JTF-BAGA KILLINGS: Why We Struck

“A soldier was beheaded by terrorists who took cover in the community after the dastardly act. At another time soldiers were ambushed by the insurgents during which a soldier was killed and the terrorists were shielded by members of the community. –Brigadier General Austin Edokpaye, Commander of the MJTF.

About five days after the military sacked Baga community on the Nigerian border with Chad, Niger and Cameroun, the army has given details of reasons behind the military operation.
Speaking on Wednesday, Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Brigadier-General Austin Edokpayi, said the operation was necessary because the Baga Community was increasingly becoming a safe haven for militants who were attacking the MJTF at will and escaping into the comminity.
He said during one of such provocations in the past, a soldier was beheaded in the town by the terrorists who took cover in the community after the dastardly act.
He equally said at another time, soldiers were ambushed by the insurgents during which a soldier was killed and the terrorists were shielded by the members of the community.
Edokpayi said though the terrorists have always come to Baga to tax the people of the town, no formal complaint have been brought to his men even as the residents of the town continue to shield the sect members.
The commander said that the military had intelligence report of the weekend attack on soldiers and when the people of the town were approached for assistance it never came.
He said: “The terrorists have been taxing the people for so long and we have had information that they were prepared to attack us an information which we confronted the people with but they denied.”
Edokpaye, who claimed that the weekend conflagration was never the making of the military but rather due to the weapon deployed by the insurgents, said the military was at no time unprofessional in it’s task in the area.Residents of Baga in Kukawa Local Government area of Borno,where over 185 persons were reportedly killed in the deadly confrontation at the weekend between the Boko Haram sect members and soldiers of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) are in search of their relatives who have gone missing.
The search for the missing residents of the commercial town which borders Niger, Chad and Cameroon continues just as a large part of it has been cordoned off by the military which has made movement within and outside the town difficult.
The military authority has also disclosed that many of the insurgents who attacked the soldiers during the deadly clash have been arrested and in custody.


It was also gathered from the town that searches were on as of yesterday for some of the insurgents as there was house to house search for the fleeing members of the sect.
The commander of the MJTF, Brig. Gen. Austin Edokpaye said his men have arrested a substantial number of the people who led the attack.

Edokpaye claimed that the soldiers have exercised restraint for so long under intense provocation from the insurgents and that last weekend clash was highly provoked.
In a related development, the military came out with the numbers of casualties recorded during the Baga clash.

The Multi National Joint Task Force in a statement by it’s commander, Brig. Gen. Austin Edokpaye claimed that 37 persons including a soldier were killed and that 15 persons, 5 soldiers and 10 civilians were included.

Among the civilians killed, Edokpaye said, 30 were insurgents while the other six civilians were caught in the crossfire.
He further disclosed that recovered arms and ammunitions include three rocket propelled grenade launchers, two rocket propelled grenade bombs, four AK 47 rifles, 435 ammunitions, several quantities of IED materials, three damaged Land Cruiser vehicles belonging to the terrorists.
The commander said that contrary to media speculation that hundreds of houses were burnt, it was the explosion from the Boko Haram terrorists bombs that triggered the fire that torched “30 thatched houses in the predominantly fishing community.”

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed a team of its officers and stakeholders to provide medical and relief assistance to the affected people in the area.
Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi said the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan had directed the Agency to urgently provide immediate succor to the people.

He said the NEMA team led by its Director of Search and Rescue Air Commodore Charles Otegbade has been dispatched to Baga with necessary medical assistance as well as food items to cater for the displaced persons that are now taking refuge in various camps. The team has already arrived Borno and is working together with the Borno State Government.

Source: 247NigeriaNews

Jonathan - Why I Changed My Mind On Boko Haram Amnesty

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, gave reasons yesterday the Jonathan administration reversed its earlier position not to grant amnesty to the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan had to bow to pressure from notable personalities from the North, who pleaded for an amnesty deal to stop further killings by the sect. Okupe gave the explanation during a visit to the corporate headquarters of The Sun Publishing Ltd in Lagos.

He was accompanied by the Special Assistant to the President on Public Relations, Dr Olusanya Amosan, the Director, Digital and Social Media, Churchhill Umoren, the Director, Media, Bamidele Salam and the Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State, Taofik Gani. Okupe, who led the team, was received by the company’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Femi Adesina and other management staff including the Editor, Saturday Sun, Onuoha Ukeh, the Editor, Sunday Sun, Funke Egbemode, the Editor, Magazine, Sola Osunkeye and the Deputy Editor, Daily, Femi Adeoti. Okupe extolled The Sun as a frontline newspaper in the country, describing its titles as rich in content.

He said the company has become a national pride, adding that the products are impressive. On the dramatic reversal of the Federal Government ‘s stance on amnesty, he said the President acceded to pleadings from the leadership of the North, who recommended the deal to curtail insurgent attacks in the region. He described Jonathan as God-sent, noting that he prized the safety and well-being of every Nigerian above his personal ego and interest.

“President Goodluck Jonathan, take my word for it, is the best option for Nigeria at this time. Goodluck Jonathan is the best option for this time and for this season. God does not make mistakes. God knows that we will go through these difficulties and challenges. If we didn’t have a man at the saddle of affairs in this season, only God knows what would have happened to the country.

“Goodluck behaves in Christ-like manner, taking the sins of others on your head, accepting them and moving on as if nothing has happened. The President is a caring man. The President, even though he did not believe in amnesty for Boko Haram because they were not known, not well-identified. But when the entire region, the political leadership, the traditional leadership, the social leadership of the entire North came and insisted on amnesty, they found a listening ear in Goodluck Jonathan.

This is a caring person that places the love and well-being of every Nigerian over and above his personal rationalisation,” he said. Okupe said Jonathan had not hired ‘ghost catchers’ to arrest the Boko Haram faceless members, noting that the President acted like a statesman by acquiescing with the leaders of the region to fashion out a peace plan.

He said the huge sums of money expended on interventions to curtail this silent war would have been better spent on job creation, social services and infrastructure. Okupe, who wore a white caftan and black cap, expressed pity for Jonathan, whom he said had to live with a maze of uncertainties beclouding the nation. He said Jonathan was ushered into power when half of the populace were hostile and the opposition increasingly vociferous.

“Apart from the time of civil war, this is an unparallel period in our history. Sometimes, if you are spiritual, you would begin to wonder if there was a major issue or not. Killings, deaths and bloodshed everywhere! If you are the President and you carry such a burden, you will be totally destabilised.
The President has to live with the anticipation and fear of where they would bomb tomorrow, how many people would be killed tonight, it is difficult to even remain focused. I actually feel sorry for him. He is a strong person,” he said. Okupe noted that some people openly decimate and desecrate the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before foreign countries, describing such disparaging comments as unpatriotic and unbecoming of an elder statesman.

He accused the opposition of spearheading activities capable of destroying the country. He said highly dependable sources have revealed how the opposition spend millions of ill-gotten dollars on lobbyists to malign the Jonathan administration and entrench western contempt. Okupe denied having any personal issues with General Muhammad Buhari. He condemned the comments credited to the former military leader which blamed Jonathan for the Boko Haram insurgency, accusing him of being unfair to Mr President.

“General Buhari consistently wants the Nigerian people to believe that anything that is wrong in the country is Jonathan. He is one of those enforcing the idea of ineptitude, It is a fallacy.

It is not correct, if you talk about governance on issue-based matters, we will take you up on that. But if you disparage my principal, I am sorry, I cannot take that,” he said. Okupe also knocked opposition parties, challenging the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to present its score card for public scrutiny.
He said the party has nothing to show in Lagos State, in spite of the 12 years of its leadership. He said the party was defective in performance, wearing tattered shirts to mask its over-bloated ego. He also laughed off the threat of the merger party, All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the coalition as a bunch of ‘political first-timers’, ‘political Lilliputians’ and ‘pretenders to the throne.’

While welcoming the guests, Adesina said The Sun is printing simultaneously from its three plants in Lagos, Abuja and Aba to serve the markets efficiently. He promised that the organization would not renege on its mandate to serve Nigerians better, describing the various titles as ‘a reliable vehicle’ to reach millions of people in the country.

Source: Sun Newspaper

I am Boko Haram – Immigration Officer Confesses, Names Other Security Personnel in Islamic Sect - Mercy Johnson Celebrity Magazine - Mercy Johnson Celebrity Magazine

I am Boko Haram – Immigration Officer Confesses, Names Other Security Personnel in Islamic Sect - Mercy Johnson Celebrity Magazine - Mercy Johnson Celebrity Magazine

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, BUHARI NEVER CRY FINISH!

Nduka Irabor, Tunde Thompson and other Journalists cried when Buhari jailed them. Tai Solarin the Activist cried when Buhari sent him to jaill for publicly opposing him. Fela Ransome Kuti, the Musician, cried when he was jailed by Buhari. Parents and friends of Barth Owoh, Ojuolape and others cried when, they were sent to early graves.

Former Governor of Imo State, the late Sam Mbakwe cried at Buhari’s marginalization of his people when PTDF was unable to construct a single road IN the South West, South South and South East whereas, the same PTDF under Buhari constructed more than 98 roads in the Northern part of Nigeria.

Ambrose Alli cried when Buhari locked him up for nothing. Michael Ajasin cried and even became blind thanks Buhari. Civil Servants cried when he retrenched 53,000 workers. Nigerians cried while queueing for their portions of scarce commodities like rice, sugar, salt, milk and toiletries. Students cried when he re-introduced payment of school fees.

Our Economy cried when he increased external debts by $3bn in 1year. Lagosians are still crying from road traffic because He cancelled the Metroline Railway Project.

Nigerians have cried for more than 17 years of military rule resulting from Buhari’s criminal regime. What goes around, comes around. Tears never begin flow from Buhari’s eyes yet. All Nigerians need is credibility not tears.
- culled from The Nigerian Gazette.

Jonathan May Be The Last President Of Nigeria If ……….’

Dr Chris Ekiyor is the former National President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and currently the Caretaker Chairman of Patani Local Government Council of Delta State. In this interview, the Niger Delta activist faults the calls for amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect and warns that the people of the Niger Delta will resist any move to use the resources from the area to fund the amnesty.


On the 2015 presidency, he says the people of the Niger Delta are unanimous in their decision that President Goodluck Jonathan should run for second term asserting that any attempt to stop him by the North will lead to the end of Nigeria. Excerpts:

The Federal Government has announced a committee to look into the possibilities of granting amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect. As one of those who perfected amnesty for ex-militants in the Niger Delta, what is your view?

This is another bandwagon effect that is tearing apart our country again. Amnesty today is another word for quick money. I think it is a misplaced national priority to even think about granting amnesty to a bunch of people who, in all their activities, have shown criminality, have shown cold blood murder and have no focus or issue. And it is unfortunate to try to equate Boko Haram with the struggles of the Niger Delta.

In the Niger Delta, a people, who were living peacefully and having their own livelihood, were traumatized by the Federal Government with its activities in oil exploration. Their land captured, their environment polluted from 1957 till date. And the people decided to say, enough is enough, you cannot take our oil and impoverish us. You cannot put 60 per cent of our oil wealth in the hands of northerners and our environment is not protected. You have to allow us control our resources so that we can develop our place at the pace at which we found our resources. We are willing to pay tax to the center as it is done every where that oil was found’. That was what caused the Niger Delta crisis.

The Niger Delta struggle was a purposeful and ideology based struggle. That was the focus. Now, between 1996 and 2003, of course, it became an all-comers struggle. Criminals who will go and steal on the streets will claim that they kidnapped because of oil. Between 2003 and 2007 it went out of hand because the military itself became a party to the process.

By the time the Federal Government was offering amnesty, oil had been cut down to 700 barrels per day by the activities of the people in the creeks. Insecurity in the region made oil companies to foldup. Before, the youths accepted amnesty, they sent representatives including myself to dialogue with the government and they were series of meetings under the late President Yar’Adua’s administration.

Now, in accepting amnesty, the country recovered economically to the tune of about 2.1million barrels per day and you know what that means to the nation’s coffers. So, if from that pool, money is taken to rehabilitate people, who so to say admitted that it is our mother land, we will now allow government develop the region. Taking amnesty brought more value to the government and it is now trying to reciprocate the gesture by training people in the region.

’Militancy in the Niger Delta different from Boko Haram mayhem’

But beyond the technicalities of talking about amnesty for a group of people who are murderers, I think that government has misplaced its priority in terms of what it is saying.
Dialogue with the people, yes, amnesty, no. Amnesty is not an exit window for criminals. These are people who have murdered over five thousand people in cold blood. People are in churches, they bomb the churches, killing people who are equally victims of bad governance like them. Again, 80 percent of these people are not Nigerians. So, if you are granting them amnesty, where will you take the resources for which you are going to reintegrate them? Is it the Niger Delta resources, our oil money to integrate criminals and murderers in the North? That money should be put on infrastructures across the country if the money is too much in the government coffers.

’Jonathan taking bullshit’

I am particularly worried that our president, in line with his broad nationalism, is taking too many bullshit from too many people. He is the most insulted president not because he has not worked, there is no president that has done better than Goodluck in the history of Nigeria, but people don’t seem to know because he is not a loud speaker, he does not embarrass people.

’Posterity will not forgive Jonathan if he fails to develop the Niger Delta’

President Jonathan is a broad-minded Nigerian, he is trying to balance projects in all the regions and, in doing that, he has undermined his own region. So the Niger Delta people have started clamouring why should we not have more. But again he is the President of Nigeria not for Niger Delta. It is now left for the Niger Delta members in the National Assembly to ensure that there are resources in the appropriate ministries such as the Ministry of the Niger Delta to develop the region. As it is today the Ministry of Niger Delta is not being funded and that is why the Minister is frustrated. If you check the money they appropriated for the Niger Delta Ministry and that of Water Resources, you will see the difference. I want to also say that Mr President must not feel that if he develops the Niger Delta he will be blamed for it. Infact if he does not develop the Niger Delta posterity will not forgive him.
People committed themselves in developing Abuja because they have an agenda to develop the North. Jonathan is not weak as people are saying, no weak person can lead Nigeria. The problem is that this country is held by cabals and those people don’t want the development of the Niger Delta. So it is not Jonathan but a lot of people around him have their own agenda.

’Jonathan must run in 2015′

We were in this country when youths were mobilized to Abuja, ‘Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha’, during the military rule, when all the five political parties endorsed one man. We were in this country when Obasanjo wanted to go for third term.

Alameseigha and others were arrested. Yes, they may have been involved in corrupt practices but they became victims due to their opposition to the third term bid. People are talking now because Jonathan is seen as a toothless bull dog. He is seen as being weak, but they don’t know that it is in that his weakness that he has his strength. How can you see a president and say he should not contest again? The choice to contest is his but if he decides to contest, nobody can stop him except the ballot. And if they feel he cannot contest, then we should all be ready to pack our luggage.

Goodluck may be the last President of Nigeria because a lot of predictions are in line. There is the provision in the amalgamation law which says that, if after hundred years we cannot co-exist, everybody can go his way. These are signs of the end and we are happy about it those of us from the Niger Delta.
The earlier Nigeria breaks so that we can go and rebuild our economy and our environment the better since Nigerians don’t know that Goodluck is a blessing and a builder. Nobody can stop Jonathan, we have said that he must contest and anybody who does not want to support us, no problem. We will campaign throughout the nook and cranny of the country.

Oshiomhole Warns Igbinedion: Behave Yourself Or I’ll Cut You To Size.

Edo State Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole on Monday fired a warning shot at the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, to stop undermining state laws.

Oshiomhole, who was speaking at the inauguration of 14 newly elected local government chairmen in Benin, said his government had the capacity and the will to contain Igbinedion’s excesses.
He also asked the state Independent Electoral Commission to tender unreserved apology to the people of the state for the lapses recorded in the local government polls held last Saturday.
He said, “There is evidence that he (Igbinedion) has undermined the prosperity of the state for a very long time. Those who live in glass houses do not throw stones.

“I want to send a warning to Chief Igbinedion that he should take it easy; he has acquired a lot of government land that the people have not engaged him on. He walks as if he is above the law. He was a chief tax collector in this state, pocketing 25 to 30 per cent of every kobo that accrued while his son was the governor.
“I have not looked back because my mandate is to look forward. I want to put him on notice that if he continues with elderly rascality, I will bring him to justice.
“He must never ever underestimate the fact that I have the will and I have the capacity to deploy that will; if he crosses the law, he will be cut to size.

“Elders must teach the younger ones to behave responsibly” Oshiomhole stressed.

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Nigerian Student Facing Life Imprisonment In Ukraine Released

Nigerian student, Olaolu Femi, who has been in detention in the Lungask district of Ukrain for about a year after being arrested for attempted murder has been released. He was released yesterday.

Ukrainian police charged him with attempted murder, but according to eye witnesses, Olaolu was defending himself against six Ukrainian teenagers who attacked him at the entrance to his apartment block last year. Olaolu was said to have managed to get up and defended himself against the assailants with a glass from a broken bottle.



“It was while he was defending himself that police arrived at the scene and the Nigerian was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted murder of five people” a Nigerian embassy staff who had knowledge of the case said at the time.

Dokubo-Asari: There Is Nothing Like MEND

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has described the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) as a “faceless” organisation.
He also dismissed the group’s reported plan to resume fresh hostilities to save Christians from Boko Haram violence.
“There is nothing like MEND,” Dokubo-Asari said while fielding questions from journalists during a visit to the State House on Monday.

Information Nigeria recalls that the MEND, through its spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, on Sunday said it would from May 31, in an exercise codenamed Operation Barbarossa, attack mosques and Islamic clerics
But Dokubo-Asari in his reaction, said the current MEND was only a media creation adding that the authentic one existed as a pressure group for releasing him and former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha from detention.

Dokubo-Asari said, “I am a Muslim, I do not subscribe to attacking religious centres of worship. I do not believe that MEND exists; I have always said there is nothing like MEND.
“MEND is just the figment of the imagination of people, it’s on the Internet and newspapers, but who is MEND? Nobody can really tell you who MEND is.

“MEND was formed, only for the purpose of my release and that of Alamieyeseigha when we were in detention. MEND leaders are not known anywhere like other organisations like the Ijaw Youth Council, OPC and so on.

“MEND actually is faceless because Henry Okah himself has denied that he is not the leader of MEND in court under oath” he stated.

Gen. Babangida Asks Nigerians to Support the FG on Security Challenges. What about Buhari?

Gen. Babangida Asks Nigerians to Support the FG on Security Challenges

The Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, on Thursday enjoined Nigerians to join hands with the government at all levels in tackling the security challenges facing the country.
Babangida stated this in a chat with newsmen at his residence in Minna.
The former president said “every Nigerian has a role to play in tackling the security challenges facing us as a nation”.

He said this was because “the government could not possibly tackle such problem alone.”
Babangida said the problem could be tackled if we all come together.

“If we all come together, the elite, the media, the ordinary people and the government by taking a common stand just as the people of Azare in Bauchi did to tackle their security challenges.
He said the nation must trace the root of the problem.

“ The problem did not start in one day … it was gradual thing before it came to this level … owing to our negligence by the government, the elite and the people but I cannot blame anyone..
“Some 20 years ago, we did not have this problem, what was the state of things then, what have we forgotten …that we have not done that led to the present challenges, this we have look at.

“It is something that everyone has a hand in solving …to ensure peace stability in the country, therefore we should not leave this to government alone“, Babangida said.
On the amnesty for Boko Haram sect, he expressed the belief “that it is part of measure at ensuring that peace stability was returned to the Northern region”.

He also promised to speak further on the issue, after the committee had been inaugurated by the Federal Government.
“I do not know the terms of reference of the committee, therefore, I cannot speak about the plan, until the terms of reference had bad been released before commenting on the amnesty plan,” Babangida said. (NAN

But on the path of Buhari, he has no offer any help on how to resolve it. But rather, making inciting statement.
Buhari had previously been credited with a statement that he would make the country ungovernable if the last presidential election did not favour him. Okupe said, “Everybody in this country knows that it was Buhari who vowed that if he did not win the election, he would make the country ungovernable for this President Goodluck Jonathan. It was this same Buhari who said during the electioneering period that if the votes were counted and he lost, people should go for blood.
From the aforesaid, it seems Buhari has a hand in the killings that is on rampage... In a civilized country, Buhari should have being arrested.

Again, due to the complex nature of the country and Her ethnic diversity, also with the way the Northerners are going.. Buhari arrest may fuel in another upheaval.

Nevertheless, we think Buhari should be held responsible for the killings perpetrated by Boko haram. Otherwise he should prefer solutions and be part of the resolution of the crisis.

By the way, from 1983 - 85, that he ruled Nigeria, is that not enough. 28 years now, he still wants to be president. My big question is, is there something Buhari forgot in that office that he wants to go and get? Buhari, Buhari, Buhari!!!

Please your comments are welcome..

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MEND Ready To Avenge ‘Hapless’ Christians

Thomas Hobbes once said "Each must seek peace with all the means at his disposal, and if he can not get the desired peace, He can find and use all the tools and benefits war".

Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta on Sunday claimed responsibility for the destruction of Oil Well 62 belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Ewellesuo, Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State.
The militant group said the attack, which occurred on Saturday about 1am, was part of its Operation Hurricane Exodus.

In an e-mail by its spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, MEND announced its readiness to commence fresh hostilities to save Christians from Boko Haram violence in an operation codenamed Operation Barbarossa.
MEND said Operation Barbarossa would begin on May 31 and would target mosques and Islamic clerics.

The attack on the well head occurred barely a week after MEND claimed responsibility for the killing of 12 policemen along the Azuzuama waterways in Southern Ijaw Local Government of the state after an earlier threat that security operatives took with a pinch of salt.

The Niger Delta has suffered massive oil pollution in the past with oil exploration companies doing little or nothing to assuage their pains. In fact, the Nembe community had raised the alarm over massive oil spillage from well 62 and has reportedly accused SPDC of failing to clamp the spill points to avoid further environmental damage.

The Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee of Nembe Kingdom, Mr. Nengi James, said he appealed to the people to remain calm.


“Since I became Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee in the kingdom, I have witnessed over 10 massive oil spillages. And all these spillages have never been cleaned up by the oil company.”
MEND however claimed responsibility for the spill and said it had concluded plans to rescue Christians from Boko Haram insurgency.
“On behalf of the hapless Christian population in Nigeria, The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta will from Friday, May 31, 2013, embark on a crusade to save Christianity in Nigeria from annihilation.

“The bombings of mosques, hajj camps, Islamic instututions, large congregations in islamic events and assasinations of clerics that propagate doctrines of hate, will form the core mission of this crusade code named Operation Barbarossa,” the statement said.

Yet again, the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta codenamed Operation Pulo Shield has debunked claims by the MEND that it was responsible for renewed hostilities in the region.

According to JTF’s Media Coordinator, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, “impostors and a bundle of never-do-wells” were hiding under MEND, which he said had gone into extinction after the amnesty deal, to perpetrate criminal activities in the region.

He also asked members of the public to disregard claims by MEND that it had designed a special operation in sympathy for the Christians.
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This is not the time to give up, "NOT NOW NOT EVER"

"Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, 'Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.' But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, 'Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.' But He answered and said, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, 'Lord, help me!' And He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.' But she said, 'Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.' Then Jesus said to her, 'O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.' And her daughter was healed at once." (Matthew 15:21-28; cf. Mark 7:24-30).

Perseverance and Humility

This woman persevered, bowing down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me." Jesus replied, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." What a stunning thing for Jesus to say! But there was a point to be made behind it all.

She replied, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their master's table." Just as stunning was her reply. It is as if she does not care about anything other than that this Prophet can help her daughter and she will not be dissuaded.

A number of things happen at this point. here. First, the woman's faith is certainly tested. It will indeed take great courage and commitment to put up with this! This fine woman is going to learn something here. She is going to learn what a strong faith she has!

How much had she heard about Jesus? She was a Gentile living in a foreign land, but she addressed Jesus saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David;" (vs. 22). The term "Son of David" is a Messianic term. This tells us she knew something of the promise of God to send a Savior. She addressed Jesus as that Messiah. We are not told where she had learned this, but she is correct.

It would have been easy for her to turn away in anger or sorrow or pride. But she saw Jesus as the only hope for her daughter. She would not turn away!

And certainly His disciples would not have expected such faith from a Gentile. Their perceptions and views of Gentiles will have to change; and in time they will. As Peter, for example, would one day realize: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him." (Acts 10:34,35). Later, all would recognize the fact that the gospel is for all "When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, 'Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.'" (Acts 11:18).

The Reward of Faith

Jesus answered, "O woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you wish." Jesus certainly knew this about the woman's faith. Great faith brings great rewards. This took courage. It took commitment. It took a spirit that refused to be deterred. Her faith was tested and passed the test. The apostles received a lesson that they would remember.

Our faith needs to have endurance as well. To endure, we must have the confidence in Jesus as this woman had. We are told, "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. " (Hebrews 10:35-36)

When that day was over, and this mother held her daughter in her arms, free at last from the cruel bondage she had suffered, and reflected on the events of that day, how do you suppose she felt? The Messiah had pronounced her faith as "great". He had answered her request for her daughter's healing. She had not let the others persuade her to give up. And, even at that darkest moment when it seemed as if she would not find the answer she desired, she pressed on. So, how did she felt at the end of the day? She had only asked for crumbs from the Master's table. She instead had received a feast. You can be sure she felt fine. Jon W. Quinn


There may be discouragement on your way, that is just a sign that your miracle is imminent. The Bible say's in Luke 9:62 "He that put's his hand on the plow and looketh back is not fit for the kingdom... Please do not look back, keep pressing for the mark... Your humility, Faith and Persistence will bring you your miracle. Finally,trust me to say, "This is not the time to give up, "NOT NOW NOT EVER".
God Bless You All!!!
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President Obama to share in the sacrifice being made by public servants

Oh, dear. President Obama is going to be writing the government a check every month for 5% of his salary as a show of unity with federal workers impacted by the Republican sequester. That’s $20,000 a year. If Republicans are so concerned about the deficit that they were willing to allow the sequester to kick in, surely they will step up to follow the President’s fiscal example.

CNN reported:

Obama, whose $400,000 annual salary is set in law and can’t officially be changed, will write a check made out to the U.S. treasury every month beginning in April. Since the mandatory across-the-board spending cuts went into effect March 1, his payment for last month will be paid retroactively.

“The president has decided that to share in the sacrifice being made by public servants across the federal government that are affected by the sequester, he will contribute a portion of his salary back to the Treasury,” the official said.

According to the Constitution, the President’s salary can’t be changed during his/her term: “The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.”

But just in case anyone was wondering (like a few of the super outraged conservative sites), the Budget Control Act of 2011 contained an exemption that elected members of Congress (and the President, but that’s sort of redundant given the Constitution) won’t have their salary or pension reduced.

A check of John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, and Rand Paul’s websites reveals not a single statement or mention of the president’s decision to return 5% of his pay. Apparently, these Republicans believe that their talk of budgetary belt tightening applies to you, not them.

In February of this year, Republicans happily proposed reducing the federal workforce through attrition to avoid sequestration this year. They didn’t ask for cuts to federal contractors. They asked for cuts to employees who have already sacrificed $103 billion in the name of deficit reduction since 2011, according to Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA). They left for break after approving reduced funding for their committees, but not for themselves.

While Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) made pretty PR by authoring an amendment for a fund to which Congress could choose to donate 20% of their pay , USA Today points out that it was part of a non-binding vote to the budget resolution, and thus does not have the force of law.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter already volunteered their salaries before the President did. So far, two Democratic Senators have also risen to the challenge: Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) stepped up to the plate and will be returning a portion of his salary, ”We need to be making responsible cuts wherever we can and there is no reason that members of Congress shouldn’t feel the pinch like everyone else.” And Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-O) has also pledged to return a portion of her salary. Not a peep from a Republican yet.

Meanwhile, as the President shows solidarity with American workers, in the House, Eric Cantor (R-VA) is pushing a bill to gut rules governing overtime pay for the American workers.

It’s ironic that the people claiming to be so concerned about the deficit and so eager to cut pay for some people are unwilling thus far to step up to the plate and cut their own pay even by 1%. Tick tock Republicans. Put your money where your mouth is.

My question is can the President of Nigeria, Ghana or other African countries do this?
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