Apologies: Though the most trending issue at present is the yacht yaks, my offering today will not dwell on it. Nor will I want to talk about the army of deliberately befuddling narratives on the yacht from the Nigerian authority. Today’s is also not about the familial invasion of the hallowed chambers of state last week, nor the previous presidential speech from Iya L’oja, the First Daughter, with the Nigerian flag flying, warts and all. Nor is it even about the automobile palliatives for the First Family. Like the Georg Wilhelm Hegel dialectics, I believe all these are theses and antitheses which will soon form a synthesis. By the time this opening glee, the theatrical entrance song preceding the play, finally unfolds, I pray we find the encore that we have lost.

Sorry, I digressed. Today is about the duel between Nyesom Wike, the Fuhrer of Rivers State and lately, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and his godson, Siminalayi Fubara, current governor of the state. It is instructive that Wike the godfather in Rivers is, on its flipside, a godson in the FCT where he superintends as the 37th Nigerian state governor, a la the recent Nigerian Supreme Court judgment. Only recently, the FCT got approval for its pulling out from the Treasury Single Account (TSA). No minister of this humongous state economy had ever got such unexampled but suspicious exemption since the creation of the TSA. What is the dominant psychology that has kept the Wikes on the top burner of Nigerian politics? Why is godfatherism a disease that will live with us for a very long time to come? Is Wike a protege of a cancerous blight that has the dual tendencies of being evil and good in equal proportion?

In 1934, German Chancellor and Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, paid a highly publicized visit to the Friedrich Nietzsche archives at Weimar, a city in the state of Thuringia, Central Germany. Weimar was a focal point of the German Enlightenment. It was also home to leading figures of the literary genre like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. To the world, that visit by Hitler was weird and awkward.

So the Fuhrer came to the Nietzsche archives on the invitation of Elisabeth Forster-Nietzsche, younger sister of Friedrich, who became the curator and editor of the late German scholar’s manuscripts. Forster-Nietzsche was to be later accused of mal-editing Friedrich’s unpublished writings to fit her German ultranationalist ideology, as against Nietzsche’s anti-Semitism and nationalism. Hitler was accompanied on that visit by his personal photographer, Heinrich Hoffmann. At the reception room, Hitler held and contemplatively admired the bust of Nietzsche. No doubt calculatedly programmed, the photo that emerged therefrom was to paint the bones of Friedrich bad, even in his graveyard. He was held by some people as the godfather of Hitler’s massacre. A Hitler photograph having an incestuous conversation with Nietzsche specifically drew in the minds of those who saw it a diabolical connect between the two Germans. The photograph eventually found its way into the German press, captioned, “The Fuhrer before the bust of the German philosopher whose ideas have fertilized two great popular movements: the National Socialism of Germany and the Fascist Movement of Italy.”

As told by the duo of Jacob Golomb and Robert Wisrich in their introduction to the book, Nietzsche, godfather or fascism?, apart from Germany, the country of their birth that was the common denominator, Adolf seemed to have nothing in common with Friedrich. While Adolf was an Austrian-born German politician, dictator from 1933 to the day of his suicide in 1945, and one who initiated the World War II by his invasion of Poland in 1939, apart from Mercedez Benz, Nietzsche was one of Germany’s most enduring exports to the rest of the world. Adolf was not only central to the perpetration of the Holocaust, the genocidal rout of about 6 million Jews and millions of other victims of his brutality, he is the world’s most notorious demon ever. On his flipside was Friedrich. Globally acclaimed German philosopher, the young Friedrich, in 1869, at the age of 24, became the youngest human being to hold the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel. His work spans philosophical polemics, poetry, cultural criticism and fiction. He was known for his love for aphorism and irony and drew inspiration from Greek tragedy, science, religion, among others.

Last week, like the Hitler of Nigerian politics that he has become, Wike would seem to be standing by the reception of the den of Ibadan political warlord, Lamidi Adedibu. Adedibu, in the life of the current republic, had engaged the ex-governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, in a godfather-godson tiff that nearly crashed the state. He was the undisputable and unforgettable godfather of the politics of Western Nigeria. Literally, Wike was simultaneously admiring the busts of Adolf Hitler and Adedibu. He didn’t seem to mind the din of noise that is the paterfamilias of the Ibadan, Molete den of Adedibu.

That same week, in his familiar gutturals, Wike’s coarse voice sounded round the length and breadth of Nigeria, grating through hearts like a load of laterites being offloaded from the quarry. It was akin to a violent downpour without any forewarning. Rivers State suddenly convulsed in the manner of a sick child. It sent Nigeria scampering for remedy for this dying-and-coming Abiku godfather-godson child birthed by Wole Soyinka. The city of Port-Harcourt literally quaked. Wike’s godson and governor of the state, Siminalayi and his loyalists, against the Wike group, got enveloped in a drama that lasted for close to 48 hours. Port-Harcourt, the capital of the state, witnessed such a seismic shake with Fubara said to have been shot at by a police team allegedly obeying the orders of ex-Governor Wike. An impeachment process was then begun against Fubara. The House of Assembly which witnessed the bulk of the drama suddenly exploded in an explosion which greatly damaged the complex. Not long after, President Bola Tinubu waded into the crisis and peace, of the graveyard ostensibly, returned to Rivers State.

The issue of godfather and godson and its effect on Nigerian politics have however remained unresolved. Though in a paper he entitled Explaining ‘godfatherism’ in Nigerian politics, Isaac Albert had provided the foundation of the concept of godfatherism in cultural and historical contexts in Nigeria, predecessor-successor godfatherism in Nigerian governmental politics actually began in Nigeria in 2007. In the process leading to the 2007 elections, exiting governors of the time, armed with stupendous wealth from administering their states from 1999 to 2007, assumed the role of godfathers, sponsoring anointed successors to take over batons of power from them. They were apparently taking their cues from Abuja where Olusegun Obasanjo had done same with Umaru Yar’Adua. From tinkering with the political process, to bankrolling elections and selections with billions of state funds, virtually all of the governors eventually succeeded in extending their stay in power through protégés.

However, no sooner had they emerged governors than these anointed godsons began to burst the bubble. And the cookies began to crumble. Some of the cookies were immediate while many took longer time to shatter into smithereens. In Lagos, the Tinubu-Raji Fashola experiment, what many saw for almost four years as matrimony worthy of example, exploded towards the end of the first term. James Ibori too succeeded in making his first cousin his successor in Delta. The godfather continued to reap dividends of his ‘investments’ in the godson. The godfather was the de facto governor, determining the political barometer of politics, its finance and what prebends to be given to political hirelings in the distribution of the largesse of power. Not until the re-election campaign of Fashola in 2011 did the cracks begin to be noticeable, revealing the godfather/godson as proverbial seeds in a walnut pod. You remember the cryptic phrase, “may your loyalty never be tested…”? The godson was between the devil and the deep blue sea.

In many other states at this time, the matrimonies suffered ruptures almost immediately. In Enugu, for instance, Sullivan Chime was still governor-elect when he started to undo all that his mentor and godfather had put in place. He spent eight years trying to pull down the Ebeano political structure that midwifed him. Orji Kalu suffered same fate in Abia, where his erstwhile chief of staff, T. A. Orji, who was in the EFCC custody while his election was taking place, eventually emerged governor. Orji spent his years in government firing ballistic missiles at Kalu who spent billions of state funds to skew the process in his favour. This was replicated in virtually all the states, even in the 2015 elections where anointed godsons, having mutated to become godfathers themselves, attempted to foist their own godsons too as successors. For example, Chime’s godson, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, eventually turned out his political pallbearer. In Anambra, Peter Obi, while shopping for a godson, sidestepped the generally accepted skewer-minded political class, and walked into the supposedly sane banking hall in search of an urbane, corporate world executive. He got Willie Obiano. Less than a year after, the strange, somber-looking Obiano had transmuted from the gentleman who couldn’t hurt a fly into a stone-hearted political principality who strenuously presided over Obi’s political funeral and nunc dimitis. Same is replicated in Kano where Umar Ganduje, erstwhile Rabiu Kwankwaso’s lickspittle, became a hydra-headed monster who eventually swallowed his ex-boss. I am told that Emmanuel Uduaghan surreptitiously did in his cousin, James Ibori, even while serving his term in the UK slammer. The story of political betrayal, otherwise known as attempts by political godsons to be men of their own, has mutated dangerously ever since.

But, who actually is the betrayer, or when is a betrayal? Is it when the godson, who feels that millions of people in the state would be in at least four-year servitude if he continues with the sworn agreement to funnel state funds into the godfather’s bottomless esophagus, and thus repudiates all his commitments to the godfather? Or the godfather, whose mindless savagery and greed was behind the concept of godfatherism ab-initio?

The truth is that godfatherism has become a major feature of Nigerian politics. It is a political process which features a deliberate corruption of the electoral process and power structure by a dominant political mentor, otherwise known as the godfather. The godfather skews the political process in favour of an anointed candidate, with the aim of securing returns in form of bribes, offices or prestige. How this is done is that the godfather deploys wealth, power and position, mostly ill-gotten, to secure party nomination for the godson, sponsors their candidacy and manipulates the electoral process to their advantage. It can be likened to a political slave trade where the godfather, after succeeding in foisting the candidature of his godson on society, sits quietly thereafter to reap dividends of his evil machination. The repercussion on society is that merit is sacrificed and state funds are funneled into repaying the “good” of the godfather.

In every election cycle since 2007, the same political malady of godfatherism has replayed itself. I forgot to state that, at the core of this scramble by governors to clone godsons to replace them is a frenetic desire to keep the skeletons in their cupboards safe from the world’s prying eyes. Many of the governors, after pillaging their states blind, so much that if the world gets to know details, they ordinarily should be tied to the stakes and shot, embark on a process of putting veils on these maggots-dripping cupboards. They would be done for if “an alien” succeeds them! So they look for the most pliable of their coterie of hangers-on and fawners to succeed them. In many cases, they choose protégés implicated in state looting, who would not play the Judas on them without also going down the drain. This is why commissioners of finance or protégés with whom governors have transacted illicit businesses during their tenures are most times the surest picks. You can thus understand a threatening statement attributed to Siminalayi against Wike during the pendency of the crisis last week. He had allegedly claimed that, Wike should not forget that he was his Accountant General. Whatever that meant.

Against the run of play, Wike had chosen Siminalayi, presumably due to an EFCC manhunt for him. At a point, the commission declared the man who is now governor, Harrisonba Betty Princewill, Lekia Bukpor and Dagogo Roderick Abere wanted in connection with what the EFCC called a case of “criminal conspiracy, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds and abuse of office” that totaled N117 billion. So those who queue behind Siminalayi today who think the issue is about Wike and Fubara and the progress or lack thereof of Rivers State are mistaken. It is about the esophagus of the godfather and his godson.

Expatiating on the hub of devilry that godfatherism is, Chimaroke Nnamani, in a paper delivered on June 2, 2003 with the title, The godfather phenomenon in democratic Nigeria: Silicon or real?, had said, “Take it or leave it, the archetypal godfather in Nigeria is more than the ruthless Mario Puzo's kingpins in the Italian Mafia setting. While the fictional godfather is characterized as 'a shadowy, dare-devil recluse, who combines immense underworld financial muscle with near mythical powers of enormous proportions', which is to attain a further greasing of the ever-increasing vast financial empire, the Nigerian type has the added characterization of conceit, ego, loquacity, pettiness, envy, strife, crudity, and confusion.” With this, you can understand Wike roaring about how he created a political structure in Rivers and how no one can be permitted to destroy what he erected. In Nigerian politics, inside that conundrum of “political structure” is buried maggots, blood and destinies of people.

To be sure, there are godfathers in every clime. According to Albert, godfatherism conjures different meanings to different people. In many parts of Europe and America, the godfather is simply a cuddly uncle and in the Catholic Church, “a young man trying to become baptized or married… is expected to have a godfather. The Catholic Church's godfather is simply chosen from among the larger congregation and need not be a relative to the godson.” He counsels the young godson on how to live a responsible life. Godfatherism also exists in France and can be found in the term 'godfather of industry' for a depiction of corporate titans. American University professor, Richard Joseph had sliced the issue with his spatula in his famous theory of prebendal politics when he said that the relationship between the godfather and godson is instrumental and extra-legal. The main goal of the transaction is for the godfather to use the client to attain selfish goals while the latter aims at the same. The godfather manifests in the politics of developed countries and Latin American countries, something in the mould of criminal underworld groups who sponsor politicians at election times, in exchange for protection and contracts.

Albert also admitted that the kind of patron/client relationships between Wike and Fubara have cultural roots among many Nigerian peoples. It began in Hausa with the maigida who received kolanuts for help he rendered; manifest in Igbo as Nnam-Ukwu (my master) and Odibo 

(the servant) and in Yoruba as baba kekere (the small father), baba isale (the father of the underground world), or baba nigbejo (a great help in times of trouble). These were developed to foster the patron-client relationship inherited by present day political class. 

In many states where it is practiced, godfatherism is sustained by black magic, occult practices and blood. Initiate godson and godfather enter into the sacristy of black practices, most times reified by human blood. It is not a turf for the faint-hearted.  

Those who think Wike’s loquacious revelation of all that transpired in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the last elections was a mere spill will soon know that this is an understatement. Very soon, a clone of the Wike-Fubara grisly drama will come to play in Abuja. Only that this time, I pray there won’t be weeping, wailing and mourning and gnashing of the teeth, apologies to the reggae music group, The Mighty Diamonds.

By the way, why did Fubara fail to pull the trigger last week? It was a tragic mistake that he may live to regret. He had the roaring lion by its ball and a squeeze would have sequestered the king of the jungle. He could have retired the godfather and allowed Karma pounce on Wike this soon after leaving office!

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else ~ Isaiah 45:22.

Introduction

A call to look unto Jesus is the most glorious personal invitation mortal man ever received. It’s a tender and an affectionate invitation from the Creator-God Himself, opening an unusual access to all His provisions for all humanity, in Christ Jesus.

By this memorable invitation, the Almighty God has flung open the cistern of His heavenly treasures, and He’s hereby calling us all to partake of His abundant life, offering total salvation from sin, sicknesses, poverty, limitations, stagnation and demonic oppression.

The invitation equally assures us of God’s majestic illumination, banishing shame and all concurrent evils (Psalm 34:4-5). When we look unto God in the face of Jesus Christ, we will see the glory that enlightens the mind, and casts rays of comfort into our awakened heart.

This reminds us of the experience Moses had when he went up Mount Sinai, and was there in God’s presence for forty days and forty nights. When he came down, his face took on a certain brilliance to the effect that the people could not gaze into his face.

A true glimpse at the Maker of all things, may well suffice for all our troubles, and banish our reproaches while running in the race of life. Illuminated by His glory, cheered by His Voice, and empowered by His Spirit, we may stand very privileged as we advance with His abiding presence, even till our race is fully run.

Now, the critical truth to know is that no man has ever looked to Jehovah-God, as He is, and found ease as it were! Why? Just as the mortal eye cannot fix its gaze upon the sun, so no human intellect could ever look unto God and find light, for the brightness of God would strike the eye of such mind with eternal blindness.

Typically, God dwells in an unapproachable light, often referred to as “shekinah glory”. And, trying to see His “bare face” is much harder than trying to gaze into the glare of the sun at midday! If we dared to look at His face, we would be blinded, for the Light of the Godhead is most insufferable to behold.

When Moses was in the atmosphere of God’s presence on Mount Sinai, he requested to see God’s face (Exodus 33:18-20). But, God responded, "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see Me, and live”.

Yes indeed, the Almighty God, in His characteristic dizzying glory, can afford no comfort whatsoever to a troubled heart, for He "is a consuming fire" (Deuteronomy 9:3; Hebrews 12:29).

Happily, He shrouded, tempered, veiled or encapsulated Himself in Jesus Christ. This, the Most High God did, just to make Himself available and accessible to humanity, especially as a part of the redemption story (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Only in Jesus Christ can man, with steady gaze, behold God Almighty, who came down to us and died for us on the Cross, so that our poor finite intelligence can understand Him, and our frail bodies can embrace and accommodate His glory. This is great mystery of godliness (1Timothy 3:16)!

As it stands today, and as it’s forever settled in heaven, it is only through Jesus that humanity can ever get privileged access to God. Looking unto Jesus is the only way to see the Father-God in practical terms. He is the mediator between God and man (1Timothy 2:5).

Moses requested to see God’s glory, but God told him: "l will make all my goodness pass before thee" (Exodus 33:19). As our only valid access to God the Father, Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God’s goodness, and it’s only through Him that we can enjoy the goodness of God, maximally.

When the divine light and power of God flow into our lives, we become enabled to see beyond the surface into depths of spirituality, and we receive the authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ, even as He abides with us everywhere we go.

Never forget: you have no business looking hither and tither, but unto Jesus! It is to the extent that we truly focus on Jesus Christ that we can see the world for what it really is, and enjoy the fullness of God’s glory.

Why We Must Look Unto Jesus Christ

Basically, to look unto someone is to turn to the person, expecting assistance. So, looking unto Jesus, actually means turning to Him for help.

It could be help in the form of healing, rescue from the miry clay experiences of life, deliverance from sin and sinful habits, freedom from the hold of poverty, protection or even guidance through a journey or process in life, etcetera.

No one can exist on earth without supernatural help, and the surest help we can have is in God (Psalm 46:1-5; 121:1-8). Jesus Christ is the Help that God sent to man (John 3:16). He continues to abide with us in the form of the Holy Spirit (John 14:18).

All power belongs to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18; John 14:6). He fought, won, and gave us the victory. If we look up to Him today, He will help us to enjoy the provisions of the covenant. And, if we wait on Him, He will deliver us without fail (Luke 18:1-8).

Are you warring presently, and it’s like the enemy is thrusting sore at you? Never fear! Jesus Christ, our Master, was more than a conqueror, and so shall we be. He fought and has secured for us a “standard” that can never be stained with defeat (Isaiah 59:19).

Succinctly, looking unto Jesus means and entails: leaning implicitly on Him, zooming in on Him without any distraction and loving Him as our supreme goal in the journey of destiny. Whatever we need is available in Him, once we decidedly look unto Him and put Him first in our lives (Matthew 6:33).

Now, there are several important reasons why looking unto Jesus is a must for those who wish to run and finish excellently in the race of life. Essentially, life is generally unpredictable, but Jesus is the only Unfailing Guide in the race of life (John 16:33; Hebrews 12:2).

Moreover, only Jesus Christ can save, and this is the most important reason why looking unto Him is a spiritual imperative (Acts 4:12)! He is the author and finisher of our faith, and He’s the One who can bring clarity and authenticity to our existence. When we look to Him, we will, indeed, experience abundant life!

Fixing our eyes on the Sustainer of all things changes our perspectives, and a change of perspective can open our doors to incredible faith that will get us through our toughest times!

Undoubtedly, looking fully into His wonderful face, the things of this world and all that troubles us grow dim in the light of His power, glory and grace.

Would you love to truly fix your gaze on Jesus Christ? Then, begin to spend some quality time with Him in true worship, and start developing a consistent prayer life (Psalm 46:10-11; 1Thessalonians 5:17). Furthermore, read the Word regularly, and of course, be totally reliant on the Holy Spirit, daily (2Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 1:13-14).

Beloved brethren and friends, look unto Jesus now, and  live. May we all receive grace to always look unto Him, and see everything and everyone through His eyes. You won’t miss it, in Jesus name. Amen. Happy Sunday!

____________________

Bishop 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

Jesus had a fascinating conversation with a Samaritan woman by the well of Jacob. When He asked her for water to drink, the woman was a bit uppity because she had a bucket and Jesus did not have one. But Jesus explained to her that everything in this world (including a bucket) is of limited value. Therefore, it is foolish to be proud of worldly possessions.

He pointed out to her that: “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14).

When our wants are met from without, they only touch the superficial aspects of our being. They do not address the eternal longings and yearnings of the soul. Therefore, they are soon spent, and they need to be renewed as if they had never been satisfied before.

However, the water that Christ gives is spiritual and reaches the very depths of the soul. This water makes the soul not a cistern but a fountain, springing, bubbling, and gushing forth from within us, ever fresh and ever living. (John 7:38).

No More Sorrows

Once we appreciate this, we discover that spiritual dejection or despair in a believer is anathema to our faith. The fulfilment of whatever we require can never be preferable to our salvation. God cannot be better for us than He has already been. There is nothing He can do for us in this lifetime that can exceed what He has already done in Christ.

Jesus cannot die for us a second time. We cannot be cleansed with a better blood. God cannot give you a more superior Holy Spirit. He cannot appoint us to a better heaven. God gave us the best first by giving us Himself and everything that pertains to Him. Therefore, Jesus counselled that salvation is the only cause for joy. (Luke 10:20). 

So, if a redeemed man is depressed then he is to blame. God cannot be held responsible for his depression. James presents the proposition that dejection springs from sinful lust: “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:2-3)

Lust makes us insist on having our own way or on satisfying our own desires. It makes us dissatisfied with God for refusing to grant our carnal wishes. Soon, the dissatisfaction turns to disillusionment and despair. Once our insistence is that our will must be done, we are no longer in atonement with the Father. The privilege we have in Christ lies in our standing in atonement with God and not in God standing in atonement with us.

Steadfast Love

The joy of the Lord Jesus Christ is the joy of abiding in the love of the Father. This makes His joy immune to the vicissitudes of life. Indeed, when the Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), it is without prejudice to the fact that the joy of the Lord often causes us much pain.

Jesus endured the cross for the joy of the Lord. The strength comes from the realisation that we are at the centre of the Father’s will, whatever the cost. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews advises that we should make Jesus a gazing stock: 

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:2-4).

It is one of those illusions of man to think he ever belonged to himself. When we were in the world, we were deluded into thinking we were free to do as we liked. Bobby Brown sings: “It is my prerogative.” Frank Sinatra sings: “I did it my way.” 

Yes. We slept with whosoever we wanted to. We fought against anybody who offended us. We sat down to eat and drink, and we rose up to play. (Exodus 32:6). But this was because we sat in darkness. When the light of the world came, we suddenly discovered that we were in bondage. We discovered that we were slaves of sin. We discovered that what we called our prerogative was actually the prerogative of demons.

Fulness of Joy

For this reason, Jesus was careful to tell His followers that there would be trouble ahead. (John 16:33). And He pointed out the reason why it is necessary to be forewarned and forearmed: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11).

Let nothing affect or deplete our joy. The essential character of the joy of the Lord is that it is a joy that remains, and it is a joy that is full. All other joy comes and goes. All other joy is incomplete. But the joy of the Lord is full, and it is forever. God’s love is steadfast. Therefore, while today’s good news may be tomorrow’s bad news; the gospel is always good news. It reveals to us that God’s anger is but for a moment, while His favour is for life. (Psalm 30:5).

So, if you are a believer and are not joyful, it may be because you are not interested in the joy of the Lord and are insistent on your own particular kind of joy. It may be because what you desire is the joy of the world, which is something the gospel does not intend to provide.

Paradoxically, instead of rejoicing that we no longer have the joy of the world, many believers are upset because that is precisely the joy they crave. Worse still, many have been led to believe that what Christianity gives is the joy of the world. But Jesus is not interested in that. Indeed, what He promises in the world is tribulation. He says: “In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). 

Anxious for Nothing

Jesus therefore makes it the responsibility of the believer not to let his heart be troubled. (John 14:1). The joy of the Lord is immune to tribulation. It cannot be dampened by affliction. It remains in spite of persecution and bereavement. In all these things, the Bible points out that we are more than conquerors through the love of God. (Romans 8:37).

Thus, Paul writes to the Corinthians: “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulations.” (2 Corinthians 7:4).

However, a believer cannot have the joy of the Lord when he is living in sin. He cannot have the joy of the Lord when he is not bearing fruit. When a man is joyful under those circumstances, it is the joy of the world he is experiencing.

Truly, the joy of the world has nothing for the believer. How many wonderful weddings have you been to that ended in divorce? How many new cars have ended up wrapped around lampposts? How many beautiful homes have ended up burgled or burnt?

Therefore, the Lord cautions us: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).

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

In the world of work, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, sometimes forgetting about our own happiness. 

However, no matter your position, rank, or career level, you have the power to create a more fulfilling work life for yourself. Here are five practical strategies for individuals to nurture their own well-being and happiness at work.

1. Break free from perfectionism

Our culture often celebrates the idea of perfectionism, but when it shows up in the workplace, procrastination and burnout show up with it. 

To counter perfectionism, practice positive reframing of negative thoughts. Positive reframing is a helpful coping strategy for those with perfectionistic tendencies. 

By paying attention to any thoughts you find discouraging, you can learn to recognize negative thought patterns and shift. Rather than fixating on negativity, you'll bring happiness into your work by focusing on positive thoughts and solutions. 

2. Broaden your horizons

Perhaps the essence of lifelong happiness is embedded in a short quote penned by celebrated British philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell. 

In his 1930 book The Conquest of Happiness, he writes: "The secret of happiness is this: Let your interest be as wide as possible and let your reactions to the things and persons who interest you be as far as possible friendly rather than hostile."

Let's break it down: "Let your interest be as wide as possible" suggests that you should be curious and open-minded. Don't limit yourself to just one area of focus or interest. This broadens your horizons and allows you to bring diverse insights to your leadership role. 

3. Show kindness 

The second half of Russell's quote – "Let your reactions to the things and persons who interest you be as far as possible friendly rather than hostile" – suggests that one should approach people and situations with kindness and goodwill.

Rather than being defensive or confrontational, it is better to cultivate a friendly and positive attitude. This does not mean that one should agree with everything or ignore problems. However, starting from a place of understanding and respect is more likely to lead to constructive outcomes.

4. Embrace your authentic self

Happiness starts with being true to yourself. Take some time to reflect on your values, strengths, and aspirations. When you align your work with who you truly are, you're more likely to find joy in what you do. 

Imagine a workplace where everyone feels encouraged to be themselves and explore their interests and strengths. This kind of environment fosters authenticity, which is a cornerstone of personal happiness.

5. Last and most important, let love win

One of the defining characteristics of a happy and well-lived life is approaching it with an open heart and a generous disposition. When faced with bad news, anxiety, or a highly stressful situation, we often shrink back and feel helpless. 

Or we choose between fight, flight, or freeze as a response, usually out of fear. Fear, however, can shut out nearly everything that might help us see other possibilities to resolve the situation. It destroys our reasoning, making it hard to see things clearly.

What if we chose to let love dominate our lives and our decisions at work? In the way we lead our employees and customers? In the way we approach conflict? What if we chose love rather than fear? 

By letting love into our lives and giving love to ourselves and others along the journey, we can be the driving force in our happiness and well-being.

Remember, you have the ability to shape your own experience. By prioritizing these approaches, you'll be on your way to creating a happier and more fulfilling work life for yourself. Lead yourself with intention and watch your own happiness bloom.

Inc

France is set to return $150 million, another tranche of the loot traced to Sani Abacha, former Nigerian military leader, to the country.

Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, made the announcement in a statement on Friday following a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Catherine Colonna, the minister of Europe and foreign affairs of France.

Tinubu thanked France for the return of the loot, saying it would be used in developing the country.

“Thank you for the good news on the return of Abacha loot. We appreciate your effective cooperation concerning the return of Nigeria’s money. It will be judiciously applied in attaining our development objectives,” Ngelale quoted his principal as saying.

Tinubu also commended the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, adding that more collaboration is needed on both political and economic fronts.

The president also welcomed the growing cooperation between the two countries in areas of shared interest, such as climate change, economic integration, education, and culture.

In response, Colonna conveyed the goodwill of President Emmanuel Macron and expressed the readiness of France to expand mutually beneficial collaboration with Nigeria across multiple sectors.

The minister said the repatriation of the stolen funds followed the completion of legal processes, saying “it was a long process, but we are glad that it was concluded”.

“Sometimes, justice may be slow, but this is a very good achievement,” she added.

The Cable

The naira continued its appreciation streak against the dollar, strengthening to N980/$ in the parallel market on Friday.

Aminu Gwadabe, president of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), made this known in a statement.

Earlier in the day, the naira had appreciated to N1,040 against the dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange market. 

He said the naira rebound is the manifestation of measures of dollar liquidity injection and naira mopping through the instrumentality of interest rate hikes.

“It is a good development as it is a great risk to speculate, hoard and substitute naira for other currencies,” he said. 

“However, the speculators are usually interested in the elements of sustainability of the feat so far achieved; it is panic selling as against panic buying.”

Therefore, he said, it is necessary for the management of the apex bank to continue to make clarifications and implement some of the association’s recommendations to include the BDCs in the foreign exchange market.

This, he said, will allow them to play a crucial role in addressing the needs of the critical retail end.

“The BDCs are necessary in the demand measures of the apex bank, transaction monitoring mechanism and clients utilisation with correcting and moderating potentials,” he said. 

“In the area of increasing reserves, this is linked to increased demand of our major export commodity which is crude oil due largely to the US increasing inventories and the escalation of tension in the middle east.”

Furthermore, he warned against attacking the naira as it all appears that the CBN has gotten the arsenal and the logic to continue to enshrine the success recorded.

The Cable

Manufacturers have expressed concerns as the price of diesel has risen to N1,275 per litre in Lagos and above N1,300 outside the state.

The product is selling for N1,270 per litre in Kano State and above that outside the metropolis. 

This implies a 26 percent increase in the price of the product in less than one week. It had sold for N1,030 on October 23. 

As of Thursday, many filling stations in Lagos adjusted their price to between N1,250 and N1,270. 

Manufacturers, who said they are still battling with forex crisis, high interest rate and poor power supply, fear that the hike in the price of diesel might compound their challenges as diesel is used to power their factories. 

The situation is compounded by the rising inflation which peaked to 26.7 percent in October with many families and households facing a worsening cost of living crisis.

Stakeholders say the hike in the price of diesel portends greater danger for the masses who are bearing the brunt of high inflation.

A bakery owner, Ibrahim Nagode, said: “The price keeps increasing on a daily basis. You can buy it in the morning for a certain price and in the evening, you are told that the price has changed.”

“We were planning to buy diesel yesterday and we had planned our budget on the rate we bought it the last time only to be told that the price is now N1,275,” said another source. 

There are fears the pump price of diesel outside the Kano metropolis has reached N1,400 per litre.

Commenting on the situation, the Chief Executive Officer of Golden Rice Mill, Ilya Nazifi, said inasmuch as logistics and power are affected, the cost of production and prices of finished goods would definitely go up.  

A transporter in Lagos, Wada Jamilu, said with the increase in the price of the product, a trailer would consume diesel worth N1.5m to travel from Kano to Lagos and come back.

He said owners of trailers would have to increase their transportation fares.  

An oil marketer, Abdulrasheed Olapade, noted that diesel had for long been deregulated and that its price is determined by the international market.

“As I am talking to you, it is more than N1,275 at the terminal price and when you have to add transportation cost, it would be more than that. Since it has been deregulated, it is dictated by the world market more so the dollar has also gone up. We are in hot soup with the current price of a dollar.” 

A member of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Inuwa Abdullahi, said the high cost of diesel is hitting the association hard. 

He said, “When you look at the cost of diesels coupled with the multiple check points by state and non-state actors, the bad roads and the high cost of spare parts, a trip that a truck is supposed to go for about N500,000 would be around N2m now.

“At the end of the day, you will end up with nothing to take home as a driver. We are just there struggling as diesel continues to go up.”

Factories may shut down 

President of the Premium Bread Makers Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Onuorah, said the hike in the price of diesel might force factories to shut down. 

“The price has increased since Monday. For us as bakers, the implication of that we keep increasing our prices. As long as everything keeps increasing, we would keep adding money to our product so that we can recover costs.

“You can’t do anything again. Flour today is about N43,000. Every day, they would put N5000; N10,000 on one line item. Manufacturers will shut down, industries will shut down.

“As I am talking to you, I am sitting in my factory. Everybody will close up. Anybody who cannot do it again will pack up and leave. It is tough. The crisis is coming,” he stated.

A professor of Entrepreneurship Development and Lagos State chairman of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Adams Adebayo, warned that the rising cost of diesel portends a serious danger for the economy.

He said, “The economy is in a serious shamble. It has never been this bad in the last 20 years. This is the worst that has ever happened. If diesel price has gone up, it has really affected everybody.

“What we are going to do now is that all the manufacturers would shut down. Except the government decides to subsidize the power and direct electricity distribution companies to supply to the manufacturers at a rate being controlled by the government, there would be problems.

“The diesel price can go to N3,000, it doesn’t matter as long as the government’s energy is stable, we don’t need to buy diesel except those who are using it for logistics which would be affected.

“Before this administration came in on May 29, diesel sold for N670. Between June and today, 1st of November, diesel is N1,256. Small businesses are not finding it easy.  

“The government needs to rise up to the task, set up a board to control all these essential commodities like fuel, diesel and gas because gas prices too would be increased and households would not be able to use it again,” he said.

Daily Trust

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have announced plans for a nationwide strike beginning on Wednesday, November 8, in response to the recent abduction and physical assault of their president, Joe Ajaero.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, when the Imo State Police Command, allegedly acting on the orders of the State Governor, abducted Ajaero from the NLC state council secretariat in Owerri, where he was waiting for colleagues to join him for a peaceful protest rally.

According to the labour unions, Ajaero was blindfolded, beaten to a pulp, brutalised, humiliated, and violated by the police personnel and taken to an unknown destination where he was subjected to more battering and torture as well as threatened with death before “help” came his way via the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who ordered his immediate release.

The labour union issued a statement on Friday, signed by their General Secretaries, Emmanuel Ugboaja and Nuhu Toro, warning of an impending nationwide strike set to commence on Wednesday, November 8, should the government fail to address their demands.

“We further resolved that in the event the government fails to comply with any or all of the conditions above-stated, NLC, TUC and their affiliates will no longer guarantee industrial peace in Nigeria beginning Wednesday the 8th of November, 2023, while a joint National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the two Labour Centres will meet to decide on the next course of action,” the statement read.

The demands made by the labour unions included a call for the investigation and immediate removal of the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Barde, due to his alleged complicity and unprofessional conduct.

“The Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force and all other officers and men in Owerri through whom the Police Commissioner supervised the brutalisation and humiliation of Ajaero and other workers be relieved of his office and stripped of his commissions,” it stated.

“Nwaneri Chinasa, Adviser on Special Duties who supervised the terror on workers and bestial brutality meted out to Congress President, Ajaero, be arrested immediately and prosecuted for his crimes against workers and the President.”

The unions insisted on an immediate, independent, and unbiased professional medical examination for Ajaero to assess the extent of the physical and psychological injuries he suffered.

Additionally, NLC and TUC demanded the treatment of other workers and journalists who had experienced inhumane treatment by the police, the restoration of their confiscated properties, and the implementation of all outstanding industrial relations issues previously agreed upon.

The unions also addressed allegations that they had disobeyed a court order, stressing the need for transparency and accountability regarding the circumstances surrounding the court order, provided a list of grievances that had led to their planned peaceful protest and called for the resolution of these issues.

“Government repeatedly observed in breach agreements it voluntarily reached with Labour amongst which was the January 9th 2021; Non-payment of salaries and pensions for upward of 22 months ….in some instances, 44 months; Declaration of 11,000 hard-working workers as ghost workers and diversion of their salaries or emoluments to other uses; Serial vandalism of Congress secretariat for no just cause.”

The Guardian

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has introduced visa-free travel for Nigerians and all Africans.

Rwanda is now one of the African countries after Seychelles, The Gambia and Benin, that provides visa-free entry for all African citizens.

“Let there be no mistake about it. Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and will not pay a thing to enter our country,” Kagame was quoted on BBC News Africa X handle on Thursday.

He added that the move was aimed at taking advantage of Africa’s growing tourism market, driven by the continent’s growing middle class.

Rwanda has been on a campaign to boost its tourism sector, partnering with football clubs like Arsenal and Bayern Munich to promote the country as a tourist destination.

Also, several African countries have entered into bilateral agreements for visa-free travel, most recently Ghana and South Africa, and Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This week, Kenyan President William Ruto said his country will end visa requirements for all African visitors by the end of the year.

Ruto said this at an international conference in Congo Brazzaville, a report by the BBC said.

“When people cannot travel, businesspeople cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers,” Ruto said.

“Let me say this: As Kenya, by the end of this year, no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya,” he said to loud cheers from the conference delegates.

“Our children from this continent should not be locked in borders in Europe and also be locked in borders in Africa.”

The Guardian

Israel resists US pressure to pause the war to allow more aid to Gaza, wants hostages back first

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday pushed back against growing U.S. pressure for a “humanitarian pause” in the nearly month-old war to protect civilians and allow more aid into Gaza, insisting there would be no temporary cease-fire until the roughly 240 hostages held by Hamas are released.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made his third trip to Israel since the war began, reiterating American support for Israel’s campaign to crush Hamas after its brutal Oct. 7 attack in Israel. He also echoed President Joe Biden’s calls for a brief halt in the fighting to address the worsening humanitarian crisis.

Alarm has grown over spiraling Palestinian deaths and deepening misery for civilians from weeks of Israeli bombardment and a widening ground assault that risks even greater casualties. Overwhelmed hospitals say they are nearing collapse, with medicine and fuel running low under the Israeli siege. About 1.5 million people in Gaza, or 70% of the population, have fled their homes, the United Nations said Friday.

Palestinians are increasingly desperate for the most basic supplies.

The average Gaza resident is now surviving on two pieces of bread per day, much of it made from stockpiled U.N. flour, said Thomas White, Gaza director for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Demands for drinking water are also growing.

“People are beyond looking for bread,” he told U.N. diplomats in a video briefing from Gaza. “It’s looking for water.”

After talks with Netanyahu, Blinken said a temporary halt was needed to boost aid deliveries and help win the release of the hostages Hamas took during its brutal incursion.

But Netanyahu said he told Blinken that Israel was “going with full steam ahead” unless hostages are released.

U.S. officials initially said they were not seeking a cease-fire, but rather short pauses in specific areas to allow aid deliveries or other humanitarian activity, after which Israeli operations would resume. Netanyahu has not publicly addressed the idea and has instead repeatedly ruled out a cease-fire.

On Friday, however, a senior U.S. administration official said policymakers believe a “fairly significant pause” in fighting will be needed to allow for releases. The idea is modeled on a smaller-scale pause that allowed the freeing of two American hostages from Hamas captivity in October.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter, said that release was a test pilot for how a broader deal could be struck, and said negotiations on a “larger package” of hostages are ongoing. The official emphasized it would require a significant pause in fighting to ensure their safety to the Gaza border.

GAZA CITY ENCIRCLED

Israeli troops tightened their encirclement of Gaza City amid continued battles with Hamas militants as airstrikes wreaked havoc around the city, the largest in the tiny Mediterranean territory.

Al Jazeera TV reported that a strike late Friday hit a school in Gaza City where many were taking refuge, causing casualties.

Strikes hit near the entrances of three hospitals in northern Gaza just as staff were trying to evacuate wounded to the south, hospital directors said. Footage showed the aftermath outside Gaza’s largest hospital, Shifa, where more than a dozen bloodied bodies were strewn next to damaged cars and ambulances. One bleeding boy screamed as he huddled on top of a woman sprawled on the pavement.

Friday’s strike outside Shifa Hospital came after Israel said Hamas has a command center there — a claim that could not be independently verified and that Hamas and hospital officials deny.

At least 15 people were killed and 60 wounded outside Shifa Hospital, said Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra. At least 50 others were killed or wounded in a strike outside Gaza’s Indonesian Hospital, its director said, without providing more precise figures.

The Israeli military said its aircraft hit an ambulance Friday that Hamas fighters were using to carry weapons. The claim could not be independently verified. It was not clear whether the strike was connected to the one by Shifa Hospital. The military said it took place “near a battle zone,” suggesting it was close to ongoing ground battles.

Al-Qidra said a convoy of ambulances left Shifa carrying wounded people to Rafah when a strike hit a vehicle on the edges of Gaza City. The convoy turned around, and another strike hit another ambulance. He denied that any of the ambulances were used by Hamas fighters.

FEARS OVER NEW FRONTS

Throughout the war, Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire almost daily along the Lebanon border, raising fears of a new front opening there.

In his first public speech since the war began, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the cross-border fighting showed his group had “entered the battle.”

He suggested escalation was possible: “We will not be limited to this.” But he gave little sign that Hezbollah would fully engage in the fighting. So far, Hezbollah has taken calculated steps to show backing for Hamas without igniting an all-out war that would be devastating for Lebanon and Israel.

“We are in a high state of readiness in the north, in a very high state of alert,” said Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari.

The exchanges since the start of the war have killed 10 Lebanese civilians and 66 fighters from Hezbollah and other militant groups, as well as seven Israeli soldiers and a civilian in northern Israel. Thursday saw one of the heaviest exchanges over the border yet when Hezbollah attacked Israeli military positions in northern Israel with drones and mortar fire, and Israeli warplanes and helicopter gunships retaliated with strikes in Lebanon.

WHERE THINGS STAND

More than 9,200 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza so far, including more than 3,600 Palestinian children, the Gaza Health Ministry said, without providing a breakdown between civilians and fighters.

More than 1,400 people have died on the Israeli side, mainly civilians killed during Hamas’ initial attack. Rocket fire by Gaza militants into Israel persists, disrupting life for millions of people and forcing an estimated 250,000 to evacuate. Most rockets are intercepted.

Twenty-four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operation.

The overall toll is likely to rise dramatically. Israeli military officials said their forces have encircled densely built-up Gaza City and began Friday to launch targeted attacks within the city on militant cells.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain in the city and across northern Gaza. Israel says Hamas has extensive military infrastructure in the city, including a network of underground tunnels, bunkers and command centers. It says its strikes target Hamas and the militants endanger civilians by operating among them.

The military said its troops have killed numerous Hamas militants exiting tunnels. Footage released by the military showed soldiers and tanks advancing toward bombed-out buildings.

Israel has repeatedly told residents of Gaza’s north to evacuate to the south for greater safety. But many have been unable to leave or to stay in the south, fearing continued airstrikes there.

The military on Thursday told residents to evacuate the Shati refugee camp on Gaza City’s edge. On Friday, shells hit a convoy of evacuees on the coastal road they were told to use, killing around a dozen people, doctors said. Footage from the road showed dead children lying in the sand.

Further south, in Khan Younis, workers pulled 17 bodies from the rubble of a building leveled by a strike, witnesses said. Associated Press images showed rescuers digging with their bare hands to save someone buried, with one arm protruding from the wreckage. At a hospital, a crying man held up the dead body of a small girl whose lower limbs appeared to be missing.

Heading into Friday morning in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces killed seven Palestinians and arrested many more, according to the Israeli military and Palestinian health officials.

More than 386 Palestinian dual nationals and wounded exited Gaza into Egypt on Friday, according to Wael Abou Omar, the Hamas spokesperson for the Rafah border crossing. That brings the total who have gotten out since Wednesday to 1,115.

Israel has allowed more than 300 trucks carrying food and medicine into Gaza, but aid workers say it’s not nearly enough. Israeli authorities have refused to allow fuel in, saying Hamas is hoarding fuel for military use and would steal new supplies.

AP