GOD’S MESSAGE AND OUR RESPONSE

The two stories or events of the messages of God through his angels in bringing good news to individuals whom he favours have witnessed different reactions. While some may be commended because of the faith expressed in accepting that message, others may be condemned for the doubt and the feeling of uncertainty expressed.

In our age and time, we have been communicating same message of hope, the coming of our Saviour and his birth, how have we received and reacted to this message, in great doubt or in faithful belief or in indifference?

Our first reading recalls the birth of Samson, which came in a very great extraordinary way and signs. The mother was told that the boy would be a nazirite, as such, no razor will touch his hair and the mother must observe certain form of life. She was instructed to “drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean.”

And because it is the news of the coming of the Child, which long been expected and somewhat prayer of the mother, who had been barren for years, there is the likelihood that she will definitely keep to these instructions. But her reaction is our focus, she did not doubt but gave in to the prophecy accepting the instruction and abiding by it. She even related the message to her husband. Her faith was strong. She believed the message she received and acted on it.

In the case of Zachariah, he was a priest, a high priest for that matter as at the time of this event, attending to the sanctuary at that point. His experience with the angel is one that evokes doubt in him at the news of the annunciation of John the baptist. And that made him dumb and unable to speak for the periods that John was still in the stomach of his mother. To have doubted the possibility of this message was a discredit to God and his ministry as a high priest, who was supposed to have known that God works in extraordinary ways. But we can’t blame Zachariah much because his human evidences and signs, did suggest to him a different thing. His reaction was to relate same human evidences to the angel that the wife is old and passed child bearing age. This evidence is so overwhelming that he could not fathom the possibility of His wife conceiving at all.

Our reactions to God’s messages matter alot. When we concede to divine initiative we invariably admit divine wisdom is bigger and mightier than human mind. But when we subject all things to human wisdom we err. The consequences of Zachariah’s disbelief is the punishment of remaining dumb until the fulfilment of God’s designs.

Man can never be the stumbling block to divine initiative. When we react adversely to divine initiative, God’s power takes us out. We must ask for faith in accepting God’s designs and messages.

Heavenly Father, grant us the spirit to know your ways, to accept your messages in faith and to act on it. As we receive the message of your coming and the birth of your Son, may our lives be transformed and may we live to uphold your teachings, follow your instructions and live in union with your spirit through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident Bola Ahmed Tinubu has brokered an agreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the 27 Rivers lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)..

This follows weeks of political tension in the state due to a face-off between the governor and his predecessor, who is the current minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The meeting, which was held at the instance of the president, saw both factions make concessions. Former governor Peter Odili was among the attendees at the closed-door meeting.

After a meeting with all the stakeholders of Rivers State with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2. ALL impeachment proceedings initiated against the Governor of Rivers State by the Rivers State House of Assembly should be dropped immediately

4. The remunerations and benefits of ALL members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their staff must be reinstated immediately and the Governor of Rivers State shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the Rivers State House of Assembly

5. The Rivers State House of Assembly shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference and/or hindrance from the Executive arm of government

6. The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly

8. There should NOT be a caretaker committee for the local governments in Rivers State. The dissolution of the Local Government administration

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]n American philosopher, William James, who lived between 1842 and 1910, once said, “The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”
Indeed, over the years, many people have corroborated James’ statement, as it is commonly said that the best legacy one can leave behind is to do things that will live on, long after one must have exited the earth.
In this report, Ike Philip Abiagom chronicles the life and inspiration of philanthropist, and Founder of Lucky Abuah Foundation, Lucky Blessing Odiakachukwu Abuah, the Chairman of Hen-Ric Empire Garden Ltd, and how he has been touching the lives of Nigerians, far and near.

Just as the holy bible said in Acts Chapter 20, verse 35, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’, Lucky Abuah, has remained an enigma and a phenomenon in Nigeria’s philanthropic space. He is also an epitome of silent giving as many lives have been positively affected by his acts of charity.

Abuah is a testament of grace, diligence and seizing opportunity as it comes which saw his meteoric transition from Hotel Accommodation consultancy and security services to real estate developer.

Born to Igbuzor parents in Delta State,Abuah was educated at the Delta State  Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku where he earned a HND in Business Administration. As his way of giving back to society and being aware of the teething pain of lack, this Hen-Ric Empire Garden Ltd set up the Lucky Abuah Foundation to reach out and give hope to the needy. In this, he has made giving culture and this he has demonstrated without boundaries.

Lucky Abuah is Happily married and blessed with children, he has become a pillar of support to the less privileged.

As a true “grassroot boy,” Abuah’s humanitarian feat is legendary as all the 10 Igbuzor villages bear the imprimatur of his benevolence and charity. Abuah may have imbibed his charitable act from a very young age through his parents who were also known as givers in the community. Abuah has over time, continued to demonstrate in action, what humanity should represent, as he continues to give succour to the downtrodden,

From paying millions of hospital bills, investing in the young by giving out scholarships, empowering the youths with entrepreneurial skills and donating millions of naira to the government for the benefit of the people, among others,  Abuah, also known as Black Bullet has attracted and won several awards and recognitions.

The latest being, the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers Of Nigeria (ACNPN),Delta State Council Awards recently bestowed upon him for his act of philanthropism, and service to humanity over the years.

Rudderless and impervious to standard democratic values as Nigeria has become, it takes such interventions from Abuah to keep the country from going over the edge. Evidence from all parts of the country point to the reality that there is no nationalistic messiah on the horizon and that only the little gestures from those still flowing with the milk of human kindness would continue to give hope to the people.
Lucky Abuah’s philanthropy knows no boundaries; as he doles out to the poor, homeless, sick and needy, no wonder he is known as “Bullet Empire Money solution”.
Lucky Abuah’s emphasis is not how rich he is but how much he gives back to the society. In this terrain he towers above all his peers.

For all you have been doing to uplift the downtrodden from misery and pain words alone cannot be enough to say thank you. If there are large hearts like Lucky Abuah in every community or nation, then the problems of the poor masses would have been over.

You have remained constant like the Northern Star over the years, touching lives and wiping tears off the face of men across Igbuzor land, Delta State, Nigeria and beyond.

Dear Lucky Abuah, as you continue to live in good health and harmony with your people and humanity as a whole, it is our prayer that the Good lord would keep sustaining you for the good of the common man wherever they may be!

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu’s administration has disbursed N9 billion to the 36 states of the Federation.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said N7 billion was disbursed to states for infrastructural development, while the remaining was for fuel subsidy palliative.

In a post on X, he said the revenue allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, has been increased.

According to Onanuga: “The 36 Nigerian states have enjoyed unprecedented support from the Bola Tinubu presidency, having recently been given N7 billion each for infrastructure support, in addition to the N2 billion earlier given as fuel subsidy palliative.

“The revenue allocations to all the tiers of government by Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) have also been on the increase since June.

“Let the states therefore get cracking to give succour to our people. Let the mass media also monitor the states to ensure that the funds are wisely spent.”

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he news of the confirmation of Engr. Emma Oshia, Chairman of Emmalix Trade and Investment Ltd as the Chairman of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria(REDAN), Oshimili North Chapter was received by Chairman of Jerry Jays JJJ Homes Ltd, Mr Jerry Ofogu with great excitement. There is no question that it is an appointment that is very well-deserved having regard to your pedigree, impeccable credentials, intellectual depth, and robust experience. This is a trail blazing appointment. Oshia is the first Ibusa man to occupy the exalted position of REDAN Oshimili North Chapter Chairman.
Hopes around the Oshimili North is that your tenure as REDAN Chairman will herald remarkable changes in the face of the leadership challenges currently afflicting the REDAN.

The confirmation of Engr. Emma Oshia as REDAN Oshimili North Chapter Chairman is an important first step in overcoming these challenges. Your track record in the Real Estate development, coupled with your reformist agenda, speak to your credentials to set in motion a modernising programme that can make the REDAN fit for the 21st century. Your role must now be to seek consensus for reform across the breadth of the REDAN’s members.

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n Rivers, 27 out of the 31 Lawmakers led the factional Speaker Martin Amaewhule,loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara this morning, Monday December 11,defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing division and crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Sketchy reports have it that the Lawmakers defected on the floor of the Assembly singing “On your mandate…on your mandate” alluding to the campaign slogan of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

They said their reason for defecting is born out their desire to serve Rivers People better.

Our Correspondent reports that the Lawmakers defection further add complexities to the crisis and threats of the impeachment notice served on Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The coming days and weeks will reveal the open-ended drama.