NKJV Bible. Isaiah 44:1-28 [1]“Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, And Israel whom I have chosen. [2]Thus says the Lord who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. [3]For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring; [4]They will spring up among the grass Like willows by the watercourses.’ [5]One will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ And name himself by the name of Israel. There Is No Other God [6]“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. [7]And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them. [8]Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one. ’ ” Idolatry Is Foolishness [9]Those who make an image, all of them are useless, And their precious things shall not profit; They are their own witnesses; They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed. [10]Who would form a god or mold an image That profits him nothing? [11]Surely all his companions would be ashamed; And the workmen, they are mere men. Let them all be gathered together, Let them stand up; Yet they shall fear, They shall be ashamed together. [12]The blacksmith with the tongs works one in the coals, Fashions it with hammers, And works it with the strength of his arms. Even so, he is hungry, and his strength fails; He drinks no water and is faint. [13]The craftsman stretches out his rule, He marks one out with chalk; He fashions it with a plane, He marks it out with the compass, And makes it like the figure of a man, According to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house. [14]He cuts down cedars for himself, And takes the cypress and the oak; He secures it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it. [15]Then it shall be for a man to burn, For he will take some of it and warm himself; Yes, he kindles it and bakes bread; Indeed he makes a god and worships it; He makes it a carved image, and falls down to it. [16]He burns half of it in the fire; With this half he eats meat; He roasts a roast, and is satisfied. He even warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm, I have seen the fire.” [17]And the rest of it he makes into a god, His carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, Prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!” [18]They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, And their hearts, so that they cannot understand. [19]And no one considers in his heart, Nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire, Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals; I have roasted meat and eaten it; And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” [20]He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” Israel Is Not Forgotten [21]“Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! [22]I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” [23]Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel. Judah Will Be Restored [24]Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; [25]Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness; [26]Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’ To the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’ And I will raise up her waste places; [27]Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers’; [28]Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.” ’

TARABA GOVERNMENT TO PARTNER WITH NIGERIA ARMY ON PROPOSED STATE RESOURCE CENTRE In order to ensure that the workforce in Taraba State has access to relevant knowledge and capacity-enhanced activities, the Taraba State government is on the move to set up the Taraba State Resource Centre. The Governor of the state, Dr. Agbu Kefas , disclosed this on Tuesday when he hosted a delegation from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja, at the Exco Chamber, TY Danjuma House Jalingo, the state capital. The Nigeria Army Resource Centre is a hub set up to find solutions through research on the issues affecting security. The delegation from the Centre is in the state for a study tour with a focus on the role of Small and Medium Enterprises and how to create jobs and increase productivity. Receiving the delegation, Gov. Agbu Kefas recalled that his administration's relationship with the Army Resource Centre dates back to the beginning of his administration when he held a retreat for government officials at the centre. The Governor noted that he has liaised with the centre to see how they are running their programmes, and the Taraba State Resource Centre is in the formative stage. He enjoined the delegation to also give the state a copy of their findings as well as come up with suggestions that will enable the government to give the people the best. The leader of the delegation, Major General Sanusi Dahiru, said they were in the state on a study tour and that the state was chosen because of Gov Agbu Kefas' developmental strides. According to him, the focus of the study tour is on small and medium enterprises to find out how to enhance job creation, which is an aspect of enhancing national security. The Governor later presented souvenirs to the visitors. #PDPGFmedia

Many are called but few are chosen

Good morning and happy Sunday. Hope you’re chosen to live healthy. #lifestyle #healthyliving #sunday

Many are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen, few in pursuit of the goal. By Fredrick Nietzsche.

Be a chosen

LET'S TALK ABOUT COURT MARRIAGE.. Court marriage refers to a legal union between two individuals that takes place in a court or before a government official, often without a traditional wedding ceremony. It is a straightforward legal process that involves registering the marriage with the appropriate authorities, such as a magistrate or a judge. Court marriages are typically chosen by couples who wish for a simple, formal recognition of their relationship, often bypassing religious rituals or elaborate ceremonies. Advantages of Court Marriage: 1. Simplicity and Convenience: The process is straightforward, often requiring fewer formalities and paperwork than traditional weddings. 2. Legal Recognition: Court marriage provides legal proof of marriage, offering both partners legal rights and protections. 3. No Religious or Cultural Constraints: Couples can marry regardless of their religious, caste, or cultural backgrounds, as long as they meet legal requirements. 4. Cost-Effective: It eliminates the need for expensive wedding ceremonies and celebrations. 5. Privacy: The ceremony is usually private, with minimal public involvement, which some couples prefer. 6. Quick Process: Court marriages can be completed in a relatively short amount of time, sometimes within a few days or weeks. Disadvantages of Court Marriage: 1. Lack of Traditional Ceremony: Some couples or families may feel that the absence of a traditional wedding ceremony or rituals takes away from the cultural significance of the marriage. 2. Social Stigma: In some societies, court marriages may be viewed as unconventional or less respected compared to traditional marriages, especially in more conservative cultures. 3. Limited Celebration: The absence of a celebration might be seen as less festive or meaningful for those who value large weddings. 4. Family Resistance: Some families may oppose court marriages, particularly if they involve interfaith, intercaste, or intercultural unions. 5. Legal Formalities: While generally simpler, the legal requirements, such as age restrictions, consent, and witness signatures, must be adhered to, which may be a hassle for some. Ultimately, the choice between court marriage and a traditional wedding depends on the couple’s preferences, cultural values, and circumstances.

Dead On Arrival: The Case Of Nigeria, A Country That Never Existed We are here to mourn a feigned nation that never truly lived. A land assembled by colonial carpenters who neither measured the wood nor cared if the nails held. A land where justice is as rare as rain in the Sahara and where the powerful dine on the misfortunes of the weak. Nigeria, the country that was dead on arrival. On January 1, 1914, a confused British midwife named Lord Frederick Lugard forced the Northern and Southern Protectorates into an unholy matrimony, declaring, "Let there be a nation!" But the bride and groom barely spoke the same language, but had different traditions and nursed centuries of distrust. Nobody asked for this wedding, but the guests arrived anyway, bearing gifts of corruption, ethnic division, and a constitution that meant nothing. So, Nigeria was born not in joy, but in confusion. It was not a nation; it was a business deal. And like every bad investment, the cracks showed almost immediately. From the moment of amalgamation, the British treated Nigeria like a private farm, with the governors serving as chief plantation masters. They sucked out the resources, shipped them to England, and left behind a ticking time bomb. At independence in 1960, the colonial masters handed over a fragile nation to leaders who were more interested in tribal supremacy than nation-building. Then came the coups. One soldier after another, dressed in khaki and deceit, seized power under the guise of "saving" Nigeria. Each government outdid the last in looting, oppression, and selling national assets for personal gain. The masses? Well, they were treated like goats—herded from one hardship to another, yet expected to remain loyal. Ah, democracy! The system that should have revived the lifeless corpse of Nigeria. But the never existed nation's own version of democracy is a comedy show where votes never counts, politicians promise heaven and deliver hell, and the more you steal, the higher your chances of winning elections. The ballot box is now a relic of the past, replaced by "agbado and cassava" campaigns where the highest bidder takes all. Nigeria’s democracy is like an elephant with three legs—it moves, but everyone knows it is not going far. The politicians are not leaders; they are landlords who charge citizens rent to live in their own supposed country. Elections are like staged wrestling matches—the winner was chosen before the fight began, and the referee is always on the side of the highest bidder. Only in Nigeria can billions vanish into thin air and nobody goes to jail, snakes swallow billions of naira and rats keep a president out of office. Corruption cases appear like Nollywood movies entertaining at first, but you already know the ending: the thief walks free. EFCC arrests "small thieves" who stole sachets of water while the "big men" who looted pension funds are given chieftaincy titles. If kidnapping were a subject in school, Nigeria would have produced PhD holders. Terrorists get VIP treatment, acclaimed repentant terrorists are rewarded, and armed robbers are now government contractors. Meanwhile, citizens live in fear, knowing that calling the police for help is like inviting a snake into your house. Nigeria is the only country where roads are built on paper, power supply is measured by hope, and water supply is a myth. Our hospitals are mere consultation centers; doctors run away, and patients pray that Panadol can cure all diseases. The government promises good roads but delivers potholes; they promise electricity but deliver darkness. Each administration comes with "visions" Vision 2010, Vision 2020, Vision 2050 but the only vision Nigerians have is of hardship. Nigeria’s economy is a magician that makes money disappear faster than it appears. The naira is in a wrestling match with the dollar, and inflation is the only thing that grows consistently. Workers earn salaries that cannot last a week while politicians earn allowances that can feed an entire state. The minimum wage is an insult, and the price of fuel is a national trauma. Yet, when hardship increases, our leaders say, "Pray for Nigeria", as if prayers can stop corruption, build roads, or feed the hungry. But why not? In Nigeria, miracles are our last economic policy. Nigeria did not die today; it died at creation because it was founded on a faulty foundation that is now far decayed. What citizens are witnessing is a country moving like a ghost, unsure whether to rest in peace or continue haunting its citizens. The politicians will keep looting, the masses will keep suffering, and the cycle will continue until someone gathers the courage to bury this corpse. Until then, Nigeria, a country that was dead on arrival will still keep pretending to be alive. Family Writers Press International https://www.iconsnews.com/2025/02/dead-on-arrival-case-of-nigeria-country.html?m=1

Dead On Arrival: The Case Of Nigeria, A Country That Never Existed We are here to mourn a feigned nation that never truly lived. A land assembled by colonial carpenters who neither measured the wood nor cared if the nails held. A land where justice is as rare as rain in the Sahara and where the powerful dine on the misfortunes of the weak. Nigeria, the country that was dead on arrival. On January 1, 1914, a confused British midwife named Lord Frederick Lugard forced the Northern and Southern Protectorates into an unholy matrimony, declaring, "Let there be a nation!" But the bride and groom barely spoke the same language, but had different traditions and nursed centuries of distrust. Nobody asked for this wedding, but the guests arrived anyway, bearing gifts of corruption, ethnic division, and a constitution that meant nothing. So, Nigeria was born not in joy, but in confusion. It was not a nation; it was a business deal. And like every bad investment, the cracks showed almost immediately. From the moment of amalgamation, the British treated Nigeria like a private farm, with the governors serving as chief plantation masters. They sucked out the resources, shipped them to England, and left behind a ticking time bomb. At independence in 1960, the colonial masters handed over a fragile nation to leaders who were more interested in tribal supremacy than nation-building. Then came the coups. One soldier after another, dressed in khaki and deceit, seized power under the guise of "saving" Nigeria. Each government outdid the last in looting, oppression, and selling national assets for personal gain. The masses? Well, they were treated like goats—herded from one hardship to another, yet expected to remain loyal. Ah, democracy! The system that should have revived the lifeless corpse of Nigeria. But the never existed nation's own version of democracy is a comedy show where votes never counts, politicians promise heaven and deliver hell, and the more you steal, the higher your chances of winning elections. The ballot box is now a relic of the past, replaced by "agbado and cassava" campaigns where the highest bidder takes all. Nigeria’s democracy is like an elephant with three legs—it moves, but everyone knows it is not going far. The politicians are not leaders; they are landlords who charge citizens rent to live in their own supposed country. Elections are like staged wrestling matches—the winner was chosen before the fight began, and the referee is always on the side of the highest bidder. Only in Nigeria can billions vanish into thin air and nobody goes to jail, snakes swallow billions of naira and rats keep a president out of office. Corruption cases appear like Nollywood movies entertaining at first, but you already know the ending: the thief walks free. EFCC arrests "small thieves" who stole sachets of water while the "big men" who looted pension funds are given chieftaincy titles. If kidnapping were a subject in school, Nigeria would have produced PhD holders. Terrorists get VIP treatment, acclaimed repentant terrorists are rewarded, and armed robbers are now government contractors. Meanwhile, citizens live in fear, knowing that calling the police for help is like inviting a snake into your house. Nigeria is the only country where roads are built on paper, power supply is measured by hope, and water supply is a myth. Our hospitals are mere consultation centers; doctors run away, and patients pray that Panadol can cure all diseases. The government promises good roads but delivers potholes; they promise electricity but deliver darkness. Each administration comes with "visions" Vision 2010, Vision 2020, Vision 2050 but the only vision Nigerians have is of hardship. Nigeria’s economy is a magician that makes money disappear faster than it appears. The naira is in a wrestling match with the dollar, and inflation is the only thing that grows consistently. Workers earn salaries that cannot last a week while politicians earn allowances that can feed an entire state. The minimum wage is an insult, and the price of fuel is a national trauma. Yet, when hardship increases, our leaders say, "Pray for Nigeria", as if prayers can stop corruption, build roads, or feed the hungry. But why not? In Nigeria, miracles are our last economic policy. Nigeria did not die today; it died at creation because it was founded on a faulty foundation that is now far decayed. What citizens are witnessing is a country moving like a ghost, unsure whether to rest in peace or continue haunting its citizens. The politicians will keep looting, the masses will keep suffering, and the cycle will continue until someone gathers the courage to bury this corpse. Until then, Nigeria, a country that was dead on arrival will still keep pretending to be alive. Family Writers Press International https://www.iconsnews.com/2025/02/dead-on-arrival-case-of-nigeria-country.html?m=1

You Are Chosen God didn’t create you by accident—He chose you on purpose for a purpose. Walk boldly in your calling today! #ChosenByGod #PurposeDriven #KingdomMindset #GodsPlan #YouMatter

You Carry Something Valuable Don’t shrink to fit in. You were made to stand out, to shine, and to impact generations. Walk boldly! #ChosenForMore #StandOut #WalkInPurpose #GodsGraceIsSufficient #FaithAndBoldness #ShineBright

You were created for a divine purpose. Stop second-guessing yourself. Stop shrinking back. You are anointed, chosen, and called for something great. Step boldly into the life God has for you. The world needs what you carry! #WalkInPurpose #GodsCalling #ChosenAndAnointed #DestinyAwaits #StepOutInFaith #LiveWithBoldness