Love is the hidden service we do for others, Pope Francis says

On Saturday Pope Francis said that love is more than just saying nice words and doing things – it means forgetting oneself and serving others, just as Jesus did when he washed the feet of the disciples.

“By washing the feet of the apostles, Jesus wanted to reveal how God acts toward us, and to give an example of this ‘new commandment’ of loving one another as he has loved us; that is, giving his life for us, the Pope said March 12.

Love, then, “is the concrete service we give to each other,” he said, explaining that love isn’t just saying or doing things, but “love is service! A humble service, done in silence and hiddenness, as Jesus himself said: ‘Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.’”

Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his third Jubilee general audience, which are being held once a month throughout the Jubilee of Mercy.

He continued his catechesis on mercy as it is understood in scripture, this time focusing on the passage in the Gospel of John when Jesus washes the feet of his disciples.

It is such an “unexpected and shocking gesture” that Peter doesn’t want to accept it, the Pope said, and pointed to Jesus’ question of “Do you understand what I have done for you?”

When Jesus washes his disciples’ feet and tells them that “if I, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, also you must wash the feet of others,” he is pointing out to them the path they must take if they want to both live their faith in him and bear witness to his love.

“Jesus has applied to himself the image of the ‘Servant of God’ used by the prophet Isaiah,” Francis said, emphasizing that the fact that the Son of God “makes himself a servant!”

To serve others, then, means to use and make available the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given us in order for the community to grow, he said, adding that this type of service also includes sharing one’s material goods “so that no one is in need.”

“This sharing and dedication to whoever is in need is a lifestyle which God also suggests to many non-Christians, as a path of authentic humanity,” the Pope noted.

He encouraged pilgrims not to forget that in washing the disciples’ feet and in asking us to do the same, Jesus is also inviting us to confess our failings and to pray for each other so that we know “how to forgive from the heart.”

“Love (and) charity, is service,” he said, and in off-the-cuff comments pointed to a letter he received last week from a woman caring for her elderly mother and disabled brother.

In her letter, the woman both thanked the Pope for the Jubilee of Mercy, and asked that he pray for her to grow closer to the Lord.

“The life of this person was to heal her mother and brother…her life was to serve, to help, and this is love,” he said. “When you forget yourself and think of others – this is love.”

Pope Francis closed his audience by noting how in the washing of the feet, Jesus teaches us to be true servants, as he was for each one of us.

“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, to be merciful like the Father means to follow Jesus on the path of service.”

EFCC gets presidency's nod to probe ex-president Jonathan

Commission (EFCC) the nod to probe ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan.
According to The Punch, President Buhari’s special assistant on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, in a chat on Friday, March 11, noted that there was no secret agreement between the present and past presidents to exempt Jonathan from the list of corrupt people to be probed by this administration.

“The President does not teleguide the EFCC in any way,” Adesina said while answering questions on whether the EFCC would seek the consent of President Buhari before probing Jonathan.

Speaking in the same vein, Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, told The Punch that, “there is no secret pact between President Buhari and any past President.

“If you know or understand him, President Buhari is not the kind of person who will go into secret agreements. He is open about everything he does.

“The war against corruption is open-ended. Nobody knows how it will end.”

Shehu explained further that the war against corruption in the country is not a witch hunt.

He said: “But the President is not on a witch hunt. If you remember his acceptance speech after being announced as the winner of the 2015 general elections, he said without any equivocation that he would not victimise or subject anyone to witch hunt.

“One thing very clear from the way he has carried on with the war against corruption is that past officials of government have a window to return looted funds to avoid investigation and trials which may be drawn out and sometimes inimical to the exercise.

“People can help themselves and help the country without being noisy about anything.

“The President is aware that he is under watch, locally and internationally, in his handling of the war against corruption.

“Whatever international support he will get will depend on how open and effective his government is in carrying out the anti-graft war.

“To that extent, the war against corruption knows neither friend nor foe.”

The body language of the anti-graft agency had initially suggested that they may be reluctant to bring in ex-president for questioning over multi-billion dollar corruption allegations, especially the $2.1billion arms deal.

This report also comes on the heel of Chief Olisa Metuh’s call for the probe of erstwhile president, Jonathan, as he ordered most of the payments being made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP spokesperson, who has been standing trials over his involvement in the $2.1bn arms deal scam, was released on bail in January, 2016 after initially spending some nights at the Kuje prison.

5 Tips That Would Make Your Natural Hair Grow

5 Tips to try:

New Habits : Develop the habit of
drinking lots of Water, it has a lot of benefits for your skin too! Eat foods, nuts and fruits that contain protein, vitamins, Iron,antioxidants, fish oil etc-good diet, basically.

Exercise!(you don’t necessarily have to go to the gym) . Ensure your scalp is clean; also use apple cider vinegar.
Moisturize: Don’t forget that moisture comes from water and any product which you use as a moisturizer must contain water. This helps your hair stay healthier, minimize breakage and retain length. Seal with oil.

Massage scalp(at least every other day): The best oils to use are essential oils.Massaging helps ease tension in the scalp making it easier for blood flow to the scalp for hair growth. A friend once told me to turn my head upside down for a few seconds/minutes and I finally understood why it should work->blood circulation in scalp=hair growth

Use of supplements: Supplements like vitamins (A,B,C,D), biotin, Iron etc help boost your hair’s health. Be sure to take them along side a proper diet!

Low manipulative /protective styles: These prevent everyday manipulation of hair which causes breakage and helps in length retention. Don’t leave them in too long! Don’t forget to be patient during detangling.

Be patient with your hair, love it and it’ll grow.

Many Trump supports believe ending slavery was wrong

As he comes ever and ever closer to winning the US presidential election, Donald Trump is still dominating the headlines.

It is not just Trump’s own rhetoric making the news, the actions and views of his supporters are now becoming a big story too, and some of their far-right views are almost unbelievable.

Shockingly, a worryingly large number of Trump fans believe that ending slavery was a bad idea.
Despite his outlandish views, Trump is now the clear Republican front runner

According to the results of a poll published by the New York Times, a horrific 20% of Trump supporters in the key state of South Carolina believe that the Emancipation Proclamation was a bad idea and do not support it.

The proclamation, made during the American civil war by then president Abraham Lincoln, declared slavery illegal throughout the US thus freeing every Black person held in bondage.

Also, half of Trump’s supporters want to immediately ban all Muslims from entering the US, which the flamboyant businessman has promised to do if elected.

One third want to expand this ban to include homosexual men and woman, a very hardline position by American standards.

Trump’s supporters have been involved in a number of violent incidents over the last week, especially involving Black protesters.
A rally held in America’s third largest city Chicago had to be called off last night after pro and anti-Trump activists clashed inside a University of Illinois auditorium.

Some Trump supporters wanted to return to days when Black slaves were a common sight
As you can see from the shocking video below, hundreds of anti-Trump activists, many of whom were Black or Hispanic, invaded the auditorium and clashed with the rally’s attendees.

If elected, Trump has also promised build a wall along the Mexican border to keep out migrants and tackle ISIS by killing the families of terrorists.

Oliseh set to reveals dirty details of the NFF

Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh is set to arrive Nigeria and appear before the House of Representatives committee on sports to discuss among other things, his resignation.

Oliseh resigned at the end of February citing a breach f contract on the part of the NFF. He left the country thereafter for his base in Belgium but he will reappear in Nigeria to face the House of Reps and discuss issues regarding his tenure as Super Eagles coach.

A top source at the National Assembly informed AfricanFootball.com: “Oliseh has been invited by the committee on sports. He is to give his own side of his resignation story.”

Another source said: “You know Oliseh, he will not hold back anything, he will give details of how some top officials made sure they frustrated him because they were not the ones who facilitated his appointment.

“You should expect him to shoot from the hips.”

Oliseh is expected to appear before the house in Abuja on Thursday, March 17.

Former Delta State governor, Felix Ibru, is dead

The business icon was reported to have passed on Saturday, March 12, at the age of 80 after a brief illness.
Although the family is yet to issue a statement confirming the demise, his reported death has been an item on the social media as sympathisers are already expressing regrets over his demise.
Vanguard reports that 80-yr-old business tycoon was said to have passed on after a brief illness and was until his death, the president general of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU)
But, a Facebook user says the family has disagreed with the reports about the Delta-born business tycoon’s said demise.

Yemi Alade Stuns In Short Sexy Gown [Photos ]

Hasn’t been too long since she debuted her ‘Ferrari ’ single with an infectious energy performance at the AMVCA 2016 .

Yemi Alade has now shared some new photos , and as usual, she was looking hot .

The ‘Johnny’ crooner who is well known for her bold fashion statements was present in South Africa for Meccedes Benz Fashion Week.

Yemi Alade looked gorgeous wearing a nicely fitted black dress, she splayed with a gold strap heeled shoe coupled with a brown lips with glowing skin confidently posing for the camera.

Yemi Alade recently dropped her third official single titled ‘ Ferrari ’ off her sophomore album ” Mama Africa”.

Why I will never be at peace with football – Gerrard

Steven Gerrard has admitted he will never be totally fulfilled with his football career when he eventually hangs up his boots.

The former Liverpool midfielder, left Anfield for MLS side LA Galaxy last year.

Gerrard, who played 700 matches for Liverpool and won two FA cups, three League Cups, a Uefa Cup as well as the 2005 Champions League, insists he is never quite satisfied.

“You look back at the highs and the lows,” he told the Telegraph.

“I always recognise that I achieved some incredible things. But I also reflect on some of the lows and wish that they were different, that I had achieved a little more.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be at peace. When it comes to football, I’m quite hungry, quite selfish.

“I want more than perhaps I can have. Maybe I’m a bit like a kid, a bit immature, when it comes down to that. I wish I was sitting here with an extra 10 medals”, he added.

Comedian says actors get small pay

Comedian and OAP, Ushbebe has said that he prefers to be a comedian than an actor because comedians get higher pay than actors.

The Ay's Crib actor made this revelation in a chat with Punch Newspaper as he unveils untold details about his growing up years.

“Comedy for me started when I was in my father’s house. My father is a very funny man. I am not one of those that would say certain things to make my growing up days sound like a bed of roses," he began.

Continuing, Ushbebe said, 'I grew up in the Air Force base and if you know anyone that grew up there, you can ask of Baba Congo. That is what they call my father. Just imagine the nickname my father has, Congo, who bears a name like that if not a funny man? He is a funny man, a clown, and that is the kind of house I grew up experiencing funny things. My house was like that Fuji House of Commotion when we had a full house. Because of my background, I went to the university to study Theatre Art. Even in my secondary school, I was the head of the drama society and I held the same position during my NYSC and in my church. In fact, I have been doing drama for a very long time and I call myself a ‘dramarian’.

Concluding he said, 'The only thing I can’t do is act because I don’t like to stay in a place for too long, so I decided to stick to comedy. Besides, the money actors collect is too small; when they increase their money, I will start acting.'

Female cadet allegedly maltreated on military campus- NDA

There are allegations that a female cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy situated in Kaduna has been maltreated while on campus.

According to Sahara Reporters, the lady was maltreated and given a corporal punishment in the leading military and educational institution for the Nigerian Air Force, Army and Naval officers to be.

The academy under the the tutelage of Major General M.T Ibrahim recently rolled out forms for the 68th regular course admission.

In September 2015, Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari attended the 62nd Passing Out Parade & convocation ceremony of the Nigerian Defence Academy in the company of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna.

Manager to saxophonist engage in Lagos [Photos]

Olayinka Awoyemi AKA G Rugged, manager and PR to Nigerian most popular saxophonist Yemi Sax got engaged to his heartthrob Abiola last Sunday (6 March, 2016).  

The couple had their engagement ceremony in Lagos in the presence of family and friends who grace the occasion. 

Olayinka Awoyemi also manages other Nigerians much-loved entertainers including Bouqui, Mike Aremu, Tim Godfrey and Xtreme.

ICAN -Professional body to train Civil Servants in forensic investigation

The Federal Government has said that it will partner with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to train Civil Servants on forensic investigation.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Akinwumi Olufunke, Information Officer to the Director of Communications in the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

The statement said the essence of the partnership, was to ensure accountability and efficient service delivery.

It stated that Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation said this in Abuja on Friday when members of the governing council of ICAN visited her.

She said that time had come for the inculcation of new innovations and proactive attitude to improve the skills of Civil Servants to ensure better service delivery to Nigerians.

According to her, training of Civil Servants in forensic investigation will not only restore integrity and dignity of the service, but will ensure an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-Centred (EPIC) Civil servant.

This, she said, was what the present administration hoped to achieve.

She added that accuracy and integrity placed the accounting professionals above board in the discharge of their duties.

This, she further said, was in consonance with the newly adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

She explained that IPSAS is an accrual based standard used for the preparation of general purpose financial statements by government and other public sector entities around the world.

Oyo-Ita stressed that IPSAS was used to enhance the quality, consistency and transparency of public sector financial reporting world wide.

The statement quoted ICAN President Mr Otunba Femi Deru, as saying that there was the need for nomination and sponsorship of Accountants in the Civil Service to attend courses organised by the institute.

This, he said, was to enable them enhance their skills , adding that knowledge was perishable when not renewed.

He, however, expressed confidence that Civil Servants would perform optimally if the present administration explored possible ways to equip them with relevant skills and materials