POPE FRANCIS PROSTRATED IN PRAYER

Pope Francis prostrated on the floor of an empty St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday (April 10) to pray at a scaled-down “Passion of the Lord” service commemorating Jesus’ last hours of life and his crucifixion.

The service is one of the rare times when the pope does not deliver a homily, leaving it to Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher of the papal household.

“The pandemic of Coronavirus has abruptly roused us from the greatest danger individuals and humanity have always been susceptible to: the delusion of omnipotence,” Cantalamessa said.

“It took merely the smallest and most formless element of nature, a virus, to remind us that we are mortal, that military power and technology are not sufficient to save us,” he said.

The service is usually attended by cardinals, bishops and some 10,000 faithful.

But it was scaled back because of the coronavirus restrictions and attended by only about two dozen people, including papal aides reading from scriptures and a smaller than usual choir.

World Bank Approves $50M for Kenya Covid 19 Fight

The World Bank has approved $50m requested by Kenya to fund containment efforts of the coronavirus pandemic.  According to Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe, the funds will largely go into boosting capacity of frontline staff – i.e. buying protective gear for health workers, hand sanitizers, increasing bed capacity in hospitals is another area government will focus on. 

According to a report by Africanews.com, Kenya’s health workers are said to have protested the lack of protective gear in hospitals. Many local media outlets have reported the protest

World Bank Criticised for approving loans that allows Pregnant Girls to go to school in Tanzania

 

The World Bank has been accused of undermining human rights and has faced criticism from local and international civil society groups over the Tanzania secondary education quality improvement programme loan. Campaigners say approval should not have been given without first securing a commitment from the government to reverse its discrimination towards pregnant girls and end compulsory pregnancy tests.

A public notice released earlier this week by Tanzania’s education minister, JoyceNdalichako, said: “The target [of the loan] is to reach more than 6.5 million secondary school students across the country, without discrimination and shall include girls who drop out of school for various reasons, including pregnancy.

“The government is committed to ensure that they continue with their education as prescribed in the project.”

Of the 60,000 students who drop out of secondary school every year in Tanzania, 5,500 leave due to pregnancy according to World Bank data.

Tanzania’s ban on pregnant schoolgirls dates back to the 60s. Amid renewed criticism, it was reaffirmed in a 2017 speech by Tanzania’s president, John Magufuli, who stated that “as long as I am president … no pregnant student will be allowed to return to school. We cannot allow this immoral behaviour to permeate our primary and secondary schools.”

Human rights lawyer Judy Gitau, regional coordinator at Equality Now, welcomed Ndalichako’s declaration and said she was “cautiously optimistic” about “the first time the government of Tanzania has publicly announced in an official state document that it will include pregnant girls in secondary school education”

But Elín Martinez, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the Tanzanian government’s positionremained unchanged. She referred to a recent tweet in Swahili from Tanzania’s chief government spokesperson that indicated the government has set up parallel systems for pregnant girls.

“Tanzania will continue to arbitrarily deny pregnant girls the right to study in formal public primary and secondary schools – and they will only have an option of studying in a parallel system, which will now be built using the World Bank’s loan,” said Martínez, adding that the “alternative education pathways” only offer a condensed version of the curriculum, and at a cost.

The World Bank has “undermined its own commitment to non-discrimination and to improving the lives of ‘marginalised groups,’” she said.

Source: The Guardian

COVIOD 19: African countriesHit 3766 Cases, 95 Deaths

The Word Health Organization has revealed that COVID-19 outbreak is rapidly evolving on the African Continent since its last situation report announced on March 25^th 2020, on the subject.

 WHO says four new countries in the WHO African Region, namely Botswana, Burundi, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leonne have reported confirmed COVID-19 cases.

 Forty-two (89%) out of 47 Member States of the WHO African Region are now affected.  The number of cases and deaths has more than doubled since its last report, with new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 65 new deaths reported in the WHO African Region.

As of 1 April 2020, a cumulative total of 3 766 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 95 deaths have been reported across the 42 affected countries in the region.  

 The most affected countries in the WHO African Region are: South Africa (1 353 cases), Algeria (584 cases), Burkina Faso (261 cases), Senegal (175 cases), Cote d’Ivoire (169 cases) and Ghana (152). Together, these countries account for 72% of the cases reported in the region. 

source: allafrica.com

Erroneous Views of Nigerians on COVID 19

Yemi Olakitan

I had wanted to write an opinion piece on Corona virus. The motivation came from listening to the views of ordinary Nigerians especially the semi illiterates and the illiterate, on the dreaded Corona Virus. These views are erroneous as well as they are alarming. One of such view is that Corona Virus is a disease of the rich!

 A while ago when I was going to work, (Journalists are under essential services and cannot shut down operations) I heard the driver say; Corona virus is for the rich! Really?  However hard I tried to reason with him, he insisted that only the rich can contact Corona virus. His reason is that poor people don’t travel abroad to Corona virus infected nations and so cannot be infected. I told him that the rich have poor people around them such as house helps, personal assistants, guards, cooks etc.  This people can easily contact this virus if the master has it and pass it to an ordinary Nigerian on the streets, only then did he finally agree with me.

There is another conspiracy theory, there are those who say that America is responsible for the spread of the virus and that the American Government released the virus into the world like a software computer virus so that they can then come up with a vaccine in order to rip off many nations of the world in huge financial gain. Some vowed the virus was as a result of an economic war between the United States and China. However, there is no evidence this is true.

Some even say people should drink plenty ‘Ogogoro’ a locally made gin regularly, vowing that Ogogoro is a sure remedy for Corona Virus. Although World Health Organization had recommended that regular washing of hands with soaps and water or alcoholic based gel is effective in the prevention of Coronal Virus. Some Nigerians have taken that to mean that regular drinking of 'Ogogoro' will help cure the virus. 

In a chat with Afeez Olaniran, a local bricklayer in Lagos, he said, he drinks Ogogoro every morning since the outbreak of the Corona virus. According to him he wants to keep alcohol in his stomach especially Goldberg as long as the Corona virus epidemic persists. When asked whether he uses alcohol to wash his hands regularly, he said yes. However, the truth is, there is no evidence that alcohol consumption prevents the spread of Corona virus.

A while ago, a group of Igbo traders gathered to pray as they usually do. They started by singing Christians songs, clapping and dancing widely at close range. I asked one of them how they intend to maintain social distancing as prescribed by the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu when they pray together at such gathering. He said, ‘’Ebola came, it did not reach our side, Lassa Fever came, it did not reach our side, this Corona virus will not reach our side too, social distance or no social distance.’’ Trying to be spiritual like him, I said Amen. My attempts at proceeding with an enlightenment discussion was rebuffed since he continued singing, clapping and dancing in wild excitement. In my opinion, he didn’t read the part of the Bible that says prayer without work is death.

My neighbor said he came across an article that says Corona virus is airborne and can stay in the air for eight hours straight. This explains his decision to wear facemasks 24/7. I told him Corona virus is not airborne and can only stay in the air for a few seconds according to the Lagos state Government.  

Others say Corona virus cannot kill anyone in Nigeria because black people are resistant to ‘Coro virus’. I told one that Corona virus is blind to race or colour and does not look at the social status of a person. The prince of Wales, His Royal Highness, Prince Charles has tested positive, even our own Chief of Staff in Nigeria, Abba Kyari has tested positive to Corona virus. Corona virus has no respect for status or colour, black or white, rich or poor.

There is another supposed remedy on social media that says our traditional Agbo, or local herbs, is very effective in treating Corona virus, if anyone should test positive.  All you have to do is to get a well cooked, very hot Agbo and cover yourself in a bowl full of it. Once you sweat very well the Corona virus will vanish since it does not like heat and cannot stand the efficacy of that particular Agbo. The World Health Organisation, (WHO) has not confirmed any such cure for Corona virus.

 How can one effectively protect oneself against Corona virus? According to the World Health Organisation,(WHO) ‘‘The first step is to regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.  Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.  The second step is to maintain social distancing between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.’’

Another step is to avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth Why? ‘‘Hands, touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.  Practice respiratory hygiene Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.’’

This is because Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

 

 

Tithes and the Tithing Controversies

By Yemi Olakitan

Tithing has created great controversy in and out of the church in Nigeria. Many people feel that tithing is a way of enriching the flamboyant lifestyle of pastors and so called men of God. Some are convinced that it is a way of putting loads of money in the purse of the church. They swore that Jesus Christ didn’t command tithing and that the Apostles of old, in the New Testament didn’t give or command the payments of tithes. This category of people is convinced that Pastors are exploiting the poor by collecting tithes. They even took it upon themselves to preach to the brethren to stop paying tithes. To them tithing is a fallacy, a doctrine of men that should be expunged from Biblical Christianity.

The other school of thought felt tithing is the passport to heaven. They explained that love is only demonstrated by giving. Pastor David ibiyeome of the Salvation Ministries in Porthacourt said, we cannot claim to love God if we don’t give in his service.  This school of thought believes that without a systematic channel of giving, the church is open to bankruptcy. The late Pastor Kenneth Hagen, a fervent believer in tithes and offerings said. the collection of tithes and offerings remain the only way to finance the Gospel since Jesus Christ himself commanded Christians to give. Tithing is just one of the many ways a Christian can give. It is a way of demonstrating one’s love to God and supporting the Gospel of Christ. Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church said, tithing is the passport to prosperity and without tithing one cannot prosper in the kingdom. Pastor Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God said, anyone who is not tithing cannot make heaven.

Some other pastors go on to quote Malachi 3: 8-10-12. They swore that brethren who do not tithe are cursed with a curse but if they tithe the Lord will bless them accordingly and rebuke ‘the devourers for their sake.’’ And so the debate rages on and on.

Abraham was the first account in the Bible that demonstrated tithing that we have seen. Abraham met with Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the most-high God, after returning from the slaughter of the kings and they had communion. Melchizedek blessed Abraham; and Abraham paid him tithes of all. (Genesis 14:18-20) Abraham paid him tithes of all because he loved God and was grateful that he delivered him and his nephew Lot out of the hands of their enemies. This was before the Law of Moses.

According to American pastor, Creflo Dollars of the Crefol Dorllars Ministries, ‘’this is our first glimpse that tithing is about gratitude, faith, and love. The next account of tithing that we see was when Jacob, Abraham's grandson, made a covenant with God and said, "IF you protect me, bless me, and bring me back to my father's house in peace... you will be my God and I will pay you tithes of all."(Genesis 28:20-22) Jacob made a covenant with God to protect him and prosper him; In return for God's provision and protection... he would pay him tithes of all that he made.’’

 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts."

Religion teaches us that we have to perform many works of our own efforts in order for God to love and bless us, and many churches have mistakenly bought into that way of thinking. This philosophy has seeped into what is taught about money, namely that we must tithe a certain amount or God will curse and punish us. The truth is, because of what Jesus did we are now under grace and no longer under the Law, and therefore no longer under the threat of punishment or condemnation. God wants us to give freely and from a grateful heart, not out of a sense of obligation.

A. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10).

When Jesus talks about the “least” and the “much,” He means that money is the least important way to demonstrate our trust in God. The “much” includes healing, prosperity, abundance, peace, and all of the promises of God.

The concept of giving and tithing is not based on money itself, it is about trust.

When we give, it is no longer just giving money—it is authenticating our trust in God.  The Scriptures teach us to give generously, with a cheerful, joyful heart (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7, 15).  We give because we want to, not out of necessity. It is of the mindset of giving, not paying.  Another reason to give is because it is a way to express our thanks for what Jesus did for us by His grace.  If love is not our motivation, whatever we give equals zero and amounts to nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3).   True giving, the way the Scriptures teach us, has nothing to do with our works and everything to do with the state of our hearts.   Under the old covenant, the people would be cursed unless they did everything just right, remembered every detail, and did not leave out any steps in the process of following the letter of the Law.

But now, we are under grace, and Jesus’ blood delivers us from any curse (Galatians 3:13).  We are blessed, so not tithing will not revert God’s blessing back into a curse.  The idea of tithing, which is giving 10 percent back to the Lord, originated in the Old Testament when the people lived under the Law. We still tithe, even though we are under grace. Abram tithed by choice even before the Law established that it should be done (Genesis 14:20, 23).  He did this as a way of thanking God for delivering him from his enemies.  Abrams’ tithe blessed God in return. It was done out of gratitude.  In this way, Abram acknowledged that the king was not his supply source, God was.

Because of Abram’s obedience, God affirmed He was Abram’s reward, shield, protector, and deliverer (Genesis 15:1-4).  God declared this after Abram deliberately tithed, to publicly demonstrate his trust in Him.   The idea that we will be punished if we do not tithe can be traced back to the book of Malachi—failing to tithe and give offerings can be seen as robbing God (Malachi 3:8-11).

However, if we continue reading we will see that trusting God enough to give opens the storehouses of blessings from heaven.  When we perform and try to meet the demands of the Law, we fall under the curse of trying to get God to “do” something (Galatians 3:10-14).  But under grace, it’s already been done! The Law does not justify. We are to live by faith in grace.  By its nature, the Law is not of faith, but rather of works.  The blessings come from Jesus, not from works.

Even though there is no more punishment for not tithing, it is still in our best interest to do so. Giving is spiritual, not natural. The natural person is not attuned to things of the spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).

We can use the analogy of the parent raising the young child not able to think rationally at first. The Law was given so that we would have boundaries to keep us safe, until we automatically chose the things of the spirit.  Now that Jesus lives in us and we are under grace, we no longer need the Law.

God causes the increase in our lives so that we can have over and above what we need, in order to bless others (2 Corinthians 9:8).

God loves when our hearts are so grateful and thankful that we purposely give (2 Corinthians 9:7, AMP). We should give according to what we are led to give, and what we have decided in our hearts and minds to give. We receive in the same proportion to what we choose to give (Luke 6:38).

Then when we give in the right spirit and with the right heart, God takes this several steps further. He abundantly increases our giving, and blesses us.

The Economic Impacts of Corona Virus on Nigeria

By Yemi Olakitan

There is a global lockdown as a result of the Coronal virus. There is no doubt this will affect the economy of nations including Nigeria. In order to cushion the economic effects of the virus, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)not too long ago announced six new policy measures to mitigate the spread of the dreaded coronavirus across the country. The governor, Godwin Emefiele, said any intervention loan currently under moratorium has been granted additional period of one year. He also announced the reduction of interest rates on all applicable CBN intervention facilities to five per cent from nine per cent per annum, for one year.

According to him, the apex bank is also establishing a N50 billion facility through the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) microfinance bank for households as well as Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that have been hit by the COVID-19.

AN24.net had a chat with Economist and social commentator, Chief Bayode Ogunmupe, on the impacts of the virus on the economy and the Central Bank’s measures aimed at cushioning the effects on the nation. He said, ‘‘the Coronal virus epidemic will have a devastating impact on the economic situation of Nigeria because Nigeria is a Monoculture economy. Nigeria’s dependence on oil and her neglect of the agricultural sector will deepen the country’s poverty levels during the global Corona virus shut down. I doubt whether the Central Bank palliative will bear the desired fruits as we will want it to be, although it is a step in the right direction.’’  He said, ‘‘you cannot change the economic system of a nation overnight with a few palliatives. Nigeria has been a monoculture economy for years and the world is going electrical. There are electric cars which are already very popular in Japan. This in itself will affect our oil exports since nations will explore other energy sources giving the situation they are in. With global travel restrictions and movements, more people will stay at home. This will affect international travel business for at least a year and by extension; importation. Nigeria must shift to agriculture and import substitution industries. Only this can alleviate the poverty in the country and check our dependence on oil.’’

For decades Nigeria had relied heavily on her oil resources for dollar earnings to fund its national budget. With this year’s $37 billion budget passed with a benchmark oil price of $57 per barrel—nearly double its current price of around $31 to $33, Nigeria cannot currently fund its budget.

In another chat with Pa Ayodele Ogunjobi, Chattered Accountant and blogger, he said, the economic impacts can be easily observed even by the common man. Ogunjobi said, ‘‘when people stay at home and they don’t work, that will cause economic inactivity. it means we have simply put human capital on hold without which there can be no economic gain. We have not reached a stage where robots can take over economic activities completely, assuming such a stage exist. As you can see, teachers are not working, schools have been shut down, civil servants have been asked to stay at home. If you want something done in the ministry now, it will be very difficult to do it, even if you are able to do it, it will be slow,’’ he said.

‘’They might ask everyone to stay at home eventually, the way things are going. So, definitely we may have another recession. It’s already happening as global stocks exchange as prices have fallen,’’ he said.

Another effect of the Coronal virus on the economic situation of the country is a US dollar shortage that’s already happening on the informal forex markets. These informal dollar dealers operate just in front or across the major establishments or roads in Nigeria. They can be seen mostly in Lagos and Abuja.

No sector is spared; sports activities have been canceled all over the world!  In the entertainment sector, Nigerian hip pop star, Davido annulled his American tour, same as Afro beat musician, Femi Kuti. Most Hotels, bars and clubs are becoming a shadow of themselves as the Lagos state Government’s Environmental Protection Agency enforced a total shut down of events centers and clubs for flouting the order of the state on the prohibition of a gathering of more than 20 persons. Yet, no one knows when all these will end with Nigeria’s Corona virus incidents hitting 40 cases and still counting.  

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