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Tag: Steps

  • Follow in His steps (8)

    There is the need to trust God as you follow Him; to do whatever He tells you. Most times fear keeps us from fully following God, especially when faced with some difficult situations and when He tells us to do seemingly difficult things which are contrary to our will and most times man tend to go by our his own understanding, even after knowing God’s will concerning a matter. The Scriptures says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

    After Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 men with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, He made His disciples get into a boat and go before Him to the other side of the Lake…the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves and the sea was turbulent. Jesus came to them walking on the water, they cried out for fear for they thought He was a ghost. But Jesus immediately spoke to them saying, “Do not be afraid!” then Peter said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come”, Peter came out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus. But he looked to the wind and saw that it was boisterous, he became afraid and began to sink, and then he cried out, “Lord save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” and when they got into the boat the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Jesus saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

    For me and you to follow our good shepherd, we need to trust Him fully and commit our lives totally to Him, give it all up to Him without fear. You see, as long as Peter trusted Jesus he was able to walk on the water but as soon as he gave his attention to the high waves tossing the sea, he became afraid and distracted from focusing on Jesus. Peter forgot Jesus’ word telling them not to be afraid, he doubted Him who bid him COME. At this point Peter disobeyed and he began to sink. Fear is contrary to faith- faith keeps you strong to trust God to do the ‘impossible’ but fear brings you down. Don’t give fear a chance, have faith in God. Follow fully Jesus’ command/will, therein lies good success.

    Many believers in Christ Jesus act out of fear. I’ve heard many single ladies decide to adopt a child or just get pregnant and have a child/children out of fear. They reason and ask, ‘who will take care of me at old age and who will bury me when I die”? Some of those who acted thus out of fear ended up piercing themselves through with many sorrows- a lot of them in their old age have ended up being the ones still taking care of these ‘children’; feeding and housing them. Then again, I’ve seen parents who had many children seeing them as investments and retirement benefit but ending up losing those children- those children eventually abandon them.

    I have witnessed and read about women who had just one child or no children at all but not lacking anything; some of whom are being celebrated by children they didn’t physically birth all because they focused on following Jesus and doing His will. You can never loose when you obey God’s commands, don’t ever live your life by the expectation of the society but live your life according to God’s command to you. Seek to know God’s will concerning every matter and ask Him for the grace to submit to it, therein lies rest, peace, joy and good success- with no regrets at all because God is the one in control of your life- what a glorious place to be.
    Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.

    Note that as soon as Peter started sinking he called out to Jesus to save him and He saved him- this is a great lesson for us. Call upon Jesus in every sinking situation you find yourself and He will answer you.

    People of faith always did something:
    * Faith is active not passive
    * Faith is confident that God will do what He says
    * Faith follows God implicitly
    * Faith looks to God; it doesn’t trust in itself or in personal abilities or strength.
    * Faith takes God at His word and obeys without hesitation or reservation
    * Faith never panics
    * Faith leads one to: Claim a promise, Take a stand, Accept a difficult assignment, Surrender to go to a far-off land.

    TEXT: Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 37: 3-9.
    FROM: FAITH NWACHUKWU

  • Follow in His Steps (7)

    FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS (7)
    In the last edition, we got to know the need to hear and obey the voice of the good shepherd-JESUS, to be able to be His follower. Only His word has the power to transform us and make us like Him as we obey Him through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us.

    To fully understand the scriptures one must first believe in Jesus Christ, He is God’s plan to take away the veil of misunderstanding of the word of God. Some people’s hearts and minds are still covered with thick veil making it impossible for them to understand the word of God- the scriptures. This veil was taken away by the death of Jesus on the cross. So for anyone to understand fully THE WORD OF GOD and His ways, such MUST believe in Jesus Christ- as the Son of God who died to save us from the power and bondage of sin, making us a light of the world and giving us the hope and assurance of making heaven at last. Without believing in Jesus one’s understanding remains dulled.
    For a believer in Christ Jesus, we have no veil covering our hearts and minds so we are to reflect God’s glory as the Spirit of the Lord works within us to become more like Christ.

    In the last edition, I also wrote about how God took me to a remote village for my NYSC just to get my full attention and how He taught me to practice QUIET TIME.
    What is Quiet Time and how is it practiced: As the name implies Quiet Time is a time which is QUIET, devoid of distractions and disturbances; a time set aside to hear the good shepherd and also relate with Him intimately. This builds in us a live long, ever abiding loving relationship with God. Quiet Time should be a daily practice.
    What you will need/How of Quiet Time:
    • Prayer: Ask for God’s grace for without Him it will be very impossible. For we are weak bodily but He is strong- only Him will help you wake at your chosen time and empower you to study, revealing deep truths in His word to you.
    When God was asking me to make my Quiet time earlier than it used to be, at first, it was quite difficult for me to accept mentally. I had so many excuses and reasons I couldn’t do it; waking at such early time. As long as I didn’t accept it mentally and believe in God’s strength to make it possible I couldn’t do it and I was going to miss out of a great opportunity of deeper intimacy with God. The truth remains that for every one who desires to be used to do great things on earth, thereby fulfilling purpose, such cannot do without his/her time alone with God. Until I accepted it and began to pray for God’s help was I able to do it and for years now, God has remained faithful.
    One fateful day, prior to my dad’s demise, we had an emergency; we had to transfer him from the hospital he was in to another one, because he needed to be in the intensive care unit- that night we got back home very late after a very hectic day. I didn’t have up to 2hours to sleep before my quiet time but when it was time, God woke me up very strong, after which I started another round of a hectic day. God’s grace makes it possible, not by might or power. For we are weak but He is ever strong and His power will be at work in you if you believe.
    • To create a regular time- a time you will not be disturbed or distracted. Most ideally, early/ wee hours of the morning; set aside at least one hour daily.
    • A quiet place: where you will not be disturbed.
    What kept Jesus strong to finish His assignment on earth and end well was His intimacy with His Father; His quiet time habit- continually Jesus withdrew from the crowd, daily life activities and the demands of His ministry to be alone with His Father and communicate with Him.
    Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35. To be like Him, u must find it important too.
    • A Bible: in a simple translation you can understand. It will be nice to have other translations to compare readings for better understanding.
    • A notebook: where you write down lessons learnt from your study and also your daily dealings with God.
    • Pen and ruler: I usually divide my note book by ruling 2 lines in the middle of the page; on the right I write the lessons learnt and God’s word for me for that day while on the left I write down fully the Bible passage that ministered to me most from the text read. In the middle of the lines, I write the verse of the Bible that ministered most to me.
    Date: Text:
    Sample:

    • Your reading note/devotional booklet: refer to your booklet for more insight on the text. There are a lot in circulation but prayerfully seek the best for you; one that will help you read/study the Bible daily, systematically and deeply. I’ve found DAILY GUIDE to be very good for adults, DAILY POWER for youths and DAILY MILK for children. There are other good ones you can choose from. NOTE: Your devotional booklet should NEVER replace your Bible, it’s meant to help refer you to the text to read from the Bible as systematically arranged for full and better understanding of God’s word, it’s wrong to read only the booklet.

    Aside quiet time, we need to study God’s word always. God’s word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

    TEXT: I Corinthians 3, John 10, Mark 1:35, Psalm 119:105.

  • Follow in His steps (3)

    “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life”. Jesus said this after He set free an adulterous woman brought to Him by her accusers (the Scribes and the Pharisees) who believe she should be stoned to death for her sin as commanded by the Law of Moses. Jesus then showed the world the reason God sent Him; to deliver the world from the bondage and power of the prince and ruler of darkness- Satan, and to give a new life- a life born of the spirit of God as seen in the last edition. God didn’t send Jesus to condemn anyone but to save everyone so we can be at peace with God.
    “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”

    The woman must have been dreadfully afraid the day she was caught in the very act of adultery, knowing what her fate will be. Knowing the verdict on adultery, still couldn’t stop her from committing the crime; the knowledge of the law can’t save from sin, only Jesus can save. Jesus knew she was under the bondage of sin and needed most to be set free and become a child of God to be able to live a godly life. For this purpose God sent Him to die; to destroy the power of sin and the bondage of Satan, therefore setting free as many that receive and believe in Him. Jesus told her to go and sin no more, thereby setting her free from the bondage of sin, she received the grace to sin no more.

    The earth from the beginning was in a state of bondage before God sent the LIGHT- for in the beginning before God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was formless and void, and covered in darkness, the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be Light” and there was light. Notice that God didn’t start by dealing with the earth’s state of formlessness and emptiness, He started dealing with its state of darkness, knowing that as long as there was darkness the earth would remain formless and empty. So what the earth needed most at creation was the LIGHT. The Light came and gave life to the earth, so the formlessness and emptiness were dealt with, then God created everything else, the heavens and the earth as it is today. God then divided the Light from the darkness, so darkness could not comprehend the Light.

    Before anything else existed, there was Christ with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. He created everything there is—nothing exists that he didn’t make. Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind. His life is the light that shines through the darkness—and the darkness can never extinguish it. The Light whom God sent from the beginning at creation is actually a person and this person is Jesus and anyone who has the Light has life and cannot walk in darkness. Rejecting Jesus is rejecting the Light that God sent to the world to give life and take away every formlessness and emptiness. A state of formlessness and emptiness can be said to be a state of nothingness, vainness, of no effect, no purpose and deadness.

    The people that brought the adulterous woman to Jesus unknowing to them did her a lot of good because she met with the Light who delivered her instantly from the power of darkness/Satan and death, giving her life eternal. Do you have this life?

    I once was under the control of the prince and ruler of darkness until Jesus the Light saved me, Satan wanted me to die in my sins and end up in hell but God’s mercy prevailed. So also Satan wants to hold everyone in his bondage but this is if you continue to allow him, call on the name Jesus and be saved. I still see some people still arguing and rejecting salvation, not believing in God’s plan to help them, yet struggling with the state of darkness.

    In the case of physical gross darkness one can’t find his way; one’s steps will be chaotic, unguided, and disorderly, in fact such person is stagnated, just like the state of the earth before the coming of the Light. When light comes everything changes for
    good, that person receives life and his steps will be ordered aright.
    To get out of darkness is through the LIGHT-JESUS.

    Receive, believe and follow the Light and you will never walk in darkness-NEVER!

    May Nigeria be filled with the Light- Amen.

    TEXT: John 8:1-12, John 3:16, John1:1-5, Isaiah 53: 1-12.

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  • FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS(2)

    Jesus was all out to affect the life of everybody He met positively, He offered His all including His own life for the love of mankind. Jesus didn’t need a resounding crowd to preach an outstanding message-all He needed was one man, every opportunity he had with just one person was always so glorious. He showed us the importance of one-on-one ministration. With and through one person you can reach the world- don’t overlook that one child by you, reach out to him, show him love (this may not be your biological child).

    Nicodemus came to talk with Jesus at night, a time He should be resting after a hard day’s work. Jesus’ time of rest was interrupted and He allowed it, knowing that their conversation would bring about a great message of salvation to the world. He gave up His rest to minister to this one man a powerful message of salvation that gave rise tothe most common passage in the Bible, a passage that even those who don’t believe in Jesus can quote, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.
    As I sat to write this message, a youth came to tell me she needed counsel which I didn’t quickly accept because I was busy, but the message in this write up struck me. I stopped writing, called her and we talked. By giving her attention my life too was powerfully impacted by our discussion. This young girl, I know is one of those God will use to positively impact her generation. I went back to writing only to be interrupted again by a mechanic we got for some repairs. I asked to see the item he bought for the repairs, only to find out he lied about the cost- he inflated the price; I bought the same item recently, Ialso found out he didn’t even buy a new one but used an old one. The common thing to do is to quarrel with him but I decided to ignore everything and get back to work; I was busyandhad a lot to get done.After all, he would get the repairs done, also knowing it is common with them (like we always say). But God helped me- I found myself talking about it and ministering to him about lying, its consequences and the blessings of obeying God…afterwards he was happy and thanked me- God cared about his soul. I still paid him the agreed amount. The word BUSY repeated itself in these two cases; my busy schedule would have made me miss this great opportunity to reach out to the man. We should be sensitive to know when God brings opportunities our way, these opportunities most times come through interruptions. Gloria Gaither says and I believe it, that God is in our interruptions- in fact the greatest encounters in life happen through interruptions. We can miss out of great opportunities if we are not sensitive to godly interruptions. The message God is speaking to me and you; is to care about everyone we come in contact with- the meat seller, pepper seller, driver, house- help, and bus conductor etc, even the cantankerous ones.

    Nicodemus didn’t believe Jesus was the Son of God, but went to talk with Him and his life was transformed. Jesus concentrated on reaching a lost soul who purportedly taught people about God but didn’t truly know God. Nicodemus sought signs but Jesus sought his soul. Let’s look at Nicodemus’ interview with Jesus and be transformed too:

    Nicodemus: Rabbi (Teacher), we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting
    miracles] that You do unless God is with him.

    Jesus: I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.

    Nicodemus: How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?

    Jesus: What I am telling you so earnestly is this- Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.Men can only reproduce human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven; so don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again! Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it will go next, so it is with the Spirit.The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

    Nicodemus: How can these things be possible?

    Jesus: You, a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I am telling you what I know and have seen-and yet you
    won’t believe me. But if you don’t even believe me when I tell you about such things as these that happen here among men, how can you possibly believe if I tell you what is going on in heaven? For only I, the Messiah, have come to earth and will return to heaven again. And as Moses in the wilderness lifted up the bronze image of a serpent on a pole, even so I must be lifted up upon a pole (the cross), so that anyone who believes in Me will have eternal life. For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no eternal doom awaiting those who trust Him to save them. But those who don’t trust Him have already been tried and condemned for not believing in the only Son of God. Their sentence is based on this fact: that the Light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the Light, for their deeds were evil. They hated the heavenly Light because they wanted to sin in the darkness. They stayed away from that Light for fear their sins would be exposed and they would be punished. But those doing right come gladly to the Light to let everyone see that they are doing what God wants them to.

    After this encounter with Jesus, Nicodemus’ life never remained the same, he became a transformed man and of course this encounter is still transforming lives today. I hope it transforms yours too.

    TEXT: John 3: 1-21.

  • Follow in His steps

    Jesus teaches us to love unconditionally, during His time on earth He showed us in many ways how to love and urged us to follow in His steps. Before His final departure from earth He gave us a commandment saying, “a new commandment I give to you that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another” for Nigeria to be the leading nation in the world in all good aspects, we have to love one another as Jesus loves us. Christ’s love for us is not dependent on a quality in us that makes us lovable. He loves because He is love regardless of our strengths or weaknesses.

    Jesus knew that one of His disciples would betray Him, He knew Judas was the one but He still showed him unbelievable love, He didn’t withhold anything good from him; He was patient to teach him like He taught others, He gave him powers over unclean spirits, to heal all manner of sicknesses and diseases as other disciples, though Judas demonstrated his greed for money yet Jesus endured him, rather seeking ways to win him. Judas’ name was not mentioned as the one who would betray Jesus but he put himself in that position. It baffles me that Judas, being among the 12 who received directly from the Master wasn’t affected by God, the time he spent in such a glorious fellowship was wasted…hmm!

     

    Jesus knew on the evening of Passover feast that it would be His last night on earth before returning to His Father. During supper the devil had already suggested to Judas Iscariot, that this was the night to carry out his plan to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given Him everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. And how He loved His disciples! So He got up from the supper table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His loins, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel He had around him. Jesus washed even Judas’ feet knowing that he would betray Him in such a painful manner. This shows truly that Jesus loved His disciples unconditionally just as He loves us. And Jesus said “…I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you”. When someone betrays you, betrays your trust and confidence in him/her -do as Jesus, don’t stop loving keep on showing love. Remember what Jesus said, “By this the world will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another”, if truly you are God’s child you will show unconditional love to all and truly make a difference in the world, for the world will love only those who love them and hate those who hate them, this is not the teaching of Jesus. Jesus teaches, “ You have heard the saying, ‘Love your friends and hate your enemies.’ But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you,  In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what reward have you? Even scoundrels do that much.  If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that”.  If you love like the world there is no reward for you but if you love like Christ then you shall be blessed. Christianity preaches love to ALL and this is how to spread the gospel all over the world.  To be able to love like Jesus Christ then we’ve got to ask for the grace to do so, you can’t do it in your strength and understanding, you will be frustrated trying on your own, only Jesus can help you. Jesus promised “if you ask ANYTHING in My name I will do it”. Ask in prayer and keep asking for the grace to show love to the unlovable.

     

    Jesus’ teaching that ‘a servant is not greater than His master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…’ shows that people will definitely betray and hurt you and me even those closest to us, this is truly painful but Christ has already prepared us for this and told us how to handle it so the devil doesn’t destroy or distract us from our call and relationship with God. Have you ever experienced God’s love though you didn’t merit it? Just as He showed you love, show unmerited love to others too. Never harbour hatred for anyone. To follow in His steps by loving the unlovable is what distinguishes me and you from the rest of the world where deep hatred, terrorism, violence of all sorts exist. For this to stop spread the GOODNEWS OF PEACE WITH GOD by loving one another irrespective of our differences and not living in revenge paying evil for evil. Let Nigeria see Jesus in your life.

     

    Jesus did everything possible to win Judas to Himself, he was given specific warnings of his impending act of betrayal. The realization that the Master was aware of his evil thoughts should have stopped him- NO, he chose to hide his evil thoughts not confessing it to Jesus and eventually Satan entered him; possessing him to carry out the betrayal. God doesn’t force anyone to do anything, He has given us the freewill to choose what we want to believe and do but advised us to choose the right path by believing in Jesus His Son and following in His steps.

     

    Many today still choose the wrong path of hardening their hearts, this is very dangerous. To follow the right path as highlighted above is the key to having peace as a person. When you and I are peaceful and we spread peace across our nation Nigeria then our progress as a nation will spring forth.

    Where there is Love there is Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.

     

    TEXT: John 13: 18-35, Matthew 5:43-47, Matthew 10:1, John 15:20.

     

  • Practical steps to ensuring stable power supply

    One of the greatest gifts any government can give to Nigerians is stability of power supply in the country. In spite of the genuine attempts by successive governments and considerable amount of money expended on the power sector to resolve the electricity challenges in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), there is much to be done to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.

    Stability of power supply in Nigeria is beyond partisan political interest. For this single reason, the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has elevated the fulfilment of this expectation of Nigerians to a top priority agenda. In addition to several commendable steps, the minister in charge of Power, Works and Housing, BabatundeRajiFashola SAN recently delivered a public lecture titled, “ Nigeria’s Electricity Challenge : A Road Map for Change.” This Road Map is a three–phase plan, comprising the provision of incremental power, from which we will move to attaining steady power, and to the final phase of uninterrupted power in the country. This is a lofty ambition and the audacity of this administration to envision comprehensively is admirable.

    Regrettably, the resurgence of attacks on critical oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta by the Niger Delta Avengers poses serious constraint to these efforts aimed at achieving stable power supply.  For instance, the new militant group has within three weeks crippled oil and gas supplies from major facilities belonging to the Shell, Chevron, Agip and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).  This worrisome attack has within three months depleted the nation’s electricity generation capacity from the highest ever level of 5,074 MW, in February 2 this year to just over 2000 MW presently. More worrisome is the fact that the militants are continuing with their attack on oil and gas pipelines signalling fresh hurdles for the petroleum and power sectors.

    Vandalism of gas pipelines has become an albatross on the nation’s journey to deliver stable power supply in the country. It requires attitudinal orientation to address the problems. This recommendation is based on the fact that it is only when the mind-set of the vandals is changed to know that political agitation can be pursued by other means rather by  destruction of  national assets and power infrastructures.

    The implication of continued destruction of gas and power infrastructures is far reaching.  It is an invitation to absolute darkness in the country. It is a danger to government’s Road Map to resolving the myriad problems in NESI. More importantly, it is a veritable source of economic depletion and underdevelopment. Every time an oil pipeline is damaged, oil production decreases, so does the sale of crude oil, and this means income accruing to the federation account is depleted and the three tiers of governments suffer as a result.

    Obviously, this will negatively impact on major power projects across the country, and significantly on the on-going Federal Government’s amnesty programme which former Niger Delta militants are benefitting from. Recent statistics from the coordinating agency reveal that apart from 30, 000 youths being paid monthly stipend, 2,152 Niger Delta youths have been given full scholarship to study in 32 higher institutions abroad across five continents. The statement further states that 2,723 youths from the region have been given full scholarship to study in 32 Nigerian Universities, while 76 of them graduated from Novena University this year. Also on record are a total of 728 beneficiaries who are in the final year and expected to graduate this session. With all these taken into account, common sense dictates that it is in the collective interest of the Niger Deltans that these renewed attacks on oil and gas installations stop. In an appeal for their immediate cessation, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing recently stated that it would be a decision that fosters national development and a shared prosperity.  His words: “I must emphasize everybody who cares about our prosperity must get involved in this conversation and act positively to help to bring an end to the unpatriotic actions of those who attack our oil platforms and gas lines”.

    In the face of the present danger and in its resolve to ensure stability in power supply, government has begun the process of diversifying the country’s energy mix and to a large extent reduce the dependence on gas and the risk that over- dependence on this power source poses to the government’s plan for incremental, steady and ultimately uninterrupted power.  One of these approaches is the Ministry of Power’s effort to stimulate the use of solar power. In this regard, the ministry recently approved about 15 different solar projects to generate a combined capacity of 1,286 MW of power.  It is also accelerating plans to complete Zungeruhydro power plant, the Kashimbilla hydro plant, the Gurara hydro plant and to conclude the procurement plan for the construction of the Mambilla hydro plant.

    Government also recently took steps to strengthen the Distribution Companies in the power sector. This is to enable them improve service delivery and obtain financing to upgrade their equipment, provide meters, and resolve customer complaints. Part of this process is the disbursement of additional N55 billion from the N213 billion initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stabilize and enhance market potentials of NESI.   It is pertinent to state that the fund is not a gift or cash donation but a loan support of a 10- year tenor to cushion the financial and liquidity issues which are hindering   progress towards the goal of incremental power.

    There is also a partnership between the United States government, under the aegis of USAID and Power Africa Initiative on one hand; and Nigeria’s power distribution companies (DisCos)  on the other . It is a partnership through which $9 million will be provided each year to improve the DisCos’ performance via embedded advisory support. This is another big step towards achieving the Road Map’s first phase of incremental power.

    Although there are noticeable obstacles in the nation’s journey toward achieving stability in power supply, government appears to be in the right direction in its efforts to offer the seemingly elusive ideal of stable power supply to the people. The expectations of Nigerians will remain unabated until this lofty dream is realized. What is instructive this time is the strategy of purpose with which the government is going about its business.

     

    • Aneke is, General Manager Public Affairs, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
  • Juwon steps up with new style

    Juwon steps up with new style

    Budding Nigerian artiste, Habeeb Juwon Lawal, who goes by the stage name Juwon has said that his mission is to change the face of the country’s music scene. This, the artiste intends to do by floating a new genre which he calls Highlife on Hip Hop. The artiste brings this style to bear in his new track titled Big Money.

    “It is a style I created myself which, like I said, makes me. I live through music. Basically, I have been singing for about three years but I didn’t get the support of my friends. I decided to go deep into music because music got me right at all times. Music is my voice and mouthpiece,” Juwon enthused.

    The singer, who says that he fell in love with music way back in High School, revealed that he will be dropping a track in two weeks with Ajebutter22. “It’s titled Overdose and also I have on a song which will be featuring Phyno. I titled it Omo Ibo. I’m also working on another track with Legely the Golden son of Island titled Mummy Mi and I have several features with the like of Q.dot and Reminisce scheduled for next year. It’s a whole lot of work but I’m on it,” he added.

    The artiste who says that he’ll love to work with the likes of Don Jazzy, Wande Coal, Patoranking, Wizkid and Davido also talks about his forth coming album; “It will be what Nigeria as a whole would anticipate. It will be passing a whole lot of message to the street and the market where I belong. That’s it about the album. I’m based in Nigeria but most times I’m usually out because I’m also schooling outside Nigeria but in close by Cotonou.”

  • Important steps to making a wise career choice

    CHOOSING your career is a big step. For anyone, choosing what you will be doing with your life is a decision that is just too big to make. The fact of the matter is that those who make a choice, stick to it and start working towards their career goals are those who end up with a great career that is not only rewarding financially but also emotionally. Your job is a very important part of your life. You will spend an estimated 60% of your “waking life” at work so its best to do everything you can to make the best career choice.

    While there are many fancy tests and personality profiles that you can do to “decide for you” in the end its still a decision and something that you have to make and take responsibility for. So, how do you make this all important decision – and make it wisely? Here are 3 important tips to help you out.

     

    1. Find your passion

    What are you passionate about in life? For now, don;t think about a career. Think instead of those things in life that you absolutely love. What is it that you will do – even if you do not get paid doing it? People who do what they love are people who are happy and fulfilled. Going to work every day doing a job you hate is the ultimate punishment. Somehow we’ve come to believe that your job is not something you can enjoy and that its just something you have to do to earn money. Not true. You can do what you love and earn a good living from it.

     

    2. What are you good at?

    What are your biggest and best talents? This does not mean that you cannot develop new talents but taking an inventory of all those things that you are already good at can be a great start. Your talents are those things that is just effortless to you. What might seem very hard or even impossible for others just come naturally for you.

     

    3. Get practical

    Once you know what you love and what you are good at (which usually goes hand in hand) you can start getting more practical. No matter what it is that you love, there is a career for you. Do you love eating ice cream all day? Well, there’s a career for that and ice cream testers are very well paid and highly regarded. Your task now is to look for careers that will meet your passions and your talents. It might take a bit of searching but in the end the rewards will be immense.

  • Steps to perfect toes

    IT is not only your face, body, neck or hair that needs to be treated with care and respect this festive season. Your toes and finger nails need to be pampered too. Washing your feet, toes and finger nails everyday is highly important. Experts say that one should always scrub one’s feet with a scrubbing stone during bath, to smoothen the feet. They also advise that one should endeavour to do a general cleaning of one’s feet at least once in a week.

    Bose Akintoye of Lady BII Salon and Beauty World says giving your feet and finger nails a well-deserved pampering, like deep cleaning, will make them look great and sexy this party period. Since we all know this is the season to show off your lovely nails in strap shoes, peep toes, flip flop etc, this advice must be taken to heart. “Scrubbing stones are for the smoothening of feet while pedicure is for deep cleaning. Pedicure eradicates scaly peels and the dirt that hide under the nail and all that,’’ Akintoye said.

    She added that you do not need to spend a fortune to get a good pedicure. ‘’You can actually do it at home,’’ she said.

    Do-it-yourself pedicure

    Expert: Bose Akintoye

    •Boil water and when it is extremely hot,

    dilute it with some quantity of cool water

    •add some shampoo

    •soak feet for thirty minutes to soften the sole

    •use blade to scrape the dead skin layer or outer skin

    layer

    •use scrubbing stone to smoothen

    •then massage well with Vaseline to sooth the skin,

     

    Tips for healthy toes

    •Remember to take off your socks and shoes while at

    home, they also need breathing space and fresh air.

    •Trim your nails and cuticles to avoid blisters, cuts or

    break in the skin.

    •Cones should be trimmed when necessary. cone is the

    hard portion by the side of the smallest toes.

    •once it rains and you are caught up in it or in muddy water,

    wash your feet with antiseptic soap. Afterwards, soak in hot

    salty water solution for at least ten minutes, do not rinse

    •use a nail file to smoothen the edges of your nail

    Remember there is nothing more beautiful than a well

    Pedicure toes, nails and clean feet