Five PDP governors step up anti-Jonathan, Tukur campaign

Four of the G-5 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, yesterday, took their save democracy campaign to Second Republic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto) met Dr. Ekwueme for about 45 minutes in his suite at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

The fifth member of the group, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, was said to be away in Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj (Umrah).

Yesterday’s deliberation took place behind closed door with the governors seeking the Second Republic Vice President’s intervention in resolving some of the crises confronting the nation and the ruling PDP.

The issues include the political crisis in Rivers State, the division in the Nigeria Governors Forum, degeneration of internal democracy in PDP; the need to reorganise PDP if it does not want to lose future elections; and the alleged intolerance of dissenting views by the Presidency.

A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The 45-minute audience was part of the ongoing consultations with critical stakeholders by the five governors.

“The choice of Ekwueme by the governors was strategic because he had presided over the only acceptable reconciliation committee in PDP. He is also respected for his quality advice.

“By meeting with Ekwueme, the governors told the ex-VP that they were trying to demonstrate that their intervention was not sectional contrary to insinuations in some quarters.

“They told the statesman that the crisis in Rivers State portends a great danger for the nation’s democracy. They pleaded with Ekwueme to meet with other statesmen of like minds to hold a meeting with the President and persuade him to accept some of the peace terms they had presented.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “They expressed concern that the vision of the founding fathers of PDP, including Ekwueme, to have a truly democratic and detribalised party was being derailed.

“They insisted that the PDP must be reorganised if it does not want to lose power in 2015. They alleged that the party is losing touch with Nigerians.”

Ekwueme was said to have assured his guests that he and other leaders already visited by the governors would look at the issues raised by them.

“I have noted the issues you have raised, I can assure you that all the leaders you have consulted will address these matters,” he was quoted as saying.

On the achievements of the shuttles by the governors so far, the source added: “They have succeeded in pointing out to elders that the nation’s democracy is under threat.

“As stakeholders, the five governors have privileged information that most Nigerians are not aware of. I think a stitch in time saves nine.”

It was also gathered yesterday that the five governors may meet former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, after the Eid-el Fitri festival.

Another source, who is part of the ongoing consultations by the governors, said: “I think they will meet Gowon after Sallah next week.”

The governors had first gone to Port Harcourt last month on a solidarity visit to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on his travails with the PDP, the Presidency and the State Police Command before going to Abeokuta on Saturday, July 20 to seek the intervention of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Incidentally, President Goodluck Jonathan, with whom they are not on the best of terms was also in Abeokuta that day partly to see Chief Obasanjo but the governors deliberately avoided contact with him by diverting their convoy elsewhere in town until the President departed Obasanjo’s residence.

Thereafter, the governors met with former Nigerian leaders-General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna; President Jonathan in Abuja penultimate Saturday and later with Second Republic President Shehu Shagari in Sokoto.

THE NATION

Article of Faith: Christian Wishful-Thinking, By Femi Aribisala

Femi Aribisala

Since we are sick, confessing that we are healed is not going to heal us.

I was invited to conduct a ten-day teaching programme at a church in Lagos.  Out of the blue, at the beginning of the session, the Lord asked me to lead the congregation in singing a popular Christian song.  This continued every day for the first five days of the programme.

Each day, the Lord gave me a song that pertained to the topic at hand.  However, every song he gave me turned out to be based on a misunderstanding of the word of God.  He would then require me to explain to my audience that the song-writer was not schooled in kingdom dynamics.

Whose report?

The very first song he asked me to sing was given a major boost by the gospel singer, Ron Kenoly.  It is entitled: “Whose report will you believe?”  It goes something like this: “Whose report will you believe? We shall believe the report of the Lord. His report says I am healed. His report says victory.”

You may well ask what could possibly be wrong with this song.  Does the report of the Lord not say we are healed, according to the words of the songwriter?  No, it does not!  Isaiah says: “By his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).  He does not say: “By his stripes we have been healed.”  Isaiah’s report is actually that we are still terribly sick.  He kicks off his ministry with this negative diagnosis: “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faints.  From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores.” (Isaiah 1:5-6).

Indeed, the report of the Lord does not only say we are sick, it also maintains we will not be healed.  Isaiah says our wounds and sores have “not been closed or bound up or soothed with ointment.” (Isaiah 1:6).  Jeremiah concurs: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved!  For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; astonishment has taken hold of me.  Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?” (Jeremiah 8:20-22).

In spite of Jesus’ healing ministry, the Jews remained unhealed.  Those healed in the body were not healed in the soul.  John says: “Although (Jesus) had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (John 12:37-38).  As it was in the days of Isaiah and Jesus, so it is today.

Foolish Christians

The report of the Lord says we are gravely sick and identifies Jesus as our healer.  However, if we don’t admit we are sick, we cannot be healed.  Indeed, if we don’t know we are sick, we would not even go to see the doctor.  Accordingly, Jesus says: “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” (John 9:39).  If we don’t admit we are sick, the question of our healing becomes merely academic.

The prophecy that we will not be healed is fulfilled because we continue to fool ourselves that “by his stripes we have been healed.”  Thus, God told Isaiah: “Tell my people this: ‘You will hear my words, but you will not understand. You will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning.’ Harden the hearts of these people. Close their ears, and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn to me for healing.” (Isaiah 6:9-10).

For this reason, Jesus would sometimes stand in front of a sick man and ask him: “What would you like me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51).  If the man asked for healing, that would be acknowledgement that he agreed with the report that he was sick.  Or Jesus might ask: “Would you like to be healed?” (John 5:6).  The question is not as impertinent as it might seem.  Most sick people don’t want to be healed.  Most sinners don’t want to be sinless.  The sickness or sin is a lifestyle.

If the man asked for healing, Jesus might then ask him: “Do you believe I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28).  We are back full circle here to the question of Isaiah.  “Do you believe the report of Isaiah?  Do you believe you are sick?  Do you believe I am Jesus the Messiah?  Do you believe I can make you stop telling lies; make you stop fornicating; make you stop being covetous?  Have you received the heart of a believer?”

Therefore, the mistake of the song-writer is in writing a wishful-thinking song, in direct contradiction of biblical prophecy.  The prophecy says we are not healed but the song-writer says we are healed.  Precisely because we sing songs claiming we are healed when we are actually chronically sick with sin, we are making sure we will not ask Jesus for healing.  We are making sure we will remain sick.  We are making sure the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says we will not be healed.

The Lord’s hospital

The church is a hospital.  Imagine you walked into the General Hospital, only to find all the patients singing at the top of their lungs: “God’s report says we are healed.”  After that, some took their last gasps and died.  Others remained in hospital as sick as ever.  Would you not have concluded you were in a psychiatric ward?

That is how we Christians fool ourselves today.  Since we are sick, confessing that we are healed is not going to heal us.  God says in Jeremiah: “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!” (Jeremiah 6:14).  That is why Isaiah says of Israel: “These people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay any attention to the LORD’s instructions. They tell the prophets, ‘Shut up! We don’t want any more of your reports.’ They say, ‘Don’t tell us the truth. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies.’” (Isaiah 30:9-10).

This word is applicable to Christians today who are inclined to abuse and insult anyone who dares to identify the transgressions of the church.  Instead, in the modern-day church-service, a gathering of pick-pockets, liars, cheats, fornicators, adulterers; in short, people in varying degrees of sin, jump up and down singing: “His report says we are healed.”  Who are we fooling?  The truth is that we are yet to be healed of sin.  With the result that we come to church sick and go back home sick.  In cases, we remain in the same sin-sickness for thirty-eight years, going from bad to worse. (John 5:5).

Jesus says of our futile bible studies: “You search the Scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me. But you are not willing to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40).

PremiumTimes

PDP Faction Suspends Bode George Over Corruption

A faction of the Lagos Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, has resolved to suspend Bode George from the party over allegations of corrupt enrichment, anti-party activities, as well as his criminal record.

Taofeek Gani, state Publicity Secretary of the party, has, however, distanced the party from the resolutions, branding them as “fifth columnists.”

The motion to suspend Mr. George was moved by Owolabi Mayegun of Lagos Island Ward E2, Mr. George’s own ward, and seconded by Kolawole Moses of the same ward, according to a copy of the resolution at the “general meeting”. The suspension takes place with immediate effect, the resolution added.

In its reaction, the Lagos PDP said that “those fifth columnists would be flushed out from the party.” “None of us knew about any such stakeholders meeting. There was never such a meeting. It must be a Kangaroo meeting by those working for the ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria),” said Mr. Gani in a phone interview.

Mr. Gani also stated that there were no such people as Mrs. Ishola-Jagun and Mr. Solarin in the party’s exco.

“Those people are not part of us,” he insisted.

The PDP Constitution is clear on how to appoint and disengage party officials, according to the Publicity Secretary. “Bode George is a member of the BOT (Board of Trustees) by virtue of being the Deputy National Chairman of the party.

His suspension can only come from members of the BOT,” Mr. Gani said.

“The State Chairman is a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) and if there is a decision to remove him, it will still get the confirmation of the NWC. “If you discipline an officer, you need a superior office to confirm the decision,” Mr. Gani added.

Naij

Governor Amaechi Gives Jonathan His Conditions For Peace

Indications have emerged that the political crisis rocking Rivers state may linger following the conditions given to President Goodluck Jonathan by the State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, for peace.

Amaechi, who had visited the President in Aso Villa Friday last week, had a brief meeting with Jonathan with a view to resolving the crisis rocking the state, including the dwindling security situation in the state.

The conditions given to President Jonathan by Amaechi are strong:
An impeccable source told Punch that one of the conditions given to Jonathan by the state governor was the sacking of the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, his boy who he nominated.

The governor, according to the source, who is a stakeholder of the PDP in Rivers State, had expressed his discomfort over Wike’s overbearing attitude in the state.

Amaechi was said to had told the President that the minister’s utterances in recent times were worsening the already tensed situation in the state.

“He specifically told President Jonathan that Wike should be sacked so that peace would come back to Rivers. That was one of the things he (Amaechi) demanded from the President.

“The governor believes that with Wike’s utterances, it will be difficult for peace to reign in the state. Amaechi was particularly not comfortable with the influence of the minister on the PDP in the state,” the source said.

Wike had told his supporters to be ready to fight, a directive that appeared not to have gone down well with Governor Amaechi.

But the factional Chairman of the state chapter of the PDP who is loyal to Wike, Felix Obuah, claimed that if Amaechi indeed made such a demand, the President would not accede to it, as he described the minister as one of the best in Jonathan’s administration.

Defending Wike's open call to people to fight, Felix Obuah said:
“When Wike told his supporters to fight, what he meant was that his supporters must fight for their right. A situation where the governor does not embrace the rule of law, what does he (Amaechi) expect?”

Wike is working to become governor of Rivers State in 2015 but Amaechi is insisting that as an Ikwerre man it will be injustice to other tribes in the state, for him to handover to Wike, a fellow Ikwerre man.

Olufamous

NDLEA In Secret Investigation Of Celebrity Drug Traffickers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is taking covert steps to monitor specific Nigerian celebrities moving in and out of the country, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

Spokesperson for the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who dropped the hint during a telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday, did not reveal the names of such celebrities.

He was reacting to reports that some people in the entertainment industry find it easy to traffic drugs in and out of the country.

Ofoyeju said, “We have some people we are working on but it is not for us to say who is under our surveillance. The purpose of the investigation will become defeated. We have some credible leads that we are working on.

“This is not to say the NDLEA is relaxing its surveillance on ordinary Nigerians or other categories of travellers to ensure the eradication of drug trafficking in this country.

“You need to remember that the agency is an elite organisation that works basically through investigation. We don’t totally discountenance rumours, but such must have some leads we can work on.”

Ofoyeju said the increasing successes of the agency’s war against drug trafficking was the main reason the United States removed Nigeria’s name from the list of “drug major states.”

Asked if the renewed focus on celebrities was a result of the alleged drug ingestion saga involving Yoruba actor, Babatunde Omidina, popularly called Baba Suwe, Ofoyeju said the agency had always ensured that no Nigerian was treated as a “sacred cow” in combating drug trafficking.

He stated, “It is not even about Baba Suwe. The man was picked because there are no sacred cows. Our effort is a continuous thing. The issue of being a celebrity does not come in at all in the fight against drug trafficking.

“Everybody must be subject to the law of the land. Investigations that have to do with celebrities could take a long time depending on the mode of operation. It is a gradual process.”

Ofoyeju did not also give the reason for the choice of particular celebrities under investigation but promised that the outcome would be made known in due course.

Naija

2015: Northern youths shortlist Buhari, Atiku, Amaechi, 57 others for President •Blacklist Jonathan •2 Igbos and 2 Yorubas make list

Former military ruler General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and incumbent Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi top a list of 60 potential candidates drawn up by the Arewa Youth Movement (AYM) for the 2015 Nigeria presidential elections.

Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan is conspicuously missing from the list released via a statement signed by AYM National Coordinator Abdulrahman Abu Hamisu and National Secretary Muhammed Bello Jega. Amaechi and one-time Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku are the only Igbos on the list while there are only two Yorubas, both from Kwara State: Senator Bukola and United Nations official Professor Ibrahim Gambari. Below is the text of the statement:

The Arewa Youth Movement, after a rigorous screening exercise, has listed 60 Nigerians, most of them of northern extraction, to succeed Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as President of the Federal republic of Nigeria. These are persons they believe can tackle the present level of underdevelopment, insecurity and disunity in the country.

Although the nominees cut across different ideological orientations and political parties, they are mainly liberals, progressives and even radicals. Three names have been selected from each state, on the basis of geo-political representation and considerations that favour merit as well as ethnic, gender and religious inclusiveness.

Clearly, some states have stronger candidates than others, and the process is continuous, based on agreed criteria for further pruning.

In drawing up the list, consideration was also given to leaders from different vocational backgrounds. Additional criteria included credibility, good education, consistency, reasonable levels of low or lack of corruption, public sector experience, patriotism, national and international acceptability, and firmness and strength of character to implement fundamental development projects.

The Movement is very optimistic that one of its nominees will emerge as the next President of Nigeria, after a continuing process of processing, including public debates and public scrutiny of the potentials of the candidates. The other nominees will then be expected to support the winner to run the country well on the basis of collective leadership.

If for any reason, the President is to come from the South, three nominees:
1. Chief Emeka Anyaoku;
2. Dr. Donald Duke; and
3. Governor Rotimi Amaechi,
are to be considered.

THE SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES FROM THE NORTH ARE:
ADAMAWA
1. Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President.
2. General Mohammed Marwa, former Military Governor.
3. Nuhu Ribadu, Lawyer, former Chairman, EFCC.
BAUCHI
1. Senator Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, former Minister, educationist.
2. Amina As-Zubair, United Nations official, former Presidential Adviser.
3. Governor Isa Yuguda, former Minister, Politician.
BENUE
1. Senator George Akume, former Governor of Benue.
2. Chief Audu Ogbe, former PDP National Chairman, former Minister.
3. Dr. Yima Sen, Activist, former UN official, former Presidential Adviser, Academic.
BORNO
1. Professor Nur Alkali, former presidential Adviser, former Vice Chancellor, former DG of NIPSS, Academic.
2. Alhaji Mohammadu Goni, former Military Governor.
3. Professor Sunday Bwala, Academic.
GOMBE
1. Senator Audu Idris Umar
2. Mallam Murtala Aliyu, former Federal Perm Sec.
3. Ambassador, General Timothy Shelpildi
JIGAWA
1. Governor Sule Lamido, Politician.
2. Ambassador Ibrahim Musa Kazaure, politician.
3. Barr. Ali Saad B. Kudu, former Governor, Politician.
KADUNA
1. Professor Ango Abdullahi, Academic, former Vice Chancellor, community leader.
2. Mallam Nasir El Rufai, former Minister, Professional.
3. Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, former Minister.
KANO
1. Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former parliamentarian.
2. Dr. Jibo Ibrahim, Activist, Academic.
3. Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Governor, Educationist.
KATSINA
1. General Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State, former Minister.
2. Dr. Usman Bugaje, former Presidential Adviser, former Parliamentarian.
3. Senator Kanti Bello, Politician.
KEBBI
1. Senator Mohammed Aliero, former Governor. Politician.
2. General Tanko Ayuba, former Military Governor.
3. Dr. Mohammadu Bello, former Minister, Politician.
KOGI
1. Chief Patrick Adaba, former Deputy Governor, University Administrator.
2. Professor Francis Idachaba, former Vice Chancellor, Academic.
3. Professor Mike Kwanashie, Academic, Vice Chancellor.
KWARA
1. Senator Bukola Saraki, former Governor, Medical Doctor.
2. Senator Shaaba Lafiagi, former Governor.
3. Professor Ibrahim Gambari, UN official, Former Minister, Academic.
NASARAWA
1. Senator Solomon Ewuga, former Minister, Lawyer.
2. Mallam Rufai Ibrahim, Journalist, Publisher, Lawyer.
3. Dr. Hassan Lawal, Politician, former Minister, lawyer.
NIGER
1. Governor Babangida Aliyu, former Federal Perm Sec.
2. Senator Zainab Kure, Politician.
3. Professor Amina Mama, Activist, Academic, University Administrator.
PLATEAU
1. Senator, General John Shagaya, former Minister, Politician.
2. Professor Sonni Tyoden, Academic, former Vice Chancellor.
3. Senator John Wash Pam, former Deputy Senate President.
SOKOTO
1. Rt. Hon Aminu Tambuwal, lawyer, politician/legislator.
2. Mallam Muktar Shagari, former Minister, Deputy Governor.
3. Senator Aliyu Mai Sango Abubakar III.
TARABA
1. Barr Baba Adi, Businessman, Lawyer, Politician.
2. Rt. Hon Simon Dogari, former Speaker, University Administrator.
3. Ambassador Suleiman Zubairu, Politician, former Ambassador.
YOBE
1. Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, former Governor. Politician.
2. General Alwali Kazir, former Chief of Army Staff.
3. Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawal
ZAMFARA
1. General Aliyu Gusau, former National Security Adviser.
2. Senator Kabir Garba Marafa, Politician.
3. Senator Yau Sahabi Alhaji, Politician.

''Why I Hate Christianity'' - Charly Boy

Charly Boy recently shared an article on his thoughts about religion in general, especially the Catholic Church.

Read below and let us know if you agree;

The first 20yrs of my life, I seriously had this dream of being a priest. I was overfed with an overdose of religion which has always been a very serious business in my family. You dare not be late for morning mass or else you get the whipping of your life, yes my father was that strict, no nonsense when it came to going to church or anything spiritual. That’s where I’m coming from, we were a family that prayed together and were very staunch Catholics for that matter. 

When I turned 16 I became an altar boy, at that time that was the coolest thing to be, considering years of going to bible classes and regular confessions. Eight months into the spiritual things as an altar boy, I made a big goof; I drank the priests wine and ate a bunch of Holy Communion enough to fill me up. I figured I could be more spiritual by that action, but I got expelled as an altar boy, needless to say how scandalized and angry my father was then, OMG.

 

By the time I turned 20, I’ve had enough religion to last me two life times. By 1974, I left to further my studies in the USA, I was overjoyed because for the first time, I was going to be on my own. I was really carried away with my new found independence. Being an adventurous young man I started dabbling into not only the occult but with metaphysics, Buddhism, astrology, magic and all that Jazz. However, I still believe I was fundamentally a Catholic by birth, but the catholic fate has suddenly become boring and old fashion for me.

 

 When I read that controversial book, “In God’s Name”, all the negativity I started to feel about the Catholic Church became magnified in my mind. What about the sex scandals about priests and little boys. Hummmmmmm! I am aware that the Catholic Church is not a perfect body, and doesn't claim to be one. Of course it is plagued with the same corruption, scandals and sin as any other organization. Last night as I was watching CNN, the Pope’s visit to Brasil was being beamed to the world and all of a sudden, there it was, "who am I to judge as long as they walk in the light of Christ" Pope Francis on Gays. As reflexes would have it, I jumped out of my seat and hugged my TV, funny ha ha. Not because homosexuality has been part of my advocacy through the years but because I feel that every adult has a right to make their bed and lie on it as they choose, and who the hell are we to judge. I have always said that it is really not our place to judge those who do not fit our view of normal. So once again the church is attempting to evolve in order to keep up with the rest of civilization. That is how a religion survives. Its belief has to be flexible enough to stay somewhat relevant to current or the public will abandon it.

 

 Ever since the Popes election, my man has taken actions that seem to be very ‘unpopelike’. He even used public transport as a cardinal, he lives in a smaller quarter, he asked for blessing before blessing the crowd which gathered in St Peters square on the day of his election. But my people, what is stranger than Pope France’s action have been evangelicals’ reactions all over the world. Never before has a Pope become so widely accepted by Protestants and evangelicals. It's a proud day for Catholics and all mankind. Finally a Pope who doesn't see himself as equal to God, unlike our men of god down here. It is really amazing. Every Pope in the Catholic Church’s past has had a mastery over catholic rhetoric, because theoretically they always say the right things. But Pope Francis has decided to lead with his actions. Before delivering his message at the Holy Thursday Mass, Pope Francis spent time on his Knees washing the feet of young women incarcerated at a nearby prison. This is the first time a Pope has ever washed the feet of women, not to mention that one of the women was a Muslim, which is another break in papal tradition. In the holy book, the bible calls us to be the light to the world if Christ is to be present to the world. This is why Pope Francis’ way should be imitated for imitating him we make Christ visible and that is what influences others to walk in the way of Christ. So much to be said for our so called "men of god" in this neck of the woods who strut around as if they are God’s gift to mankind, most of them bunch of con men and fraud stars who are continually ripping off unsuspecting Nigerians, living in fancy houses, building universities their congregation can't even afford for their children and buying private jets because their God is not a poor God, as Nija's hand over their pay checks in return for a miracle because they have bought into the Hocus-pocus that is Pentecostalism. Just look at our churches today, tell me those priest, pastors or our so called men of god, who makes Christ visible. Jesus needs us to make him Visible and present in this troubled world. Blessed mother Teresa is a perfect example of showing us the love and mercy of Christ in the millions she cared for. The gospel calls us to imitate Christ and it is in the way we live that the gospel of Jesus gets proclaimed, that is how we speak Christ to a world that does not know him.

 

I am very scared for this Pope, he is a little too Christ like for his own good. There are still some die hard winches, vampires in the Vatican. I fear assassination, probably by the very people who call themselves "devout". If any Pope can show us what Jesus was saying, I think this one is the one. At least I hope so. I am impressed with this Pope not for his Catholicism but for his Christianity. As I lay in the comfort of my room watching the Pope’s visit to Brazil, it was clear to me that Pope Francis will go down in history as the greatest Pope ever, I just pray that he lives out his Pope ship for many years to come as to spread his light and make our lord Jesus more visible in the world. More than 3million people where at Copacabana beach for the re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross and farewell mass. This world Youths Day smashed previous attendance records and goes down in the record books as one of the best attended papal events ever.  In short, this Pope is a rock star. Here is a Pope who speaks the language of the people; In fact in Rio he kicked his penchant for simplicity, humility and accessibility into high gear. The security operatives were all overwhelmed by zealous pilgrims, he insisted on leaving the windows of his car down so he could extend his arm to those seeking his blessings. Countless babies kissed, photo ups with adoring faithfuls only added to the pontiff reputation for being a man of the people, and all of this took place in the roughest side of town, a crime ridden zone in Rio.

 

 Pope Francis is now standing up to the Mafia. First the Vatican honoured Rev Giuseppe Puglisi, killed 20yrs ago by mobsters for preaching against the Mafia, as a martyr. Pope Francis himself demanded that Mafia members abandon their "evil ways" especially those who exploit their fellow humans via human trafficking, drug dealing and prostitution. "They cannot make our brothers slaves; let us pray that these Mafiosi convert to God". Hummmmm na wa, if the Mafia decides to take Pope Francis out in retaliation for his words against them, I pray that there's a Pope Francis army out there ready to throw down.  If the Pope manages to mobilize all of Italian society against the Mafia, his days maybe numbered, but he will be unable to do so, and as a result I pray that the Mafia won’t remember him. They say the only thing needed for Evil to exist is for good men to do nothing. I am glad that he is doing something. He looks and sounds to me like he has a beautiful spiritual light burning  inside of him and is preaching goodwill for all and trying to turn around the corrupt so they too can walk in the sunlight of the spirit. I really admire him for standing up to the Mafias. I recognize the Popes effort in trying to bring a better image and name to Christianity.  Anyway you flip it, the Holy Father is full of surprises, born of true and faithful humility, at another occasion, he declared that all people, not just Catholics, are redeemed through Jesus, even atheists. "Those people must still do good. Infact, it is in doing good that they are led to the one who is the source of all that is good" In essence he simply restated the hope of the church that all come to know God, through his son Jesus Christ. Pope Francis is saying more than ever before, that Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for everyone. That has always been a Christian belief, but rarely do you hear it said by Catholics so forcefully, and with such evident joy. And in this era of religious controversies, it is a timely reminder that God cannot be confined to our narrow categories. Thumbs up for my man Pope Francis, nothing do you.

YNaija