12/07/23

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

…and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:15, ESV

Shoes of Peace
The Scripture tells us to put on the armor of God, including the shoes of peace. I think God is saying, “You’re going to walk through difficulties you don’t understand. There’s going to be plenty of opportunities to live upset and afraid. But don’t worry, I’ve prepared you for what you’re going to face. I’ve armed you with peace and strength for the battle. It may not make sense, but it’s all a part of My plan.”

Make sure you keep your shoes of peace on. Don’t fear the unknown or lose sleep over what doesn’t make sense. God has equipped you, empowered you, and anointed you. No weapon formed against you will prosper. Keep walking in faith, trusting when you don’t understand, and you’re going to walk into blessings, healing, freedom, abundance, and victory like you’ve never seen. When you trust God when it doesn’t make sense, you’re going to come into favor that doesn’t make sense—new levels of influence, new levels of joy, new levels of leadership, new levels of resources.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for being the God of all peace and for giving me shoes of peace to walk in. Thank You that You walk with me through whatever I go through. I refuse to allow what I don’t understand to get me upset. I declare I walk in peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

PART 2 : Do you know that as a believer in Christ, you have authority over the enemy?

It is true that the devil is the god of this fallen world (see 2 Cor. 4:4 NASB), who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). But we, as believers, are not called to cower in fear like the people of the world, for God’s eternal Word proclaims that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

In Christ, we have authority over the devil and all his cohorts. In Christ, we have authority to tread upon the lion and the cobra. The fowler’s snares shall be foiled and the hunter shall be the hunted. Our role in this increasingly dangerous world isn’t to be passive and indifferent, waiting to be devoured by the roaring lion. We are endued with power and authority to hunt down the roaring lion!

The Bible records the account of how Samson was in the vineyards of Timnah when suddenly “a young lion came roaring against him” (Judg. 14:5). Now, what would you do if you were suddenly ambushed by a lion?

Psychologists tell us that there are essentially three possible responses that are instinctively triggered when a person is unexpectedly thrust into an extremely dangerous situation—fight, take flight, or freeze. While most of us would probably either take flight or freeze, Samson instinctively rose to fight: “the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand” (Judg. 14:6). Now, that’s taking authority! The hunter came at Samson but found itself the hunted!

Sometime later, Samson passed by the lion’s carcass and saw a swarm of bees and some honey in it. So he scooped out some of the honey and ate it. It was from this experience that Samson came up with this riddle, “Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet” (Judg. 14:14).

There is a beautiful picture here for all of us. Instead of being eaten by the lion, Samson obtained something sweet to eat. What is the spiritual truth for us today? Out of every evil and negative thing the devil throws at you today, God will make something sweet for you. Your giants will be as bread to you. God will turn every bitter adversity into sweet honey for you!

ELIZA D.D

PRESS RELEASE

11/07/23

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria and member organizations of the

Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) have expressed concern over the recent suspension of Green Taxation on Single-Use Plastics by the federal government, cautioning that it will make Nigeria a dumping ground for plastic waste products.

Their reaction follows the recent announcement by the Federal Government suspending the Green Taxation which imposes an Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics, including containers and bottles.

The suspension is supposedly in line with the current administration’s commitment to create a business-friendly environment. 

The tax was introduced as part of the government’s efforts to address the growing concern over the impact of plastic waste on the ecosystem. 

The Executive Director of ERA/ FoEN, Chima Williams said that the new development will only bring to fruition the ominous prediction that plastic products in the ocean will surpass the number of fish in the water by 2040.

According to him, the Nigerian government is supposed to enact policies that will put an end to the invasion of plastic on our oceans and water bodies, not promoting policies and laws that increases the production of more plastic. 

“At a time like this when the world is set on improving the consciousness of the public on the need to end the use of plastic, it is unfortunate that our president is increasing the importance of plastic products, when Nigeria is being ravaged by a plastic tsunami.”

“Nigeria is supposed to be signing a law that promotes the phase out of plastic. This suspension may seem that the government is not committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on the reduction of the impact of climate change from the waste sector.” 

He called on the government to deliberately program itself into a zero waste society where no waste is generated, or all waste generated are seen as resources.

Also speaking on the issue, the ERA/ FoEN Project Officer of Waste Management, Melody Enyinnaya pointed out that Green taxations are eco/environmental tax, foisted on activities that pollute the environment, as Single-Used Plastics have become a major pollutants of the environment.

According to her, Green taxation on SUPs incorporates the negative expanse of the adverse effects of SUPs on the environment and the idea surrounding green taxes is to increase production costs for corporations, thereby bringing about higher prices on plastics, which will have the effect of discouraging consumers from purchasing them, further reducing their pollution rate on the environment.

“The key implication here is that this suspension will impede the efforts in reducing SUPs pollution, especially for a country like Nigeria that do not have effective policies guiding SUPs production, consumption and disposal.”

“The Government should revisit the suspension of green taxation, while considering the environmental and health implications of such polices at heart.”

She further advised the government to look at developing legislative instruments like a withdrawal policy that will hold these corporations accountable for their product waste.

On his part, the Executive Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV), Dr Leslie Adogame however opined that an outright ban is the solution to the production of plastic waste in Nigeria.

Reactions from other member organizations of GAIA

He affirmed that only an outright ban and tax approach with a robust Extended Producer Responsibility programme will help to arrest plastic pollution in Nigeria.

The Executive Director of Centre for Earth Works (CFEW), Benson Dotun Fasanya added that the suspension of green tax on plastics is an open door to a plastic tsunami in Nigeria.  

11/07/23

PRESS RELEASE

According to the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, the action of the officials is to prevent a re-ccurrence of any environmental challenge that may lead to loss of lives and property and to restore sanity on the walkways, highways and rail tracks where some individuals incessantly carry out trading activities debasing the environment.

Environmental Sanitation and Special Offenses Unit Of Lagos State Task Force, has cleared the Oshodi Railway track and the Apongbon Under Bridge following directive of the Governor of Lagos State to rid the state of illegal traders and street trading on the highways and major streets in the state.

According to Jejeloye, notices have been served in the last two years to those at Fagba, Pen cinema and Isokoko where people built shanties shortchanging pedestrians from having free movement along that axis of the state.

The Taskforce Boss who also added that goods found on the Oshodi rail tracks were seized called on market leaders to come to the agency’s headquarters for a roundtable discussion on how to permanently resolve the issue.

Jejeloye urged all traders to carry out their trading activities at the Complex Provided by the state Government and desist from carrying out activities that may jeopardize the productivity of the state.

10/0723

SHINA JO

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has emerged the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.

President Tinubu, who is the latest entrant into the club of Heads of State in West Africa, accepted the honour, on behalf of Nigeria, with a solemn pledge to bear the responsibility of the office and run an inclusive Administration of the Regional Organisation.

Tinubu, warned that the threat to peace in the sub-region had reached an alarming proportion with Terrorism and emerging pattern of military takeover that now demand urgent and concerted actions.

He said insecurity and creeping Terrorism are slowing down the progress and development of the region.

He called for a collective action from member-states, pledging that under his leadership, frameworks would be harmonized to actualize the dreams of ECOWAS.

President Tinubu in a statement issued by his special adviser on special duties, communications and startegy Dele Alake noted that ECOWAS had developed a security architecture, which he noted, “covers a wide range of areas that involved kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including preventive diplomacy.

He says There is also the Regional Plan of Action on Fight against Terrorism 2020-2024 as well as the operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force on Fight Against Terrorism.

On his emergence as Chairman on his first participation at the summit, having just started out as the elected leader of Nigeria, President Tinubu stated that he was humbled and honoured by the trust to assume the leadership of the regional body, pledging his commitment to serve the interest of the community.

He said: “Indeed, I’m humbled and honored by this trust, and want to assure you of my unalloyed commitment to provide the necessary leadership with dedication to serve the interest of the community.”

To underscore his commitment towards regional integration, the Nigerian President declared that he would prioritize political stability, peace and security, regional economic integration and strengthening of the ECOWAS institutions, declaring that democracy and good governance remain the abiding cornerstone of peace and sustainable development. While decrying the emerging pattern of coup d’etat in West Africa where soldiers have toppled the popular mandate of the people through barrel of guns, President Tinubu charged ECOWAS to stand firm in defence of democracy.

“We must stand firm on democracy. There is no governance, freedom and rule of law without Democracy. We will not accept coup after coup in West Africa again. Democracy is very difficult to manage but it is the best form of government.
There is no one here among us who did not campaign to be a leader. We didn’t give our soldiers resources, we didn’t invest in them, in their boots, in their training to violate the freedom of the people. To turn their guns against civil authorities is a violation of the principles upon which they were hired which is to defend the sovereignty of their nations. We must not sit in ECOWAS as toothless bulldogs,” the President warned.

On political stability, he said: “You will all agree with me that democracy and good governance are the cornerstones of peace and sustainable development of every society. I’m fully committed to deepening democracy and good governance in the region.

“We must strengthen our democratic institutions and ensure the respect for human rights and the rule of law. I will enhance engagements with the countries in transition to ensure their quick return to democratic rule.

The new ECOWAS Chairman called for improved private sector participation in the effort towards the Economic development of Member States as well as their social integration.

“We would work collectively to pursue an inclusive economic integration, which will be significantly private sector driven, in order to unlock the vast economic potentials of our region. We would actively promote trade, investment, and business cooperation among Member States by addressing the barriers impeding intra-regional trade, as well as creating a conducive business environment.

“We must encourage economic partnerships to raise the level of trade and investments in our region, hence facilitating employment creation and sustainable development and prosperity for our citizens.

“To this end, we must look inward and work with our regional economic facilitation platforms such as the Federation of West of West Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) as well as ECOWAS Trade Organisation Network to attain our desired goals, “he said further.

President Tinubu assured the Regional Leaders of the immediate implementation of his vision for the body, declaring that:

“In furtherance of my vision for our region’s economic recovery and growth, Nigeria intends to convene an ECOWAS Extra Ordinary Summit on Trade and Investment in October 2023.

“The event will provide opportunity for Member States to showcase their potentials and encourage match-making, in order to evolve business cooperation among the various organized private sector within the region,” he added while calling for the strengthening of the institutions of the body.

“In the area of strengthening our Organisations Institutions and ensuring effective performance, we underscore the need for the conclusion of the on-going institutional reforms of the organization.

“Given that Community Levy remained the biggest source of generating funds to run our organization, we must ensure that our citizens being taxed must be positively impacted by the programmes and projects of ECOWAS. This is in line with the shift of ECOWAS slogan from “ECOWAS of State” to “ECOWAS of People,” the Nigerian President emphasised.

He appreciated the Authority of Heads of States and citizens of the Community for trusting him to lead the West African body.

President Tinubub said: “Your Excellencies, let me conclude by once again deeply appreciating the Authority of Heads of State and the citizens of the Community for your trust in me. Together, we can shape a brighter future of shared values of peace, democracy, and economic prosperity of our region.”

In his welcome address, the outgone ECOWAS Chairman and President of Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo saluted his fellow leaders for sustaining the vision of the organisation despite the global economic headwinds and trouble spots within the region. He cited Mali, Burkina Faso and Republic of Guinea as countries where the constitutional order had been distorted while congratulating Nigeria and Sierra Leone for sustaining constitutional order through democratic process with the recent successful elections.

09/07/23

PRESS RELEASE

Dear All,I will Still sponsor Mmesoma Whether she agreed to JAMB Result Forgery or not that’s not my problem.

Supposing illegality was not celebrated openly like INEC swearing in a President who didn’t win the Elections, A President with a Forged Certificate and no trace of Primary to University Education, If Nigeria didn’t celebrate Elected Officials who rig Elections, etc. Young people won’t see a reason to forge Certificates and be celebrated openly.

While we address this, we must look at the entire society.

If you want us to Accept, celebrate and defend a President who rigged Election with Forged Certificate, we must also not destroy the Young Girl’s future with a forged Certificates.

I will Personally call her and explain to her that JAMB Numbers don’t define how far she can go in life and next time she shouldn’t bother Forging one.

I and our company @voiceoftheeast will still SPONSOR her!

09/07/23

DANIELS O.G

PRESS RELEASE

In continuation of finding lasting solutions to the problem of Nigeria food rejection Abroad, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has extended hands of collaboration to Critical stakeholders in the Nations Ports with a view to working together to revamp Export trade in the non-oil sector thereby positioning the country in a better State in the Global Market.

The Director General, NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye who was ably represented by Dr Abimbola Adegboye, the Director, Port Inspection Directorate who also heads the Office of Trade and International Relations at a consultative meeting with Pre-shipment Inspection Agents on Friday, Expressed the Agencys discomfort with the alarming rate of rejections of food Exports from Nigeria.

She pointed out that the meeting was aimed at building effective collaboration with NAFDAC to complement its robust regulatory policies geared toward understanding the NAFDAC export processes, collaboration to safeguard a unified exportation procedure and zero rejects of Nigeria export products.

Abimbola expressed dismay that a competent authority on food safety matter with all her acclaimed global accreditation in food safety testing could be totally blanked out in the listed requirements for issuance of Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI) by the Pre-shipment Inspection Agents,as the NAFDAC regulated products were not tested nor production processes validated for compliance before Export.

Present at the meeting were the top management staff of Neroli Technologies Limited, the agent covering South-south and South-west zone; Anglia International Services Limited, the agent covering North-West and North-Central zone and Gojopal Nigeria Limited, the PIA covering North-East and South-East zone.

They all made Commitments to immediate rectification of this lapses on their website and their process and enlightening their client to use the Nigeria Single Window for Trade portal (www.swt.gov.ng)to procure their exports certification.

NAFDAC as a Governmental Agency was established by Enabling Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 which empowers the Agency as the competent authority in Nigeria and charged with the responsibility of regulating and controlling the quality of manufactured, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, and consumption of Food, Drug, Chemicals, and other regulated Products.
Essentially, the NAFDAC mandate is to ensure traded products are of good quality, safe and wholesome.

The Port Inspection Directorate of the Agency has met with the Chairman of Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) and Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme NESS, Area Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Services at the Ports, advocacy visits were made to export sheds at Seaports, Airports, and land Boarders.

She however, expressed her appreciation of the activities of PIAs as a main actor in the processes chain of exportation adding that coming together of the critical stakeholders will help make the trade of non-oil sector to be better, more robust and more consultative.
NAFDAC’s Door is opened to enhance Export and Trade, we encourage and support trade of quality products, she said, adding that we are enjoining the PIAs to be part of the game and to make sure we collaborate effectively.

The NAFDAC boss noted that the Agency acknowledges the importance of having broader and deeper Interactions and collaborations with sister agencies such as Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) etc.
Prof Adeyeye emphasized the position of export as a major aspect of building every country’s economy because of its importance in international trade and economic stability, therefore the reason for regulation of the sector is to ensure that products that leave a countrys shores are of good quality, safe and meet international best practices among others.

For Nigeria, she said trade is critical to the national economic makeup, adding that in 2021, Nigeria exported $57.7 billion of goods, making it the world’s 52nd most exporting country.
Prof. Adeyeye disclosed that Cocoa beans, sesame seeds, cashew and seven other products top the list of agricultural commodities Nigeria exported within the first nine (9) months of 2022, generating N427.6 billion or $1.02billion.

The DG reiterated that huge volume of Nigerias exported Agricultural Commodities were often rejected by the European Union for not meeting required standards, adding that EU countries seized about 82% of Nigerias agricultural products exported illegally.
According to her, these products are non-documented items and people move them out without clearance by the relevant regulatory agency.
The DG NAFDAC listed the following as reasons for export rejects: Technical Barrier issues e.g., defective packaging and inadequate labelling. Non-Documentation, Unauthorised transition, Illegal importation, Non-compliance to destination markets standards, the EU will reject consignments containing food that do not comply with EU maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Vet Medicine and Pesticides, and maximum limits (MLs) for Contaminants in foods.
Others include exporters boycott of relevant regulatory Agency e.g., NAFDAC, in the process of exportation, which leads to rejects, private huge losses and absence of government-to-government communications.
Prof. Adeyeye however maintained that tightening the regulatory and inspection regime for exports of food items and agricultural products is one of the ways to address export rejections, adding that all relevant Government Agencies and associations involved in Nigerian exports should ensure agro products exported are safe, of good quality and meet the specified International Standards.
When all other relevant efforts are merged, we can achieve the reduction of reject on Nigerian export food commodities and increase foreign exchange earnings, she said.

09/07/23

GABRIEL O.D

..TINUBU PRESIDENCY SHOULD STOP PLAYING THE OSTRICH

The United Action Front of Civil Society, the Umbrella Platform for the organised Civil Society on issues of Governance and Democracy strongly considers the combative reaction of the Tinubu led Presidency over the recently released report of European Union- Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) as panicky self-indictment. The frenzy and undiplomatic attack and sponsored protest against the European Union for making known its impartial observations of the flaws and criminality that characterised the February 25 Presidential Elections in Nigeria was a clear demonstration of bad faith. It is indeed obvious that the Tinubu led regime is palpably troubled by the burden of the flawed mandate it currently presides over.

The leadership of the organised Civil Society strongly condemns the combative posture of the new administration, whose handlers are regrettably unmindful of the responsibility and decency require of the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It reeks of bare-faced hypocrisy for the Tinubu administration to accuse the EU of attempting to ridicule the Nigerian electoral system and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), when in actual fact the Election Observers Report of the EU only partly captures the widespread flaws majorly orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress during the February 25 Presidential Elections as well as the rescheduled Governorship polls held March 18, 2023.

The United Action Front of Civil Society however commends the EU-EOM for the courage demonstrated in stating the facts though it is evident that the atrocities and grand robbery that characterised the 2023 Elections in some parts of the country, were either not captured or under-reported. We maintained that the final EU Election Observers Report on 2023 General Elections presented by Barry Andrews in Abuja calls for sober reflections as Nigeria can only ill afford to thread the ugly path of under-performance by INEC coupled with the interference of the incumbents in future elections.

While we appreciate the desperation of President Tinubu’s handers for the pitiable defence of an obviously rigged process in which their principal has become the beneficiary in the interim, we however marvel at the insincerity and lack of decency in pretending that the presidency presided over by Tinubu can genuinely affirm the credibility of 2023 polls on behalf of Nigeria and Nigerians. We also wonder when and how the Presidency under Bola Tinubu has suddenly become the mouthpiece of INEC. It smacks of arrogance for the presidential handlers of Senator Bola Tinubu to castigate the EU that partnered and heavily funded INEC in the process leading to 2023 polls. The presidency was only hiding under a finger by condemning the EU-EOM report which clearly speaks to what the world already knew about the shortcomings of the 2023 polls.

The world is also not unaware that the EU engaged INEC as the single highest funder towards achieving credible electoral process as part of the preparation for the 2023 polls, also providing technical supports to ensure that our electoral body delivers free, fair and credible elections. Unfortunately, in the duplicitous attempt to harass foreign countries and international partners into abandoning their stand on the 2023 elections, the Nigerian government under Senator Bola Tinubu appears determined to witch-hunt the EU on account of its well-informed position driven by international benchmarks for adjudging credibility of national polls. Indeed, Nigerians should be alarmed and worried that the new regime is already exhibiting disdain for decent civil engagements as manifest its sponsored protest against the EU and its warning to the EU and other foreign countries “to steer clear of internal affairs of our country and allow Nigeria to breathe.”

The United Action Front of Civil Society takes exception to any form of subtle or naked threats to Nigeria’s foreign partners, especially those who have supported Nigeria in the decades of our tortuous journey towards a stable democracy. We insist that the report of the EU-EOM clearly affirms the views and position of overwhelming majority of Nigerians as well as global community of partners and allies that the process and outcome of the 2023 presidential elections fall short and below standard of credible elections. We maintain that the EU-EOM report speaks to the collective concerns of genuine democrats whose expectations of fair, free and credible polls were aborted by the failure of INEC to deploy its highly romanticised technology for the transmission of election results from the polling units to its portal in real time. The failure of INEC to adhere to its own guidelines set for the 2023 elections as well INEC desperation to hurriedly declare a winner when the relevant criteria for doing so have not been met further buttress conspiracy and flaws which the EU-EOM report established.

On a final note, the united Action Front of Civil Society aligns with the stand of well-meaning Nigerians in the overwhelming majority that the EU-EOM report and its recommendations should be thoroughly reflected upon for prompt actions ahead of future elections instead of sponsoring protests and media attacks on the EU. To this end, we commend the EU, other foreign partners as well as credible platforms of domestic election monitors for their principled stance on the 2023 polls.

Signed
Olawale Okunniyi
(Veteran Che)
08033993867
Head, National Coordinating Centre,
United Action Front of Civil Society

08/07/23

Credit:www.pulse Nig

American Neurosurgeon, Dr Ben Carson, and the Founder of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, are the Biggest inspirations for Kamsiyochukwu Umeh, the student who scored the highest in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

The position of the UTME top scorer has dominated headlines over the past week after another UTME candidate, Mmesoma Ejikeme, claimed she scored the highest with 362 marks.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which organises UTME, has established Ejikeme’s claim a fraud and authenticated Umeh’s 360 marks as the highest for the year.

‘I read for six hours a day’ – Umeh

In a rare interview on Arise TV on Friday, July 7, the student of Deeper Life High School in Mowe, Lagos, said early preparation for the exam was critical to her performance.

She said she started preparing for the examination immediately she commenced her SS3 class, and reviewed past questions to familiarise herself with the system.

The Anambra native who has received #2.5 Million Naira Cash reward from Erisco Foods also commended her school and dedicated teachers for organising classes and mock exams

The student further credited Dr Carson and Pastor Kumuyi as people she looks up to as inspirations.

She said, “Despite his background, Dr Ben Carson has achieved so much. I think I’ve read all his books. When I read those those books, I feel so inspired.

“Pastor Kumuyi is my greatest role model. He’s the proprietor of my school and we have Deeper Life services in my school.

“Any time he comes up on stage to preach, I’m always awed by how he carries himself and isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said.

Umeh plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Lagos, but also said she’s still open to other options. She also wants to move abroad for further education after her first Degree.