Opinion
Mystery Of Love And Success (2)
You cannot be blessed even by your own children if you hate their mother. So, you better begin to love the mother of your children. You want to hate the woman and love the children? It does not work like that. Some children have not experienced genuine love from their fathers because their fathers hated their mother. You wonder why many men are old and are haggard? When men are incapacitated, they are left in the hands of loved ones. Today, you are a man, carrying all the beautiful girls in the city, jumping from one hotel to the other, flying from one airport to another; a day will come when you will be incapacitated, looking for who will help you sit down and get up. It is your investment in love that will keep you. The mystery of love is so unique, it is so powerful that if we know it, genuine success will come out. It is not about your profession. Thank God for education, thank God for universities and all; but Joseph never attended any. A lover of God, a lover of man, a lover of anything and everywhere, is a carrier of God.
Many Christians are born again, they have accepted Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, their sins truly have been forgiven but they have not yet received the love of God. It is true your sins are forgiven, but until you genuinely open your heart to God’s love, you may just be confessing Christ; yet you have not experienced the power of his love. The power of God’s love is overwhelming. It is so powerful that a woman who had lived all her life as a prostitute, when she encountered that love, ran home, got the most expensive perfume she had, poured it at the feet of Jesus and used her hair to wipe it. Many questioned why Jesus allowed that prostitute to wipe His feet with her hair, why the alabaster oil was not sold and the proceeds given to the poor? But the prostitute’s action was a display of somebody who had not only had her sins forgiven but had experienced the power of love. Love is a weapon that can silence curses, terminate diseases, and stop the mouth of lions. That is why, when it turns negative, people kill for love, nations go to war for love, heroes are brought down for love. Historically, many wars were fought just because a man loved a woman. Love is powerful and the devil also uses it as an instrument. But if we understand the mystery of love, there is nothing God’s love cannot bring into manifestation.
Your city needs to embrace the love of God; it doesn’t matter who the governor or president is. It is our love for God, our love for ourselves, our love for mankind, that matters; because, the legacy you leave on earth will speak after your exit. We have seen lots of political maneuverings in our nation; all points to one thing; that God rules in the affairs of men.
Romans 9:16 says: So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (KJV)
Mysteries are given only to people that value them. Jesus revealed mysteries to his disciples only. There are many with Degrees, connections and god-fathers that are struggling, but there are others who are rising out of the dust just because they love. The love of God is a carrier of heavenly grace, it brings an end to afflictions and sorrows.
1 Chronicles 29:3 says: Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, [which] I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house (KJV)
David said something very touching in the above Scripture. “I have a lot of things of my own but I have set my affection on the house of God”. I have set my affection to love my community, to love my neighbours. If you look at what people do, you can’t love them and if you love people for who they are to you, or if they deserve your love, then, your love is not from God. True love, is the love that gives men what they don’t deserve. I call us to true love.
Some of us don’t even know where our parents were buried, nor the people that helped us. Every day, we see the society; the way we drive our cars, the way we treat our landlords and tenants. There is a diminishing of love in our society with a multiplier effect of death, kidnap, chaos, violence and things that have never been associated with us as Nigerians. Nigeria is now a place where 500 people can die without qualm.
Look at how the CAN leader in Adamawa State was killed, the extent of brutality and the quality of life of those men. What do they intend to achieve and how would they achieve it?
When we are blind to love, we are blind to the pathway of success. Joseph was a victim but through love, he traced his way back to fulfill his destiny. His destiny was truncated but he overcame in that strange land through love.
I must say, if you must succeed in any place, don’t hate the people. If you hate the Ogoni man, you can’t succeed in Ogoni land; if you hate the Kalabari man, you cannot succeed in Kalabari land; if you hate the Ikwerre man, you cannot succeed in Ikwerre land. Wherever you hate, you can’t make any genuine progress. Even if you succeed, you will lose it in your life time. If you hate a woman, her children will not be a blessing to you. My prayer for you, re-examine yourself and reposition your heart, set your heart for the genuine love of God, love for His Kingdom. Love is a choice, it’s not a gift. Choose to love. David said “I have set my heart”.
John 3:16 says: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)
Why the name of Jesus today is above every other name is because it is a gift of love. Jesus is embedded in love. He was dying on the Cross with a spear by his side, vinegar for water, and a crown of thorns was placed on his head. With his last breath, he said “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”.
Luke 23:34 says: Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (KJV)
Today, His name is highly exalted above every other name. At the four corners of the earth, everybody talks about His love. Why? It takes God’s love to overcome the darkness of the world.
What is the love of God?
The love of God is the fullness of God in your life. You can buy anything from anywhere but you can only seek his love to have it. The use of life is love and the time of love is now, so that we can change our society and experience genuine success and growth. With love, the Bible says, everything in the hand of Joseph was blessed. Love can make you experience genuine progress and genuine blessings.
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
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