Boko Haram and Bombing of Churches in Nigeria

Safety is of the Lord! The Bible says in Psalm 127: 1 "...Except the Lord Keep the City, the Watchman waketh but in vain". Which s to say except the Lord watches over the City, they that watch are just awake for nothing.

What a shock that inside a military formation bombs went off and killed people. Military authorities have confirmed 11 people dead and 60 injured in the  two suicide bomb attacks on St. Andrews Military Protestant Church inside the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.
Its shocking that the suicide bombers successfully infiltrated the heavily guarded cantonment, which is a major training institution for the armed forces, and detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices.
The first bomber reportedly  detonated his IED, killing himself and five others inside the church as service was ending. Just as people rushed to the scene of the blast, a second suicide bomber drove his car to the entrance of the church and detonated another set of IEDs, killing five more people.
Who would have thought that all the Trillion of Naira given to Nigerian Security chiefs most especially the Chief of Army Staff Lt.Gen Ihejirika and his Colleagues, that a Military not civilian settlement would be easily over run by rag tag rebels. Vehicles laden with bombs passed through the gates of a whole "Military Cantonment" as big as Jaji to kill and destroy? Its so strange, unbelievable and unfortunate. Where has all the Intelligence Reports and technology to combat terrorism gone?

 How can you say a bomb exploded in a church at Jaji (which is probably the most strategic and most important base for the Nigerian military) of all places? This looks more like a direct attack on the military if you ask me except the military is aware or preparing us for something else.

On Friday, Nigeria's military offered a reward of 50m Naira for help in tracking down suspected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, and N10m each for other suspected leaders of the group. Will this solve this problem? No It wouldnt? What they need is Security consciousness and alertness. Because as it is the the Northern Elders Forum described the act of offering cash rewards for the apprehension of Boko Haram's leaders by government as an act of insincerity on the part of government.

The forum insists that rather than focus on trying to apprehend the leaders of Boko Haram the government should treat them like it treated the Niger Delta militants and rehabilitate them.

Spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, Dr. Paul Unongu said that the militants of south south "were rehabilitated and compensated with huge sums of money; some of them were given big contracts. If it was possible for the militants in the Niger Delta, which is Jonathan’s part of the country, why would it not be possible for Boko Haram in the North? On the surface, placing a bounty on the heads of the leaders of Boko Haram shows that the FG has dropped negotiation.When we (NEF) met the President, we suggested the carrot-and-stick approach to him and he accepted it. However, what is reprehensible is the excessive application of the stick. What Nigerians want to see is the end of the violence and loss of innocent lives.
If Jonathan applies himself to it, he would identify people he can talk to and they would relate his message to Boko Haram. He has to create the atmosphere for that negotiation to happen.”

Another Northern elder, Dr. Bulama Gubio, said "Since the President has said there is no negotiation going on between the Federal Government and Boko Haram, what else can we say? All we can do is to continue to appeal to both sides to negotiate in the interest of the people. Our people are dying every day and our economy is paralysed. Borno State is still part of Nigeria, so the Federal Government should swallow its pride and go the extra mile to make sure the negotiation works. I don’t think Federal Government can solve the problem without negotiation.”

But  the Delta militants never killed innocent civilians nor did they bomb churches. They were fighting for the economic rights of the people whose farmlands were taken over by oil spills. It was a legitimate cause. The Niger Delta area or the south south area Is contributing to the mainstay of the economy yet they were not getting much hence their fight.
What are Boko Haram fighting for? What have they contributed naturally or academically to Nigeria? What are they contributing to the economy that they are being deprived of?
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If the Northern Elders want Boko Haram compensated, with what will they used to compensate them? What exactly is the North being deprived? Out of several years of military rule and civilians Head of State, the North has more years. Infact one of the states in the North used a slogan 'power State' on their plate numbers because most of the leaders of this Country came  from that state. All the Military formations and Institutions are in the North. The Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, which is in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, The Warrant Officers Academy, Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Nigerian Army School of Infantry and Infantry Corps Headquarters. 

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the blast, the Joint Task Force on Operation Restore Order in Borno State declared the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Ibrahim Shekau, and 19 other top guns of the group wanted for the attacks.
Institutions in Kaduna State have been the target of several bomb attacks this year, including churches. Last February, there was a blast at the gate of the One Mechanised Division in Kaduna, which killed the suicide bomber and some other people.

Ihejirika said during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Asaba, Delta State, that the blasts, which he described as saddening, could have been prevented  “The event of yesterday is certainly a very sad one. A board of inquiry is already instituted to unravel what happened, which we believe could have been prevented.”

It was learnt that the military high command was embittered by the fact that the second vehicle, which exploded and killed several people including the two suicide bombers and injured many, was packed within the premises of the the Military formation. It was reliably gathered that the military authorities were of the view that it would be difficult for such an operation to have been executed without the collaboration of insiders. The belief is that the second vehicle came into the premises through a route at the back of the college.

So far, Investigations showed that security was not very tight as the vast settlement has no perimeter fence thereby making it possible for the facility to be accessed from other outlets. A car cannot drive through  a broken down fence or  through the bush. It drove through the main road so why didn't security on ground seen them? Or is the owner of the vehicles living inside the cantonment ?

It was further learnt that there are several civilian settlements within which complicate the problem of a watertight security observance in the area.

Also the manpower for an effective security maintenance in the facility could not be said to be adequate as most of the staff entrusted with the responsibility of security maintenance in the area are involved in the internal security operations in other parts of the North like Jos, Maiduguri etc. 

Whatever it is, SECURITY should be of utmost importance to our leaders now. Enough of this slaughter of Christians almost every day now. I know this wouldnt have happened if people inside did not make passages into the cantonment easy. Oh God defend your children.

Married Women in Nigeria -Where From?

Justice Jombo-Ofo 

 

The sad story of Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo brings to my mind the tragic situation of married women in Nigeria. Nigeria’s negative socio-political development has greatly affected women who are married outside their State of origin.
Nigeria is 52 years after independence, yet its citizens are not given that assurance of security and protection in many ways. It's only in Nigeria that some people are still strangers in their own country if they are not living in their State or their city. The women are worse off.
Justice Jombo-Ofo by birth is from Anambra State. She married an Abia State man and has been living with him since her marriage. She is not divorced from the husband and has been working in Abia State Judiciary. even before the State was created 21 years ago. She has served the Judiciary “meritoriously” according to the State  Governor, Theodore Orji, who recommended that she take up Abia State’s slot in the Court of Appeal when the vacancy came up. She did and that is when the problem started.
A petition was written to the  Chief Justice of the Federation, Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, stating that Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo is not an indigene of Abia State and therefore should not take up a seat reserved for its indigenes. Based on this, the CJN refused to swear her in.
All these years that she has been toiling to dispense justice in Abia State , no one said that she is not an indigene but now that promotion has come and she is to reap the fruit of her labour, the enemies of progress sprung up to put her down. This is so unfair. Is Nigeria moving backward or what? Why should we be talking about a married woman not being an indigene of the state she is married to? The Bible says what God has joined together let no man put asunder. Are the petition writers saying she is not one with her husband because she is not from Abia State?
I remembered an incident in 2005 during the recapitalisation exercise in the banking industry. My husband's cousin working in First Bank recommended me to one of his bosses for employment and he asked me to take my CV to the man. I went and when I entered the man's office, I greeted the him in English language but the man answered in the local dialect. I responded and the man asked why i used English. I told him that i am not fluent in my husband's dialect. That was a minus. After going through my CV the man then said, using his words "oh you are not from our area." I was shocked and i said i am but the man firmly said NO. Not wanting to spoil my chances of getting a job by arguing with him, i stopped. If  I had known that I will still miss the job simply because I am not from the same state with my husband, I would have given the man a piece of my mind.
The movement towards creating a nation where everyone would find fulfillment was alive in the minds of our Nationalists when they fought for independence, why have we gone back to tribalism and Statism? Shouldn't we by now have gone past this and be able to settle, integrate and struggle with fellow countrymen in any parts of the country like is done in America that we claim to emulate?
America is full of examples of people moving from their states of origin and attaining their dreams and ambitions in their places of residence not even marriage. Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the the Secretary of State . She was born in Illinois and married an Arkansas man who was American President for 8 years, Bill Clinton. After her husband's two terms in office, she moved to New York and was elected as a federal senator in 2000.
Why can't we have the same here? This Justice Jombo-Ofo case is definitely an eye opener for all of us. In Nigeria, It is the lot of women to leave their families at maturity and relocate to strange new families, sometimes strange new lands and cultures after marriage. Wherever married women find themselves, they work hard and Justice Jombo is not an exception. From testimonies from people around her, she has been using her God-given talents to serve her husband’s community and State with all her strength. She actually started from the bottom and worked hard getting to the top helping to build the State in which she was married. While she was stressing herself and sacrificing time, energy and quality family time, nobody raised any objection. But now that the time has come for her to to reap, someone is writing a petition against her. This is so cruel and unfair.

I do not know why the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mukhtar is delaying the swearing in but she needs to set aside the evil petition and a help a fellow woman move up the ladder to occupy the higher Bench.

First Lady Returns from Foreign Trip

Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan came back on Wednesday 17th October after six weeks absence from the Country. As usual the paid crowd and other political appointees were waiting to receive her at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja where the presidential jet that brought her back landed at about 4pm. She debunked the allegation that she went for cosmetic surgery but claimed she went for foreign trip. I wonder what type of foreign trip this was? So when you went for foreign trip, was it holidays, business trip or spiritual obligation? Why were the people not told? Is it not the taxpayers money that will be spent on her?

Anyway, it was a real show she put up at the Airport. When the aircraft doors opened, she came out with 'goggles' on then later removed them to properly acknowledged the hired crowd by lifting up her hands to wave at them as if she is the President.

I remembered the day she came to Lagos early this year for a 'Thank you' electorate tour. The roads were closed as all the women organisations in Lagos were threatened to be there or ceased to exist. One of my friends who is an executive in one of such association told me so. She said she didn't want to go but the threat forced her to. So when I saw the crowd, i knew there were either forced or threatened apart from the government officials, governors’ wives and politicians.

On arrival, as usual, the President's wife did not allow the opportunity to talk pass her. She is one of a kind. Unlike Turai Yar adua, who is seen and not heard most times, Dame Patience Jonathan wants to be seen and to be heard always. Hear her: “I am happy to be back in Nigeria.

“There are a few Nigerians that are saying whatever they like, not what God planned because God has a plan for all of us. “God has said it all, that when two or three are gathered in His name, that He will be with them. And Nigerians gathered and prayed for me (Prayed about what? If Nigerians do not know what ailed her and she said she was not in the hospital, so what did the country pray for?) and God listened and heard their prayers, so I thank God for that. “At the same time, I will use this opportunity to speak to those few ones saying that anybody that goes to the Villa or Aso Rock will die. “They mentioned the late Gen. Sani Abacha, they mentioned the late Stella Obasanjo, they mentioned the late President Umar Yar’Adua and other people. But why didn’t they mention those ones that went there with their families and succeeded and they still came out alive? “We should remember that Aso Rock is the seat of power and that is where God has ordained for Nigerians that our leaders should rule from and to rule us right. “At the same time, I read in the media where they said I was in the hospital. God Almighty knows I have never been to that hospital. I don’t even know the hospital they mentioned. “I have to explain what God has done for me( What did God do?). I do not have a terminal illness. I did not undergo cosmetic surgery, let alone a tummy tuck. “My husband loves me as I am and I am pleased with how God created me, I cannot add to it. “But at the same time, I will use this opportunity to thank my beloved husband and my children, my staff in general and all Nigerians for standing by me during my trying time." “God has given me a second chance to come and work with women of Nigeria, children and the less privileged. I have come to serve Nigeria. I have come to work with Nigerians, I am there for them. “Once more, I am pleased to be back. I love Nigerians; they are my family.” Nigerians wish you well and pray for the first family.

Power of We

I have always written about the environment and the flooding in Lagos anytime opportunity presents itself and this 2012 Blog Action Day is not an exception. This is the way to highlight and bring to the fore the efforts of our community in ensuring that we are not overrun by flood due to blocked canal in our locality. Almost five years ago, the state Government awarded the channelization and expansion of the Canal in our Community to a local contractor. The contract was for two years and the contractor worked day and night to meet that deadline. Suddenly everything stopped and the raining period was approaching. Weeks later, dirt and rubbish began gathering and Water hyacinth covered the canal. Before we could say Jesus is Lord, the canal which stretched across Aguda to Orile Mile 2 has been blocked. The situation became compounded with the commencement of the construction of the 10-lane-expressway from Iganmu to Badagry by the Federal and State Government and the blocking of canal at Alafia for the erection of concrete pillars. #bad12

When the rain now came, Aguda, Ikate and the whole of Surulere became flooded. Any time it rains, and no matter how little, the communities will be flooded. An appeal was sent to the Local Government Chairman for the Government to clear the canals and drainage channels to make the place flood free.

Anytime it rains, the whole area floods and water spills on to the street and houses. The floods hinders movement to schools and business places.

I remember July 10, 2011. The flood was massive. We had the Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello and some other Government officials coming to visit the site. He said the state government would expand some of the canals in Agege and other flood-prone areas to contain the massive floods that had been coming with the downpour in the state. He assured that the canal would be ready soon so we don't get to be submerged in flood any time it rains. Those were rhetoric. Nothing was done. Again, this year 28th June 2012, it rained and the whole area was flooded. I can’t forget what happened that Thursday. Water was everywhere and there was no way to pass. Most flats on the ground floors in the whole area were filled with water. I was worried for our neighbour and if on cue, she climbed up to solicit our help to bail out water from her flat. The rain was very heavy and it rained throughout the night. So many property were submerged and furniture destroyed. With that flooding of June, we mobilized ourselves into a pressure group. We did not wait for the officials to respond to letters of appeal but agreed to do something before lives are lost. In finding out why the area was always flooded, the Association realized 4 things: (1) that Lagos simply does not have the flood protection/drainage systems it requires. There has been no detailed assessment of the drainage needs of Lagos, considering its elevation, rainfall and drainage pathways. If this has been done, then there are requirements to ensure that flooding events like the ones we experience would not occur. Its not reclamation of land as most people think. (2) There is no proper routing and installation of drainage channels, with measures taken to prevent dumping. (3) The weather forecasting capabilities of the meteorology Department is poor. (4) No sincerity and will power by the Government to tackle the perennial flooding in the State. #bad12

After the findings on what causes flooding in the state especially in Surulere, the Landlord Association now decided that enough was enough. Protest was carried to the seat of power and the monitoring team assured that the government is committed to tackling the challenges posed by flooding in the state and the dredging of the canals have been captured in the 2013 Budget. The Association did not rest until the supervisor sent caterpillars to clear and dredge the Canal. Luckily, the rain has been falling but the area is not flooded and the Association has decided to pursue this option every 6 months. Without the members of the Association coming together to fight for their right from Government, we would have been counting the losses now because its been raining every day since. This really is the "Power of We" in action. #powerofwe

Flood ravaging Nigeria

Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians are displaced, homes and houses submerged and Trillions of Naira of businesses washed away. Unfortunately, the people and the Government were caught unaware by the ravaging flood. The flood started from Kogi State and then Benue before spreasing to Edo State, Anambra State, Delta State, Rivers, Bayelsa, Tarabe and Adamawa. So far so many people have been killed and still counting.

The floods are due to extraordinarily heavy rains and the continued release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. Due to the continuous heavy downpour, water would continue to be released from the dam throughout October.

Minister Of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia. The Government was warned but the leaders thought the climate change was not going to affect Nigeria. Like they say "God is a Nigerian".

This is one of the community in Kogi that the flood has sacked but the people are still in their homes and the kids are wading through.

About thousands of people are in the camps in Kogi, Benue, Edo and Delta states. The few accommodated in camps are just a fraction of those affected by the flooding in all these States.

The President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan visited the camp in Kogi and assured the people of Government help.

“I want to reassure all affected Nigerians that I share in their grief… The Federal Government has taken measures to assist the affected States, while considering long term measures to check future reoccurrence.

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Cassava farm land submerged in the flood. Although the Minister of Agriculture assured the people that they will be no famine, i still wonder how the farmers would cope with their hard work and harvest lost to the flood.

houses

hospital being sacked and the in-patients and out-patients being taken to other areas for medical care.

Submerged area of Anambra state

Minister of State for Environment Lady Ada Okwuanu The floods have now spread through Benue state and down into the Niger Delta. I hope the Governors of Akwa Ibom State, Lagos and Ogun are taking precautions.

Killing of Students by Community

On Friday the 5th of October 2012, four students of the University of Port Harcourt Ugonna, Tekena, Lloyd and Chidiaka were badly beaten and burnt alive by residents of Aluu community for allegedly stealing phones and laptops in an off campus hostel.

The unarmed and slaughtered students were between 20 to 24 years old. They were beaten with sticks and any objects available, tied up and burnt without their attackers taking any measures to verify the charges against them or taking them to the Police.

The act of killing of students by the natives in the community where their off campus hostels are located is not new in Nigeria. It has been on for years from Ago-Iwoye to Ede, Owerri, Ilaro and all over the Country. I remembered two years ago when my daughter was still in Federal University of Technology, Owerri, a young lad from the community went into the hostel and demanded forcefully that a student give him his laptop. The student refused and was shot dead. His flatmates went to report the case to the community head immediately but the chief drove them away. When the students got angry, the villagers descended on the off campus hostel, killing, maiming and looting the hostel before setting it on fire. The same thing happened in Ago-iwoye, Ogun State University off campus hostel. There was a clash between the community and the students. Students were killed and properties destroyed.

These acts of killing of students by the communities where their off campus are sited, are barbaric and in-humane. No one deserves to die by burning in this age of civilization. From what i have read on net, Chiadika's father is well to do. He is a Management staff with Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). I dont see why a boy from a rich home will go to steal forty thousand laptop when he can afford the latest ones. The bereaved father is said to be seeking divine intervention over the cruel fate that has befallen his beloved son. "I have handed over the murderers to God," he told a relative.

From the story making the rounds on the net, One of the four boys loaned huge sum of money to an indigene of the community, an Aluu boy who is his friend. The chap decided to play smart and not pay back. The boy on that faithful Friday morning went with his other 3 friends to surprise his debtor to ask of his money. An arguments ensued and the Aluu boy started shouting that the Uniport boys AND Cultists have come to attack him. The community came out with pestle, sticks, stones kerosine and tyres. They stripped them naked, beat them and set them ablaze. The unfortunate aspect is the village head seating down and presiding over the killing of these young men. My GOD! That is so wicked, barbaric and satanic. So unimaginable and unthinkable. This barbaric act must stop! We call on all decent Nigerians to join in the fight against senseless killing of young Nigerians. These guys are the great future leaders of this Country. No matter the offense or crimes committed, no one deserves to die that brutality. they should have been handed over to the Police. We call on the Federal Government to vigorously and urgently pursue the issue. It is good the State Government and the Police have waded in and some of the killers arrested. They should not go unpunished. Justice must be done this time around to serve as a deterrent to those who always take laws into their hands.

Nigerian Women Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia, in apparent defiance of Nigeria's ultimatum, has deported 510 female pilgrims.

The deportees, mainly from Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, arrived at the Kano International Airport at about 8.30pm on Wednesday, aboard a Meridian Airline flight. The female returnees were among the Nigerian women pilgrims for the 2012 hajj detained in Medina and Jeddah for not having male escorts while trying to enter Mecca.

But from the spokeperson, there is an existing agreement between the countries to exempts Nigerian women from requiring a male relative to escort them during the Hajj pilgrimage, which costs about $4,000 per person. So if there is an an agreement and exemption, why the sudden change? Vice President Namadi Sambo had on Wednesday summoned the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Khaled O.Y. Abdrabuh, to register the Federal Government's displeasure over the incident. Sambo also gave Saudi Arabia a 24-hour ultimatum to redress the situation. Spokesman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Mallam Uba Mana, said those brought back were a part of 1020 earlier detained by the Saudi officials at the King Fahd Airport. He said the commission hoped that the Federal Government at the Presidency level would soon settle the matter which is already threatening the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. The envoy also gave the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal. the assurance that the dispute would be resolved within 24 hours when he met with him. The Speaker was nominated by the Federal Government to negotiate the release of the pilgrims with the Saudi authorities. But more female pilgrims were still deported. A total of 511 women arrived at the Kano international airport on a flight from Jeddah, most of them in tears. They had been kept at Jeddah airport as long as five days. According to Zainab Mohammed “

Some of us were kept in two halls for five days in humiliating conditions with little food, water and other basic needs and inadequate toilet facilities.Many of us have cold and fever. We did not have blankets and it was cold, especially at night

" Another woman, Maryam Abdullahi said officials humiliated them.

“I have never been so sad in my life like in the past three days, We were held like criminals in debasing conditions. We deserve human treatment and as women and mothers, we deserve to be treated with honour but the Saudis have shown that they have no heart.

” Before them, 102 Nigerian women returned to the country having been denied entry into Saudi Arabia because they were not accompanied by men. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria described the situation as “

unprecedented and worrisome development.”

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– Sheikh Gumi For Sheikh Ahmad Mahmud Gumi, the detention and subsequent deportation of Nigerian female pilgrims from Saudi Arabia was caused by government’s incompetence and the indiscipline Nigerian women exhibit in foreign countries. He said the action of the Saudi authorities did not come to him as a surprise because of the way and manner female pilgrims conduct themselves while in the holy land.

“During the days of President Yar’adua, I have severally called his attention to the atrocities committed by our female pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Some of them would go to the holy land and vanish. They stay there to engage in acts that are not only against our religion but against even common sense and morality. I know the Saudis have respect for women but what our women do in the kingdom have made the Saudis to regard them as criminals. “Another issue is the way and manner our government portray themselves to the outside world. They were able to present themselves as incompetent personalities that can compromise the welfare of their people for some little gains. “Despite the indiscipline of some of our female pilgrims, I think the Saudi authorities ought to have, before now, informed our government of their decision to stop any female pilgrim from performing this year’s pilgrimage if she doesn’t go with Muharram,

” Well this weekend the Government that had earlier stopped airlifting to resolve the issue, has resumed. We wish all the Pilgrims a successful and fulfilling pilgrimage.

riots in Arab world

Again, riots have taken over the Arab world. This time, it has to do with Anti-islam video.

President Barak Obama

Destroying America's Symbol and Logo

Thousands have protested across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia against a film made in the US that depicts the Prophet Muhammad in a negative way by burning Buildings and killing people. American ambassador to Libya was killed in the protest in Libya. On July 1st 2012, the 14-minute video was posted on YouTube and was later picked up by various Arab TV stations. It was not popular until September when a Reliigious Egyptian TV channel presenter, Sheikh Khalad Abdalla broadcasted scenes and a clip from his show. It was dubbed into Arabic and posted online. Within days it had been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people and the rage began.

Christopher Stevens US Ambassador to Libya killed with three other Americans Embassy Staff. White House officials have asked YouTube to consider whether the film breaches its own guidelines. These guidelines include the stipulation: "We encourage free speech and defend everyone's right to express unpopular points of view. But we do not permit hate speech..." Google, which owns YouTube, said in a statement that the video was "clearly within our guidelines and so will stay on YouTube", but added that "given the very difficult situation in Libya and Egypt" it had restricted access to the video in both countries. But in Afghanistan, the govt blocked it. Access to the video also been blocked in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and India. The video "Innocence of Muslims" appears to depict Islam as a religion of violence and hate and its Prophet Muhammad as a foolish and power-hungry man. It also depicts Muhammad and his followers as killers, looters and extortionists. It opens with a scene in which a Coptic family in a newly radicalised Islamic Egypt is attacked by a group of Muslims while police look on without intervening. The father tells his daughters that Muslims want to kill all Christians and that the Islamic state is hiding their crimes. It then shows the Prophet Muhammad and his life with his family and his followers in the desert. He is shown having sex with his wife Khadija and other women. The video implies Khadija is behind the creation of the Koran, which is described as a combination of subversions of the Torah and the New Testament. In one scene the Prophet sanctions the sexual abuse of children; in another, he says he is gay. All these portrayals are indirect opposite of Islamic belief. His wife Khadija and his earliest companions are also revered in their own right in Islam, and so mocking these individuals is also considered serious blasphemy. The Koran is believed to be the direct word of God, revealed to Muhammad. Depicting Khadija as planning to concoct a holy book out of the Old and New Testament defies an intrinsic Islamic belief. I saw the trailer on the net and I watched for few minutes. Most of the people rioting have not watched it especially in Africa where access to the net is limited and costly. The entire film should be around an hour according to what i read but the trailer is only 14 minutes and that is what is widely circulated on the internet in English and Arabic. The Film is made by Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, an Egyptian-born Coptic Christian living in California. He is now in hiding but i know the American Government will find him although by then, a lot of innocent people would have been killed by the protesters. According to President Obama and the Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, these killings are senseless and the attacks unwarranted. << 1 Samuel 5; 1-12 >>

1) After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod. 2) They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. 3) But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again. 4) But the next morning the same thing happened—Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the Lord again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact. 5) That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod will step on its threshold. 6) Then the Lord’s heavy hand struck the people of Ashdod and the nearby villages with a plague of tumors.a 7) When the people realized what was happening, they cried out, “We can’t keep the Ark of the God of Israel here any longer! He is against us! We will all be destroyed along with Dagon, our god.” 8) So they called together the rulers of the Philistine towns and asked, “What should we do with the Ark of the God of Israel?” The rulers discussed it and replied, “Move it to the town of Gath.” So they moved the Ark of the God of Israel to Gath. 9) But when the Ark arrived at Gath, the Lord’s heavy hand fell on its men, young and old; he struck them with a plague of tumors, and there was a great panic. 10) So they sent the Ark of God to the town of Ekron, but when the people of Ekron saw it coming they cried out, “They are bringing the Ark of the God of Israel here to kill us, too!” 11) The people summoned the Philistine rulers again and begged them, “Please send the Ark of the God of Israel back to its own country, or itb will kill us all.” For the deadly plague from God had already begun, and great fear was sweeping across the town. 12) Those who didn’t die were afflicted with tumors; and the cry from the Town rose to Heaven.

Our God is the Creator that was not created. He is the Mighty Man in Battle. He does not need us the created to fight for Him. He is JEHOVAH. When the ARK of GOD was arrested by the Philistians and taken to their land and kept in an unholy place, God dealt with their idol and the people. What am I saying? These killings are not needed. Anyone that blaspheme God will be punished by GOD and not humans. Even when we are attacked, Gods says He will fight for us and we will hold our peace. Please stop killing innocent people all in the name of defending religion. Religion is for the people and not against the people. May God help us all.

Clearing the Air | Today's Christian Woman

I read this article written by Jenny Schermerhorn in Today's Christian Woman and it blessed me so i had to share it with all. She writes about resentment, its causes and how to resolve it.

Resentment toward my husband was silently strangling me. I was shocked to feel so angry and bitter. My husband and I had a solid marriage, and these overwhelmingly negative emotions seemed to have come out of nowhere. Nasty, sarcastic thoughts flew into my head uninvited, centering on my husband and things he did or didn't do. Get a grip! I told myself. I hoped these strong and destructive emotions would disappear to wherever they had come from. In the swirl of life—toddlers, job, and laundry—I blamed them on hormones and ignored them. But as weeks went by, my feelings of bitterness and anger didn't decrease. Instead, I seemed to be agreeing with my angry thoughts more and more. Yeah! Why didn't he do that, am I responsible for everything? or Sure, go out to a movie tonight, I'm sure you need a break. Instead of being shocked at my thoughts, I began to nurture them, deliberating on perceived wrongs. Angry words spilled out at my husband and children—an overflow from my hurt and bitter heart. I was frightened and unhappy with the state of my home, both my marriage and my negative parenting style. I tried to "talk it out" several times with my husband, but he felt attacked and I felt misunderstood. Suddenly I was terrified—we were struggling and stuck. I felt overwhelmed by negative emotions with no way to control or banish them. When I encounter a problem, whether laundry stains or emotional meltdowns, my go-to solution is research—in the form of bookstores and girlfriends. So I trusted my struggles to a few of my closest friends and found this was an issue they had all encountered and wrestled with as well. And while they had each tried to approach this problem with prayer and unselfishness, endeavoring not to let bitterness in their marriages take deep root, none of them felt their issue had ever really been resolved. Christian psychologist and author Dr. John Townsend, author of Boundaries, agreed to an interview with me, to help me understand what resentment is, where it finds its root, and how to resolve it. Here's my exclusive interview with Dr. Townsend, when I asked him everything my girlfriends and I wanted to know! What is resentment? Resentment is a persistent feeling of bitterness from feeling wronged by another. It often significantly decreases a person's happiness and contentment in important relationships. How can I recognize resentment in my relationships? Look for the following three things: 1. bitter feelings that get in the way of your connections with someone you normally care about and enjoy 2. a sense of powerlessness that there is anything you can do to change things. 3. a specific issue which is driving resentment. Resentment does not exist in a vacuum, and it is not the real problem. It is a symptom of a deeper perception of wrongdoing by another, in a behavior or in a pattern. For example, in your experience, did the other person criticize you harshly? judge you? control you? disconnect from you? lie to you? break a promise or a vow to you? How can I bring up resentment (to my spouse, friend, parent) without making a bad situation even worse? God designed relationships to be vehicles of transferring truth and love to each other, "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). We should be able to be open and honest in our closest relationships, and feel safe about it. So it's better to resolve things than to have an internal hurt blocking the relationship. Good relationships welcome truth that comes out in a vulnerable way. It is also important to realize that you don't want to focus on the resentment itself, but on the hurtful behavior of the other person. If you two reconcile about the behavior, the resentment should resolve. It has done its job in helping you be aware of the problem. What are some practical steps I can take to resolve resentment? There are several actions that will help. 1. Make sure your resentment is based on reality. Sometimes we feel bitter because we were having a bad day and the other person was just innocently in the same room. Talk to someone objective and wise and make sure there was an actual offense by the other person. 2. Make sure it's something significant. Could you be overreacting to a one-time misdemeanor, or it is something that matters, or a pattern? "Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs" (Proverbs 19:11). Check that out with a trusted friend as well. Sometimes resentment is rooted in something from our past that has not been healed. If that is the case, healing and forgiving in the earlier situation should resolve the resentment in the present situation. 3. Have the conversation. If you have walked through steps 1 and 2, and it is an actual and significant offense, go to the person in a vulnerable manner and tell them the following: "I have felt alienated from our relationship and I want to us to be close again. I have had some feelings of resentment because of X. Our relationship is important to me, and I am sorry I have felt this toward you. At the same time, I need to know that you are aware of how X affected me when you did it. I need to know that you are sorry for it, and that things will change. In that way, we both can be close again." With a normal loving and open person, this should get you on the path and the resentment should resolve, because you are reconciling. However, if the person is defensive or blaming, you will need to adjust your expectations of that person and move into some grief and adaptation to the situation. And if the other person continues the hurtful behavior, set healthy boundaries so that you are not affected as much. That will help the powerless feelings, because you are taking action, and you will not experience the resentment so much. (These principles can be found in a more complete form in my book Beyond Boundaries.) Dr. Townsend's insights into resentment helped me better understand my emotions and set up an action plan. I set aside some time when I was at my best, (not tired, hungry, or PMS-ing) and prayed for clarity. What was the real reason I was feeling so resentful toward my husband? I wrote out one possible reason and realized it was a problem but not the cause. Going down several layers, I finally rooted out the real foundational issue. It was surprising to see it written out—I had been totally unaware of the real source of my hurt and anger. I set up a time to speak to my husband and used the format that Dr. Townsend laid out. It really helped to start with "I have felt" and "I want us to be close again." It felt much less like an "attack" and more like a conversation focused on mutual love and reconciliation. Our conversation wasn't an instant fix, but it was the beginning of a healing process. Having identified the core issue, we were able to reconcile and move forward. We have made some minor changes in our relationship, but the most helpful part of the process for me was feeling that I had been heard and my husband was willing to work with me. With the issue out in the open, we can have short check-in conversations about the topic, and I don't let hurts fester around this issue. I bring things up quickly, because I know I am sensitive in this area. After months of discord it's incredibly freeing to have this resentment cut down at the root. Truly "the truth has set me free." The angry and bitter feelings that were overwhelming me are gone, and with them my uncontrollable outbursts and dreary outlook. his process was a difficult one for me, and boy am I glad to be on this side of it. I am thankful to have this new knowledge and experience to add to my relational toolbox. God calls us to move toward people with love and grace, and inevitably things get messy. I'm sure this won't be the last time the weed of resentment shows its ugly head and will need to be dealt with, and now I feel much more prepared to handle it biblically instead of ignoring it and letting it grow into a full bloom of anger, bitterness, and despair.

Jenny Schermerhorn is seeking to live an abundant life in motherhood, ministry and marriage. She's a freelance writer and communications director at her church

Clearing the Air | Today's Christian Woman

Akwa Ibom State at 25 years

25th Anniversary/ Birthday Logo

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State

The Children entertaining, dancing, drumming and doing the 'Etighe steps'.

Akwa Ibom State was created out of Cross River State on September 23, 1987 by the then Military Head of State, Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida (pictured above). These former colonial provinces make up the state, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket and Abak. Uyo became the capital. The first Administrator was Tunde Ogbeha, a military man.

Uyo was a local Government set up before it became the capital of the new State. The Military Government then started transforming the Capital and subsequent Government have been developing it into a befitting State Capital. Now there are wider four lanes roads, oberhead bridges and well maintained highways linking other parts of the State to Uyo. Akwa Ibom was created with Katsina State. I remember then that i was in Kaduna State in Orientation camp for my Youth Service. When we heard that Katsina State too was created, we all became apprehensive and started panicking because we didn't want to be transferred to a new Camp. The fear was heightened when the Camp Commandant announced that the new State will need more Youth Corpers to help her start. Tell me who needed to go to a barren place? Most of us were not adventurous and were scared of the religious extremists who populated the core muslims States in the far North. Also we were mostly from the Southern part of the Country and preferred the more enlightened Kaduna to other parts of the North.

OBONG VICTOR ATTAH, the former Governor of the State who laid the foundation of the modern State. He is an architect by profession and he design the modern State. The present Governor Obong Godswill Akpabio is really following those designs. Politically, the Governors may not agree with each other but they both love the State and want it to grow. They may say anything now but posterity will judge. To all the Governors who have made the State what it is today, Nigerians say Thank you.

The Silver Jubilee started with a children Concert hosted by the Wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Oluchi Ekaette Godswill Akpabio.

Happy Celebration AKWA IBOMITE!!!! As you celebrate with pomp and pageantry, may you be blessed with more infrastructural developments and good leaders. May your resources not be squandered in Jesus name. Amen.

Arik Air Nigeria

ON Wednesday the 22nd of August i had a meeting in ABuja with the Ministry of Mines and Steel development and the Lawyers representing us in the case between us and one of our bankers.

Aviation Minister

Going to join the plane around 5pm in Lagos to Abuja. Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st August 2012 were declared holidays and the meeting had to be postponed to wednesday 22nd. I would have booked online but i decided to get to the airport to purchase my ticket and board immediately. I was wrong. Terribly wrong. I saw shocking going-on at ARIK Airline stand at the domestic Airport.

Waiting for hours for the aircraft at the airport. I got to the Airport by 12.30pm and i had to go queue to buy my ticket. There were so many travelers and touts milling around the whole place. Was on the queue when touts and Arik Airline staff will walk to the counter and will be attended to immediately. A particular man was just stationed at the counter and he was just collecting money and the intending travelers details on a piece of paper. One of their staff told me that i cannot make the 1pm flight but i can get ticket for the 3pm flight. There i stood with complaining from all of us but the queue was not moving. All our complaints fell on deaf ears. The staff were not perturbed and they had this attitude of 'if you are not satisfied with our inefficiency, go patronise another Airline'. Eventually, it got to my turn and the cashier informed me that my departure will be by 7pm. WHAT? YOU MEAN I WILL WAIT AT THE DUSTY, CROWDY PLACE FOR 7HOURS? No way but I had no choice. The meeting was 8am thursday and i cant travel by road again because it was already late. By that time, i miss DANA Air. i travel mostly with Dana Air. Maybe because i worked with the Indians and that was their preferred Airline. I never had much complains except the hostesses were always demanding tips.

When the young man at the Counter said the available flight would be 7pm, I left temporarily. I was really confused because there was Fuel scarcity in Abuja and my friend who would have come to pick me at the Airport was in Lagos for a course at their training school. Afterwards, i had to go back and decided to trust God to see me through. God did. My friend called that a church member had fuel in his cab and he would wait at the Airport for my arrival. It was such a relief. God was not through because when i entered that disorganised and crowded check-in point, one of their staff that saw me going up and down to get a seat, came forward to help. That day it rained heavily and i had gone to the eatery by the gate to buy a bottle of water. By the time, i got back all the seats outside were taken and i was wet. The staff offered to help me board the 5pm flight. I treated him with suspicion initially until i saw him behind the Counters. God used him and i boarded the 5pm flight to Abuja. The next day, i got to the Airport 15 minutes after my flight time and i had to pay additional N5000 despite the return tickets with me. I still heard the boarding announcements as i alighted from the car that took me to the Airport but the staff refused me going to board the plane. I was subjected to the stress of queuing again to re-validate and pay. I was so frustrated and annoyed at the same time at their poor service. I Hope Arik’s Chairman, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide and his son will will do something to improve the services of their Airline. Now that the Airline indebtedness to the federal authorities is in billions of Dollars, i doubt if there will be any improvement in their operations and services.

Marriage and Divorce

Papa and Mummy GO of Redeemed Christian Church of God. In 1967 Papa Enoch Adeboye got married to his beloved wife Mummy Foluke Adenike Adeboye (nee Adeyokunnu). The couple has been married now for 45 years and still counting. You may be thinking that from day one the marriage has been rosy and blissful. No it was not so. At the beginning, Papa had many friends because he loved taking photographs and ladies love posing. Anyway, he got married before becoming born again. It was in 1973 that Papa Enoch Adeboye received the Lord Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour in Redeemed Christian Church of God and became baptized by immersion in water. There is a particular incident when they were traveling from Ilesha to Lagos and he had to leave the car and the wife with baby because of anger. Hear him

Something made her(Mummy GO, his wife) angry and I knew she was right. She really had an opportunity to hit me. She was talking and I was driving. I was angry but I could not talk and there was nowhere to run. When I could not control it anymore, in order not to break our rule (of not being angry at the same time), I parked the car. I got down and began to walk back towards Ilesha. “I left her with the baby in the car. After walking for about a mile, I got to a village where they were selling fruits and bought some. I ate some and I took the remaining to her in the car. By now she was frightened because she did not know what had happened. When she saw me coming, she became relieved and as I got into the car, I gave her the peace offering.”

With the young women of nowadays or celebrities, that act would be considered abandonment and they would sue for divorce. Kim filed for divorce because the husband went to another city and she only heard on twitter. She did not bother to find out why he did that and if he was happy that she does not want to perform her wifely role. Her sister Khloe Lamar Odom does not dictate to the husband and where the husband goes there she goes too. What Kim failed to realise is that when there are many interferences from family and friends, a relationship is bound to collapse.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries marriage broke down after only 72 days.

EVELYN LOZADA and CHAD JOHNSON - I was reading through some articles on relationships when i saw that another Hollywood marriage of few weeks had collapsed. Chad Johnson's wife, Evelyn Lozada, has filed for divorce 6 weeks after marriage. She filed legal documents in Florida, claiming her marriage was

"irretrievably broken."

She claimed domestic violence incident as the reason she filed for divorce. I wonder why she was snooping into drawers and trouser pockets for hotels bills and evidence of infidelity. If she knew the guy was not to be trusted and was not going to be faithful, why bother to get married? Evelyn claimed she found a receipt for a box of condoms in the husband's car and she went accusing and she was headbutted. I thought Kim Kardashians was the shortest marriage but theirs was shorter. Kim was almost 3 months while theirs was just a little after 1 month. Evelyn and Chad got married on July 4th in St. Maarten and the whole ceremony was recorded for the reality show, the Basketball wives. The couple's 41-day marriage came to an end on August 14

Britney Spears and Jason Alexander - This couple said they wanted to do something crazy and they got married and by the next day separated.

David and Victoria Beckham were married on July 4, 1999 at a Castle in Ireland outside Dublin, Ireland. Victoria was 25 and David was 24 when they married. They have been married now for 13 years. Daily all manners of women have been claiming one form of intimacy or the other with David Beckham but the wife has stuck with him. Do not know how long it would last but ignoring all distraction is the way to go if you want your marriage to last.

Marriage like i know should be between two people who are ready to forgive and help the other grow whether spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, materially etc. A relationship that drains and is suspicious of the others movements and intention is not good. Marriage is a state of being united to a person of the opposite sex in a consensual and contractual relationship recognised by law. Marriage is sacred and not some crazy thing like Britney spears and Jason Alexander called it. Marriage is not for shows. Its a serious matter. Think about it before venturing into it. If you are not prepared then don't do it. Just like the wedding Ring, the love between husband and wife should be continuous and endless. AS for the wedding rings, some churches do not support the wearing but I believe its symbolic and should be encouraged.

I pray that all the young men and women getting hastily into marriage and getting out will reconsider their attitudes. Marriage is honourable and we should emulate Papa Adeboye and others who are setting good examples for all to follow. We should try to understand our spouses and trust them absolutely. Most times they will let us down and betray us but we can forgive and stay on. Marriage is a journey and most roads are not smooth. So just fasten your seat belt By the way, put GOD first as you embark on this journey.

GOODLUCK to all married men and women.