Sam Rockwell

How to Create a Positive Work Environment As a Leader A leader's well-being is the cornerstone of effective team management. When leaders support their own and their team's well-being through the practice of 'Expressive Arts,' they create a positive environment that fosters self-awareness, trust, collaboration and productivity within their teams.

As a leadership development researcher and consultant, I tend to be intrigued but skeptical when I hear stories about painting as team building or writing poetry to enhance leadership performance. I then found the work of Dr. Michelle Williams, who uses something called "Expressive Arts" to help leaders and their teams increase their emotional intelligence for enhanced team performance and wellness.

I learned that Expressive Arts goes beyond painting and poetry to include a wide range of modalities such as movement, visual arts, writing, sound and music, drama and imagery. Participation in these activities interact in what the late Natalie Rogers called the Creative Connection, leading to enhanced self-awareness, personal growth, emotional intelligence and creativity. Participants have praised these methods for helping them navigate complex emotions surrounding their work life, gain clarity about career decisions, and think more creatively.

Expressive Arts is a powerful option for leaders to gain a safe outlet to process feelings that could otherwise lead to burnout and reduced effectiveness.

By integrating Expressive Arts into leadership development, leaders can develop the self-awareness and emotional intelligence at the heart of empowering leadership styles such as mindful leadership, authentic leadership and transformational leadership. These styles are known for valued organization-level outcomes ranging from enhanced trust to improved performance and decision-making.

According to Williams, the leader's well-being is the cornerstone of effective team management because it directly influences their ability to maintain emotional balance, make sound decisions and communicate clearly. When leaders prioritize their own well-being, they create a positive environment that fosters trust, collaboration and productivity within their teams.

For this reason, Williams specializes in facilitating Expressive Arts experiences for leaders and their teams. She believes that when leaders model vulnerability and creativity, their team members are inspired to do the same.

In turn, everyone gains more access to their own and each other's abilities, insights and possibilities. Understanding each other's experiences and emotions leads to better team cohesion, trust and a more supportive work environment, ultimately driving organizational success.

Williams outlined three practices to help leaders develop their skills and enhance their team's wellness through Expressive Arts:

1. Identify your creative outlet and set a regular time for creative activities

Start by identifying a creative activity that resonates with you. This could be anything from painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument. The key is to choose something that allows you to express yourself freely, whether that involves journaling, doodling or keeping an art journal.

To incorporate Expressive Arts in your team, dedicate specific times in your team's schedule for these activities. Regardless of the specific activities or timing, consistency is critical for reaping the benefits of creative exploration. Williams typically works with teams over a 6-month period, meeting with them for a 3-hour monthly session.

2. Crystallize new insights

Engaging in creative processes helps you tap into your subconscious thoughts and emotions. Therefore, after engaging in the creative activity, it is essential to reserve time to reflect on what was created and what thoughts, emotions and insights it stirred.

This reflection period enables participants to turn their access to the subconscious into deeper, actionable insights into their motivations, strengths and areas for growth. This process can be greatly enhanced if, following the reflection period, a group discussion is held where team members share their creations and insights gained.

This step converts individual experience into team bonding and collective knowledge, leading to potential takeaways. The group dialogue also builds empathy and understanding, helping team members better appreciate each other's vulnerabilities and strengths.

3. Create actionable takeaways

The final step is converting the insights gained individually and collectively into actionable goals, tactics and development plans. Each team member and the group as a whole should have a set of goals and plans, which ensures that the Expressive Arts session yields substantive outcomes and progress for the team. This exercise also helps link personal growth with professional objectives, aligning individual aspirations with team goals and boosting motivation and performance.

Embedding Expressive Arts practices into your team's routine can create a dynamic and cohesive work environment where creativity and emotional intelligence drive performance and innovation. Additionally, it is important to remember that leadership is not just about managing others — it's about nurturing yourself to lead effectively.

Integrating creative practices into your leadership routine enhances your self-awareness and emotional intelligence, which are crucial for personal and team success. Embrace this holistic approach to leadership, make it a part of your team's life together, and watch your team meet and exceed its potential.

Entrepreneur

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere has expressed disapproval of President Bola Tinubu’s appointments, which they perceive as disproportionately favoring the Yoruba ethnic group. In a statement issued by leader Ayo Adebanjo and Justice Faleye in Ibadan, the group cautioned that this trend could jeopardize inter-ethnic relationships and the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.

Afenifere’s criticism focuses on the concentration of power among Yoruba individuals in key federal government positions, including leadership roles in the criminal justice system, economic agencies, and security forces. They argue that such “Yorubalisation” mirrors the ethnic favoritism criticized during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which was accused of promoting northern hegemony. The group warns that endorsing a single ethnic dominance, whether Yoruba or otherwise, undermines Nigeria’s pluralistic values and historical commitment to inclusivity.

The implications of these appointments are profound for national integration and unity. A government perceived as favoring one ethnic group over others can exacerbate existing tensions among Nigeria’s diverse ethnicities, potentially leading to feelings of alienation and disenfranchisement in marginalized groups. This not only threatens the social fabric of the nation but also risks destabilizing the political landscape by fostering resentment and division.

Furthermore, Afenifere’s statement resonates with historical concerns regarding the dangers of ethnic hegemony. The group’s commitment to democratic principles and equitable representation underscores the necessity for the Tinubu administration to embrace a more balanced approach to governance. Failing to address these disparities could result in further social fragmentation, as groups like Afenifere stand firm against any form of ethnic favoritism.

While the presidency has countered allegations of bias by presenting data on the regional distribution of appointments, Afenifere remains skeptical. The perceived imbalance in key roles may not only challenge Tinubu’s legitimacy but could also hinder efforts to unify a country already fraught with ethnic and regional divisions.

In summary, the current situation necessitates urgent attention to ensure that Nigeria’s governance reflects its rich diversity. Addressing the concerns raised by Afenifere and promoting a genuinely inclusive political environment are essential steps toward fostering national unity and preventing the pitfalls of ethnic rivalry.

The UK’s battle-scarred Conservatives on Saturday elected “anti-woke” candidate Kemi Badenoch as its new head, making her the first black leader of a major UK party.

The combative former equalities minister replaces Rishi Sunak and now faces the daunting task of reuniting a divided and weakened party emphatically ousted from power in July after 14 years in charge.

Badenoch, 44, came out on top in the two-horse race with former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, winning 57 percent of the votes of party members.

She said it was an “enormous honour” to assume the role, but that “the task that stands before us is tough.”

“We have to be honest about the fact we made mistakes” and “let standards slip,” said Badenoch.

“It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew,” she added.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Badenoch, writing on X that “the first Black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country.”

Sunak said that Badenoch would be a “superb leader”, while fellow former prime minister Boris Johnson wrote that “she brings a much needed zing and zap to the Conservative Party”.

Badenoch will become the official leader of the opposition and face off against Labour’s Keir Starmer in the House of Commons every Wednesday for the traditional Prime Minister’s Questions.

However, she will be leading a much-reduced cohort of Tory MPs in the chamber following the party’s dismal election showing.

She must plot a strategy to regain public trust while stemming the flow of support to the right-wing Reform UK party, led by Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage.

Having campaigned on a right-wing platform, she also faces the prospect of future difficulties within the ranks of Tory lawmakers, which includes many centrists.

– ‘No wallflower’ –

Badenoch, born in London to Nigerian Yoruba parents and raised in Lagos, has called for a return to conservative values, accusing her party of having become increasingly liberal on societal issues such as gender identity.

She describes herself as a straight-talker, a trait that has caused controversy on the campaign trail.

Badenoch was widely criticised after suggesting that statutory maternity pay on small businesses was “excessive” and sparked further furore when she joked that up to 10 percent of Britain’s half a million civil servants were so bad that they “should be in prison”.

On immigration, she said that “not all cultures are equally valid” when deciding who should be allowed to live in the UK.

Jenrick, 42, had also staked out a tough position on the issue, and resigned as immigration minister in Sunak’s government after saying that his controversial plan to deport migrants to Rwanda did not go far enough.

Badenoch, an MP since 2017, has risen from relative obscurity just a few years ago to now lead the country’s second-biggest party.

The Brexit supporter has made a name for herself as a trenchant critic of “identity politics”.

According to Blue Ambition, a biography written by Conservative peer Michael Ashcroft, Badenoch became “radicalised” into right-wing politics while at university in the UK.

He described her view of student activists there as the “spoiled, entitled, privileged metropolitan elite-in-training”.

She has insisted criticism of her abrasive style is misplaced.

“I’m not a wallflower. And people will often take your strengths and present them as weaknesses,” she told Sky News.

She worked in IT and banking before entering politics around a decade ago, eventually winning a seat in the London Assembly in 2015.

Elected to parliament two years later, she was supported as she rose through the Tory ranks by one-time party heavyweight Michael Gove.

Badenoch held various ministerial roles during the tail end of the Conservatives’ 14-year tenure in power.

The Guardian

The high rate of inflation in NIgeria is taking its toll on hotels, forcing them to shut down operations, industry operators have cried out.

Hoteliers have called on the government to intervene in the industry to address the escalating cost of doing business.

In separate interviews with The PUNCH, the stakeholders noted that their challenges were confirmed by recent figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, which revealed that inflation in the restaurants and hotels division contributed 0.40 per cent to Nigeria’s headline inflation rate, which rose to 32.70 per cent in September.

The hospitality sector is hit hard by high fuel costs and erratic electricity supply, according to the President of the Nigeria Hotel Association, Patrick Anyanwu, who described the situation as “unbearable”.

He stated that hoteliers’ challenges date back to 2020 but have intensified under the current administration.

He said, “You go to buy fuel, formerly you could manage fuel at N800/litre, but now it has gone up to N1,200/litre. Members are complaining about energy. Many have started closing their establishments. If somebody feels that diesel they bought at over N20,000 only gets them a handful of customers, are they not going to close up?”

Anyanwu highlighted the high cost of electricity, worsened by an inconsistent power supply from distribution companies, which leaves hoteliers paying inflated bills.

“We are not receiving sufficient electricity. The amount the Discos (power distribution companies) are sending to our members, when you assess it against the type of bills they are bringing, you will ask yourself, ‘when did you consume this?” he said.

Anyanwu called for urgent government intervention, noting, “We are still advising those in government to consider the masses. We are the ones that brought them in. We asked them to go there and represent us.”

Similarly, the President of the Nigeria Hotel and Catering Institute, Gbenga Sumonu, painted a bleak picture of the hospitality industry.

“The economy has greatly been unstable with the hyperinflation we are facing as investors today. This situation has affected all facets of operation, from high interest rates and rising material costs to exorbitant energy expenses,” he added.

Punch

Israeli forces capture senior Hezbollah operative in north Lebanon, Israeli military official says

Israeli naval forces captured a senior Hezbollah operative in north Lebanon, an Israeli military official said Saturday, as the conflict between the Iran-backed group and Israel showed few signs of easing.

Earlier on Saturday, Lebanese authorities said it was investigating whether Israel was behind the capture of a Lebanese sea captain who was taken away by a group of armed men who had landed on the coast near the northern town of Batroun on Friday.

“The operative has been transferred to Israeli territory and is currently being investigated,” the military official said, without providing the name of the person in detention.

The operation marks the first time Israel has announced it deployed troops deep into northern Lebanon to take a senior Hezbollah operative captive since the conflict between the two sides escalated in late September. Since then, Israeli forces began a ground invasion of southern Lebanon and intensified its airstrikes across the country, including southern Beirut and the eastern Bekaa valley, killing most of Hezbollah’s senior commanders.

Hezbollah issued a statement describing what happened as a “Zionist aggression in the Batroun area.” The statement did not give details or confirm whether a Hezbollah member was captured by Israel.

Two Lebanese military officials confirmed to The Associated Press that a naval force landed in Batroun, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Beirut, and abducted a Lebanese citizen. Neither gave the man’s identity or said whether he was thought to have links to Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. They did not confirm whether the armed men were an Israeli force.

Three Lebanese judicial officials told AP the operation took place at dawn Friday, adding that the captain might have links with Hezbollah. The officials said an investigation is looking into whether the man is linked to Hezbollah or working for an Israeli spy agency and an Israeli force came to rescue him.

Both the military and judicial officials spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were unauthorized to share details about the incident or the ongoing investigation.

Soon after Israel went public about the operation, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on Lebanon’s foreign minister to file a complaint against Israel at the U.N. Security Council.

Israel has carried out in the past commando operations deep inside Lebanon to kidnap or kill Hezbollah and Palestinian officials.

Recounting the event, Lebanese residents from the apartment building where the man was seized said the armed group introduced themselves as state security.

“We were terrified. They were breaking into the apartment next to ours,” Hussein Delbani told The Associated Press near where the man was captured. “I thought a state agency was doing a security operation,” said Delbani, who was displaced from south Lebanon a month ago when the Israel-Hezbollah war erupted.

He said he saw from his balcony people down on the coast and they screamed again for him to go inside.

Hamie told Al-Jadeed the man was a captain of civilian ships. He graduated in 2022 and in late September joined the Batroun’s Maritime Sciences and Technology Institute for additional courses. Hamie said that the man lived some 300 meters (980 feet) from the institute.

Hamie’s remarks came shortly after two Lebanese journalists posted a video on social media showing what appeared to be about 20 armed men taking away a man from in front a house, his face covered with his shirt.

Kandice Ardiel, a spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed in south Lebanon, denied allegations by some local journalists who said that the peacekeepers helped the landing force in the operation. The U.N. mission, known as UNIFIL, has a maritime force that monitors the coast.

“Disinformation and false rumors are irresponsible and put peacekeepers at risk,” Ardiel said.

Hezbollah began firing rockets, drones and missiles from Lebanon into Israel in solidarity with Hamas immediately after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza. The yearlong cross-border fighting boiled over to full-blown war on Oct. 1, when Israeli forces launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon for the first time since 2006.

AP

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukraine 'holding back' powerful Russian offensive, Kyiv top commander says

Ukrainian forces are restraining one of Russia's most powerful offensives since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion on its smaller neighbour, the top commander of Kyiv's forces said on Saturday.

Russian troops advanced in September at their fastest rate since March 2022, the month after President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion, according to open-source data. Ukraine in August took part of Russia's Kursk region.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine are holding back one of the most powerful Russian offensives from launching a full-scale invasion," General Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

After failing to capture the capital Kyiv early in the war and win a decisive victory, Putin scaled back his war ambitions to taking the Donbas industrial heartland in Ukraine's east, which covers the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

Donbas has since become the war's main theatre, where some of biggest battles in Europe for generations have taken place and where thousands of troops on each side have died.

On Saturday, Moscow said it has taken two more settlements along the Donbas frontline. In the week of Oct. 20-27 alone, Russia captured nearly 200 square km (80 square miles) of Ukrainian territory, according to the Russian media group Agentstvo, which analysed Ukrainian open-source maps.

The war is entering what Russian analysts say is its most dangerous phase as Moscow's forces advance, North Korea sends troops to Russia and the West ponders how the conflict will end.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been travelling the world lobbying NATO countries to allow Kyiv the use of the long-range missiles they have provided to strike targets deep inside Russia.

Ukraine is bracing for what could be the toughest winter of the war after long-range Russian airstrikes destroyed what officials say is about half of its power generating capacity.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Zelensky ‘worn and stressed’ – NYT

The sense of pessimism is growing in Kiev as Ukrainians anxiously await the outcome of the nearing US presidential election and are dealing with low morale and weapons shortages, the New York Times reported on Friday. It said that US military and intelligence officials believe that the conflict is “no longer a stalemate,” given Russia’s streak of successes on the battlefield. 

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky “looked worn and stressed, anxious about his troops’ battlefield setbacks as well as the US elections,” when he met with American officials in Kiev last week, the Times said. Ukrainian troops are forced to deal with low morale, lack of reinforcements, and the inability to outgun the Russian forces.

The Times cited an unnamed Ukrainian major stationed at the border near Russia’s Kursk Region as saying that the Ukrainians are “constantly losing previously occupied positions,” while Moscow’s forces have an advantage in men and artillery. 

According to the Times, US officials believe, however, the Ukrainians would have a chance to exploit “Russia’s weaknesses” if the aid from Washington “remains strong until next summer.” 

The Russian troops have been steadily gaining ground in recent months, having captured the heavily fortified mining town of Ugledar in the Donbass early last month. Moscow has also launched an offensive aimed at pushing Ukrainian army units from the Kursk Region, which was invaded in August.

Zelensky has appeared increasingly worried over the course of the conflict, admitting earlier this year that Kiev effectively became “a hostage” of the highly unpredictable US election. He urged Kiev’s foreign backed in July to redouble their efforts and help to end the conflict “as soon as possible.” 

The BBC reported earlier this week that soldiers and ordinary Ukrainians were closely watching the presidential campaign in America, where Republican candidate Donald Trump, his running mate J.D. Vance and several prominent Republicans proposed conditioning aid to Ukraine or canceling it altogether. 

“We should never give money anymore without the hope of a payback, or without ‘strings’ attached. The United States of America should be ‘stupid’ no longer,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in February. He repeatedly described Zelensky as “the greatest salesman on Earth”and claimed that, if reelected, he would quickly resolve the conflict between Moscow and Kiev through diplomacy. 

Reuters/RT

In a gripping but evergreen musical rendition of a Yoruba fictional folksong, late Fuji music lord, Ayinde Barrister, once deployed the canvas of the forest to paint the inequality of the world. In his Fuji New Waves album, he also depicted the acrimonies that follow the sharing of jointly hunted games. What the anecdote tells us is that, if we listen to the unspoken voices of the forest, humanity may find answers to some of its knotty matters. The narrator and about eleven of his friends, had gone on a hunting expedition in the forest. After a very tedious day-long exercise, the crew stumbled on a fleshy Àgbọ̀nrín 

(deer) which it instantly killed. Excited at having killed such a game as reward for its toil, the hunting party whistled excitedly home, the day-long hunting barely allowing them to lift their languid legs. The hapless animal was strung to the neck of one of them like a priceless necklace, blood dripping from its mouth. On getting to the village, the antelope’s furs were instantly heated with fire, derobing it of its earthly clothe. A knife was then slit into the depth of the animal’s smoked belly, making it easy to heave out its entrails. Now, it was time for sharing of the pieces of the antelope’s flesh. Like an offending cat hopping out of the window, equity immediately jumped off the sharing process, sang the musician. The animal’s body parts which hosted chunky meats were then shared among the hunting party’s most vociferous members, leaving the bony huff of the antelope’s back and head for the narrator.

Human interactions, especially when they have to do with fiscal relations, are always characterized by hostile competition, unending struggle and a survival-of-the-fittest syndrome. Since the colonial government’s Phillipson Commission of 1946 which recommended derivation and even development as criteria for distribution of revenue, fiscal interactions among ethnicities in Nigeria have been driven by acrimony. First was the battle to ensure that the fiscal exploitations of the colonial government which put the federal government at an exploitative advantage got reduced. It was followed by struggles to stop post-colonial governments’ attempts to carry on this banner of exploitation. Today, the financial hegemony of the central government over the 36 states and 774 local governments has continued, creating discontent across Nigeria.

According to Dare Arowolo in his “Federalism in Nigeria: Theories and dimensions” published in the Afro Asian Journal of Social Sciences Volume 2, No. 2.2, subsequent fiscal commissions after Phillipson’s haven’t eased anger and agitations on an equitable sharing formula for Nigeria. The 1951 Hicks-Phillipson Commission did same. So also did the Raisman Commission of 1957 which recommended percentage division of 40% to the north, 31% to the east, 24% to the west and 5% to Southern Cameroon. The 1964 Binns Commission of 1964 also proposed regional financial comparability and percentage division of 42% to the north, 30% to the east, 20% to the west and 8% to the mid-west while the 1969 Dina Commission and the Aboyade Technical Committee of 1977 toed different lines entirely. In subsequence, commissions like the Okigbo Committee of 1980 recommended percentages on principles: Population (4%), equality (4%), social development (15%) and internal revenue effort (5%). On percentages for governments, it recommended Federal (53%), States (30%), Local Governments (10%), Special Fund (7%) while the 1988 Danjuma Commission recommended almost same percentages. Nigeria also made other laws and decrees on revenue allocation like the Decree 15 of 1967, Decrees 13 of 1970, 9 of 1971, 6 and 7 of 1975, with the latest being the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission of 1999. All of them were geared towards equitably sharing of Nigeria’s wealth. The above were Arowolo’s research findings.

To underscore the importance of sharing spoils and to demonstrate that the crises that come out of it are not new, let us consider the Òsè Méjì, a verse taken from the primordial divinity called the Ifá corpus system of divination. Apart from this, sonorous renditions of hunters’ poetry called Ijálá or Babaláwo ìyẹ̀rè, the poetry performance of Ifá priests also explains how fiscal battles are based on interests, and that disputes over interests, though as old as man, can set the world ablaze.

This particular dispute was personified by the Òsè Méjì as disputes by Earth and Heaven, called Àjàláyé and Àjàlóṛun, a disagreement that was cast in the mould of hunters disputing sharing of spoils.The Earth and Heaven, who were friends, struck an agreement while on a hunting expedition that, upon their success, they would half the game among each other. However, the two hunters’ guns did not spill a bullet, nor did they kill a game. As they walked home dejected, a pint-sized rodent ran across them which one of them immediately killed. Disappointed at the miniature kill, a palm-size game, when it was time to share it, the two hunters could not agree on their earlier decision to half the animal. Conflict then engulfed the two friends. Virtually all earthly creations suffered the collateral damage of the friends’ dispute. Death, barrenness, drought and other afflictions stalked the earth. Seeing this conflict’s potentials to upturn the earth, Vulture came to the rescue. She gave herself as sacrificial lamb to carry a mitigating sacrifice to God, the Olodumare. It was only thereafter that the umbilical cord that twines the Earth and Heaven was restored through a peaceful settlement of the rift.

Like the crises that usually follow sharing of spoils in a hunting expedition, last week’s 

transmission of four bills aimed at overhauling the Nigerian tax system to the National Assembly by the Bola Tinubu administration got engulfed in controversy. The bills are: the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. The one that got mired in controversy the most was the one which proposes changes to the sharing formula of the Value Added Tax (VAT). The new bill wants states where VATs are generated to have accrued to them shares that tally with their consumption. By this, states which have less consumption will have less accruals. It sounds equitable, doesn’t it? One of the bills also reduced FG’s share from 15 to 10 percent but with a caveat that the allocation to states will consider the derivation principle. Almost immediately, the Northern Governors’ Forum rejected some of the proposals, especially the VAT sharing template. It reached this resolution last Monday after the governors’ meeting in Kaduna. Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who read the communiqué of the meeting, said the tax bills were aimed against the interests of the North and that the northern governors would instruct northern lawmakers to reject the bills.

What are the interests of the north that the bills will jeopardize? Tax experts have said that two sets of the tax bills, which were handiworks of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, headed by Taiwo Oyedele, had revolutionary zeal similar to that of Nicholaus Copernicus. Copernicus was a mathematician, astronomer and Catholic canon whose unexampled formulation of a model of the universe placed the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the center. Said the tax experts, as Copernicus altered centuries-old conception of the Earth and the Sun, Oyedele, by significantly altering the distribution of VAT revenues among Nigeria’s federal, state, and local governments, was revolutionizing Nigerian tax system along the path of equity. But northern governors think differently.

Under the current tax law regime, VAT is split in a 15, 50 and 35 percent model between the federal, states (including the Federal Capital Territory), and local governments respectively. The portion attributable to states (and perhaps LGAs) has states retaining 20 percent of the VAT revenue collected within their borders. Thirty percent of the VAT is distributed based on the population of the states, while the remaining 50 percent is shared equally among all states. However, the most strident criticism against this formula is that it does not give consideration to, nor does it have any regard for the principle of derivation. Don’t forget that the major kernel of advocacy against the fiscal regime being practiced in Nigeria today is that, under it, the principle of derivation is in abeyance. This led to cries against perceived inequities in the sharing of games after a month of Nigerian-wide hunting expedition. States and regions that contribute more to VAT do not receive proportional benefits from the sharing.

Talking about sharing of games, in an earlier piece I did, I submitted that hunting expeditions could fittingly explain the inequities in Nigeria, including distribution of Nigeria’s wealth. When a hunting crew embarks on this journey, it divides itself into two. The first is one that holds dane-guns; it often comprises two or three persons. There is then the other crew, usually many, as many as ten, called the “forest encircling hunting group.” The job of this group is to encircle the identified forest for game-hunting. With sticks, stones and any other objects, they make sufficient noise and discomforting howls to unsettle animals from wherever they are holed. The aim is to get the animals suddenly fleeing their holes and scampering to other parts of the forest in a hurry. In the process of fleeing, they run into the hands of the crew of about three whose guns are readied to be cocked. Then the escaping animal gets pounded by a fiery volley of bullets which immobilizes it and prepares it as a fitting gourmet for dinner.

Games successfully hunted, the hunters then heave the animal on a journey back to the village. It is time for sharing the meat, the spoil of the hunting expedition. The crew that encircles the forest, which disrupts the animal from its hole, is decidedly, actually the one that does the most herculean of the hunting expedition. It is comparatively less armed and harm could easily come its way. It also exerts the greatest energy, having to walk inside thorns, briers and thistles in the process of getting the animal to scramble off its comfort zone. The other crew merely holds the gun and shoots when the animal attempts to escape. But, in the sharing of the now dismembered animal, the sharing formula does not follow this pattern of contribution to the hunting. The shooting crew gets the chunkiest part, ranging from the thighs, the neck to even the torso while the “encircling crew” is given less meaty parts.

But, Yoruba Apala music lord, Ayinla Omowura, underscored the superiority of the “shooting crew” over the other crew. Apparently excoriating his musical adversaries, he likened his superiority to that of this crew that shoots the animal. In one of his songs which he entitled E f’àwon wèrè sílè (don’t mind the incorrigible lot) he likened his adversaries to the “bush encircling crew” whose job was “merely” to get the animals run to him, a man whose gun was cocked to shoot. Between him and them, the world should judge who was the most superior, the real hunter, he boasted. Leave the incorrigible lot alone; let them disrupt the peace of the animals in the bush (while we shoot) and let the world assess who is the greater hunter between us –  E f’àwon wèrè sílè k’ón rúgbó sí wa k’á w’aperan t’ó bá yanjú, he boasted.

Under the new Tinubu tax proposal, the VAT distribution would shift to 10 percent, 55 percent, and 35 percent for the same respective tiers of government, with a critical twist: 60 percent of the VAT revenue would be distributed based on derivation. This means that where VAT is collected becomes as crucial as the amount collected, potentially favouring regions where consumption activities are concentrated. A few years ago, Rivers and Lagos States headed for the court to seek legal interpretation of the VAT sharing formula which appears to have been temporarily settled through political means.

The Northern governors’ rejection of the VAT bill is in line with the region’s ancient resistance to the principle of derivation. Southern support for derivation also follows its forefathers’ belief that disregard for derivation approximates street wisdom’s resistance to “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.” To those who want derivation, it will ensure equitable distribution of income but to the latter, there is the need for fiscal equalization. Before the Tax bills, the criteria Nigeria deployed for allocating resources to the tiers of government violated rational consideration, except for other primordial considerations. Allocating unearned money to states strengthens their renteer drive and weakens the revenue generation drive and capacity of other states. It makes states dependent on the monthly doll-outs from FG.

Like the two hunting categories – the “shooting” and “bush encircling” crews – when it comes to VAT, the new Tax Bill seems to preference “the bush encircling” crew, those who make the greatest sacrifices in the Nigerian hunting of game. It is obedience to that principle which the Niger Delta, where Nigeria’s crude oil is sourced, is demanding from Nigeria. The North, too, should ask that VAT be paid on cows, rams, onions and tomatoes which are within its remit. I learnt that though pasta, malted chocolate drink mixes (Bournvita and co), sugar and many others, though manufactured in the west, are consumed hugely by the north. The Northern governors should push for the domiciliation of the VATs collected from these commodities in the north where they are consumed. In that wise, we will not all be pushing for someone to eat where they did not sow.

That same philosophy was behind bandits’ vandalism of the TCN towers along the 330KV Shiroro-Kaduna lines 1&2 

recently which threw 17 northern states into darkness. The lines, enveloped by a thickly forested area infested by bandits of savage and violent inclination, was the target. These ones, like their contemporaries in the North East, the Boko Haram and the bandits, easily include transmission line vandalism among the list of their evil conducts. So, when the north made so much hoopla that it was all alone in darkness, it needed be told that the south didn’t breed power transmission bandits. Two northern states – Niger and Zamfara – are the greatest security burdens of Nigeria today. Those bandits didn’t wake up to be societal nuisances in one day. They are the neglected out-of-school children of decades back who have now morphed into a full plumule of violence. It is said that a mother who births an irresponsible child should back him – eni bí’mo òràn níí  pòn ón.

Jamaican reggae music king, Bob Marley, in his Small Axe track, reinforced this Biblical truism when he sang that, “whosoever diggeth the pit shall fall in it.” Yes, the FG has the responsibility of ensuring the welfare of all but let the north acknowledge that its leaders, past and present, coupled with an acute dependency culture, salted by religion, have brought not only the north but the rest of Nigeria into this unfavourable fiscal and security situation. Nigeria currently spends huge portion of its revenue fighting the Almajiri of yesterday who have become bandits, and Boko Haram terrorists of today. God bless Patience Jonathan. Her theory of “born trowey” which queries why the North must not take responsibility for the 10 million out-of-school children it births and throws away into the cold is still germane. The north’s poor choices of leadership in the past, at both sub-national and national levels, have hurt and are still hurting the rest of Nigeria.

Let Sango, the god of thunder’s bellowing strike hit the Bata drum and its surrounding bass accoutrements! Tinubu’s Friday refusal to agree with the National Economic Council’s (NEC) recommendation for the withdrawal of the four tax reform bills is, to my mind, a great move. If Sango must strike, permit it to strike, please. What must not be stopped is the life-saving message from the Bata drum which must forcefully enter the earlobes of the one who has refused to listen.

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all ~ Acts 4:33.

Introduction:

Every excelling greatness and noble accomplishment on earth are products of God’s grace. In fact, behind the making of any man or woman of significant impacts in God’s kingdom is the grace of God (1Corinthians 1:26-39).

Grace is of paramount importance to human lives (Ecclesiastes 9:11; Psalms 127:1; John 3:27). Albeit, winning in life goes beyond human strength, smartness, physical resources, repeated trials, tireless input, and wisdom alone (1Samuel 2:9).

Even though these are necessary condiments for progress and greatness in life, they are grossly inadequate on their ownto give you the kind of progress that God has ordained for you (1Corinthians 15:10). Grace is not by our works (Romans 11:5-6; John 1:16-17).

God is the Source of all grace; it is a gift fromHim, and it is imbued in us by the revelation of the Holy Ghost (Ephesians 4:7; 1Corinthians 4:7). God loves to give the rich benefits of His grace to everyone, even the undeserving, without demanding any compensation in return (Titus 2:11). Indeed, true grace is both “un-earnable” and “un-repayable”.

Once you receive the tangible touch of God’s grace, unusual opportunities are provoked for you. You become instantly approved to win and you begin to cruise unhindered on your pathway to the top. Grace generally propels restitution, resurrection, renovation, and repositioning.

Grace speaks. Grace elevates. Gracedistinguishes. Grace paves the way. Gracerepositions. Grace gives strength. Grace makes great. Grace never allows disgrace. It is the grace of God that provokes a new level of glory.

When there is a casting down, God's gracebrings unbelievable lifting (Job 22:29). And, most certainly, a new level of grace will be required for another level of on-time supernatural flight (Acts 4:31-33).

Understanding The Subject of Grace

Naturally, God’s grace is that “divine something” that cannot bequantified. However, we know that "grace" is the English translation of a Greek word “karis”, which means "that which brings delight, joy, happiness, or good fortune." It is from this Greek word that our modern words “charisma” and “charity” are derived.

God’s grace instills a divine enablement to operate in the power of Holy Spirit such that one is able to fulfill his divine purposes in a way pleasing and acceptable to God. Thus, we can safely conclude that grace is the“God-factor” in our races of life and destiny (Ephesians 3:20).

Grace is God’s ability in man’s inability (Acts 4:33; 2Corinthians 4:7; Exodus 8:19). It provokes the tangible and undeniable hand of God on a man’s life and in all his affairs(1Corinthians 15:10).

Grace is a major catalyst for supernatural performance (Romans 9:16). Undoubtedly, it is a divine bestowal that any believer can take advantage of in order to cruise through the obstacles of life (Zechariah 4:6-7).

The Dimensions of God’s Exceeding Grace

Yes, we will be right to say that grace, in all its forms and works, is limitless and unsearchable. Even then, it can evermore increase upon any believer in Christ Jesus (Romans 5:20; James 4:6).

But, just how much is enough? It all depends on the dimensions of the heavenly vision unto which one is called (Acts 26:19). It also depends on how well you are willing to excel in all other things that pertain to life and godliness here on earth (2Peter 1:1-4).

We must choose to receive not just enough grace to get by, but to excel in all ramifications of life. The grace of God within us goes far beyond any need that may arise in our lives (1Timothy 1:14).

The Dictionary word, “exceeding”, means “to throw beyond the usual mark, to surpass, to transcend, to exceed, and to excel”. From all these, we can infer that “exceeding grace” is the unspeakable grace that has no regard for boundaries, and that eliminates all human impossibilities.

Exceeding grace is grace in its limitless dimensions. It is wonderful grace, surpassing grace, extraordinary grace or, simply put, grace that exceeds all boundaries and is immeasurable.

Happily, these last days are days of exceeding grace for all people (Acts 2:17-21). Particularly, they are days of surpassing glory and greatness for the Church of Jesus Christ, and we must make the most of it (Micah 4:1-2).

Yes, the world will continue to come to the Church for solutions in these last days, because we have what the world is dying for (Psalm 87:5-7). There shall be full manifestations of the redemptive treasures of power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and every blessing from heaven above (Revelation 5:9-13).

Principles That Invigorate Grace

As pointed out earlier, grace comes in grades! If we are to enjoy more of the grace of God, we need to walk in some principles to ensure we are always what God wants us to be in order to enjoy His magnetic pull of grace.

Firstly, salvation is our sure and only access to the realm of exceeding grace. Once we are genuinely born again, we are made great, and can even increase evermore, because of the grace of God which we have found in Christ Jesus. Doubtlessly, the worth of our redemption is far above all the wealth of the world put together (Mathew 16:26).

Moreover, a strong attachment to the covenant is a major prerequisite for receiving, maintaining, retaining and even increasing the grace of God in your life. And the following will lubricate our covenant position with God in Christ Jesus, any day!

A viable covenant walk with God will demand that we stand firm in the righteousness of Christ, even as we intentionally engage kingdom-mindedness in our daily lives (1Timothy 1:14; Psalm 102:13-14). This also entails a genuine lifestyle of holiness and humility (James 4:6).

Furthermore, a covenant walk without a commitment of love and honor to the Lord is inconsequential (1Kings 3:3; 11-12). Hence, all covenant-worthy men and women usually deploy their gifts and seed offerings generously in the service of the Lord (Psalm 45:12; Genesis 26:12-14).

Of course, implicit obedience is an utmost necessity in every affair of the covenant (Romans 8:14, Hebrews 11:8). And real obedience incloses a real living faith (Habakkuk 2:4). Faith fights in prayers, and faith’s fight wins the res of eternal life plus exceeding grace (1Timothy 6:12; 2Corinthians 9:14).

Friends, we all must endeavor to grow in the grace of God, and this is most secured for those who are saved in Christ Jesus. If you are not yet born-again, the fact that you’rereading this message now means that it’s not too late for you.

Repent today, accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour, be truly saved and begin to enjoy secure grace for supernatural flight. I confirm that exceeding grace is your portion. You won’t miss it, in Jesus name. Happy Sunday!

____________________

Bishop Taiwo Akinola,

Rhema Christian Church,

Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Connect with Bishop Akinola via these channels:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bishopakinola

SMS/WhatsApp: +234 802 318 4987

For how long are you going to look for people to lay hands on you? For how long are you going to look for people to pray for you? Grow up.

The salvation of the soul is perfected:

“In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:27).

Jesus paid the price. Even though he was God, nevertheless he paid the price.

“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)

 Heaven helps those who help themselves. That statement is in the spirit of the scripture:

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13).

The salvation of the soul will not take place without an effort on our part. Health and life will not take place without our own exertion. Jesus said my father is always working. If God works, then you must work. A servant is not greater than his master. Work out what he worked in. Don’t despise the grace of God. God has given you the whole ability, do something useful with it.  

“The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.” (Psalm 78:9).

God armed them, they carried bows, and nevertheless they refused to fight for their own deliverance.

The pastor laid his hands on you, and the anointing fell. My brother, it is only sufficient enough unto the day.  What will happen tomorrow?  Lay your hand on yourself. Prophesy on your own head. Don’t wait for any pastor.  The spirit of God is poured forth.

Jesus said to a paralytic:

“‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.” (John 5:8-9).

So Daddy, why did you not simply leave it at rise up and walk? 

No! Jesus included the injunction to take up the bed. There were three things that this man had to do.  Even though the Lord had wrought a healing in him, the perfection of his healing was conditional upon his fulfilment of those three requirements. He had to rise, he had to take up his bed, and he had to walk. If he merely rose up and walked, his obedience would not be complete and his healing would not be perfected.

God is not a respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34). The so-called men of God are men of God because they paid the price.  They consecrated themselves and were focussed on the Lord. There is no shortcut. There are no five easy steps to the anointing that breaks every yoke.

Martha thought she was the one putting in all the effort because she was in the kitchen cooking, while her younger sister was sitting in the living room listening to Jesus. Little did Martha know that it is more difficult to listen toJesus than it is to cook in the kitchen.

“She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:39-42).

“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” (John 12:1-3).

Observe that Mary was always inclined to pay the price, no matter how high.  Martha, on the other hand, refused to learn, but was still specialising in serving.

Did you learn to speak in tongues? No, you simply believed. Yet listen, miracles are worked. They are worked through fastings, and watchings, and praying, and fighting the good fight.

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast him out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.  However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:19-21).

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.” (Mark 16:17). 

Signs follow believers, but believers work out their beliefs.

“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18).

You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. (Jam 2:24)

Therefore, Paul wrote to Timothy:

“I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6). 

Who is going to stir it up?  You are.  God is not going to do it.  You are going to have to do it yourself.  Therefore be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare. (1 Timothy 1:18).

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12).

“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” (2 Timothy 1:13-14).

Hold it fast so they don’t steal it. Keep it by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3).

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Today, we gather to celebrate a remarkable milestone in the life and ministry of Bishop Taiwo Akinola as he is elevated to the esteemed position of Charismatic Archbishop. This occasion is not merely a recognition of his ecclesiastical achievements but a testament to a life devoted to faith, service, and the betterment of humanity.

For over four years, Bishop Akinola has graced the pages of NewsScroll with his inspiring columns. Each sermon reflects not only his profound understanding of scripture but also his ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and warmth. His words resonate deeply with readers, often making their way to the top of our most-read lists, a testament to the impact he has on our community.

Beyond his literary contributions, Bishop Akinola embodies the spirit of patriotism that our nation so desperately needs. His unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigeria is evident in his advocacy for the marginalized and his relentless pursuit of justice and compassion. He has shown that true leadership transcends the pulpit, as he actively supports initiatives aimed at uplifting those in need. I, too, have personally experienced his dedication to the greater good when he graciously supported my campaign for the governorship of Ogun State in 2019. His belief in our collective potential inspires us all.

Bishop Akinola’s ministry stands as a beacon of hope in challenging times. He speaks with conviction for those who often feel voiceless, providing not only spiritual guidance but tangible assistance to those in dire circumstances. His actions reflect a deep sense of responsibility to his fellow Nigerians, demonstrating that faith is not just a private matter but a call to action.

As he steps into this new role as Charismatic Archbishop, we are reminded of the weight of the mantle he bears. His leadership will undoubtedly continue to illuminate the path for many, guiding them with wisdom and grace. We trust that he will remain a steadfast advocate for peace, justice, and unity in our beloved Nigeria.

Today, we honor Bishop Taiwo Akinola—not just for his elevation, but for the countless lives he has touched and transformed through his faith, his writings, and his unwavering commitment to serve. May this new chapter in his ministry be filled with blessings and may his voice continue to resonate as a source of strength and inspiration for all.

Congratulations, Bishop Akinola, on this well-deserved honor. May your journey as Charismatic Archbishop be one of continued impact, profound insight, and unwavering dedication to the glory of God and the upliftment of His people.