The Nigeria Former President Goodluck Jonathan Grand daughter First Birthday

The Nigeria former president Goodluck Jonathan grand daughter Princess Eliana Godswill Edward celebrates her one year birthday with family, friends and well wishers. See more photos after the cut...

Princess Eliana in Nigerian traditional clothes. 

Celebrity News Entertainment: photo credit Godswill Edward. 

Under What Condition Should a Christian Consider Divorce

Marriage is a lifetime union as it was ordained from the beginning. The institution of marriage is as old as the creation of man himself. God created marriage for the purpose of companionship. It doesn't mean 

everyone has to be married in order to fulfill their life purpose or to be happy. God has called some to be single (1 Cor. 7:7-9) and others to be married. Companionship implies for marriage to be an intimate relationship but it doesn't mean everyone will be married. Unfortunately a lot of christians are living in bondage because of sin. 
Godly unions bear witness of what God originally planned for marriage to be: To have a relationship with Him. 

In our society today, many have been trapped in wrong unions. Mostly as a result of their marriages not being under the solid foundation which is Christ. It has therefore led many to lose hope and faith in God.
It is of no sin to marry an unbeliever but the consequences of wrong unions lead to broken marriages. 

"But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him"- 1 Corinthians 7:12-13). Apostle Paul is advising us through this verse to not divorce the unbelievers we got united with. But to instead dwell with them by choice. 

Displeasing marriage scenarios: (Scenarios 1);

A young man has an accident and as a result, loses his manhood. Few years later, travels to another country and marries a teenager that He takes back to His hometown.
Few years later, the teenager feels unsatisfied due to the lack of intimacy in their relationship. This leads to the getting pregnant with another mans child. Although it was a cased that disturbed their marriage, forgiveness settled in as the man welcomed back his wife and adopted her child.

Scenario 2; A man addicted to pornography and masturbation marrying a young Christian woman with whom he ends up not having any intimacy. 15 years of marriage without intimacy. The woman is currently approaching menopause.

Scenario 3; A man undergoing a vasectomy procedure. Which is a type of sterilization (the cutting and sealing of part of each vas deferens (the duct that conveys sperm from the testicle to the urethra)

After a vasectomy is processed, sperm cannot move out of the testes. and therefore leads to sterility.
Unfortunately, many men have undergone these procedures without letting their fellow future partners know. This has sadly led many women in Germany as an example, to live indecent and worldly lifestyles such as, affairs with men who could satisfy and help them procreate life. 

In reviewing all these scenarios, let us ponder on which cases would generate in divorces according to the Bible.

Most christians may disagree on whether the Bible allows divorces and re-marriages, but personally, I like to believe that the only Biblical grounds for divorce is adultery. The question is: if the only reason to why, one should fight for divorce is adultery, and people are committing adultery and still stay in their marriages because of their fears of judgements;According to the book of (Matthew 19:6) divorce is equivalent to adultery. Sin has eaten up the institution of marriages today because of wrong unions. 
Do people know that I.V.F could also be considered as a sin?
 For it involves mastubartion to generate the sperm that is needed for the IVF or Insemination procedure. 

Why don't people opted for adoption in place of IVF? 

Why don't couples opt for divorce in place of continuous adultery?

Why don't religious leaders seek the face of God, to help them make or give a ground advice to all these victims. The book of first Corinthians 7:11-13 teaches us to understand that the apostles in those days where making a decree according to what was happening at that time. But the story is different today. Some men of God teach with the wisdom of men and claim "thus say the Lord" by fear of losing congregation members.

Why is divorce a common sin? And adultery is now increasingly on a daily basis. However, it is not as if most adulterers end up with their cheating lovers. So why do so many people risk their marriage for the sake of a fleeting affair of a short moment? Anyway, if we hope to get all the satisfaction and everything we need for a 'happy marriage', and lasting relationships we are more likely to feel that our partner is not good enough when we are not getting what we want or desire. 

I had a telephone conversation with a friend few days ago, and while discussing on the level of adultery in our society today, she said to me that "some people believe adultery is not a sin until you are caught in the act"... And I began to wonder what about the Ten Commandments? It is such a shame for us to abuse grace, base on the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery in the bible. I question the wisdom of christian who continue in sin because we are now living under grace. Did it Jesus says to us, "Go and sin no more...." Since grace offers in forgiveness, it also empowers us to live a new life. And now we press on the question why should christian divorce, whenever there is reason for divorce. 

My conclusion is, people should  seek Gods face first before seeking a relationship with someone they like. Especially before getting married, for our lord hates divorces and it's hard to get the right advice when in doubt. It is better to remain single and have a good relationship with God, than to end up in the wrong union. 

QSB. 

Nimi Nwofor is Quite A Fashion Diva

Nimi Nwofor is quite popular as a fashion icon and stylish on her Instagram page. She is married to Rivers State formal Governor Rotimi Amaechi's lawyer Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN) and their marriage is blessed with 5 amazing children.

See what she wore to the wedding of her niece. Damasks Nwofor she married on Saturday September 17th in Abuja-Nigeria.

See more photos after the cut...

Why Africans Are Not Good Swimmer

WHY AFRICANS ARE NOT SWIMMERS DESPITE THEY ARE CLOSE TO WATER.

The African continent is surrounded by much rivers, lakes, lagoon and oceans. Some Africans live along these bodies of water, and most of them are fishermen, and as well a local swimmers. But this is limited to those whose houses are built on the water or near water, thereby believe they have to train their children to be a good swimmer in case of any water storms, but not for any professionalism or recreation. For example, in Nigeria, some ethic groups or tribes live close to water, such as lakes or rivers, and their livelihood is also there. A good example of such people are the Ilaje people, the Ijaw people and the Egun people. Most of this people are good swimmer in their local environments. 

However, a strong swimming culture is not sustained on the African continent due to social and economic factors. One of the things that I believed prevented Africans from being good swimmers is the superstitious stories some Africa parents tell their children; that they should not go close to the water bodies because of Water goddess or mermaids ("mami wata" as Africans do call it). This superstition is not in stories alone, it is also in culture and traditions, as some regions in Nigeria (Africa) worship this so-called river goddesses as their deity i.e (Osun river), base  on  African cultural beliefs, this water spirits can embody both good and evil, and when the river goddess is angry she can kill anyone who come near the river to swim. It is because of this belief that most African parents do tell their children to avoid swimming in major water bodies. And of course, water spirits do exist in traditional African religions, and this discourage some potential African swimmers. 

Another thing is economic reasons. Access to swimming facilities remains a key barrier why Africans are not known for swimming. There are very few or no  public pools in communities in Nigeria and many Africa nations; where the people can go to practice swimming. The costs of maintaining a swimming facility is much that only those using such facility for commercial purpose can afford to maintain one. It is not that local and state political actors cannot finance one, but they don't just see need to do so. 

I must admit that there are some privately owned swimming facilities in Nigeria; in area like  Ikoyi (golf club), lekki and Victoria Island: some hotels, private schools, recreation centers and even some wealthy people have pools in their premises. These privately owned pools sometimes open their facilities to the public, but they charge a non-membership fee which is very expensive for a common man. 

Unlike in Germany and other European nations where swimming facilities are almost on every street in the metropolis, the story is different in Africa. This is why a lot of Africans (particularly Nigerians) cannot swim on a competitive level. Social and economic factors continue to hinder most of the black Africans from taking part in swimming at competitions like the Olympics. One will wonder when one visit a pool in Germany, it is rare to find black Africans at the pool, not about discrimination this time, but because it is a known fact, even to Africans themselves, that Africans are not good swimmers. 

Few weeks ago, I visited the Burg swimming pool in Altleininge, I could not swim in the adult section because i'm not a good swimmer. I was so scared of the water, that I have to move to children's pool. The Kids there, continued to stare at me, maybe they could not understand why an adult like myself cant swim better even in a small pool. Anyways, I still enjoyed myself because I made water slide and I played in the water like the kids. One thing I have learned in Germany is that I can do all things if I open myself to the Universe. Although, I am so thankful for the opportunity of living in a country like Germany, where children have the opportunities to learn a lot of things as they are growing, Yet, I do wish my country can grow to that stage, where kids will have access to basic necessities and facilities that can help them develop their skills and talents. This is another story of an Africa Child. My thought!

QS

I am Obsessed With Shoes- Laura Ikeji

Linda Ikeji's sister, Laura Ikeji is now number one Fashion icon in Nigeria, and her fame on social media "Instagram" with her having over 212K fans. Laura who most people described as a lovely and a very nice person. Some people have questioned her obsession with shoes.

Laura Ikeji might become the Nigeria version of Kim Kardashian, the young actress, dancer and fashion blogger is one happy girl whose energy is like that of a super girl! What should we expect from her new facebook page? I guess she will be doing more of live video according to her.

"I need to have an interesting live video on facebook"- Laura Ikeji.
I am of the opinion that Laura and her beautiful family should start their own reality show, kind of sounds like the way I'd described it "Time with the Ikeji on FunTV. As many of Laura's fans on Instagram claimed to be enjoying her lifestyle and seeing her in those happy moments gives most of
them hope in life.
Apparently, Most young people in Nigeria are big fans of Kim Kardashian, and it won't be a bad idea to go for Laura.

Photo cr

What Happened To The Church

I want to plead with you to read this to the end, it won't take much of your time.
Growing up in in the 90's helped me to draw a big line between the church of the past and the church of the present.

Those days, if you employ a Christian you would be sure of their integrity, financial prudence and adequate delivery of their duties. To be born again then is an honour and the seemingly carnal people would make jest saying he/she is 'SU'. Evangelism too was crude and impactful. Sinners would cry after every sermon. U dare not go to church to steal or catch a babe. The church was a consuming fire and a place of repentance. Our pastors were mentors. Their children were always coming first in class. Unit leaders too were respectable.

For so many reasons I love the church of the 90's. I won't fail to mention that the church of the 90's didn't have world class cathedral. If there was a fan, there is no electricity to power it. A major musical instrument we had was the tambourine. The pastors shoe can't give you your reflection. Simply put, the church was crude, powerful, repentance driven. It was not packaged, not a business venture. Gold and silver they had not but the anointing of our lord Jesus Christ they possess in abundance. 

Now, the case has Summersaulted. Silver and gold the church has, but power they do not. Now, being a Christian is no more a currency, the moment you mention. "I'm a pastor", people become weary of doing business with you. In the news: pastors have murdered, stolen, committed sexual immorality. In fact they have committed all sins thinkable.
Where did we miss it? We missed it when denominations divided us. We missed it when building cathedral became more important than building holiness into the members. We missed it when membership became more important than converts. We missed it when we think being a pastor is a profession and not a calling. We missed it when we started applying worldly principles to govern a spiritual body. The church shouldn't struggle trying to be the world, the world should struggle trying to be the church.

We copied the united states, in that country, pastors will tell you the kind of food they want to eat, the kind of hotel and they amount that must be in the envelope. They 'ru(i)ned' the church like a company. No wonder God's own country has become Gay's own country.
We copied America's style of church soon if care is not taken we will dwindle into America's kind of faith. ( I know you will say God forbid-continue)  
But why? What is the church for? The church has many functions. I will just share some.

1). Worship; our relationship with God is both private and public, and we need both. Let’s begin with our public interaction with God – worship. It is possible to worship God when we are all alone, but the term worship usually suggests something we do in public. The English word worship is related to the word worth. We declare God’s worth when we worship him.
Music is the most common form of worship. In our music, we need to consider the needs of people who may be attending our services for the first time. We need music that they will find meaningful, music that expresses joy in a way that they comprehend as joyful.
Music is only one aspect of our worship services. Worship includes more than expressing emotion. Our relationship with God also involves our minds, our thought processes. Some of our interaction with God comes in the form of prayer. As a gathered people of God, we speak to God. We praise him not only in poetry and song, but also in ordinary words and normal speech.

2). Spiritual disciplines; worship services are only part of our worship. The Word of God must enter our hearts and minds to affect what we do throughout the week. Worship can change its format, but it should never stop. Part of our worship response to God involves personal prayer and Bible study. People who are becoming more spiritually mature hunger to learn from God in his Word. They are eager to give him their requests, praise him, share their lives with him, and be aware of his constant presence in their lives.

3). Discipleship; throughout the New Testament, we see spiritual leaders teaching others. This is part of the Christian lifestyle; it is part of the Great Commission. “Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20 ). Everyone must be either a learner or a teacher, and we are usually both at the same time. “Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” ( Colossians 3:16 ). We must be learning from one another, from other Christians. The church is an educational institution as well as a place of worship and transformation.

4). Fellowship; the church is sometimes called a fellowship; it is a network of relationships. We all need to give and to receive fellowship. We all need to give and receive love. Fellowship means a lot more than talking to each other about sports, gossip and news. It means sharing lives, sharing emotions, bearing one another’s burdens, encouraging one another and helping people who have needs. Most people put a mask on to hide their needs from others. If we are really going to help one another, we need to get close enough to one another to see behind the masks. It means that we have to let our own mask fall down a bit so others can see our needs.

5). Service; i am emphasizing physical service, not the service of teaching or the service of encouraging others. A teacher is also a washer of feet, a person who illustrates the meaning of Christianity by doing what Jesus would do. Jesus took care of physical needs such as food and health. In a physical way, he gave his body and his life for us. The early church gave physical help, sharing their possessions with needy people, collecting offer­ings for hungry people.

6). Evangelism; "Go into all the world and preach the gospel,” Jesus commands us. Many of us need a lot of improvement in this area. We have been too conditioned to keep our faith to ourselves. People cannot be converted unless the Father is calling them, but that does not mean that we shouldn’t preach the gospel! Jesus told us that we should.

If the church do all of these we wouldn't be afraid of islamisation agenda.
Ola-Abraham Emmanuel is the author of Add a little madness

Source: Emmanuel Ola Abraham. 

Mark Zuckerberg Returns to Nigeria to Meet with Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari.

Facebook CEO returned to Nigeria yesterday 2rd of September, 2016; to meet Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari. Mark Zuckerberg who already left for Kenya after visiting Lagos few days ago, but on friday he and his team returned to Nigeria to meet with Nigeria president Muhammadu Buhari. 

Nigeria government welcomed Mark Zuckerberg yesterday into the Aso village, where he was to meet the Commander in chief of the Arm forces of the federation, President Buhari. About thirty ICT personnels and entrepreneurs, such as bloggers, Internet and online media actors, also met with the young internet business magnate. The visit has generated so much positive actions and reactions on the media. The Nigeria youths, including some of the Nigeria celebrities were so proud that Zuckerberg visited the country. 

I am so glad that people like Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook Incorporated can visit African countries (Nigeria and Kenya) at this time. What a great motivation and inspiration! for Africa entrepreneurs, particularly those in the ICT business, especially, at this time where Nigeria is facing a lot of economy crisis and nothing seems to be working in the country. I also believe Mark Zuckerberg visit will serve as an eye-opener and wake up-call to a lot of youths in Africa who have failed to use the social media and other internet platforms to generate wealth that are meant to be tapped. The visit will also serve as an inspiration to those who have been using the social media like Facebook to empower themselves before now. Facebook community and other social media have helped online vendors and entrepreneurs advertised their goods and services thereby, connecting them to millions of people who need their services across the globe. Facebook has also serves as a global integration because it bring us together despite being at different locations on the planet. The world has become a global village through the social media, and Facebook especially has made people of different races to become close like families and friends. 

Sometimes I ponder, and just swing in the ocean of my thinking. I have a lot of questions begging for answers, and my curiosity is driving me to a greater height, with the dream  that is much more bigger than the imagination of the hope that awaits me. Has God not make everything beautiful in its own time? but yet he also placed ignorance in the hearts of men, so that man cannot imagine what God has planned, from the beginning to the end of their lives. 

As for me, I continue to ponder, and thousands of questions are rolling in my mind, which I would had asked him if I was one of those that met him yesterday. I heard some people  discussing and posting comments about Mark's simplicity and simple life style.  More importantly, how he really feels about his status. As one of the richest man in America and with a good position on the ranks of World's Richest men, but yet, why is he not looking flamboyant or dress in luxuries like some of our black rich men do? All these were some of the questions, some young people in Nigeria are asking online. 

Different people with different takes on his visit. Some were bothered on why his proposed visit wasn't announced. Some didn't care about that. All they know is that  a messiah of technology has come and one or more problem must have been discussed and solution must be on the way with the support of Mark. While to others even though the visit has nothing to offer, at least it's sending a signal that the world in general appreciates and approves of this present government, as in the last one month, the Secretary to the government of United state visited Nigeria, just few weeks after the Fifa president visited. 

As I conclude, Nigeria, is nothing to talk about in term of technology business because we lack the infrastructure, and proper knowledge from elementary school even to higher institution.  The situation is even worsen by the fact that some intelligent or talented students have to drop out of school or ICT training institute due to financial problem or economy crisis as it is at the moment. Yet, I still believe Africa  can produce great inventors, if only Africa leaders can utilize the country's resources well and become committed to youth empowerment and development, by putting in place good Infrastructure, that will enable her citizens to live in their realm of dream.

Mark Zuckerberg as come and gone, I pondered again on the hope that awaits the poor masses in an environment where the rich are getting richer and flaunting their wealth to oppress the poor masses. The mono economic which solely depend on oil has failed us this time, corruption has become the garments of government officials and our so called religion leaders have failed us surprisingly. So, if embracing Technology is what President Buhari has included in this diversification strategy to a new market of technology, it is really nice. 

But deep lessons must be drawn from Mark's bravery, simple life style and timely contributions to the world. Such a wealth! Wealth that questions the wisdom of men. 

  

 Photo Credit: Mark Zuckerberg page.