One of Africa’s foremost and renowned poet, novelist, professor and critic, Prof. Albert Chinualumogu Achebe has published the long-awaited memoir about the happenings in the Biafra titled – ”There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra”.

The 81 years old Achebe is presently based in the United State of America where he lectures in various university as professor of literature. As a poet and novelist, some of his famous books are: Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God, No Longer At Ease, The Man of The People, among other numerous novels.

According to Allen Lane, the publisher of the book,- ”There was a country is a distillation of vivid observation and considered research and reflection” by Chinua Achebe. The book relates Nigeria’s birth pangs in the context of Achebe’s own development as a man and a writer, and examines the role of the artist in times of war. Prof. Chinua Achebe ended the book with a poem – After a war. ”After a war life catches desperately at passing hints of normality like vines entwining a hollow twig: it famished roots close on rubble and every piece of broken glass”.

“There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra” was published on Thursday 27th September, 2012 in the United Kingdom by Allen Lane, a division of Penguin; and will soon be released in Nigeria. It is also schedule to be released in the United States on October 11.

Congratulations Sir !!!

27th of September every year is the the birthday of one of the greatest and most successful man on earth – Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo; the Founded and Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners Chapel). Born 58 years ago in Oshogbo, Osun State but a native of Omu-Aran in Kwara State, Nigeria.

Bishop David Oyedepo received the Mandate in May 1983 to liberate the world from the oppression of the devil through the preaching of the word of faith. Through this mandate and other enviable manifestation of God in his life, he has become a living testimony of the existence of Supernatural God through his Words of Faith, Prosperity, Sound Health, Business Prowess, Expanded Ministries, among other blessings.

He is married to Pastor Faith Oyedepo and blessed with four children. He is ably assisted in the David Oyedepo Ministries International (DOMI) by Bishop David Abioye.

One of my favorite quote from him is  “there is no mountain anywhere; every man’s ignorance is his mountain”.

My Papa, CONGRATULATIONS to you sir as you mark another blissful year.

AND JORDAN PARTED

Memorise: And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you: 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Read: 2 Kings 7:3-11

When Elisha cried in desperation and smote the waters, the scripture says the river parted for him like it did for his spiritual father (2 Kings 2:14). This tells us that whatever happens to the father can happen to the son as long as the latter satisfies the conditions. For instance, Jesus walked on water and Peter did the same when he acted in faith but his colleagues could not do so because they failed to dare. One of the most exciting passages in the Bible is John 14:12. Here Jesus says:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do: because I go unto my Father.

A teenage female-orphan has become the youngest undergraduate in Zimbabwe at the age of 14. Her name is Maud Chifamba and she just got admission to study her dream-course, Accounting at the University of Zimbabwe. She has since started lectures on the 10^th day of September, 2012 under a four-year scholarship programme that is worth about Ten Thousand Dollars (i hope it is not the Zimbabwen Dollar sha!).

The natural intelligence of Maud Chifamba was discovered at her tender age when she was moved from Grade 3 to 6 by her primary school teachers. Though she lost her dad at age 5, she never relented in being exceptional in her academics as she passed her ordinary level examinations in just two years, skipping two forms. Notwithstanding the demise of her mum last year, she was determined to excel in life. As such, she sat and passed her A-Levels in December 2011 and was admitted to the prestigious University of Zimbabwe, Harare in September, 2012. 

Young girl (without make-up or Brazilian weavon), Congratulations for a well deserved scholarship!  

Memorise: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, arid their years in pleasures. Job 36:11

Read: Exodus 4:2-4

In Exodus 3:10-14, after God asked Moses to go and deliver a message to Pharaoh, Moses objected giving excuses. He argued about his unworthiness for the assignment and said he did not have enough information about God’s identity. It is good to have sufficient knowledge about God but waiting until you know everything about God or the assignment may just be a wait in futility. God’s revelation comes to us in phases and stages. You may not know everything about an assignment before you start. Even Jesus left the disciples without disclosing some information to them because they were not mature enough to handle them. However, for Moses to go on this assignment, knowing God as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was enough, as God’s dealing with them at this point was hinged on these three patriarchs. Today, that knowledge is quite inadequate. If you know Jesus Christ as the Saviour, Healer, Sanctifier, Deliverer, Protector, Provider, and the only begotten Son, you have more than enough message to reach your world. As a young convert, do not wait until you know the whole Bible before you start to preach to others. Simply sharing your testimonies can open the door of salvation to your listeners.

A Nigerian, Professor Ilesanmi Adesida was selected in May 2012 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, USA, to be the Vice-Chancellor/Provost for Academic Affairs of the University. He thereafter assumed the position in mid August, 2012.

He had his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering from University of California and his academic research work is on Nanotechnology with special emphasis on High Speed Devices used in Communication. He was born in Ondo State (Nigeria) in 1949 and has since naturalised as an American. He had lectured at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria and Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. He is also a Donald Biggar Willett Professor of Engineering.

Congratulations Sir! We look forward when till will be Nigerians’ turn to be the President of the United State of America (wishful thinking).

NOT A CLOWN 

Memorise: For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

Read: Luke 1:26-37

Promises determine expectations. For instance, if a father makes a promise of a toy car to h is child while leaving for work, the hope and expectation of that child will be based on that promise. You can be sure the child will announce it to his friends at school that day. In addition, promises also define the scope of expectations. A particular child can expect one toy while another child might expect three based on the promises made to them by their respective fathers. In the same vein, we base our expectations of God upon the promises He has given to us. Unlike earthly parents who are limited in resources with which to fulfill their promises, our God is not.

NO MORE COMPROMISE

Memorise: My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Proverbs 1:10

Read: Daniel 3:12-18

Besides loving righteousness and hating evil, the righteous are identified by their zero tolerance for compromise. During hard and trying times, while some Christians use the situation as excuses for compromising their faith, the righteous happily use such times as opportunities to stand up for Jesus. Job 17:9 says:

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger:

OPEN HEAVENS

Friday 14 September

DIVINE INTRODUCTION

Memorise: For oil the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the g/cry of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:19-20

When the Lord wrote to the church in Laodicea, He introduced Himself to them as the Amen, the Faithful Witness and the Beginning of the Creation of God (Revelation 3:14). You will notice that He introduced Himself using different titles and abilities from church to church. Every church is peculiar and known to its Owner. Every church deserved the type of introduction they got The way the Lord will introduce Himself to you might be quite different from how He will introduce Himself to another brother, depending on your works, relationship with Him and your needs. If the Lord were to introduce Himself to you today, what titles will He use? Also, the way He introduces Himself speaks of His next line of action as well as His expected response from you to prevent that action if it is negative, or to provoke the action if it is positive. Have you truly responded to H is introductions?

The Lord called Himself Amen which means so let it be. In those days, Amen was used as a signature. Amen is God’s signature on all His promises.

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Steve Jobs

“Believe that things will work out… follow your intuition and curiosity… trust your heart even when it leads you off the well-worn path… You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future… The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it… Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”