WHY THE CHURCH SEEMS TO BE COLLAPSING TODAY….

WHY THE CHURCH SEEMS TO BE COLLAPSING TODAY….

In a nutshell – THE DAY OF MAN RUNNING THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IS OVER!!! For the Day of the Lord is fast approaching, and His genuine bride must PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD for His imminent return.

Those who prefer a more detailed response will find the answer in both the Old and New Testaments. “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, PREPARE YE THE WAY of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3). And when Jesus eventually arrived, He echoed this Scripture in Luke 7:27, “This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall PREPARE THY WAY before thee.”

The meaning is crystal clear – BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE LORD, HIS WAY MUST BE PREPARED. This is a divine imperative that cannot be violated. As it was at the FIRST COMING of Jesus Christ, so exactly will it also be at His SECOND COMING. And the way to prepare the way of the Lord is to urgently call His people back to repentance, call them to return to the ancient path. This is what John the Baptist did until he was beheaded (Matthew 3:2). And this is exactly what the Lord is doing today in raising men and women to urgently call His people back to repentance as His return becomes more and more imminent. 

ONLY those who have an ear will hear this clarion call, and return to the Lord – for indeed many believers will NOT return. Significantly, the church system of today will definitely not return to the Lord. Before buttressing this point, it is important to, again, draw a parallel between what occurred before the first coming of Christ, with what is happening today as His second coming draws near.

Before the first coming, the temple of the Lord had been hijacked by men. Hijacked by the Chief Priests that were appointed by God to act in the temple on His behalf. In exactly the same way, before the second coming, the church of the Lord has been hijacked by men. Hijacked by the pastors that were anointed by God to act in the church on His behalf. It is a pattern, and it is a warning – to those who have understanding.

In rebuking the leaders of the temple in His days, please listen to what Jesus told them: “This people honoureth me with their lips, but THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the TRADITION OF MEN … that ye may keep your own TRADITION…. Making the word of God of none effect through YOUR TRADITION….” (Mark 7:6-13).

It is exactly in the same way that the church is today being run by the TRADITIONS OF MEN, not by the biblical precepts established by Jesus and His Apostles. And the difference is visible. Many people, including unbelievers, liken the church of today to a business centre, or a commercial enterprise. In contrast, is there any way that the church that we read about in the Bible can be described as a business centre? The answer is of course NO! But today, men have taken over the running of the church. They have instituted their own ideas and principles; and so, Christ is no longer at the centre of His own church that He purchased with His own blood. The church has moved away from her ancient foundation, and is now hanging on the precipice of man's finite wisdom.

For long, God has tolerated this system in His mercy. But NOW, because the return of Jesus is drawing near, things have changed! The WAY OF THE LORD IS BEING PREPARED. “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed…. (Isaiah 40:4-5). 

For every valley to be exalted today, repentance must be preached. For every mountain and hill to be made low, repentance must be preached. For every crooked path to be made straight, repentance must be preached. For every rough place to be made plain, repentance must be preached. The glory of the Lord will only be revealed when His way has been prepared through the repentance of His people. Therefore, REPENTANCE, urgent repentance, is the message on the heart of the Lord for His people today – for the time is very short.

But hardly would you hear most of our ‘big’ men of God reflecting this urgent divine cry for repentance. They may mention it once in a while, but it is NOT the heartbeat of their message today. Do you know why? They are no longer hearing the heavenly signals clearly. The signal of money has dulled their hearing capacity. The signal of ‘large crowds’ has dulled their hearing. The signal of gigantic cathedrals, bigger jets, bigger universities, and other carnal acquisitions have dulled their hearing. But because time is short, God is moving on. And that is why He is today using unknown ‘small’ men and women to call His genuine children back to repentance, back to Himself.

The church system of today will NOT repent. Too much is at stake. The institutions and systems we call ‘church’ today have been built on carnal wisdom, falsehood, and deception. And THEY CAN ONLY CONTINUE TO BE SUSTAINED ON THESE FALSE FOUNDATIONS. This is why they will not repent.

If these institutions dare to repent, and to follow the genuine Jesus, they will suffer HUGE LOSSES. Our men of God will suffer the loss of all that they have built over the years. They will suffer loss of effort, loss of face, loss of esteem, loss of dignity, loss of relevance, loss of possession, etc. How many General Overseers or Pastors want to go through all that???

Every spiritual man and woman knows this fact – there comes a time when a man/institution may grow too rich/big to go back to repentance. It happened to the rich, young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22. That’s why He could not follow Jesus. Too much was at stake! It also happened to the Church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22). That’s why they could not heed the call of Jesus to repent from their blindness and nakedness. Too much was at stake! In that story, Jesus had to go out and to start knocking on the door of WILLING HEARTS; knocking and asking for fellowship on the basis of truth, and on the basis of communion with the Father and with Himself (verse 20).

The story of the Laodicean church is a metaphor for our days. A metaphor for how the church will become so rich in our days that we will become oblivious of our blindness, nakedness, poverty, and wretchedness. A metaphor for how we will fail to hear the call of the Master for urgent repentance. A metaphor for how the Lord will, once again, begin to knock at the door of the hearts of the remnants that can still hear His gentle wooing for repentance. This is exactly the same way that Jesus abandoned the temple system for the Jewish leaders and reached out to the remnants that He turned into His disciples. It is a divine pattern. And it was written for our admonition – at least, for those who still have an ear!

Friend, do you still have an ear? Does that ear still hear the heartbeat of the Father for the hour? Or are you confusing the voice of the church system for the voice of the Father? Are you confusing religiosity for spirituality? The two are radically different.

The falsehood in the church system is not new. This falsehood has been perpetrated for decades and decades. The only reason it is becoming glaring in our days is because God is now opening our eyes to see what we have been blind to. God is opening our eyes to see the error in the church system, so that we can make an informed choice. Will you choose Christ, and His way of the cross? Or will you continue to flow with the deceptive church system?

Many have become bewitched in the church system. Many have become gullible in the church system. Many have become entrapped by their own fears and desires in the church system. So deep is the confusion today that many believe that to leave the church system is to leave Christ!!! But in reality, for many, to leave the church system is TO GENUINELY FIND CHRIST. For many, to leave the church system is to re-discover the genuine Christ they once knew and served. And this is why leaving the church system is a healthy, positive and desirable step for many genuine believers.

If the coming of the Lord catches you by surprise in the church system, at least, it will be clear that YOU MADE THAT CHOICE. For ultimately, each of us will bear the personal responsibility of giving account of our lives to God. Through THE TRUTH, Jesus Christ offers us the liberty of FREEDOM (John 8:32). And He paid for that freedom with His precious blood. That blood is still available to set us free from the bondage of the church system.

Please let us study the Bible ourselves through the help of the Holy Spirit. Let us cast aside the false Jesus that the church system has ingrained into our spiritual psyche. In finding the genuine Jesus Christ, we will indeed discover life as God intends. May the Lord give us hearts and ears that recognise the voice of the true Shepherd. And as He leads us in the narrow path, may we find the grace and courage to follow Him faithfully to the end. Amen and Amen.

Thanks for reading, God bless.

Eight Nigerian alleged oil thieves deported from Ghana

Eight Nigerian alleged oil thieves deported from Ghana

Eight Nigerian pirates identified as Molih William, Molilh, Klinsman, David Jacob, Amos Ebiyaibo, Aki Peggy John Picolo, Ayetimili Oyinle and Pinano Saniyu, have been deported by the Ghanaian authorities. The Nigerians were arrested following a complaint lodged by the Nigerian owner of a vessel, Sunday Nakase who said the men had stolen his oil ves­sel, MT Mariam, together with its crude oil contents and directed the crew to steer to an undisclosed destination.

They were arrested by Ghanian police officers and upon deportation, handed over to Niger­ian authorities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Janu­ary 7th. Items found on them when they were arrested included three AK 47s, IG3 rifle, a pump-action gun and 256 rounds of ammunition.

Eventually the Mobbed Lagos robbery suspects die in police custody(Graphic)

Eventually the Mobbed Lagos robbery suspects die in police custody(Graphic)

The four suspected armed robbers that were served jungle justice at Jibowu area of Lagos State have died.
The Nation gathered that the suspects – Ahmed Fatai, Rafiu Mogaji, Godwin Uzong and Bayo Kadiri died on Tuesday night at the Onipanu Police Station.
They were said to have died after bleeding for over four hours from bullet wounds and other injuries sustained as a result of the mob attack on them.

The suspects, who were said to have earlier robbed a woman identified as Onchris around Ilupeju and dispossessed her of N400, 000 and telephone, proceeded to Jibowu where they attacked a Diamond Bank customer, Ms. Joy Oroh and snatched her handbag containing N200,000.

 They reportedly shot Ms. Oroh on her thigh before collecting the money she had withdrawn to foot the hospital bill of a sibling admitted at the Infectious Disease Centre (IDH), Mainland Hospital, Yaba.

But unfortunately for the gang which also shot a motorcyclist who chased them, a mobile policeman on bank guard on Morocco Road reportedly opened fire on them, demobilising them.
It was gathered that while their rider escaped with gunshot wounds, the other four were not so lucky as bystanders caught up with them and had them severely beaten.
The suspects, who were bleeding were hit by bottles and other dangerous objects by the angry mob, who wanted to kill them.
A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Nation that the victims bled to death, adding that their corpses were taken to Ikorodu around 8:00pm on Tuesday.

Model dies after having fillers injected into her face(Photos)

Model dies after having fillers injected into her face(Photos)

A runner-up in one of Brazil's biggest beauty pageants has died after undergoing cosmetic surgery to remove 'laugh lines'. 
Friends of model and mother Raquel Santos, 28, told how she was terrified of dying during plastic surgery but was a 'slave to vanity' who submitted herself to 'every procedure imaginable',Uk Mirror reports. 
The mum-of-two, who was a finalist in the popular Musa do Brasil competition in December, suffered a cardiac arrest following the procedure on Monday, when fillers were injected into her face. 

However police are now investigating whether her reportedly daily use of an illegal horse medicine, which she injected before workouts, might have contributed to her death.

Miss Santos' best friend Debora Azevedo told Brazil's G1 website how the model, who leaves behind two sons aged seven and 13, was 'obsessed' with cosmetic surgery.

She said: "She was very concerned about her looks. She would go off and have procedures without telling her friends so we wouldn't fight with her.
"She was terrified of dying during surgery. But she did it anyway, that was how much she was obsessed with looking good. And she did every aesthetic procedure imaginable, from artificial tans to lymphatic drainage.
"She was so vain. She worked out religiously, she was as addicted to working out as she was to plastic surgery."

Her boyfriend Gilberto Azevedo said her quest for beauty was unnecessary and dangerous.

He said: "She was fascinated by it all, carnival, working out, and she always wanted more. I thought that she, ugly or beautiful, was fine as she was. But she always wanted more, unnecessarily."She smoked a lot and injected Potenay before going to the gym.

Plastic surgeon Wagner Moraes, who conducted the 'laugh lines' correction on Miss Santos, insisted the procedure wasn't responsible for her death.

He said: "It was a simple procedure which lasted two minutes. The big problem is that she was already suffering health complications, applying Potenay to her body every day, including on the day of the surgery.

Pastor M.Ashimolowo to Buhari: Looters deserve only 20% of your time

Pastor M.Ashimolowo to Buhari: Looters deserve only 20% of your time

 Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, KICC,has advised president Buhari to ensure that ,just 20 per cent of governance time is dedicated to the past, “otherwise, it will take forever for majority of Nigerians to see changes.

He said going by Parento’s Principle, the Federal Government should dedicate 20 per cent of its resources to going after perceived looters, while 80 per cent should be given to creating an enabling environment for Nigerians,Vanguard reports..
Speaking to journalists at the 10th edition of the annual widows New Year party in Ode-Omu, Osun State, he said:

 “President

Buhari is a man of great integrity, who wants the best for the country. But if he spends all his time pursuing looters, the majority of us who did not steal will suffer.
“Therefore, he must use the Parento’s Principle to approach governance. If you have your eyes permanently on the rear view mirror, you cannot drive fast. The past deserves just 20 per cent attention.”

No respect again, Gunmen invade church service,kidnap Reedeemed pastor

No respect again, Gunmen invade church service,kidnap Reedeemed pastor

A pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God has been kidnapped by yet-to-be identified persons.

It was gathered that Pastor Ayo Raphael was kidnapped during the Sunday service at the Resurrection parish of the RCCG in Kabba junction in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

Eyewitnesses said the kidnappers, numbering about 10, stormed the church auditorium at about 9am and ordered the congregation to lie face down.

An eyewitness, who pleaded not to be named, said,

 “The pastor was dragged out of the church into the bush while the abductors shot sporadically into the air to facilitate their escape.”

Although no lives were lost, many members of the congregation were said to have sustained injuries as a result of their scampering for safety as the kidnappers were shooting into the air.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the kidnappers had contacted the church, demanding N50m before the pastor could be released.

Actor Nick Cannon doubts he'll marry again after Mariah Carey divorce

Actor Nick Cannon doubts he'll marry again after Mariah Carey divorce

Nick Cannon has said he doesn't see himself getting married again following divorce from Mariah Carey .Speaking to DuJour magazine ,he said

I feel like marriage isn't for everyone..A friend of mine put it the funniest way. He said, "If you heard that there was a 50/50 chance of living or dying when you jump out of a plane, you probably wouldn't go skydiving.There's like a 50/50 chance of a marriage working. If it didn't work out for you the first time, and you still survived it, you probably shouldn't do it again,' 

 Asked if he sees himself marrying again, Nick hesitated and then replied:

'I highly doubt it.'

All you should know about the Lassa fever as it spreads to 11 states, kills 42

All you should know about the Lassa fever as it spreads to 11 states, kills 42

The recent wave of Lassa fever in the country has affected more than ten states, with 85 reported cases and 42 deaths including two recent deaths in Ondo state, bringing the total number of states affected to eleven.

The states affected are: Bauchi, Taraba, Niger, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Nassarawa, Plateau, Oyo, Gombe and Ondo states.

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. It is commonly found in West African countries.

The virus is a member of the Arenaviridaefamily and is a single-stranded RNA virus. Due to a lack of proper information management by most African countries, an exact number of yearly infection is not known.

It is, however, estimated that there are about 100,000 to 300,000 infections and about 5,000 deaths yearly.

Lassa fever is named after a town in Borno stateLassa fever was first recorded in 1969 in the northeastern town of Lassa, when two missionary nurses contracted the sickness, and died thereafter from it.

The sickness is spread throughThe consumption of infected Rats, consumption of food containing droppings and urine of infected rats, and exchange of bodily fluids with infected person. Natal multimammate mouse found commonly in sub-Saharan African countries are the main host of the Lassa virus.

Nigeria, and several other West African countries, experience yearly outbreak of Lassa fever.This year, 2016, had the highest number of Lassa fever cases in Nigeria with a mortality rate of 43.2% (so far there has been about 83 number of Lassa fever cases and 40 deaths in 10 states within the country).

Lassa fever is similar to Ebola :Lassa fever and Ebola are both acute viral hemorrhagic fevers and are caused by RNA viruses. Both viral infections suppress the immune system and present themselves as headache, nausea and vomiting, and muscle pain. Both, also, typical have an incubation period of 1-3 weeks. It is difficult to clinically distinguish Lassa fever from Ebola and malaria.

Lassa fever virus is present in the urine and semen of survivors for 3-12 weeks after.

You all should read this interesting interview experience at a banking firm

You all should read this interesting interview experience at a banking firm

Enjoy, as written by Altarboy, Nairaland user!

I have been contemplating whether to write this or not, cos my experience was kinda embarrassing for me. But lo and behold, I was shortlisted for the next stage. So I decided to share this just so that others will pick a point or two from it (thats if there is any).

I made it to the interview stage after two tests. So as usual, I got myself prepared for the interview, researched about the company, got answers to some possible interview questions.
Fast forward to the venue of the interview, I met some other candidates at the gate. Some were with their jotters, rehearsing their answers while others are just whining away time. So I just walk up to one girl that was standing alone to chat up with her before the interview start. 

Few minute later, they called in the first person. After about 20 min, they called in the second person. Then next they called me in 
The panel was made up of 3 people, a lady with two other men. From what I later gathered, the lady is the zonal MD and the two men were from the HR department. 
After sitting down, they requested for my documents and photocopies, which I presented to them. They were all quiet, scanning through my documents until the lady spoke up.
Lady: Can you give us one good reason why you graduated with 2.2
Me: *Silent for a while* Plz repeat the question.
Lady: *Repeats*
Me: Well, there is no excuse for failure in life. If I have to give any excuse, it should be why I made 2.1 or first class against all odds and not why I made 2.2. So I dont think I have any reason to give, even if there is, I wouldnt say it.
Lady: *Silent while looking at me*
Man1: You just said 2.2 is failure, can you tell us why you used that word failure.
Me:*see as I put myself for wahala* Well, technically speaking, I called it failure cos currently in the labor market, 90% of all job vacancy requires 2.1 and above. Its only few that accept 2.2. And giving the population of the unemployed graduates, having a 2.2 is really a disadvantage. Thats why I used the word failure.
Man2: What do you mean by technically?
Me: Conditionally or under a certain condition.
Lady: Now, does it mean that you are technically a failure
Me:*I don F-up with this word wey I use* Technically am not,*can see the smile/laff on their face* If I am, I wont be sitting right in front of you considering the two aptitude tests that one have to scale before been here.
Lady: Maybe luck was on your side.
Me: Luck cant just choose only me among all the 100s of candidates that attended the tests.
Lady: Yes it can
Me: *Silent**in my mind, I was like, e b like say na luck carry you reach this position wey you dey now.*
Man2: Now, tell us why we should hire you?
Me: *smiled**didnt know that the smile was so obvious. So as I was about answering the question, the lady cuts in*
Lady: Why are you smiling?
Me: Nothing ma.
Lady: It cant be nothing, tell us why you are smiling.
Me: *Feeling Scared* Nothing ma, maybe its cos I have a smiling face.
Lady: How can you have a smiling face when you have been boning since you came in here. Even your passport says it all.
Me: *feeling more scared* with due respect ma, its nothing.
Man1: If you dont tell us, I think you should just go so we can call in the next candidate.
Me: *confused and scared, I just decided to say anything* I am smiling because I was expecting that particular question. *decide to add salt and pepper* in fact, we have been rehearsing the answers to this question and some other possible questions outside before I was called in.
Man1: So you already crammed the answers.
Me: Not really.
Man2: Then what/how
Me: Well, I have come up with some possible answer that suits my personality
Man2: And you think that answer is good enough.
Me: *By now, am already confused, so I was just saying anything that comes to my mind* Well, at least its good enough to impress the HR.
Lady: Is that what you think
Me: *Silent*
Man1: Ok, Now answer the question
Me: Well, Let me just say it the way it is in my mind. You should hire me because am not going to fail.
Man2: What do you mean by you are not going to fail.
Me: I have been unemployed for a long time, so if given the opportunity, I will anything that I can to sure that I dont go back to my unemployed status.
*All silent*
Me: things within the banks policy and interest
Lady: Is that the answer you came up with. 
Me: No. I dont want to use it again cos its just to speak English and doesnt tell the real me since is something I picked over the net and modified.
Man2: Can we hear it.
Lady: No, just leave him *turning to me* You read chemical engineering, and you want to work in a bank. Are you not trying to go off your career?
Me: Well, even though I have a background in engineering, I do not have a career yet until I gain experience in a particular field, from there I can build my career.
Lady: Do you think you can survive in the bank as an engr.
Me: Engrs are trained to be flexible and adaptive. I believe I can and will succeed in the banking sector. If Mr. XXXX (the current CEO of the bank) and Mrs. YYYYY (one of their senior executive) can succeed, I see no reason why I cant.
Man2: Why are you comparing yourself with them?
Me: Cos they both read a course that has nothing to do with banking.
Lady: Name them.
Me: Electrical Engineering and Microbiology
Man2: So you have the faith that you can do it.
Me: Yes. Plus the fact that I always have luck *grin*.
They just burst out laughing.
Man1: Tell us any three recent happenings in Nigeria or policies by the FG that is affecting the banking industry
Me: TSA, Fight against corruption and drop in oil price. 
Lady: Explain them.
Me: *did the little explanation that I can* Summary is that money is leaving the bank
Lady: Go, personnel will get back to you 
Naso I begin dey go come dey think say I don f-up Till just last week, I got a text that that I was successful, that they will get back to be for the next stage.
#Godwin

My dear Ladies, will you reject a guy that shows up for a first date in a yellow & black cab?

My dear Ladies, will you reject a guy that shows up for a first date in a yellow & black cab?

 

A young man recently sent a mail to love doctor, Joro Olumofin, expressing his anger at being rejected on a date because he brought a yellow and black cab to pick her.

So here's the question, ladies will you do same? If you at like that, sorry, you may be a late comer ooh, maybe by 50 years I assume

Meet Nike Okundaye aged 64, The Nigerian Woman Without Education But Lectures At Harvard

Meet Nike Okundaye aged 64, The Nigerian Woman Without Education But Lectures At Harvard

Not many in her homeland appear to know about her unique story. But in other lands, especially Europe and America, she is a ‘goddess’ whose works are cherished by kings and presidents.

Without a doubt, the story of Nike Okundaye, the face behind the huge success story of Nike Arts Gallery that is located in Lagos, Abuja and Osogbo, is as compelling as it is inspiring...

At a time when young Nigerians are in desperate need of a role model and inspiration in what self-belief and hard work can achieve, Nike’s rise from the status of an unknown village girl born into a seeming insignificant family in a rustic village to a globally celebrated icon would make an A-list inspirational novel.

Born in her native village of Ogidi, Ijumu LGA of Kogi State, young Nike had high dreams about what type of future she wanted for herself. But her dreams were truncated even before they could take form when she lost her mother at age six. “I was six when my mother died,” she said with a tinge of sadness.

With the blow inflicted on her dreams by her mother’s death, young Nike was taken away to live with her grandmother. At the time, many believed that by going to live with an old woman, the young girl’s future had been compromised. But events have since proved that destiny may indeed have been at work in her journey through life.

She had her first contact with the world of arts through her grandmother, who at the time, was the leader of cloth weavers in the community.

She said: “I come from a family of craftsmen. My parents were crafts people from Ogidi in Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State. My life as an artist is something that I was born with. I started weaving at the age of six.

“I started with weaving different things, including adire, a traditional Yoruba hand-painted cloth design. As a matter of fact, I can say everything that had to do with textile. They taught me how to weave, using a little calabash. Gradually, I graduated to using bigger materials.”

Though Nike was six years old and barely able to tell the difference between her left and right hands, she already had a picture of the kind of future she wanted.

“My grandmother was the head of all the weavers in our community. So, even as a little child, I already had a dream that I would own a big studio when I grew up. People came from different areas to buy the cloth from her. So, at that time, I already sensed that I might not have the opportunity to go to school.”

With the death of her mother, her grandmother, whose responsibility it was to look after her, did not pamper her in any form. She ensured that the virtue of hard work was instilled in Nike’s young, impressionable mind.

At that time, young Nike, unaware of the reason behind her great grandmother’s action, would cry, believing that she was being unnecessarily punished. “I would cry and lament because I thought she was wicked and punishing me. But today, I always thank her for inculcating in me the virtue of hard work. It was through her that I learnt that you must persevere in whatever you do and never give up on your dreams.”

Although she lost her mother at a time she needed her most, Nike believes that destiny might have been involved in the way her life played out, including her mother’s death. According to her, the mother was a very hard working young woman who would have spared nothing to ensure that her child got a good education up to the university level.

“Even at that young age, I knew that my mother was very hard working. And I am very sure that if she had not died, she would have trained me up to university level. My father was a farmer. He also did several other things like basket weaving to supplement his income. So, definitely, I would have been educated very well if my mother had not died.

“But today, I look at my childhood and all that I went through as something designed by destiny. Who knows, maybe if my mother had not died and I had gone ahead to be educated, I may never have had the kind of opportunity that I have today and may never have risen to the level that I am.”

Nike never went to school to study art, the vocation that has brought her to global spotlight.

Vocational training in art was passed down to her by her great grandmother, the late Madam Ibikunle. Watching her great grandmother in the art of adire textile processing and helping her out, Nike walked up the line to become an expert in adire making, dyeing, weaving, painting and embroidery.

A product of the famous Osogbo Art Movement, Nike is today a world acclaimed artist and textile designer. She brings vivid imagination as well as a wealth of history and tradition into the production of adire. Her works are celebrated in major capitals of the world, with her designs exhibited in countries like the USA, Belgium, Germany, Japan and Italy, among others.

Nike spent the early part of her life in Osogbo, a recognised hotbed for art and culture in Nigeria. During her stay in Osogbo, her informal training was dominated by indigo and adire.

Nike’s romance with international exposure began in 1968 when she had an exhibition at the Goethe Institute in Lagos. Since then, she has grown to become a major name on the international art circuit. She is most outstanding in paintings and design of adire, beadwork and batik.

Among Nike’s proudest achievements was her invitation to Italy by the Italian government in 2000 to train young Nigerian sex workers on how to use their hands to engage in creative ventures. Her invitation was as a result of complaints to the Italian government by the young Nigerians that they left Nigeria in search of work, not knowing what they would be forced into. When Nike got to Italy, she taught them skills in craft making and many of the women became self-reliant in no time and stopped their old means of income.

In 2006, she was awarded one of the highest Italian national awards of merit by the government of the Republic of Italy in appreciation of her efforts in using art to address and solve the problems of Nigerian sex workers in Italy.

About two years ago, her adire painting was accepted at The Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum, located in Washington DC, US. Some of her works can be found amongst the collection of prominent personalities around the world, including the White House.

While little is known about Nike and her works across the country, two former presidents of the USA, Bill Clinton and George Bush, were so enthralled by her works at various times that they sought audience with her during their visits to Nigeria. Much more than just meeting and shaking hands with the two former presidents, it was Nike that decorated George Bush’s room in Abuja during his stay in the country.

These two incidents, Nike told The Nation, were some of the best things to have happened to her.
She said: “When President Bill Clinton of the US visited Nigeria, he asked to meet the woman behind Nike Gallery, and I was taken to Abuja to meet him. It was the same thing with President George Bush. I was invited to meet him in Abuja during his visit to Nigeria. I was the one that decorated the room where the president stayed during the visit. What honour can be greater than this? I feel accomplished.”

As an accomplished artist, Nike has taught in several universities in the US, imparting the knowledge of her traditional adire designs in thousands of eager students from across the world. Her teaching exploits, she disclosed, have taken her to revered institutions like Harvard and Edmonton in Canada.
“I have lectured and held workshops in several noble institutions across the world. Some of the universities include Harvard, Columbus, Edmonton, Ohio and in Los Angeles, among others. My first experience with teaching was in 1974. At that time, I taught people with doctoral degrees.”

Interestingly, all the education she had at the time, according to her, was the traditional education that parents pass onto their children.

“The type of education I had at the time was the education that is passed from parents to their children, not the education you get in a classroom. It was the practical type of education,” she said with a wry smile.

In 1983, she established the Nike Centre for Art and Culture in Osogbo, Osun State, where trainings are offered free of charge to Nigerians in various forms of arts. The centre was opened with 20 young girls who were picked from the streets and offered a new life in arts. So far, according to her, more than 3,000 young Nigerians have been trained at the centre.

The centre also admits undergraduate students from many universities in Nigeria for their industrial training programmes in textile design. The centre now admits students from Europe, Canada and the United States of America. International scholars and other researchers in traditional African art and culture also visit the centre from time to time for their research works on the processing of adire fabric and African traditional dyeing methods.

But she says the true story of the gallery started in her bedroom about 47 years ago.

“The gallery you see today actually started in my bedroom in 1968. In 2008, we opened the one in Lagos, and my husband was always the motivator. It was intended to give the young and old a platform to hear their voice.”

As she spoke, with signs of fulfillment splashed on her face, her husband, Reuben Okundaye, a retired commissioner of police, who had remained quiet since the interview started, suddenly joined in the conversation.

He said: “It is with practical education that she has continued to teach and impart knowledge into people with doctoral degrees and masters in Fine Art. Some of these people even come here under the cover of night to seek advice from her. Yet, some would say she is not educated.”

Speaking about another experience, Mr. Okundaye said he once had an encounter with a prominent Nigerian who told him that his wife would have been made a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if she was educated. Surprised, he said he took a swipe at the man, telling him his wife was better educated than most of the people that were being flaunted.

He said: “You can imagine, I was discussing with one big man the other day and he said that my wife would have been made a minister if she was educated. I was angry and I asked him what he meant by that. Here is a woman who teaches people with doctoral degrees in higher institutions all over the world, yet you say she is not educated. But when the chips are down, they come to her for advice.”

Asked how she feels whenever she teaches in the classroom, Nike looked up as if relishing her achievements, and said: “I feel fulfilled. It was a very high sense of fulfillment. Imagine, a little girl who grew up in a rustic village without any sign of hope for a good future. Now I stand before PHD holders and teach them. I have been invited to meet presidents of foreign countries. I think I should be proud of my little achievements and be grateful to God.”

In spite of her seeming low education, she insists she has no regrets about not attending school. “I have no regrets at all. I give thanks to God for making all these things possible for me. I also thank my husband for standing by me all these years. I must confess that it was not easy coming this far. You will agree with me that for a woman to be recognised, she has to work three times harder than a man.”

Reechoing his wife’s position, Mr. Okundaye said Nike could not have had any regrets, having attained the heights sought by many across the world. “You asked if she has any regrets. How can that be possible? What kind of regret was she supposed to have with all her achievements? She is fulfilled in every sense of the word,” he enthused.

Expectedly, the couple was attracted to each other by their mutual love for arts. Okundaye told The Nation how it all started: “I have always been an arts lover. I have some of her works. Perhaps, like you said, maybe it was destiny that brought us together.”

With a sterling career as a police officer, which saw him attaining the rank of Commissioner of Police and serving in more than four states, the couple has in the last 20 years of their coming together enjoyed the beauty of marriage and weathered the storm together.

Nike, who would be 64 in a couple of weeks, has also successfully created an identity for herself. Her most treasured clothes, she confessed, are adire fabrics. And it is not surprising that she cannot remember the last time she wore anything other than that.

“You may be right if you say I have created an identity for myself with my adire clothes. It is the only thing that I am known with. I don’t wear any other clothe, even when I travel out of the country,” she said.

Source: African Leadership 

Roundtable Discussion on the Nigerian Economy in 2016

Roundtable Discussion on the Nigerian Economy in 2016

We are pleased to invite you to the Business Eye Magazine Roundtable Discussion, which will be gathering top public leaders, economic experts and analysts, captains of Nigerian industries, regulatory agencies and government officials, together to rub minds on the Nigerian economic outlook – expectations, reforms and changes - for 2016.

Our special guest and Keynote speaker is His Excellency, YemiOsinbanjo, the Vice President of the Republic of Nigeria.In addition, our panelists will include:

BabatundeRajiFashola, Federal Minister of Power, Works and HousingChibuikeRotimiAmaechi, Federal Minister of TransportUdoUdoma, Federal Minister of Budget and National PlanningKemiAdeosun, Federal Minister of FinanceBola Adesola, Managing Director of Standard Chartered BankBismarck Rewane, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company LtdDoyin Salami, Member of the Monetary Policy CommitteeAyodeleTeriba, CEO of Economics Associates

Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Thursday 14 January 2016

Venue: The Wheatbaker, 4 Onitolo (Lawrence Road), Ikoyi,Lagos.

Time: 9am – 12noon

ATTENDANCE IS BYINVITATION ONLY

Incredible but real! An 11-year-old just earned the highest IQ score possible

Incredible but real! An 11-year-old just earned the highest IQ score possible

Kashmea Wahi, an 11-year-old student from the UK, just earned a place among the world’s intellectual 1 percent by getting a perfect score on her IQ test. The test’s maximum score is 161 for adults and 162 for test-takers below the age of 18. To make her achievement even more impressive, her score of 162 puts her two points higher than the likes of Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein.

After stumbling upon the Mensa test while surfing on her iPad, Wahi decided to test herself as a way of proving a point to her parents, both IT management consultants at the Deutsche Bank in London. She figured an impressive score might be an effective way to stop her parents from nagging her to study.

Wahi is currently a student at West London’s Notting Hill and Ealing Junior School, where she helped her team secure third place at last year’s Oxford Maths challenge. She plays chess amongst other hobbies and has competed on the national level. She is thought to be one of the youngest test takers ever to achieve a perfect score, partly because participants have to be at least 10 and a half to take it.

Source: India Today

Ojukwu's niece , others arrested for drug trafficking by NDLEA

Ojukwu's niece , others arrested for drug trafficking by NDLEA

In a statement issued in Lagos, spokesman for NDLEA, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell said “The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is currently interrogating one of its operatives over alleged conspiracy to import cocaine from Brazil. The investigation began after an abandoned luggage from Brazil was found to contain 2.24kg of cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos led to the arrest of five suspects.

Those being interrogated are Ali Bala Adamu, a staff of the NDLEA, Ijeoma Ojukwu, a niece to late politician, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Victor Umeh, Uche Igwelo and Egbuche Fidelis Osiita.
NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Mr. Ahmadu Garba said:

“This is the first drug seizure for the year. On December 28, 2015, a bag with a tag bearing Agina Fidelis Ejike was abandoned at the arrival hall during inward screening of passengers on an Emirates flight. On January 1, 2016, one Egbuche Fidelis Osita came with authority letter mandating him to collect the bag. In the process, some white powdery substance weighing 2.24kg that tested positive for cocaine was discovered. The drug was neatly packed in four parcels concealed in false bottom of four female handbags. Further investigation led to more arrests.

Mr. Garba said that the investigation by the NDLEA revealed that 48 year old Ijeoma Ojukwu,who owns a restaurant in Brazil, was a suspected member of an international drug trafficking organization.
He said:

“She allegedly conspired with other suspects to collect the abandoned bag from the airport with the intent to recover the 2.24kg of cocaine. She was said to have contacted a staff of the NDLEA, Ali Bala on how to facilitate the collection of the bag at the airport. The Agency also impounded the Acura MDX vehicle that the suspects drove to the airport”

The suspect, Ijeoma Ojukwu said:

“I have a restaurant in Brazil where I sell African food. I am from Anambra State and I am married with three children. My brother came from Brazil and could not find his bag. It was in the process of trying to get the bag out that we were arrested.”

36 year old Uche Igwelo, a graduate of Public Administration, said she was invited by Ijeoma to assist in picking up the bag.
She said:

“I sell kitchen utensils and I am married with a child. Ijeoma told me that I should help her to collect a bag at the airport. We were trying to get the bag when NDLEA officers arrested us” Mrs. Igwelo said.

Mr. Egbuche Fidelis Osita, a 37-year-old student said he was asked to collect the bag at the Lagos airport.
He said:

“I am a 400 level student studying English Education at the Ekiti State University. My friend Victor Umeh was the person that asked me to help in claiming a luggage at the airport. We all drove to the airport where I was given a letter of authority and other documents of the passenger that came with the luggage. In the process of trying to collect the bag I was arrested. This is all I know about this incident,” he stated.

Chairman of the NDLEA, Mrs. Roli Bode-George said the agency would prosecute whoever was found guilty.
She said:

“The NDLEA is following every lead professionally and will exploit more opportunities towards getting every culprit arrested. We have also expanded the scope of our investigation and everyone involved in this illegal importation of narcotics shall be diligently prosecuted. The Agency will continue to uphold the rule of law and dislodge drug trafficking organisations in the country” Mrs. Roli stated.

The Bode-George added that the agency would maintain its culture of integrity stressing that if the officer being interrogated was found culpable, the law would run its full course.

Vanguard

Professor Akeusola recieves award of a Distinguished Scholar

The Man OLU AKEUSOLA is not a promise maker but a promise fulfiller with integrity. To associate with this Distinguished Scholar means you are already learning the robes of quality leadership - as Youths and Comrades in Lagos Focus we understand the fact that to be an efficient & dynamic leader, we must learn from people like OOSA.

OOSAKEUSOLA is ever ready to offer his humanitarian services to Youths with great vision. Prof Olu Akeusola is the Executive Provost of Mocped Epe, A notable Professor and Philanthropist that wants the younger generation to grow in life. His worthwhile contributions to Youth and Education development in Lagos state and Nigeria at large is great and enviable. He remains a Role Model for many Nigeria Youths.

Lagos Focus recently presented to him a Distinguished Award tagged
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AND ICON OF HUMANITY

See what Olamide's speech at the Headies gave birth too : Our best #BacktoBack !

See what Olamide's speech at the Headies gave birth too : Our best #BacktoBack !

The January I headies award is not something we will be forgetting anytime soon, thanks to rapper Olamide and Don Jazzy.

As a matter of fact, Nigerians have taken Olamide's speech at the event  "Every single song from Lil Kesh was a hit. From Lyrically, Shoki, Efejoku, was a hit back 2 back....ko ni da fun iya enibody, street ti take over" to another level, lol.

That statement has now become a point of reference for internet jokes.

 We bring you some of the hilarious memes:

Oh my God ! Armed robbers mobbed after failed operation at Fadeyi,Lagos

Oh my God ! Armed robbers mobbed after failed operation at Fadeyi,Lagos

 According to an eyewitness report, these men were caught this afternoon after a failed robbery operation of N200k....They are said to have robbed a woman at gunpoint near Fadeyi bustop and were caught..

Very very graphic below 

Images-@Crysmee9

President Buhari reacts to the missing 2016 budget

President Buhari reacts to the missing 2016 budget

The presidency has reacted to the N6.08tr Budget which is said to have gone missing at the National assembly ..
According to the Senior Special Assistant Media & Publicity,Garba Shehu,Nigerians should direct their enquiries to the appropriate quarters as it ceased to be the property of the presidency once it was submitted ..He also dismissed reports that the president withdrew the budget...

" Nobody except the President can withdraw the budget. As far as we know, he hasn't done that.
The copies in their hundreds have been delivered to both chambers of the National Assembly.By tradition, once the budget is submitted, it ceases to be our property..Enquiries as to where it is should be directed to the appropriate quarters. Best regards"

Following reports of the missing budget,  President Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki met behind closed doors for about 30 minutes at the state house this afternoon.

Stupidity of the highest order! Imagine Governor Ikpeazu Giving This Old Woman Just 1k

Stupidity of the highest order!  Imagine Governor Ikpeazu Giving This Old Woman Just 1k

Many people are angry with Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, for giving this frail-looking old woman a paltry N1,000 and, especially, the fact that he did it with a lot of pride. Mr Governor please don't disrespect old age like this again. Even the governor's security men sef can give better than 1k.

My say on the Lionel Messi Footballer of the Year 2015

My say on the Lionel Messi Footballer of the Year 2015

Well every one really know how it goes, but the bitter truth remains that on the grounds of Messi been named the player of the year is a consequences of his team work, we all know that Ronaldo worth it a million times and we just have to hide the sentiments under the carpet. I still appreciate his team and his act afterwards. He is still my man of the year come rain and sun. Congratulations Christiano Ronaldo.

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