I was not a great one for reading lists until I ran into Irving Wallace and his children’s TheBook of Lists. The bookis fun – brimful of odds, oddities, quirks and quiddities: The number of men suspected of being Jack the Ripper, the archetypal serial killer. Sixteen cases of people killed by God. Lists of sundry coincidences, chance meetings, botched robberies. Continue reading →
After the inglorious and insensitive administrations of Ex- Governors Mbadinuju and Ngige, Anan people were not despondent but in high spirit, believing that Governor Peter Obi would perform, predecessors failed having recovered his stolen mandate through the legal process and successfully come back after his impeachment through the supreme court judgment. Only a God-sent leader could face these raw challenges.
A report in the South African newspaper, the Sowetan reveals the deception, fraud, manipulation and exploitation underlying the miracle claims of penticostal churches
In April, a South African newspaper the Sowetan, published a report revealing the deception, fraud, manipulation and exploitation underlying the miracle claims of the Nigerian televangelist, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his church, the Christ Embassy. The report indicts Pastor Chris for staging and faking miracles. A member of the church in South Africa revealed that one of the pastors offered him 10,000 rands ( 1,400 dollars) to rehearse and pretend to be in a wheelchair three weeks before the all night prayer called Night of Bliss held at the Johannesburg stadium in April. The man was approached by a pastor of the church in the quest `for people to work for the church’ and `help draw crowds’ to the event. The plan was that the man would sit on a wheelchair and be moved around while pretending to be physically ill and would stand up and walk as soon as Pastor Chris stopped praying for him.”
But this man later turned down the offer. “I just told myself that using the Word of God to lie to desperate people is immoral. So, I refused to take up their offer.” He stated.
According to this report, some church members claim that Pastor Chris has been hiring people to pretend to be sick and disabled and then “be healed” during his television shows and public prayer meetings. It says that those claimed to have been healed during miracle sessions are actually trained weeks before the event. “Even children who are healthy are whisked around in wheelchairs. Some use crutches. Everyone is allocated a person who tells the congregation about your background, your specific illness and suffering. The Pastor raises his hands and places them maybe on your legs if you cannot walk, and few seconds later you get up and walk around the room.”
In its reaction, Christ Embassy has denied staging any miracle, describing the report as `rubbish’ and a blackmail by a soft selling newspaper to discredit the church and “this holy crusade”.
Anyone who is acquainted with the South African media knows that the Sowetan is not a soft selling tabloid. In fact the Sowetan is one of the major newspapers in the country and might not have made up this story. Christ Embassy just put up this defense to launder its image and still preserve this fraudulent scheme called miracles.
What the report in the Sowetan did was to let the `cat of miracle scam’ out of the bag of Christ Embassy and the penticostal business.
Miracles are not new to Nigeria, especially to the country’s fast growing pentecostal churches that are springing up everyday and fiercely competing for fellowership and money. And one of their most potent weapons to attract members is `fake’ healing. As a billboard along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway-one of Nigeria’s major highways, says “Miracles happen everyday”
Indeed, miracles happen everyday in Nigeria. But they are all fake. They are all stage-managed by the pastors and their gullible folks to sustain the penticostal hocuspocus. Pastor Chris and his Christ Embassy are alone in this business. Other Nigerian pastors, T.B Joshua, Enoch Adeboye, David Oyedepo, Matthew Ashimolowo and their church members also stage miracles. Personally I don’t know why it took the miracle session in South Africa to reveal this “open secret” about pentecostal churches in Nigeria – that they fake miracles. Again this report reveals how church members themselves are collaborating in this spiritual scam by allowing themselves to be used by these con artists called faith healers.
There has never been any real instance of miracle. Miracles are fantasies which human beings use to explain what they do not understand very well or they don’t understand at all.
Hence miracles thrives more under conditions of ignorance than knowledge. All instances of miracle which I know are founded or informed by hearsay, self-deception, gullibility and fraud. All the miracles talked about in the Bible and other sacred texts are lies, sacred fairy tales and pure fabrications. Jesus did not perform any miracle. Prophet Muhammad did not perform any either. Jesus did not change water into wine in Galilee as the Bible tells us.
Jesus did not heal the sick, raise the dead. He did not make the blind see, the lame walk, and the deaf hear. At the end of his life, Muhammad did not ascend to heaven in a flaming horse (He died and was buried somewhere.) The miracle claims of and about the ancient prophets are false. They are mythical tales created and crafted by primitive minds to support and sustain the transcendental illusions and superstitions of religions. All the miracles attributed to Jesus in the Bible are sacred allusions to make him look divine and get people to believe in him. The same with the Koran and Prophet Muhammad. So, staging miracles did not start with Pastor Oyakhilome and the Christ Embassy or with thousands of churches that litter the nook and cranny of Nigeria. It started with the authors of the Bible and other sacred writings. It started with the founders and purveyors of religious wares. They invented and codified these mythical accounts so that people would believe and believe blindly and thoughtlessly.
And until Nigeria nay Africa embraces critical thinking, skeptical intelligence, free thought and rational outlook; until there are Africans who are ready to live and act honestly and courageously like this church member in South Africa, all these miracle peddlers, mongers scammers and stage managers prowling the continent will continue to prey on, exploit, darken and scandalize Africa and the world.
A report in the South African newspaper, the Sowetan reveals the deception, fraud, manipulation and exploitation underlying the miracle claims of penticostal churches
In April, a South African newspaper the Sowetan, published a report revealing the deception, fraud, manipulation and exploitation underlying the miracle claims of the Nigerian televangelist, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his church, the Christ Embassy. The report indicts Pastor Chris for staging and faking miracles. A member of the church in South Africa revealed that one of the pastors offered him 10,000 rands ( 1,400 dollars) to rehearse and pretend to be in a wheelchair three weeks before the all night prayer called Night of Bliss held at the Johannesburg stadium in April. The man was approached by a pastor of the church in the quest `for people to work for the church’ and `help draw crowds’ to the event. The plan was that the man would sit on a wheelchair and be moved around while pretending to be physically ill and would stand up and walk as soon as Pastor Chris stopped praying for him.”
But this man later turned down the offer. “I just told myself that using the Word of God to lie to desperate people is immoral. So, I refused to take up their offer.” He stated.
According to this report, some church members claim that Pastor Chris has been hiring people to pretend to be sick and disabled and then “be healed” during his television shows and public prayer meetings. It says that those claimed to have been healed during miracle sessions are actually trained weeks before the event. “Even children who are healthy are whisked around in wheelchairs. Some use crutches. Everyone is allocated a person who tells the congregation about your background, your specific illness and suffering. The Pastor raises his hands and places them maybe on your legs if you cannot walk, and few seconds later you get up and walk around the room.”
In its reaction, Christ Embassy has denied staging any miracle, describing the report as `rubbish’ and a blackmail by a soft selling newspaper to discredit the church and “this holy crusade”.
Anyone who is acquainted with the South African media knows that the Sowetan is not a soft selling tabloid. In fact the Sowetan is one of the major newspapers in the country and might not have made up this story. Christ Embassy just put up this defense to launder its image and still preserve this fraudulent scheme called miracles.
What the report in the Sowetan did was to let the `cat of miracle scam’ out of the bag of Christ Embassy and the penticostal business.
Miracles are not new to Nigeria, especially to the country’s fast growing pentecostal churches that are springing up everyday and fiercely competing for fellowership and money. And one of their most potent weapons to attract members is `fake’ healing. As a billboard along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway-one of Nigeria’s major highways, says “Miracles happen everyday”
Indeed, miracles happen everyday in Nigeria. But they are all fake. They are all stage-managed by the pastors and their gullible folks to sustain the penticostal hocuspocus. Pastor Chris and his Christ Embassy are alone in this business. Other Nigerian pastors, T.B Joshua, Enoch Adeboye, David Oyedepo, Matthew Ashimolowo and their church members also stage miracles. Personally I don’t know why it took the miracle session in South Africa to reveal this “open secret” about pentecostal churches in Nigeria – that they fake miracles. Again this report reveals how church members themselves are collaborating in this spiritual scam by allowing themselves to be used by these con artists called faith healers.
There has never been any real instance of miracle. Miracles are fantasies which human beings use to explain what they do not understand very well or they don’t understand at all.
Hence miracles thrives more under conditions of ignorance than knowledge. All instances of miracle which I know are founded or informed by hearsay, self-deception, gullibility and fraud. All the miracles talked about in the Bible and other sacred texts are lies, sacred fairy tales and pure fabrications. Jesus did not perform any miracle. Prophet Muhammad did not perform any either. Jesus did not change water into wine in Galilee as the Bible tells us.
Jesus did not heal the sick, raise the dead. He did not make the blind see, the lame walk, and the deaf hear. At the end of his life, Muhammad did not ascend to heaven in a flaming horse (He died and was buried somewhere.) The miracle claims of and about the ancient prophets are false. They are mythical tales created and crafted by primitive minds to support and sustain the transcendental illusions and superstitions of religions. All the miracles attributed to Jesus in the Bible are sacred allusions to make him look divine and get people to believe in him. The same with the Koran and Prophet Muhammad. So, staging miracles did not start with Pastor Oyakhilome and the Christ Embassy or with thousands of churches that litter the nook and cranny of Nigeria. It started with the authors of the Bible and other sacred writings. It started with the founders and purveyors of religious wares. They invented and codified these mythical accounts so that people would believe and believe blindly and thoughtlessly.
And until Nigeria nay Africa embraces critical thinking, skeptical intelligence, free thought and rational outlook; until there are Africans who are ready to live and act honestly and courageously like this church member in South Africa, all these miracle peddlers, mongers scammers and stage managers prowling the continent will continue to prey on, exploit, darken and scandalize Africa and the world.
When applying to colleges and/or universities, it is best to do so as early as possible. The earlier you apply, the better chances you will have of being accepted into your program of interest. As expected, many college courses fill up quickly, which is why early applications often stand a better chance of acceptance.
Before applying to certain colleges and/or universities, it is a good idea to review their freshman enrollment requirements. These requirements generally pertain to anyone who has graduated from high school within the past five years. Beyond that, required high school courses are not as highly considered due to the fact that so much time has passed. Therefore, even if you did not take the necessary high school courses, you may be able to attend the college of your choice if you are willing to wait for five or more years before enrolling.
Almost every college and/or university charges an application fee when applying. This fee is generally very reasonable and is often less than $50.00. This is a non-refundable fee, which is not refunded for any reason including a denial of acceptance. Applications to colleges and/or universities will often be under advisement for several weeks. At that time, the school will either send a letter of congratulations or one of denial.
Many modern colleges and universities have websites and even allow applications to be submitted online. This is believed to speed up the application process and may result in a quicker decision than if submitted by mail. In the case of online applications, the application fee will generally be charged to a major credit card. If you do not have a credit card, you may have to mail your application along with a check or money order. It is important to remember that, under no circumstances, should you ever send cash through the mail.
Once you receive the college or university's acceptance, if applicable, it will be time to begin plans for enrollment. Many do not know this, but there is a big difference between acceptance and enrollment. Being accepted does not automatically mean the student is enrolled as this is just another step in the quest for a college education. During enrollment, a class schedule will be granted and, if requested, a campus room will be assigned. There are a number of living arrangements for college students, which may include on-campus housing, living with roommates, living alone or living at home with family. Living on campus is not a requirement of colleges or universities, but it does make for an easier commute to and from class.
Author Bio Find more about preschool lesson plans, KellyBlueBook, goverment grants and many others distance education resources at node.on.ca
“Nigeria Has Persecuted the Yoruba” Submission of Afenifere to the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (HRVIC) led by Justice Chukwudifu Oputa
It is with immense joy and a great sense of pride that African students released the maiden edition of Mind Opener to the beautiful people of Malaysia today. They hope that this magazine will be a beacon of light illuminating the continent and people of Africa. The launching was officiated by the Deputy chief Minister of Sarawak and Nigeria Ambassador to Malaysia with Mr. Anthony Claret, the organizing Chairman and president of African Students Association
Although, the magazine focuses on issues in the continent, they also hope that Malaysians will be enlightened and entertained through reading it.
The cover story is The African Man. The articles cover diverse subjects ranging from the nature of the African Man to how INTI College Sarawak prepares students to face the challenges of the future. For IT junkies, an article on the new and dynamic blue tooth technology is included. Some articles touch on the strength of women while others provide a window on the diverse views of people in the world around us. Investors and entrepreneurs are not left out in this age of outsourcing. We have prepared an article on the African market and its potential as well as a guide for investors and entrepreneurs thinking of joining the 'African Gold Rush'. We leave you with a touch of Africa. Among the high points are interviews with Managing Director of INTI College Sarawak and the Nigerian ambassador to Malaysia. So from the mountain tops of Cameroon to the River Nile in Egypt, We bring you greetings especially for this festive period. After the launching the magazine, the African students flaunt their ability and creativity in singing, dancing, acting and playing traditional musical instrument whilst appreciating and absorbing the cultural diversity exhibited.
The international students who come from all corners of the world recognize that despite their differences they are still united as a human race. These was a true success. it inspired an exploration of African cultures through music, dance and storytelling which was a process of learning, growing and creating a unity in diversity
Anthony-Claret Onwutalobi, a Nigerian activist, educator, and blogger, was born in Nnewi, in the heart of southeastern Nigeria, but grew up in Ihiala and Lagos state. When Anthony-Claret was growing up, there weren’t many well-known African male role models, but that didn’t stop him from achieving his dreams. He was particularly interested in computer science and business management. Fortunately, his parents encouraged his interests.
That encouragement drove him to excel. He graduated from high school at 16! Then he earned degrees in Computer Science and Software Engineering at INTI University College and the University of Wollongong Australia. Later, he graduated from the following universities: the University of Helsinki, Metropolia University of Applied Science and Lahti University of Applied Science. No challenge was too great for Claret to take on.
Anthony-Claret is widely known among his counterparts for his breadth of outlook, liberal views and marked sympathy for African aspirations. People, who knew him intimately, described him as “a hard-headed Africa man who sees straight into the heart of things, and never hesitate to express himself with the bluntness in which an African man never fails if he works hard.”
While in secondary school, he was active in events and activities such as the creative Circle Club, Religious societies, and Cercle de Francais French Club, all while maintaining good grades. Despite a rigorous academic schedule at the University of Wollongong, Australia’s Sarawak Campus, he regularly participates in extracurricular activities organized by the various international student Associations. He was instrumental in establishing the African students in 2003 and was elected secretary of the Association for the 2003 academic year. He received the Best Service Award for his outstanding community service.
Claret has been extensively involved in student politics at both school and university. He has held leadership positions in a number of organizations. He was elected the president of the Association; hitherto, he displayed admirable leadership skills, which have contributed to the smooth running of the African Students Association.
Mr Claret has organized a host of cultural and charity events. He fought for the rights of African citizens in Diaspora. His zeal for helping the underprivileged is commendable. As the president of the African student Society, he organised the first African convention Malaysia chapter to discuss issues facing Africans today and is currently the President of an organization that is in the process of renewing the African image and restoring black pride in the world.
He has also dedicated himself to raising the profile of young African men and women in universities, and through his participation in tutoring programmes and seminars in schools and universities, he is actively supporting the future prominence of youths involved in society and youth empowerment programmes in Africa and beyond.
Claret has excelled academically throughout his university career, receiving numerous academic and leadership awards in recognition of his academic achievements. He became interested in philosophy during his secondary school studies, particularly the development of emergent philosophies. He also keeps up with research on the impact of information technology on human interaction in the global marketplace. True to his interests, he enrolled in the University of Wollongong Sarawak Campus in both liberal arts and computer sciences. Anthony-claret is a software engineer who graduated with first-class honours in Computer Science and Software Engineering from the University of Wollongong in Australia. Anthony-Claret worked for INTI University, Sarawak for two years as an education counsellor and later marketing executive. He was involved in Youth social upliftment projects both within his university as a counsellor, and in the broader community through programmes dealing with HIV/AIDS and the Youth Awareness programmes. He has travelled to different Universities and schools in Nigeria and other African countries to conduct seminars on the globalization of Education and YOUTH AND EDUCATION: TRENDS AND CHALLENGES.
Claret is an education activist. His background and early experience played a significant role in his life. He has been extensively involved in youth development and social activism programmes. He is a facilitator in the fields of participatory development, gender equality, HIV/AIDS, Human Rights and the Environment. His passion for IT is clear, as his intention is to use his experience and knowledge in the field to lessen the socio-economic class divide in Africa. He is a motivational speaker with a good sense of humour.
He has authored prominent articles on African issues. Likewise, he is also a writer of everything from children’s books to satirical columns and articles. Not only that, but he was the Director of Publications for Mind Opener Magazine
Anthony-Claret founded a Codewit Global Network. His works have led him increasingly to the conviction that the solution to the African problems must be solved by Africans themselves. This idea has led to a development of philosophical thought attributed to him called “Codewism”, where he clarified that the solution to African problems lies in eight key principles.
As a pragmatist, Anthony-Claret offers an integrated and resourced based approach and teaches that youth capacity development and empowerment can help our young people to be engaged in the community. Such an effort, Claret believes, would have gone far to arrest the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic that continues to cut a fatal, but largely preventable swathe through a whole cohort of youth in Africa and across the world.
Over the past few years, Mr Anthony-Claret has done much to promote the spirit of multiculturalism among the diverse international populace. He is committed to using his knowledge to find a way to improve the socio-economic conditions of people living in Africa.
Today he encourages young people, especially African youths, that it is important to study African history in order to know who they are, where they are coming from and where they want to be.
Through his Codewit Global Network brand, he constantly and creatively challenges his audience to rise up and make a positive difference and change. His ever-confident “Yes I can!” attitude inspires others to stand up and be counted for what they believe in.
Mr Claret continued his post-graduate and doctoral education at the University of Helsinki, Finland ” Recently, He was nominated in Marquis Who’s Who, as a candidate for inclusion in the 2010 edition of Who’s who in the world, scheduled to be published in November 2009 in recognition of his achievement.
In writing about his vision for the future, Claret notes:
My vision for Africa is a continent that will give birth to leaders of character and consequence. Men and women of principle, will stand firm on the shoulders of past and present great leaders committed to making Africa a great continent where peace, justice, and equal opportunity prevail.
Famous Quotes
“Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world’s work, and the power to appreciate life.”
Major Accomplishments
It would be almost an impossible task to list all of Claret’s major life accomplishments. However, this author believes it is worth mentioning the following in the hopes that they will highlight the career of a man who truly changed the lives of most of the Africans in the Diaspora.
-> Nominated for the 27th edition of Who’s who in the world
-> Graduated with First Class honour (BSc) University of Wollongong, Australia
-> President of African Students Association 2004 – 2006
-> Chairman and Organizer of First African Convention in Malaysia
-> Director of publication of (Mind Opener magazine)
-> President of International Students Association (2003 -2004)
-> Founder and Coordinator of Codewit Global Network
The Memories of January 8, 2005, will forever be remembered when more than 15 African countries converged to discuss issues pertinent to their future. The event organized by Mr Anthony-Claret Onwutalobi, the organizing Chairman and founder of Codewit Global network took place at Mary’ek Hall Kuching Sarawak. Attended by Many African Ambassadors and Government officials.
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