CHEAP AND DECEITFUL PROPAGANDA

It will be recalled that a statement attributed to a media Chat granted by the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El'rufai suggested that Igbo's from the east dress like Fulani to commit crimes against Southern Kaduna.

As if to prove this, the attached picture was widely send between Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th of December 2016 claiming the fellow whose picture appeared was arrested at Kagoro, Kaduna State Nigeria.

Till now, we have not heard an official comment from any of the security outlets around to that regard.

Amazingly, the second picture speaks more loudly of Armed Robbers killed during police shootout in Port-Harcourt on Monday 30th November 2016.

I invite each an all to compare the picture taken to mind the face of the suspected criminal, the guns, the position of the guns on the two pictures, the background of the picture and any other thing and confirm if there is anything different beyond the shirt that is worn on one.

It is such a shame that an intelligent being will descend so low to generate lies in a 21st digital generation when everything is easily manipulated and every manipulation is easily uncovered.

Let the world #Judge.

I TOO PREACH SELF DEFENCE AND I WILL NOT STOP

If His Excellency could answer me this I will be glad.

1. A man, just one man came to your house, threw your mother down and  has his knife on her throat ready to slice. Will you stand there and watch because there is a government?

2. You are in the bush all alone and a man from behind attacked, threw you down and is about to use his cutlass on you. Will you lay there and wait because there is a government?

3. As a Fulani man that you said you are and yes you are, I Jubal attack and is about killing your cow just like that, will you stand and watch me just because there is a government?

4. You are in Kaduna and you receive the news of your village on fire, will you be comfortable in Kaduna and wait because there is a government?

5. You have a government far off Abuja but you do not fill his impact, insincerity will you call that a government?

The most silly and senseless answer to this questions is the impossible thing you expect SK to when you ask them to keep off self defence.

I do not just preach self defence, I live self defence kindly deal with that.

I do not throw hate speech, I throw the truth of section 33 sub section 2 and in this case subsection 2a of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. You may have to deal with that too.

ENOUGH OF THE BLOODSHED: PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF KAFANCHAN, KADUNA STATE, NORTH WEST, NIGERIA

PREAMBLE
We, the Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, welcome you to the Cathedral of St Peter Clavers. We are here to present to the world, the pains, agony and sorrows that have befallen us in this part of the State, the Southern Senatorial Zone of Kaduna State. Unfortunately, this crisis of tremendous proportion is happening at the time when, our Chief Shepherd, Most Rev Joseph Bagobiri is far away, outside the shores of this country attending to his health. This is the time when Southern Kaduna looks up to him for leadership. But he is not here. God knows why. The entire Presbyterium, Religious, the Laity and indeed the entire Southern Kaduna indigenes are united in prayers for him. May God heal him speedily and bring him back to the Diocese soonest.

 In the last weeks and months, we have become victims of systematic attacks orchestrated by another version of Boko Haram, who also go by the name ‘Fulani Herdsmen’. This Militia, of the Fulani extraction is bent on pursuing an agenda that is aimed at subjugating the Southern Kaduna People, disintegrating the country, weakening the Gospel and grounding completely the social and economic life of our people. Suffice to State ab initio, that Southern Kaduna is no stranger to violence, perpetrated against it by Jihadists. The first known recorded violence of a large scale dates as far back as 1987 when a group of Muslim youth unleashed violence on Christians during a Revival organized by the Christian students of the College of Education, Kafanchan. The charge was that a certain Pastor was quoting from the Bible and the Quran to press home his point. This infuriated the Muslim students who interpreted this as blasphemy and consequently unleashed terror on the Christian students. This attack, naturally spiraled and there was a backlash as reprisal attacks were carried out across the length and breadth of the state. In between the 1987 crisis and now, we have had some other attacks that were masterminded by our Muslim neighbors who have developed a penchant for war and hatred for peace. Suffice to mention in passing the Zangon Kataf crisis in 1992 and the 2011 post election crisis that claimed the lives of many people in Southern Kaduna. The events of the past weeks and months are unfortunate and further confirm that there is a hidden agenda targeted at the Christian Majority of Southern Kaduna. This Jihad is well funded, well planned and executed by agents of destabilization. Thus, our voice is like that of the one at Ramah that refused to be consoled (Jeremiah 31:15). We are however assured by the words of Christ that not a hair of our head will be lost (Luke 21:18).

For the records, Southern Kaduna Senatorial District is made up of Eight (8) Local Government areas: Sanga, Jema’a, Kaura, Jaba, Zangon Kataf, Kagarko, Kachia, and Kauru. These Local governments are densely populated by Christians. This land, fertile and agrarian, is blessed with  adequate rainfall enough to make our crops yield bounteously. The beautiful hills and valleys are a sight to behold. It is this beautiful gift of God to the people of Southern Kaduna that our adversaries seek to covet by employing terrorism in order to occupy. Our Land and Faith have become the envy of our traducers and persecutors. The gift of the Christian faith found a place in the hearts of our forefathers hundreds of years ago and today we can boast of a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ represented by the many denominations in Southern Kaduna and an army of Ministers of the Gospel who today have been elevated by God to various offices. It is a fact, that Southern Kaduna today is the oasis of vocations as 70% of the ministers of the Gospel from Kaduna state are of Southern extraction. This Faith and Gift, we are prepared to defend and guard even if it means dying for it. For who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Is it trials? Or persecution? Or the sword? Yet in all these, we are conquerors (Romans 8:35).

There is no better time than now to present this press release. We have had different groups in Southern Kaduna draw the attention of the world and government at different times by way of press releases since the eruption of the crisis. Most of it came at the peak of the attacks. Ours providentially is coming now, and regrettably still, the attacks have not abated. As we speak, villages and communities are being attacked daily by this militia. The worst hit Local Governments are Jema’a, Sanga, Kaura, and Kauru.

THE ISSUES
What started like a minor misunderstanding between Fulani herdsmen and indigenous farmers was badly handled and it soon took a different turn for the worse. Our people are largely farmers. They depend on their farms for sustenance. Our Farmers will labor all year round to cultivate their farms. The Fulani herdsmen will deliberately walk their cows into their farmlands. The cows will naturally eat up the crops and destroy the farmlands. For families that depend on this, one can better imagine the negative impact. So when this happens, the farmer confronts the Fulani herdsmen to seek a peaceful resolution. Most times, this gesture is met with stiff resistance as the herdsmen would threaten the farmer or begins a violent fight. In most occasions, because the herdsmen are armed to the teeth, they deal a heavy blow to the local farmer that result in death. Tension mounts and the indigenes would want to avenge the death of their loved one. This is the story all around and 99% of the intractable conflict between farmers and herdsmen are traceable to this.

It is therefore worrisome to us when a faceless group known as  Concerned Southern Kaduna Muslims seek to distort the facts by way of twisting and misrepresenting the account to put the minority Muslims of Southern Kaduna as the victims while the Christian majority are the aggressors. This is far from the truth! All the violence that took place in Southern Kaduna, hardly was any masterminded by the indigenes. Or how could you explain the importation of heavily armed militia to prosecute the war on behalf of the Fulani? The mere presence of this killer squad is enough evidence and indictment of the Fulani as the masterminds of these crises.
We present to you, in graphic details, statistics of the recent crisis in Southern Kaduna. Judge for yourselves and see who the aggressor is:

Note:
A conservative estimate of farmlands destroyed, food stuff burnt is estimated at 5.5 billion Naira.

GOVERNMENT’S BIASES IN HANDLING THE CRISES AND OUR GRIEVIANCES
The primary responsibility of government as enshrined in the constitution is the protection of life and property of citizens irrespective of ethnic and/or religious persuasion. Any breach of this fundamental principle of social contract contravenes the very reason for which the contract was entered into. Unfortunately, our government both at the Centre and State levels have failed woefully. If anything, government has shown outright partisanship in favor of the herdsmen to the disappointment of the majority Southern Kaduna indigenes and Christians. This is what lends credence to our earlier assertion and belief that there is a well planned Jihad against our people with the sole aim of conquering our people and occupying our land. We have been disappointed in the way the soldiers have been manipulated or railroaded to favor the Muslims. In most of these attacks, the military stands aloof and watches while our people are being massacred. The viciousness of these self styled Jihadists sends shivers into the spines of our traumatized people. In the Godogodo and Pasakori attacks for example, the military merely watched and supervised the burning of our homes. When the youth mobilized to repel the attackers, the soldiers deliberately blocked them from entering the town. The herdsmen and their ilk turned the towns into killing fields and killed mostly women, children and the elderly who couldn’t run for cover. The level of barbarity was such that pregnant women got their wombs blown out and massacred before their children. And these innocent children were not spared either. This level of viciousness was never witnessed even in the brutal tyranny and regime of Adolf Hitler. What is most intriguing is the level of sophistication of weapons; Ak 47, Machine Guns and many other deadly instruments of death were freely used. Some questions readily come to mind and need answers:
 Who are those behind these attacks?
How do they get their funding?
Who supplies these arms to these terrorists?
In Birnin Gwari, the Fulanis themselves have come under heavy attacks by cattle rustlers. It didn’t take the government of El Rufai time to figure out what to do. Within the shortest possible time, soldiers were deployed and many of the cattle rustlers and bandits were either killed or arrested and cows in their hundreds were rescued. This is commendable and we are happy that the Fulanis in Birnin Gwari have been rescued from these bandits. If the government can deploy helicopters and soldiers to Birnin Gwari to help in tracking down the terrorists, why is the same government unwilling to deploy the same soldiers and helicopters to Southern Kaduna to help flush out the Fulani herdsmen terrorizing indigenes of Southern Kaduna? Why is government silent and not proactive in the face of these attacks?

OUR PRAYERS/DEMANDS
We unequivocally make the following demands:
Immediate cessation of hostilities by the warring parties.
A commission of inquiry be put in place to look into the remote and proximate causes of this crisis. Membership must be evenly drawn between both parties.
All perpetrators and sponsors of these evil must be fished out and punished accordingly no matter how highly placed.
We demand immediate release of Southern Kaduna youth and leaders unjustly detained by various security agencies for trumped up charges.
Provision of relief materials to victims of the attacks in Southern Kaduna be made a priority.
Compensation to all families that suffered losses of dear ones and properties.
Communities overrun by Fulani herdsmen and now under occupation by same must be vacated and their owners returned to their homes and farmlands immediately.
That the governor of Kaduna state, immediately retracts the tweet he sent some time ago wherein he wrote “anyone who kills a Fulani man takes a loan repayable in no distant future” We view this reckless statement as a tacit support of the herdsmen which emboldens them against the indigenous farmers. The life of indigenous farmers is equally precious, sacred, and sacrosanct.
We reject Gov El Rufai’s proposal of spending N100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira only) to repair/renovate burnt places of worship. We suspect the motives and question the sincerity of such moves. Rather a comprehensive list of families that suffered losses be given expedited attention by way of assistance to rebuild their homes and return to them.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we call on Southern Kaduna indigenes to remain steadfast in prayer, united, strong and never to cave in to the antics of our adversaries. Tribe and denominational differences shouldn’t put a chasm between us.

Let us remain focused and vigilant. St Peter admonishes us to “be alert, be on the watch! Your enemy the devil roams round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that your fellow believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings. But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation. (I Peter 5;8-10). God watches over his children and He will continue to protect us.

We welcome our Fulani neighbors who are desirous of living in peace with their host communities. We encourage both the Southern Kaduna indigenes and our Fulani visitors to tow the path of peace and eschew violence. We however reserve the right for self defense in the face of attacks brought against us by any unjust aggressor. The principle of self defense is not alien to our teaching. We have a sacred duty and obligation to protect the life God has given us. This right is inalienable!

Southern Kaduna indigenes are peace loving People. We welcome any such good initiative by government aimed at bringing development and equitable distribution of wealth to all citizens of the state. We abhor any attempt to regard our people as second class citizens.

Any such attempt to forcefully take over our lands under any guise will be resisted. Our Fulani brothers, like their indigenous compatriots, should seek better and modern ways of promoting their business. This should not be at the detriment and expense of our people.
We are for peace. We are for equal rights. We are for justice. We are for development.

God bless Nigeria!
God bless Kaduna State!
God bless Southern Kaduna!

Signed:

Very Rev Fr Emmanuel Okolo           Very Rev Ibrahim Yakubu              Very Rev Aaron Tanko
      Chancellor                                Vicar General                   JDPC Chairman
  Kafanchan Diocese                        Kafanchan Diocese               Kafanchan Diocese

Very Rev Fr Williams Abba Mr Joseph Bayei, KSJ
       NCDPA Chairman       President, Laity
                    Kafanchan Diocese      Kafanchan Diocese

JUBAL'S RADICAL FAITH FILLED PRAYER GOD LET US SETTLE THIS

I admit you clearly stated that I should Call the Father's Kingdom down to earth (Mathew 6:10). I equally admit I have always settled for taking the earthly kingdom to the heavenly Kingdom. Now let us settle this.

You told me to love my enemies (Mathew 5:43-48) I have obeyed.

You particularly asked me to pray for those who persecute me (Mathew 5:44). That I have kept.

I obediently follow the Apostle's call to live in peace with others (Roman's 12:18
And Hebrew 12:14)

In the scripture you gave me no option but to seek peace:
Zacharias 8:19
Psalm 34:14
1Peter 3:11
2Timothy 2:22
2Coribtians 13:11
Mark 9:50
1 Thessalonians 5:13
I have obeyed these too.

Because it is your call that i live in peace with others regardless of whatever cause I faithfully kept to that. I and most of my brothers and sisters can firmly say as in Romans 14:19, because you Lord said it "So then we pursued (sic) the things which make for peace and the building up of one another".

All these never made the enemy settle for same peace I gave him for though I give them peace and " I am for peace, but when I speak, They are for
war". (Psalm 120:7)

In Exodus 20:13 you said I should not murder, I am keeping that too.

Recall you commanded me thus "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself", (Luke 10:27). I have been faithful to that to the best of my ability.

I always bear in mind that in Genesis 9:6 you commanded that "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.

Also in Exodus 21:12 you repeat, "He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. I never let these off my mind.
Your scripture reminds me on how you are not happy with murderers, shading of blood or anything of that sort and how you have sued to deal with them who are guilty of that as contained in:
Genesis 4:8-23
Genesis 9:5,6
Exodus 21:14,20,29,
Leviticus 24:21
Deuteronomy 5:17
Deuteronomy 19:11-13
2 Samuel 12:9,10
2 Kings 21:16
2 Chronicles 24:22
Psalm 10:8-11
Proverbs 1:11,18
Isaiah 26:21
Jeremiah 26:15
Matthew 5:21,22
Acts 28:4
Romans 13:9
Galatians 5:21
1 Timothy 1:9
James 2:11,13
1 John 3:12-15

More clearly you said I should not revenge for vengeance is yours as contain in:
Romans 12:19 and Deuteronomy 32:35.

This clearly proves that the war is yours and you disapprove of me fighting your war.

Now let us talk this reason this together. My people, I mean your very own people are killed, their properties destroyed and you who is all seeing is seeing.

Innocent blood flow the land and the cry for vengeance much more than the blood of Abel did, and you are Listening.

Your people accepted to be termed overpowered in obedience to your word trusting you who is all powerful owns the war.

In 2 Chronicle 20:15 your prophet spoke "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.

God. I do not stand to remind you what I know you are true to (your words) but I stand this morning, by invocation of your word, I stand on the authority you have given me when you tagged me your son. I stand by faith, I hold on your words. And invoke your anger on your enemies as I call you with a big voice; OH GOD OF ISA'AC, GOD OF JACOB, GOD OF ABRAHAM, GOD OF OUR FOREFATHERS, GOD OF OUR GENERATION. arise in anger, arise with might, arise with fury, arise in BATTLE and fight your WAR.

ARISE OH LORD AND LET YOUR ENEMIES BE SCATTERED. Prove to them you are the one true God. The time have come for you, your people have endued enough. I Invoke the spirit of the dead victims of our attackers never to rest until you avenge there dead. I invoke the blood of the innocent victims to cry out until the enemy is brought down.

I have prayed for conversion, now I ask for vengeance.

I am sure I am not asking too much of you. All I ask is that you fight your battle.

A LETTER TO MY PEOPLE SOUTHERN KADUNA: A PEACE PACT IS A SEAL OF RECONCILIATION AND NOT A PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION

                                                                                             Wednesday 26 October, 2016              

Dear Brother/Sisters
It would be recalled that early this year Southern Kaduna Signed a peace pact, as was reported in page 14 of the Splendor of Truth News Paper Vol. 6 No 4 of April, 2016. The pact was tagged 'Kafanchan Peace Declaration' which the center for humanitarian dialogue facilitated as sponsored by the Canadian government subject to the inter-communal dialogue process initiated by her last year in areas affected by the 2015 communal clashes. In the report, Five Local Government areas were said to have been covered in this pact to include as reported; Sanga, Kachia, Kaura, Zangon Kataf and Jama'a. This pact was signed by Christian and Islam representatives within the areas covered. But just after this drama and what could be better described as a day dream, the next we heard was yet another attack much more terrible in Jama'a Local Government Area.

To this regard many commented for and against the pact. In my last epistle titled "An Open Letter to My Leaders: I Hear Gurara Cry We No Longer need Peace But Justice" I rised some fundamental questions regarding that pact. I attempt bringing to our consciences the fact that we are not ready for no peace pact now. And I gave my reasons which I shall still repeat here.

This morning again we woke up from our little one eye sleep only to be greeted with yet another news of a peace pact and this time with a larger number of over 29 communities involved in the signing. This particular pact is reported in today (26/10/2016)'s print and electronic media. It is reported as being lead by a Swiss Humanitarian Body.

Dear Traditional, Religious and Political Leaders, Dear Elders, Parents, brothers and Sisters I seek to know:
1. What peace pact could be signed in southern Kaduna now?
2. With whom are we signing the peace Pact?
3. What knowledge of grievances against us as held by our attackers do we have?
4. Who in fact is the attacker?
5. To what extend can we say the attacker is truly ready to lay down arms?
6. Before the signing ot at the venue of the signing how many weapons were surrendered and by who?
If we cannot positively answer this questions raised and many others, I stand to say without fear of contradiction that Southern Kaduna is dancing yet into another trap.

In the last letter I asked and I am still asking, for how long shall we be fooled and distracted into this ventures of signing for peace and entering into dialogues that never yields any thing fruitful as far as the desired goal is concern? why should we keep signing a document with the very wrong fellows?
I call it signing with the wrong fellows because both those who signed the last peace pact and those who signed the present from our attackers side will surely tell us they do not know who the culprits of the last and present attacks are. Those we keep signing with are those who will better prove that they are in total ignorance of the attacks and those behind it than they would prove it is those we suspect are. 

Once again I still see a painted picture of a father who has a very stubborn child, he knows this child will never listen to his words that is in fact if he is even able to set eyes on this stubborn child. But while the child is busy planning for his next crime the father is in bed and at the moment of the child's execution of is planned crime, the father will be at the oath desk taking an oath and signing documents ordinarily his son should.

In my little wisdom, I feel the need for reconciliation arises only after we truly know who is attacking us, why the attack, and after we have accepted the solutions we arrive at together with our attacker and then after meeting all we require of each other then the signing can come in which case it will be but the seal of our reconciliation. 

But what do I see? we are signing for peace over a problem we have no grasp of let alone talk of reconciliation about, we are signing with who we know will forever claim he is not aware of the problem and at a time we should be busy building our defense. This is a fruitless venture, it is fruitless and only a distraction to the victims in waiting. We are always the victims and always it is to us the plea for peace, calm, and tolerance is addressed.

I wish to call us to order, SOKAPU cannot be making a press release that is laying unanswered and in another angle signing a peace pact. We know how localities in Jama'a Local Government are laying cold with no sound of humans but the Fulani who are grazing on the peoples Farms at a time Government are calling for the revival of the Agricultural sector. We are all aware of the situation in Pasakori and Gidan Waya axis as at this moment. Bearing these facts in mind one would want to ask, What is the Peace Pact addressing?

To this regard I humbly make these prayers:
1. That Southern Kaduna should clearly defined who is speaking for her at this moment.
2. That southern Kaduna should come up with conditions that must me met before signing any Pact.
3. That among those conditions in 2, above southern Kaduna should clearly seek to know;
a. Who is attacking her.
b. For what purpose is she attacked.
c. Have the purpose for the attack been achieved?
c. Who sues for the peace?
d. Have the attackers truly lay their arms?
e. Where are the arms.
f. Why are the attackers in fact laying the arms? 
For unless and until these are favorably answered there is no need for entering into any agreement.

4. That SOKAPU should stage out a global protest against this issues.
5. That Southern Kaduna should agree and walk as a group than fighting this as individuals.

We appreciate the international bodies for their interventions, but I will better appreciate our leaders to seek the help of this international bodies more on trying to know what really the problem is because we cannot solve a problem without knowing what the problem is. The problem with southern Kaduna is not that she is attacked. The attack is just a result of the problem. So we must seek to know why we are attacked, what our attackers need.

Fellow comrades, I want you to bear this fact in mind that there are only two reasons that could make our attackers lay down there arms. These reason would be:
1. That they (they attackers) have achieved the aim of attacking us, or
2. That they are forced or over powered that they have no way but to lay down their arms.
Clearly you would see a peace pact is not part of this.

Lastly, dear Comrades, My leaders, brothers and Sisters, we must never forget that signing for peace should be the last thing in the process. We would only sign for peace after reconciliation. Get me very clearly on this. A peace pact is a seal of reconciliation and not a reconciliation process. Signing pacts as these would only distract us to our attackers gain.

This I Humbly Submit.

Yours Ever.
Jubal Free-man Dabo B.
Jubalfreemandabo@gmail.com

KUNAK FOUNDATION PINK OCTOBER PRESS RELEASE

‎The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in their life time. Every 3 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with invasive breast cancer world wide which is a huge number of women that are our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. Considering that women are the home makers and care givers in most homes and Men get breast cancer too which is rare but there with the same symptoms as that of the women, we have and will continue creating awareness. Cancer diagnosis does not affect only the fighter but family and friends also and sometimes total strangers with compassion. Cancer affects people more than malaria, thyphoid, TB, HIV/AIDS combined but it has not been given the attention it deserves which brings a lot of stress and burden to most families, families such as mine.
Kunak Foundation has gone on courtesy visits to every Administration since 2006 on health care and from 2010 to date on Cancer Issues to the Kaduna State Government asking the government to look into the pain and suffering of cancer fighters and survivors. We spoke about the importance of making a policy for Cancer using the existing structures of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health but we are still praying and waiting for our prayer to be answered.
It is sad to say that we don't have a place that we can run to as cancer fighters or survivors fighting the disease and complications daily. Once you are diagnosed with cancer, you are 100% on your own. 80% of the cancer fighters die not because of the cancer itself but as a result of lack of funds. If you are lucky to have people that care enough about you, they contribute if not, you are left to faith. We pray daily for a cure and trusting God for total healing.
Early detection saves lives, so we advocate and create awareness in Kunak Foundation for young adults ages 20-29 to have a clinical exam every 3 years and Breast self exam twice a week. Ages 40 and above both men and women should have an annual clinical breast exam prior to a Mammogram, followed by a Mammogram and a daily self exam in the bedroom or the shower. The fact that we are aware that breast cancer exist is not enough, going for a test, sharing the information with your family, friends and community is a big step in the right direction. Our prayer is for God to show us a cure soon to eradicate this suffering.
MMM Nigeria sponsored us for the first time in nine years for our pink october campaign. It is important to have such a partnership that brings hope, support, courage and love to fighters. I am honored and humbled with this partnership and the beginning of many great things to come.
Kunak Foundation is distributing breast cancer self exam flyers, media chat to create more awareness, two Football matches by male and female teams. Victoria Kazah VS Ethel Ero-Phillips (both breast cancer survivors) and Jerry Adams VS Emmanuel Gideon to create male breast cancer awareness on Friday 21/10/2016 at Karatudu primary school, Gonin Gora @2:30pm. We are rounding up with a 2kms walk on Friday 28/10/2016 from Police College round about to Ranchers Bees stadium independence way Kaduna @2:30pm. Please be our guests for the Pink October Campaign. Please note that breast cancer does not end at the end of October so the awareness also does not end. No one fights Cancer alone, with Prayers, love, strength, hope, faith and the support of our family and friends, we are in this fight together to the end.

KICKING BREAST CANCER OUT By Shawuya Buru-nno Anthony.

It was a clash between experience and youthful exuberance yesterday 21st October 2016 at the L?E.A Primary School field Karatudu, Kaduna, when men and women

came together as KUNAK FOUNDATION organised  FOOTBALL MATCHES in a bid to create awareness on BREAST CANCER.
The football matches saw experience and exuberance come face to face when women aged 40 above tagged Team Victoria Kazah, clashed in a football encounter with women aged 40 below tagged team Ethel Ero-Philips. (Both women are Breast Cancer Survivors). In like manner, the men had Team Jerry Adams treading tackles with Team Emmanuel Gideon.
The women's encounter presented lots of drama and entertainment from start to finish as the ball kept rolling from one direction to the other with women of all sizes and shapes pursuing it. There were lots of funny falls and dangerous swings of legs that left other women spectators shreiking with exhilaration. The under 40s featured a lady who must have played professional football due to her sheer talent and firepower. But as the saying goes, a tree does not make a forest, all her effort only got blown in fruitless kicks by her teammates.
The female competition took a more entertaining dimension as the ball became like a handbag and trust women with handbags...they ran only to grab the ball and head towards the post. One spectator asked, were they playing rugby? The match ended in a one all draw but the older women took the day by their endurance and experience.
Then the men's clash followed which became the epic of the day. Earlier on, James Kanyip was seen drawing up a line up of the 40s above and in a Mourinho style of things, he was calm and calculative. The 40s above featured some eminent old tamers in the likes of Jerry Adams of the famous (Bashonshon Bombers) who was team captain, the gentle and brilliant Reuben Buhari who manned the post of the 40s above, and the silent dribbler Alex who combined skill and experience to shatter the defence of the young boys. Representing the Parish Priest of St. Monica Karatudu(MoreHill) Fr. Edward Sati was Rev. Fr. Vincent Tanko who also featured for the 40s above.
The under 40s on their part were full of raw energy and speed outrunning the older folks in an Ussain Bolt speed only to end the balls in the air away from the target. Yet, they slotted two early goals that sent shivers in the spines of the older folks but the coach was equal to the task. With a little change of one or two players, the 40s above equalized and were awarded a penalty to end the day in a 3-2 victory to the 40s above. A roadside commentator said 'anyi ma yaran pdp ne kawai.'
The younger team saw the likes of Midat Joe, Kazzahyetdikan Mousa Immanuel, Clement Dan Juma(of Manchester United, karatudu) and Emmanuel Gideon the
 leader of the 40s below.
The two matches clearly brought out one thing very important that team work remains the best way to succeed in global efforts and local action against breast cancer.
The amiable and ever hopeful and courageous woman behind the initiative is the founder of KUNAK FOUNDATION Miss Nyan Bavo. Her foundation is aimed at Developing rural communities one village at a time. The event of yesterday was tagged KUNAK FOUNDATION PINK OCTOBER FOOTBALL.
Miss Bavo was full of smiles and obviously very happy with the turnout for the event. On the faces of many also were smiles of satisfaction that provided a sure relief in these harsh recession times. It was also an educable moment for many especially the writer of this piece who never knew that men too can have breast cancer.

*Fr. Shawuya is Deputy Director, Media Service Centre, kaduna.*

24HOURS CURFEW IN KAFANCHAN WHEN WAS IT IMPOSED?

The announced curfew in Kafanchan today brought to my mind these lines of the British Poet's

"Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard"

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the Lea,
The plowman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

Thomas Gray (1716 - 1771) 

ASTAR BAVO IS BORN

Laying tightly twiddling low,
Then a sound of joy I hear,
From the distant desert flies,
A bird of joy for birth annouced
Such as parrots' sounding praise.

What will be the wailer's trust,
Could the joy join countless cods?
What a sound so sound at night,
Could the night dwell just in me?

But now so clear a board I see,
Gently, gently flowing fast,
As on a day at mesa we stood,
When the air produced the mist.

A child is born they seem to sing,
A Star to live Esther be becalled,


Now my eyes so mesty grew,
As I watch the cause of joy,
Joy at last at home have come,
When a queen in majesty march,
A birth so great as England coronate her queen.

A child is born they seem to sing,
A star to live, Esther to be called,
Brightly shinning the Best so Shown.

Some more the birds so loud shall sing,
All shall stand in nicely shades,
And the earth shall dance in turns,
Esther Bavo's Birth it is.

THE POSITION OF THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL ON THE RECENT INVASION OF THE RESIDENCES AND ARREST OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES (DSS)

At its last Emergency Meeting which was held on  October 11th 2016, Council decided among other matters, as follows:

That the National Judicial Council is a creation, by virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, with its powers specified in Paragraph 21 of Part One of the Third Schedule whereof.
That by virtue of Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution, Council fashioned out:

Judicial Discipline Regulations;

ii)      Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the   Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record;

iii)      Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and

          iv)    National Judicial Policy

to inter-alia, regulate its own procedure while exercising its Constitutional Powers.

3.      That Section 158 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, has unequivocally provided for the independence of the National Judicial Council vis-à-vis directing or controlling it by any authority or person while exercising its powers.

4.      Reiterated its absolute confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari Administration and its unwavering determination to uphold the Principles of Democracy, Separation of Powers and the Rule of Law enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and the United Nations Charter, which Nigeria is a Member.

5.      That it shall continue to support the President Buhari Administration in its fight against corruption in all its ramifications in the Federation; and in cleansing the Judiciary of corrupt Judicial Officers.

6.      However, expresses its grave concern on the recent invasion of the Residences and arrest of some serving and suspended Judicial Officers by the Department of State Services (“DSS”); and condemned the action in its entirety.

7.      Viewed the action as a threat to the Independence of the Judiciary, which portends great danger to our democracy; and also considered the action as a clear attempt by the DSS to humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the Judiciary.

BACKGROUND FACTS

8.1    RE: HON. JUSTICE SYLVESTER NGWUTA

         The Public is aware that Hon. Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, was arrested after his House was invaded by heavily armed and masked operatives of the Department of States Security on Friday 7th October, 2016. The operatives did not leave his house until 12.00 noon of the following day, when he was whisked away to the (“DSS”) office.

8.2    RE: HON. JUSTICE INYANG OKORO

The Residence of Hon. Justice Inyang Okoro, a Justice of Supreme Court of Nigeria, was raided in the same manner and was arrested by the same operatives of the DSS.

         Contrary to the claim by the DSS and as published in the electronic and print media, Council has never received any petition against the aforesaid Judicial Officers: Hon. Justices Ngwuta and Okoro of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, by the DSS.

8.3    RE: HON. JUSTICE MUHAMMED LADAN TSAMIYA OF THE COURT OF APPEAL

At its Meeting which was held on 29th September, 2016, Council had found His Lordship culpable of professional misconduct contrary to Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the provisions of Section 292 of 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Accordingly, he was recommended to Mr President for compulsory retirement from office following the petition written by one Mr Nnamdi Iro Oji for demanding the sum of N200,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) bribe.  It is to be stressed that from the evidence before the Council, Hon. Justice Ladan Tsamiya did not receive N200m bribe.  The Petitioner adduced evidence to support his allegation that Hon. Justice Tsamiya only demanded for the money.

 In the exercise of its power, Council had suspended Justice Tsamiya from office, pending when the President will act on the recommendation. And Mr. President has approved the recommendation of the Council and compulsorily retired His Lordship from office yesterday, the 12th day of October, 2016.

8.4.   RE: HON. JUSTICE I. A. UMEZULIKE, OFR

         Hon. Justice I. A. Umezulike, OFR, Chief Judge, Enugu State, was recommended for compulsory retirement from office to Enugu State Governor for gross misconduct, pursuant to the petition written against him by Mr. Peter Eze.

         In the meantime, National Judicial Council has suspended His Lordship from office pending when the Governor of Enugu State will act on its recommendation.

8.5.   RE: HON. JUSTICE A. F. A. ADEMOLA, OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT

         Hon. Justice A. F. A. Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division has been petitioned by Hon. Jenkins Duviegiane Gwebe on allegations bordering on corrupt practices.

         Currently, a Committee of the Council is investigating the allegations.

         There is no other petition against Hon. Justice Ademola from DSS pending at the National Judicial Council.

8.6.   RE: HON. JUSTICE KABIRU AUTA, KANO STATE HIGH COURT

         Hon. Justice Kabiru Auta was investigated by Council based on allegations of corrupt practices levelled against him in a petition forwarded to Council by one Alhaji Kabiru Yakassai. His Lordship was recommended to the Governor of Kano State for removal from office by dismissal.  Council wrote separately to the AIG Kano Zone 1, for Police to prosecute Hon. Justice Auta.

Council has suspended His Lordship from office pending when the Governor will act on its recommendation.

8.7    RE: HON. JUSTICE MUAZU PINDIGA OF HIGH COURT, GOMBE STATE

The DSS petitioned the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council alleging corrupt practices against Hon. Justice Pindiga, inter-alia:-

“i)     That the Hon. Judge in a bid to illegally enrich himself, perfected plans through third party proxies/conduits, with a view to influencing the outcome of the Election Tribunal in the governorship polls in favour of the incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike.

 ii)    That further ongoing discreet investigation, Justice Pindiga is observed to have illegally enriched himself through corrupt means. Part of the illegitimate proceeds suspected to have accrued to Pindiga includes the underlisted:

a)      Two (2) completed blocks of six (6) units 2 bedroom flats in Federal Low Cost Estate in Gombe metropolis;

b)      Four (4) units of bungalow in another part of the Estate;

c)      An uncompleted property at GRA in Gombe Metropolis;

d)      a Mercedes Benz C300 car in the name of MUBAJJAL;

e)      A Toyota Venza-Model SUV.

 iii)   From all indications, it is apparent that Pindiga, who is a very Senior Justice in Gombe State, is highly corrupt. His continuous stay as a Justice in any capacity would likely embarrass the current administration and pervert the cause of justice. In view of the foregoing, it is strongly advised that immediate necessary administrative and judicial measures be taken on him, including appropriate sanctions and trial to set a precedent to others of his like”.

The complaint containing the allegations of corrupt practices against the Hon. Judge were conveyed in a letter Ref No. DGSS71/3161 and dated 26th February, 2016, written by the DSS to the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council.  The petition was not supported by a verifying affidavit deposed to by the DSS, as required by the National Judicial Council Discipline Regulations 2014. The Petition should have been disregarded for non-compliance with the National Judicial Council Regulations, but by letter Ref. No. NJC/S.15/HC.GM/5/1/128 dated 19th April, 2016, the DSS was notified and requested to comply and to depose to a verifying affidavit in support of the allegations of corrupt practices levelled against the Hon. Judge.

By letter Ref No. LSD.232/4/68 dated 6th May, 2016, to the Council, the DSS deposed to a verifying affidavit in respect of the allegations against Justice Pindiga.

On the directive of the Council, Hon. Justice Mu’azu Pindiga responded to the allegations against him by DSS.  Thereafter, a Committee comprising Members of the Council investigated the allegations of corrupt practices.

Both Parties - The DSS and Hon. Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, together with their witnesses and counsel appeared before the Panel set up by Council in compliance with the National Judicial Discipline Regulations and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, on the Right to Fair Hearing.

The DSS was represented by a Director, S. U. Gambo, Esq. who is also a Legal Practitioner in the Department and Hon Justice Pindiga was represented by Joe Agi, SAN.

At the end of the investigation, the DSS could not substantiate any of the allegations of corrupt practices either by documentary or oral evidence against the Hon. Justice Pindiga.

Consequently, at its Meeting of 15th July, 2016, Council decided to exonerate Hon. Justice Pindiga of the allegations of corrupt practices levelled against him by DSS.

The Council’s decision was conveyed to Hon. Justice Pindiga in a letter Ref. No. NJC/HC.GM/5/1/132 of 9th August, 2016 and copied the DSS.

8.8.   RE: HON. JUSTICE NNAMDI DIMGBA OF FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA DIVISION

Council is aware that DSS had written a complaint alleging corrupt practices and professional misconduct against Hon. Justice Dimgba by a letter Ref. No. LSD.158/2/31 dated 5th August, 2016.

At its Meeting of 29th September, 2016, Council constituted a Fact Finding Committee comprising its Members to investigate the allegation.

During the last Emergency Meeting of the Council, it received a Report from Hon. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba that his Residence was also raided and ransacked; and in the process, his nephew and driver were man-handled, using a wrong search warrant which was not meant for the search of his house.

The Committee has commenced the process of investigating the allegations before the recent unfortunate raid and search of Hon.  Justice Dimgba’s Residence.

9.      Council meticulously considered the entire unfolding events that led to the arrest of the Judicial Officers and the misinformation and disinformation making rounds in both Electronic and Print Media that the DSS acted thus because the National Judicial Council was shielding the Judicial Officers from investigation and prosecution for corrupt practices and professional misconduct.

10.    Council noted particularly, that from the available records, the DSS forwarded only two(2 no.) separate complaints containing allegations of Corrupt Practices against Hon. Justice Pindiga; and corrupt practices and professional misconduct against Hon. Justice Dimgba.

11.    The impression created and widely circulated before the public, that the DSS forwarded a number of petitions containing various allegations of corrupt practices and professional misconduct against some Judicial Officers to the Council, and they were not investigated, is not correct.  The Council urges the DSS to make public the particulars of such petitions to put the records straight.

12.    Given the above background facts, on behalf of the Judiciary, Council is constrained to inform the general public that all petitions and complaints forwarded against Judicial Officers bordering on corrupt practices and professional misconduct, have been attended to and investigated, where applicable, by Council since year 2000 to date, within the powers conferred on it by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

13.    Therefore, any Judicial Officer that was reprimanded by Council or recommended for removal from office by compulsory retirement or dismissal to the President or Governor, was done in compliance with the Constitutional power, Rule of Law and Due Process.

14.    From year 2000, when the National Judicial Council held its inaugural Meeting to 2016, 1808 petitions and complaints against Judicial Officers, including Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justices of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal were received by the respective Honourable, the Chief Justices of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council.  Eighty-two (82 No.) of the Judicial Officers were reprimanded (suspension, caution or warning), by Council, in the exercise of its exclusive Constitutional Disciplinary power over Judicial Officers. Thirty-eight (38 No.) of the Judicial Officers were recommended to the President or Governor where applicable, for compulsory retirement from office; while twelve (12 No.) were recommended to the President or Governor as the case may be, for dismissal from office.

In conclusion, Council wishes to state as follows:-



That it maintains its earlier decision that no Judicial Officer shall be invited by any Institution including the DSS, without complying with the Rule of Law and Due Process.  That explains why when the DSS wrote to the Council by letter Ref. No. LSC.960/4 dated 14th September, 2016, to direct Hon. Justice Mu’azu Pindiga to appear before it, The Hon. The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council directed the Hon. Chief Judge of Gombe State to ask Hon. Justice Mu’azu Pindiga to report to DSS, which His Lordship did.
That the National Judicial Council has never shielded nor will it shield any Judicial Officer who has committed any misconduct.

3)      That the Department of State Services is an Agency in the Presidency and its functions as specified in the statute establishing it, is primarily concerned with the internal security of the Country.

4)      That the action of the DSS is a denigration of the entire Judiciary, as an institution.

5)      That by the act of the DSS, Judicial Officers are now being subjected to insecurity, as criminals might take advantage of the recent incidents to invade their residences under the guise of being security agents.

6)      The Council vehemently denounces a situation whereby the Psyche of Judicial Officers in the Federation is subjected to a level where they would be afraid to discharge their Constitutional judicial functions, without fear or favour, intimidation, victimization or suppression.

7)      The Council will not compromise the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary.

8)      The Council wishes to reassure the public that any person who has a genuine complaint against any Judicial Officer is at liberty to bring it up to the Council for consideration, after following due process vide its Judicial Discipline Regulations.

9)      At the end of the Meeting, Council unanimously agreed to recommend Hon. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, CFR, as the most senior, suitable and competent Justice of the Supreme Court to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria to succeed Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed GCON who retires from office on 10th November, 2016.



Soji Oye, Esq

Ag. Director (Information)

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

BEAIN A TALK PRESENTED TO THE CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION (CYON) AND NIGERIAN FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC STUDENTS (NFCS) AT THEIR JOINED NIGHT VIGIL ON 3RD JUNE 2016 AT ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH MANCHOK
BY
JUBAL FREE-MAN DABO B.
When I received the invitation to this talk, my attention was drawn to the topic, and I ask myself, why this choice. This is because almost all talks I have delivered within this five months and about three yet to be delivered at Cross River, Pankshin and  Makurdi seem to either be same, directly linked or draws much more meaning from the above theme respectively. For your part I do not know what this sounds like to you, but for me, it sounds greatly words that seem to say ‘overcoming temptation is one achievement you must attain.

Temptation have been defined as a desire or craving for something, especially something considered wrong. It is often described too as an incitement of desire or cause of desire. When the Bible says ‘the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet.’ Isaiah 3:16 (King James Bible) it portrays the daughters of Zion as a temptation. Let us take for granted that when some see temptation as a CAUSE of desire, he/she sees it in the point of view of Isaiah 3:16.

Temptation is part of us, it is a reality we must live with, it is a cross we must bear and it is a thorny path we must journey through victoriously. But like Jesus, this cross must bring us a CROWN and this thorny path should lead us to the THRONE as only then can we say we have proven ourselves worthy of the Christian tag. It is recorded thus: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him”. James 1:12.

To this end, Christ never promised his followers a sugar-sugar life on earth rather he taught us life is bitter but called us to make a sugar out of the bitter life. This he showed us through his embrace of not only the cross but much more pains before the cross. What is beautiful is that, his hanging on the cross which is largely the symbol of our way to the throne, gave us the nuggets to overcoming the pains of bearing and journeying through this ‘crossy,thorny’ path. These nuggets include, Patience, endurance, contentment, perseverance, focus to mention but these.

WHO IS LIABLE TO FACE TEMTATION
As Christians, there is an attitude we must put on, the attitude that says “temptation is our inheritance, our birth right and our meal.” A goodness that does not pass through a test of some sort is yet a goodness to be trusted. The day we chose to do good, whether as Christians, muslims, ATReligious, Buddhist, or free thinkers, we subscribe to temptation. And as Christians, on the day we buy the ‘Christ like’ name, I mean from our baptism we begin a journey into the wilderness to be tempted. “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matthew 4:1-4.

Again , C. S. Lewis (1898 - 1963) the Irish-born British novelist wrote in his collection of works 'The Screwtape Letters’ saying “The safest road to hell is the gradual one the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts”. As if to support Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714) the english clergyman of his words in his exposition on the Old and New Testament where he said “Many a dangerous temptation comes to us in fine gay colours that are but skin-deep”. This clearly shows that temptation never comes as temptation, most times it is seem real than any reality before us. It is also inviting as it shows of a success and or pleasure so easy to attain and it is the most beautiful of all options. But the wise easily knows its true nature as a temptation since first, it is a fact that the hard way is the holy way and beauty stands in the admiration of only weak minds led captive.

WHY OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONTEMPTATION
AN ALLEGORY OF THE "YOU", " YOURS" AND "MY, " ME"

The fact with life is that there is nothing the “You” or the “me” ever enjoys from temptation. All I need, all you need, temptation never promises as she (temptation) never dare to promise. What temptation ever promises is what only the “yours” and the “my” enjoys.

THE "YOURS" AND THE "MY" MERE POSSESSIONS OF THE "YOU" AND " ME"

The “yours” or  “My” is but a possession, or a property of the “you” as the “My”  is of the“Me”. The “You” here is the human soul, this is the substance of that call the human being. And this is that reality that shall ever be. This means it is the original, and the real you or me. My believe is that the human soul has no capacity to sin nor to do the saintly, it is just there as created and the book of Genesis 1:31 would say “God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased…”. All Christian literature will tell us God is good hence only goodness pleases him. If this be true, the human soul then will be a good substance and if it has any capacity then, it will be of goodness. But there is more to the soul from my point of view. I see the soul as only a receiver that is caged in it property. The only hope of the soul is the operations of the mind in relation to the body (from the abundance of the mind comes forth … )

The body that is the “Yours” of the “You” and “My” of “Me”, simply put, the material property of the immaterial soul is limited by the operations of the mind or conscience. This makes for the weakness of temptation. But the advantage temptation enjoys despite the limitations is the fact that the body, though is influenced by the mind (an immaterial property of the soul) to act, is also capable of acting independent of the influence of the mind or conscience through a uniquely independent attribute of human existence (the free will)  temptation is able to outgrow this weakness when the body though is miss led by the excesses of using this gift and attribute of human existence to spaiess the voice of the mind.

Sadly enough, the soul that is but a caged receiver from the operations of the body, receives this indirectly or on the opposite or contrary phase. This is because the soul and the body largely move in opposite directions.
Where the soul goes right, the body goes left. That is, if the one's pleasure is the other's pain. Hence, as they move in this opposite direction so they meet with each facing the opposite direction. To mean, in most cases, the soul suffers from the results of the pleasures of the body and enjoys from the result of the pains the body endures. This makes me reason that when Christ says “pick up your cross and follow me”, he meant suffer the body for the pleasures of the soul.

More worrisome is the fact that the soul suffers or enjoys eternally while the body suffers or enjoys temporally. Surface therefore to say, it is only great foolishness yielding to temptation that only aims at given some temporal pleasures to the outer destruction of an everlasting and ever living soul for the soul never dies. Yielding to temptation is as foolish as a man who is healthy and normal in his senses but chose to walk naked to keep is cloth from getting wet by the drizzling of rain.Here we have seen that we must overcome temptation because:
- We enjoy nothing good from yielding to it.
- We have the power to.
- It is foolish to yield to what we have the power against.
- Overcoming it proves our Christian worth.

TEMTATION IS HARD TO OVER COME
It was Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) the Irish poet, playwright, and wit. That wrote “I can resist everything except temptation”. It is a common fact that temptation is hard to overcome, but it is made easy by the ever sufficient grace of God who shall not test us more than we can pass. The devil will come with what may seem so dear to you but in fact is only dear to my flesh. A quote attributed to Theodore O'Hara (1820 - 1867) the U.S. poet and soldier. Reads thus “He's a businessman. I'll make him an offer he can't refuse”. This describes the Wight of temptation and explains why it may seem so difficult to over come.

HOW DO I OVERCOME TEMPTATION
When options are set before me, the first question I most ask first what each option appeals to, pleasure to my soul or body and then ask what would Jesus' answer be on each of these options if he should be in my place now. The Bible said “And when the woman saw that the tree was
- good for food, and that it was
- pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to
- be desired to make one wise”. Genesis 3:6-7.

Food in the literal sense is for the body the woman was to overcome this temptation by replying the devil in Jesus’ words.  “man shall not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4).
Again seeing that what the tempter offered was pleasant to the eyes and not the soul, shows it appealed for her worship of the tree. Lord Byron (1788 - 1824) the British poet will say: “Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure”. Put Jesus in the woman’s shoe would say “the scripture says worship the Lord your God and serve only him” (Luke 4:8).

The desire for wisdom when done wrongly will only bread pride. And since God had told both woman and man they shall die should they eat of the tree. What the woman did with regard to ‘C’ above is test to see, would she be wise as the tempter suggests or die as God said there by putting the Lord to the test Jesus in Mathew4:7 would reply “the scripture says, do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

KNOW YOUR TEMPTATION
 I am not so afread of temptation because I know that which is not profitable to me cannot tempt me. But I seek wisdom because I know it is that which is profitable to me that could be used against me.

STAND AGAINST THE FORCE OF TEMPTATION
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). It is of great importance that a Christian should be prayerful for the powers against us are much more beyond flesh and blood. The best and strongest prayer ever is one that says “Lord lead me not into temptation.”

KNOW WHO YOU ARE
One fact you must know is that you are call to sainthood by your baptism you have been marked to be a saint and the father of sin is the one foe against you. Jean Anouilh (1910 - 1987) a French dramatist says “saintliness is also a temptation”.

CALL TEMPTATION BY IT'S NAME
The problem with my generation is that we baptize sin and makes it simple to commit. To overcome temptation, we must call our temptation by it name. call sin by it name and the devil too should be call the devil.
Be Contented: what you do not have is what you do not need. What you want is not always what you need. So what you have is just that which you need hold on to it. Thomas Gray (1716 - 1771) British poet affirms that “Not all that tempts your wand'ring eyes and heedless hearts, is lawful prize; Nor all that glisters, gold”.

LADY KNOW THE MAN
Man is the greatest thread to woman when it comes to temptation. Sadly, she appears ignorant of that. At the end she cries in the words of Anthony Burgess (1917 - 1993) British writer and critic that says “He said it was artificial respiration but now I find I'm to have his child”. The woman should know well enough “Not trust a husband too far, nor a bachelor too near as Helen Rowland (1876 - 1950) the U.S. writer, journalist, and humorist would say. She should know too that not all men who come to her professing love that really loves her. Alfred Tennyson (1809 - 1892) the British poet say:

“Man is the hunter; woman is his game:  The sleek and shining creatures of the chase,  We hunt them for the beauty of their skins”.
The man will enjoy her only while she’s kind; But when she dances in the wind and shakes the wings, and will not stay he puff the prostitute away. John Dryden (1631 - 1700). As a lady you should read the mans lips and  think ahead of the him through his words. And when you realize his words would lead you astray, simply say to him politely “if you don't mind me saying so, this conversation is getting a little strange I have something to do. Then go away for good.

MAN KNOW THE LADY
Harry S. Truman (1884 - 1972) U.S. president made a statement to reporters on his 75th birthday, he said: “Three things ruin a man, power, money, and women. I never wanted power, I never had any money, and the only woman in my life is up at the house right now. Even the devil should rebuke Belial when he suggest you should be tempted through a woman as in Mark Twain’s ‘Paradise Regained’   because you already know, that is the worst temptation you should pray hard not to face. Robert Burton (1577 - 1640) an English scholar and churchman said in his The Anatomy of Melancholy. “I may not here omit those two main plagues, and common dotages of human kind, wine and women, which have infatuated and besotted myriads of people. They go commonly together. Tertullian (160? - 220?) will say to men; face the woman when she tempts you and say to her  “And do you know that you are an Eve? God's sentence hangs over all your sex and His punishment weighs down upon you. You are the devil's gateway; it was you who first violated the forbidden tree and broke God's law...You should always go in mourning and rags.

WATCH YOUR DRESSING
Watch how you dress lest you lead someone to sin or be let to temptation by a misrepresentation of yourself. Know too you are address the way you dress. A Hindustani proverb says “Open chests tempt even the righteous”.
Beware of Wealth: Do not wish for too much, if you have, be master of that which you possess. Andrew Carnegie (1835 - 1919) says “The vast majority of the sons of rich men are unable to resist the temptations which wealth subjects them to, and sink to unworthy lives”.

CONCLUSION
We all agree the devil tempts through what man so desires most, Food, Power and the pleasures of the flesh. It better said, once you know the problem, you are better equipped to face it. Temptations will come, when they come let them achieve the purpose for which they are allowed to meet you, which is  to prove you a true Christian worthy of God’s throne. Never forget. Prayer is your strongest weapon, wisdom, your code and focus your middle name for since we know where we are going, we should know the vehicle that will carry us there safely. May the ever living Lord grant us the necessary graces we need against temptation as together we pray:  “Lord lead us not into temptation.”

AN EPISTLE FROM THE WORLD BEYOND THE TESTIMONY OF ONE WHO KNOWS: SIR IBRAHIM PATRICK YAKOWA STILL ALIVE

BY

JUBAL FREE-MAN

DABO

Dear World,

I was inspired to write, and with a heart full of joy, lips full of “Halleluiah ”, a face covered with smiles and a hand trembling in hestful delight, I took my pen seat and drop you this piece.  A piece to make the world go wow! A piece to give hope to the living, a piece to testify the ever living Hero, a piece to expose the hidden fact ‘Sir Ibrahim Patrick Yakowa, CON, KSM, KSG, Danmasanin Gwong and Executive Governor of dear a age in  Kaduna State is ever more and alive.’

It was pass nine o’clock pm as I was listening to the National Net Work News at home with my parent; that a call came in, rushing into the bed room I picked the call that reported ‘… have you heard? our Governor is Late.. ’ ‘what……?’ as a shock held me to the ground, it was unbelievable, ‘it cannot be true…’ I said! He just observed the Christmas Carol; He was at Kagoma not so  long to  supervise the ongoing renovation work  at the Rural Hospital, no it can not be true… but Agnes was so optimistic about it since it is all over the internet. Left speechless I requested ‘permit me a minute let me verify the news’. I dialed a friends line at the Government House who confirmed this sad news. But still yet, I was so sure as now that He never died, He is still living.

Now I write this from where he is, as he directed in confirmation of His ever presence in the world today and always.

MY TESTIMONY

I begin my part of this testimony with a flash back at the Gurara nation Before Yakowa  (BY) when the Gurara  man was speechless, humbled than should, rejected where he is most needed, marginalized at home, when the Gurara nation suffered self colonialism, when we fought our self to the glory of the guest, injured ourselves, killed ourselves and almost buried our selves. We where the makers of our doom, the breakers of our bounds, the foes of our lives.

At the Pre-Yakowa age, I had a dream, I saw dawn breaking, my great grand Dad will always come visiting singing ‘it shall be well’. Hope came, prosperity showed , indeed hope came home. A new Gurara nation is formed.

At Mid-Yakowa, enlightenment came increasing like wild fire, the age we saw greatness and in the Gurara man’s hopeless past came forth a broken trail and a blazing fruitfulness. An age when the unknown became most known, the rejected became universally accepted and celebrated. The Gurara nation; a home for exemplary leadership they will now and forever say. In deed there are many Israel to whom God keeping His promise of old. From 1967 through 2007 kindly note the number seven (7). The highest Gurara could attend was the kitchen… I mean the helper, except  for the brief yet everlasting years of this age of Mid-Yakowa (MY), though so short an age.

Good leadership is life saving, and that is the fate of Sir. Yakowa. with just few years in office he gained everlasting life a reason I testify He is still living. When all earth is mourning and wailing ‘he is gone’ he lives, when the world thought she would have forgotten him, he lives, yes he lives again. Come with me to where Yakowa is, though a long journey, however we shall get there, he is always every where at every time but just come with me I say, we shall get there.

On the day of His supposed burial, I was with him in the farms some where within the state tiling the soil on the one hundred and eighty six (186) tractors he alone is operating while you all were crying ‘he is gone’. You where settling him to mother earth while he was there working hard to improve your agriculture. I thought Hon Ramalan Ibrahim Giwa, his Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture will meet  us there but before he got there we where long gone.

We returned to the city to keep it clean and he Yakowa was single handedly operating the twenty three refuse collection vans evacuating refuse and living a healthy environment. I was however distracted by the sound of a great Moab gathered to buy Kerosene at N 50 per litre from the trucks of Yakowa’s Kero-Direct scheme, with seven thousand commercial motorcycle riders waiting in there branded crash helmet provided by Yakowa. I could hear Hon. Suleman Yahaya Richifa his  Hon. Commissioner of works and transport saying ‘Yakowa is protecting us all.’ Meeting  Hon. Nazifi Jibrin Mohammed he will tell you to Our youth Yakowa was alleviating poverty through the computers, generators and sewing machines while we were just mourning him. 

I went with Yakowa distributing drugs to different hospitals in Kaduna State while you were mourning. And now, when I say he lives You take it for the impossible. The amassing part of it all is, each day that passes by, he is still performing all these work. What I report about here is ‘ a tip of the iceberg’, because Yakowa is resolve to lift Kaduna State to a greater height and he is doing it already.

Dear Brothers, the next time you travel around Kaduna State, watch out carefully, pretty sure Yakowa will be by the road side biding you farewell, especially at such roads as Hayin danmani-Rigasa, Cemetery road in Sabon Gari, Soba-Ikara, Jere Kurmin Jibrin road, Kamfani Zango-Igabi dawaki, Spurto Lamba Zango road, Manchok – Kagoro road, Bundu Kahugu road to mention but a few. Certainly you will see him at the Kaduna fourth bridge, holding the pillars, be sure to meet Him there. Should you not understand your body system on your way, feel free to branch in to any of the health centres for effective treatment courtesy of Yakowa in any of the three Senatorial zones. I cannot say all where he is but just be sure, he is every where any time and is really working hard for us all. He had done many things and is still doing many more that these pages cannot contain, however, a little is recorded her that You may believe, thought he is no more, God raised him from the dead and he is still living in his many works where he will dwell forever. He is there doing the things he knows how to do best as man beyond men. Listen to Dr. Sheu Mahdi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dialogue Computers Limited, Kaduna  will support me in his definition of Yakowa.

Sees him as a man with a stubborn and unapologetic strength to survive all situations irrespective of obstacles on the wat …  see how he (Yakowa) is able to survive death after death? The Dr. continued, with a renewing zeal and commitment topartake, participate and contribute wherever, whenever, and howsoever, he is involved, always leaving indelible marks behind for all time to come… see how he (Yakowa) is still working like a spirit every where at all times?... Dr. Mahdi is still not done yet, … A true Nigerian who is always ready to follow less followed roads in search of solutions often times exposed to chilly cold for others to remain warm or to extreme heat for others to enjoy the cool…  you see how he denounced matter, taking with him only his substance that your matter  may gain protection and enjoy all human good you dicerve? Dr.Mahdi will conclude description of Yakowa as… A conscious and cautious person, who knows when to take calculated risk in search of result. A cool, calm level headed, methodical and polished administrator. A private diplomat with an etra ordinarycapacity which eventually consigned him to a unique page of being an owner of the most cherished curriculum Vitae never achieved by any Nigerian to date as testified by his public service record, which commenced in 1972 non stop and still counting. And I say tell me how such a man will ever die.

In this age that began in 2013, known as an age after Yakowa almost 001 AY, he just began a new life. Not really death.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF YAKOWA

Here I am directed to write as reply but a personal testimony of Yakowa himself who lives with us as before. It is a reply to the Hon. Sir. Allamagani H. Yohanna; a reply to his “A letter to my Boss”

Dear. Sir,

I am sure you would have received your reply by now, however, in case you are still yet to, he it is more clearly. In your letter, dated Thursday 20th December, 2012, you raised a lot of questions ranging from where I am going to Where am I now; I have directed my new secretary to reply you and Kaduna State thus:

 I am still ever more with you, yes your letter would not have reached me should you had send it through any of the addresses suggested in your letter because I am certainly not there, he said I should tell you he had to answer a more higher call which  he thought was a call to duty, little   did hi know it was a call to rest, an answer to Bishop Kuka’s advice on readjusting his schedule to drop the idea of working/meeting up till 0ne O’clock in the morning only to start again at five same morning.

He is not in Abuja as you suppose, he has not reached and may not reach the way and manner you expect, nor is he at Port Harcourt, Rotimi Ameachi himself will testify that to you when he finally reach Kaduna with his colleague because I was call home on my way and had to change plans, I was called to improve my eating habit, to reduce the strength of my labour and also the time too, as you will always advice. he said; I was called home to take a lasting sleep and rest. 

He wish that you help him deliver this message; to the owners of those many cars you saw at at the government house on the day of his departure for home, those gloomy faces. Tell them to stop the crying and wailing, to the group of women you saw with mummy when you got in take this message too, let the first Lady and the Vice president’s wife seat around mummy as they too hear my message. Let all the world here that I am not gone, I am with you all, I am with you in my new home. ‘The heart of the ’Gurara youth, still yet your governor in this my new home. Let your heart not be troubled, I am ever alive with you.

To my friends let them keep the love we share in this Gurara Youth the home where I dwell,  the should complete the project in this youth I so much labored to build and make a lasting place of my dwelling. You all my Elder-state men, Executive members, the Legislators, Judiciary, my Local Government Council Executives and all Kaduna state citizens has help so well in the administration of this state, I want you all to do same to my new home, ‘ the Gurara youth.’ give them a chance to serve their father land.

To Aunty Yawo tell her not to cry any more, I don’t love to see her in that condition, you too know that very well. When you get upstairs tell Kyola and Daa that I love them all and am in there brothers and sisters back home.

My Secretary, He called, permit me be a bit official with the name today, you asked where I am: and I am sure now you know where your Boss and Brother is, a place you cannot come yet you have him with you always.

He equally wants to remain you all, he said; remember always what I said at my inauguration in 2010, 'I am not a Christian governor, I am a Governor for all, irrespective of religious or tribal affiliation.’ That he said further is what I will continue to be in the Gurara youth. Tell the people of Kaduna he said, I love the peace we are enjoying now, the should keep this flag flying. Bearing in mind that God gave us our great religious of Islam and Christianity so as to build a world of love. That should be a blessing I pray you all and not a threat.  I assure you, the Gurara youth will accept the task of service to the state like I did with a deep sense of awe, personal humility and gratitude to God Almighty.

He emphasized that you tell every one to take the Homily delivered by Bishop Hassan Kuka on Thursday 20th December, 2012 at my home Church in Fadan Kagoma not for a joke but as a message from my   heart through his Lordship’s Lips. He also said, copies of this homily be stored in all Libraries especially in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole. He said ‘’ seek me not where I cannot be but where I am, and where I am, not all will come but all can come that live in humility, justice, peace and mutual love  see you soon he said. 

Lastly to you also he request;  extend my regard in love to my brothers and co-workers in this service, the PDP family under whose trust I gain acceptance, My traditional Fathers makers and custodians of the customs that so molded me. My Spiritual Fathers; all around the world; from the Vatican back home in Nigeria. My worthy brothers and Sisters the Knight and Ladies of St. Mulumba, the Papal Knight family world wide, My friends, My wife and Family, all peoples of Kaduna and the Gurara Family. I love you all.

TESTIMONY OF THE GURARA YOUTH.

This is the Gurara youth today; Yakowa has started a race we must continue, in humility, justice fairness, peace and love. He had set the ball rolling and we must play in fully spirit of sportsmanship, fearlessly as the hungry lion, bravely as the world’s greatest warriors we truly are. He have rekindled the strength of our ancestors so long buried in us; he is our model and we must follow him in true spirit of obedience, unity and in patience from step through step till we get to the top. He like Christ is the living stone of the Gurara nation, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him. We too set ourselves close to him so that we too, his sons and brothers are ready to offer this scarifies of selfless service to God through humanity by which we will be made acceptable to God and his people. We too will become the living stones as he lives in us, making ourselves a living house for him in and for Gurara, Kaduna State, Nigeria and the world at large.

 YAKOWA IS NOT DEATH, YAKOWA STILL LIVES, HE LIVE IN US. 

This letter is not denying the fact that the plane crashed, that Yakowa was in the plane, that he died and was buried. No   it rather reaffirm those facts, while establishing also the fact that he died a fulfilled man, restructuring the minds of his youth and in away building the future. In this fact, he live in us, and shall forever be in us to inform our thinking and actions as it regards the building of our society.

I close saying; let Yakowa continue to live in us all. 

I remain faithfully the me you know. God bless Gurara, God bless Kaduna, and God bless Nigeria. Amen. 

SUNNIS AND SHIITES

By
Dr. C. George Boeree.

The major split in Islam is that between the majority Sunnis
and the minority Shiites. The split goes back to events in
the 7th century:
After Mohammed’s death in 632, leadership of the Islamic
community passed to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, one of
Mohammed’s closest companions. Some in the community
felt that this succession was not legitimate, and that the title
of caliph really belonged to Ali ibn Abi Talib. Ali’s claim was
supported by the fact that he was Mohammed’s cousin, his
adopted son, his first convert (at the age of nine), and
husband of his daughter Fatima. Both sides believe that
Mohammed specifically designated their man: Supporters
of Abu became the Sunnis, those of ibn Ali the Shiites.
The Caliphate passed from Abu Bakr to Umar, and from
Umar to Ulthman. Ulthman at last passed the torch to Ali.
When Ali was murdered in 661, the Caliphate passed to
Muawiya, who would found the famous Umayyid Caliphate.
Ali was buried in Najaf in what is now Iraq, and the site
remains a major Shiite holy site.
Sunni refers to the sunnas, or oral traditions and
interpretations of the Koran -- a body of work similar to the
Jewish Talmud. Sunnis believe that the position of Caliph
should be a position to which one is elected by the religious
leaders of the Islamic community, and not dependent on
direct lineage from Mohammed.
Shiite comes from the word shia, which means "the party (of
Ali)." They are mostly found in Iran and Iraq, and among the
Palestinians. They consider certain direct descendants of
Ali - the Imams - infallible and the true inheritors of
Mohammed. Ali was the first Imam, his son Hassan the
second, his second son Hussein the third. Ali’s sons were
killed in the conflict with Caliph Muawiya.  However, their
succession ended with the 12th Imam, who went into hiding
in 940. Most Shiites believe that the 12th Imam will
reemerge someday as the Mahdi or Messiah, and reassert
his leadership of the Islamic world. In the meantime,
ayatollahs are elected to serve as caretakers of the faith.
Most Sunnis and Shiites are liberal, although not by western
standards. In peaceful and prosperous times, there is little
conflict between them.  But both have more extreme
factions as well. Some Shiites, for example, have a tradition
of valuing martyrdom that came out of their early
experiences of conflict with the Sunnis. The most famous
Sunni extremist faction is the Wahhabi sect, of which
Osama bin Laden is possibly a member. It is characterized
by radical fundamentalism: The Koran is not to be
interpreted but rather taken literally.  There are to be no
prayers or other appeals to prophets, saints, or any entity
other than God.  There are to be no images of or
monuments to any supposed Islamic leaders, not even
elaborate tombs for famous Moslems. And the Koran is to
be the sole source of secular as well as religious law.
Another famous group is the Sufi movement, which can be
Sunni or Shiite. Sufis are mystics who believe that God’s
love shines through everything, even ugliness and evil, and
that by attaining a certain state of mind, one can directly
experience this.  In this sense, they resemble Zen
Buddhism. Sufism is also noted for its use of stories that
have layered meanings, much like the parables of Jesus.
One subgroup of the Sufis is the “whirling dervishes,” whose
mystical practice includes religious dance.