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.

The arraignment of 76 suspects, including 32 minors, has ignited widespread condemnation across Nigeria, highlighting severe concerns over human rights violations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. These children, detained for three months, faced charges including treason for their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests that erupted in August, demanding urgent reforms amidst escalating economic hardship.

Witnesses described harrowing scenes in court, where the malnourished minors were seen scrambling for basic sustenance. As proceedings began, four of the children collapsed from apparent exhaustion and hunger, prompting a suspension of the session as they were rushed out for medical attention. Their condition drew outrage from civil society groups and human rights activists, who criticized the government’s treatment of these vulnerable children.

Leading voices from across Nigeria condemned the actions of law enforcement and the government. The Nigerian Bar Association denounced the use of minors in a Federal High Court, arguing that such proceedings violate both domestic and international legal standards protecting children’s rights. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Isiaka Olagunju, called the detention and arraignment a flagrant breach of the Child Rights Act, insisting that minors should not face such charges outside a family court.

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, expressed deep concern over the treatment of the minors, likening their courtroom appearance to scenes from a concentration camp. He emphasized that every nation is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable, calling for their immediate release. Peter Obi, another prominent political figure, echoed this sentiment, urging an investigation into the inhumane conditions the minors faced while in custody.

Civil society organizations, including the Take it Back Movement and Enough is Enough Nigeria, branded the government’s actions as tyrannical, demanding the immediate release of the detained children. Amnesty International also condemned the government’s disregard for legal protections for minors, calling for their unconditional release and highlighting the risks these children now face under spurious charges.

This incident has sparked a broader dialogue on governance, human rights, and the treatment of dissent in Nigeria, with citizens across the country uniting in outrage against what many view as an oppressive and authoritarian response to peaceful protests. As calls for justice intensify, the Tinubu administration faces mounting pressure to address these violations and reconsider its approach to civil dissent.

President Bola Tinubu has said that the tax reform bills will remain in the national assembly, despite a recommendation from the National Economic Council (NEC) to withdraw them. In a statement on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said that Tinubu acknowledged the NEC’s suggestion but emphasized the importance of allowing the legislative process to continue.

On October 3, Tinubu urged the national assembly to consider and pass four key tax reform bills, which include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. Additionally, he is advocating for the repeal of the current law establishing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in favor of a new Nigeria Revenue Service.

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has expressed opposition to these proposed bills, following a meeting with the northern traditional rulers council on October 28. The governors requested that the national assembly reject any legislation that could harm the interests of the northern region, insisting on fair and equitable implementation of national policies to avoid marginalization.

In response to the governors’ concerns, the presidency assured that the proposed laws were not intended to disadvantage any part of the country, but rather to enhance the lives of Nigerians and improve existing tax frameworks. Following this, the NEC reiterated its call for Tinubu to withdraw the bills to allow for further consultations.

However, Onanuga stated that the president believes the legislative process, which is already underway, offers an opportunity for necessary modifications without the need for withdrawal. “President Tinubu commends the members of the National Economic Council, especially Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 State Governors, for their insights,” he noted.

Tinubu remains open to additional consultations with key stakeholders to address any concerns as the national assembly reviews the bills. He established the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform in August 2023 with the aim of enhancing economic productivity and creating a more favorable environment for investment. This goal remains a priority today, the president said.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has voiced concerns over the high logistical costs associated with purchasing petrol from the Dangote refinery, leading members to seek more affordable alternatives at other depots nationwide.

IPMAN Secretary Suleiman stated, “If Dangote sets a price at N1,000 per litre and another supplier offers it for N900, we can’t prioritize our relationship with Dangote over profitability. We have to buy where the prices are lower.” He noted that last week, Dangote’s price was N995 per litre, while crude prices globally are on the decline. With additional transport and loading costs, he questioned how they could sell at competitive prices.

Suleiman emphasized the need to support Nigerians during tough economic times by sourcing cheaper fuel. He also criticized Aliko Dangote for not engaging with key stakeholders in the fuel supply chain, which he believes has hindered independent marketers’ access to the refinery.

“Dangote should convene a stakeholders’ meeting with IPMAN, MOMAN, and DAPMAN to collaboratively address these issues,” Suleiman urged. He argued that direct sales to IPMAN at a fair price would significantly reduce fuel costs across Nigeria.

Despite repeated attempts to engage with Dangote, Suleiman lamented that IPMAN’s outreach efforts have gone unanswered, as they seek a partnership that could benefit both the refinery and the marketers.

On October 29, Dangote announced that the refinery has over 500 million litres of petrol available, but oil marketers have not been purchasing the product. In a rebuttal, IPMAN claimed its members have faced delays in loading petrol, alleging that a N40 billion payment to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) was made.

In response, the Dangote refinery stated it has not received any payment from IPMAN for refined products, underscoring the ongoing tension between the two parties.

Ceasefire hopes fade as Israel bombards Gaza, Lebanon

Prospects of a ceasefire between Israel and its foes Hamas and Hezbollah ran aground on Friday as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 68 people in the Gaza Strip, according to medics in the Palestinian enclave, and bombed Beirut's southern suburbs.

The Israeli military said it killed senior Hamas official Izz al-Din Kassab in an airstrike in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis and described him as one of the last surviving high-ranking members of Hamas responsible for coordinating with other groups in Gaza.

U.S. envoys had been working to secure ceasefires on both fronts ahead of the U.S. presidential election next Tuesday.

But Hamas does not favour a temporary truce, its Al-Aqsa Hamas television reported on Friday. The ceasefire proposals failed to meet its conditions that any deal must end the year-long war in Gaza and include a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the devastated Palestinian enclave, it said.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his priority was to enforce security "despite any pressure or constraints".

His office said he relayed this message to U.S. envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk in Israel on Thursday. Israel meanwhile pressed on with its military offensives against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon on Friday.

Medics in Gaza said about 68 people were killed and dozens injured overnight and into Friday morning in Israeli strikes on the city of Deir Al-Balah, the Nuseirat camp and the town of Al-Zawayda, all in Gaza's central area, as well as in its south.

Fourteen people were killed by an Israeli strike at the gate of a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Nuseirat, according to medics at the camp's Al-Awda Hospital. Another 10 were killed in a car in Khan Younis, medics said.

Hours later, residents said Israeli tanks advanced on the northern and eastern sides of Nuseirat, and medics said an Israeli airstrike killed four people, including three children.

The Israeli military said its troops killed what it called armed terrorists in central Gaza and the northern Jabalia area. It had no immediate comment on the reported school strike, although it habitually denies deliberately attacking civilians.

The heads of U.N. humanitarian agencies said on Friday the situation in north Gaza was "apocalyptic" with the entire Palestinian population there at "imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence" as Israel pursues its offensive against regrouping Hamas militants in the area.

Israel also pummelled Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning with at least 10 strikes, Reuters journalists said. It was the first bombardment of the area - once a densely packed district and Hezbollah stronghold - in nearly a week.

The strikes came after Israel issued evacuation orders for 10 separate neighbourhoods of the Lebanese capital.

Hassan Saad, speaking on a Beirut street, told Reuters: "This is a brutal war and Israel does not have the right to do this...There must be a limit put for Israel because it does not abide by any of the laws or human morality."

Another Beirut man, Ali Ramadan, said he believed the Israeli airstrikes were a way to put pressure on Lebanon in the ceasefire negotiations.

The hostilities have undermined hope a truce could be reached before the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday.

Hamas television, quoting a leading source in the group, said the ceasefire proposals did not meet its conditions for a permanent end to hostilities, withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the return of displaced people.

Nor did they address Palestinians' need for security, relief and reconstruction and the full reopening of border crossings, the source said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer on Friday discussed a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Lebanon as well as ending the war and addressing dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, the State Department said in a statement.

'ISRAELI STUBBORNNESS'

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday accused Israel of blocking any progress in the negotiations.

"Israeli statements and diplomatic signals received by Lebanon confirm the Israeli stubbornness in rejecting the proposed solutions and insisting on the approach of killing and destruction," he said.

Lebanon's health ministry said 52 people were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes on more than a dozen towns in the Baalbek region, which has UNESCO-listed Roman ruins.

An Israeli strike on Friday in Syria near northeast Lebanon forced a border crossing to shut, Lebanon Transport Minister Ali Hamieh told Reuters. Israeli bombing closed the crossing last month and it had partly reopened before the latest strike.

Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians a day after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's retaliatory offensives have killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and reduced most of Gaza to rubble, as well as killed at least 2,897 people in Lebanon, its health ministry said in an update on Friday.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russian missile destroys ‘police building’ – Ukrainian officials

Russian troops have struck a police building in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkov on Friday, killing at least one officer and injuring dozens, Ukrainian officials said.

According to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, a Russian S-400 missile hit an unspecified “facility that housed police officers.” A 43-year-old police colonel has been killed, while 30 police officers, a first responder and nine civilians were injured, the ministry said. Interior Minister Igor Klimenko wrote on Facebook that some of the wounded officers are in critical condition.

Russian military blogger Boris Rozhin wrote on Telegram that Kharkov’s police headquarters had been hit. As of early Saturday morning, Ukrainian officials did not reveal which police site was targeted.  

The Kharkov regional governor, Oleg Sinegub, wrote on Telegram that the city was struck with an S-300 missile on Friday, and that four civilians were injured. He added that 20 apartment blocks and individual houses were damaged. 

Although the S-400 and the S-300 are both surface-to-air missiles, Ukrainian experts previously claimed that Russia was using anti-air missiles to strike ground targets.

Moscow has not commented on its most recent strikes. The Russian Defense Ministry has said in the past that it only targets military and military-linked sites.

In its latest daily briefing, the MOD said that the Russian forces carried out 44 “group strikes”between October 26 and November 1, hitting airfields and railroads that were used to transport troops, as well as energy infrastructure sites that powered “Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.” 

On Friday, the MOD said that the Russian military had struck a drone command and control center in Kiev, along with drone manufacturing sites and UAV stockpiles. 

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukraine's mortar shell production surge stymied by explosives shortage

Ukraine has increased production of mortar shells from zero before Russia's invasion to millions per year now, but a global explosives shortage is constraining the push to ramp up the weapons industry, Kyiv's top arms official said.

Ukraine is trying to reduce its heavy reliance on Western military aid. Mortar shells, which are cheaper and work at shorter ranges than artillery, are an important weapon against the infantry-led assaults Russia uses to advance in the east.

Herman Smetanin, who was appointed strategic industries minister overseeing wartime arms production in September, told Reuters that Ukraine had increased production across various types of artillery as well as mortar rounds.

"However, this is still not enough," he said in his first published interview in Kyiv as minister.

Smetanin, just 32, was appointed after rising rapidly through the ranks at Ukroboronprom, the state-owned defence industry giant, where he became its chief in June 2023.

Ukraine, he said, had the capacity to make more shells but was being held back by global production bottlenecks and high demand that has created a shortage of explosives.

"The main problem we have now are powders and explosives. However much explosive comes into Ukraine, that's how many shells we will have."

Ukraine has tried to expand almost all aspects of its domestic defence industry since 2022, as its troops are stretched over a 1,000 km (620 miles) front by a much larger foe equipped by a much bigger military industrial complex.

The production figures represent a rapid increase for a country that did not produce any artillery or mortar ammunition before Russia's full-scale invasion.

Ukraine, Smetanin said, was now producing its own artillery shells, including the coveted 155mm calibre used by heavy artillery pieces donated to Ukraine by allied NATO countries. He declined to provide figures.

Ukraine's fledgling shell production is still far less than the output in Russia, which has been investing heavily in its military for years under Vladimir Putin and also inherited vast Cold War-era production capacity.

According to a CNN report in March citing NATO estimates and an anonymous European official, Russia was able to make 3 million shells a year, nearly triple the combined capacity of the United States and Europe.

Artillery, sometimes known as the "king of battle", has been the most important commodity on the front for most of the war.

Ukrainian commanders told Reuters earlier in 2024 they estimated about 80% of casualties on both sides since the war's beginning came from artillery.

Smetanin said that one of his main goals was to build up serial production of Ukrainian missiles, although he conceded this also faced global supply chain barriers which he did not go into detail on.

Ukraine announced earlier this year that it had successfully used both its own ballistic missile and a "drone missile" dubbed the Palyanytsia, which the arms minister compared to a cruise missile.

RT/Reuters