*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

*THE SPIRIT OF FAITH*

*BIBLE READING: 2 COR. 4:7-18*

*“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)*

The story is told of John G. Lake, who was a minister in South Africa during the plague also known as the Black Death in the 20th century. It was reported that many people had died and even many doctors and care givers had succumbed to the deadly plague. Everyone who was a medical personnel working with the sick at the time, had to wear special suits and equipment to protect them from the plague; quite like the hazmat suits worn today by medical personnel at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle.
John G. Lake did not have this equipment, yet he would enter fearlessly, into areas with people sick and dying from the plague and he would lay hands on them and pray for them to be healed, and they would be.

When doctors; confused; asked him for his secret, he told them that the life of God flowing through his veins could not let any plague virus survive on his body and he demonstrated it by having a culture of the virus smeared on his arm but under the microscope, they were all seen to be dead. Thus, through the faith and ministry of this man, God brought a great deliverance to South Africa and many lives were saved.

It took a man, filled and possessed by the Spirit of Faith to do the kind of things that John G Lake did. It could only be a man possessed by the spirit of faith, to fearlessly stare death in the face knowing that through him God would bring healing to the sick, with out any fear or concern for his own health or life.

To dare great things for God, or even in some cases, see the manifestation of the promises that God has even given you, you must trust Him and take Him at His Word. You must be totally possessed by the spirit of faith; because it is only someone who has been totally possessed that would leave all he has ever known, to a land he doesn’t know, without any clear cut direction.

Ask God to fill you with the Spirit of faith and watch God turn your life around as you trust Him completely; even when it looks like it doesn’t make sense.

*PRAYER
Lord, I ask for the Spirit of faith to overshadow me. Let it fill me completely so I will never be intimidated by life or circumstances ever again.

Davido Signs LIYA As DMW's First Lady (Photos)

Following months of searching for a lady who could possibly follow the footsteps of Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade or even DJ Cuppy and a breed of the DMW, 30BG CEO, Davido has finally hit the ground running by signing LIYA @yes_liya

In a statement released by the Multi Award winning singer, Davido wrote on his instagram page:

Welcome officially to the party! DMW 1st lady! @yes_liya from here it’s onwards and upwards ! On this day I make this promise to you. Imma make you a global star! Never � !! #30bg cc @bfaandco
https://www.instagram.com/p/CG....A4QapBREP/?igshid=gt

Confirming her new entry, Liya who currently has just over 80 thousand followers cheered up the party saying:

I kno this sounds cliche, but my dreams are coming true, here and now. @davidoofficial I will make you so proud, I appreciate you from the depth of my soul ! I want this more than anything, thank you @vanzyvanz for believing in me, it means so much that I have a manager as passionate as you. As for me .... it’s official I AM 30 BG ���❤️

https://www.instagram.com/p/CG....A6uNTBRYq/?igshid=1f

Liya released her last song available on iTunes titled 'Be My Vibe' on 16th September.

#instagram

Burna Boy And Rema Get 2020 MTV EMA Nominations

MTV today announced nominations for the “2020 MTV EMAs, and Nigerian singers Burna Boy and Rema have been nominated for the Best African Act.

BET Awards 2020 winner and Grammy nominee, Burna Boy has once again been nominated in the Best African Act, a category he won in 2019. Other African singers in the category include, Master KG, Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa (South Africa), Sheebah (Uganda), Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of The Congo and Rema (Nigeria).

Commenting on the announcement, Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager of ViacomCBS Networks Africa, said “The 2020 MTV EMAs is one of the biggest entertainment stages in the world and this year’s African nominees are undoubtedly making their presence felt globally. This affirms our commitment to ensuring that we continue to celebrate our diverse talent on international platforms. Congratulations to all our African nominees on this achievement.”

Global star Burna Boy commenting on his nomination added, “A big thank you to my MTV family for nominating me again for this award and to my fans all over the world for listening to and supporting my music.“

On the international scene, Lady Gaga is in the lead with seven nods, including “Best Artist,” “Best Pop,” and “Best Video” for her duet with Ariana Grande, “Rain On Me,” which also secured a position in the “Best Song” and “Best Collaboration” categories. BTS and Justin Bieber each received five nods, within categories including “Biggest Fans” and “Best Pop.”

The nominations include three new categories: “Best Latin,” “Video for Good” and “Best Virtual Live.” The “Best Local Act” category returns, with nominations including: Lady Gaga, Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B for “Best US Act,” Justin Bieber and The Weeknd for “Best Canadian Act” and Dua Lipa for “Best UK & Ireland Act,” and more.

Marking the 27th edition of one of the biggest nights in global music, the “2020 MTV EMAs” will unite fans at home with the world’s hottest names in music. Details on performers and presenters will be announced soon.

#vanguard

Ikedi Ohakim Under Trial For Using Fashola's Name To Defraud Nigerians.

Police authorities have commenced the criminal trial against a former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In the charge marked CR/993/2020 and dated September 23, 2020, the office of the Inspector-General of Police accused Ohakim of fraud and false information.

The former Governor was equally accused of using the name of the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

In addition, the prosecution alleged that Ohakim claimed in his statement to the police that he gave Lady Chinyere Lilian Amuchienwa the sum of N100 million for his governorship in 2019, which he could not prove in the statement.

The Police said the former Governor will soon be arraigned in court.


The three-count charge against Ohakim, signed by Mr Stanley Nwodo read:

‘That you Ikedi Ohakim, on or about the 23rd day of May 2019 at Asokoro, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did unlawfully gave false information against one Chinyere Amuchienwa, that she threatened you with gun knowing it to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 140 of the Penal Code Law of the Northern Nigeria, 1968.

”That you Ikedi Ohakim, on or about the 23rd day of May 2019, at Asokoro, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did unlawfully gave false information against one Chinyere Amuchienwa, that you have a plot of land for sale at Lagos state, knowing it to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 140 of the Penal Code Law of the Northern Nigeria, 1968.

‘That you Ikedi Ohakim on or about the 23rd day of May 2019 at Asokoro, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did unlawfully used derogatory the name of Raji Fashola as the owner of the purported land situated at Ikeja, Lagos state and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 140 of the Penal Code Law of the Northern Nigeria, 1968.’

In a related development, an Upper Area Court sitting in Mpape, Abuja, has sentenced one Kingsley Ogam, who is said to be working for the former Governor to eight months in prison with an option of N30,000 fine.

In the charge marked CR/496/2020, Ogam was sentenced to prison on September 24, 2020.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), Ogam was arraigned before the court for defamation of character, injurious falsehood and criminal intimidation.

The prosecution said the offence is punishable under Section 392, 393 and 397 of the Penal Code Law.

Ogam was said to have defamed the character of Lady Chinyere Lilian Amuchienwa.

He was sentenced to prison by Mohammad Maraca after he pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

The court also ordered him to write an apology letter to Amuchienwa.

The judge instructed that Kingsley Ogam should tender an apology to lady Amuchienwa of which she rejected

Also, a certain Chinedu Opereke was arrested alongside Kingsley Ogam and was remanded in Suleja prison by the court.

The former Governor was also supposed to be arraigned before the Upper Area Court for conspiracy.

He was invited on September 10 by the police in relation to a petition against him by Lady Amuchienwa, over alleged defamation of character, injurious falsehood and criminal intimidation.

But rather than honouring his invitation, Ohakim rushed to a high court in Imo State for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

In the application filed at the High Court of Justice of Imo state, with suit number HON/717/2020, he asked for an order of the court stopping the police from inviting, arresting and detaining him.

After listening to the motion, Justice VI Onyeka granted the order

However, a thorough look at the document shows that the motion was filed on September 10, 2020, assigned same day and the order granted the same day.

#sunnews

IPOB, Ohanaeze Youths Deny Attack On Security Agents In SE.

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPO, and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC) have denied involvement in the ongoing clandestine attacks on security agents in the south east region.

In a statement released through its spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB dismissed as ‘fictitious’, claims that IPOB members were behind the attack against security agents in the region. “We want to sound a note of warning to those peddling lies against IPOB to desist forthwith or be ready for the consequences of their blackmail against innocent people. The world now knows better.


“IPOB’s non-violent ideology about the Biafra project is well known and cannot change. But the inalienable right of the oppressed to defend himself against the oppressor is not illegitimate”.

He urged those peddling the rumour of IPOB’s involvement in the guerrilla attacks to focus more on seeing the barbaric massacre of innocent people by the blood-thirsty herdsmen and bandits and do something about it.

The Ohanaeze youths, on their part, insist that it suspected insurgents from the North-East region for the attacks. The group said, in a statement signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, its president general and Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, secretary general, that such activities would never be condoned in Igboland.



OYC faulted those linking the guerrilla attacks to Biafra agitators, stressing that the statement credited to the agitators after the massacre of their members in Enugu, may have been made in anger.

Ohanaeze Youth, however warned Biafra agitators to desist from making inflammatory threats and bogus statements, as enemies can capitalise on such statements to do evil. “Biafra agitators should desist from making inflammatory threats and bogus statements, directing subjects to attack security agents in retaliation to the ugly killings of Igbos in Emene, Enugu state

“We equally believe that Biafra agitators threats of violence against security forces was done out of anger and displeasure over the Enugu episode”.

OYC further observed that insurgents, who must have invaded Igboland, are now capitalising on the recent outburst from Biafra agitators to carry out their evil activities. “OYC insists that some Northern insurgents must have invaded Igboland hiding under the guise of fallouts of Enugu killings and subsequently inflammatory threats from Biafra agitators.

“That’s why it’s imminent for all Biafra agitators credited with inflammatory threats to call off and exonerate themselves immediately. This is a rare opportunity for those, who made bogus calls and threats to retract their threats and show repentance, so that Igbos will jointly defend ourselves against possibly invasion from external extremists and detractors from North East.

“Igbo Youths wish to categorically warn all criminals, killer herdsmen and perpetrators of guerrilla revolution against security agents in South-East to vacate our land or be ready to face the consequences that awaits them.

“This ugly situation must be nipped in the bud, immediately, by Igbo through collective surveillance and intelligence gathering from all and sundry. Igbo Youths will never allow this criminality to be condoned in our land, as the perpetrators are likely to carry out an order or in revenge mission”, OYC said.

#orientdailynews

Six Suspected Robbers Die In Gun Duel With A’Ibom Police


About six suspected members of an armed robbery gang who specialises in car-snatching and selling across Akwa Ibom and Cross River states have been gunned down during a shootout with police operatives from the Akwa Ibom state police command.

The state commissioner of police, CP, Mr Amiengheme Andrew disclosed this while parading the dead robbers in Uyo over the weekend said the shootout took place along the Calabar-Itu highway. The deceased were said to have already contacted a buyer for the stolen vehicle.


Andrew who resumed duties only a fortnight ago, explained that the dead robbers were on their way to Abia state to sell the car they had earlier snatched from a Calabar-based medical doctor when they met a patrol team of the state command of the police.



“On sighting the police Hilux van the hoodlums opened fire on the operatives. A gun battle ensued and the six armed robbers sustained gun wounds.

“They were taken to the police hospital in Uyo for treatment but they were confirmed dead by the doctor. Exhibits recovered included a Toyota Camry car snatched from the victim, Dr Arinze Obinna, a physiotherapist at the General Hospital, Calabar.”

Obinna, in an interaction with newsmen, said the car was stolen by the hoodlums at gunpoint while he was returning home with his famil.

The CP warned hoodlums engaged in cultism, armed robbery, rape and other vices to desist forthwith or leave the state as the command “under my watch has no room to accommodate any form of crime .

University Teachers Accuse FG Of Non-Remittance Of Union Dues


University lecturers under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have accused the federal government of Nigeria of non-remittance of five months due of the union to the union’s purse.

ASUU said the federal government deducted check-off dues on behalf of the union and refused to remit same to the union. The withheld check-off dues which has not been remitted to the union’s purse, according to ASUU, is between February and June, 2020.


ASUU chairman, University of Ibadan chapter, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, disclosed this to newsmen. Akinwole warned that there was an evil conspiracy among the ruling elite to wipe out public university education, which provides education to over ninety per cent of Nigerian students in order to elevate private universities, which are owned by themselves and their collaborators.

He said that the union has been on strike for over six months to draw the attention of the government to the implications of criminal negligence of not funding public universities in the light of rising insecurity and other social problems.

Akinwole, while speaking further, declared that the plan by the government to use salary stoppage to punish varsity lecturers for being concerned with the parlous state of affairs in the nations’ tertiary education, has failed as members are resolved to ensure that government becomes responsive and responsible.

He maintained that while the union is ready to discuss outstanding issues on the implementation of the February 2019 MOA the FG signed with ASUU and other conditions of service with government, federal government has not been forthcoming but has rather resorted to embarking on propaganda against the union.

Akinwole also denied the claim that the union would call off its strike as propagated by Labour Minister, Dr Chris Ngige, adding that while the lecturers are ready to work, it will not be done until and unless government fully attends to all her demands, including immediate implementation.

He said: “As of today, ASUU members are been owed three months salary arrears. In some universities like MOAU and UNIMAID, our members have not received salary for up to six (6) months.

“Federal government, through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, have criminally withheld five months (February-June, 202 check-off deducted from our members’ salaries without remittance to the union.

“FG has forcefully enlisted our members on the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme and has consistently been illegally deducting money for this from our members’ salaries.

“Our ongoing total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action would continue, if this propaganda and lies against ASUU by appointees and representatives of the federal government like the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, persists.”

While ASUU laments non-payment of salaries, the breakaway faction of the union, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), said members’ salaries had been paid up to date and are ready to resume if all necessary COVID-19 safety guidelines were put in place.



This came as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) Monday, begins a 14-day warning strike over government’s failure to implement agreements reached with members.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had last Friday, directed tertiary institutions to resume on October 12, with a caveat that each school would determine its own opening schedule.

But Ogunyemi insisted that members of the union, who had been on strike since March, would not resume work until their demands were met.

He stated that government had failed to put in place the minimum COVID-19 safety requirements across public schools, wondering how students and lecturers would be able to maintain physical distancing considering the state of lecture rooms and hostels in those institutions…

The ASUU chief said the country was in dire need of research and development, and the only way to actualise it would be to invest in the sector.

Ogunyemi described the IPPIS scheme as a fraud, which ASUU would resist. He said an alternative payment platform developed by the union, University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) was ready and had been tested at the Ministry of Education, wondering why the Accountant General would withhold salaries of ASUU members.

National Coordinator, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Dr Niyi Sunmonu, said although their salaries were being paid as and when due, the union members would resume once coronavirus safety guidelines are met in all the institutions.

Sunmonu recalled that government, in its publication of July 13, listed certain conditions of COVID-19 protocols that should be put in place in the institutions, saying so far nothing has been done along this line.

Sunmonu said once government plays its role, CONUA would have no justification not to work.

Meanwhile, SSANU’s public relations officer, Abdulsobbur Salaam said the union has commenced a 14-day warning strike in protest against some anomalies in the system.

He said the strike was premised on the inconsistencies of the IPPIS in payment of salaries and non-payment of Earned Allowances to members.

He identified other issues as non-payment of national minimum wage and retirement benefits to members; delay in renegotiation of FGN/NASU and SSANU agreements, as well as non-payment of benefits to retired members.

“This warning strike is a prelude to a full-blown total and indefinite industrial action if our grievances are not properly addressed,” he warned.

#orientdailynews

NUT Harps On Teachers’ Retraining

Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), has advised its members to build their capacities to be able to meet up with the challenges of the new era.

The advise was given during the World Teachers’ Day, themed: ‘Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future’.


The Secretary General, NUT, Dr Mike Ike-Ene, said that teachers needed to be more creative, resilience and innovative.

He stated: “This year’s theme clearly shows that the greater burdens of COVID-19 have been placed on teachers to build their capacities to be more resilience and creative, because, teachers are the ones shaping society. If teachers have to lead in this COVID-19 period, we really need to show that we are professionals.

“As a teacher, you should know more than the people you are leading. We need to have quality education and promote long term learning. Teachers need to be provided with more opportunities for regular training,” he said.



Similarly, the Rivers state chapter of NUT, has tasked teachers to show high level of diligence in their service to humanity, while also ensuring total compliance with all COVID-19 guidelines for the safety and health of the society.

The chapter chairman, Comrade Dumnaata Lucky Nkpogone, who spoke with journalist, said the low-key celebration was to comply with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Rivers state government’s policies and directives on COVID-19 pandemic.

He urged other teachers to resume duties in their various schools in line with the directive of the state government to reopen schools.

He noted that the order of government was not a coincidence, but an act of God to allow students and teachers return to school on the auspicious day, when teachers were celebrating the sacrifices of their labour.

He said the theme would provide the opportunity for teachers in Rivers state to, “brainstorm with employers of labour in the sector on how to enhance the services and welfare of teachers.”

He said that despite the pivotal role of teachers in the molding of characters and harnessing of talents, they have, over the years, been relegated and denied their proper place in the society.

The NUT boss pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has further revealed the importance of teachers as all alternatives to the services of teachers across the world, appear not to work, noting that the in-person interaction between teachers and students or pupils remains the most potent strategy towards achieving a great and educated future. He urged governments at all levels and other relevant stakeholders to invest in the educational sector, by giving the right incentives to teachers, especially in the area of training and retraining, to raise standards in their services.

#orientdailynews

Ebonyi Family Demands Justice Over Son’s Attackers


The family of Mr. Chijioke Chukwuoyi, who was allegedly shot by leader of Agu N’eche Mba Neighbourhood Security Watch, Mr. Michael Nwani, under controversial circumstances last month, has appealed to the relevant authorities to prosecute and bring the attacker to justice.

Mr Chukwuoyi, a father of two children, was reportedly shot by the vigilante operative at the Orie Market, Umuniko Isu, in Onicha local government area of Ebonyi state, on September 17, 2020.


According to the victim’s wife, Ginika, the victim was attacked by the vigilante leader, also known as ‘Eze Ndigbo’, when he tried to prevent him and his group from beating his kinsman they accused of being in possession of marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) to death.

She recalled: “The man was subjected to severe brutality by Mr. Nwani and his group. My husband approached the same members of the security guard to plead on behalf of the alleged drug addict, but unfortunately, he was given a severe slap by one of the guards, who ordered him to move out of the place for questioning their activities.

“When my husband received rains of slaps from one of the guards, he gave back the same guard his own dosage of slap, and immediately, fight ensued between him and the group,” she narrated.

Mrs Chukwuoyi further disclosed that Mr. Nwani, who was watching the fracas from a distance, allegedly rushed to the scene and shot the victim on his chest and arms.

She explained that the victim was abandoned to his fate after the shooting by Mr. Nwani and his boys, until after some hours when some sympathisers and petty traders rushed him to a nearby clinic for treatment.

According to her, when the group learnt a day after that Mr. Chukwuoyi was still alive, the guards hurriedly went to Isu Police Division and reported that they saw a criminal nursing bullet wounds in the health facility, and relying on the misinformation, police operatives went and arrested the victim at the hospital.

“The police, on their part, even compounded my husband’s condition as they grabbed and dumped him in their cell without giving him access to medical treatment or minding the danger associated with the live bullet in his body,” she decried.



It was learnt that through the intervention of the members of the Human Right, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders (HURIDE), the principal accused person and two others were arrested, while the victim was taken to the police clinic for further treatment.

Speaking, the state chairman of HURIDE, Mr. Sam Oko Nweke, alleged that the main suspect, Mr. Michael Nwani, had earlier denied shooting the victim; but following affirmative testimony given against him by a participator, he (Mr. Nwani) admitted to the crime.

“After the three suspected persons had been arrested and brought to Ebonyi state police headquarters, surprisingly, the following morning, we went back and discovered that they had been released.

“In our insistence to ensure that justice is obtained in the matter, we contacted Police Public Relation Officer, Mrs. Loveth Odah, and told her about the suspicious antics exhibited by the people, who are handling the matter.

“Through the effort, positive result was attained as the prime suspect, Mr. Michael Nwani, was re-arrested,” he explained.

“Following result of X-ray showing that many bullets are in the victim’s body, and the request made by HURIDE officials, Mr. Chijioke Chukwuoyi had been taken to an independent hospital where the substances could be removed.”

HURIDE, however, vowed to follow the matter to ensure that justice is given to the victim.

Contacted, DSP Loveth Odah, police public relations officer Ebonyi Command, confirmed the report and said SARS department of the police is investigating the matter.

“I think the matter is being investigated by the police, and vigilante group are not authorised to use firearms, especially prohibited ones.

“SARS department is investigating the matter. The other day, they went to the place with the complainant to see the scene and the matter is seriously under investigation. At the end of the investigation, we shall know the circumstances that led to the shooting.

#orientdailynews

One Killed, Retired Police Inspector Injured During Cult Clash In A’Ibom


A man identified as Udo Mma has been reportedly killed, while a police inspector sustained injuries in the ongoing cult clash between Debam and Iceland confraternities in Inen community, OrukAnam local government area of Akwa Ibom state.

Mma reportedly died on the spot while the retired police inspector, said to be bedridden with stroke in his village at Inen Ikot Ndoh was seriously wounded in his compound.


Our correspondent gathered that the cultists were not happy with the manner which the retired inspector was persuading them to allow peace prevail in the community as they continue in reprisal killings in the area.

An eyewitness, Mr Udo Jim, said the police officer, known as Inspector Okon Josiah, was worried by the rate of insecurity and wanton killings occasioned by cult clashes in his village, and decided to penetrate the rival cult groups begging them to stop further hostilities in the community.



“Inspector Okon begged the cultists for three weeks, pleading them to stop killings and all forms of terrorism as he cannot run away from the area considering his health conditions. But instead of the cultists to hearken to his pleas, they decided to maim him last weekend after they have killed one person. When the hoodlums arrived the policeman’s compound, family members ran away; but the victim could not escape because he has stroke. So, they gave him several matchet cuts.”

He said the hoodlums also injured other persons in the same village who are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

Narrating the incident, another eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the cultists moved in motorcycle convoy to the next village chanting war songs, injuring many people, while others escaped into the bush and returned the following morning to pack their belongings to take refuge elsewhere.

In a telephone interview, the police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Mcdon, confirmed the incident saying three persons have arrested.

The police spokesman said the commissioner of police, Andrew Amiengheme, has ordered for urgent investigation to unravel the cause of cult clashes in the area which resulted in wanton killings.

“Right now, operations has commenced in the area to comb for those behind these killings. Operations is intensified more than before to end killings there. The Commissioner of Police intends to engage stakeholders in this exercise for credible result, as the command is very angry that people have turned to hunting spree for human lives.”

#orientdailynews