Prayer Points - THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD 2014 ONE HUNDRED(100) DAYS FASTING & PRAYER

AS YOU FAST USE THESE PRAYER POINTS:

OH LORD, WE THANK THEE

1. Worship God for who He is. 1 Chron. 29:11-14; Psa. 96:9
2. Thank God for being our help in ages past. Psa. 90:1

Redeemed Christian Church of God 2014 ONE HUNDRED DAYS FAST

Members of the Redeemed Church Worldwide (RCCG) have embarked on a 100 day fasting period. The fast started on January 2, 2014 and will end on April 11, 2014. The RCCG General Overseer- Pastor E. A. Adeboye has given guidelines for the fast. Please, watch the

Freak Snowfall grinds Atlanta into a standstill

The keys to success

Steve McQueen's 12 Year A Slave has won the top award of the 71st Golden Globes for best motion picture!

French President, Francois Hollande in 'Mills and Boon' style love affair with two women

FRANCE - The French are having one of their soap operas again. This time the 'Mills and Boon' type drama is being played out by the Prime Minister of France himself, Francois Hollande. 

Princess Kate, the Duchess Of Cambridge is 32 today!

Prince William and Princess Kate Photo:Sky

After a year which saw Kate became a mother to a future Monarch, the Duchess is set for a

Southern Britain to see northern lights tonight

Scientists are optimistic that the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, has been visible in southern Britain.

The natural light display, which usually takes place in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, may have been seen in the early hours and also tonight.

UK Academy Headteacher Held In Fraud Probe

The PM visited the school in 2012 and later personally praised it in a letter to the teacher believed to have been arrested.

Meet the most influential Nigerians in the UK

Chief Supt Victor Olisa  Photo: Rueters

The UK has always been seen as one of the toughest places for immigrants especially black people, to make an impression due to discrimination and stereotyping but these Nigerians have succeeded in various fields despite the racial hurdles. They are often referred to as British in the media but we know they are real sons and daughters of the soil. Throughout January, I will be featuring UK's most influential Nigerians living in the UK. 

Today I bring to the spotlight, Police Chief Superintendent Victor Olisa, the Borough Commander for Haringey in London. In 1982, while some of us were not yet born, Commander Olisa started his  sparkling career with Surrey Constabulary.

Born in 1959 in Warri, Delta State of Nigeria, Olisa was came to live in London as a youngster. He earned a BSc Hons degree in Biochemistry at the Royal Holloway, University of London from 1979 to 1982. He also attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In 1990, he joined the Fraud Squad section of the City of London Police, where he spent three years as a detective inspector supervising a number of investigative teams. Between 1995 to 2005, the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he gained his PhD. In April 2006,  Victor Olisa was promoted to the position of Superintendent.

He gained a wide range of experience both as a uniformed police officer and as a criminal investigator working in the London Borough of Southwark.

Victor Olisa also worked with the Home Office as part of the team developing the Stop and Search in the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. He eventually led the Metropolitan Police Service Stop and Search team in 2010.

He was the Borough Commander in Bexley in 2012 and joined Haringey Borough as Commander in March 2013. 

Recently, he has been the face of the MPS on the streets of Tottenham in the aftermath of the Mark Duggan incident in London.

He currently lives in Surrey county in southern England, with his physiotherapist wife and two teenage children

Achievements

• one of the three chief superintendents from black minority ethnic backgrounds currently working for the Metropolitan Police.
• the first Nigerian and black man to assume the position of Commander in the United Kingdom

Firearms police in the Met will now wear a video camera when on duty

UK - Following Mark Duggan's killing and a verdict of lawful killing by the police, the firearms police in the Met will now wear a video cameras when on duty. This the Met has said will help increase transparency.

However, criminologist, Ben Bowling King's College London, has said that this probably yielding results will depend on the way film is stored and used, matters of blind spots, visibility, surveillance creep and so on. So, let's wait and see.

But for now, tensions are rising in Tottenham, London and many black Britons are feeling an unease about the judgement especially as Mark Duggan was killed despite been unarmed.

Labour MP, David Lammy says Mark Duggan's judgement is 'unusual'

UK - Labour MP for Tottenham, David Lammy has said that Mark Duggan's judgement is 'unusual' n England. In a live broadcast interview on Channel 4 News, the MP said that there were questions that need answers. 

The MP said that the inquest verdict that Mark Duggan was lawfully killed in 2011 questionable because the jury had found that Duggan was not holding a gun. 

He said it raises questions about the crime scene and who was in the for two and a half days after incident. Also, it raises questions about intelligence gathered before the incident which could have prevented the killing.

Concluding he said, "It is incredibly unusual that a jury in England would conclude that Mark Duggan was lawfully killed despite evidence that he exited the cab without a gun was unarmed."

Mark Duggan's mother said she would keep fighting for justice.

Man who sparked 'London Riots' (Mark Duggan) was killed lawfully by police - Court rules

Mark Duggan Photo: Reuters

UK - British Police have been cleared of Mike Duggan's death. A jury has passed judgement that the man whose death sparked protests which turned into six days of violence and riots across England (London Riots) was killed lawfully by the police in north London in 2011.

His family says he was executed and that they would fight for justice. The court heard that he had been armed but not holding a gun when he was shot by police.

The riots started in Tottenham, north London, two days after Duggan's death in August 2011. What started as a protested turned into something else, in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, London and many other major cities in England.

Undercover policemen stopped Duggan after receiving information that he was carrying a gun. The marksman who shot him insisted that in a fraction of a second before he opened fire that he had seen something that looked like a gun but no gun was found.

This clearly shows that people in England should be careful...never carry anything that looks like a gun because it could be mistaken as a gun.

Six jobs you should never do: The top most boring jobs in the world

Can this be the best job in the world? Working as a sales assistant in a mobile phone shop?

I have worked in various roles in many different jobs. One of my first jobs was as a chambermaid.  I have also worked as a child-minder, shop assistant and as a receptionist in a law firm... There have been many more and later, I will tell you about them all. Some have been more boring than others. And, as I often say, how boring or how interesting a job is, actually depends on each person.

I have put this list together because some people complain to me about how they have bored with their jobs and have had enough. The fact is that a boring job can make you want to cry or scream. So, don't ever get trapped!

Here are the most boring jobs that I have ever done or seen in my entire live:

1. Office helper

I worked as an office when I was about 15. Still in school and on holidays, my dad who is a lawyer wanted me to gain some work experience so I ended up working with his ‘learned friend’. My role was as the office ‘errand’ girl, working in the office of Lagos 'big-wig' lawyer, the late Chief H O Davies on the island. I was responsible for buying iced water, rice and beans next door for all and sundry. I did the photocopying, delivering letters, buying stamps, posting letters and shifting files. I worked with two middle aged typists who talked how and when they had about sex with their husbands. This was the only topic when they were not typing which was not often. I had to sit there and listen to all the boring details, staring into space and prayed it was home time! I was not allowed to read and there were no mobile phones then.

2. Bank clerk

I used to work at one of the UBA banks in Lagos...another summer job. In those days, it was a big bank - reputable and well known.  Through my dad's connections yet again I worked as a clerk. I was 16 then and I had to sit a tiny glass cubicle on the bank floor. The cubicle looked and felt more like a cage. I could see the cashiers next to me but their voices were often muffled because of the glass. I could stand up and walk around but there was nowhere to go. It was a commercial bank and only wealthy businesspeople came in at the end of the day. When customers came in with their cheque books they came to me and I would log in their funds. That was all I did in the cold and empty bank.

I would see people walk past, looking happy and lively outside the bank’s huge glass windows, but inside there I sat for eight hours every day shivery and miserable!

3. Toilet cleaner

I think this is a job for the strong hearted. Cleaning fairly used toilets is manageable but cleaning dirty toilets like public toilets or school toilets, I will imagine will be extremely messy.

4. Traffic Warden

Apart from the fact that you will have to walk around the same area for eight hours every day, you have to tread along whether it is sunny or wet or cold. A friend once told me that she would go into a McDonald’s toilet to hide – sit down and stay out of the cold. As a traffic warden all you get all day long is abuse as you stick parking tickets to other people’s cars. You have no friends!

Other jobs are working as a security-man in a store, front of house assistant at an event venue and as a learning support assistant following children with behaviour problems around school all day long.

What ate yours,? Please, share...

How to get rid of boredom at work and make your job more interesting!

I know there are many people who are stuck on  jobs they don't like. Boring jobs. Well, maybe not boring but more like being bored with the work you do... l don't know which is worse. Both scenarios sound similar though. "Being bored at work or doing a boring job - not very different eh?

Well, here is the difference: being bored a work can be due to a dull and uninspiring enviroment, no stimulatirg tasks, or doing the same work over and over again for years.

 To do a boring job is different, as it means, that you are doing something that boring period. What is boring to you may not be boring others though.

Anyway, here is how to cope if you are bored:
l. Look for ways to make your work more interesting.
2. Talk to people who inspire you at work.
3. Listen to music if possible.
4. Go for regular breaks.
5. Make good friends.
6. If you can,  help others.
7. Join lively conversations.
8. Take on more responsibility.
9. Organize events if you are allowed to.
10. Talk to as many people as you can and find out how they are.
11. Take part in Work based events and training.
12. Go for lunch.These may not all be possible because as strange as it seems, office politics still exists and you may not be able to beat independent as you want to be.

So, if all these fail and you are still bored, maybe it's time to more on to greener pastures!

In my neat article, I will share ways to get a new, better paying job fast! Don't miss it!

Is law still a lucrative profession? English Barristers protest over legal aid cuts

Symbol of wealth? A barrister's wig Photo: Telegragh

UK - Barristers in England and Wales staged a half-day walkout in protest at government cuts to legal aid, which could leave them paid as little as £20 for a day's work.

Legal Aid is a form of grant paid to lawyers on behalf of citizens who need representation but cannot afford the fees. Over the years Legal Aid has reduced and now the government wants to stop it altogether. If this happens, many barristers would have difficulty practising as many of the people they represent cannot afford their fees, so they wanUK - Barristers in England and Wales staged a half-day walkout in protest at government cuts to legal aid, which could leave them paid as little as £20 for a day's work.

Legal Aid is a form of grant paid to lawyers on behalf of citizens who need representation but cannot afford the fees. Over the years Legal Aid has reduced and now the government wants to stop it altogether. If this happens, many barristers would have difficukty practising as many of the people they represent cannot afford their fees, so they want Legal Aid to be increased.

But is this true of are these lawyers just greedy fat cats who want more? Some newly qualified barristers earn about £10,000 per annum according to the protester ( UK minimum wage is £21, 000). 

Here is their pay structure as published on channel4.com. So, you decide: Legal Aid to be increased.

But is this true of are these lawyers just greedy fat cats who want more? Some newly qualified barristers earn about £10,000 per annum according to the protester ( UK minimum wage is £21, 000). 

Here is their pay structure as published on channel4.com. So, you decide:

As you can see 761 lawyers earn just £10k, that is less than what a supermarket assistant earns. But often lawyers have a way of making and defending their point successfully.

Information from Channel4

Record-breaking cold and snow grips the US

NORTH AMERICA -The United States is being gripped by record-breaking cold and snow as forecasters warn of life-threatening conditions and wind chill as low as 60 degrees below zero. Reports claim that the snow is up to 3 feet deep in many places. New York has been the worst affected with 1000 of flights cancelled.

I really love snow because it looks so pretty just after it settles and taking a walk in the snow it just on be of the best things ever . Plus, in the UK, you get a snow day off school or work because the roads get slippery and driving becomes dangerous. 

Most people in north America are holed up in their houses, so if you are reading this, keep warm, wrap up, eat hot food and enjoy your days off!

WATCH THE BIG FREEZE HERE

WATCH HOW THESE CHILDREN PLAY IN THE SNOW

Racist man who slapped baby is sentenced to jail

ATLANTA (AP) — A man who pleaded guilty to slapping a crying toddler on a U.S. flight has been sentenced to eight months in federal prison.

Joe Rickey Hundley was sentenced Monday. He pleaded guilty in October after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Prosecutors say Hundley used a racial slur to refer to the 19-month-old boy, who is black, and hit him under the eye as the flight descended to the Atlanta airport in February.

Prosecutors had recommended six months in prison. The judge said he imposed a higher sentence in part because of Hundley's criminal history, which includes a prior assault.

Hundley's lawyer objected to the deviation from the recommendation in the plea agreement and said after the hearing that she believes the sentence is disproportionate.

Culled Breakingnews.com

Theo Walcott will miss rest of FA season and World Cup

BREAKING NEWS - Arsenal's Theo Walcott will be tiring from football for the next six month due to a knee injury that's for the rest of the football season. The forward was injured in the Gunners' 2-0 FA Cup third round victory over Arsenal.  The anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee means the forward will miss the rest of the season - and also the World Cup in Brazil during the summer.

BBC

African asylum seekers protest against in Israel

TEL AVIV  – Thousands of African asylum seekers demonstrated outside Western embassies in Tel Aviv on Monday in a second day of mass protests against Israel’s immigration policies.

The migrants, primarily from Eritrea and Sudan, marched from downtown Tel Aviv to the embassies, calling for help in the face of Israel’s refusal to grant them refugee status and its detention without trial of hundreds of asylum seekers.

A police spokesman said the march by some 10,000 migrants was coordinated and was peaceful.

Under legislation passed on December 10, authorities can detain illegal immigrants entering Israel for up to a year without trial.

A sprawling detention facility has been opened in the Negev desert to house both them and immigrants already in the country deemed to have disturbed public order.

The demonstrators marched past the Israeli office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, chanting “Wake up UN”.

Culled from vanguardngr.com

Will Smith finally pays tribute to Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air's 'Uncle Phil'

James Avery (centre, back) with his 'Fresh Prince' co-stars. Photo: Getty

Will Smith was told off on twitter by fans because he did not make any comments following James Avery's death, , aka 'Uncle Phil'. Now, Will has made a comment which has been shared almost 58,000 times!

 

On his Facebook page Will posted this statement on Sunday:

"Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery. Every young man needs an Uncle
Phil. Rest in Peace.

"This photo was the last time we were together"

Will Smith posted this picture on his Facebook page. Photo:Facebook

The actor, James Avery one of the greatest actors I have ever known, died in Glendale, California, last week following complications from open heart surgery. Avery grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and served in the navy in Vietnam in the late 1960s. After returning to the States, he settled in California and studied drama and literature at the University of California at San Diego.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and stepson, Kevin Waters.

RIP.

Steve McQueen and Chiwetel Ejiofor make waves in new slavery blockbuster movie

Steve McQueen

I must say that I have never ever heard of Steve McQueen but surely Chiwetel Ejiofor is a popular actor. Well, let me introduce these two talented men who are causing the big wigs in Los Angeles to look up.

Steve McQueen has just premiered his latest film, 12 Years A Slave in the US. The film is an unflinching look at the human brutality and suffering which took place during the period of slavery in America. Top celebrities from all over the world from Madonna to Brad Pitt who is also an actor in the film graced the event.  

12 Years a Slave: watch the trailer for Steve McQueen's critically acclaimed drama
 

So who is Steve McQueen?

McQueen was born in 1969 to Granadian parents. He grew up in Ealing in London, UK. According to a recent interview in the Guardian, he was discriminated against for his colour and for a medical disability called dyslexia while in primary school. He attended Chelsea School of Art and the Goldsmiths University where he received a BA(Hons) Fine Art degree.

Despite these challenges, he went on to achieve amazing results.

In 1999, he won the Turner prize with a video installation. McQueen won a Bafta in 2008 for his first feature film, Hunger. In 2011, he was awarded an OBE and a CBE. Shame, his second movie took more than £10m at the box office. McQueen shot his latest movie in just 35 days, with one camera and a budget of about £8m.

Even before the film has opened in Britain, 12 Years A Slave has already earned $40m (£25m) in US ticket sales, multiple Golden Globe nominations and a likely Academy Award and the possibility that McQueen would become the first black feature film director to win an Oscar.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel Ejiofor was born in East London, UK, went to school at Dulwich College and joined the National Youth Theater. His first film debut was in the television film Deadly Voyage in 1996. He was only 19 when he played the role of Interpreter James Covey in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad

His parent’s met as teenagers in Enugu city, Nigeria and fled to London during the Biafran war in the late 60’s.

McQueen's film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as the historical figure Solomon Northup, a New Yorker sold into slavery on the plantations of Louisiana in 1841 after being kidnapped in Washington DC.

These are two men of African origin who have successful made it through despite the challenges of segregation, racism, stereotyping and disability. If they can do it, so can you. No one has an excuse!

How to forgive others completely

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” Buddah

How do I forgive all the nasty people in my life?

I was listening to a preacher on the radio talk about forgiveness and that got me thinking. It made me think of things that could happen if I didn't forgive people. And I had a lot of people to forgive trust me. I had heard about how you had to forgive people 7 times 49

8 Ways to lower your blood pressure without taking drugs

Known as the silent killer, high blood pressure is one of the most common diseases of black people. While most people may not even know they have it until something alarming happens, others take to drugs to control it. Here are ways to lower blood pressure

I am reading 'Americanah' by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie

I went to the library of the school where I do some work in London looking for something to inspire me for my next art project. Immediately, the librarian, Sarah who is my friend saw me and called me

Prayer, Declarations and Affirmations for 2014

In 2014, soar like the eagle

Happy New Year to you!

2014 is here at last! I looked backed at 2013 and thought how did it go so fast...

I hope you are ready to go to the next level in your life this year. What you will achieve this year will be the talk of the town if you plan the year well, pray and act with purpose. Here are some prayers and affirmations to put you in the right frame of mind as the year begins.

I am the head and not the tail.