Introduction

The pursuit of divine redemption is a universal human aspiration, transcending cultures, backgrounds, and faith traditions. Despite this shared desire, the pathways to achieving redemption are diverse and often divisive. This article explores the disparate approaches to divine redemption, particularly the Christ-only gospel and the rules-based approach. By examining the underlying principles and practices of these two pathways, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of human experience.

Humanity's innate desire for a divine connection is a universal thread that weaves together people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and faith traditions. However, the pathways to fulfilling this desire and addressing this need are as varied as they are divisive. Among the numerous faith concepts and practices, two approaches stand out as particularly disparate: the Christian tradition, which focuses on the Christ-only gospel, and other traditions, which emphasize rules and regulations performed by human beings.

The Christ-Only Gospel: A Pathway of Grace: The Christian tradition, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, presents a unique pathway to divine redemption. This approach emphasizes the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, where He bore the weight of humanity's sin and offered salvation as a gift to all who would accept it. The role of the Holy Spirit is paramount, as He convicts, regenerates, and empowers believers to live a life of faith and obedience.

In this tradition, salvation is not earned through human effort or adherence to rules and regulations. Rather, it is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ, who is the sole mediator between God and humanity. This approach is often summarized as " sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus" – by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

The Rules-Based Approach: A Pathway of Works: In contrast, many other faith traditions emphasize a rules-based approach to divine redemption. This pathway is often characterized by a set of dos and don'ts, rituals, and practices that believers must perform to achieve spiritual growth, merit, or enlightenment. The focus is on human effort and adherence to regulations, with the goal of earning divine favor or salvation.

Examples of rules-based approaches can be found in various faith traditions, including some forms of Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Mormonism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. While these traditions may share some similarities with the Christ Only faith, their emphasis on human effort and works-based righteousness sets them apart from the Christ-only gospel.

A Tale of Two Approaches

The disparate pathways to divine redemption presented by these two approaches raise important questions about the nature of faith, salvation, and the human condition. While both approaches acknowledge humanity's need for a divine connection, they differ fundamentally in their understanding of how this connection is established and maintained.

The Christ-only gospel emphasizes the sufficiency of Jesus Christ's work on the cross, while the rules-based approach relies on human effort and adherence to regulations. One approach is rooted in grace, while the other is grounded in work.

Conclusion:

The desire for a divine connection is a universal human aspiration. However, the pathways to fulfilling this desire are as varied as they are divisive. The Christ-only gospel and the rules-based approach represent two disparate pathways to divine redemption, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. As we navigate the complexities of faith and spirituality, it is essential to understand and respect the different approaches to divine redemption. Ultimately, the choice of pathway is a deeply personal one, influenced by our individual experiences, cultures, and worldviews. May our pursuit of a divine connection be guided by humility, empathy, and a deepening understanding of the complexities and nuances of the human experience.

The Divide Between Faith Traditions: A Focus on Personal Relationship vs. Rules and Regulations

Faith traditions around the world share a common goal: to guide individuals in their spiritual journeys and foster a deeper connection with the divine. However, a significant divide exists between faith traditions that emphasize a personal relationship with God and those that focus on adherence to rules, regulations, and rituals.

Faith Traditions Emphasizing Personal Relationship

Faiths like Christianity, with its emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and Sufi Islam, which stresses the importance of a direct, mystical connection with Allah, exemplify this approach. In these traditions, believers are encouraged to cultivate a deep, intimate relationship with their God, characterized by trust, love, and surrender.

This approach is often accompanied by an emphasis on:

1. Personal experience: Believers are encouraged to seek direct experiences of the divine, such as through prayer, meditation, or worship.

2. Emotional connection: The relationship with God is seen as a deeply emotional and personal one, with believers encouraged to express their feelings, doubts, and fears to their God.

3. Trust and surrender: Believers are called to trust in their God's goodness, sovereignty, and love, surrendering their wills and lives to His guidance.

Faith Traditions Emphasizing Rules and Regulations

In contrast, faith traditions like Orthodox Judaism, with its focus on adherence to the Torah and Talmud, and some forms of Buddhism, which emphasize the importance of following the Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts, represent a more rules-based approach.

In these traditions, believers are encouraged to follow a set of prescribed rules, regulations, and rituals, which are seen as essential for achieving spiritual growth, merit, or enlightenment.

This approach is often accompanied by an emphasis on:

1. Adherence to scripture: Believers are expected to follow the teachings of their sacred texts, with a focus on obedience to divine commandments.

2. Ritual and practice: The performance of specific rituals, prayers, and practices is seen as essential for maintaining spiritual purity, achieving merit, or progressing on the spiritual path.

3. Moral guidance: The rules and regulations are often seen as a moral guide, providing a clear framework for distinguishing right from wrong.

The Christ-Only Pathway: A Call to Wholehearted Devotion

A prevailing notion suggests that the Christ-only approach and other faith traditions are not mutually exclusive, and that a balance between the two can foster a vibrant and meaningful faith life. However, this perspective is rooted in humanistic reasoning, rather than a thorough understanding of God's perspective as revealed in Scripture. As believers, our relationship with God is indeed complex and multifaceted. Nevertheless, when it comes to our devotion and obedience, the Bible presents a stark binary choice: wholehearted commitment or rebellion. It is either Christ-only or nothing.

This exclusive requirement may seem unreasonable to human beings, but it is precisely what God demands. The Lukewarmness Conundrum, as seen in Revelation 3:16, underscores God's disdain for a faith that is halfhearted or indifferent. Lukewarmness is not a viable alternative to wholehearted obedience, and within the Christ-only faith tradition, it is considered rebellion.

In contrast, the Bible exhorts us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). This call to wholehearted devotion is not a suggestion, but a command. It requires us to surrender our will, desires, and ambitions to God's sovereignty.

The Necessity of Personal Intimacy

The walk of faith in the Christ-only tradition is built on trust in a person – Jesus Christ. This trust is cultivated through personal intimacy, which involves:

1. Personal experience: Encountering God through prayer, worship, and reading Scripture.

2. Emotional connection: Developing a heart-level relationship with God, characterized by love, gratitude, and surrender.

3. Intimacy through vulnerability: Sharing thoughts, feelings, and struggles with God, and experiencing His presence, comfort, and guidance.

This personal intimacy is essential for ascertaining God's trustworthiness. As Christians experience God's faithfulness, love, and guidance, they develop a deeper trust in Him.

A Crucial Distinction

In contrast to the Christ-only tradition, non-Christian faiths often focus on adherence to doctrine or scripture, rituals and practices, and moral guidance. While these approaches can provide a sense of structure and community, they may not foster the same level of personal intimacy and trust that is characteristic of the Christian faith.

In Christianity, the personal relationship with God is not just a means to an end, but an end in itself. The ultimate goal is not just to follow rules or achieve spiritual growth, but to know God intimately and trust Him completely.

The Christ-only pathway is a call to wholehearted devotion, requiring believers to surrender their will, desires, and ambitions to God's sovereignty. This exclusive requirement may seem unreasonable to human beings, but it is precisely what God demands. As believers, we must recognize the necessity of personal intimacy in cultivating trust in God, andacknowledge the crucial distinction between the Christ-only tradition and other faiths.

How Does Intimacy with God Build Trust?

Intimacy with God builds trust in several ways:

1. Personal experience: As we spend time with God, we experience His presence, love, and guidance, which builds trust.

2. Emotional connection: Intimacy with God creates an emotional bond, fostering a sense of safety, security, and reliance.

1. Understanding God's character: Through Scripture and personal experience, we come to understand God's character, nature, and ways, which builds confidence in His trustworthiness.

2. Experiencing God's faithfulness: As we see God's faithfulness in our lives, we develop trust in His promises and provision.

3. Vulnerability and surrender: Intimacy with God involves vulnerability and surrender, which helps us develop trust in His goodness and sovereignty.

4. Spiritual transformation: As we experience spiritual transformation through our relationship with God, we become more like Christ, and our trust in God grows.

5. Prayer and communication: Intimacy with God involves open and honest communication through prayer, which builds trust and deepens our relationship.

6. Experiencing God's love: As we experience God's love and acceptance, we develop trust in His desire for our well-being and happiness.

7. Developing dependence: Intimacy with God helps us recognize our dependence on Him, which fosters trust in His guidance and provision.

8. Cultivating humility: As we acknowledge our limitations and God's sovereignty, we develop humility, which is essential for building trust in God.

By cultivating intimacy with God, we can build a deep and abiding trust in Him, which transforms our lives and relationships.

Trust in the Lord: A Journey of Intimacy and Faith

As believers, we are often reminded to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart" (Proverbs 3:5). Yet, many of us struggle to trust God completely, and it's not because we want to rebel against Him. The truth is, we often don't know the Lord intimately enough to trust Him fully. This lack of intimacy stems from not spending enough time with Him, which makes it challenging to discern His trustworthiness.

Trust is built on a foundation of intimacy and familiarity. We cannot trust someone we don't know or haven't spent time with. It's common sense in our human relationships, but when it comes to our relationship with the Lord, we often neglect this fundamental principle. We are called to trust God with all our heart, but our hearts often respond with hesitation and doubt.

One reason we struggle to trust God is that we often view Him as a distant, abstract concept rather than a person. However, Jesus Christ, God's Son, revealed the Father's heart and character, showing us that God is a personal, relational Being. Jesus said, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father" (John 14:9). The Holy Spirit, too, is the Spirit of Christ, who dwells within us and guides us into all truth.

A Journey of Trust

Trust in the Lord is not a one-time decision but a journey that unfolds step by step. As we spend time with God, we come to know Him as a trustworthy Person. We begin to love Him, and our trust grows. This journey requires effort, consistency, and devotion, just as any human relationship does. We must put in the time to know God intimately, to trust Him with every part of our heart.

The Work and Walk of Faith

While faith is essential, trust is the practical outworking of that faith. Trust is the "walk" of faith, where we put our trust in God into action. It's the daily choice to rely on Him, to seek His guidance, and to rest in His sovereignty. As we walk in trust, we come to know God as a faithful, loving Father, who is worthy of our complete trust.

Trusting in the Lord is a journey that requires intimacy, effort, and devotion. As we spend time with God, we come to know Him as a trustworthy Person, and our trust grows. May we commit to walking in trust, putting our faith into action, and relying on God's sovereignty in every area of our lives. As we do, we will find that trusting in the Lord is the safest, most secure place to be.

How Does Faith Shape Daily Decisions?

Faith can significantly shape daily decisions in several ways:

1. Guiding principles: Faith provides a moral compass, guiding individuals to make decisions that align with their spiritual values and principles.

2. Trust in divine guidance: People of faith often trust that God or a higher power will guide their decisions, leading them to seek divine wisdom and guidance.

3. Prioritization: Faith can influence prioritization, helping individuals focus on what is truly important and allocate time and resources accordingly.

4. Risk assessment: Faith can affect risk assessment, as individuals may be more willing to take risks or face challenges when they believe they are following God's will.

5. Resilience and perseverance: Faith can provide the strength to persevere through difficult times, helping individuals make decisions that support their long-term goals and values.

6. Self-reflection and accountability: Faith can prompt individuals to reflect on their decisions and actions, holding themselves accountable to their spiritual values and principles.

7. Seeking wisdom: People of faith may seek wisdom from spiritual leaders, scriptures, or prayer to inform their decision-making.

8. Considering eternal consequences: Faith can lead individuals to consider the eternal consequences of their decisions, making choices that align with their spiritual beliefs.

9. Cultivating gratitude and contentment: Faith can foster a sense of gratitude and contentment, influencing decisions related to material possessions, relationships, and personal growth.

10. Finding peace and clarity: Ultimately, faith can provide peace and clarity in decision-making, helping individuals trust that they are making choices that align with their spiritual values and principles.

What Role Does Intimacy Play in Trust?

Intimacy plays a significant role in building and maintaining trust. Intimacy refers to a deep sense of connection, closeness, and understanding between individuals. When we experience intimacy with someone, we feel seen, heard, and understood, which creates a foundation for trust.

Here are some ways intimacy contributes to trust:

1. Deepens emotional connection: Intimacy fosters a strong emotional bond, making us more invested in the relationship and more willing to trust the other person.

2. Increases vulnerability: Intimacy encourages vulnerability, which is essential for building trust. When we feel comfortable sharing our thoughts, feelings, and desires with someone, we're more likely to trust them.

3. Promotes empathy and understanding: Intimacy helps us understand each other's perspectives, values, and motivations. This empathy and understanding create a sense of safety, which is critical for trust.

4. Fosters open communication: Intimacy encourages open and honest communication, which is vital for building and maintaining trust. When we feel comfortable sharing our thoughts and feelings, we're more likely to trust each other.

5. Creates a sense of safety and security: Intimacy provides a sense of safety and security, which is essential for trust. When we feel secure in a relationship, we're more likely to trust the other person.

6. Encourages mutual support and reliance: Intimacy fosters mutual support and reliance, which strengthens trust. When we feel supported and relied upon, we're more likely to trust each other.

7. Develops a sense of unity and togetherness: Intimacy creates a sense of unity and togetherness, which is critical for trust. When we feel connected and united, we're more likely to trust each other.

In the context of faith, intimacy with God plays a similar role in building trust. As we deepen our relationship with God through prayer, worship, and scripture, we develop a sense of intimacy and connection, which fosters trust in His sovereignty, guidance, and love.

How Does Intimacy with God Deepen Trust?

Intimacy with God deepens trust in several ways:Personal experience: As we spend time with God, we experience His presence, love, and guidance, which builds trust. Understanding God's character: Intimacy with God helps us understand His character, nature, and ways, making us more confident in His sovereignty and goodness. Developing a sense of dependence: As we rely on God, we develop a sense of dependence on Him, which fosters trust in His provision and guidance. Experiencing God's faithfulness: Intimacy with God allows us to see His faithfulness in our lives, which builds trust in His promises and plans. Cultivating vulnerability: As we share our thoughts, feelings, and desires with God, we become more vulnerable, which deepens our trust in His love and care. Receiving guidance and wisdom: Intimacy with God provides us with guidance and wisdom, helping us navigate life's challenges and trust in His direction. Developing a sense of security*: As we experience God's presence and love, we develop a sense of security, which fosters trust in His protection and care.

Understanding God's love: Intimacy with God helps us understand the depth of His love, which builds trust in His goodness and motivations. Experiencing transformation: As we spend time with God, we experience transformation, which builds trust in His power and ability to change us. Cultivating a sense of surrender: Intimacy with God helps us surrender our will to His, which fosters trust in His sovereignty and plans. By deepening our intimacy with God, we can cultivate a stronger, more resilient trust in Him, which transforms our lives and relationships.

Can intimacy with God Lead to Obedience?

Yes, intimacy with God can lead to obedience. In fact, obedience is a natural outcome of a deepening relationship with God. Here are some ways intimacy with God can foster obedience:

1. Deeper understanding of God's character: As we experience intimacy with God, we gain a deeper understanding of His character, nature, and ways. This understanding fosters trust, which leads to obedience.

2. Increased love and reverence: Intimacy with God cultivates a deeper love and reverence for Him. When we love and reverence God, we're more inclined to obey His commands.

3. Greater sense of dependence: As we rely on God, we develop a greater sense of dependence on Him. This dependence fosters obedience, as we recognize our need for His guidance and direction.

4. Clearer understanding of God's will: Intimacy with God provides a clearer understanding of His will and plans for our lives. When we understand God's will, we're more likely to obey His commands.

5. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: Intimacy with God involves the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit empowers us to obey God's commands, providing the strength and courage we need to follow Him.

6. Transformed heart and mind: As we experience intimacy with God, our hearts and minds are transformed. This transformation enables us to think and act more like Christ, leading to obedience.

7. Increased accountability: Intimacy with God creates a sense of accountability to Him. When we're aware of God's presence and guidance, we're more inclined to obey His commands.

8. Desire to please God: As we experience intimacy with God, we develop a deep desire to please Him. This desire motivates us to obey His commands and live a life that honors Him.

9. Understanding of God's love and grace: Intimacy with God helps us understand the depth of His love and grace. When we grasp God's love and grace, we're more likely to obey Him, not out of obligation, but out of gratitude and love.

10. Fruit of a deepening relationship: Obedience is a natural fruit of a deepening relationship with God. As we cultivate intimacy with Him, obedience becomes a more natural and joyful response to His love and guidance.

The Choice to Trust in the Lord: A Journey of Faith Amidst Adversity

Lauren Daigle's powerful song "Trust in You" resonates deeply with those who have walked the path of faith, only to find themselves facing adversity and uncertainty. The lyrics echo the cry of the heart, "When You don't move the mountains, I'm needing You to move... I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You."

As believers, we often face the daunting challenge of trusting in the Lord when our circumstances seem to contradict His promises. We may have learned to trust in Him, but when adversity persists, our faith is put to the test. Will we choose to trust in the Lord, even when our prayers seem to go unanswered?

The Foundation of Trust: Trust is built on the foundation of a deepening relationship with God. As we spend time with Him, we come to know His character, nature, and ways. We learn to recognize His voice, His guidance, and His presence in our lives. This intimacy fosters trust, which is essential for navigating life's challenges.

The Choice to Trust: However, trust is not an automatic response to adversity. It is a choice we must make, often in the midst of uncertainty and doubt. When our prayers seem to go unanswered, and our circumstances appear to contradict God's promises, we must choose to trust in Him.

This choice is not based on our feelings or circumstances but on the character and nature of God. We must remind ourselves of His faithfulness, His love, and His sovereignty. We must choose to trust in His goodness, even when we don't understand His ways.

The Promise of God's Presence: The song "Trust in You" reminds us of the promise of God's presence in our lives. "You are my strength and comfort... You are my steady hand... You are my firm foundation." This promise is not dependent on our circumstances but on God's character. When we choose to trust in the Lord, we are not trusting in a distant, detached deity. We are trusting in a God who is intimately involved in our lives, who knows our thoughts, our feelings, and our struggles.

The Outcome of Trust: The outcome of trust is not always immediate or visible. However, it is always transformative. When we choose to trust in the Lord, we experience a deepening sense of peace, a growing confidence in God's sovereignty, and a renewed sense of purpose. As we trust in the Lord, we begin to see our circumstances from a different perspective. We begin to understand that our struggles are not obstacles to be overcome but opportunities for growth, for learning, and for trusting in God's goodness.

Conclusion: The choice to trust in the Lord is a journey of faith, not a destination. It is a choice we must make every day, often in the midst of uncertainty and adversity. As we choose to trust in the Lord, we experience a deepening sense of intimacy with Him, a growing confidence in His sovereignty, and a renewed sense of purpose. May we, like the psalmist, declare, "I will trust in You, Lord, with all my heart" (Psalm 37:3). May we choose to trust in the Lord, even when our circumstances seem to contradict His promises. And may we experience the transformative power of trust, which enables us to face adversity with courage, with confidence, and with a deepening sense of intimacy with God.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, the pursuit of divine redemption is a deeply personal and complex journey. The Christ-only gospel and the rules-based approach represent two disparate pathways to redemption, each with its strengths and weaknesses. As we navigate the intricacies of faith and spirituality, it is essential to recognize the value of personal intimacy with God, the importance of trust, and the transformative power of obedience. Ultimately, our choice of pathway reflectsour understanding of God's character, nature, and ways. May our pursuit of divine redemption be guided by humility, empathy, and a deepening understanding of the complexities and nuances of the human experience.

** Isaac Megbolugbe, Director of GIVA Ministries International, 2024 Marquis Organization’s Class of Top Executives in the United States of America and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.  He is resident in the United States of America.

When I first moved to New York City, it took me about a year to find close friends. The first 12 months I said “yes” to every invitation and then wondered why I didn’t find most of those hangouts that fulfilling. 

It turns out there could be a very simple explanation as to why these meetups didn’t net deeper connections. In order for friendships to work, three conditions need to exist, Mel Robbins, author of “The Let Them Theory,” recently told Jay Shetty on his podcast On Purpose. 

1. Proximity: To become someone’s friend, seeing them consistently needs to be easy. Today more than half, 58%, of Americans don’t live near or in the community where they grew up, according to data from Pew Research Center. So, many friendships they had growing up are harder to maintain. Even when I’d meet a like-minded person at a NYC party, the friendship would flounder if they lived more than a half hour away on the subway.

2. Timing: The older you get, the more people you’ll meet who are in various phases of life. “Everybody’s on different timelines,” Robbins said. “Some of your friends are getting married. Some are going to graduate school. Some are now pursuing jobs.” Finding friends who face the same hurdles and hit the same milestones as you makes it easier to connect.

3. Energy: If your values don’t align, it’s hard to maintain a bond. “You can have fantastic energy with somebody, and then if you decide you’re not drinking anymore, the energy is off,” Robbins said. “If you decide to get really focused on fitness, the energy is off. If you have very different political beliefs, the energy is off.”

When an adult friendship fizzles, it’s usually because one or more of these conditions aren’t met. “You can’t force those things,” Robbins said. 

While I wish I’d had this insight when I was 22, I’m grateful to have it now. As I move into the next phases of my life, it’ll be easier to accept that some connections will be easier to maintain than others, and it’s best not to take it personally.

CNBC

In a spectacle befitting a nation where irony is never in short supply, the Presidential Villa in Abuja, home to the country’s highest office, has been thrown into darkness following the theft of electricity cables supplying power to the area.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed on Friday that vandals had made off with 40 meters of 1x500mm² XLPE conductors from a 132kV underground transmission line near Millennium Park, just a stone’s throw from the very heart of Nigeria’s power structure. The affected line supplies electricity to the 132kV Central Area transmission substation, which distributes power to central parts of Abuja, including the Presidential Villa.

TCN’s General Manager, Ndidi Mba, noted that the brazen act disrupted power in Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Lifecamp, Asokoro, Utako, Mabushi, and portions of the Villa itself. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, also chimed in with a statement decrying the rising tide of cable thefts but offered little consolation to those left fumbling for their flashlights.

The Presidential Villa, often hailed as the seat of power, now finds itself quite literally powerless—an ironic twist in a country where symbolism often outweighs substance. One would think that securing the nation’s corridors of influence might extend to safeguarding the cables keeping the lights on. But alas, even Aso Rock is not immune to the scourge of infrastructure vandalism.

Engineers have reportedly been dispatched to repair the damage, though it remains to be seen whether the response will be as swift as the vandals’ handiwork.

Meanwhile, Abuja residents, including those within earshot of presidential decision-making, are left pondering whether the real blackout is in the cables or the leadership itself.

The price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly called petrol, has risen sharply across Nigeria following an upward adjustment in the gantry price by the Dangote Refinery and subsequent increases by private depot operators.

In an email to customers, Dangote Refinery announced that effective 5:30 p.m. Friday, the gantry price of petrol would rise from ₦899.50 to ₦955 per litre for purchases of 2–4.99 million litres, and from ₦895 to ₦950 per litre for quantities of 5 million litres and above. The refinery noted that all stock balances yet to be lifted as of the effective time would be repriced at the new rates.

The increase, which represents a 6.17% hike from the discounted rates introduced in December 2024, is attributed to rising crude oil prices. Brent crude recently surged to $80 per barrel, raising production costs for refined products.

The price adjustment has had immediate ripple effects on the downstream petroleum sector. Private depots, even with old stock, raised their prices significantly. For instance:

• Sahara Depot increased its price to ₦970/litre from ₦950.

• Pinnacle Depot raised its price to ₦970 from ₦921.

• NIPCO Depot increased its cost to ₦980 from ₦950.

• Rainoil Depot moved up to ₦970 from ₦950.

• Depots in Calabar, such as Alkanes, now charge ₦1,000/litre, while Zone 4 and Mainland depots raised prices to ₦1,005/litre.

As a result, pump prices at retail outlets have surged, with petrol now selling between ₦1,050 and ₦1,150 per litre, depending on the location.

Industry experts warn that prices could rise further if crude oil prices continue to climb and the exchange rate does not improve. Festus Osifo, National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), noted that crude price trends would heavily influence the cost of petrol in the coming weeks.

This development comes amidst ongoing economic challenges, with rising fuel prices expected to further strain households and businesses across the country.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has distributed N1.42 trillion in revenue to Nigeria's three levels of government for December 2024. This allocation, drawn from a gross total of N2.31 trillion, represents a N300 billion increase from November's distribution of N1.72 trillion.

The breakdown of the distribution, announced at FAAC's December meeting chaired by Finance Minister Wale Edun, is as follows:

- Federal Government: N451 billion

- State Governments: N498 billion

- Local Governments: N361 billion

- Oil-Producing States (13% derivation): N113.47 billion

Additional allocations included N84.7 billion for collection costs and N801 billion for transfers, interventions, and refunds.

Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue increased by N20.5 billion to N649.5 billion in December, compared to November's N628.9 billion. From the VAT revenue:

- Federal Government received N90.73 billion

- States received N302.43 billion

- Local Governments received N211.70 billion

However, gross statutory revenue declined significantly by 32.9%, falling to N1.22 trillion from November's N1.82 trillion. The committee reported notable increases in VAT and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) collections, while seeing substantial decreases in oil and gas royalties, customs duties, excise duties, and both petroleum and company income taxes.

Exchange difference revenues of N402.7 billion were also distributed, with the Federal Government receiving N188 billion, states N95.4 billion, and local governments N73.5 billion. An additional N45.6 billion was allocated for derivation funds.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

In a dramatic twist, Oba Otudeko, former chairman of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), has reportedly left Nigeria amid looming charges of alleged fraud filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Sources disclosed to TheCable that the prominent businessman departed the country on Thursday evening, crossing the Nigeria-Benin border by land with assistance from a family member. Efforts to contact Otudeko were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off, although messages sent via WhatsApp were delivered without a response. Similarly, his son, Obafemi Otudeko, did not respond to inquiries about his father’s destination.

Earlier that day, the EFCC filed a 13-count charge against Otudeko and three others at the Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing them of obtaining loans totaling ₦30 billion under false pretenses between 2013 and 2014. Other defendants named include Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, former group managing director of FBN; Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell Flour Mills; and Anchorage Limited, a company linked to Otudeko.

The EFCC alleges that the loans—ranging from ₦1.5 billion to ₦12.3 billion—were falsely represented as being secured by certain firms. The arraignment of the defendants is scheduled for Monday.

OTUDEKO RESPONDS: “I’LL DEFEND MY REPUTATION”

In a statement issued by Olasumbo Abolaji, general counsel for Honeywell Group, Otudeko denied the allegations and stated he had yet to receive an official summons. He emphasized his lack of executive involvement in FBN Holdings and its banking subsidiary, asserting that he bears no operational responsibility.

“Otudeko categorically refutes the claims concerning his role in FBN Holdings and will aggressively defend his reputation,” the statement read. It described him as a builder of successful companies and a mentor focused on shaping Nigeria’s next generation of business leaders.

At 81, Otudeko claims his priorities lie in mentoring and philanthropy, expressing no interest in resuming any executive or non-executive positions beyond his current roles. He dismissed any suggestions of returning to FBN Holdings’ board, citing his confidence in the institution’s strong foundation.

While Otudeko has pledged to cooperate with relevant authorities, critics are questioning the timing of his sudden departure, which comes just days before his scheduled arraignment.

Israeli cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire accord, due to take effect Sunday

Israel's cabinet approved a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday, a day ahead of the agreement's scheduled start.

In the early hours of Saturday after meeting for more than six hours, the government ratified the agreement that could pave the way for an end to the 15-month-old war in the Palestinian enclave, which Hamas controls.

"The Government has approved the framework for the return of the hostages. The framework for the hostages' release will come into effect on Sunday," Netanyahu's office said in a brief statement.

In Gaza itself, Israeli warplanes have kept up heavy attacks since the ceasefire deal was agreed. Medics in Gaza said an Israeli airstrike early on Saturday killed five people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in the enclave's south.

This brought to 119 the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli bombardment since the accord was announced on Wednesday.

After the Israeli cabinet approval, lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk said the plan was moving forward on track. The White House expects the ceasefire to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.

"We have locked down every single detail in this agreement. We are quite confident... it is ready to be implemented on Sunday," McGurk said on CNN from the White House.

Under the deal, the three-stage ceasefire starts with an initial six-week phase when hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for prisoners detained by Israel.

Thirty-three of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, were due to be freed in this phase. Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.

The names of 95 Palestinian prisoners to be turned over on Sunday were announced by the Israeli Justice Ministry on Friday.

After Sunday's hostage release, McGurk said the accord called for four more female hostages to be released after seven days followed by the release of three further hostages every seven days thereafter.

HARDLINERS OPPOSE CEASEFIRE

With the accord bitterly opposed by some Israeli cabinet hardliners, media reports said 24 ministers in Netanyahu's coalition government voted in favour of the deal while eight opposed it.

The opponents said the ceasefire agreement represented a capitulation to Hamas. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to resign if it was approved and urged other ministers to vote against it. However, he said he would not bring down the government.

His fellow hardliner, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, also threatened to quit the government if it does not go back to war to defeat Hamas after the first six-week phase of the ceasefire.

After a last-minute delay on Thursday that Israel blamed on Hamas, the Israeli security cabinet voted on Friday in favour of the ceasefire accord, the first of two approvals required.

Israel began its assault on Gaza after Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 during which some 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

The war between Israeli forces and Hamas has razed much of heavily urbanised Gaza, killed more than 46,000 people and displaced most of the enclave's pre-war population of 2.3 million several times over, according to local authorities.

If successful, the ceasefire could also ease hostilities in the Middle East, where the Gaza war spread to include Iran and its proxies - Lebanon's Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis and armed groups in Iraq as well as the occupied West Bank.

Gaza civilians have faced a humanitarian crisis due to hunger, cold and sickness. The ceasefire agreement calls for a surge in assistance, and international organisations have aid trucks lined up on Gaza's borders to bring in food, fuel, medicine and other vital supplies.

Palestinian relief agency UNRWA said on Friday that it has 4,000 truckloads of aid, half of which are food, ready to enter the coastal strip.

Palestinians waiting for food in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday said they hoped a truce will mean an end to hours of queuing to fill one plate.

"I hope it will happen so we'll be able to cook in our homes and make whatever food we want, without having to go to soup kitchens and exhaust ourselves for three or four hours trying to get (food) - sometimes not even making it home," displaced Palestinian Reeham Sheikh al-Eid said.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukraine's air force says it downed 33 Russian drones launched overnight

Ukrainian air defences downed 33 of 50 drones launched by Russia overnight, the air force said on Friday.

It said 9 drones were "lost", in reference to Ukraine's use of electronic warfare to redirect Russian drones, while one left Ukraine in the direction of Romania.

"Hostile attack drones hit enterprises in Odesa region, and buildings of institutions, private businesses and households in Kharkiv, Cherkasy and Kyiv regions were damaged as a result of the fall of downed enemy drones," the military said on the Telegram messaging app.

Port infrastructure in the Danube region came under attack, they added.

A Kyiv regional official said one child was wounded as a result of falling debris from downed targets during an attack.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russian troops liberate eight communities in Kharkov area, Donbass region over week

Russian troops liberated eight communities in the Kharkov area and the Donbass region over the week in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Friday.

"Battlegroup West units liberated the settlements of Kalinovo in the Kharkov Region and Terny in the Donetsk People’s Republic in active operations… Battlegroup South units liberated the settlement of Yantarnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic as a result of decisive operations… Battlegroup Center units kept advancing deep into the enemy’s defenses and liberated the settlements of Shevchenko, Peschanoye, Ukrainka and Slavyanka in the Donetsk People’s Republic… Battlegroup East units liberated the settlement of Nesckuchnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic as a result of active operations," the ministry said in a statement.

Reuters/Tass

The clamour for the separation of the ‘Office of the Attorney General of the Federation’ from that of the ‘Minister of Justice’ which is largely attributable, rightly or wrongly, to the perceived politicisation of the office of the AGF has been raging for quite some time. It, however, gained momentum based on the experiences of Nigerians in the 4th Republic. They question the fidelity of such an appointee of the president to the Constitution under a partisan system. Can he/she consciously discern that his/her functions of the AGF are not subject to the dictates of the President, unlike his/her functions of the Minister of Justice?

While the AGF is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation and is charged with protecting the public interest by ensuring the proper implementation of the laws, the Minister of Justice deals with the implementation of the policies of the government in the justice sector and is subject to the direction of the President in whom the Constitution vests all the executive powers of the federation. Nigerians who hold the view that the offices should be separated believe that one must be a saint to be able to navigate the delicate balance or the rather thin line that separates the appointee when acting as the Attorney General of the Federation from when he is discharging the duties of the Minister of Justice. Since we are all subject to human frailty, it would amount to burying one’s head in the sand to fail to acknowledge that such an appointee may sometimes consciously or unconsciously become susceptible to the political influence of the appointor (the President) or the political party. Where this happens, the appointee may lose the requisite objectivity required to discharge the functions of his/her office equitably, fairly and in accordance with the dictates of the law and conscience.

Given Nigeria’s experience with the holders of the office under a partisan political system, there are palpable fears that an Attorney General who is lacking the requisite integrity, diligence and independence, will unwittingly become a tool in the hands of a powerful president enabling him/her to ride roughshod over the rights of the people. Thus, instead of insisting on his fidelity to the constitution and serving as a check on the excesses of executive power, the appointee may feel obligated to his/her appointer and may be moved to descend into the political arena and have his/her vision beclouded by the murky waters of politics to the detriment of the people.

In view of the foregoing, Nigerians have been vocal in their clamour that the two offices be separated and held by different persons. They want the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to be insulated from politics through an appointment process and remuneration that guarantees its independence from the Minister of Justice. This view has found expression in the ongoing Constitution Review Exercise by the National Assembly which is considering proposals for the amendment of the constitution to separate the office. The practice around the world and some commonwealth jurisdictions supports separating the office. For instance, in the United Kingdon, the Office of the Attorney General is separate from the Minister of Justice. In India, Kenya and South Africa, to name a few jurisdictions, the offices are separate. This means that the concerns of well-meaning Nigerians advocating for such a separation to depoliticise the office are not misplaced.

To achieve the objective of separating the office, views are divided as to whether a constitutional amendment is required. Reacting to these contending positions, my predecessor in office, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, recently opined that an amendment to the constitution was not necessary to achieve such an outcome. In his view, the provisions of section 150 of the constitution merely provide that there shall be an Attorney General of the Federation who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the Federation. He therefore contends that the president is, therefore, free to appoint a separate Minister of Justice in much the same way as he appoints other ministers not expressly mentioned in the Constitution without any consequential amendment of the constitution.

I am, however, of the respectful view that section 150 of the constitution goes beyond providing for the office of ‘Attorney General of the Federation’ and ‘Chief Law Officer.’ It adds a third ‘portfolio’ of a ‘Minister in the Government of the Federation’ to such an appointee thereby making it mandatory for the Attorney General of the Federation to be made a Minister in the Government of the Federation. For the avoidance of doubt. The section is hereby reproduced in ex tenso: “150 (1) There shall be an Attorney General of the Federation who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the Federation and a Minister of the Government of the Federation” (emphasis supplied). I, therefore, humbly opine that there is need to amend section 150 of the Constitution by deleting “and a Minister of the Government of the Federation” to effectively separate the offices.

I am convinced that to achieve the objective of depoliticising the office, the Attorney General of the Federation should not be a Minister. This is because by virtue of section 148 of the Constitution, ministers are delegates who exercise executive powers of the president. They must therefore be subject to the direction and control of the president while exercising such powers. The Attorney General of the Federation should, therefore, head the Department of Justice akin to the offices of the Accountant General of the Federation, Auditor General of the Federation, and Surveyor General of the Federation, etc., and should be independent. The Attorney General of the Federation should be guided by the dictates of his/her conscience and the overriding public interest, and reporting on the activities of the office at least once in a year to the National Assembly.

Apart from the physical separation of the offices, care must be taken to address issues that are likely to impinge on the independence of the office holder. These include: the appointment process, qualification, tenure and remuneration. For instance, in the United States of America, the Attorney General is appointed by the President on the confirmation of the Senate while in the United Kingdom, the Attorney General is nominated by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Monarch (King) on the advice of the Prime Minister. Similarly, in Kenya, the Attorney General is nominated by the President with approval of the National Assembly and appointed by the President and reforms are being proposed to limit the tenure to 10 years. In India, the Attorney General is appointed by the President at the instance of the Union Cabinet. In South Africa, the Attorney General is appointed by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs after consultation with the Solicitor General and can be removed with the approval of both Houses of Parliament.

In addition to the appointing process, some jurisdictions prescribe qualifications, the most significant one being where the Attorney General is required to have the same qualification as the Chief Justice or Justice of the Supreme Court as is the case in Kenya and India respectively. In the United States, a Bar qualification will suffice while in the United Kingdom, qualification is not specified, but holders of the office have traditionally been Barristers who continue to practise with the Crown as their client. Also, the remuneration for the office is carefully considered to insulate the appointee from influences that may derail him or her. What is important is to ensure that the appointee is well compensated for the onerous duties he or she is discharging and to insulate him from financial pressures as has been done in some jurisdictions.

Given the peculiarities of Nigeria, care should be taken to ensure that the appointment process is clearly specified in the Constitution establishing the Office of Attorney General of the Federation and his counterparts at the state level. I submit that the Attorney General of the Federation should be appointed by the President subject to confirmation by the Senate. The appointee should have the same qualification as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and should be appointed for a fixed, non-renewable tenure of six years only. The appointee should not be removed except for misconduct, violation of the provisions of the enabling law, convictions or inability to discharge the functions of the office due to infirmity of the body or mind. The President should only remove the appointee upon an address supported by two-thirds of the Senate. The remuneration of the appointee should be stated in the Instrument of Appointment and should be reasonable enough to compensate the appointee and insulate him from monetary inducement. The remuneration so specified should be subject to yearly adjustments based on inflation to ensure that the salary is not eroded.

It is also necessary to clarify the duties of the Attorney General of the Federation as well as that of the Minister of Justice to avoid jurisdictional overlaps. The Attorney General, who must be a seasoned lawyer, should be appointed under section 150 of the Constitution to head the Department of Justice. He will be assisted by professional staff such as the Solicitor General, Director, Public Prosecutions, Director, Civil Litigation, Director, Legal Drafting, Director, Solicitors Dept, and Director of International Law. He will also superintend all the law officers and be responsible for posting them as pool officers to other ministries to deal with legal matters and proffer legal opinions on his behalf.

The Attorney General shall not be a Minister but shall attend the Federal Executive Council to render legal advice where required, attend Court as amicus curie even in a matter where the Government is not a Party and attend the National Assembly to render legal advice. The Attorney General shall also superintend the exercise of prosecutorial powers by prosecutorial agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NATIP) and the national Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). To be effective, all these Agencies as well as the Nigeria Police should report to the Department of Justice. For instance, In the United States of America, the Attorney General is assisted by Deputy Attorneys General, Associate Attorney General, the Solicitor General and heads of Litigating Divisions such as Criminal, Civil, Antitrust, Civil rights, Tax, National Security etc. The Enforcement Divisions include Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), US Marshals Service (USMS), and Interpol Washington.

On the other hand, the Minister of Justice need not be a lawyer and should be appointed under section 148 of the Constitution. However, care should be taken to appoint a person with knowledge of the justice sector. The Minister of Justice will be responsible for implementing Government policies in the justice sector. This will cover issues such as government policies on the administration of justice, access to justice, law reform, research, legal education, law reporting, etc. The Minister will be assisted by the bureaucracy comprising relevant professionals and technocrats such as the Permanent Secretary and relevant Directors. The Minister of Justice shall superintend over parastatals such as the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Law School, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

Finally, while the above proposals are designed to strengthen the hand of the appointee to do justice to all those who encounter the justice system, there is no guarantee that the separation alone is enough to insulate the office from politics. The occupants of the office must have the requisite moral fibre and strength of character to resist subtle pressures from the powers that be in the discharge of their onerous duties. The search for a suitable attorney general of the federation or his counterparts at the state level should go beyond mere knowledge of the law to x-raying the antecedents of appointees over a fairly long period to determine their suitability.

** Adoke was Nigeria’s attorney general of the federation and minister of Justice from 2010 to 2015.

Contronym - a word that can mean exactly opposite things, e g pharmakon, poison and remedy in pharmacology and botany

Bene, you were amazonian

A revolutionary, a warrior

A female revolutionary and warrior

But you were also pharmakon

The poison that is also the cure

The foundation of Botany

The queen of all sciences

Poison cured, neutralized

Bene, warrior and revolutionary

Amazon and pharmakon

The roots of your life

Of your unique selfhood

Amazon and/or pharmakon?

More Amazon than pharmakon

Or more pharmakon than Amazon?

A needless riddle or conundrum!

Among plants and herbs

There are killers and healers

In botany, queen of all sciences,

Knowledge of poison and remedy

Among feminist revolutionaries

You were unique, Bene

Amazon and pharmakon rare Among women as among men

Not all men are warriors

Not all women are healers

Most women and most men

Tread and justify a middle ground

Your unique selfhood stood out

Until the end, Bene

Or close to the end

When the pharmakon stopped

YOU fatefully confronted

Poison without its remedy

You, Bene Madunagu,

Essence of cure for poison!

You seemed to have forgotten

Who you were or had been

And a great mystery arose:

Did you know yourself, Bene?

Did we, your comrades, know?

Amazon and pharmakon together

In your life, did we know,

Truly know, this basis of your life?

We knew, Bene, we knew

Only we had no name for it

We saw Amazon and pharmakon

Separately, not in combination

As we mourn and celebrate

As we commit you to earth, Reclaiming your full legacy

Will begin, Amazon/Pharmakon!

The closing chapter of your life

Will not have the last word, Bene

In full and in celebration

We will reclaim your legacy, Bene!

Bene, Bene, Bene, Bene, Bene

We will not forget you!

We dare not forget you!

Amazon and pharmakon!