Gist Extract

Burundi becomes the first country to exit ICC

2017-10-27T15:19:00.003-07:00

Burundi has become the first country to pull out of the International Criminal Court, a spokesman for the court in the Hague said on Friday.

Burundi becomes the first country to exit ICC

The country had launched the process of leaving the court 2016, with the government saying the ICC was biased against African nations.

Gambia and South Africa had announced their withdrawal in 2016, but changed their minds, leaving Burundi as the only country to officially leave.

There are now 123 member states.

Inspite of the withdrawal, the court will continue a preliminary investigation into possible war crimes in Burundi.

The probe began in April 2016 and was “independent, impartial and objective,” the court spokesman added.

NAN reports that Amnesty International’s Head of International Justice Matt Cannock said: “the Burundian government has made a cynical attempt to evade justice by taking the unprecedented step of withdrawing from the ICC.

“Perpetrators, including members of the security forces, cannot so easily shirk their alleged responsibility for crimes under international law committed since 2015”.

Source: (dpa/NAN)

Six fresh cases of Monkey pox break in Abuja

2017-10-27T15:13:00.002-07:00

Six fresh cases of monkeypox has been confirmed by the Federal Government including one in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Money Pox

This was confirmed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, in Abuja on Friday, according to a statement by the Director of Media, Mrs. Boade Akinola.

Ehanire said apart from Abuja, there are two new cases of the disease in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states each and one in Enugu, this brings the total number of confirmed monkeypox cases to nine.

Ehanire noted that investigations were ongoing to see if any of the new cases had a link with the Bayelsa cluster, where the outbreak started.

He called for calm among members of the public, as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is working with all affected states to ensure case finding and adequate management.

The minister explained that as frightening as the manifestation of the ailment may seem, “no fatality has been recorded till date. As of October 25, 2017, a total of 94 suspected cases have been reported from 11 states (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Rivers and the FCT).”

He noted that the newly confirmed cases were patients already being managed by public health authorities and have been receiving appropriate clinical care since the onset of the illness.

Ehanire stated that the Federal Ministry of Health, through the NCDC, was in close contact with all state epidemiology teams, as well as the health facilities providing clinical care to both suspected and confirmed cases.

The minister said health commissioner across the 36s states had been advised to place all health care facilities and disease surveillance and notification officers on alert, to ensure early case detection, reporting and effective treatment.

He said the NCDC had also deployed rapid response teams in the four states with confirmed cases.

Ehanire said an interim national guideline for monkeypox had been developed and disseminated to all states for coordination of response activities.

Policemen Fighting With Their Gun Mistakenly Shoot Newly Wedded Man In Abuja (Photos)

2017-10-27T14:59:00.002-07:00

The family of a newly married man who was accidentally shot by police officers fighting are begging for justice after the victim was left in a bad condition.

A sad incident has left a newly married Nigerian man identified simply as Kingsley in serious pain after he was mistakenly shot by a policeman who was fighting with another officer in Abuja.

A Facebook user, Huldah Lynns-Ihetuge who shared the story is calling for justice to be served.

Nollywood Actress Escapes Death After Her House Caught Fire (Video)

2017-10-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

Omoni Oboli has shared her touching story after she escaped death by the whiskers following a fire incident.

Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli is full of praise to God after she reportedly escaped death following a fire outbreak at her home. The actress who is full of thanks took to social media to narrate the testimony how God saved her life.

She said the fire started from her air conditioning unit before spreading to other parts of her room. She shared a video of the aftermath of the fire, writing: “This God is too good! Magnify the Lord with me my people! Still shook but I’m constantly in awe of my King! God loves me. Nobody can tell me otherwise!

Since after the series of incidences that happened earlier in the year, I sometimes have panic attacks so my darling ever dependable @tomesadeoye abandoned her room and has been sleeping in mine. I’ve been nursing a very bad cold for days so I took night nurse to enable sleep.

Power went off at some point in the night and Tomi who usually can sleep in heat, got uncomfortable and couldn’t sleep. I on the other hand didn’t notice because I was in a drug induced sleep.

Around 5am, power came back on and Tomi happily fell asleep. She hadn’t slept for long when she started perceiving something, she opened her eyes to see the AC engulfed in flames. She screamed at me to wake up. I saw the flames and screamed ‘The blood of Jesus’. Ran into the bathroom to get water but I didn’t think I was fast enough, so I abandoned it cos I realized the AC is right by the door and if it gets any worse, I wouldn’t be able to leave the room.

I told Tomi to call the editor (I have an editing suite in my home and we are editing WOS so the editor moved in) she screamed his name and he came rushing upstairs. We all ran downstairs to get the fire extinguisher, couldn’t operate it and proceeded to turn off electricity from the circuit breaker. Tomi went back up and screamed that the fire was a lot worse.

Idris (the editor) and Paul (my gateman) started carrying buckets of water and soap upstairs. By this time, they couldn’t even get into the room because the fire was too much. They started pouring water from the door.

I want to say that we definitely had angelic assistance because in less than 10 mins, they put out an electrical fire with water and soap! I know God sent His angels

God has been too good to me this year! I’m so unworthy of His grace upon my life. I’m so unfaithful yet He remains faithful! I bow before your majesty my Father. All that I am, all I will ever be, I give to you Lord. Thank God for our lives. If we had woken up just 3 minutes after we did, we would not have been able to leave the room. #ChildOfGrace #GodIsGood.”

This God is too good! Magnify the Lord with me my people! Still shook but I'm constantly in awe of my King! God loves me. Nobody can tell me otherwise! Since after the series of incidences that happened earlier in the year, I sometimes have panic attacks so my darling ever dependable @tomesadeoye abandoned her room and has been sleeping in mine. I've been nursing a very bad cold for days so I took night nurse to enable sleep. Power went off at some point in the night and Tomi who usually can sleep in heat, got uncomfortable and couldn't sleep. I on the other hand didn't notice because I was in a drug induced sleep. Around 5am, power came back on and Tomi happily fell asleep. She hadn't slept for long when she started perceiving something, she opened her eyes to see the AC engulfed in flames. She screamed at me to wake up. I saw the flames and screamed 'The blood of Jesus'. Ran into the bathroom to get water but I didn't think I was fast enough, so I abandoned it cos I realized the AC is right by the door and if it gets any worse, I wouldn't be able to leave the room. I told Tomi to call the editor (I have an editing suite in my home and we are editing WOS so the editor moved in) she screamed his name and he came rushing upstairs. We all ran downstairs to get the fire extinguisher, couldn't operate it and proceeded to turn off electricity from the circuit breaker. Tomi went back up and screamed that the fire was a lot worse. Idris (the editor) and Paul (my gateman) started carrying buckets of water and soap upstairs. By this time, they couldn't even get into the room because the fire was too much. They started pouring water from the door. I want to say that we definitely had angelic assistance because in less than 10 mins, they put out an electrical fire with water and soap! I know God sent His angels God has been too good to me this year! I'm so unworthy of His grace upon my life. I'm so unfaithful yet He remains faithful! I bow before your majesty my Father. All that I am, all I will ever be, I give to you Lord. Thank God for our lives. If we had woken up just 3 minutes after we did, we would not have been able to leave the room. #ChildOfGrace #GodIsGood

Mompha reveals that Hushpuppi paid to get his IG account verified and borrowed money from his wife

2017-10-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

Mompha has revealed that Hushpuppi who just got verified on his Instagram account last week paid $2500 to get it done!

Hushpuppi

he also shared Whatsapp chats he had with his wife showing that Hushpuppi borrowed money from his wife.

See his posts below…

Hushpuppi

“I trusted you as a brother Your betrayal is alarming” – Ray Hushpuppi Responds to Mompha

2017-10-27T07:19:00.002-07:00

Ray Hushpuppi has now responded to Mompha after the latter called him out in an Instagram post and revealing deep secrets.

Recall that Mompha had called out Hushpuppi for living a fake life for Instagram, how he begs for money and spends it all on Gucci and luxury items.

He also went on to reveal that Hushpuppi’s father is a Taxi driver and his mom sells bread.

Excerpt from Mompha’s rant reads; “You almost sent me to jail by using my personal account for your frauds. People on social media don’t know you the most ingrate in this world.. living fake life by posting people stuffs and receipts on social media just to gain likes and comments and popularity, Try go help your taxi driver father and your bread seller mama and stop living fake life on social media. No house no car no investment only begging for money from people and borrowing money…”

See Ray Huspuppi’s reply below;

Billionaire Evans appears in court for alleged kidnap case

2017-10-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

Alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumene Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans , has arrived the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere where he has two pending charges bordering on murder and illegal possession of firearms.

He was brought into the court as usual by heavily-armed, combat-ready policemen.

The court scheduled this morning to hear his application challenging the competence of the two separate charges.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )

Woman's Cambridgeshire portable loo charity lock-in

2017-10-20T10:43:00.002-07:00

A woman is spending 48 hours locked in a portable toilet to raise funds for a wheelchair for a man with cerebral palsy.

Louisa Marnoch has been squatting in the toilet in the lobby of Tesco in Milton, Cambridgeshire since Thursday.

She is raising money towards a £25,000 wheelchair for Thomas Grice, 21, who has not had a new one since he was 11.

Asked if she might get a wee bit bored, Mrs Marnoch said she would "do a little light blogging and play 'I spy'".

Thomas Grice was born three months' prematurely, weighing 2lb 7oz (1.1kg).

He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, affecting postural control and all four limbs. He is unable to walk and is completely wheelchair-dependent.

Thomas is a student at Cambridge Regional College where Mrs Marnoch works as a special educational needs and disabilities facilitator.

"I spend most of my week around Thomas at college so I know he needs a new wheelchair desperately," she said.

"His current one is hindering his growth and movement."

Although some funding was available, supporters have had to raise the majority of the £25,000 cost of a new one.

They have about £20,000 so far and Mrs Marnoch hopes her toilet stunt will be "the final push".

To keep her sanity while sitting on the relatively sanitary cistern, Mrs Marnoch is blogging on Twitter while playing 'I spy' with shoppers outside.

"I've also been eating really healthily as I really don't want to be in a position where I'm offending my own self," she said.

Thomas said: "It's mad, it really is. I can't believe what she's doing for me - it's a really amazing story.

"I just can't wait to get my bottom in that chair."

Mrs Marnoch locked herself in at 18:00 BST on Thursday and the first night was "cold and very noisy as it's a 24-hour store and they are doing some refurbishment".

She is due to emerge at 18:00 on Saturday.

Catalonia crisis: Spain plans for elections as independence row grows

2017-10-20T10:25:00.001-07:00

Spain's conservative government has agreed with the socialist opposition to hold regional elections in Catalonia in January, the socialists say.

The elections are part of a package of measures being put in place to suspend the region's autonomy, as its leader threatens to declare independence.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will announce measures to impose direct rule after a cabinet meeting on Saturday.

A referendum, outlawed by Spain, was held in Catalonia on 1 October.

Of the 43% of Catalans who reportedly voted, 90% were in favour of independence. Most anti-independence voters boycotted the ballot.

Mr Rajoy's Popular Party (PP) has not confirmed the agreement to press for a regional vote, announced by the socialist party (PSOE).

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on Friday, Mr Rajoy said the measures to impose direct rule would have the backing of the PSOE and the centrist party Ciudadanos.

PSOE politician Carmen Calvo announced the agreement to hold regional elections in an interview on national television on Friday.

She appealed to Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to endorse the elections. Mr Puigdemont has refused calls from the Spanish government to abandon his secessionist campaign.

Catalonia's government will be dissolved ahead of the vote, which is part of a package of extraordinary measures being imposed on the region.

The government has said it will trigger Article 155 of the constitution, which allows Madrid to impose direct rule in a crisis but has never been invoked in its nearly 40-year history.

The full list of measures will be drawn up during Saturday's cabinet meeting. Spain's Senate, controlled by the PP and its allies, would then have to approve the list.

Other measures may include taking control of Catalonia's regional police force.

Article 155 does not give the government the power to fully suspend autonomy, and it will not be able to deviate from the list of measures.

Double-edged sword

James Badcock, BBC News, Madrid

While the dissolution of Catalonia's parliament and the holding of snap regional elections may appear to offer a way of defusing today's state of extreme tension, there are plenty of reasons to doubt that such a strategy would provide a clear exit from the crisis.

The far-left CUP has suggested that it would boycott any election imposed on the region. Other pro-independence forces might do the same. Massive street protests against any form of direct rule from Madrid can also be expected.

And what are the potential consequences of forcing an election on Catalonia?

Mr Puigdemont has promised to call a formal vote on independence in Catalonia's parliament if Article 155 is invoked. If such a declaration were approved, the pro-independence forces could style the ballot as the election of a constituent assembly for a new republic, the next stage laid down in the secessionists' road map.

Assuming the participation of all parties, voters would be bound to interpret the election as a de facto plebiscite on independence. If a separatist majority emerged once again, it is hard to see how the conflict could be considered closed.

As a deadline for the Catalan authorities to abandon independence came and went on Thursday, the government accused the region of seeking confrontation.

The independence campaign had caused "serious damage" to "the co-existence and the economic structure of Catalonia", the government said in a statement.

Mr Rajoy is currently attending an EU summit in Brussels.

The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, says there is no space for any international mediation or EU action on the Catalan crisis - though he did say there was "no hiding that the situation in Spain is concerning".

UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday sided with Mr Rajoy, telling reporters that "people should be abiding by the rule of law and uphold the Spanish constitution".

Afghan suicide mosque attacks kill dozens of worshippers

2017-10-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

At least 40 people have been killed in two separate attacks on Shia Muslim mosques in Afghanistan, officials say.

A gunman entered the Imam Zaman mosque in the capital Kabul before opening fire and detonating an explosive, killing more than 30 worshippers.

A second attack in Afghanistan's Ghor province killed at least 10 people.

No group has so far said it carried out the attacks, but so-called Islamic State (IS) has previously targeted Shia mosques across Afghanistan.

An eyewitness told the BBC that the scene at Kabul's Imam Zaman mosque, in the west of the city, "looks like a front line".

The attacker is reported to have opened fire as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers, before detonating a bomb.

Kabul police spokesman Basir Mojahid confirmed the incident at the Shia mosque in Kabul, but did not give further details.

A spokesman for the Afghan interior ministry said investigators were working at the scene to determine the "nature of the explosion," AFP news agency reports.

Meanwhile the attack on the Shia mosque in the country's central Ghor province also killed a pro-government militia commander, according to reports.

Details of the attacks remain unclear and the number of casualties is likely to rise. Dozens of worshippers were also injured in the attacks, Afghan's health ministry said.

Friday's attacks come just days after police in Kabul said they had arrested a would-be suicide truck bomber, averting a major incident.

In August, more than 20 people were killed in a bomb attack against worshippers in Kabul.

A truck bomb in the Afghan capital in May killed more than 150 people and wounded some 400 more, most of them civilians.

Witness Reveals How N1.4bn Was Spent On ‘Prayers’ Under Goodluck Jonathan

2017-10-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Michael Adariku on Thursday told an Abuja High Court how N1.4 billion security vote from the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was diverted.

Adariku, an officer of EFCC, made the revelation when he testified in the trial of Sambo Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dasuki is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged diversion of N13.6 billion since 2015.

Others on trial are Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, and Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC Executive Director, and two others.

Adariku, the first prosecution witness said that the diversion was made through a company owned by a former Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa.

The company, Acacia Holdings Ltd., was credited with the sum from the accounts of ONSA purportedly for a national prayer to be organised for Nigeria.

The witness, led in evidence by EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), narrated how N650 million was transferred from ONSA’s Zenith Bank account to Acacia Holdings account with Ecobank for the purpose of the said prayer.

He, however, said that from the response of Ecobank, N650 million was transferred to various individuals and companies contrary to the purpose it was disbursed for.

Adariku further revealed that on April 20, 2015, N150 million was transferred to the account of Baba-Kusa, and that on April 22, another N70 million was transferred to one Jubril Abdullahi for purposes not stated.

He said that on April 22, an account to account transfer of N50 million was forwarded to the account of Baba-Kusa between May 4 and May 6, 2015.

The witness said that another transfer of N150 million was made to a company, Medical Plastics Ltd. found to be owned by Baba-Kusa and his wife, Hauwa, who own 1.8 million shares in the company.

He added that another N600 million was transferred from ONSA’s account to Acacia on April 17, 2015.

Counsel to Acacia Holdings, Dr Biodun Layonu (SAN) raised an objection to the witness’ testimony on the ground that the documents relating to the transactions were not clear in the copies that the prosecution served them.

The judge, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, acknowledged the observation by the defence counsel for Acacia and directed that the prosecution should make clearer copies available to the defendants before the next adjourned date.

He then adjourned the trial until December 13 and December 14 for continuation of trial.

Model opens up about the horrific beating she received from MMA fighter ‘War Machine’

2017-10-20T10:15:00.003-07:00

Former porn star, Christy Mack, 26, who suffered a horrific beating at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, former MMA fighter, Jonathan Koppenhaver aka “War Machine,” has opened up about the horrific domestic violence she suffered in his hands.

She said:

“I was in extreme, excruciating physical pain,” she said about the 2014 incident."

She said that her relationship with the fighter was “very passionate” and “very tumultuous,” as well as “very abusive.”

It all started when War Machine came to her Las Vegas home unannounced one night and became enraged when he found her in bed with another man, businessman Corey Thomas.

She said:

“He came in and jumped on top of me and started beating me in the face,” Thomas recalled. “I’m down on all fours, he’s trying to choke me. I’m bleeding from my face, I can’t see.”

“While he was beating my friend, I made a 911 call,” she said.

She said War Machine then turned his attention back on her, and unleashed two hours of merciless terror on her.

“This was a whole new level I had never experienced,” she said. “He punched my teeth out, he broke my nose, my complete eye socket was fractured,” she said. “I could hear him going through the drawers downstairs and finding knives. I knew this was my chance, this was my only chance. If I do not leave now, I will die.”

She said she ran out of the back door of her house and jumped over the fence. She was naked and covered in blood, and went door-to-door until someone around the block answered and called for help.

“I need police or medical. There is a lady in front of my door beaten up,” the neighbor told a 911 dispatcher. “I don’t know who beat her up.”

After a two-week trial in March 2017, during which Mack tearfully relived the ordeal, her ex boyfriend, War Machine, was convicted of beating and sexually assaulting her, as well as beating Corey Thomas.

He was sentenced to 36-years to life.

“I do feel quite a bit safer with him being away for that amount of time,” she admitted.

Mack says she is recovering well, and is now devoting herself to helping other victims of domestic and dating violence.

“I do feel that justice has been served and I hope that so many more people can [also],” Mack said.

Job Vacancy For Graduate Optometrists at the Rivers State Civil Service Commission

2017-10-20T10:04:00.001-07:00

Rivers State Government, under the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, invite applications from suitably qualified candidates for employment as Health Sector Workers in Rivers State Public Service in the capacity below:

Job Title: Optometrist

Location: Rivers

Educational and Professional Qualifications
Applicants must possess the following basic qualifications with relevant cognate professional experience in their various field of specialization:

Basic certification in the various disciplines
Evidence of current Practice License from the relevant bodies
Certificate of Discharge or Exemptions from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme.
Post Graduate professional qualifications, including fellowships in areas of specialization.
Applicants should not be more than 50 years of age.

Salary
Salaries would be based on the approved Consolidated Health Workers Salary Structure (CONHESS) as applicable in the Rivers State Public Service.

Application Closing Date
2nd November, 2017.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit hand written applications and details of Curriculum Vitae and photocopies of the
following:

First School Leaving Certificate
West African School Certificate or Equivalent
University Degree and other Professional Certificates
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge or Exemption Certificate
Local Government Identification Certificate
Birth Certificate or Affidavit of Age Declaration.

Applications should be addressed to:
The Chairman,
Rivers State Civil Service Commission,
State Secretariat Complex,
Port Harcourt,
Rivers State.

Police Arrest 140 Over Killing Suspected Vampires

2017-10-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

Police in Malawi said they arrested 140 suspected members of vigilante mobs that have targeted people accused of vampirism, clamping down after a wave of attacks that have killed at least nine.

The lynch mob attacks began in mid-September in four districts in southern Malawi, where belief in witchcraft is widespread.

This week they spread to Blantyre, the country’s second-biggest city, where mobs torched one person and stoned another to death on Wednesday.

“We have so far arrested 140 people we suspect are behind the mob killings in Blantyre and other districts and the investigations are still going on,’ Lexon Kachama, Inspector-General of Malawi Police, told reporters.

Police were doing everything possible to contain the situation and ensure the violence did not spread to other cities and townships, he said.

President Peter Mutharika has also been visiting parts of the country affected by the violence.

UN and U.S. embassy have blacklisted several districts in Malawi as dangerous zones for staffers and nationals.

UN also pulled staff out of two areas in southern Malawi.

-PUNCH

Teenage Nigerian Couple share deep kiss & romance, Boyfriend shares the video on Facebook

2017-10-20T07:44:00.003-07:00

Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Evan Spiegel of Snapchat, and of course Kevin Systrom of Instagram, who brought to us the “Social Media Space”, where folks can share whatsoever they please.

Taking advantage of this opportunity by storm, is a loved-up Nigerian teenagecouple, who shared really adorable videos of themselves, kissing and it’s beyond cute, we thought you should see it too.. Right?

Watch the video below;

“It is a sin to pay or receive tithes” — Pastor Chris Ojigbani

2017-10-20T07:39:00.001-07:00

By Pastor Chris Ojigbani

For hundreds of years, Christians incur the wrath of God by paying and receiving tithe. Though the doctrine of tithe is popular and generally accepted in Christianity, it’s a wrong doctrine.

It’s actually a sin to pay tithe and it’s equally a sin to receive tithe in Christianity. The doctrine is generally accepted because of the misinterpretation of some tithe related scriptures.

A misinterpretation of a scripture can lead many generations astray. In like manner, the misinterpretation of tithe related scriptures has led many Christian generations astray. Before explaining the true meaning of the scriptures, it’s important I first explain what tithe means.

What is tithe?
Tithe as an English word means one tenth or 10 percent. Tithe in the scripture means a mandatory 10 percent of one’s increase (Deuteronomy 14:22).

How often did Israelites give Tithe?
The tithe system had a seven-year cycle. The Israelites were mandated to give tithe on the first year, second year, third year, fourth year, fifth year and sixth year.

They didn’t give tithe on the seventh year because they weren’t allowed to farm on the seventh year. It was called the Sabbath year or the sabbatical year.

On that year, they would allow the land to lie fallow (Exodus 23:10-11) (Leviticus 25:1-7). So, because they used agricultural products as tithe, they never gave tithe on the Sabbath year.

The Types of Tithe
There were basically three types of tithe practiced by Israelites.

First, was the Levitical tithe or the first tithe (Numbers18:21-24), and it was given yearly to the Levites. This first tithe is the doctrine of tithe practiced by Christians.

The second tithe was called the tithe of feasts. In this kind of tithe, the person tithing would eat the tithe himself at a place the Lord will choose for him This tithe was done on the first year, second year, fourth year and fifth year of the seven-year cycle (Deuteronomy 14:22-27).

The third tithe was the poor man’s tithe, which was done on the third and sixth year. In this kind of tithe, the person tithing would give the tithe to strangers, widows, fatherless and Levites to eat and be satisfied (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

Amongst the three kinds of tithe, Christians wrongly practice the first one, which is also called the Levitical tithe. I will quickly show you why it’s a sin to pay or receive tithe in this dispensation.

Why It’s a Sin to Pay or Receive Tithe

When God gave the commandment of tithe, He clearly stated who would pay the tithe; who would receive the tithe; and the purpose for receiving the tithe. He said the tithe would be paid by Israelites (except those from the tribe of Levi). He said that only the Levites were permitted to receive tithe and also said it was for their service in the tabernacle of the congregation. God actually gave them the tithe as an inheritance (Numbers18: 21-24).

For you to be eligible to pay tithe, you have to come from any of the tribes of Israel, apart from the tribe of Levi.

But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
Numbers 18:24

Though Gentile Christians are children of Abraham, we were not given any tribe. As long as you don’t have an Israeli’s international passport, you are not eligible to give tithe. The instruction was very specific.

Second, if you are eligible to give tithe, you are permitted to give the tithe only to one set of people called the Levites

And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.

But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.

The Levites are simply those from the tribe of Levi. Even in the New Testament of the Bible, the scripture clearly tells us that only the Levites are permitted to receive tithe (Hebrews 7:5). If you give your tithe to non-Levite, you are going against God’s instruction. And it will be counted against you as a sin. I will also like to state that there is nothing like spiritual Levites. We may have spiritual Israelites but not spiritual Levites or spiritual Benjaminite. I will also like to state here that priests did not receive tithe from the Israelites. The Israelites gave their tithe to Levites and Levites would then give 10 percent of the tithe to Priests (Numbers 18:26-28).

Third, for you to be eligible to receive tithe, you must be a Levite. It’s very clear in the scripture. When a non-Levite receives tithe, the person has gone against the instruction of God. Such person has committed a sin. If you are not from the tribe of Levi, then you are not a Levite. There is nothing like a spiritual Levite. This explains why Jesus Christ, who was from the tribe of Judah, didn’t receive tithe from anyone. Apart from the fact that Jesus didn’t ask the Israelites to pay tithe to him, He still encouraged them to continue paying their tithe. In Matthew 22:23, He rebuked the Pharisees that they pay tithe, which is less important, and leave the more important things like justice, mercy and faithfulness. He then encouraged them to do both the less important ones and the more important ones. In other words, He encouraged them to continue paying tithe to the Levites. That was simply the law. Only Levites could receive tithe.

If Jesus Christ who was from Israel couldn’t receive tithe because He didn’t come from the tribe of Levi, how then can a non-Israeli pastor from Africa or America be entitled to receive tithe? This also explains why Apostle Peter, Apostle Paul and the other apostles couldn’t receive tithe from anyone. Though they were men of God, they couldn’t receive tithe because they were not Levites. It will also interest you that presently we have some non-Levite Jewish Rabbis who are in charge of synagogues but do not receive tithe. Though they are Rabbis and are “physical” citizens of Israel, they don’t receive tithe because the law does not permit them. Any non-Levite who receives tithe sins grievously against God.

Finally, tithe cannot be paid or received in this dispensation because the purpose of giving tithe to Levites can no longer be fulfilled now. Why did God command that tithe should be given to the Levites?

And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Numbers18:21

Levites were given the tithe simply because they serve at the temple of congregation. But because the temple has been destroyed, the Levites can no longer serve at the temple. So, even if you are eligible to give or receive tithe, you cannot give or receive tithe now because the temple has been destroyed. Do you know that no Israelite pays or receives tithe today. Yes, they have stopped giving tithe until the temple is rebuilt. Please note that when the temple is rebuilt, Christians will still not join the Jews in paying and receiving tithe because the tithe system was not created to cater for Christians. Rather, it was created to cater for Levites. This explains why the early Christians who existed before the temple was destroyed never neither paid nor received tithe.

As Abraham’s children, are we not Israelites?
A person once asked, “If we are children of Abraham and also heir to his blessings, are we not Israelites? That you are a child of Abraham does not make you Jewish. You are still a Gentile, but because you have given your life to Christ, you receive his blessings. So, you don’t receive Abraham’s blessings because you pay tithe but because you have given your life to Christ.

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:14, NIV)

The scripture above still calls us Gentiles. Even though we may be spiritual Israelites, we are still Gentiles and as such are not Levites. We are not permitted to pay or receive tithe.

Understanding Abraham’s Tithe to Melchizedek
Though Abraham once gave tithe to Melchizedek, the doctrine of tithe practiced in Christianity is different. While tithe is one tenth of one’s increase, Abraham didn’t give one tenth of his increase. Rather, he gave one tenth of the spoils he got from war. Though he was very rich, he didn’t touch his increase.

Second, Abraham’s tithe was a one-time gift. He didn’t give it every month or every year unlike the monthly tithe practiced in Christianity. In addition, tithe in the scripture was mandatory while Abraham’s tithe was voluntary. Abraham didn’t pay the tithe because any law said he should pay it. He paid it of his own volition. This explains why his son Isaac didn’t pay tithe. Even his grand son Jacob didn’t pay tithe as well. Though Jacob vowed to give God one tenth, it wasn’t tithe. It was a personal vow he made that if God would protect and bless him, he would give Him one tenth of the blessing.

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:
And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. Genesis 28:20-22

Jacob’s vow was also a one-time one and voluntary. It wasn’t every month or every year.

Finally, Abraham didn’t give the tithe to Melchizedek for us to emulate him and start giving tithe. And even if we are to emulate him, then you can only give tithe from spoils you get from war. That means for you to give tithe, you would need to go for a war, win the war and bring the spoil. Abraham’s tithe cannot be used to teach people to pay tithe.

Understanding Malachi 3:10

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10

Many people have asked me questions regarding Malachi 3:10. One person once asked me “If we are not supposed to pay tithe, what does Malachi 3:10 mean?” The answer is very simple. Malachi 3:10 doesn’t refer to the congregation. It rather refers to priests. Yes, the scripture speaks to priests. For better understanding, I will take you to the Book of Numbers.

In Chapter 18 of the Book, verses 25-29, the Bible says that when the Levites receive the tithe of the people, they should also take a tithe of the tithe and give to priests. In verse 32, the Bible say that when they present the best part, they will not be guilty and they will not defile the holy offerings. Also in Nehemiah 10:38, the Bible also says that priests and Levites should bring the tithe of tithe to the storeroom of God.

A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury. Nehemiah 10:38, NIV

So, it happened that the priests in those days were not taking the tithe of tithe to the storehouse of God. And God was angry and warned them in Malachi 3:10. To really know who God spoke to in Malachi 3:10, it’s better to go to Chapter 2:1 where the instruction started.

And now, you priests, this warning is for you. Malachi 2:1, NIV

The warning continued from Chapter 2 until it got to Chapter 3, verse 10.
So, the scripture was a warning to priests and not a warning to the congregation.

Conclusion

It’s a sin to pay or receive tithe. If you are a Christian do not pay tithe again so that you don’t incur the wrath of God. If Israelites do not pay tithe now, then why should you, a non-Israelite pay tithe. Even if you are a spiritual Israelite, why should you pay tithe whereas the physical Israelites don’t?

If you are a man of God, please do not receive tithe again so that you don’t incur the wrath of God. If Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul, Apostle Peter, and co didn’t receive tithe, why then should you receive tithe? There are many other kinds of offering you can receive. You can receive the regular offering, partnership offering, sacrificial offering, but not tithe. The tithe system is against the poor. Yes, the tithe system takes from the poor to take care of the rich. But we are supposed to take from the rich and take care of the poor. You must stop now! Why am I telling you this? It is an instruction from the Lord. Can the instruction be found in the Bible?

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. – 2Timothy4:2

The above scripture clearly says rebuke and correct wrong doctrines.

A revival has actually started. Yes, it has started. And because it’s of God, no one can stop it. I encourage you to join the revival. A true revival is not gathering together to pray but identifying errors, recognizing the truth, and start practicing the truth.
He who has ears, let him hear.
God bless Christians.
And God bless you!
Shalom!

Check-Out This Female Corps Member Rocked Her NYSC Uniform

2017-10-20T07:34:00.004-07:00

This picture of a female corps member wearing this sultry NYSC outfit, has gone viral online and has generated mixed reactions from users.

But the manner at which some female corpers rock their NYSC uniforms these days, one is forced to wonder if the National Youth Service is not to turn its scheme into a ‘slay queen’ show as it is being done in social gatherings and club houses.

Waconzy comes for Bobrisky over his poor spelling

2017-10-20T07:33:00.001-07:00

Musician, Waconzy has just come down heavily on Male Barbie Bobrisky for spelling a word wrongly.

Tagging Nigerian crossdresser, Bobrisky’s archenemy, Tunde Ednut to his post, Nigerian singer now living in United States, Waconzy, called out Bobrisky over his bad English and poor spelling in a post that has long gone viral on social media.

Waconzy wrote;

“#SHIM, what is strong with u self ? Simple and correcting engrish you cannot even scope. Loling out loud ??#Bobrisky @tundeednut”

“Pastor Adeboye Is Creating Business Centres, Not Churches”- Falz’s Father, Femi Falana

2017-10-20T07:28:00.002-07:00

Falz’s father and Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, in a conference, stated that Pastor Adeboye Of Redeemed Christian Of God, is creating business centres, not churches.

Femi Falana stated this in a conference about the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, he said;

"Pastor Adeboye is creating business centres, not churches"

Pastor Enoch Adeboye once said he wants to establish more churches so that everyone can have a church within a walking distance.

The statement caused controversy as many condemned the idea.

59 year old Femi Falana SAN is a Nigerian Lawyer and human rights activist. He contested and lost the governorship election of Ekiti State in 2007 on the platform of National Conscience Party, a party he served as National Chairman in 2011.

Nigerian Lady Who Left Her School In Ibadan To Go Clubbing With Boyfriend In Lagos, Gets Into Trouble After Entering Her Uncle’s Uber

2017-10-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

A Nigerian lady, dinma has narrated the trouble her friend got into after she left school to go clubbing with boyfriend only for them to find out the driver of the Uber they requested for was her uncle.

According to the story, the lady who schools in Ibadan came to Lagos to visit her boyfriend, the boyfriend requested for an Uber and when the Uber arrived and they got inside, the lady turned to greet the driver only to find out it was her dad’s brother.

Apparently she was ‘snitched’ by her uncle and has been summoned by her parents.

Read the chilling story below;

Flavour kisses his daughter on the lip as he celebrates her on her 3rd birthday

2017-10-20T07:23:00.003-07:00

Singer Flavour, ia a gushing father as he celebrates his daughter Gabrielle as she turns 3.

He shared a photo of them locking lips in matching outfit and penned a short but sweet birthday message alongside.

He wrote:
Happy birthday my luv …

In an earlier message, he wrote;

“Happy birthday to u my angel. I love u so so much my twin.#adaijele #munachi #princessnabania

Prison Break!!! Kidnapper Evans tries to escape from prison

2017-10-09T04:24:00.002-07:00

Suspected Kidnapper, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, alias Evans, plotted to escape from police custody before his arraignment in court, according to reports from The Nation.

The Plot was aborted by the police detectives, especially those in the Intelligence Unit. The Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) has formed a heavy security ring around the suspect.

He is standing trial before an Ikeja High Court for alleged conspiracy and kidnapping alongside five others. All the suspects were on August 29 remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons.

Unknown to many Nigerians, the kidnapping kingpin had allegedly tried to escape from his cell in Abuja after he was transferred from Lagos. A source spoke of Evans’ plan to give between $50,000 and $100,000 to one of the guards manning his cell to facilitate his escape.

The source said Evans was allegedly coordinating his escape bid with some members of his gang by telephone which he obtained through “suspicious” means.

It was learnt that intelligence officers and IGP’s Special Tactical Squad detected his plot. The source said: “When Evans was in our custody, he tried to escape but we were able to abort all his plans.

We discovered that he had access to phones which were hidden in the middle of loaves of bread, eba, semovita and so on. He was making calls from these smuggled phones in the middle of the night, making arrangements with some yet to be identified members of his gang to arrange for his escape.

We intercepted how he was luring one of the guards with about $50,000 to $100,000. He wanted an insider to serve as informant to him and members of his gang.”

Korede Obasan, (Yoruba Actor) Welcomes His First Child

2017-10-09T04:16:00.000-07:00

Forever young looking nollywood actor and movie producer, Korede Wealth-Obasan has welcomed a baby boy with his girlfriend.

The actor who added script-writing to his resume few years ago after several of movies written by him were nominated for several awards shared his son’s photos on Instagram was full of thanks to God.

Korede wealth obasan is a young and fast Rising Actor in the Nigerian Movie Industry, and has successfully carved a golden niche for himself through hardwork and award winning movies he has produced.

Here is what the Canadian based actor has to say about the birth of his child:

All I have to say is THANK YOU LORD. #fatherhood #kinging#son #iamaproudfather

Tiwa Savage’s Husband Surprises Wife On Stage While She Performed – SEE IT!

2017-10-09T03:59:00.000-07:00

Nigerian music diva, Tiwa Savage was in the news last week when she revealed that the man is supposed to be the head of the home no matter what.

Her comment trailed a lot of criticism and kicked off a trend on social media where several stakeholders argued and weighed in on whether the man or the woman should be the head of the house.

Apparently, Tiwa Savage and her husband, TeeeBillz seem to be working hard on getting their marriage back and it appears that the pair have achieved some level of success with that.

We came across a new video showing TeeBillz going on stage to support his wife at the AFRIMMA awards which held in Texas, U.S.A while she performed. An excited Tiwa gave him a warm hug in excitement.

Psquare’s Peter Okoye reacts to viral video, calls himself ‘the only Rich and Established Up Coming Artiste’

2017-09-26T07:54:00.002-07:00

Psquare’s Peter Okoye, in what seem to be reaction to their viral fight video made public today, referred to himself as ‘the only Rich and Established Up Coming Artiste’, as he had before now, disclosed that he has gone solo.

Below is the tweets: