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Is your Church Robbing or Helping you?

rush at March 25, 2020 0

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 2Corinthians 8:12 KJV

The institutional church often robs the real church to advance itself. It does this by mischievously teaching prosperity wrongly. It emphasizes that a person prospers to the extent that that person brings his or her wealth to the church. This makes making wealth appear easy but ultimately, it is only deceptive. It enriches the institution and impoverishes the individual. In this way, denominational churches teach that the church makes you rich. In reality, you make the church rich. You don’t bring your money to the church to be rich. You go out make money and bring it to the church for the execution of the assignment of the church. Acceptable giving is based on what you have and not on what you want to have.

Giving in church is not a personal financial empowerment program. It is a kingdom advancement program. This is how the early church understood giving, Acts 4.:2-37. People brought their wealth to the church to advance the church’s agenda. This is responsible giving. A person will need to be sure that he or she belongs to the church and believes in her mission. Then the person commits to promoting that agenda and does whatever it takes to do so. Sadly, people are made to give not with eyes on the mission of the church but on their own personal returns so that if they are not sure of the returns, they won’t give. The result is that they are robbed of their wealth on empty promises of divine pay back.

Commitment
I commit today to give what I have to promote the mission of the church and not to be rich.

Action Triggers
Has the real church prospered as much as the institutional church has prospered?
Does God want people to give what they don’t have?

Prayers
Father, save me from being deceived by not allowing me to give in order to receive in Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading: 2Corinthians 8
One Year Bible Reading Plan: Joshua 1-3; Mark 16

SOWORE, DSS AND DISREGARD OF COURT ORDER

rush at February 16, 2020 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi.

The arrest and re-arrest of the activist and publisher of Sahara reporters an online Newspaper, Mr. Sowore has continued to generate a lot of controversial comments from Nigerians and even international communities. Sowore and his friend Bakare were in Department of State Security (DSS) custody for over 150 day on the alleged treason charges.

The presidency is accusing him of mobilising people against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, other charges include alliance with proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and planned to mislead public to violently change the government through `#RevolutionNow` protest.

The Sowore`s case has since taken different dimension which seems there may be hidden agenda by the present administration to silence the critics and making the civic space uncomfortable for the upcoming young ones. The pro democrats will surely agree with me that freedom of expression is the only way to enjoy genuine democracy. Though, Nigerian politicians have been paying lips service on the concept of democracy and its entrenchment, in reality it has remained hoax.

Progressive democracies do not disregard court orders or turning their heads against the application of the rule of law. One of the cardinal principles of constitutional democracy is the respect of the freedom of speech and the total adherence to constitution. It seems the present administration has their own way of defining democracy which is more authoritative. It is not a surprise for Nigerians to witness the muzzling or brazen rape of this cardinal principle of democracy under the watch of so-called democrats.

The December 6 melodrama that led the DSS to invade court in commando style is a national disgrace. Why would the DSS disrupt court proceeding? Despite the fact that the law simply asserts that- no arrest can be effected in a courtroom, it is a sanctuary of some sort because the civil process act defines the precinct of the court as anywhere between the gate to the courtroom.

Instead for our president or minister of justice to condemn the act and quickly call them to order, he keeps silent. Though the Presidency and DSS denied the incidence at the first place but it later apologized to the judge and also the Sowore`s lawyer, Femi Falana, for their unprofessional conduct.

Recalled, two competent court’s ruled or demanded that DSS should release Sowore but they confidently disobeyed the order. Why would DSS refuse to obey court order? If they can be granted an access to suspect or even allowed to keep suspect in their custody, why should they act differently when the same court orders the release of the suspect?

Whosoever is advising the presidency or Department of State Security (DSS) to disregard court orders and break the laws of the land by neglecting the rule of law is the true enemy of our democracy. Agreed, they have right to deny anyone his freedom especially in a situation where such freedom will be an issue to public disorder, security or immorality but the Sowore`s case can be easily resolved through obeying the court orders by both parties. It will be good for DSS to allow court to decide on the case or pass their judgment than continue detaining him in their custody. This unjustifiable treatment meted on Sowore or disobeying of court order will create sympathy for the victims and make our democracy a laughing stock in the comity of nations.

Regardless of the situation, President Buhari is one of the highly respected African leader not only in Nigeria but across the globe. He shouldn’t allow his image to be tarnished because of the interest of the few. The president has said it in various fora that he will uphold the rule of law. The doctrine of separation of power should be properly adhered to by the three arms of government. We are not in military junta in which laws are not obeyed. We are in constitutional democracy.

The Department of Security Service (DSS) should be called to order and respect the rulings of the court. Nigeria is above everyone, and the country is indeed need of peaceful coexistence and freedom not agitations and unnecessary chaos!

Following the burial of Mr. Corruption March 23rd, 2019 by Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice. CRJ is calling on Nigerians to wake up from slumbering for a better Nigeria.

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NIGERIA: A COUNTRY INHABITED BY PARROTS AND TOOTHLESS BULLDOGS

rush at February 16, 2020 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi

The Nigerian leaders have remained corrupt because the people have refused to take the right action. If Nigeria had people who are conscious enough and daring, organized corruption would have ceased. Corruption is like an atomic bomb – it is capable of destroying everything that has contact with it as well as wreak transgenerational havoc if not stopped. Little wonder why the roads are in disrepair, the public schools have become warehouses, the general hospitals are a no go area for anyone who wants to live long and why the entire system appears to have collapsed.

While there is extreme poverty, hunger and hardship in the country, President Buhari has allegedly approved ₦37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly that was said to be built for ₦7 billion. Even if Nigeria had experience recession in the past and even if inflation had hit the market between when the building was erected and now, ₦37 billion just for renovation is a scam. Are they building a new one? Even at that, ₦37 billion is surreal except the building materials will be gold.

Anyway, the new development does not surprise me because I am already used to the character of Nigerian political leaders. They are “kleptocrats” and it will take 50 years of deliverance to successfully exorcise the spirit of greed that is at work in them. However, I am surprised that Nigerians have reduced themselves to parrots and barking bulldogs on social media since the news was broken –when by now, they should have organized themselves and peacefully converge at the presidential villa or National Assembly until Buhari withdraws the approval. If something similar happened in saner climes, by now, the people would have come out in large numbers to hold those culpable accountable. And not to keep whining on Tweeter.

Meanwhile, I do not challenge the fact that Social Media can be a useful advocacy tool especially if those targeted are directly active in any of the platforms –like Donald Trump who manages his Tweeter account himself– but beyond rants that will only end on Tweeter and Facebook, Nigerians need to take action. It may not even immediately be a well-organized peaceful protest because the leaders have developed a “steel skin” that will not allow them to shift their position. In other words, no amount of protest will change the heart of President Buhari and his allies except if it is fashioned after the one that compelled Hosni Mubarak to step down. It will take 130 million conscious Nigerians to do this kind of regime-sacking protest.

But since the number of conscious people in the country is not up to this and any protest now may not cause a great impact, Nigerians have the right to bottle up their anger and keep it safe somewhere until the day of elections. There is no right action that is greater than punishing failed leaders at the polling booths. This beats ranting on the Social Media and ineffective protest any day.

Unfortunately, this is not the first that the leaders are taken Nigerians for granted. But because they only react on Social Media, the leaders have now made it a habit to take them for granted. If Nigerians had taken action against the jumbo pay of the Senate or the riotous living of some of the leaders before now, President Buhari would have thought twice before he gave his approval.

Funnily enough, many of the people ranting now on Social Media will forget about the ₦37 billion “scam” before the next election. They will even be the ones to defend their oppressors and attack those that intend to liberate them. This kind of let us just talk or rant attitude on Social Media will never produce any significant change in Nigeria. Serious change can only be done through the ballot box –which means Nigerians must be ready to put aside sentiment and vote for the right candidates in the next election. Otherwise, they will continue to rant on Social Media and nothing will happen, while the leaders will continue to enjoy.

Following the burial of Mr. Corruption March 23rd 2019 by members of Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice, Nigerians are called to wake up from Slumbering for a Better Nigeria.

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Crime CRJ

THE BURDEN OF NIGERIAN EX-GOVERNORS’ PENSION ON STATES’ ECONOMY.

rush at December 01, 2019 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi

Pension packages for former governors of Nigerian states have long been a controversial subject. But because the figures have always been shrouded in secrecy, many Nigerians thought it shouldn’t be high enough to raise eyebrows.

Just recently, the immediate past governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, opened the veil on the amount. He was expressing his displeasure over the refusal of Bello Matawalle, his successor, to pay his outstanding allowance and pension.

In a letter dated October 17, 2019 addressed to the governor, Yari said he is entitled to N10 million monthly as an upkeep allowance, but that he has only been paid twice since he left the office.

Yari’s letter reads, “I wish to humbly draw your attention to the provision of the law on the above subject matter which was amended and assented to on the 23rd of March 2019,” he said.

“The law provides, among other entitlements of the Former Governor, a monthly upkeep allowance of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) only and a pension equivalent to the salary he was receiving while in office.

“Accordingly, you may wish to be informed that since the expiration of my tenure on the 29th of May, 2019. I was only paid the upkeep allowance twice June and July while my pension for the other months has not been paid.

“As the law provides, the pension and upkeep allowance is not in the category of privileges that can be truncated without any justifiable reason, hence, the need to request you to kindly direct the settlement of the total backlog of the pension and upkeep as provided by the law.

Looking beyond the surface of the grievance expressed in Yari’s letter, there’s an urgent need to review the financial responsibilities of states to former governors. In the case of Zamfara, which has had four governors since its establishment in 1996, this figure means that the state pays each of the past Governor's N120 million annually for upkeep. That is aside from their basic salaries, which would be about N2 million.

And for states like Rivers, which was established in 1967, and have 16 former Governor's, that would be billions of naira in obligated payments every year. It is just too much that, after taking complete care of political leaders while in office, we still have to spend huge public funds on them after leaving the office.

Yes, as ex-governors, they deserve a pension, but there’s no justification for the high amounts. Pension is completely different from a salary, in the labor world, and it should be the same way in government too.

We can only hope that our legislators will stand up to this, and stop this obvious misappropriation of public funds. Such funds could be easily channeled to other projects beneficial to the people. It’s a cycle that is unjust to citizens, and we mustn’t allow it to continue.

Following the burial of Mr Corruption March 23rd, 2019 let's pull the oxygen keeping Mr Corruption to be permanently dead for a Better Nigeria.

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The People's Bishop Kenneth Obi, Edo COGIC Prelate and Chairman, Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ), Imo State.

CRJ POLITICS

HATE SPEECH BILL: ANOTHER ATTACK ON NIGERIA'S DEMOCRACY

rush at November 24, 2019 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi

The National Assembly and the Presidency have been working on a bill to criminalize hate speech across the country. This came barely a week after the Senate introduced another bill to regulate social media. One can only wonder if these leaders want to completely erode our freedom.

While people should truly not allow hate-filled conversations fueled by tribal or political sentiments, the Federal Government’s definition of hate speech has always been about ‘opposition or dissent.’ So, this bill means that whatever contradicts or criticizes the government may be considered hate speech.

The bill is backed by those who do not like to hear the inconvenient truth because it breaches Nigerians’ right to freedom of information.

The contemplation of such laws is in itself not just hate speech, but an abuse of the legislative process that will violate Nigerians’ constitutionally guaranteed right to Freedom of Speech.

More interesting is the fact that one of the senators sponsoring the social media bill, Elisha Abbo, was dragged over the internet this year after a video showing him assaulting a woman for no reason was made public online.

It is prudent to build upon the tolerance inherited from those years and not shrink the democratic space to satisfy personal and group interests. We must prioritize our challenges ahead of the whims and caprices of those who do not like to hear the inconvenient truth. Stop this folly and focus on issues that matter to Nigerians.

There are more important issues affecting the population. Police brutality; corruption, wrongful or false arrests; poor laws governing electricity use; vague or weak labour laws, especially in the private sector amongst other challenges affect the average Nigerian more than what is said on social media.

Instead of our legislators to aggressively chase a law that can toss us back into the military era, a better bill to sponsor and discuss would be the one that would protect the rights of the average Nigerian and improve the quality of his life.

Such legislation like the social media bill only make Nigeria a laughing stock in front of the world. We can’t boast to be in a democracy or a place where there is rule of law, with all these anomalies in place. If the National Assembly continues its anti-people legislation at this pace, we may end up as a fascist nation by 2023.

The lawmakers have to put a stop to these actions that only make a joke of our democracy. Nigerians don’t want an authoritarian government, not before, and definitely, not now.

Following the burial of Mr Corruption March 23rd, 2019 by Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ) which is the Best Way to Go fighting injustices and raising Anti Corruption Crusaders, pulling out the oxygen keeping Mr Corruption permanently dead for a Better Nigeria by enacting a bill that will make Corruption to carry death penalty in Nigeria and not a hate speech.

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The People's Bishop Kenneth Obi, Edo COGIC Prelate. Advocate of Humanity and Social Justice.

The People's Bishop Kenneth Obi, Edo COGIC Prelate and Chairman, Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ) Imo State._

Crime CRJ

CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS: ALL LAWMAKERS OWN NIGERIANS DETAILED EXPLANATIONS.

rush at November 24, 2019 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi

Earlier in August, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) beamed a searchlight on some members of the National Assembly over the utilisation of funds for constituency projects. Senators Godswill Akpabio and Isa Misau were at the centre of that petition.

While that was an excellent move, mismanagement of public funds needs to be taken more seriously than this. If we decide to wait for petitions before we checkmate the excesses of many lawmakers, such funds will continue ending up in their pocket.

Corroborating this, the Executive Director of Divine Era Development & Social Rights Initiative (DEDASRI), Oge Enwelum, said civil society organisations (CSOs) are all calling for the establishment of such panel.

She narrated how, during a recent community constituency project tracking conducted by the ICPC in partnership the CSOs, what they could count as constituency projects did not justify the huge expenditure.

She said: “During the field visits, we discovered a lot of abandoned projects across the state and also in other states where the ICPC works. So, we designed this particular programm to bring onboard communities to participate in taking ownership and monitoring constituency projects in their area. We discovered during the visits that the people didn’t have the idea of what constituency projects are all about.

“Once a project comes to their communities, they take it that it is a favour from the representatives; they don’t know that the projects are Federal Government money and they feel they don’t have any stake about that particular project.”

According to Enwelum, they were shocked by a discovery in one of the senatorial zones of Enugu State, where the senator allegedly locked up materials meant for constituency projects in his compound for almost a year, stressing that the intervention saw to their distribution.

She also lamented that, in siting constituency projects, community needs were not taken into account, adding that the engagement would enable communities to demand accountability from their representatives as well as tackle those social norms that promote corruption.

There’s only enough that the community can do. They can’t know when funds for constituency projects were disbursed, except when the lawmakers tell them. So, watchdogs like the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have significant roles to play in ensuring that these funds are put to good use.

They should set up a joint panel to track the funds from the point of disbursement to execution. It should date back to previous National Assemblies, and ensure that each lawmaker explains how the funds were utilized. And when they couldn’t, they should all cough out the funds.

Following the burial of Mr Corruption March 23rd, 2019 Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ) is calling for the masses of Nigeria to wake up from Slumbering and demand accountability from there constituencies leadership to end suffering and smiling in Nigeria.

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_The People's Bishop Kenneth Obi, Edo COGIC Prelate and Chairman, Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ) Imo State.

Crime CRJ POLITICS

WILL THE BBC REPORT ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT BRING ABOUT ANY CHANGES IN OUR UNIVERSITIES?

rush at October 19, 2019 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi

The African division of the BBC has released its special report on lecturers who demand sex from their students in exchange for marks, causing an uproar on social media and the internet in general.

Although the report was supposed to be on universities in West Africa- it is not clear if there is more, even though it appears that there were more than two lecturers implicated in this report– only two universities featured in the investigation: the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Ghana.

Of course, some mischievous elements would soon rise up to say that the number is too small to establish the prevalence of this menace in tertiary institutions in these countries. Thankfully, we have the OAU, ABU Zaria and FUOYE cases to fling their lies back to their faces very quickly.

As reiterated over and over again, this is not the first time allegations of sexual abuse of students by lecturers would come up. It has been an issue for years, and after the OAU sex-scandal case, we have had more people speak up against this practice.

So, it is interesting that we are still hearing of new cases. Even more interesting is the fact that to date, Nigeria’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has not released any official statement about this crime, neither has it publicly announced guidelines to checking and punishing this menace.

The universities, and by extension, lecturers, are just as complicit as their overall governing body. With all the complaints made, no public Nigerian tertiary institution has made efforts to protect its female students by creating a special office for this purpose and campaigns to enlighten the vulnerable.

Sexual harassment by lecturers is not discussed publicly, as though it were a taboo none of them had dared to break yet. Instead, we keep hearing about cultism as though it were the only crime on campuses.

The BBC report on this menace is laudable, and it is further proof that our schools need to take more proactive actions to end it. But sadly, it will not happen now or any time soon.

Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor will definitely be slashed by the sword of Damocles that calmly rested above their heads in the offices they occupied and which they refused to see and acknowledge. But will there be any efforts to ensure that a Dr. Boniface or Dr. Paul does not rise up again in our tertiary institutions? It seems highly unlikely.

In the end, the real change will come from us- people on the outside who were victims once or knew others who were victims. People who had to deal with the helplessness of being powerless in the face of what seemed at the time as absolute authority.

That is the only way we can get the change we want in our tertiary institutions because relying on our lecturers to effect these changes is like waiting for the emergence of the blue moon.

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*CRJ is the best way to go fighting Corruption and Injustice in an immoral World.*

_The People's Bishop Kenneth Obi, Edo COGIC Prelate and Chairman, Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ), Imo State._

Crime CRJ

HOW TO END XENOPHOBIA

rush at October 06, 2019 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi

There have been growing tension in Nigeria and other African countries in recent times concerning the xenophobic rascality in South Africa. It isn’t new that natives in South Africa have been killing foreigners that settled in South Africa. Most of the victims of the xenophobic brutality are Nigerians.

For that, there have reactions from nations whose citizens were killed. In Ghana, there was a report of killings of over 20 South Africans in response to the xenophobia.

Similar instance was recorded in Zimbabwe where many South Africans were killed, a showcase of grievance against the xenophobic attack. Nigeria, being the most affected area is not an exception.

Businesses owned by South Africans were attacked. In Ibadan, Oyo state, we heard the tragic story of some young Nigerians who set MTN Nigeria’s office ablaze. In Kano, we had the reports of the closure of Shoprite, in Owerri, Akure and Lagos there was the closure of Standbic IBTC and Standard Chartered banks.

Thus, Nigeria’s reaction to xenophobic rascality must not negate South Africa’s economic platform or any of its political gains. Destruction of MTN or DSTV offices and other business enterprises of SA in Nigeria is wrong. It could preferably be by way of our government capacity to engage the SA government. Understanding is what we are lacking and what we need, therefore, we have to work for it.

We must continue to uphold our core values in line with the stand of the National Orientation Agency. We must have to demonstrate maturity and greatness in the showcase of our grievances.

We must respect intervention of other communities who have been our business friends and indeed, economic promoters that stand to beg us over the misgivings of the SA. We must accept SA’s apology to attest to the world of our stand as leaders of Africa in symbolism and actualities of our actions.

Brutal reactions to South Africa must be reserved while other workable strategies are adopted for effectiveness, expanding partnership, respect, cohesion and greater good be among our localities.

We should continue to draw lessons from the previous instances, even as we remain committed to working out best modalities to address the lingering issue. We must remain a united Nigeria.

We must be obliged to pursuing healthy continental unity and peace.

We must resist any attempt to disgrace Nigeria and Nigerians anywhere on earth and most importantly demonstrate our likeness of collective living. Nigeria is the home of all Africans, we are the big mother and thereby should be moved by the desire to integrate and promote territorial harmony.

Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice is the Best way to Go Raising Anti Corruption crusaders for a Better society following the burial of Mr Corruption in Nigeria March 23rd, 2019 to ending Suffering and Smiling.

The People's Bishop Kenneth Obi Edo COGIC Prelate.

Advocate of Humanity and Social Justice, CRJ Chairman Imo State.

Crime CRJ

Nigerian Senators budget Billions for Cars while Masses die of Hungry

rush at October 03, 2019 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi

“I was a permanent secretary. I know what ministers get; we cannot even compare ourselves to ministers because we are higher than the minister(s). For you to say that a senator of the Federal Republic cannot drive a jeep today – come on, that is an insult.

Go and tell the people that the work that we do is more than the work of ministers. The weight that is on me today; there is no minister of the Federal Republic that has it.” –Yahaya Abdullahi (Senate leader).

Until the Nigerian senators know the reason we sent them to the National Assembly, they will not shed their corrupt skin and they will never change their ways. In case, the senators have forgotten, primarily, they were elected to make laws for good and smooth running of the government; and not to feed fat, collect jumbo pay, buy exotic cars and live in ostentatious vanity.

In August, news abounded that the Senate intended to spend ₦5.5 billion to purchase Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for its 109 members. This was immediately met with public criticism. However, weeks after the outcry, the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi has come out to describe it as an insult.

There is no point repeating what he allegedly said in this paragraph as I have already quoted him in the first paragraph. I enjoin you to read what he allegedly said with a critical eye, so that you can understand the mentality of our supposed leaders.

There is nowhere in the Nigerian constitution where it is written that the people do not have the right to hold their leaders accountable. Neither have I seen or read it anywhere that it is disrespectful to call the Senate to order when its action is anti-people. So why did the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, tag the outcry of Nigerians as an insult?

What a sheer arrogance. Wait a minute! What has the Senate turned to for goodness’ sake? Is it a business organization where people go and make money or retirement home for failed ex-govornors who want to be treated as lords? Or have the senators become Hitlers and Stalins overnight, that they think they are not answerable to the people that elected them?

No! Yahaya’s statement is completely out of place. Nigerians have the right to call their leaders to order regardless of the office they occupy. And it is not an insult if they cry out against the insensitive move of the Senate to spend ₦5.5 billion on Vehicles, when there is hunger in the land, when people are wallowing in abject poverty and when the government has not started paying the new minimum wage it agreed to pay many months ago.

Nigerians are not beast of burden that must bear the yoke of the senators, neither are they slaves that they should keep quiet in the face of oppression. They have a right to say no to any anti-people step taken by the Senate.

If any senator thinks he deserves a Jeep because he works more than ministers as contained in the words of the Senate Leader, then let him quit and do something else with his or her life.

The National Assembly is not a bank for senators to go and withdraw money, neither is it Bahamas Island where they can go to have fun. It is a place to diligently serve the people that elected them.

Read Independence Worse Speech

Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice CRJ is the Best way to go raising anti corruption crusaders for a Better Nigeria, with the recent burial of Mr Corruption March 23rd, 2019 citizens of Nigeria are challenge to hold their elected or appointed leaders accountable for bad governance.

It's a right of people to demand accountability and not be Docile!

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Crime CRJ

MR PRESIDENT, THIS IS THE INDEPENDENT NIGERIA WE WANT

rush at October 02, 2019 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi

Even though President Buhari has failed to address the nation at the times when we all expected him to, it would have been very strange if he did not make an address today. No one expected anything significant, but then again, no one expected him to address certain issues.

In the last one week, we have watched with jaded fascination the DSS and by extension, the Federal Government, ignore the rulings of the court and refuse to set Yele Sowore free. As questions began to roll out and demands started to arise from camps seemingly loyal to the presidency, we were greeted with the news that no one charged with treason should be released on bail.

It is moot at this point to ask why Sowore is being charged with treason on the sole basis of his words alone, which in themselves seem to contradict each other. Recall that the calls for his August 1st Revolution Now protest was just that- a protest to demand a change in the way the country is being run, even if it meant asking the president to step down.

Read Kidnappers story in Nigeria

Besides, no right-thinking person would ever imagine that someone attempting to overthrow a government would warn it beforehand, and would do so as publicly as Sowore did.

Disobeying the orders of a judge who should know the tenets of the law completely, and insisting on your own judgment and interpretation of the law is how dictators are born. Yet, the DSS not only insists on doing this, but it also doing it with extreme confidence, seeing as it completely ignored the Federal High Court in Abuja that threatened its boss with prison time for contempt of court.

And part of the President’s address today seems to explain the origin of this surreal confidence. In his independence day speech, President Buhari said among other things:

“Our attention is increasingly being focused on cyber-crimes and the abuse of technology through hate speech and other divisive material being propagated on social media. Whilst we uphold the Constitutional rights of our people to freedom of expression and association, where the purported exercise of these rights infringes on the rights of other citizens or threatens to undermine our National Security, we will take firm and decisive action.”

Of course, he is right. The territorial integrity of our sovereign nation must be protected at all times. But if we are judging this statement vis à vis those who have been arrested and are in arbitrary detention now, the inherent paradox immediately becomes apparent. If anything, it is a crackdown on freedom of speech and locking up citizens on trumped-up charges that infringe on their rights and threatens our collective security.

Today reminds us of the moment the British transferred power and authority into our hands. The Nigerians who demanded independence and got it 59 years ago must surely not have envisaged the country in its present state.

They must have wanted a land that was truly free; a land where every Nigerian will have a say in the way the country will be run, and one that would be beneficial to every single citizen without infringing on their rights and freedom.

This is the Nigeria that we want, and no matter how much the rich and powerful try to hold this back from us, it will be the Nigeria that we will get. Eventually.

Let the owners of Nigeria and their cronies celebrate the Day they have murdered in their quest to amass wealth and additional power to steal. May God save Nigerians! Notice that I do not say Nigeria! And that's my solution if only you are ready to GETTING STARTED.

Mr Corruption was buried March 23rd, 2019 for a Better Nigeria let keep him permanently Dead.

CRJ Leaders

The Change Nigerians Need Now!

rush at May 02, 2019 0

By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi.

Honesty, Faithfulness, and Loyalty is required in the little things one do. I believe we can tackle our problems in Nigeria if only we change our attitudes.

Changing our attitudes for a positive change is the gateway towards development. It is clear that there is a need for a change in all areas, especially in Leadership and corruption mentality.

Others like me, have also argued that instead of the restructuring that is being advocated, perhaps what we require is a change in our attitude. Indeed, Nigeria's problem is about Leadership and Attitudinal Change. Many would put the blame off on corruption, but our leaders believe it’s beyond that.

Others are too asleep to dream dreams. They prefer to ride on other’s wings rather than sprout out theirs. They are complacent enough to accept whatever crumbs are thrown at them. Attitude is the crusts of their problem. With the huge responsibility piled on them by their dependents....

Attitudinal Change simply means a change in behavioral pattern, often times to something better. Your attitude is everything. To create a change of perception, it is important to create persuasive messages that would linger and change the interaction of people’s mind.

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A typical Nigerian is not bothered about the Nigerian factors attached to a number of things. Lateness to an event is considered normal. The elder’s wealth of experience is ignored because of a break in transmission claimed to be caused by generational gaps. Negative Attitudes have been a reason for the kick start of a campaign like War Against Indiscipline, Do the Right Thing: Transform Nigeria, Change Begins with me among others.

Leaders of Tomorrow are comfortable with the confinement of their dreams. The hindrances around act like thorns to the flesh, dreams are beautiful so far as it’s not too big or too tall. Since there is a continuum that predicts our government officials are only enjoining us with big dreams but no solution, it is by far preferable to look inwards at our spirit and rise to the advanced development of our nations.

Many are dream catchers who believe the grass is greener on the other side and therefore at any given opportunity are ready to switch. Hence they abandon their homeland and possibly the development strategy they could have contributed to the nation. No wonder, make rich schemes are on the rise daily, and the queue for visas is rapidly increasing.

Others are too asleep to dream dreams. They prefer to ride on other’s wings rather than sprout out theirs. They are complacent enough to accept whatever crumbs are thrown at them. Attitude is the crusts of their problem. With the huge responsibility piled on them by their dependents, it’s a wonder how they smell the roses. If you don’t fight for your today, your tomorrow would question you.

You will like How broadcasters are marring inside News-Room

In all, attitudinal change starts with a speck of dust that develops into a desert of hopes. Slowly take steps to change your thoughts process, your mind, and even your actions. Change that attitude you currently own to something better.

*Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ)*.

It's the best way to go Raising Anti Corruption Crusaders for a better Nigeria.

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CRJ POLITICS

With One Voice, Yes We Can!

rush at April 04, 2019 0

With the just concluded, This Is For US" Liberation Rally! March 23rd, 2019 in Imo State, Owerri at The Center for Civil and Human Rights and In the course of my advocacy for Righteousness and Justice in Nigeria, I have been asked repeatedly if Nigeria will ever get better. And each time the question is thrown at me, my Answer is “YES Nigeria will get better." But for this to happen, we her citizens must unite and speak with ONE voice.

The voice of the people said the ancient, is the voice of God. That voice, when sung on a chord of a common brotherhood, is majestic and powerful to the pulling asunder of the voices that divide. That voice can liberate when its depth of conviction is only marched by its alliance with justice. Like a heavy brass of cymbals, it will vibrate across the length and breadth of a nation, cut across tongues and tribes, to help inspire the heart of a people for the glorious pursuit of justice, brotherhood and freedom.

Stories of old in ecstatic perfection rolls down the lips of ancient talebearers, inscribed by the gliding pen of the scribe, extended by the length of history to the hearing of modern men. When mortals would become immortals, so we learned, they became so, only after they unraveled the mystery and grasped with total comprehension, the secrets and mystics of oneness, by which they charged and roared their voice like a rattling thunder storm, and gathered strength where there was none, until their land was fully reclaimed.

So they learned in their days that until voices are tied together in the singleness of purpose and hearts are ignited by the beckoning of a common vision, there would be no fire, no heat, no gut to power the pursuit of justice and freedom. Alas! Curious students of the ancient ways have so known that there can be no power when voices sound apart, but nothing can stand in its way, when it sounds to its fullest in unison. So concluded they, that the power of the voice of the people is in its unity.

Too bad for the people. The oppressor has also learnt this secret. Thus, he sows seeds of hate and suspicion and waters it until it blossoms into tribal and religious sentiments which powers the engine of division. He keeps this engine well oiled to ensure that the people do not come to terms over him. He knows that division decimate the power of their voice and that when their backs are turned against one another, their voice is lost completely. Without their voice, there’s no constraint to the gratification of his wanton greed, lawless conduct and his unjust arrogation of extra judicial power and privileges to himself. He thus goes on a heartless spree, flying the flag of corruption and injustice, trampling on the legitimate rights and entitlement of the people.

While this last, the people groans under the despotic rule of the oppressor, toiling for little and less regarded than humans. Hope soon fades into despair. Life hardens and becomes a tasking task – reduced to a trivial race for survival. Like a long marathon, chained in enduring cycles of years, the baton of oppression through corruption and injustice, changes hands, sustaining the misery of the people. Dreams becomes too expensive to be affordable.

This is the case in Nigeria. We must agree that no multi-tribal, multi-religious and multicultural society like Nigeria ever achieved a successful political transformation without first achieving success in mindset transformation.

It is attitudinal transformation that must be in place first before the Muslims and the Christians can be united enough to resist the ruling elite and successfully put in place a new social order that will guarantee prosperity for all. The ruling elite – it should be known – are not in power without popular support otherwise they will easily fall. It is the popular support they got from a select among the suffering masses plus their friends and allies that keep them in power.

If Nigerian masses can put aside their religious and ethnic identities and acknowledge that they have a common enemy that must be defeated, then One Voice is all they require to secure victory against the forces of oppression. When the united voice roars, and blares at full strength, not the cunning deceit of the oppressor, nor his instruments of division, can withstand the forcefulness of the voice of truth. Like a whirlwind at full speed, it will sweep the land clean of all traces of corruption and injustice, and bequeath a tranquil calm in its wake for the refreshing of the beleaguered soul. Then shall the rising rays of a new dawn gladden the heart of the people, cause their hope to blossom afresh like the lilies by the mountain side, and inspire their dream to a beautiful reality.

Nigerians, When Shall We Get It Right?

rush at March 16, 2019 0

Nigerians were gifted with a wonderful chance at BREAKING free from the shackles of poverty and the strangle-hold of the rogue political class that have held sway for years through the recently concluded general elections.

Unfortunately, the same set of visionless and ill-intentioned politicians have picked up their Certificates of Return as Senators and Members of the House of Representatives to spend another 4 years lording it over the people who they “bribed” to vote for them. Infact, many of the electorate voted for these people without knowing who they were or even knowing their manifestos and plans – all in the maddening fight between APC and PDP at the expense of the common man. Another 4 years of slavery and impoverishment in exchange for some small amounts of money and food, facilitated by many of us acting as middle-men in these illicit transactions.

In the old slave trade, our leaders took mirrors, gun powder, snuff and money to sell us cheap. In this modern slavery in Nigeria, the people actually sell themselves, collect the money and gifts and remain impoverished and indebted to the rogue political class. This process will no doubt lead to bad governance and further bondage for our people.

Yes We can with one boys

Most disappointing are the educated and exposed Nigerians who we believe should know better – many of them not collecting or facilitating this evil of voter inducement but passively participating in it by actually going out to vote for political parties who are neck- deep in this mess and trying to justify their choices even when there were many alternatives available to them – feeding on the frenzy, fear and hype perpetuated by the evil politicians and their parties.

We will have to postpone freedom in Nigeria until that day that Nigerians will reject politicians and political parties who offer nothing more than cheap inducements.

For me and those who share a vision for the Nigerian renaissance we will spend every day organizing, mobilizing and working through our organisation- Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ), towards Freedom for the people of Nigeria.

Please join us this 22nd for the wake keeping of Mr. Corruption, Mr Suffering and Mrs Smiling & 23rd March for their burials which will liberate Nigeria and Nigerians.

This Is For US" LIBERATION RALLY is to inform our political leaders that Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ) is going to be a pressure group against Bad governance in Nigeria.

Concerned Christians Alert Group (CCAG), Nigeria Rise Initiative (NRI) in conjunction with Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ) is the Best Way to Go, Raising Anti Corruption Crusaders, Fighting Injustices in a Violence and Immoral Society.

For further enquiries contact us @ Plot R75 New Market Layout (behind Shoprite Mall) Owerri, Imo State, or call:

08038276188, 08033376734, 08038754069, 08033703545, 08182486692 & 07034463316. USA contacts: 7708759085, 6785496566, 6785767526 & 2149005848.

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*The People's Bishop Kenneth Obi, Advocate of Humanity and Social Justice. Chairman, CRJ, IMO STATE*

Crime CRJ Election POLITICS

Takeaways From The 2019 Elections!

rush at March 13, 2019 0

The much awaited 2019 elections in Nigeria have been held and are now history, although the fate of some candidates still lies in the hands of the judiciary. The tense atmosphere in the media especially on social media platforms is gradually clearing and citizens are settling into their new reality.

Lives have been lost, hate speeches have been made against people, religious and ethnic groups, friends have become sworn enemies, and enemies become friends. In all, we remain, “One Nigeria”.

I have learnt that the beautiful ones who will bring about the much-anticipated revolution are yet to be born and that the “youth might never get a chance to lead because our political arena is not for the young at heart neither is it for the weak,” and our fathers might never give us the chance.

I have also learnt that we play jungle politics in Nigeria where our role models and mentor politicians transform into thugs and crush anyone that tries to stand on their way leading to scenarios where bloodshed is likened to water spillage.

Read How to get Nigerian right

I have learnt that an average Nigerian will do just about anything to be in control of power and will never concede to defeat. I have learnt that a large percentage of Nigerians are mentally poor and no amount of economic empowerment will help them because they have chosen to be economically short-sighted.

They have refused to look beyond the surface of the devastating economic crises in Nigeria and hence will remain pawns in the hands of our greedy politicians who have generously capitalized on hunger and poverty to manipulate citizens.

I have learnt that the reason why insurgency, terrorism, and herdsmen attacks will not end is that there is a misplacement of priorities in the military as they are more involved in civil issues relegating and undermining the effectiveness and duties of the Nigerian Police Force and the Civil Defense Corp.

Also, government policies which are supposed to be put in place to find a lasting end to the mayhem are used for the political advantage of a few to manipulate helpless citizens who are the victims. I have learnt that most Nigerians prefer to participate in social media politics rather than going to the polls to cast their votes, and the rest disenfranchise themselves for religious reasons hoping for divine intervention.

I have learnt that electoral malpractices may never be history if we don’t adapt to modern technology and allow the Independent National Electoral Commission to be truly independent. I have learnt that our youth will keep giving themselves up to politicians to be used as political thugs and that the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) doesn’t prioritize the welfare of Corp members after the three weeks orientation camp especially as it concerns health insurance.

I have learnt that the ethnic rivalry between the Igbos and the Yorubas may never end and our bloodthirsty politicians will always capitalize on it to create ethnic tension. I have learnt that Nigeria is yet to recover from the social and psychological detachment caused by the civil war and that most religious conflicts are instigated by our politicians and will not stop till we stand up against them.

I have learnt that grassroots politics is a once in four years game in Nigeria which is only done during campaigns at selected areas because it’s only once in four years that farmers, traders come in contact with our politicians. Above all, I have learnt that politics is not for anyone who has skeletons in his or her cupboard and that Nigeria is still a baby in democracy, but that with time and patience we will get there.

Concerned Christians Alert Group (CCAG), Nigeria Rise Initiative (NRI) in conjunction with Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ) is the Best Way to Go, Raising Anti Corruption Crusaders, Fighting Injustices in a Violence and Immoral Society.

Crime CRJ POLITICS

Let There Be Justice In Nigeria!

rush at March 07, 2019 0

By The People's Bishop Kenneth Obi.

Justice is the oxygen of every nation. No nation functions well or develops at the expense of justice. It was a former slave, Frederick Douglass, in trying to emphasize the importance of justice in a society who said “where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”

Frederick Douglass might have said that over 100 years ago to an American audience but his words remain eternally valid and universally applicable to all nations. Which is why, successful nations have made justice the foundation of their government. However, the reverse is the case in most Third World Countries, particularly Nigeria.

The Nigerian justice system is myopic in scope. It is tailored in such a way to protect and project the interest of the elite. There have been instances whereby the same law that was justly applied to convict common criminals was unjustly interpreted to acquit some member of the elite class. Making it seem as if those exempted from the law were above the law. Again, there were also instances where opportunities were not fairly distributed amongst the tribes that make up Nigeria. Thus, appearing as if the most favoured tribe was superior to others.

Against this background, we make bold to say, “Unless there is justice for everyone, the country cannot progress.”

The absence of equity, fairness, and justice for all over the years, are partly why Nigeria has remained an abandoned project. Without sounding too pessimistic, Nigeria will not progress if injustice is not addressed. Not only in matters related to the poor winning court cases or the rich punished accordingly when they err (they are part of it) but also the equitable redistribution of resources to all the poverty-stricken excluded Nigerians.

Furthermore, for Nigeria to progress, the practice of justice must include giving equal opportunities to all, regardless of their tribes, and reintegrating those who have been institutionally barred from climbing the highest political ladder. For example, since the Nigerian civil war ended in 1970, the Igbo, one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria have not produced an executive president. If Nigeria is truly serious about giving justice to all, a framework can be put in place to break this institutionalized political limitation in 2023.

You will like Nigerian degrading to a failed State

More so, the Niger Delta region aged long issue of economic marginalization must be justly addressed. If not, the militant in the region will continue to hinder the economic progress of Nigeria through the destruction of oil facilities and outright terrorism until all foreign investors are scared away.

Additionally, as regards employment into the civil service, parastatals, and getting government appointments, justice must prevail through a merit system. It must not be a situation where a particular group or tribe is given an edge over others whether or not they are qualified.

Justice is the lifeblood of governance in any society. When it is missing as it is currently missing in Nigeria, there will never be progress. Instead, constant agitations from splinter groups like MEND, IPOB and Avengers, which are capable of scuttling progress will be the order of the day.

*Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ)* *Imo State.*

Join us (CRJ) this 22nd; 6pm & 23rd; 9 am March for the Wake, Viewing and Funeral of Mr and Mrs Suffering and Smiling with their burials liberating Nigeria and Nigerians @ Center for Civil and Human Rights
Office: Plot R75 New Market Layout (behind Shoprite Mall) Owerri, Imo State, or call:

08038276188, 08033376734, 08038754069, 08033703545, 08182486692 & 07034463316. USA contacts: 7708759085, 6785496566, 6785767526 & 2149005848.

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CRJ Election POLITICS

Election Postponement: INEC'S Avoidable Disaster!

rush at February 17, 2019 0

Following the initial assurance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that elections would go on as planned, in a new twist, the electoral body has suddenly made a U-turn, citing logistics and operational plans as reasons for the election postponement, which will now hold on the 23rd of February, 2019.

Of course, the news did not meet Nigerians well because they had prepared their minds towards the presidential election. However, INEC has a notorious record of postponing elections based on what it did in the 2011 National Assembly elections and 2015 elections. Whereas, Jega the former Chairperson of INEC gave a full week notification prior to the postponement. Unlike the current leader who despite his assurance decided to act contrary to the chagrin of the electorate.

On a personal note, I fault INEC for postponing the elections regardless of the excuses it gave. The electoral umpire by law is only mandated to conduct a free and fair election without any other responsibility that will distract it from its primary assignment. Meaning that INEC had four good years to prepare for the elections in order to make sure that issues of logistics and operational plans do not arise.

You will like Nigeria Election disaster

After all, INEC does nothing else after every election. If then it cannot conduct another election as at when due, what does INEC now do with its time? Four years is too much to prepare for the next elections. Does that mean the government is funding INEC’s idleness with taxpayers’ money unknowingly or what? If this is the case, by every standard, It is very wrong. In fact, It is a shame that must be quickly rectified.

Meanwhile, there is nothing wrong for INEC to postpone elections if it has genuine reasons. At least in 2015 before the elections were postponed, the then INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega gave reasons related to the improvement of security in the Northeast (then heavily besieged by Boko Haram) so that the people in that region could exercise their franchise and it was not an impromptu notification.

Unlike the INEC under the leadership of Mahmood Yakubu that would postpone elections at the wee hours without considering the electorate who have travelled from far and wide to cast their votes. In a saner clime, if this had happened, the chairman would have resigned naturally without any external pressure, especially when if he knew that he had dashed the hope of 80 million people who were ready to vote.

Unfortunately, Mahmood Yakubu will not resign. He will still go ahead unapologetically to supervise the elections. INEC at this moment is a disaster. Its credibility is seriously on trial most especially when it initially gave the electorate a false assurance that the elections would go on as planned not knowing that it had the intention to do something contrary.

Read Nigeria a failed State

I will advise the INEC chairman to resign and hand over to someone else without partisan record because currently, some voters and the opposition party have been led astray to think that, the ruling party planned the postponement in order to increase its chances of winning the elections. Even if this is false since INEC is an independent body, completely liable to its own actions, Mahmood’s continuous stay as INEC chairman will authenticate the rumour that he is working for APC.

INEC must undergo a reform once the elections are over in order to avoid a repetition of this in the next elections. It just does not make any sense that an electoral body will not be ready on the day of election when it has four years of preparation.

Between, the reform must capture a new process that will make it easy for the electorate to register with ease and vote anywhere they find themselves provided they have their permanent voters’ card. And not the presently rigid arrangement that demands one goes to his polling booth of registration or risk being disenfranchised.

Concerned Christians Alert Group (CCAG), Nigeria Rise Initiative (NRI) in conjunction with Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice Anti Corruption Crusaders is the Best Way to Go Fighting Injustices in a Violence and Immoral Society.

For further enquiries contact us @ Plot R75 New Market Layout (behind Shoprite Mall) Owerri, Imo State, or call:

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*The People's Bishop, Kenneth Obi, Chairman, CRJ, IMO STATE*

CRJ POLITICS

After reading this You will Stand Up For Freedom!

rush at February 10, 2019 0

Nigerians suffer in silence, and we are proud. May be we are ‘prouder’ in folding our hands and watching things slip by. We are proud because behind our ‘sincere’ smiles are broken pieces of our lives. In fact, bottling up is one right we know how best to exercise. We have inherited this right from people who had and have continued to exercise it. They say Nigerians are the happiest; we nod in accord. At least they recognize one thing Nigerians are good at. So we are happy that they said we suffer and smile? So we are happy they call us cowards? But then, they take pride too in exploiting this cowardly attribute they found in us.

We have continued to rot away behind this cowardly mask of suffering and smiling. Who are we deceiving? The people who fan our wounded egos; wounds inflicted by them? The people who are scared that on realizing our capabilities and uniting would pose a gargantuan threat to them? This attribute has eaten its way deep into us. We can’t even tell ourselves the truth. We have holistically concluded that long life is for those with this attribute of bottling up. In fact, ‘standing up’ has become a synonym for ‘untimely death’. We would rather join them in that business of ‘suffering and smiling’ than stand up.

But have you ever seen a Nigerian being challenged by another Nigerian below his equal? Have you watched the drama unfold as they truly deal with this very Nigerian below their ‘standard’? We use our best tools against ourselves. We constantly depress and burke our unity.

Another wonderful must read article Stand with one voice

Nigeria is weighed down by people who stay back and suffer and smile. By people who are scared to their souls of untimely death that standing up ‘may’ cause. People who hide it in the pit of their hearts the truth that would set Nigeria on a solid pedestal. People who are too weak to demand what truly is theirs, but feebly raise their ailing hands to beg for it. They would rather stay in the ‘comfort’ of the embrace of suffering and smiling. They are only heroes to people of their kind; the suffering and smiling ones.

Again, Nigeria has brave minds who are willing to stand up and fight but are weighed down by the suffering and smiling ones. They are weighed down because there are not a lot who would join them and stay the course. Some will stay through for only half of the journey or team up with the oppressors and beat the crap out of anyone who dares to say what we’re all thinking- that we’re poor, naked, hungry and hopeless but deserve better.

When evil becomes normal, good has no space to thrive; ‘weakness’ becomes the ‘strength’ people survive by, ‘foolishness’ becomes the ‘wisdom’ people thread through life with. Then we have bunch of people living unfulfilled, vile and colorless lives. This attribute sips its way into all our activities and saps our strength to truly be fulfilled by them.

So if you are wondering how things became so bad in Nigeria; how we do not even grasp a handful of what going on in the political sphere of the country, how questionable characters and activities go on unquestioned, read this from the beginning again.

Concerned Christians Alert Group (CCAG), Nigeria Rise Initiative (NRI) in conjunction with Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice Anti Corruption Crusaders is the Best Way to Go Fighting Injustices in a Violence and Immoral Society.

For further enquiries contact us @ Plot R75 New Market Layout (behind Shoprite Mall) Owerri, Imo State, or call:

08038276188, 08033376734, 08038754069, 08033703545, 08182486692 & 07034463316. USA contacts: 7708759085, 6785496566, 6785767526 & 2149005848.

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*The People's Bishop, Kenneth Obi, Chairman, CRJ, IMO STATE*

CRJ News

Save Nigeria!

rush at January 30, 2019 0

*This is an urgent message to all Nigerians and those in the Diaspora.*

We have all seen what life and people-focused development is in the Diaspora. I know your hearts must be bleeding now for your Country just like mine does everyday. Shall We keep watching while our people suffer daily from one oppressive and uncaring regime to another? The answer is No!

Shall we keep watching them loot our Nation dry? The answer is No!

Shall we keep Watching them destroy the Future of our Youth and the Nation's manpower while they keep their families abroad? The answer is No!

Please, let us come together, unite and save Nigeria. We have no other Nation we can truly call our own. Majority of us are sojourners where we are. Many of us will eventually return home. What type of home and nation do we want to return to?

You will Like This from 1knews editor Nigerian Arise

Let's join forces with Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ) to fight against corruption and injustice in Nigeria and change the plight of our nation and People forever.

For those in the diaspora, send your representatives for a Mega rally against bad governance in Nigeria. This " *FOR US RALLY* " is billed to hold on Saturday, March 9th, 2019, in Owerri, Imo State.

For further enquiries contact us @ Plot R75 New Market Layout (behind Shoprite Mall) Owerri, Imo State, or call: 08038276188, 08033376734, 08038754069 & 07034463316. USA contacts: 7708759085, 6785496566, 6785767526 & 2149005848.

*The People's Bishop, Kenneth Obi, Chairman, CRJ, IMO STATE*( *Convener* )

CRJ Election POLITICS

Nigerians Arise! By The People's Bishop Kenneth Obi

rush at January 29, 2019 0

Fellow Nigerians, with every sense of sincerity and the urgency of today and for posterity sake i call on everyday, real hard working and peace loving citizens of this nation to rise and fight for the freedom of this nation. The time has come and there's no better time than now because we have been pushed to the wall. We have taken enough from the so called rulers or leaders in this country for so long. The truth of the matter is that we are already flat on the ground so why are we afraid of falling again?

What these so called leaders have subjected us to in this country is so unbearable that sometimes I ask myself, what is wrong with us as a people that we should be suffering and smiling in this land of plenty? It is time to say no to their divide and rule tactics because hunger, poverty, suffering and death has no tribe, no religion and no ethnicity but it affects all of us ordinary citizens. For how long shall we allow this selfish, evil, wicked, vision-less opportunists and accidental leaders to continue to put us down like this?

Finland is judge to be one of the happiest people on earth not because they are suffering and smiling like Nigerians, but because they are truly happy with their lives, their leaders have build a better country for them. They don't have any mineral resources but still their leaders build a functional system and vibrant economy for them that makes them the happiest people.

From Kenneth Obi How to speak with one voice

Here we are in Nigeria so much blessed with more than enough to be one of the greatest nation in the face of this earth, but our so called leaders are squandering our common wealth for their own greedy and selfish interest and they keep playing blame games with us. They give us all kinds of excuses, like that the price of oil was down in their own time and up in the previous regime or that everything that is bad in this country is the fault of any regime before them. Since our independence till today, every government that has come in this country will tell us that the problem of this country was due to the corruption and bad leadership of their predecessors, but none of them ever leave it the way they met it not to talk of making it better. Each coming administration is worse than the one before them and we keep going round in cycle and expecting what, magic or miracle? while other African countries who have been looking up to us for leadership have now leave us behind and moved on.

Just look at Ghana of yesterday and how much progress they have made in a short period of time. Obama came into power in America when the economy of America and the world is in a total melt down and instead of playing blame games, he faced the situation head on and began to put up right policies that start restoring American economy back, and within 2 years in power the results of his intelligent, smart policies and hard work began to bear fruit and by the time he left office not long ago American economy is back and is growing. He did not sit there and blame his predecessor for the collapse of their economy, that's the kind of leadership we should be talking about in Nigeria.

In Nigeria what we see is the opposite, even the primary purpose of government which is the protection of life and property have been zero. Imagine a country where the Commander in chief of the armed forces and the so called leader will openly tell his subjects (citizens) that he know the people causing the insecurity in the country and that some of them are in his cabinet and we take it lightly. Then another Commander in chief of the same armed forces told us again that he knows the people sponsoring the killings and all the insecurity but he cannot do anything, that we should resort to prayers for our safety and protection the safety of our properties. At a point they begin to count for us under whose administration the killings were the highest, is that not ironic?

Any society that has no value for human life is doomed and any religion, group of people or leaders that has no value for human life are not worthy to even near the position of leadership not to talk of been in authority. The killings in this country is now beyond human imagination but it is so real and frightening, and the worst of it all, is that our so called leaders prefer apportioning blame and making excuses while innocent souls are being wasted every day. Those who are perpetuating, sponsoring and protecting this evils are doing it for their own selfish and greedy agenda, but unfortunately our people are so poor and venerable that they are always a willing tools in the hands of this evil and wicked leaders to commit all this atrocities and they use religion and ethnicities to blind fold them. The killings and the hardship in this country is affecting every ordinary citizens of this nation regardless of its religious and ethnic back ground while our so called leaders, their children and their cronies are protected, that's why life have no value as long as it's not their own, their families and friends. A country that celebrate mediocre as leaders and praise singing for them is a failed country and needs to be rescued which is what Nigeria needs today.

How on earth in this age and time can we make progress as a nation with the so called leaders empowering their citizens with shoe shining tools, buying of plates for beggars, stomach infrastructure and a whole lot of other stupid empowerment programs and had the audacity to show off and brags about it. Can they empower their own children, family members and cronies with such an amazing empowerment? Our President sometime ago in a foreign land where he was talking to expectant foreign investors said that the youths of this nation are lazy, and the sycophants that surround him and those benefiting from the failed system that we are operating is killing themselves defending him. Just as we are about to get over that, the Custom boss again open his mouth to say that any Nigerian that is hungry under Buhari government is a lazy person. Is this the way a leader and his cabinets or advisers should talk about their citizens or are they really out of touch with the reality on the ground in the country they're leading?

How about the pensioners who have served this country so well in different areas of our national life who lineup in their thousands every day in the sun and rain begging for the payments of their pensions and die out of hunger in the process, or the civil servants and ordinary workers dying every day for not receiving their salary for months, are they lazy too?

The lazy people we are talking about here are the people providing houses for themselves, providing drinking water, providing power through their generating set, buying electric poles, transformers and wires and were forced to sign an undertaken by the electricity company that it is a donation and pay them money before they can come to install it, same lazy people fix roads in their areas and communities, do so many self help projects to better their life and their communities.

As a young man growing up, I contributed to the electrification of my town and my age grade build a health center for my village and hand it over to the government, up till now that am old, am still contributing to the development projects in my town and the city where I live because that's the only way to better our conditions of living since the government is not doing anything for the people. I think because most of this so called leaders are privileged to belong to the born to rule of this nation and their cronies that does not know how it feels to be an ordinary Nigerian, made them to have the guts to call us names and add salt to our injury.

Now tell me, if lazy people of this country can provide these things for themselves, what else do we need these self acclaimed hard working leaders or government for? Can anyone of them come out and tell us what he/she has selflessly contributed to this country if not what they are benefiting from the failed system that feeds them and their families.

God in heaven knows that the most lazy people on this earth is Nigerian leaders and their families and friends who can only survive by the evil and backward system they operate and feed on. That is why this administration will recall and reinstated a man who was sacked for embezzling the pension funds money and so many other corruptions still going on today.

Imagine a world where leaders of other nations are leading their people to technological advancement, conquering planets and braking barriers and looking for a habitable planet to relocate their people if possible, and our so called leaders are here celebrating buying of plates for beggars, giving out shoe shining tools, exporting of just 1 container of yam which the citizens cannot even buy to eat, showing off mango fruit that they don't even know how the tree came about, all in the name of achievements. How dumb could that be.

They buy Okada today for the citizens as an empowerment, all for campaign purposes and ban it tomorrow after the elections are over and turn around to call them lazy people, tell me is that not a shame and disgrace to leadership?

It is only in Nigeria that some people will come out in the public and tell us that it's only one man that can rule this nation of almost 200 million people, that without him nothing will work. The wanted to sell that dummy to us during Obasanjo 3rd term agenda but it failed and Nigeria didn't collapsed, Jonathan came they told us the same thing and we get past Jonathan and Nigeria is still standing and now it is Buhari or no one else.

Can't we as a people grow past this sycophantic sentiment and begin to build a real nation and good institutions that will stand the test of time and help fight corruption and all the social ills of the society. With all the potentials that are abound in this country we are still lagging far behind in every aspect of life most especially in leadership.

In this 21st Century with the enormous potentials we have in this country that we're still talking about a seventy something year old man with health challenges who suppose to be resting and taking care of his health and become an elder statesman, is still coming to contest for a second term. This President lack the capacity and the intellectual capability to lead in the 21st century world, that's why he told a gathering of eminent Judges and Lawyers that the rule of law is not supreme and could be set aside in the interest of national interest and security.

A President who had the audacity to air such view in the presence of members of the judiciary which is a separate arm of government in a democracy does not understand how the system works and is a big disappointment. The Judges and Lawyers present at the event that did not immediately protest that legal sacrilege by staging a walk out is nothing but a shame to our country. Rule of law is the basic foundation upon which democracy rest and rule of law is also the basic foundation upon which every civilized society stand. Rule of law is about fairness, orderliness and impartial administration of justice. Without social justice, equity and good governance all of which are ingredients of rule of law, a state has no legitimacy. One of the most serious challenges our national security and national interest are battling with today stem from the President determination to ceaselessly subject the rule of law to bottomless ridicule by disobeying almost every court order given by different courts of the land and Ecowas in different cases since the inception of this administration. Do the President know that each time he disobey court order, he violet the constitution and abuse the principles of separation of powers regardless of his reasons, the clear message he passes across to Nigerians is that they should resort to self help each time they have any disagreement with either government or fellow citizens.

We have a fundamental problem in this country, the foundation of the country is faulty from the beginning and was based on lies and deceit, and in the process of trying to cover those faults and lies, we continue to commit more.

"The holy book tells us that we shall know the truth and only the truth shall set us free."

Leadership is our main problem or how else can we explain that the north have been in power more than any other region in this country, "but are their people better off?" They denied them good and sound education in the name of religion, so that they will always be a willing tools to cause violence and kill for them, while they send their own children to get the best of education in the western world.

The northern leaders uses religion to brain wash their subjects and teach them how bad the western world and their education and way of life is, but they send their own children to study in the western world and enjoy the civilized way of life, they themselves seek the western world support and backing when they seek for political power and even when in power they will always consult and seek for the blessings of the western leaders, not minding that they are infidels as they want their subjects to believe .

Let us stop being willing tools in their hands which they uses when it serves their purpose, mostly now that decamping from one party to another is the other of the day and elections is fast approaching.

Let them bring out their own children to do those dirty jobs for them and become suicide bombers and thugs The worst thing about this administration is their lack of tolerance for criticism and truth, they go after you with everything at their disposal to intimidate you for telling the truth. Two of such instances are personalities like the current Emir of Kano and FFK who always speak truth to power and how they have shut him up by threatening to remove him from his throne, because of his sincere criticism of the evil system in the country, even from the past government where he served as a CBN governor, to the current administration he has been consistent in speaking his mind on the way forward to our national development, but now they have shuts him up somehow. The reason I mentioned Sanusi as an example is because he is from the northern part of the country and the born to rule class but of different breed, he understands that things has to change in that part of the country for the country to move forward.

How about the intimidation that is going on in the national assemble and judiciary? They are harassing and arresting people who air their views and opinions and they said that it's hate speech but they commit hate in action. Which one is worse, the person who expressed his dissatisfaction on the killing of the citizens and the bad system we are operating or the killers and the government that seems to be protecting them and operating that bad system? You can not beat a child and ask him not to cry.

This country fought a needless civil war for almost all the problems that we are still battling with today and still we don't want to change course. Instead some people are still bragging how they fought in that war to keep the country one and are ready to fight again or die to keep it one, that the unity of Nigeria is nonegotiable but they are not ready to do what will keep the country united.

Keeping a country one at the expense of killing innocent souls and brutalizing the very citizens you want to keep as one, does it worth it, does it make sense? The very reason why we fought that needless civil war is still very much with us today if not worse, and the blood of the innocent souls wasted in that wicked war is still crying for vengeance. Instead of our so called leaders doing atonement for their evil actions by apologizing and leading the country well, they are busy spilling more innocent blood through boko haram, fulani herdesmen, intimidating people and all kinds of killings just to satisfy their greed and sectional interest.

Majority of Nigerians have seen it today that Ojukwu was right in what he was advocating for before the war and that the agreement of Aburi accord was the best thing that could have happened to this country. If all this so called leaders especially those that participated in that genocide have abide by that agreement, Nigeria would have saved themselves from the agony of that evil war and would have been a great country today. Just imagine how many years ago we fought that senseless war and today we're still talking and discussing about the same issues that lead us to that war and some people want us to continue in that same madness.

"As far as am concern Ojukwu have been the greatest and most patriotic Nigerian leader ever, dead or alive".

Now people talk about restructuring and some people doesn't want to hear about it, but almost every right thinking Nigerian knows that the evil system we are operating is not working, so it is high time we force them for the real change because we can not continue doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different results, it's not possible. The day we sit down as a people and tell ourselves the truth and be honest with each other in our discussion, is the day the greatness of this nation will begin to manifest. When those who are part of this atrocities and lies or their representative genuinely accept the mistakes of the past, apologize for their evil deeds and work hard to make things right and allow the younger generation to understand the truth, that's the day Nigeria as a nation will woke up from their slumber and arise from its sleep and begin to march forward to our desired destination in the world.

But let no one make any mistake about it, if we refuse to change course as some people believe that they will continue to hold us hostage forever, it will be a different ball game this time around. This time it will not be Igbos vs Hausas or Yorubas vs Ijaws or one ethnic groups vs the other. It will be true Nigerians and their common enemy who are the so called leaders, their families, friends, cronies and cabals from every part of this country who have caused us this pain and agony. There would be no hiding place for them because God will be on our side, God wants us to make a move and demand for our rights and freedom.

If we can keep our ethnic and religious sentiment aside and know that there is a better life for us and our children, that we are as good as the so called leaders and their families to have a good life like them, then we will have to do the right thing in the coming election. We have to choose young and vibrant credible candidates that will offer us the kind of leadership that this country need at this point in time. A leader who knows what it takes to unite the country as one nation and propose policies that will move it forward and bring out the best in all of us. Let us do away with ethnic and religious bigots that are destabilizing this country claiming that they mean well for the country while it's not true.

We need a leader who on its own see every part of this country as its constituent and understand that the development of every part of the country will make Nigeria great and that it's a task that must be achieved, not a myopic and selfish individual. This country has such people in abundance in every ethnic group in this country but because we have not been able to look beyond our ethnic and religious sentiment, that makes it as if some of these bunch parading themselves is the best that this country could afford.

If Nigerians from every part of this country is competing and excelling in all fields of life outside this country and in most cases doing better than their counterparts from other countries of the world, it means we're blessed and we have the people that can get the job done. We only needs to get it right in 2019 election and change course from what we have been doing over the years that is not working. All those that want us to maintain the status quo are the enemies of this country and should be seen as such. Let all eligible voters in Nigeria get their PVC ready to excise their civic responsibility rights and vote wisely and most importantly protect their votes.

I wish us well as we move closer to the general election.

God bless Nigeria.

Concerned Christians Alert Group (CCAG), Nigeria Rise Initiative (NRI) in conjunction with Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice is the Best Way to Go Fighting Injustices in a Violence and Immoral Society.