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Tag: harmony

  • Enjoying marital harmony (4)

    Dear Reader,

    For the past three weeks, we have been examining what it takes to enjoy marital harmony. Today, we shall be looking at the benefits of marital harmony.

    The Benefits of Marital Harmony

    God believes in profiting and His Word is meant to profit you.  It is very important for you to understand that when you live in harmony with your family, you are the primarily beneficiary.  Below are some of the benefits of marital harmony.

    Personal and Career Success

    When you live in harmony with your spouse, you will be able to plan with him, move the family forward and enjoy personal, and career successes. God created the family to enjoy fruitfulness in all areas. So, living in harmony with your spouse and family members is a sure foundation for you to enjoy career success in life.

    Marriage is designed to help you maximise your life, because God does not take His people backwards, but forward. So, God has designed marriage, among other things, to enable you grow to your maximum.  As such, you are the primary beneficiary when you live in harmony with your family.

    How does this work?

    In Genesis, we see how wonderful it is to live in harmony. It is written: And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do (Genesis 11:6).

    When a man and a woman agree to build a home both parties become dedicated to each other in terms of love, support and encouragement. As a result, they enhance each other’s performance because they want to please God and always do what is right.

    Also, it is important to know that there are certain jobs that when applied for, would inquire about your marital status because of the responsibility attached to marriage.

    However, we must recognise that lack of harmony in the home can affects the performance of an individual in life, at work and in his or her career.

    For instance, have you noticed that if a man leaves his home with troubles and concerns in his heart, he will carry them to his work place? He may not discuss his problems with his colleagues, but you will find out that those problems will automatically affect his performances. That is what makes harmony in the home the foundation, base and good ground upon which personal and career success are built.

    Church Building

    We are all aware that the church of Jesus Christ is made up of families. Every member of the church represents a specific family here on earth and every individual family makes up the church. When I talk about the church, I am referring to the body of Christ at large. So, when there is harmony in the families/ home, automatically, there will be unity and harmony in the church.

    Nation Building

    When the families enjoy unity, automatically, it will affect the nation.  There is so much negativism going on across the nations of the earth today. Every nation experiences a great deal of this negativism and the root cause is the disharmony experienced in the home. So, when the families/homes begin to enjoy harmony, it will affect the nations to a large extent.

    Sometimes ago, I read a story of a man named John Owen. He was a British Anthropologist, who conducted studies on eight civilisations that have come and gone. In his studies, he discovered that in the eight civilisations, “the fall of the family resulted in the fall of the nation.” This helps us to understand that to build our nation, the responsibility is on us as a church which includes the body of Christ and individual members representing specific families on the earth. Right now, I curse every spirit of disharmony and disagreement in your home in Jesus name!

    In conclusion, you must understand that if you are not born again, it will be impossible for you to benefit from what has just been discussed. If you want to be born again and become a child of God, please say this prayer of faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom”.

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

     

  • Enjoying marital harmony (3)

    Dear Reader,

    You are welcome to this column once again. Today, we shall be looking at: ‘Understanding men and women differences’.

    Understand that men and women are different both physically and emotionally. For instance, if you see a man, you don’t need anyone to tell you, “That is a man.” In the same vein, as a man is different from a woman physically, so is he different from her in every other aspect. With this understanding, it will be easy for you to know your partner better. Men and women are created not to compete with each other, but to complement one another; so that whatever is lacking in one, the other will supply.

    Men and women are also different emotionally and that can be seen in the way they respond to issues, their outlook to life and their generally attitude to things on a daily basis. The understanding of these differences will help you to actualise the harmony that God has destined for your marriage. You will make it!

    The Area of Differences in Men and Women

    In their thinking trend

    Men think in a straight line and that helps them to maintain focus. So, when a man picks a thing, he focuses on it until it is accomplished because they think in a straight trend. On the other hand, we are told that women think in a grid. A “grid” is simply several lines. That is why you will discover that, naturally, it is possible for a woman to start many things at the same time but end up not accomplishing any of them.

    This is why, among other things, God instituted marriage to ensure a balance. Balance is the key for harmony in marriage. For instance, while the husband is maintaining focus, the wife is there sometimes, to say, “Take it easy. I need you, God needs you and the children need you.” Also, when the woman seems not to know what to focus on, the man is there to say: “I think you will do better in this or that area. Why don’t you believe God to give you direction?” He encourages her and then she begins to take giant steps in the things of God. I have said over and again, ‘If there is anything like another world, I will still marry my husband, Bishop David Oyedepo because, among other things, he has helped me a great deal to discover my God-given potentials. For that, I will ever be grateful, because now I know I am on course with destiny and purpose.

    In terms of priorities

    For men, their naturally priority is work. However, for the woman, relationship is a priority. She values relationships, her home, marriage and friends. That is why God orchestrated marriage to bring about balance and harmony in the home.

    Survival

    It is very important to understand that what oxygen is to a human being, is what respect from a wife is to her husband. Just as a human being cannot survive without oxygen, a husband cannot survive in a home without the respect of his wife. If women have an understanding of this, they will learn to respect their husbands more. Receive grace to respect your husband. As you begin to do so, you will discover that harmony will become a daily occurrence in your home.

    For the women, what oxygen is to a human being is what love from the husband is to her. The question is: men, how much do you love your wife? Some men keep saying well, my wife knows that I love her. Yes she knows, but she wants you to always express it in words to her. You have to say it to her over and again and let her know that you really love her. It was Lester Sumrall of blessed memory who said in his book, God’s Blue Print for a Happy Home: “A man can never fully understand what the statement ‘I love you’ can do in the life of his wife”. That is the way God made us. So, I say to the married men, say it often and begin to practice it over and again, and watch how harmony in your marriage will be cheaply established.

    So, when you look at the differences between men and women, you find out that balance is required. In addition, it is very important to understand that no amount of success at the office can take the place or compensate for the failure in the home. You shall not be a failure!

    Finally, it is important to know that unconditional love will take the grace of God to display because love is God’s nature. For you to enjoy harmony in your marriage love must be at work. A wise man once said, “Love without truth is hypocrisy, and truth without love is brutality”. You will not be found in either of them! Rather, the love of God which is already shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost will begin to empower, engrace, energise and enable you to secure harmony in your marriage.

    Are you born again? This means to accept Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you desire this new birth experience, please say this prayer in faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom”.

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

     

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Enjoying marital harmony (2)

    Dear Reader,

    You are welcome to another time of refreshing. In this week’s edition of your favourite column, we shall be looking at the topic: ‘Understanding’.

    Understanding is a very important factor if you must enjoy marital harmony. The Bible says: …And with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

    First, you need an understanding of yourself. You must know who you are and why you are here on earth. You must understand that God sent you to earth for a purpose; thus, you are not an accidental creature. Also, understand that you were not born to the family you belong to by mistake. This is because God is the perfect Organiser of man’s destiny. Furthermore, you must understand that God, Who made you, can never mismanage your life or your marriage.

    However, until you are in harmony with yourself, you can never enjoy marital harmony. If you don’t have a good understanding of yourself, there is no way harmony can be your portion in marriage. The question then is: How much of yourself do you understand?

    You must understand what marriage is and what it is not.

    There are several people who are married, but lack the understanding of what marriage is all about. On the other hand, there are other people who desire to get married but also lack the understanding of what marriage truly is.

    What then is marriage?

    It is a union of a man and a woman in an exclusive, God-ordained, lifetime relationship. If you have this understanding no matter the challenge you face in your marriage, you will know that you and God are up to it. Marriage is a perfect union with imperfect practitioners; when you understanding this, it will help you to enjoy harmony in your marriage.

    A wise man once said, “Because God is the Author of marriage, there is nothing you can add to it. All you need is to believe it and practice it”. As you practice it, it will begin to work for you. Remember, marriage is a perfect union because God makes no mistakes; however, the practitioners of marriage are imperfect. This will help you to relate effectively with your spouse and enjoy harmony in marriage.

    Marriage is not just a means of getting what you desire; but also a means to meeting the needs of your spouse in the union. The Bible says: And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth (Genesis 1:28). The scripture further says that one will chase a thousand, and two will not just put a thousand, but ten thousand to flight (Deuteronomy 32:30). This is God’s mystery for earthly dominion. That means when you get married, you have a potential of being minimum ten times better in all areas of your life. That shall become your testimony!

    Marriage is not the source of joy and contentment, God is. Therefore, as you walk with God in your family, He will begin to unfold deep things to you via His Word and manifest Himself in your home like never before.

    Your must understand your spouse

    For you to have harmony in your home, you need to understand your spouse. You must understand that everything about God is unique. There are no two people on planet earth that are exactly the same.

    You are unique and peculiar; so is your spouse. Your children are peculiar; so is everyone God has created. You are not a carbon-copy of anyone; you are an original and so is your spouse. Therefore, you must understand your spouse if you desire marital harmony. You must understand his or her background, likes and dislikes, what makes him or her happy and what affects his or her mood.

    For those who are yet to be married, before you say, ‘Yes I do’ to any man or lady at the altar, ask yourself: “How much of him or her do I really know?” A lady met me some years back; she had been married for just three months then but was already fed up of the marriage and ready for a divorce. So, I asked a simple question, “How much of your spouse did you know before you got married?” Your guess is as good as mine. She knew close to nothing about him.

    To be able to understand your spouse effectively, two things must be in place:

    1. You must me sensitive: Never walk around with your eyes closed. Your mind is a sound mind; so, be sensitive.
    2. Communicate effectively: Communication is the lifeblood of any relationship. Learn to communicate effectively with your spouse; when you know how to do this, it will help you to understand who your spouse is. You need to ask questions. The disciples of Jesus were around Him but they didn’t only listen to His teachings; whatever they didn’t understand, they always asked and Jesus never told them to shut up. Instead, He always answered their questions.

    So, rather than assuming, why not ask questions to know your spouse better? Communicate effectively to have a better understanding of who he or she is. When communication between you and your spouse becomes effective, you are laying a solid foundation for marital harmony. Understanding is a pivotal requirement to having an outstanding marriage; however, having a relationship with God is the foundation that guarantees harmony in marriage. Jesus Christ is knocking at the door of your heart, today, for you to accept Him as your Saviour and Lord. That is what being born again is all about. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer of faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom”.

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

     

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Enjoying marital harmony

    Dear Reader,

    You are welcome to another wonderful time in God’s presence. Throughout this month, we shall be exploring the topic: ‘Enjoying Marital Harmony’.

    The Bible says: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24). This is God speaking and He is the Author of “the family”.  The excerpt “…They shall be one flesh” from the above scripture is not talking about the physical joining of a man and a woman. No! Rather, it is referring to the harmony, agreement and unity in marriage. Furthermore, it is important to know that in securing marital harmony no matter the culture, the Word of God is universal and it works anywhere.

    There are many married couples today, who shed tears because of their experiences in marriage. I pray that whatever tears you have shed in the past, as you go through this article today, God will wipe them all away!

    The issue of marital harmony is of utmost importance because it is not just about you as an individual, but the entire church of Jesus Christ since it is made up of families. In other words, harmony in the family unit will affect the body of Christ in a large way because every nation on planet earth is made up of families.

    Understanding the Family Unit

    The word “family” in the Longman’s Dictionary of contemporary English means: a group of people who are closely related to each other, especially mother, father and their children, representing the nuclear family.  There is also the extended family setup, which include aunts, uncles, grandparents, distant relatives, etc.

    I want you to know that everyone on earth male or female, married or single, no matter the status, belongs to a specific family. God sent you to this world through that family for a purpose and you will fulfill that purpose in Jesus’ name! Many families and homes today, both in the church and in the world are going through tension and disharmony, and this has resulted in separation, divorce, abuse of all kinds, frustration, infidelity and the likes.

    The Foundation

    The Bible says: If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3).

    The foundation for securing marital harmony is your personal relationship with God, because He is the Author of marriage and the Founder of the family. Thus, your relationship with the Almighty Father is the starting point to experiencing marital harmony.

    Moreover, God is the only source of true and lasting relationship. When you allow Him into the ship of your marriage, it will never sink. As singles, I want you to know that it is the will and intention of God for you to enjoy a sweet home; but, your true and lasting satisfaction, joy and fulfilment in life are rooted in your relationship with the Almighty God. A good understanding of this will help you to walk through life with confidence.

    In addition, I want you to know that your spouse is not your source of joy: rather, God is the only true source of joy. This truth will enable you to walk by the Word of God to secure marital harmony. For instance, when you understand that God is the only source of joy, happiness and contentment in the family, you will know that changing spouse like clothes is not the solution to the contentment issues in your family. Looking for the latest models in town will never bring you contentment. God is the ONLY true source!

    Your problem today may be: Oh! My husband is not good; I will look for another one. My wife is not good; I will get a better one. Or maybe you are contemplating divorce right now. I pray that as you are reading this material today, the light of God will come on you and dignity will be restored to your marriage in Jesus’ name! Therefore, stop that divorce plan; that is not the solution. It is your relationship with God that makes all the difference and you will make progress in your family life. Whatever has caused you heartache and tears before, your relationship with God will cause a change and you shall have harmony in your family in Jesus’ name!

    Also, know that marital harmony is possible but it is not a gift; rather, it is a responsibility. As such, you must accept the responsibility of securing marital harmony in your home. Bishop David Oyedepo, whom I am privilege to be married to, said, “Faith that makes God absolutely responsible for the events of your life is an irresponsible faith”.  In other words, you have a part to play!

    In conclusion, remember that God is the only true source of joy and harmony in your home, thus, until you allow Him into your life, you cannot enjoy harmony in your home. Why not have a relationship with God today by accepting Him as your Saviour and Lord. That is what being born again is all about. If you want to be born again, please say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.  If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Community seeks harmony after clash

    There were gunshots. A house was burnt down. Other structures were damaged, roofing sheets knocked down, windows smashed. There were even claims that a few people were shot, though none died.

    But in ones and twos, residents who fled in the heat of the clash have started coming back home, as some calm returned to Inyi, a riverside community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, after two of its four quarters, Obecha and Umuinyagbo, fell out bitterly at a sanitation exercise. The community leaders have been meeting to foster peace and harmony between the feuding quarters. All the destruction took place in Obecha.

    It was a needless clash, veteran journalist and community leader Mr. Mike Nwabueze told The Nation on the telephone.

    “Can you imagine that the violence started over a mere guava tree,” Nwabueze, of Umuinyagbo quarter, said.

    In the course of a sanitation exercise by the community’s youths, one of them from Umuinyagbo threatened to cut down a guava tree on the Obecha side of the border. An Obecha youth dared him to fell the tree. He did, and was hit by the Obecha youth. A fight ensued. An assault rifle went off somewhere in Obecha, The Nation was told.

    The Okpala-Ukwu, who holds the revered office of the oldest man in the four-quarter community, weighed in. He summoned the feuding quarters, blamed and fined Umuinyagbo for cutting down the guava tree. Umuinyagbo youths were said to have felt that the Okpala-Ukwu did not quite do justice to the matter, and that he glossed over an alleged belligerent attitude of Obecha people, including the initial gunshot, which Umuinyagbo youths interpreted as an intention of war.

    What happened next was horror never seen in the community, which is united in every imaginable way and separated only by the names of its four quarters: Obecha, Umuinyagbo, Isiolu and Umuagwuyam.

    Most residents fled their homes, some as far as Asaba, the state capital, and Benin City, the Edo State capital. Some ran to Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state, or just about anywhere they could find peace.

    The violence has subsided, thanks to the efforts of the community leaders who notified the local council leadership. Acting chairman of the council Hon Dickson Okonta led a delegation to Inyi to calm tensions. The Inyi Improvement Union, an umbrella body of the community, has also been meeting, mostly at Ashaka near Kwale, and sending peace delegations home.

    These efforts are paying off. Some who fled their homes have started returning, including some of Nwabueze’s relatives.

    Dr. Anene Nwafili, of Obecha extraction, who teaches at University of Port Harcourt, was stunned at the level of destruction in a community united by marriage, culture and tradition. His family lost a house to the clash.

    Nwabueze pointed out the foolishness in the violence, saying there is hardly any family in any of the quarters that is not tied through marriage to the next quarter. The Nwafilis, for instance, married two women from Umuinyagbo.

    The veteran journalist also told The Nation that the community leadership will concern itself to mopping up illicit weapons in the hands of Inyi residents.

  • Commissioner advocates religious harmony, tolerance

    Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef has enjoined faithfuls across the country to promote religious harmony, tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

    Speaking at Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ramadan Lecture, Held at Combo Hall, LTV, Agindingbi, Ikeja, AbdulLateef chided those who take religion to the extreme, saying there is no compulsion in Islam.

    He said: “Anyone who attacks non-Muslims for not fasting is an ignorant Muslim and enemy of Islam because Allah has not compelled non-Muslims to fast. Ramadan fast should be done by Muslims and even not all Muslims are compelled to fast. It is Muslims who are strong and able to observe the fast that were compelled. If you are sick and you observe the fast, you don’t really have reward because you killing yourself gradually.

    ‘’For anybody to now take it upon himself to be a fighter for God, such a person is an ignorant person and we must avoid all forms of violence and anything that will constitute man’s inhumanity to man.

    ‘’The month of Ramadan is meant for us to engage in Ibaadat (acts of worship) by performing all the obligatory prayers, reading and mastering the Quran and engaging in supplication to remember Allah.”

    He also called for an end to insurgencies in the North east and South south by Boko Haram and Niger Delta militants.

    Senator Ganiyu Solomon implored the Muslims to be steadfast and prayer for the nation.

    “We needed to offer pray to God for the growth and delivery of the nation. Nigeria is today, challenged on many fronts but though the storms gather, clear skies are ahead. Nigeria and her people will outlive the current challenge and will see a new day,” he said.

  • How to achieve peace, harmony, by scholars

    The rapidly deteriorating security situation in the country with increasing cases of avoidable loss of lives and properties is causing serious concern among stakeholders who are worried at the little responses coming from the security agencies.

    Of particular concern are the activities of various insurgents, kidnappers, ritualists and rapists across regions that have become more daring, forcing many to doubt the ability of the security agencies to contain the situation and nip these heinous crimes in the bud.

    Against this background, a group of Islamic scholars under the aegis of the Conference of Islamic Organis-ation (CIO), met in Lagos recently to address the situation during the 5th Conference of Imams and Scholars.

    The event, with the theme “Islam: Mercy to Mankind” held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) main auditorium, Akoka and had in attendance Islamic scholars from different parts of Lagos state.

    The scholars proffered that to achieve peace and harmony in the country, the government must be on her toes at all times.

    CIO Secretary General, Ustadh Luqman Yusuf enjoined security agencies to step up their intelligence gathering efforts stressing that the activities of the insurgents could be curbed if proper intelligence were conducted.

    “Those who are carryings out killings, kidnappings, ritual murder among other illicit acts are not super human and do not possess the kind of training our security agencies have, so they (security agencies) need to justify the confidence the society repose in them”.

    Failure to quickly curb the menace, he said, portends danger for the polity.

    Aside security issue, Ustadh Yusuf, said the forum was to remind the world that Islam stands for human progress, love and peace.

    In a lecture entitled: ‘Connection between correct understanding of Islam and peaceful nation’, CIO’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’i said, it is very imperative to practise pristine Islam to avoid conflicts being experienced everywhere.

    The revered scholar said there is perfect correlation between correct understanding of Islam and peaceful co-existence in the society.

    He urged Muslim youth to study and understand Islam very well before engaging in any activity.

    “A nation close to correct understand of Islam will experience peaceful life,” Shafi’i said.

    “Lack of correct understanding of religion will breed vices. In fact, scholars have opined that there should be proper mentoring of the youths in their practice of Islam. The problem in the society is because of wrong understanding of Islamic tenets. Those who are astray constitute nuisance to the nation,” he stated.

    The Islamic scholar also stated some things that he said must be upheld to achieve a peaceful society.

    He said: “There should be correct knowledge and conviction of Islam; practising with wisdom and friendship and tolerance towards others in the society.”

    In order to bring about genuine peace and just society, he said, government must provide security in all facets of life.

    Shafi’i said: “There are six things the Islamic Sharia’ has come to protect which should be the focus of all governments: security of life, religion, intellect, wealth and property, human dignity, and unborn babies.”

    He decried government dilly-dally on how best to resolve the botched recruitment examination into the Immigration Service.

    “The National Immigration Service jobs death still remains a national disaster. In fact, the government ought to resign because of the embarrassment the incident has brought to our nation. The automatic employment promised for the families of the victims is inadequate. From Islamic perspective, government should pay the blood money equivalent to N36 million for each victim,” he said.

    The second speaker, Sheik Abdul-Ganiy Adenle, who spoke on ‘Islamic values and culture: a mercy to mankind,’ said all what Islam brought is full of mercy to mankind, noting that even the philosophy of punishment is tantamount to be kindness to both the offender and the society at large.

    Sheik Adenle said: “Islamic culture and morals are stemmed from the root of mercy. The promulgation of Islamic law is a mercy from Allah: Hijab, the Muslim women mode of dressing, is to protect their honour and dignity; marriage in Islam has come to protect waywardness and children that will constitute nuisance in the society.

    “Equally inheritance distribution according to Islam is to avoid rancour and enmity that arise in property distribution to deceased children.

    “Even some prohibitions like intoxicants and fornication are served as security of life and health. So this is how we find in Islamic Shari’a justice, mercy and good life as enjoined by Allah.”

    He added that the non-Muslims should understand that Islam with its values and culture cannot be a cause of backwardness and restriction to human freedom.

  • Heartland to detractors: Let’s work in harmony

    Heartland to detractors: Let’s work in harmony

    •Naze Millionaires want end to in-fighting, back-stabbing

     

    A top official of Heartland has warned detractors of the Owerri side to desist from the ignoble acts and help lift the Naze Millionaires up, since the club belongs to all Imo indigenes and not an individual.

    The problem in the team got to its height recently when the club lost their second home match of the season against Enyimba,which has not happened in recent times at Owerri.

    There have been claims and counter-claims as to the real source of their misnomers that a top official of the club who does not want his name in print in a passionate plea to all said that the current management of Heartland cannot be there forever but that the club as an institution would continue to remain.

    He thus appealed to all self confessed enemies of the club to sheath their swords and unite to ensure that Heartland turn the corner and still bring laurels to the people of the State just like in the past.

    “Heartland does not belong to me nor does it belong to any individual. We are only here now, we don’t know who will be there tomorrow. If you say you derive pleasure in seeking the downfall of the club, it is not the management of the club that you are plotting their downfall but the downfall of your State club.

    “Let’s join hands together and strive to lift the club so that our targetted goals can be reached,” the top official noted.

    Heartland opened the second stanza, the same way they started the season and ended the first stanza-with a defeat. They lost at home to Nembe City during the first league game of the season and also lost to Enyimba same when the second round commenced on July 3rd. They thereafter got beaten by Nembe City 2-0 on July 7th as the premier league newcomers completed a sensational double just like Enyimba over the former Nigeria league winners.

    A panel was recently inaugurated to consider the remote and the immediate reasons for the club’s slide on the league table and also probe the reason behind the home loss to Enyimba. Two of the club’s top officials were also recently suspended for alleged anti-club activities.

  • Fayemi: dialogue key to industrial harmony

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said dialogue is important in resolving disputes between government and labour unions.

    In a message to commemorate the May Day, Fayemi praised workers for their contribution to the state’s growth.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, Fayemi described workers as “important stakeholders in the implementation of his administration’s eight-point development agenda”.

    Describing May Day as “an important day to celebrate workers’ liberation”, he praised labour unions for maintaining industrial peace, saying it has enhanced workers’ productivity.

    The governor said his administration would build 5,000 housing units in the three senatorial districts and urged workers to avail themselves of the opportunity to own houses.

    He said workers’ welfare was a priority of his administration, adding that the restoration of car and housing loans, which were stopped by the ousted administration of Mr. Segun Oni, was the first step to restore the dignity of workers.

    Fayemi said Ekiti was one of the first states to implement the new minimum wage.

  • Why we’re in harmony with Executive arm, by Tambuwal

    Nigerians can only be served when the Executive and Legislative arms of government work in harmony , Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal has said.

    Tambuwal spoke yesterday when he visited the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said the House would always ensure a harmonious working relationship with the Executive.

    Addressing the party’s national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, the Speaker said: “I will like to place on record that we are working harmoniously with the Executive.

    “We are here to discuss what ordinarily should be the business of our party; that is ensuring that we provide good governance to the people who elected us.

    “We shall continue to do what is good for good governance and the orderly administration of the government.

    “For clarity of records, there has never been a single request by the Executive that has not passed through the floor of the House.”

    The Speaker, however, said despite the cordial relationship between the two arms, the House would not hesitate to criticise some of the policies from the Executive, where necessary.

    According to him, irrespective of the fact that the PDP has an overriding majority in the House, bills and policies from the Executive would be scrutinised thoroughly by members.

    Tambuwal continued: “Of course, criticism must be made. Issues must be raised. Policies must be criticised. Bills must be scrutinised.

    “But at the end of the day, we get to the desired destination of ensuring that the programmes of our government are passed.

    “Majority of the members of the National Assembly are members of the PDP and are very much committed to the manifesto of our party.

    “We are aware of what the manifesto of our party is all about.

    “It was the manifesto of our party that we marketed and got elected.

    Tambuwal hailed Tukur and members of his team for what he described as their contributions toward stabilising and repositioning the party.