message is preached in the United States—and I know we are the ones who exported it overseas. I am not minimizing the damage that prosperity preaching has done in my own country. But I have witnessed how some African Christians are taking this money-focused message to new and even more dangerous extremes.

Here are five reasons the prosperity message is damaging the continent of Africa today:

1. It is mixed with occultism. Before Christianity came to Nigeria, people visited witch doctors and sacrificed goats or cows to get prosperity. They poured libations on the ground so the gods would hear their prayers. Today similar practices continue, only the juju priest has been replaced by a pastor who drives a Mercedes-Benz. I am aware of a pastor who buried a live animal under the floor of his church to win God’s favor. Another pastor asked his congregants to bring bottles of sand to church so he could anoint them; he then told the people to sprinkle the sand in their houses to bring blessings. The people who follow these charlatans are reminded that their promised windfall won’t materialize unless they give large donations.

2. It fuels greed. Any person who knows Christ will learn the joy of giving to others. But the prosperity gospel teaches people to focus on getting, not giving. At its core it is a selfish and materialistic faith with a thin Christian veneer. Church members are continually urged to sow financial seeds to reap bigger and bigger rewards. In Africa, entire conferences are dedicated to collecting offerings in order to achieve wealth. Preachers boast about how much they paid for suits, shoes, necklaces and watches. They tell their followers that spirituality is measured by whether they have a big house or a first-class ticket. When greed is preached from the pulpit, it spreads like a cancer in God’s house.

3. It feeds pride. This greedy atmosphere in prosperity churches has produced a warped style of leadership. My Kenyan friend Gideon Thuranira, editor of Christian Professional magazine, calls these men “churchpreneurs.” They plant churches not because they have a burden to reach lost souls but because they see dollar signs when they fill an auditorium with chairs. A selfish message produces bigheaded opportunists who need position, applause and plenty of perks to keep them happy. The most successful prosperity preacher is the most dangerous because he can convince a crowd that Jesus died to give you and me a Lexus.

4. It works against the formation of Christian character. The prosperity message is a poor imitation of the gospel because it leaves no room for brokenness, suffering, humility or delay. It offers an illegal shortcut. Prosperity preachers promise instant results and overnight success; if you don’t get your breakthrough, it’s because you didn’t give enough money in the offering. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him; prosperity preaching calls us to deny Jesus and follow our materialistic lusts. There is a leadership crisis in the African church because many pastors are so set on getting rich, they can’t go through the process of discipleship that requires self-denial.

5. It actually keeps people in poverty. The government of Malawi is currently under international scrutiny because of fraud carried out by top leaders. The saddest thing about the so-called “Cashgate” scandal is that professing Christians in the administration of President Joyce Banda have been implicated. One of these people stole millions of kwacha from the government and hid the cash in a teddy bear! Most people today in Malawi live on less than $1 a day, yet their leaders have been known to buy fleets of cars and huge plots of land with money that was not theirs. Sadly, the prosperity gospel preached in Malawi has encouraged pastors and leaders to follow the same corrupt pattern. As a result, God’s people have been financially exploited.

When Jesus described false prophets as wolves in sheep’s clothing, He warned us to examine their fruit. Matthew 7:17 says, “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit” (NASB). What is the fruit of prosperity preaching?

Churches have been growing rapidly in many parts of Africa today, yet sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where poverty has increased in the past 25 years. So according to the statistics, the prosperity gospel is not bringing prosperity! It is a flawed message, but I believe God will use selfless, broken African leaders to correct it.

It's funny how some Igbos feel threatened when another Igbo man or woman comes online to 'wash their dirty linen in public'. These people will call the fellow names and deny that he or she is truly from Igbo land. SMH. As long as Igbos continue with their Victim Mentality and refuse to acknowledge unpleasant truths about themselves, they will always be in trouble.

It is truth, not cover-ups, denials, and excuses that set people free. Igbos wake up to the truths about yourselves and your land. Don't always go into defensive mode when people, even fellow Igbos, make constructive criticisms. If you guys refuse to be humble and learn from your mistakes, you will continue to have problems!

Remember the Hausas don't like you, the Yorubas barely tolerate you, and your own land is inhospitable due to kidnapping, rituals, erosion, corrupt & inept leaders, etc. For your own good, Ndigbo youths, throw off that chip on your shoulders and grow up! Don't continue with that toxic mindset your parents had. You will end up losing in all ways like they did.

BTW I consider myself quarter-Igbo, by marriage!

The greatest threat to Christians is not Muslims, but fellow-Christians! We have become so preoccupied with competing and fighting over irrelevant differences that we have become nauseating! Just because Jehovah Witnesses do not share your doctrines does not make them less Christian than you. What makes you a Christian is your belief in Jesus Christ as the Saviour. Period. And yes, they are Christians too.

Please Nigerian Christians, let’s concentrate on what unites us, instead of what divides. We are stronger when we are united. Don’t become close-minded and think you know everything. If JW come to your place, listen to them, or politely refuse. Don’t think you are better than them or insult them. Remember they are God’s children too, and if you treat them (or anyone else for that matter) with contempt, you are also treating God with contempt - Matthew 25:40.

By the way, I am not a JW, but I listen to them, learn from them and we ‘sharpen each other.’

Thank you dear NappilyN, I have been greatly encouraged by your post. I have been thinking of cutting my natural hair due to my laziness. It can be such a stressful thing to cope with! But seeing your post has encouraged me not to give up. I will try some of the products and routines you recommended. I will try and persevere. Thanks again, your hair is beautiful byt he way.

Is there a difference between giving to God and giving to people? Many people think there is. They might think giving to God is only when we take money and other material things to church, while giving to people involves helping the less privileged, our poor neighbours, relatives, orphans, etc.

But this is not really true. The four Gospels in the Bible are full of verses where Jesus said giving to people (not religious leaders) was the same as giving to God. In Matthew 25:40 we are told that on the Judgement Day, God will say to people “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Also there are more verses in the Bible (old and new testament) that encourage giving to the poor than there are verses about giving to the house of God. But even more remarkable is what Jesus said in Luke 11:42, about the Pharisees who liked to tithe on everything (even spices) but not the most important- justice and love. Jesus was basically saying that God is more interested in how we help and support each other rather than how much we give to a church or our clergy.

So why do many Nigerian Christians think taking their offerings, tithes and seed offerings to church is more important than showing love and support to those less privileged than them? I think its because of greed and fear.

Greed: The average Nigerian wants more blessings. Oftentimes pastors and clergy people lay hands on their members and anoint them for ‘special’ blessings when they are particularly generous. To these members, God will surely answer prayers made by these ‘powerful’ men as against the simple heartfelt thanks of the poor people they help. And so they give to the church because they want ‘powerful’ prayers.

Fear: One of the most quoted verses by the clergy is Malachai 3:10-11. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, … I will prevent pests from devouring your crops...” Most people fear that if they do not give their tithes and monetary contributions to the church, they may face untimely death, sickness, accidents, and other mishaps. And so they go to church with their offerings and tithes not really in appreciation but out of fear.

I think God chooses to bless us not because of how much we give but because of His love and mercy. Do you think it is because of your tithes, offerings and seed offerings that you are still alive or healthy? What could you possibly give to God that He doesn’t already have? The cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him, the very life and strength you have come from Him!

If only we would take time to study the Bible for ourselves, instead of depending on only what our pastor/priest says, we will really know what God wants. God is more concerned about our motives than our actions. He wants us to show love not blindly obey laws like the Pharisees. People will know we are Christians by the way we show love, not by how loudly we pray or sing or evangelize.

One of the reasons people were drawn to Jesus was his demonstration of love especially to those who were hurting. Over and over Jesus shows us in the Gospels, that demonstrating love is more important than keeping imperfect laws. That’s why He broke religious laws to heal the sick on the Sabbath, to befriend ‘sinners’ and tax collectors, to save the Adulterous Woman, etc.

Remember God loves you as a mother loves her infant son/daughter. He doesn’t love you because of what you do or don’t do, but because you are His most beloved child. Therefore feel free to give out of appreciation for all He has done and is doing in your life.

Don’t limit yourself to showing love in the church alone. When you give to the least person you are giving to God. Also remember that you do not need to give only money, you can give your time, your skills, become a mentor, etc. God is honoured when you do these things out of love, not out of greed or fear.

If you are tired of hearing about these sad stories, please join me in campaigning for the FRSC to ban these poorly maintained vehicles from our roads at daytime. The other time it was 11 people including children who were burnt beyond recognition in Ibadan, in April it was 50 people also burnt beyond recognition along Benin-Lagos highway.

Remember it could be anyone next time. It is not only poor people who are killed when trailers and fuel tankers have failed brakes. Please Nigerians begin to demand better services from the FRSC, it is our right! Let’s not just say “R.I.P to the dead”, let’s prevent this madness from continuing. Please join me by clicking these links, there are already 300+ supporters in total, thank you.
https://www.facebook.com/StopFuelTankerAccidentsNow
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/please-ban-the-daytime-movement-of-fuel-tankers-and-trailers

Reading these stories is scary indeed. Maternal care is almost non-existent in Nigeria. Our medical professionals are extremely rude and perpetually angry. I had my baby almost 3 years ago in Glasgow and I was treated like a queen by the white nurses. They were so cheerful, understanding and so caring. I don't think any Nigerian nurse or doctor could do that (btw I have 2 doctors and 2 nurses in my family). Its just our attitude towards life, we are too nonchalant and mean.

I hope something is done soon to curb the excesses of our medical professionals. Being in labour is already a very difficult time, why make it worse with rudeness and impatience?

Sometime I really get tired of Nigerian, we are our own worst enemies, not our leaders!

Truly, truly sad!!! I watched her video on how to tie gele on Bellanaija some weeks ago, and she came across as a nice and charming lady. May God grant her eternal rest and give her family the strength to bear the losses they have experienced. Really sad.

This is why I have started an appeal to ban these 'evil' maniacs from daytime movement. I have heard too many sad and tragic incidents caused by trailers and fuel tankers drivers. These drivers are beyond redemption, they just do not understand any guidelines. The only way for travellers to travel in peace without fear and apprehension is to get these drivers off the roads during daytime hours when passenger travel is highest.
Please support this campaign by clicking on these links. If we all don't demand better road safety measures, we will continue to hear such sad stories.

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/please-ban-the-daytime-movement-of-fuel-tankers-and-trailers

https://www.facebook.com/StopFuelTankerAccidentsNow

Dear friends this is what many Nigerians face daily: insensitive and wicked drivers of trailers and tankers who do not value life. Was it not just yesterday that 11 people including children were burnt beyond recognition in Ibadan? Now this, and there are many more cases we don't get to hear about. We can tell the FRSC that it is time for them to curb this menace since they are conveniently unaware of the recklessness of these drivers and their poorly maintained vehicles. Will you join me in signing an online petition calling for the daytime ban of these vehicles or will you continue to grumble or 'leave it to God'? Remember it could be anyone in this situation tomorrow, please click on the links below to demand safer roads.

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/please-ban-the-daytime-movement-of-fuel-tankers-and-trailers

https://www.facebook.com/StopFuelTankerAccidentsNow

The problem with ASUU and other trade unions like the medical professionals is that their strikes are always selfish. Its always about their salaries, or allowances, nothing about dilapidating facilities or equipment. As such these guys do not get any sympathy from the average Nigerian, who think they earn very well anyway. Until these unions begin to make demands that resonate with others, for greater good, not just their pockets, they will never really be taken serious. My two kobos

Its easy to feel disgusted by the acts of these young ladies, especially the pregnant ones. But could we stop to think of how they got to this sorry state? Most of them were abused in their childhood, some did not experience good parental affection or care, some are funding their addiction, some are desperately poor and are the breadwinners of their families...etc. Those ladies are not happy with their lives, they are just stuck in the nightmare. They have just simply learnt to survive by acting tough. Please let's pity them instead of condemning them. Hopefully someone will be touched to help them.

" Love is the Only force capable of turning an enemy into a friend " Very true. It is love that convicts, not criticisms/judgement.
Love is the only gift that you get back. When you show love by a kind action or word, you experience joy. The result is immediate. Let's not allow the love of money, fear, religion, etc hinder us from loving. If you are a Christian, remember that Love is the fundamental ingredient needed to serve God. No matter how religious we are, if we cannot treat others with love, it profits us nothing.

Thanks OP for reminding us of the needful.

BTW there are many Africans who risk their comfort to care for others, they are not celebrated often sadly.
I saw this report on Channel4 Unreported World, of the fight by few 'average' Kenyans to save street children. One of the men was riding a bicycle! It just goes to show that you don't need to have million before helping. All you need is love in your heart, a way will be made available if you don't give up.

Watch the report here :
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/episode-guide/series-2013/episode-2

I also wrote an article on helping published on bellanaija.com. You can read it here too:
http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/05/29/finding-the-courage-to-love/

Your story is really encouraging! May God continue to strengthen you & bless your beautiful children.
You are a MOTHER indeed!

So sad, may God comfort her and grant the dead eternal rest.
I hope there will be investigations into this and justice will be done to deter recklessness.
If only the FRSC will start treating such cases as manslaughter and not just another accident.
Until drivers start getting jailed for causing death by reckless driving, we will not stop hearing such sad stories.
Really sad...*smh*

May God grant the family the strength to bear this tragedy. I can't imagine how traumatised the wife and kids must be, after watching him so helplessly! Sad, truly sad! I have lived in Calabar for most of my life, I schooled there in Unical and my family still stays there. I know very well how heavy the rains in that city can be, as well as the huge open gutters. Similar stories of people, even children, being swept away by the raging waters have been widely reported. I really wish there is something that can be done to prevent such tragedies.

R.I.P Sir.

@adconline and GenBuhari(nice name btw), I totally understand what both of you and others are saying. The FRSC was established to do just that, ENFORCE, traffic laws to save lives. But we all know that they only flex their muscles with private car owners. We all see these crazy tanker drivers with their bloodshot eyes driving recklessly on the roads, the FRSC also sees them, yet what do they do? Absolutely nothing! They know the companies that allow their drivers to drive badly maintained trucks and trailers, yet do they prosecute them? Not at all.

For those of us who live overseas, we know all too well the penalty of causing death by dangerous driving. People have been sentenced to prison, without the option of fines, and their licenses suspended when they killed someone. In Nigeria, you can kill as many people as you like, no one will bat an eyelid. Why do you think these drivers continue killing Nigerians, its simple, no one will prosecute them. The FRSC always says it will, but never does.

Since the FRSC has failed to carry out its primary duties, then I think we should rise up and say enough is enough.
What would you do if you heard that at least seven planes crashed in just one month? The people who die on our roads are human beings too and had hopes, dreams and loved ones.

"No disease kils Nigerians like road accidents" - Osita Chidoka Corps Marshal of FRSC
"Nigeria is the second country with the highest number of fatal road accidents worldwide" - Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu,
Minister for Health,

@stuhporh, I thank you for taking the time to comment, I know a holistic approach is always better, but you and I know Nigeria! There are laws and regulations, recommendations, etc for tackling this madness on our roads, but very rarely are they implemented or enforced. What is the result? Almost daily reports of accidents, most unreported because the casualty figure is too small. Did you know that in just 3 years (2007 - 2010) tankers and trailer accidents claimed the lives of over four thousand lives?!

Its easy for some people to look at the cons of this campaign. I'm sure people opposed the end of slavery, people even bad-mouthed those campaigning to end apartheid or racism. But today we all enjoy the efforts of people who stood for what was right.
Until the holistic approach starts working, Nigerians deserve safer roads!

@adconline, I understand that any change is always resisted. But what do you propose to end the carnage? Are we going to let the FEAR of strikes prevent us from doing the right thing to safe guard lives.
NURTW is notorious for going on strike over anything, even when there were asked to stop parking illegally on the highways and to use their parks instead. Will we continue to let this group get away with daily slaughter of innocent Nigerians just because of strikes?

If we insist on the right thing and uphold the ban, they MIGHT go on strike, but they will call it off eventually. I don't mind a bit of sacrifice today, in order to have a safer tomorrow.

@ Shine u eyes and Crackhouse, thanks for the encouragement.
I know lots of people have failed in pursuit of change campaigns in Nigeria, but I refuse to be discouraged.
This is simply the right thing to do. I am just tired of doing nothing about the almost daily occurrence of accidents. I hope through this campaign the FRSC and the government will realise that Nigerians are tired of dying daily on the roads.
Thanks

As long as we the 'ordinary masses' turn a blind eye to issues that concern us, the government and its agencies will do the same. Why? E no concern them, simple. The FRSC, as hard as they have tried, have not done enough to enforce sanity on our roads, we can't afford to keep waiting for them.

If you are bothered enough about this incessant horror on our highways, you will sign the petition.
You don't have to live in Nigeria to be bothered by this carnage, you don't need to have lost a dear one in an accident.
You just need to be have a heart, to know that it could have been anyone.
Stopping further avoidable accidents is simply the right thing to do.

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-minister-of-transport-nigeria-ban-daytime-movement-of-fuel-tankers-and-trailers-2

https://www.facebook.com/StopFuelTankerAccidentsNow

Twitter (@StopRoadCarnage)



Thank you!