The Christian factor in 2015 Presidential Election

It was with great joy I received the announcement that General Muhammed Buhari, All People’s Congress (APC) presidential aspirant chose Professor Yemi Osinbajo as vice presidential running mate for the 2015 presidential election. Though under the guidance and anointing of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who withdrew himself from consideration on the presidential ticket of the party, described his move as a patriotic duty and personal contribution towards rescuing Nigeria from the clutches of poverty which he said the ruling government had plunged the country.

That’s another topic for another day how the PDP under President Goodluck Jonathan has fared in delivering the promises made to Nigerians. My interest today is the emergence of Osinbajo as the number two man for Buhari. Their task is to wrestle the instruments of power from the present administration and the onus is on Nigerians to vote for their choice of candidates. But the Osinbajo emergence is a clear prove that religion is among the chief plausible that can actually deliver block votes in an election in Nigeria. The Nigerian case is a proof that one might not just be as good as the best or better than the best but your religious affiliation or beliefs might just be a support base.

Osinbajo is a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor in Lagos, where it is believed they have the largest congregation of Christians in the country. On paper, Osinbajo should get a sizable votes of Christians considering he’s a senior pastor and an associate of Pastor E.A Adeboye, the General Overseer of the church. Though the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has denied that the church endorsed the aspiration of one of its pastors, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, as the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Osinbajo pastors the Olive branch of the RCCG on Banana Island, Lagos, has said he has the blessings of Pastor Adeboye.  Adeboye, while reacting to the subtle endorsement of Osibajo by a Twitter handle: @rccgworldwide, presumed to be the official Twitter handle of the RCCG, denounced the page.

Though Adeboye has never supported any candidate in time past, same like other mega church pastors but it is time they present blueprints for Christian politicians who seek the church's blessings in whatever guise. There is nothing wrong for the church to identify with a candidate or policy especially when you don’t use the church as a campaign tool for any political party or candidate.

Christians as we all know are when rightly informed and motivated, change the character of political debate. They bring the moral standards of God’s kingdom into the civic realm and thereby become agents of His common grace — of His provision for those who believe as well as those who don’t. The church I mean the Christians should be able to use the opportunity having a Christian incumbent president and a Christian vice presidential aspirant to present an agenda for a change for the good of Nigeria. The church should bring the God’s standard into society as we have suffered too much corruption and stealing from supposed Christians in high offices including Muslims, but my focus is on Christians be it in political offices, private or public offices. One wonders what exactly the church has done to curb these excesses. Is it that the gospel is not preached effectively for people to sincerely convert to better persons for society?

 People are no longer their brother’s keeper, they steal and sleep with each other’s wives in reference to Obasanjo's book "My watch", and how political officers flirt with each other’s wives. Of course I and you know some of these rogues are Christians who attend churches.

We need the church to be the shining light in politics and help change the system for better. The church should task Goodluck Jonathan and General Buhari ahead of the 2015 elections, since the pulpit is where some of them will still come for special anointing and Holy Spirit direction to win an election. There is no time to seat on the fence and wait after the deed is done and task millions of Christians to go on 40-day dry fasting to heal the land. Let’s act now and save the church from becoming a laughing stock in the polity. The prayers of the saint have sustained the country to where we are at today but it is enough to always pray for change when the instruments of change can be used to instill change.

Christians in Nigeria, then, must enter politics because the Church conveys moral values. As the late James Boice once wrote, “Religious people are … the only citizens who actually advance the nation in the direction of justice and true righteousness.” Christianity not only provides for individual concerns, but for the ordering of a society with liberty and justice for all. Christianity provides both a transcendent moral influence and a transcendent ordering of society without an oppressive theocratic system.

Society’s well-being, then, depends on a robust religious influence. We don’t need more laws, Boice stated, arguing that without a moral citizenry even existing laws can be used immorally. The nation needs people willing to live by God’s moral laws. That’s the only way to retard evil’s advance. It’s also how the moral standards of God’s kingdom gain ground and community life becomes packaged in the image and likeness of the heavenly city.

Civil government benefits from a community of people whose lives testify to God’s standard according to Bible teachings.  The whole of human society requires a community that believes some things are right and some wrong, and which adheres to the God-given wisdom that pervades all creation (see Proverbs 8 and Proverbs 22).

Christians are restraining influence in any society. If injustice, corruption and insecurity are the problems of our society and Christians are not talking about it then we are in serious problem. Contrary to popular belief it is not government that is to promulgate moral vision for society. That duty belongs to other social institutions, especially the Church. When the state steps beyond the bounds of its intended authority, the Church becomes a veritable source of moral resistance.  But it doesn't resist for its own sake; it doesn't resist gathering power or broadening its own following; it resists for the common good. As Christians — those in government as well as those outside — should bring their Christian conscience, into the main polity. Christians needed to be involved, not to force their godly life or morals onto society as a whole, but to advocate for justice, show respect for life, and support the poor.

Terrorism risen globally by 61 percent

LONDON Boko Haram and Islamic State Jihadists have contributed to the number of people killed globally in terrorist attacks as it increased by 61 percent in 2013, according to Australian research group, the Institute for Economics and Peace.

In its 2014 Global Terrorism Index launched in London, the research group reported there were almost 10,000 terrorist attacks in 2013, a 44 percent increase on 2012.

These attacks resulted in 17,958 fatalities, up from 11,133 in 2012, with over 80 percent of the deaths occurring in just five countries: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and Syria.

Iraq was found to be the country most affected by terrorism, recording a 164 percent rise in fatalities, to 6,362, with IS responsible for most of the deaths.

Four groups: IS, Boko Haram, al-Qaeda and the Taliban were blamed for 66 percent of all fatalities.
But the report found that attacks had also increased in the rest of the world, with fatalities rising by half the previous figure, to 3,236 in 2013.

A total of 60 countries recorded deaths from terrorist attacks last year.
The report highlighted Angola, Bangladesh, Burundi, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Iran, Israel, Mali, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Uganda as countries at increased risk from terror attacks.

Despite the global spike, the report stressed that the risk to westerners remained slim.
According to its figures, a person in Britain was 188 times more likely to be victim of a
murder, and in the US 64 times more likely.

Intervention team faciliate e-passport for Nigerians in Qatar

Nigerian expatriates in dire need of new passport in Qatar will enjoy the services of the Nigerian Immigration Service passport intervention team that arrived Doha, the Qatari capital on Thursday.

The intervention team from the Nigerian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates will collect data and take thumb prints from Nigerians interested in renewing their expired passport or those seeking issuance of new passports for new newborns.

The four-day exercise that started on Friday will take place at the Embassy of Nigeria in Qatar.

Before now, Nigerians in Qatar faced challenges in this regard in the absence of e-passport machine from the embassy in Qatar.

Interested applicants can visit the Nigerian Immigration website to complete the application online.
Apart from the payment online, a processing fee of QR240 is required. 

British pensioner returns Benin Kingdom Bronze after 117 years

Two statues from among thousands of works of art looted by British soldiers in the 19th century have been returned to Nigeria, prompting calls for other "stolen" treasures to be repatriated.
For more than a century, the artefacts from the "Benin Bronzes" collection had been in the family of retired medical consultant Mark Walker, whose grandfather was involved in a 1897 British raid in which they were taken.


But on Friday, the statues -- depicting a fabled ibis bird and the traditional monarch's bell -- were given back to the Oba (King) of Benin, Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I, at a ceremony attended by royal officials and local dignitaries.
Walker said he decided to return the statues to Nigeria in September last year after learning of their history, in part from his grandfather's diary from the time, which described the treasures as "loot".
"That gave me the idea that perhaps they should go to the place where they will be appreciated for ever," he said in Benin City, 240 kilometres (150 miles) east of Lagos.
"I'm very proud to be part of this because it is clearly seen as an historic occasion.
"I had no idea it would be regarded with such importance and it is very gratifying to me to have been able to play some small part in the history of the restoration of the bronzes because I think more will come back."
The tale of the precious artefacts is one of intrique and tragedy. It began when nine British officers were killed while on a trade mission to Erediauwa's grandfather, ruler of the then independent kingdom of Benin.
The British reaction was fierce. Walker's grandfather was part of a British military deployment to the kingdom to avenge the deaths of the officers. The overwhelming show of strength left several thousand local people dead and the city set ablaze, while the oba was forced into exile.
The royal palace was looted, resulting in the removal of hundreds of artworks, including the Benin Bronzes, which showed highly decorative images of the oba and his courtiers from centuries earlier.
Most of the ornate bronzes -- in fact melted down and refashioned brass from bracelets and other objects offered by Portuguese traders in the 15th century -- have been at the British Museum in London ever since.
They include a 19th century depiction of the head of the oba, who has divine status for the Edo people, and 16th century plaques taken from the walls of the royal palace, showing court life.


Nigeria has previously requested the return of the Benin Bronzes but without success.

AFP.

Nigerian 'Shuga' actor 2nd in Mr World 2014 pageant

 

Nigeria's Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ikubese won second place in the  Mr World 2014 pageant held in Torbay on Sunday behind Nicklas Pedersen from Denmark, a carpenter by profession.

The 23-year-old, a qualified carpenter who hails from Brondby, a suburb of Copenhagen, aspires of starting his own carpentry firm someday. He would also like to try his hand at acting. Pedersen defeated 45 other contestants including Emmanuel.

Emmanuel is an actor by profession and mostly known for starring in the award winning MTV series "Shuga".

The third position was bagged by Jose Pablo Minor from Mexico. He is also currently working as an actor.

Do you think Spain will win their remaining group matches?

The question on the lips of so many soccer fans is what really happened to the world defending champion of the FIFA World Cup, Spain in last night's match against The Netherlands? They were walloped 5-1 by a superb Dutch team inspired by Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.
Both players grabbed a double each and de Vrji.

Of course there are many factors that could be traced to the failure of Del Bosque's World &European champions. The defeat was Spain's worst in about 51-years, when they suffered a 6-2 loss to Scotland in 1963. Their recent was 1-0 loss to South Africa in an international friendly match in Johannesburg in November 2013.

Del Bosque's back four of Sergio Ramos, Pique, Azpilicueleta and Jordi Alba were below par. Pique looks rusty and undeciding in most of his decisions to go for the ball or not. His poor and sloppy play cost Spain the second goal when Arjen Robben brilliantly controlled the ball with his left foot, reminiscent of the great control and finish of Dennis Bergkamp. Pique was lost in thoughts as he watched Robben use his left foot to track the ball down and rushing Ramos didn't have much to do but just throw himself helplessly. Robben was definitive and clinical with his finish blasting the ball past the once reliable Iker Casillas.

Casillas was in his worst element as he contributed to three of the goals against his team.

From the midfield area, Xavi, Iniesta and Silva lacked penetration as passed the ball without much effect. Iniesta was uncharacteristically guilty of making wrong passes in several occasions. Xavi seemed lost in the game at some point.
There were few balls for Diego Costa and he made sure Spain the lead when he was hacked inside the box for Alonso to score.

Well I can't rule out Spain from not winning their next two games against Australia and Australia. They are capable of it and have done it before.

Del Bosque needs to a surgical operation on the team and inject some life into his team.

Do you think Spain will win their two remaining group matches?

Nearly 900 migrants saved by Italian navy

Italian navy rescued 896 migrants crossing the Mediterranean by boat on Thursday night, after the government warned of an "emergency" caused by a surge in new arrivals.

Three navy warships and two coast guard patrol boats took on the migrants in the Mediterranean and they were then transferred to other vessels and taken to ports in Sicily, the navy said in a statement.

In Geneva, the UN refugee agency UNHCR estimated 6,000 people had been rescued by the Italian navy from over 40 overcrowded boats in the past four days.

UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said the migrants had set off from northern Libya "and many were fleeing violence, conflict and persecution".

"Main countries of origin include Syria, Eritrea, Somalia, Nigeria, Gambia, Mali and Senegal," she said.

Syrians made up the highest number landing in Italy in 2013 with over 11,300 arrivals reported.

The anti-immigration Northern League, a small but vociferous opposition party, has called for migrants to be sent back and, along with a series of far-right parties, accuses the government of failing to act.

Senate approves new CBN governor

ABUJA The senate unanimously approved the appointment of Zenith Bank chief Godwin Emefiele as the new central bank governor of Nigeria to replace Lamido Sanusi, who was suspended on charges of "financial recklessness and misconduct" on Wednesday in Abuja.

The proceedings was was broadcast live on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
Senate president David Mark said it was a key appointment, adding: "Emefiele will ensure the prerequisite responsibilities of the central bank governor without fear or favour."

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Sanusi on February 20 just days after he had accused the state oil company of embezzling $20 billion (14.5 billion euros) of public funds.

Sanusi had been well-regarded among international economists and was credited with overhauling a crumbling and deeply corrupt banking sector and stabilising the currency.
He had been due to step down at the end of his five-year term in June and some saw his suspension as politically motivated for blowing the whistle on top-level graft.
One of his deputies, Sarah Alade, has been acting governor in the meantime. On Tuesday, she oversaw her first monthly monetary policy committee meeting.

She kept the key interest rate unchanged at 12 percent, holding true to a pledge on February 21 that the change at the top would not alter Sanusi's plan for tight monetary policy.
Emefiele had almost no profile outside the banking sector until his name was put forward, surprising market watchers who said he was a low-profile, conservative figure who was unlikely to rock the boat.

Pope Francis to visit Nigeria, says Goodluck

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan hinted on Saturday that Pope Francis is promising to visit Africa's most populous nation.

A statement from the office of the presidency didn’t give any timing for the visit proposed when Jonathan and his wife Patience met the Roman Catholic leader at the Vatican City.

It says they discussed poverty alleviation and inter-faith dialogue.

Nigeria's population is divided almost equally between Muslims and Christians who periodically clash in deadly confrontations. Catholics make up about a quarter of Christians, an estimated 21 million Nigerians. 

Many Christians belong to evangelical churches that have been winning converts from traditional churches.

Pope Francis has committed to travel to the Holy Land and South Korea in 2014 and said he wants to visit the Philippines and Sri Lanka in coming years. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, visited Africa twice.

Eye witness say 25 died in Abuja stadium

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A eye witness at the Abuja National Stadium said 25 people died and over 50 persons were injured as panicked job-seekers stampeded during Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise on Saturday.

"It was up to fifty persons that were injured and 25 were dead. Al though there has been no official list of casualties yet but I witnessed the incident, said Abayomi, a professional photographer in Abuja.

Saheed, a Nigerian based in Lagos said, "Unfortunately those that will get the jobs are not in the crowd. One day the table will turn to favour the poor. My their innocent soul res in peace, may God reward those put us where we are accordingly."

"I weep for this innocent fellows....God please guide our leaders right, help our youth the truth to know. Amen!, says Austin in Port Harcourt.

Idris Farouk, a Nigerian in France said, "It is shameful and sad to see thousands of Nigerians scramble for jobs in a football pitch. It is unacceptable and the authorities responsible should be brought to book. They must tell us why they invited that large numbers of applicants on the same day."

"This is an opportune time for the government of the day to atone for his recklessness and do things right. First the Comproller General of the immigration must tell Nigerians the meaning of the recruitment exercise holding in football stadium across the county.

"Government should please create jobs and make life meaningful for Nigerians, I am tired of doing unbefitting jobs to eke a living in Finland. I am a qualified civil engineer and would return home if there  are openings at home. But stories like this scare me and I don't think I can make it home soon, said Francis.

The sheer size of the crowds was a testament to the large numbers of unemployed youths in Nigeria, most of whose 170 million citizens live on less than two dollars a day, while the country lags behind in key development indicators such as health. Unemployment is a particular challenge, with an estimated 37.5 percent of under-25s out of work, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.


There are so many questions to be asked by the relevant government authorities. Here's a few:

1. What is the rationale for organising a recruitment test in a football stadium?

2. What's there due process in the release of the Abuja stadium to the Nigeria Immigration?

3. Why was there only a single entrance opened for the exercise knowing-fully the expected applicants attending the event?

4. The Nigeria Immigration should inform the public what's the total number of applicants expected on the fateful day?

5. What's the available job opening in the immigration service?

6. What security and safety measures was in place for the recruitment exercise?

7. Is the exercise a regional, state or federal recruitment exercise ?

We await an official response from the authorities as to the happenings on March 15 at the Abuja National Stadium.

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India is a great country to stay: Africans in Delhi

Putting behind them a "raid" on their residences in south Delhi earlier this year, many Africans say the Indian capital is still their "home" and offers them an environment unlike anywhere else in the world. "India is indeed a great country. The people here are much better than in other countries, where discrimination against people from African countries is severe," James Okumurah of Johannesburg in South Africa said.

A doctoral scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Okumurah lives in south Delhi's Khirki Extension, where many other Africans stay. Khirki was where Somnath Bharti, then the law minister in the short-lived Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi government, led a midnight raid, alleging that Africans staying there were involved in drugs and prostitution.

"Certain Africans may be involved (in illegal activities), but doesn't make every African the same," Okumurah asserted. Peter Masai, who works with a multinational company in Gurgaon, said after the Khirki Extension episode, more than 25 percent of the people opted to to move out of the area and reside in other parts of the city. Admitting that the episode clearly signified the rise in discrimination against the community, Masai was, however, quick to add that there were quite a few Indians who offered them help and solidarity.

"A controversy like the Khirki Extension was unexpected and shocking, and especially the way the (then) law minister alleged our people of running a drugs and prostitution ring. But it was nice to see that though a majority of the people in the area wanted us to vacate, there were still many who didn't have any problems in renting us their houses," said Masai, who belong to Zimbabwe. He added that it all depends on people's "perception" of the community.

Ebre, from Nigeria, said India is comparatively a better country to live in - and he even has plans to settle here. "I am here because the people are good. I am even planning to open a school here and develop my business in the education sector," said Ebre who lives at Arjun Nagar, also in south Delhi. He also brushed aside suggestions of racial discrimination. "People here cooperate and understand things. Following Bharti's raid, I have not faced any racial discrimination," said Ebre.

Agreed James Uhuru, and said that after the controversy, police have been more attentive to the problems of the African nationals.
"I have seen police personnel suggesting our girls not to be out late in the night, so as to avoid any kind of problems," Uhuru, who belongs to Nairobi, said. "It is very clear that India will always be a great country, but some people need to change their perception towards the people from Africa," he said.

The majority of Africans come here to study, they feel that education is one that drives them to the city. For many, the city is an area of opportunity that helps them get everything at an affordable rate. "Be it education or accessing health services, for us it is very cheap here compared to the US or European countries," said Infunanya Onyeke, who is from Kenya.
"Once you are away from home, a few things happen but that doesn't mean we will leave here and go," said Onyeke, a student at Delhi University.

IANS

French court acquits British couple of human trafficking

A British couple have been acquitted of human trafficking by a French court which rejected the accusations by their former Madagascan au pair, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Robert and Sharon Moses went on trial in December after their former employee, Sahobilalaina Vonintsoa, accused them of making her work around the clock, confiscating her passport and preventing her from leaving their home.

The couple faced charges of human trafficking for non-existent or inadequate payment to a vulnerable or dependent person and for not declaring an employee but prosecutors said these were "not sufficiently established" and were "disproportionate with the reality of the case."

The couple's lawyer said Vonintsoa, 28, only made the accusations when the couple, who lived in southern France, refused to renew her contract after she stole money.

The complaint "allowed her to extend her residency permit after the expiry of her one-year visa," Ariane Fatovich said.
The au pair had been seeking 24,000 euros ($33,000) in compensation for unpaid wages and an additional 15,000 euros in damages.

Africans migrants protest Israel detention law

May the Almighty God deliver Africans from the anomaly of being illegal immigrants in other people's country as a controversial law in Israel allows authorities to detain people without valid visas for up to three years.

With the increase in detention and as much as 300 Africans detained in the last three weeks after the detention law was implemented by the Israeli Parliament, Africans have been targets of police. However, on Sunday about 10,000 African migrants protested the detention law allowing Israel to detain people without proper documentation. Many of the demonstrators held banners demanding the release of fellow migrants who were jailed for being in the country illegally.  

Over 60,000 migrants have crossed into Israel since 2006 across an Egypt border, mostly from Eritrea and Sudan. Many live in poor areas of Tel Aviv and are seeking asylum in the country. Israeli authorities see these African migrants as threat to their national security and social fabric.

Migrants who are arrested are taken to a facility, in which detainees can leave during the day but must report back by nightfall. Migrants can be held there indefinitely pending voluntary repatriation, implementation of deportation order or the resolution of their asylum requests. Many migrants who take refuge in Israel are fleeing from war or persecution in their countries of origin, but very few are granted official refugee status by the government. Many live on temporary visas and subsist on menial jobs.

Hotline for Migrant Workers, an organisation that advocates for Africans, accuses Israel of pressuring hundreds in its jails to accept payouts and leave. More than left for Eritrea earlier this year, having won release from prison.

The poverty in Africa is so much that our very best brains have fled to search for greener pastures abroad. Unfortunately the governments have not  helped with their .unfriendly policies and corruption.

Please share your African stories on life abroad and leave a comment.