When ALAO Akala was Governor, he hardly spent weekends in Ibadan. Every Friday, he would travel to Ogbomoso to sleep there.

One day, while on his way to Ogbomoso with his convoy, he looked out from his car and saw a man whose car had broken down. The man was trying to fix his tyres. Akala told his convoy to stop. Everyone was surprised because they did not know that the man on the road was Akala's classmate from secondary school in Ghana.

Akala got out of his car and ran to meet him. They hugged each other warmly, and even though his friend’s hands were dusty, Akala did not mind. After a short chat, Akala asked one of his aides to collect the car key and fix the car. Then he told his friend to join him in his own car. Together, they went to the Governor’s house in Ogbomoso.

After they ate a meal of Amala, Gbegiri and Ewedu, they sat and talked about life since their days in Ghana. Akala asked him, Why have you not come to visit me Do you not know that I am the Governor His friend replied, It is not easy to see you They might embarrass me

Akala immediately gave him a brand new Toyota Camry and some money. He then said, Come and see me on Monday in the office with a good proposal

That was how Akala changed the life of a friend he had not seen in many years.

May God send people your way who will help and bless you.

Lessons from this story

Always treat your friends well, no matter their status

Help others when you are in a position of power

Stay humble and kind because it can change lives

Think about it

How many of your old classmates or friends have you helped when you had the chance

Did you become proud and treat them badly

Do you behave as if your success is only your doing

Were you even the best in school

Akala helped his classmate when he had the power to do so. You too should help your friends and classmates when you have the chance.

Remember, your position today will not last forever. One day, you will be called former or ex. The way you treat people today may affect how your own children are treated in the future.

As the Yoruba saying goes, Time and season rule life, no one owns life forever

Let us all learn from Akala’s example and try to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

God will connect you to the right people who will help you reach your goals.

Niger Flood Tragedy: Over 100 dead, dozens missing, over 50 building destroyed

A devastating flood that struck Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State has claimed the lives of over 100 people, with more than 100 others still missing as of Friday.

At least 44 of the victims were buried on Friday, following the earlier burial of 31 bodies recovered earlier in the week.

The disaster occurred on Wednesday night amid a torrential downpour that lasted several hours.

The resulting floodwaters overwhelmed the area, submerging homes and sweeping away everything in their path. Families have launched desperate searches for missing loved ones as rescue operations continue.

Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr Yakubu Garba, confirmed the death toll during a visit to Mokwa on Friday, stating, “I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA , who have been on ground since the incident occurred for search and rescue operations. I was told that over 100 people lost their lives and some have yet to be buried as search and rescue operations are still ongoing.”

Addressing survivors at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Garba urged patience, assuring that the government was organizing the distribution of relief materials. He confirmed that materials from NEMA had already been handed over to the council chairman for onward delivery to the victims.

Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, also confirmed that agency officials were coordinating search and rescue efforts on-site.

One survivor, Anas Usman, shared his harrowing experience with the News Agency of Nigeria: “We were preparing to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged by floods; we did not know where the flood came from. The flood submerged our house, causing the structure to collapse. We lost children, women and men, who are family members.”

The Director-General of NSEMA, Baba-Arah, provided further details about the scale of the destruction, noting that the flood—triggered by prolonged rainfall—swept away over 50 residential buildings and their occupants.

According to Baba-Arah, “NSEMA received a report of a deadly flood disaster that ravaged two communities, Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa, in Mokwa town, Mokwa LGA.

In response, the agency, in collaboration with Mokwa local government authorities, local divers, and brave volunteers, launched a search and rescue operation to save lives and recover the dead. So far, 21 corpses have been recovered, while 10 persons remain missing. Three survivors, a woman and her two children, are currently receiving treatment for injuries and shock at the Mokwa General Hospital.”

Reacting to the disaster, Jonathan Vatsa, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Mohammed Bago, said the flood had destroyed the only road connecting the North to the South-West and plunged the entire state into mourning.

He emphasized the need for urgent federal intervention, saying, “We cannot ascertain the exact number of people who died. In fact, we are still waiting for a full report from the area before issuing a formal statement. You see, this is an act of God, a natural disaster. It is beyond human control or imagination. In the last 30 to 40 years, residents of Mokwa have never witnessed anything like this.”

Vatsa added, “It is unfortunate that when things like this happen, lives are lost. The state government and His Excellency are condoling with the families of the deceased, the paramount ruler of Mokwa, and the entire community. His heart and sympathy are with them. Don’t forget, this is his zone.”

He also revealed that, “As I speak to you, the report reaching us is that the Ilorin road has been cut off. That shows the scale of devastation caused by the flood. The Federal Government must intervene. This is far beyond what the state can handle. In fact, the Tatabu Bridge, our only link between the North and the South-West, has collapsed. That road is the only access route to the South-West from this axis. So, the entire state is in mourning, not just the people of Mokwa.”

This disaster echoes previous incidents in recent years. In 2022, over 600 people were killed and more than 1.3 million displaced by flooding across Nigeria, and similar events occurred last year.

In response to the Mokwa tragedy, President Bola Tinubu has directed NEMA and security agencies to intensify rescue and relief operations.

A statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, noted that the President had been fully briefed and was deeply concerned.

“The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors. The National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Niger State Government, is working around the clock to ensure that no effort is spared in assisting those affected,” Idris stated.

The Federal Government also praised first responders and local volunteers for their swift action and urged residents to cooperate with emergency personnel.

“We urge residents in the affected communities to cooperate fully with emergency personnel and comply with all evacuation instructions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and all those impacted by this tragedy. The Federal Government extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families. In this time of sorrow, the nation stands united in grief and solidarity,” the minister concluded.

Thank God is Friday , it's cool evening here in here

*THE RESTORER'S DAILY GUIDE*

DATE: FRIDAY 30TH MAY 2025

THEME:
*NOBODY CAN SATISFY ANYBODY*

MEMORIZE
Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

READ
1 Peter 3:13-18
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
*You were not designed to meet people's expectations.*

MESSAGE
We were never created to meet people's expectations; that is God's job.

Unfortunately for God, He has not been able to satisfy the desires of "fallen humans" because they want what He hates...

This is why living to please people or to impress people is living in a fools paradise. It is a waste of time and effort.

It started in heaven, Lucifer faulted the holiest one who is without unrighteousness... and led a mutiny against the most high; His creator and boss because he was disgruntled about God's leadership style...

The father of the prodigal son couldn't satisfy his own son... he wanted more than staying in his father's house...

The people who ate miracle bread and fish from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ also shouted, "Crucify him."

Judas Iscariot, who was shown so much love and acceptance from the best pastor, was the worst traitor and betrayer in history.

*When your best is never enough, don't blame yourself for it.*

When people disdain and contem, your best efforts care not about it. You were not designed to meet people's expectations.

Remember, the bee lives only for 40 days and must visit at least 1000 flowers to be able to produce only half of a teaspoonful of honey...

To us, it's only a teaspoonful honey, but to the bee, that is his whole life's labour and earnings...

There is only one person you should strive to please; and that is God. Having done all your best to please God, bless the LORD for whatever reactions you get from men, whether good or bad.

This is the conclusion of the whole matter;

1. Discover purpose,
2. Live maximally to release your full potential, and leave the rest for God.
3. Follow peace with all men, and as much as it lies with your strength, seek peace and pursue it.
4. Maintain a pure heart and a conscience void of offence towards others.
5. Most importantly, live ready for the LORD at all times because the time is short.

Cheers and shalom.

ACTION STEPS
1. Prayerfully meditate on today's devotional guide.
2. Be determined to be in God's good book always.
3. Do your best to stay out of trouble with all men, making peace your umpire.

REMEMBER
*You were not designed to meet people's expectations.*

PRAYERS
Dear heavenly Father, Thank you for today's devotional guide. Help me to know and to do your will always, keep me in the center of your perfect plans always and help me to pursue purpose to the fullest and to stand before you blameless in the end in Jesus name. Amen.

AUTHOR: JEDIDIAH DAVID

DAILY READING: Jeremiah 1-2; Psalms 34-37; Matthew 14-15;

HYMN
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness ;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand ;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

2
When darkness hides His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the vail.

3
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the 'whelming flood ;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

4
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
On ,may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne !

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Friday

THANK GOD IS FRIDAY

Good morning God's beloved. Thank God its Friday again. God has been faithful all through this month. May His name be praised forever. Today, I declare that you're blessed in your going out and coming in. You'll eat the fruits of the labour of your hands. You'll be happy and it shall be well with you. Your wife/husband shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of your house. Thy children shall be like olive plants round about your table. You'll be a partaker of the good of any land where you reside, all your days there. You'll see your children's children. Peace is your portion. The blessings of God for you for this month, none shall be missing as the month ends tomorrow in Jesus mighty name. Today shall be your ALL ROUND FRUITFULNESS FRIDAY.

*CATHOLIC MEDITATION: 30 May, 2025.*




*FRIDAY*

🕯 *SEASON OF EASTER, YEAR C* 🕯

⬜️ *6TH WEEK OF EASTER* ⬜️

*1st R* : Acts. 18:9-18.
*Resp. Psalm* : Ps. 47.
*R/ - God is king of all the earth.*
*Gosp.* : Jn. 16:20-23.

*Message:* *HAVE THE JOY THAT NOTHING NOR NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY FROM YOU.* _Jesus tells the apostles to have a joy that can never be taken away. Let your joy not depend on persons, places, circumstances, or things. If these fail, you will be the most unhappy person on earth. Let your joy depend on Jesus. Have him, and you will have such a joy that can never be taken away from you._

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/RxbxX7hjFNs
*Fr. Blessed Ambang Njume*

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY