The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor …. and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised ~ Luke 4:18.

Introduction:

Touching lives with the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ sometimes looks very easy, but it is not always so. You definitely need Someone bigger than you — the Holy Spirit Himself — to excel in the spiritual arts of doing good and touching other lives for God on earth!

Quite unfortunately, many people remain oblivious of this fact until reality teaches them. See, reality can be very innovative; it always finds a way to humble people, particularly the top-notch armchair critics.

We can have fulfillment in doing good and making our world better only with the power of the Holy Spirit working through us. However, the degree to which we operate in this power is completely left to us.

We can choose to be walking spiritual dynamos, full of power, performing miracles and operating in the manifestations of Holy Ghost wherever we go, or choose to be spiritual weaklings, failing to utilize the enormous gifts we have received (Ephesians 3:7, 20).

God the Father is the Anointer, Jesus Christ is the Miracle Worker and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, Who binds us to God and His acts of goodwill on earth (Acts 10:38).

The anointing of the Holy Spirit is the supernatural potion that signalizes God’s presence on human flesh to accomplish what man cannot do for himself. It is the outpouring of God’s marvelous grace and glory.

We must note that God's grace is not only in His willingness to forgive us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but also in His resources for shaping and using our lives as believers. Hence, the anointed man is the man relevant to God’s agenda in any generation.

Oil, as an emblem of the Holy Spirit, was often poured upon prophets, priests and kings in the Old Testament to denote the outpouring of gifts, wisdom and grace from God upon them to qualify them for their respective offices.

Today, when a believer is remarkably anointed by the Holy Spirit, God’s presence becomes manifest, and real spiritual power is experienced in strange victories round about (Acts 1:8). Those who receive this anointing are made alive unto God, and are expressly referred to by Apostle Peter as living stones (1 Peter 4-5).

We Are Anointed to Terminate Satanic Oppressions

Unknown to many people, all Christians are authorized to defeat the enemy, to enjoy total victory in Christ and to touch the world for good (1 John 2:20). Notwithstanding, the Word of God clearly states that those who are born-again of the Spirit have the authority to overrule Satan (John 3:5-8; Luke 10:19).

Of a truth, many spirit beings, good and bad, inhabit the unseen realm. The good ones are agents of goodwill, but the bad ones are structured to do maximum damage to the Kingdom of God and to God’s people in general (Ephesians 6:12-13).

However, we need not fear because Christ already disarmed the evil spirits when He triumphed over them on the Cross (Colossians 2:15). Moreover, we believers are mightily weaponized in the spirit realm, and our weapons have divine capabilities to demolish every fortress of the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Yes indeed, God freely delegated His authority and divine privileges to us as His favorite children (John 1:12). But, sometimes, we treat them with carelessness and levity, just like we often do with other free things in life, forgetting that, in the real sense of it, there is nothing actually free, only what is paid for by someone else.

God paid the supreme price for our empowerment. He did! Jesus Christ had to die for the Holy Spirit to find fitting spaces in the believers today (John 16:7).

God is the Original Owner of every good thing — greatness, power, glory, victory, majesty, riches, honour, strength, might, and all that is in the heaven and in the earth, etc — but, He has chosen to give portions of these to His children (1 Chronicles 29:11-12; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 5:4).

Furthermore, with respect to the believers in Christ Jesus, the Bible also says: “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). The important question is: “who is this Person in us”?

Christ Jesus is He! He took up residence in our hearts by the Holy Ghost when we received His gift of eternal life (Colossians 1:27). He also gave us both authority and power in the Holy Spirit to frustrate the plans of the devil, to defeat persistent difficulties in life and to guide us through all our Christian journeys.

What Happens When We Are Truly Anointed

Basically, we are anointed to touch lives in our generation, and to make our world a better place to live in. To accomplish these, the Holy Ghost installed in us incredible capacities for genuine love (Romans 5:5). It is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that makes God’s covenant speak out very effectively in the believer’s life (Psalm 89:28).

Ideally, the greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. Yes, the value of life is computed not by its duration but by its donation. It is not how long we live that matters, but how full and how well. Notwithstanding, it takes the anointing to generate true and lasting impacts.

Without impacts, you cannot be significant, and nobody will be interested in you. But, when you get connected to the Holy Spirit, and you utterly depend on His power, supernatural things begin to happen, and you are bound to make great impacts in the lives of other people.

To do or to see good things on earth requires the workings of the Holy Ghost. Yes, healing is peculiar bread for God’s children; even then, it takes the Holy Spirit to bake it.

Cultivating the Holy Ghost Power Within

Many Christians today are not utilizing the opportunities and the power that are so freely given us; consequently they lead lives beneath the believers’ privileges. Albeit, by divine mercy, they still retain the distinct honor and the awesome responsibility of cultivating this power that is latent within.

This we can do by our sensitive and implicit reliance on the Holy Spirit, trusting God all the way through in our Christian journeys, and releasing confidence in His unfailing power by faith and by our right confessions.

When we trust the Holy Spirit, He makes our inner man stronger so that we can stand equipped to carry on with His purpose on earth. This magnificent "treasure"of strength in our "earthen vessels" is the power of the Holy Spirit from on high (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Moreover, with the Holy Spirit presence in our lives, wisdom is automatically made available to us regarding every situation we face in life (Ephesians 1:17-19). The Holy Spirit is our Present Help, making ways for our profit in all aspects of life (Romans 8: 24-28; 1 Corinthians 1:7).

Friends and brethren, the glorious assignment of influencing people for good will always require the assistance of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 89:25). We must go, therefore, for whatever it takes to get the power of His anointing (Hebrews 1:9; Psalms 89:20). In this essential power encounter, may you never miss out, in Jesus name. Amen. Happy Sunday!

____________________

Archbishop Taiwo Akinola,

Rhema Christian Church,

Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Connect with Bishop Akinola via these channels:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bishopakinola

SMS/WhatsApp: +234 802 318 4987

The worrisome mind is anathema to the mind of Chist. The mind that is fretful and full of anxiety is a mind that does not glorify God. The worrisome mind is the mind that does not trust God. It is the mind that does not believe that God is God. It is the mind that does not have faith in God. It is the mind that is not fed on the word of God. It is the mind that is not built on the rock of God’s word.

Paul says: 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) (NKJ).

Don’t be anxious about anything. Have you told God about it? Then you can relax. Look at the case of Hannah. She was all hot and bothered, but after she prayed about her barrenness in the temple, she went her way and was no longer sad. (1 Samuel 1:12-18)

Jesus says:

“I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? …Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matthew 6:25/27).

The Doubtful Mind

Jesus says:  

“Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.” (Luke 12:29).

The doubtful mind is anathema to the mind of Christ.  

“Love never gives up, never loses faith. (1 Corinthians 13:7).

The doubtful mind gives up. It does not believe the testimonies of God. It says: “God, if only you would do it just one more time.” It does not believe God’s promises.

In the doubtful mind, the worries of this world choke the word of God and render it powerless.  

Jesus says:

“The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22).

The worries of this life choke the word. They strangulate the word. They make the word of God unproductive in our lives.

Peace and rest are evidence of God’s presence in us. When we are exhausted or anxious, it is difficult to hear God clearly. Therefore. be still and know that God is God.

“Jesus says to Martha:

“You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:41-42).

You are worried about too many things, whereas all you need to do is concentrate on the word of God.

Casting all your care upon (Jesus), for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7).

Jesus Himself says:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

The Peaceful Mind

The mind of Christ is a mind at peace. “For (Jesus) Himself is our peace.” (Ephesians 2:13). The peaceful mind belongs to he whose heart is set on the Lord. The psalmist says:

“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” (Psalm 57:7).

The heart that is fixed cannot be swayed by events. It cannot be swayed by situations and circumstances. It is not easily destabilised by storms and raging waves of the sea. “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.” (Psalm 112:7).

Isaiah concurs:

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

Mothers have to be very careful. A lot of mothers lose their faith if something bad happens to their children.

The Spiritual Mind

The mind of Christ is the spiritual mind. Paul says:

“To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6).

To be spiritually minded is to be open to those feelings that the Holy Spirit produces and be subject to His leadings. The spiritually-minded can easily be in the spirit and remain there without being distracted.

Some say, “I can’t pray for any length of time.” This is because we are not spiritually minded. Our senses are not exercised to dwell on spiritual matters. Even when we pray, all our prayers are about the flesh. But if we are spiritually minded, we esteem spiritual things. We appreciate the beauty of holiness. We hunger and thirst for righteousness.

The Carnal Mind

The carnal mind is anathema to Christ.

To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:6-7).

The carnal mind is the mind that follows the propensities and inclinations of the flesh. It is the mind that thinks sex, sex, sex. It is the mind filled with vain imaginations. It is the mind that dwells on the vainglories of this world. It is the mind that can only be appealed to by what is advantageous to itself. It is the greedy mind: the lustful mind. It is the mind that is set upon the things that are in this world. It is the mind that is set upon riches. It is the mind that seeks pleasure and is devoted to pleasing the flesh:

She who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. (1 Timothy 5:6).

The Fleshly Mind

The fleshly mind is the antithesis of the spiritual mind. It is not the mind of Christ.

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5).

18  Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. (Colossians 2:18).

The fleshly mind is vain. Paul says:

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.” (Ephesians 4:17).

The mind, being the head, is supposed to govern the flesh. But in the fleshly mind, the flesh governs the mind.

Many women have fleshly minds. It is all about makeup, hairstyles, jewellery, perfumes, and snazzy outfits. 

Peter counsels:

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.” (1 Peter 3:3-6)

Who is the “oga pata pata?” Is it your mind or your body? Can you resist adherence to the sensuous principle? If the answer is “No!,” then you have a fleshly mind. 

The Sound Mind

The sound mind is the mind of Christ.

Do you doubt the grace of God? Do you doubt the mercy of God? Do you feel it applies to others but not to you? Are you fearful? Then you do not have a sound mind.

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7).

A sound mind is well-balanced and under the divine influences. In this regard, a sinner does not have a sound mind. It is said of the Prodigal Son:

“When he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.’” (Luke 15:17-19).

He looks back and says: “I must have been out of my mind.” “I must have been out of my mind.”

That means he was out of his mind when he engaged in riotous living. Indeed, the whole philosophy of what some call entertainment is to make sure we are out of our minds. 

We go to parties and have a few drinks so that we can be out of our minds and do and say things that we would not have said if we were in our right minds. We take drugs so that we can be out of our minds. We watch certain films (like horror films) so we can be out of our minds.

Within the context of the text, the sound mind is the mind that is not afraid or fearful. It is a mind that is sober and not easily excited. It is a mind not easily given to anger. It is a mind that is not captive to lustful passions.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; www.femiaribisala.com

Podcaster Joe Rogan recently expressed skepticism regarding the Big Bang theory and said he finds the idea of the Resurrection more realistic than the claim that the universe created itself.

During a conversation with comedy podcast host Cody Tucker that aired last Wednesday, Rogan also said he's “sticking with Jesus” when it comes to miraculous claims.

“It’s funny, because people will be incredulous about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but yet, they’re convinced that the entire universe was smaller than a head of a pin and that for no reason that anyone has adequately explained to me, instantaneously became everything? OK,” said Rogan, a self-described agnostic who was raised Catholic.

Discussing the potential size of the universe, which he noted could be finite, Rogan raised the possibility that human beings project their own biological limitations onto creation in their attempt to understand it.

“Wouldn’t it be crazy if there wasn’t something at one point in time?” he asked. “That seems even crazier than there has always been something. … There couldn’t be nothing, and then all of a sudden, everything.”

When Tucker suggested the universe required an outside force to set it in motion, Rogan cited the late ethnobotanist Terence McKenna, who noted that even the Big Bang theory and the materialist worldview require an act of faith.

“Modern science is based on the principle: ‘Give us one free miracle and we’ll explain the rest.’ The one free miracle is the appearance of all the mass and energy in the universe and all the laws that govern it in a single instant from nothing,” McKenna reportedly said, according to biologist Rupert Sheldrak’s 2009 book Morphic Resonance: The Nature of Formative Causation.

“That’s McKenna’s great line … the difference between science and religion is that science only asks you to believe in one miracle — the Big Bang,” Rogan said.

“I’m sticking with Jesus on that one," he added. “Jesus makes more sense. People have come back to life.”

Rogan has increasingly spoken with the guests on his influential podcast about religion in general and Jesus Christ in particular.

During an interview with Kid Rock last year, Rogan said, “I think the concept of Jesus is absolutely amazing, and if Jesus came here and wanted to visit me, I would be psyched.”

Speaking with NFL star Aaron Rodgers in 2024, Rogan expressed the broken nature of the world and the need for Christ's return.

“It’s a f----d up world we live in,” he said. “We need Jesus. For real, like if you came back now, like Jesus, if you're thinking about coming back, right now, now's a good time. Now's a good time. We're kind of f----d."

During another interview with actor and director Mel Gibson in January, the two discussed the theory of evolution. While Rogan implied he believes in evidence of pre-human hominids, Gibson said, “I don’t really go for it.”

Rogan also interviewed apologist Wesley Huff earlier this year, during which they spoke at length about the historic evidence of Jesus.

Jerusalem Post

Energy major Shell Plc paid $5.34 billion to the Nigerian government in 2024, the largest amount it remitted to any country, even as it continues to divest from its onshore oil operations in Africa’s largest crude producer.

According to data released in Shell’s annual “Payments to Governments” report, a regulatory disclosure required under UK law, Nigeria topped the company’s global list of government recipients last year, ahead of countries such as Oman, Brazil and Norway.

The figure represents a sharp increase from the $3.8 billion Shell paid to Nigeria in 2023.

Breakdown of Shell’s 2024 payments to Nigeria 

Shell’s total remittance of $5.34 billion to Nigeria in 2024 was disbursed across multiple federal institutions and agencies involved in petroleum revenue administration and regional development.

The largest share of over 71%  went to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), amounting to $3.8 billion.

A breakdown of the payments is as follows: 

• Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC): $3,804,949,166
• Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS): $648,734,398
• Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC): $781,963,813
• Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC): $97,260,899
• National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI): $3,931,917

The payments form part of the $28.1 billion Shell disbursed globally in 2024 to governments for extractive activities, a 5% year-on-year decline in total payouts that mirrored a broader drop in profitability.

• According to the company’s 2024 report, $3.8 billion of the $5.34 billion remitted to Nigeria came from production entitlements — the government’s share of crude oil output under joint venture and production sharing contracts.
• An additional $648.7 million was paid in taxes, while royalties accounted for $770.2 million. Fees and other statutory charges totalled approximately $102 million.
• Project-level data show that the East Asset, one of Shell’s key production hubs, attracted the largest share of entitlements, with $1.3 billion in payments. Oil Mining Lease (OML) 133 accounted for $136.6 million, predominantly in taxes.
• Meanwhile, a cluster of licences — OML 212, OML 118, OML 135, and Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 219 — together attracted $1.4 billion in payments across production entitlements, taxes, royalties, and fees, underlining the fiscal weight of Shell’s upstream footprint in Nigeria.

Comparative global payments 

Beyond Nigeria, Shell also paid a total of $28 billion to Government where it operates

• Oman received the next largest share after Nigeria, with about $4.3 billion,n while Brazil, Qatar and Norway received $4.5 billion, $3.33 billion and $3.38 billion, respectively
• African Countries on the list received smaller amounts of with Egypt, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania and Tunisia getting $43 million, $1.3 million, $140,000 and $29.3 million only.
• In contrast, Shell received a $32 million refund from the UK government, tied to decommissioning costs at the Brent field and other North Sea assets.

That figure was down from the $43 million refund received in 2023.

Revenue implications for Nigeria 

Shell has operated in Nigeria for more than eight decades but is now exiting its onshore oil business following years of operational setbacks, community disputes, oil spills, and rising environmental liabilities in the Niger Delta.

The company has described its divestment strategy as a move to “simplify the portfolio” and support its long-term ambition to become a net-zero emissions energy company by 2050.

However, it has committed to retaining its deepwater oil and gas operations in Nigeria, which it considers more aligned with lower-carbon energy goals.

What you should know 

In March 2025, the House of Representatives summoned 48 oil companies operating in Nigeria to appear before its Committee on Public Accounts, in a series of investigative hearings probing a combined debt of N9.4 trillion.

• Companies summoned include major industry players such as Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Total E&P Nigeria, Seplat Energy, Oando Oil Ltd, and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, among others.
• The committee’s probe follows findings in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on the Consolidated Financial Statement for the year ending December 31, 2021.
• Also in March this year, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) announced a review of divestments involving 26 oil blocks worth $6.03 billion by five International Oil Companies (IOCs), citing the need for transparency and due process in these transactions.

The transactions include significant deals such as Shell’s $2.4 billion sale to Renaissance, ExxonMobil’s $1.28 billion transfer to Seplat, and TotalEnergies’ $860 million sale to Chappal.

NEITI explained that these divestments were reshaping Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, making it crucial to ensure they are conducted transparently and in line with regulatory standards.

Nairametrics

Nigerian oil firm Renaissance Energy has halted production on one line feeding into the Trans Niger oil pipeline, a major oil artery transporting crude from onshore oilfields to the Bonny export terminal, following an operational incident, it said on Friday.

An environmental rights group said on Thursday that the pipeline burst on May 6 and spilled oil into the local B-Dere community in Ogoniland, the second such incident affecting the pipeline in two months.

The halted pipeline goes through B-Dere community to join the Trans Niger Pipeline.

Nigerian oil consortium Renaissance Group, which now owns Shell's former onshore subsidiary that operates the pipeline, "immediately isolated the pipeline and halted production into the line", Michael Adande, spokesperson for Renaissance said.

"With co-operation from the B-Dere community, our experts accessed the site, clamped the pipeline and recovered spilled oil, with clean-up preparations now underway," Adande said.

Renaissance said a team of investigators had confirmed that the incident was an operational one.

The Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), with a capacity of around 450,000 barrels per day, is one of two conduits that export Bonny Light crude from Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer.

Reuters

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has distributed ₦1.68 trillion to Nigeria's three tiers of government as federation allocation for April 2025, reflecting a ₦110 billion increase from March's ₦1.57 trillion distribution.

This announcement came following FAAC's May meeting chaired by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. The allocation was derived from a total gross revenue of ₦2.848 trillion, comprising statutory revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and exchange difference.

Distribution Breakdown

The allocation was distributed as follows:

- Federal Government: ₦565.30 billion

- State Governments: ₦556.74 billion

- Local Government Councils: ₦406.62 billion

- Oil-producing States (13% derivation): ₦152.55 billion

Additionally, ₦101.05 billion was allocated for collection costs, while ₦1.06 trillion was designated for transfers, interventions, and refunds.

Revenue Sources

VAT revenue showed improvement, increasing to ₦642.26 billion from March's ₦637.61 billion—a growth of ₦4.64 billion. After deductions for collection costs and transfers, the remaining ₦598.07 billion was distributed among the three government tiers.

Statutory revenue received a significant boost, reaching ₦2.084 trillion—₦365.59 billion higher than the previous month. After deductions, ₦962.88 billion was distributed to the three levels of government.

The EMTL contributed ₦38.86 billion to the total allocation, while exchange differences added another ₦81.40 billion.

Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, noted that petroleum profit tax, oil and gas royalty, VAT, EMTL, excise duty, import duty, and CET levies all showed significant increases, though company income tax recorded a decline.

The Finnish government has formally charged Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and controversial pro-Biafra activist, with terrorism-related offences. The charges, filed on Friday at the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti, include “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent” and “participation in a terrorist group.”

Jukka Rappe, Finland’s Deputy Prosecutor-General, confirmed that the case stems from Ekpa’s secessionist activities linked to the push for an independent Biafra state in Nigeria’s South-East. Ekpa, who resides in Lahti, is accused of using social media and other online platforms to spread separatist propaganda, incite violence, and promote terrorism.

The Finnish authorities allege that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in Nigeria through his online campaigns. The charges are also tied to suspicions of illegally raising funds in violation of Finland’s Money Collection Act. The investigation, led by Finnish police in collaboration with Nigerian authorities, marks the first case of its kind in Finland, according to Rappe.

Ekpa, 40, was arrested on 21 November 2024 along with four others. While he was remanded by the Päijät-Häme court for spreading terrorist propaganda, the other suspects were later released after preliminary investigations. Ekpa is believed to be the leader of the “Autopilot” faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), although the main IPOB group loyal to Nnamdi Kanu has publicly disowned him.

Despite Finland’s legal action, Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, recently stated that the federal government has not yet initiated formal extradition proceedings against Ekpa.

No court date has been set yet for the trial.

Deadly Israeli strikes pound Gaza, Trump says 'people are starving'

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed more than 250 people since Thursday morning, local health authorities said on Friday, one of the deadliest phasesof bombardment since a truce collapsed in March, with a new ground offensive expected soon.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who ended a Middle East tour on Friday with no apparent progress towards a new ceasefire as Israel steps up its military campaign, acknowledged Gaza's growing hunger crisis and the need for aid deliveries.

"We have to help also out the Palestinians. You know, a lot of people are starving in Gaza, so we have to look at both sides," he said. When asked if he backed Israel's war plans, Trump said he expected "good things" over the next month.

Friday's air and artillery strikes were focused on the northern section of the tiny, crowded enclave, where dozens of people including women and children were killed overnight, said Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Khalil al-Deqran.

Israel has intensified its bombardment and built up armoured forces along the border despite growing international pressure for it to resume ceasefire talks and end its blockade of Gaza, where warnings of famine are growing.

Just before midnight on Friday, the Israeli military said that during the last day forces began launching extensive strikes and transferring forces to seize control over areas within the Gaza Strip.

It said the escalation was part of the initial stages of what it said was "Operation Gideon's Wagons" to expand the battle in the enclave "with the aim of achieving all the war's objectives, including the liberation of the kidnapped soldiers and the defeat of Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 5 that Israel was planning an expanded, intensive offensive against Hamas as his security cabinet approved plans that could involve seizing the entire Gaza Strip and controlling aid.

An Israeli defence official said at the time that the operation would not be launched before Trump concluded his visit to the Middle East, which was expected to end on Friday.

Israel's declared goal in Gaza is the elimination of Hamas, which attacked Israeli communitieson October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and seizing about 250 hostages.

Its military campaign has devastated the enclave, pushing nearly all inhabitants from their homes and killing more than 53,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities, while aid agencies say its blockade has caused a humanitarian crisis.

Heavy strikes were reported on Friday in the northern town of Beit Lahiya and in the Jabalia refugee camp, where Palestinian emergency services said many bodies were still buried in the rubble.

Israel dropped leaflets on Beit Lahiya ordering all residents to leave, whether they lived in tents, shelters or buildings. "Leave southwards immediately," the leaflets read.

Residents said Israeli tanks were advancing towards the southern city of Khan Younis.

Israel's military said its air force had struck more than 150 military targets across Gaza.

STRIKES

In Jabalia, men picked through a sea of rubble following the night's strikes, pulling out sheets of metal as small children clambered through the debris.

Around 10 bodies draped in white sheets were lined up on the ground to be taken to hospital. Women sat crying and one lifted a corner of a sheet to gaze at the dead person's face.

"Where should I go today? To west Gaza? There's bombing in west Gaza. To the south? They're killing people in Khan Younis. To Deir al-Balah? There is bombing. Me, my children and my family, where should we go?" said Fadi Tamboura, sitting crying next to a crater left by an overnight strike.

Ismail, a man from Gaza City who gave only his first name, described a night of horror. "The non-stop explosions resulting from the airstrikes and tank shelling reminded us of the early days of the war. The ground didn't stop shaking underneath our feet," Ismail told Reuters via a chat app.

"We thought Trump arrived to save us, but it seems Netanyahu doesn't care, neither does Trump."

Israel has faced increasing international isolation over its campaign in Gaza, with even the United States, its staunchest ally, expressing unease over the scale of the destruction and the dire situation caused by its blockade on deliveries of food and other vital aid.

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was "troubled" by the humanitarian situation.

Netanyahu has dispatched a team to Doha to take part in ceasefire talks with Qatari mediators, but he has ruled out concessions, saying Israel remains committed to defeating Hamas.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents some of the families and supporters of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, said Israel risked missing a "historic opportunity" to bring them home as Trump wound up his visit to the Middle East.

"We are in dramatic hours that will determine the future of our loved ones, the future of Israeli society, and the future of the Middle East," the group said in a statement.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russia’s top negotiator outlines key outcomes of Istanbul talks

Russia’s chief negotiator at the Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, Vladimir Medinsky, has delivered a statement following the first direct peace talks between Moscow and Kiev in three years. The discussions on Friday lasted for nearly two hours.

Medinsky announced a major prisoner exchange, acknowledged Kiev’s request for a meeting involving Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and confirmed that both sides will soon present detailed proposals for a potential ceasefire, after which the negotiations will continue.

Here is the full text of Medinsky’s statement: 

Dear colleagues,

Direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side, organized at the initiative of the president of Russia, have just concluded. Overall, we are satisfied with the outcome and are ready to continue contacts.

Here is what was agreed:

First – in the coming days, a large-scale prisoner exchange will take place, 1,000 for 1,000 people.

Second – the Ukrainian side requested direct talks between the heads of state, and we have taken this request into account.

And third – we agreed that each side will present its vision of a possible future ceasefire, outlining it in detail. Once these visions are presented, it has been mutually agreed that it would be appropriate to continue our negotiations.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Europeans and Zelenskiy agree Russian stance is 'unacceptable', Starmer says

The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland agreed on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Russia's position in peace talks was "unacceptable" and also consulted with U.S. President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

The first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years took place in Istanbul on Friday.

They lasted well under two hours, with no apparent sign of progress so far in narrowing the gap between the sides, and a Ukrainian source called Moscow's demands "non-starters".

Starmer made his comments in a brief joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania.

Starmer said the leaders had met with Zelenskiy - who is also at the summit - to discuss the Istanbul talks and had also had a call with Trump.

"The Russian position is clearly unacceptable, and not for the first time," Starmer said.

"And so as a result of that meeting with President Zelenskiy and the discussion with President Trump, we are now closely aligning and coordinating our responses and will continue to do so," he said.

The leaders did not take any questions from reporters.

RT/Reuters

In many parts of our hinterland—and even in our cities—sudden death is often attributed to what the Yoruba call apepa—a mystical demise believed to be caused by malevolent forces who summon a person’s soul from afar. One is said to have been “called,” their life abruptly and mysteriously ended.

This belief, though deeply rooted in our culture, has often led to misplaced blame, suspicion, and years of acrimony among families and communities. But as our understanding of health improves, we must face the truth: most of these sudden deaths are not spiritual—they are medical. Preventable. Manageable. Treatable.

Conditions like undiagnosed hypertension, cardiac arrest, stroke, diabetes, and stress-induced breakdowns are responsible for many of these tragedies. These are not tales from the otherworld; they are the outcomes of neglect, fatigue, and silence.

Just recently, two heartbreaking incidents reminded us again of this painful reality.

In Abeokuta, Mrs. Bukola Agbakaizu, a well-loved broadcast journalist with Ogun State Television, reportedly slumped and died at her desk, in the line of duty. Known for her diligence and grace, she died doing what she loved. That alone makes her loss all the more devastating.

Much earlier, we received the shocking news of Kunle Akinyele, a retired Customs Chief and respected hotelier in Lagos, who slumped and died at the thanksgiving reception for his wife’s 60th birthday. What was meant to be a celebration of life turned into an unspeakable tragedy.

Both were strong, accomplished individuals. Their deaths have left a painful void—not just in their families but in the communities they served and inspired. And yet, their stories are also a warning. A call to awareness. A call to action.

This past weekend, I found myself crisscrossing towns in the Southwest—attending weddings, funerals, chieftaincy celebrations, and birthdays. I wanted to show support, be present, fulfill obligations. But by Sunday evening, I was completely drained. And I asked myself: At what cost?

At our age—particularly for those of us over 45—this constant movement, this inability to say no, this drive to be everything to everyone, is no longer sustainable. Our bodies send us quiet signals before they give way. The question is: Are we listening?

What we must begin to do, urgently and deliberately:

1. Know Your Numbers: Monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol regularly. These are silent killers.

2. Annual Health Checks: Schedule a comprehensive medical exam at least once a year. Prevention is cheaper than cure.

3. Prioritize Rest: Even machines break down from overuse. Sleep, rest, recharge.

4. Exercise Wisely: A 30-minute daily walk or light stretches go a long way in preserving heart health.

5. Eat with Care: Cut down on salt, sugar, and processed foods. Let food be your medicine.

6. Hydrate Constantly: Dehydration contributes to fatigue, headaches, and other health complications.

7. Decline with Grace: Not every invitation must be honored. Choose health over appearances.

8. Seek Emotional Support: Talk. Share. Don’t bottle stress or pain. It’s not heroic to suffer in silence.

We must also begin to educate our communities: not all sudden deaths are spiritual attacks. Many are the result of long-ignored symptoms, dangerous habits, and avoidable delays. We must trade superstition for science, suspicion for support, and myth for truth.

Let me share a personal experience that brought this home even more starkly.

A friend of mine had been battling diabetes for years. Instead of seeking proper medical care, he relied heavily on herbs. About three weeks ago, he visited me, and I noticed he looked unwell. I pressed him for answers, and not satisfied with what I heard, I gave him money to go for a medical check-up. He didn’t go.

Days later, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. I sent one of my aides to check on him. To my horror, he had been moved—not to a hospital—but to a relative’s house in a dire state. We searched for him, found him on the brink of death, and rushed him to the hospital. Thankfully, with the swift intervention of Dr. Ariyo and his team at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, he was stabilized and is still on admission today. He is alive—but only just.

That story could have ended differently—like so many others we have mourned.

This message is for the middle-aged and aging among us, for caregivers, professionals, leaders, and public servants who carry the world on their shoulders. It is also for our traditional and cultural custodians, who must begin to champion wellness as urgently as they do tradition.

Let us honor the memories of Bukola Agbakaizu and Kunle Akinyele—not only by mourning but by heeding the warning their passing represents. Let their lives and their loss awaken us to the fragility of life and the power of timely care.

May their souls rest in perfect peace. And may we, the living, make a solemn commitment today to care more intentionally for the only body we have.