BVN Registration Set To End Tomorrow With No Extension.

Barring any last minute extension by the Bankers’ Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Deposit Money Banks will on Wednesday start to deny about 14.6 million customers from enjoying banking services over their failure to obtain Bank Verification Numbers.

The BVN project, which commenced in February 2014, will officially close on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.The Bankers’ Committee, which comprises of the CBN, bank CEOs and a few other stakeholders, had given June 30, 2015 as the deadline for the customers to do their biometric registration and obtain their BVNs.

However, as of June 11, 2015, the committee said only 14 million customers had been registered under the BVN project.Going by the current statistics from the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access, an organisation committed to deepening financial inclusion in Nigeria, only about 28.6 million adults in the country have bank accounts.This means that at least 14 million bank customers have yet to do their biometric registration and get their BVNs.

The BVN project will help the banks to identify their customers through their fingerprints. Each bank customer’s fingerprint is linked to their unique number.It is meant to help check fraud in the banking system, boost retail or consumer credit, and also enhance economic growth.

The Managing Director, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, who spoke after the Bankers’ Committee meeting in Abuja about three weeks ago, confirmed that only about 12.5 million bank customers had been registered since the exercise began.While calling on those who had yet to register for the BVN to do so before the expiration of the June 30 deadline, he declared that customers who failed to do so would not be able to enjoy banking services.Oduoza had said, “We also discussed the electronic banking space. In the area of BVN, we have done 12.5 million customers and this is a substantial mileage. There is still a need to close the gap before the deadline of June 30 and any customer that hasn’t done so will not enjoy banking services.“So, we are urging customers to enrol so that they will continue to enjoy unhindered banking services.”He added that by the end of this month, those that had yet to get their BVNs would not be able to have access to credit, enjoy foreign exchange and conduct Internet banking services.The Managing Director, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc, the organisation driving the biometric registration process, Mr. Ade Shonubi, had a few weeks ago said it was unlikely that the Bankers’ Committee would extend the deadline.As of the time filing this report, it is unclear if customers who failed to register by Wednesday would be allowed to do so and gain access to their accounts or whether the Bankers’ Committee would allow an extension of the deadline. The director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Ibrahim Mu’azu, who spoke to LEADERSHIP on telephone, yesterday, said that the window was open for one and a half years and customers had ample opportunity to register.According to him, as at the last check over 14 million bank customers have already registered.Mu’azu assured that not having the BVN will not prevent bank customers from making transactions, such as payments and withdrawals, on their accounts. However, he said that customers using remote access services, such as internet banking and other services online, and even Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), would not be able to transact business.While there are 28.6 million bank accounts belonging to adults in Nigeria, the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria states that the number of bank account holders (made up of both individuals, including children, and organisations) has reached 76 million out of a population of 170 million people.A new World Bank report states that Nigeria, like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, has a growing population who are excluded from the financial services compared to their counterparts abroad.

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY'S SOMEBODY

It was a typical luncheon place. there was a counter, booths, and tables. The menu, a collage of pictures of sandwiches and sundaes was laminated. The price were reasonable. The wait-staff included a bunch of of summer-job high school kids. The restaurant was in an affluent area. One customer was upset about something.

he was angry with one of the young waitresses. He was loud, rude, and nasty. perhaps she had made an error on the bill? Whatever it was, his overreaction brought tears to the teenager's eyes . The guy finally threw some money down and stomped out.

Three other kids watched what happened.
One of the two boys behind the counter said, "I know that guy. I've seen him in my father's office".

Remarkably, each of the four high school kids had a parent who was a doctor. They found out from the boy's father that the angry customer was a salesman for a pharmaceutical company. then and there, each kid planned to tell their parents not to do business with that salesman.

Being nice to somebody's somebody may not get us client. But being hurtful to somebody's somebody could hurt us.

At Helpmate Concierge we make friends not enemies.

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Should Everyone Go To University?

I AM aware that by the time this article is published, I will most probably be inundated with emails asking me to clarify my position. So I will do my best to do so from the onset.

In the Western world, a university degree has long been the prerequisite for gaining middle class status. Indeed, in the United States, for example, the affluence of baby boomers and their children was correlated to getting a degree and an office job, which in many African countries today remains the norm.

President Barack Obama has called higher education “an economic imperative” as statistically, those who graduate with a university degree make several times more than those who graduate with a school certificate for example and this is true in many countries. However, in Nigeria, over the years, qualifications have become a mere symbol and having a degree in many parts of Africa does not necessarily mean that one has gotten an education.

Students are presented with paper qualifications at the end of their courses but remain bereft of even the most basic skills one would need to work and survive in an ever-competitive and global work place. So, this raises the question: What then is the point of a university degree? We need to rethink the point and purpose of many of our tertiary institutions which churn out half baked alumni with often zero chances of ever getting an entry level job, let alone progressing to much else. I remember how much Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to opening a university in every state of the federation was celebrated at the time by those who the point of a real education eludes, and who also do not understand that quality beats quantity any day.

Half the universities in Nigeria today are not viable institutions: the teaching one receives at many universities would not pass as a secondary school course in other climes. Yes, the truth hurts and we must be willing to acknowledge painful truths so that we can empower young Nigerians to grow and achieve. But how can they when most exams in Nigeria are not based on testing students’ ability to analyse or discuss but on their capacity to retain lengthy information, like any computer or robot could?

Furthermore, the states many universities are located in are barely viable themselves, unable to pay salaries, creating little wealth and development, adding even less value. It is more important, in Nigeria, to pay public officers salaries than to develop and empower those who elect them. In France, for instance, to reduce the cost of governance in several regions, their governments and administrators will be merged into larger, singular bodies which will not stop government from reaching the people, or from delivering on the quality of life citizens deserve.

On the opposite end I fear we in Nigeria will not stop creating states and universities until there is one state per ethnic group and one university per street corner! Having more universities looks good on paper, but in a country where education is already so poorly funded, we would do well to consolidate the few functioning universities we have rather than encouraging the ad hoc creation of new and unfortunately irrelevant ones. But let’s get back to the contentious issue of who should attend said universities.

The truth is that with so many young people in university, the value of degrees is lessened, grades are inflated and trades are understated. In many industrialised nations (e.g. the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, etc.) barely a quarter, or 25% of the population goes to university as more and more people learn a trade. In good African fashion, I must admit my brief surprise when a plumber in the UK complained to me about his mortgage.

The idea of a plumber in Nigeria being able to afford a mortgage isn’t something many can unfortunately contemplate. Learning a trade in Nigeria is hardly the preferred option, no matter one’s social class as there is little dignity of labour in our country. So, every year the Nigerian Law School produces thousands of lawyers the economy and the society does not need. More than half of the class of 2013 is still searching for a job and every new batch simply adds itself to the melee and one finds 30-year-olds who have never held down a job.

I am not calling for universities to become elite enclaves which only the rich can either afford or aspire to. However, I am indeed asking that vocational training and skills acquisition becomes a real agenda for government (beyond Jonathan’s simplistic purchase of stoves for women). A young person’s potential is realisable in so many different ways and if our education were more practical, less theoretical, the high failure rates in some of our universities would be lessened, as some students would realise their calling or aptitude is perhaps more suited towards learning a trade. Why does Nigeria import deep sea divers in the oil and gas industry therefore helping Asian experts make huge salaries when Nigerians could be trained for that purpose?

There are huge and undiscovered job and entrepreneurship opportunities if government would create not just an enabling environment but prepare students from secondary school to understand what the world requires of them in terms of values, attitudes and skills. One last point I would like to make is about parents: studies show that many cognitive and non-cognitive skills are hereditary.

The children of successful, affluent parents are almost predestined (I don’t often like or use the word as I believe the power of human agency supersedes any inevitability) to do well. So we must rescue parents of school-age children in disadvantaged regions as their own understanding of education also determines their children’s success. Even some rich Nigerians would rather push their daughters to get married than get an MBA but that’s a topic for another day perhaps. Ideally, we should want every Nigerian to go to university but given the few jobs available in the sectors Nigerians typically study for , it might not be such a wise investment or public policy to pursue.

We need more realism and less utopia in our public discourse so we can find work for those already out of school and create a society where paper qualifications are not the beginning and the end of a better life.

Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir

Wanted by the International Criminal Court, ICC, for years, Omar Al Bashir yet again, evaded the international justice system as many in the African Union and Nigeria, believe the ICC witch hunts African leaders. I wonder if the child soldiers and destitute Sudanese Al Bashir has used and sacrificed would be of the same opinion.

Culled from Vanguard

It is always so difficult in Africa for us to strongly, in one voice, condemn wrong doing: we view every criticism as an attack, especially when there is clear evidence of immoral, unacceptable actions. Take the Nigerian Army’s response to Amnesty International’s claims of unspeakable violence wrought upon innocent civilians. Those who have nothing to hide do not fear investigation.

Africans are refugees in their own countries, dying on the Mediterranean in their quest for decent lives, yet, we in the pages of newspapers, in our private conversations, defend these callous leaders.

Buhari and oil subsidy

Many reports say the President is about to remove subsidy and commentators ask why Nigerians support this now and resisted it under Jonathan. The answer for me is simple: many did not trust the former administration to use the savings adequately.

But if rumours of free education and social services under this new government are anything to go by, it is no wonder Nigerians do not seem ready to fight government on this.

Phil Wickham Takes Top Honor At 2015 BMI Christian Awards

“This is Amazing Grace” took home the top honor of Song of the Year at the 2015 BMI Christian Music Awards. Written by Phil Wickham, Josh Farro and Jeremy Riddle and published by Phil Wickham Music, Seems Like Music and Sing My Songs, the track reached #1 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.

Songwriter of the Year went to Chris Stevens, who penned the hits “Beautiful Day,” “Overcomer” and “Slip On By.” The GRAMMY-award winning producer, engineer and songwriter has worked with artists TobyMac and Sanctus Real among others. He was also named BMI’s Christian Songwriter of the Year in 2010 and 2012.

Capitol CMG Publishing took home the Christian Publisher of the Year crown with the hits “All The People Said Amen,” “All You’ve Ever Wanted,” “Beautiful Day,” “Hope In Front Of Me,” “Overcomer,” “Slip On By” and “Your Grace Finds Me.”

To view a complete list of winners, please visit: BMI's website here.

Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Signs Celebrated Christian Hip Hop & RnB Artiste Christon Gray

Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA, a joint venture between gospel music icon Kirk Franklin and RCA Records, is proud to announce the signing of celebrated writer, singer, rapper, and producer Christon Gray. The Columbus, Ohio-based artist moves between both singing and rapping while also playing keys and writing most of his own music.

As a member of WLAK (We Live As Kings), Christon topped the Billboard Gospel charts with their self-titled debut in 2013. "King In Me," a single from that album, was used as the theme song for American Idol's Superbowl commercials in 2014. His last solo album, School Of Roses, debuted in the top 5 on Billboard’s R&B albums chart upon its release in March 2014.

“Christon is one of the most exciting, young voices in urban music today,” says Kirk Franklin. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with him to cultivate his influence in the flourishing Christian Hip Hop market and to expand his platform into the mainstream.”

Christon is already hard at work on his debut Fo Yo Soul Recordings album, which is slated for release this Fall.

ABOUT FO YO SOUL RECORDINGS/RCA
Fo Yo Soul Recordings is a joint venture between gospel music icon Kirk Franklin and RCA Records. The Dallas-based inspirational music label, which was established in 2013, showcases some of the genre’s most talented emerging artists and established performers, including GRAMMY-nominated and Stellar-award winners The Walls Group, Stellar-award winner Tasha Page-Lockhart, and BET’s Sunday Best season 7 winner Geoffrey Golden.

ABOUT CHRISTON GRAY
One of the most celebrated names in Christian Hip Hop and R&B, Christon Gray is a Columbus, OH-based writer, singer, rapper, and producer. In addition to performing on BET’s Music Matters Showcase, and on the mainstage at Alive Fest, he has been featured in Jet, Essence, and Billboard. His last solo album, School Of Roses, debuted in the top 5 on Billboard’s R&B albums chart upon its release in March 2014.

Award Winning Recording Artiste Martha Munizzi Set to Record Live Album for the First Time in Five Years

GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove and Stellar Award-winning inspirational artist Martha Munizzi will be recording her 7th album on Friday June 26th, marking her first live recording in five years. Hosted at Metro Life Church in Miami, the church pastored by her twin sister Mary Alessi and brother-in-law Steve Alessi, the acclaimed praise and worship singer’s much-anticipated live album recording will bring together beloved familiar faces and unveil new songs. Munizzi teams up again with Producer Israel Houghton, and also welcomes Anthony Evans as special guest. Munizzi’s three children will also feature on the record, with daughters Danielle and Nicole Munizzi singing and son Nathan Munizzi playing guitar during the recording.

Drawing generations of listeners together in ministry, Munizzi’s live recording will feature her signature musical style that have made her one of the most eclectic and compelling praise and worship leaders in contemporary gospel today, earning accolades as the best-selling independent artist in the history of gospel music. Following on her previous live-recorded hit album Make It Loud and starting the EpicLife Church in Orlando with husband Dan Munizzi earlier this year, her high-energy, bold ministry strikes a wide-reaching purpose of praise in this live recording for her upcoming eOne Worship album to be released later this fall.

On having her children perform with her on this album, Munizzi says, “Music and worship have always been the biggest parts of our ministry. We are now setting the stage to pass the ministry onto our kids and the music ministry is preparing them for what God has in store for them, and to reach this next generation through this record.”

Martha Munizzi Live Worship Recording
Friday June 26, 2015
Metro Life Church
10045 NW 19th Street
Miami, FL 33172
Free Admission – Doors Open at 6:00 PM

Download Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (2 edition) - EbookAndPdf.com

Brian Tracy, "Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (2 edition)" 
2007 | ISBN: 1576754227 | 145 pages | EPUB, MOBI, PDF | 2,7 MB 
There just isn't enough time for everything on our 'To Do' list - and there never will be. Successful people don't try to do everything. They learn to focus on the most important tasks and make sure they get done.

There's an old saying that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that it's probably the worst thing you'll do all day. Using 'eat that frog' as a metaphor for tackling the most challenging task of your day - the one you are most likely to procrastinate on, but also probably the one that can have the greatest positive impact on your life - Eat That Frog! shows you how to zero in on these critical tasks and organize your day. You'll not only get more done faster, but get the right things done.

Bestselling author Brian Tracy cuts to the core of what is vital to effective time management: decision, discipline, and determination. In this fully revised and updated second edition, he provides brand new information on how to keep technology from dominating your time. He details twenty-one practical and doable steps that will help you stop procrastinating and get more of the important tasks done - today!

Download Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (2 edition) - EbookAndPdf.com

Award-Winning Recording Artiste, TV Star Kierra Sheard to Launch Her Clothing line Eleven60 website

On Saturday, June 20, 2015, GRAMMY® nominated, Stellar Award-winning recording artist, television star and clothing designer, Kierra Sheard, will launch the website for her new clothing line, Eleven60. The online shop,http://www.MyEleven60.com, will go live at midnight and shoppers will be able to pre-order select items from Eleven60’s premiere fall / winter collection and take advantage of special offers. The full line will make its debut later in the year.

Eleven60 is a ready-to-wear clothing line offering stylish, yet affordable apparel for the modern, plus sized woman. Kierra has always been passionate about fashion and she saw a void in the industry as it relates to plus sized women. She says, “It’s a clothing line that compliments the thick woman. While being a full figured woman, I’ve found it hard to find quality high fashion trends in my size. But no more skimpy clothes! And no more muumuus! Since the average American woman is plus size, I should be able to healthily, and fabulously, own it!”

Eleven60 is not Kierra’s first foray into fashion. She created a hosiery line, Sheers by Sheard, in 2014 which is available at select Walgreens stores.

In addition to the launch of Eleven60, Kierra is currently touring the U.S. promoting her fifth studio album, Graceland, and her latest single “Flaws”. She’ll also be back as a judge for the eighth season of the hit competition show Sunday Best, which is premiering on BET on Sunday, July 19th.

The most Googled product in Nigeria is "Wedding"

In popular culture, certain countries are stereotypically associated with certain products — beer in Germany, carpets in Turkey, electronics in Japan. 

But those things aren't what people are really searching for. 

Earlier this month, the cost-estimating website Fixr.com put together a map of the world with the most-Googled for object in each country, using the autocomplete formula of "How much does * cost in [x country]."

While the results are far from scientific — since Google autocomplete results vary based on the searcher's history, the time of search, and the place of search — they do say at least a little bit about how countries are perceived. 

It is quite interesting to know that Nigerians are more curious about the cost of a Wedding over anything else.

Read the rest of the story on Business Insider 

Never Assume Anything

Never assume anything – introduction
Are you sure that the way you perceive things is the way they really are? Are you willing to challenge the norm in order to succeed?

Making assumptions is something we all do in many areas of our lives. An assumption is “something taken for granted or accepted as true without proof.” In other words, it is belief without proof.

One example that immediately comes to mind is the assumption that you are what you do. Statements such as “I am a doctor” or “I am a lawyer” are examples. Your are not a doctor or a lawyer, you just happen to practise law or medicine.

Never assume anything – common assumptions

As illustrated, society’s language reinforces this false assumption. The truth is that we are more than what we do. In one lifetime one can be a lawyer, a doctor, an engineer and an entrepreneur all at once. I happen to know a few people who have such combinations of qualifications. They are people that have not fallen for this assumption.

Another common assumption is that of thinking having more money will solve your money problems. Ask the guy who inherited a million dollars and lost it all in a year or so whether it sorted out his problems. Knowing how to make money, make it grow and learning how to invest it wisely are part of the answer. Having more money is not the answer, but financial intelligence is the answer.

How about the assumption that having your own business is risky? Many would agree to that no doubt. Having a job is the more secure thing to do. But are you sure? If you really think about it and analyse things deeply you might find that having a secure job is actually more risky than being in business for yourself. Consider such statistics as the ones pointing to the fact that less than ten percent of retirees have enough money to look after themselves once they stop working. Isn’t that risky?

Never assume anything – don’t be a monkey



Michael Michalko in the second edition of the book Thinkertoys, gives a very interesting example of behaviour that is based on assumptions. He asks the reader to imagine a cage containing five monkeys. A banana is then hung on a string inside the cage and a set of stairs placed in the cage leading up to the banana. Whenever a monkey goes up the stairs and grabs the banana, ice-cold water is poured on all the monkeys in the cage. Very soon, as the monkeys begin to associate touching the banana with being sprayed with ice-cold water they will try to prevent one another from trying to get the banana.

The cold water is then turned off and one monkey removed from the cage and replaced with another that doesn’t know anything about the cold water. This new monkey will inevitably try to get the banana, but the other four monkeys will attack him to stop him from doing so.

If another of the old monkeys is removed and replaced with a newcomer, this newcomer will try to grab the banana. The previous newcomer will gladly take part in beating him up together with the other monkeys in order to prevent him from climbing the stairs to the banana.

Slowly, all the original monkey can be replaced with new monkeys in this manner. The cage will now be totally filled with monkeys that know nothing about the ice-cold water, but they will all not try to get the banana and continue to attack any monkey that tries to do so. “No monkey ever again approaches the stairs. Why Not? Because as far as they know, that’s the way it’s always been around here. Don’t be a monkey. Challenge all assumptions.” These are Michalko’s words of advice.

Never assume anything – how do you see things?Another wise person said “Often, our actions and assumptions continue long after the reasons for them have passed.” That is why picking up things and doing them because others have always done and continue to do them that way is never a good idea.

Any person who desires to be a great success and be a leader both to themselves and to others must not take anything for granted. Stephen Covey said “we simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviours grow out of these assumptions.”

Your assumptions can influence your attitudes and behaviours in a big way and so ultimately influence your future. It is always necessary in any given circumstance to ask the question “why?” before doing or not doing anything.

Why can’t you be wealthy? Why can’t you be great? Why can’t you be the person that brings about great change? If you truly analyse these questions and try to answer them you will find that most of your answers will be only assumptions and, at the very least, excuses.

Never assume anything – free yourself

John Gardner pointed to the importance of being free of assumptions in order to succeed when he said “the creative individual has the capacity to free himself from the web of social pressures in which the rest of us are caught. He is capable of questioning the assumptions that the rest of us accept.”

Never assume anything – avoid the monkey mentality

I have found that, as a general rule, if most people are doing something, then I should question why they are doing it, and most likely I should not do it.

The monkey mentality is widespread in society. Considering the fact that only 3% of any population are truly successful it is probably a better idea to follow the minority rather than the majority.

Is it any wonder that the richest one per cent of the world's population owns 40 per cent of the total household wealth, while the bottom half of the world makes do with barely one per cent? The majority can be wrong. The reason they can be wrong is that they have the wrong assumptions about life, money and success.

Never assume anything – conclusion

Always challenge the norm and seek out the answers for yourself. Follow no one blindly. Do nothing without first seeking to understand why. Always keep an open mind. Most importantly, believe in yourself and the fact that you are different and what you think matters more than what society says.

Alan Alda’s advice makes for a fitting conclusion: “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.

Dear worship leader

Dear worship leader,

When the music fades, and all is stripped away, the stage lights go off, the accolades taper down, the people go home; what do you do in your secret place? Do you HAVE a secret place?
It is not what we do on stage that ignites the fire in any gathering, it is what we do in our secret place. It is THE ONE (whom we NEED to constantly fellowship with) that assuages the hunger and thirst in people.
It is not our gifts. Not our intricately honed skills. Not our proudly acquired credibility. Not our daintily selected wardrobe or our carefully carved out brand. Not our musicians "bad" skills. Not the quality of our backline equipment or our sound engineer's "wicked" mix...
All these things are great, but alone, they are merely 'skin-deep' impactful.

Value your secret place with Him; guard it jealously; engage HIM religiously.
"And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving...” (Luke.10.39-40 NKJV)
At His feet, in our secret place is where we listen, learn, refuel, refresh, and REALIGN to His will...

"...pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly..." (Matt6:6 NKJV)

And I just love The Message translation of this same Matt6:6;
"Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to SENSE HIS GRACE." (Matt6:6MSG)

#Ijeoma

WHY CAN'T I ALLOW HER PASS THE NIGHT IN MY ROOM?

Balogun John Seyifunmi

 

A lady informed me one day that she

Was coming to pay me a visit. I told her she's

welcomed and that I would be expecting

her.

Then she said, 'I will be sleeping over o'. I

replied no problem, that I will make arrangement

with one of my fellowship

sisters or my neighbour so she could put

up with any of them for the night. She said she

wouldn't like that. Then I

asked to know what she wanted, she said

she would like to stay in my room.

I told her it won't be possible because I

don't allow ladies pass the night in my

room except they are in group of two, three, etc. in

which case I will leave the

room for them.

She told me it doesn't matter now and

that she's not having any ulterior motive;

and that she will ensure nothing happens. I replied

her and said, it really does

matter. Number one reason is that I am

representing Christ in my environment.

Will Jesus be in the same room overnight

with a lady He is not married to? Let

assume nothing happened, what do we tell or how

do we convince people that

sees the two of us come out from the

same room the following morning.

Definitely that's an appearance of evil that

the Bible instructs us to abstain from. Secondly, let

assume we didn't touch

each other in the night, will our hearts still

remain pure? Won't it be filled with lustful

thoughts? What then was my response? I told her

all

those things I described above. At this

point, she was bored. Then she decided

she wasn't going to come again if I won't

allow her sleep in my room. I replied and

said that's OK by me, she may not bother to

come. That was not the first experience I've had

over the years. The temptation comes in

aliquot. But one thing had kept me; I will

not do anything I'm convinced Christ will

not do. 

Cohabitation is very common among

campus people these days, even among

brothers and sisters in the church. Allowing a lady

who is not yet your wife to

pass the night in the same room with you

is like tempting the Devil to destroy you. It

is like scoring a goal for the other team. Sister,

allowing 'Bro' to sleep in the same

room with you is one of the signs of

compromise of virtue and backsliding. Let's keep

the standard high. Holiness of

heart and life is still the key into the

kingdom of Heaven. Being engaged is not the

same as being

married. He's not authorised to touch your

body until he has paid your bride price. The

beginning of backsliding is little little

compromise. Let's hold on. Purity pays for

life and eternity. I've made up my mind to be a

Christian, I

mean a Christian... Not an hypocrite!

What about you?

To Lead, You Must Keep Learning

The Word For Today

'...Make every effort to add to your faith...' 2 Peter 1:5 NIV

As a leader you should stand on this Scripture: ‘[God’s] divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life …He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature…For this… reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self–control; and to self–control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive.’ (2 Peter 1:3–8 NIV) Note the word ‘add’.

 Whether you’re a leader at home, the workplace, or the church, you must keep learning and growing. When you continually invest in yourself, over time the inevitable result is growth. 

Although it’s true that some people are born with greater natural gifts than others, the ability to lead is really a collection of skills, nearly all of which can be learned and improved. But the process doesn’t happen overnight. Leadership is complicated. It has many different facets such as: respect, experience, emotional strength, people skills, discipline, vision, momentum, and timing—the list goes on and on. That’s why leaders require so much seasoning to be effective. 

The truth is, in order to keep leading, you must keep learning and the learning process is ongoing, resulting from self–discipline and perseverance. Your goal must be to get a little better each day, to build on the previous day’s success, and to learn from its failure. Solomon put it this way: ‘A wise man will hear and increase learning.’ (Proverbs 1:5 NKJV)

UK Gospel artist Lorraine Clarke – McGhie to release new Single and EP

UK Gospel artist Lorraine Clarke-McGhie set to release her third project LCM on the 27th June 2015.

Lorraine Clarke-McGhie is no stranger to the world of gospel music penning her first album back in 2005 titled “I Can Go On” followed by her single “More Than Able” in 2013.

What’s exciting about this project is that Clarke–McGhie who is currently working with producers Paul Watson and Marcus Johnson has also chosen to work closely with her Co producer husband Clive McGhie also known as Midd1eC.

LCM is a seven track EP with a diverse range of genres ranging from up- tempo House, Disco Funk and Seventies Soul. Lorraine describes this project as a cross over between Gospel and mainstream with the aim of reaching a larger audience spreading the message of Love, Hope and Joy and promises to be lively and soulful.

LCM is also set to release a promotional single Higher, A House Track co-written with her husband, who is somewhat different; experimental however shows LCM diverse vocal ability, which has often been compared, to UK songstress Jocelyn Brown.

Saturday 27th June 2015 promises to be a day to remember when LCM takes the stage for her first ever EP launch where she will be showcasing her New EP plus her favorite classics.

Lorraine says:
‘I am so excited at another opportunity to spread my love of music, Christianity, entertainment and reaching out with hope and love. I am so grateful for my husband, as my manager, working so tirelessly to making my dreams come to reality by promoting me through whatever avenue possible. My producer Paul Watson has pushed the boat out and has exceed all my expectations. I have a great team of people working with me to make this all possible – Eze Ani: Assistant Launch Manager, Alesia Ani: Personal Assistant, Denise Watson: Secretary, Roger Ray: Photographer, David Springer & Jonathan Harper: Designers – just to mention a few, not forgetting my backing Singers: LaDonna Harley-Peters, Lawrence Johnson & Sharlene Hector. I am so grateful to all my supporters – this is all for you! Hoping to see you on June 27th 2015.

“More than Able” is also available for download on ITUNES, AMAZON and CD Baby.

Motown Gospel Signs Multi-Talented Pop/Soul Artiste Royce Lovett

Motown Gospel proudly announces the signing of multi-talented Pop/Soul recording artist Royce Lovett. Royce, an emerging singer/songwriter whose guitar driven melodies and lyrical skills garnered him awareness on the underground independent artist circuit, is poised to bring his thought-provoking messages of love, hope and unity with his debut release WRITE IT ON THE WALL.

Set to rewrite the rules of what music lovers expect from “inspirational artists,” the Tallahassee native will release his first single “Show Me Love,” a song that talks about building confidence through the love of God, brought to life by a sound that fuses elements of old school Urban soul with progressive R&B. The single will be available digitally on Friday July, 10th.

Music has been a part of Royce’s life since his early childhood. His mother, a worship leader, introduced him to all styles of music, from bands like Hillsong to pop superstar Michael Jackson. The music he enjoyed growing up helped to create his eclectic musical palate. As Royce grew musically, he became inspired by Musiq Soulchild, Soup The Chemist, Lauryn Hill and The Fugees; all influencing his unique style and sound.

Royce Lovett is not a typical artist. His unique sound and thought-provoking lyrics spark conversation as well as emotion. His songs are not simply shared in churches and among youth groups. Royce also takes his music outside the norm, performing in night clubs and bars, singing, rapping and quoting scripture while playing the acoustic guitar. His soulful melodies and razor sharp lyrics are driven by his faith and a lifestyle of worship. Royce readies an unapologetic fusion of rhythmic Urban and progressive R&B, as he moves to the global stage.

Below is a sneak peak of ‪#‎ShowMeLove‬

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"I'm excited for what's to come....here's a sneak peak of what I've been working on!"#ShowMeLove

Posted by Royce Lovett on Tuesday, June 9, 2015

MOVIE TRAILER: Kendrick Brothers Debut ”War Room” Opens In Theaters August 28th

From the award-winning creators of Fireproof and Courageous comes WAR ROOM, a compelling drama with humor and heart that explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships, and every other area of our lives.

Tony and Elizabeth Jordan have it all—great jobs, a beautiful daughter, and their dream house. But appearances can be deceiving. Tony and Elizabeth Jordan’s world is actually crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. While Tony basks in his professional success and flirts with temptation, Elizabeth resigns herself to increasing bitterness. But their lives take an unexpected turn when Elizabeth meets her newest client, Miss Clara, and is challenged to establish a “war room” and a battle plan of prayer for her family. As Elizabeth tries to fight for her family, Tony’s hidden struggles come to light. Tony must decide if he will make amends to his family and prove Miss Clara’s wisdom that victories don’t come by accident.

Opening nationwide in theaters August 28 and filled with more of the authentic characters loved by millions in previous Kendrick Brothers’ films, WAR ROOM is a vivid reminder that prayer is a powerful weapon.

WAR ROOM is the highly anticipated fifth film from Alex and Stephen Kendrick (Fireproof, Courageous, Facing the Giants, Flywheel). Sony Pictures Entertainment’s TriStar Pictures, distributor of Soul Surfer, Courageous and last Spring’s faith-based sensation Heaven Is for Real, will release the film, which is rated PG, perfectly positioning it to entertain families of all ages.

The family-friendly movie explores the transformational role prayer plays in the lives of the Jordan family. “We made this film to inspire, challenge and motivate viewers to fight the right kind of battles and to fight them the best way,” says writer and director Alex Kendrick.

The film features New York Times best-selling author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer in her film debut. The cast also includes director Alex Kendrick (Moms’ Night Out, Courageous), T.C. Stallings (Courageous), and comedian Michael Jr. WAR ROOM introduces film newcomers Karen Abercrombie as Miss Clara and Alena Pitts as Danielle, and features a cameo by renowned speaker Beth Moore in her first acting role.

WAR ROOM is directed by Alex Kendrick and produced by Stephen Kendrick and Gary Wheeler. Written by Alex & Stephen Kendrick, WAR ROOM was filmed in and around Charlotte, N.C. AFFIRM Films and Provident Films partnered with the Kendricks on the film.

Salem Media Group is American’s leading radio, Internet and publishing company specializing in themes relating to family, faith, news and culture. Salem owns and operates over 100 radio stations, with over 60 stations in the nation’s top 25 markets – and more than 30 in the top 10. Through Salem’s rapidly growing network of over 150 Christian and conservative opinion websites, they drive over 200 million monthly page views.

Watch Trailer below...

About TriStar Pictures
TriStar Pictures is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go tohttp://www.sonypictures.com.

About AFFIRM Films 
AFFIRM Films is a division of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA), a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company, dedicated to producing, acquiring and marketing films that inspire, uplift and entertain audiences. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.

About Provident Films
Provident Films, a division of Provident Music Group, develops, produces and markets faith- based films. Nashville-based Provident Music Group, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, has served for more than three decades, worldwide, as a leader in inspiring entertainment.

About Kendrick Brothers Productions
Kendrick Brothers Productions is the company of brothers Alex, Stephen and Shannon Kendrick that exists to honor Jesus Christ and make His truth and love known among the nations through movies, books, curriculum and speaking. By prayerfully blending engaging stories with doctrinal integrity, the Kendricks seek to encourage and inspire viewers and readers with resources that impact their spiritual lives and strengthen their families and personal relationships.

Nathaniel Bassey Shares Tips On How to Make a Gospel Album

Oftentimes, Gospel music ministers ask the question, ''how and when is appropraite for them to start working towards releasing an album''? I think Prolific Gospel minister and worshipper, Nathaniel Bassey has given tips that will go a long way in answering those questions. He shares his thought on the steps that needs to be taken by Gospel music minsters before they start the recording of a gospel album.

Check out the article Below. We hope that you find it useful.

''Shalom saints, just felt a need to share some personal ideas on recording your gospel album. Now, these are not rules set in stone. They are essentially personal principles I live by, and can be of help to anyone out there.

1. BE LED TO RECORD
As Christians let the word of God and the leading of the Spirit be the basis. Every time I get a word to do something, I embark on it with an assurance knowing I have the backing of heaven. In this place there is divine provision and assistance.

2. RECORD WITH A PURPOSE
For me these two reasons should be the main reasons for recording a gospel album.
A. To glorify God
B. To minister, bless and impact lives.
Many record to make money, assume the lime light and become famous. But the truth is that any album that meets the two criteria above will always make money. But this should not be the focus.

3. HAVE DIRECTION AND FOCUS
Have you ever picked up a gospel album and you really can't place the style or genre of the work? I have. Lots of Albums in this part of the world lack that definition and clear musical identity. You get to hear rap, jazz, juju, dance hall, worship, Afro, reggae etc, all in one album. Perhaps it's a way of shooting in all direction expecting one of them to hit. No! No!

You should have a clear sound. Your identity. Something peculiar to you. If you sound close to Sir Ebenezer Obey, then don't try singing like Marvin Sapp. Be true to your self. Your grace works in your place.

4. GET THE RIGHT PRODUCER
There are great and skillful producers out there. But not all can properly articulate your sound. In fact, sometimes, the right person may not necessarily be a big name. I suggest pray for direction in this area.

5. BE PRAYERFUL
You should spend time praying before, during and after the recording. Remember a gospel album is a spiritual project. I remember a number of my studio recordings were worship sessions. Sometimes we've had to pray in the spirit for extensively before tracking. We've had people so overwhelmed, they wept and just fell because we had a strong presence in the studio. People tend to feel the same presence in the recordings like we did feel in the studio.

6. USE LIVE INSTRUMENTS
Since music has gone so digital, there is a tendency to do everything with computers. But even when I'm recording digitally, I try as much as possible to fuse in as much analogue or live instruments as possible. LIFE instruments bring LIFE to recordings. And that's because people play them. You see, God gives grace, but people are the carriers of it. Some musicians, especially the anointed ones bring a certain grace and anointing to a work that digital recording can never produce.

7. RECORD WITH A GOOD SOUND ENGINEER
This is where we really miss it in Naija. Notice I didn't say record in a big or expensive studio. I have realized that a studio is only as good as the engineer in it. A studio can have the best of gear. But without an engineer with the requisite skill and knowledge to operate the gears, your recording would still sound poor. And the converse is also true. A studio might have just very basic gear, but with the right engineer, you can achieve some high quality sound. My engineer in Lagos is very good. Though not your typical big studio, he seems to know his onions. And every time I've had to take the work abroad for further mixes, the engineers abroad have always spoken highly of his work. I recorded songs like IMELA, no other God, wonderful wonder if etc with him ( you reach him on: 08052222668 - alpha Junes studio).

What I also try to do to get that global sound on my recording is do my post productions abroad. Mix and master abroad. In addition to recording abroad sometimes. And you see, if God has given you a global vision, you can't afford to do things like a local person. Sometimes the things that limit our music from having that global reach is poor and mediocre sound quality.

8. THE BLESSING
After your album is ready, get it blessed. I know some folks would argue with this. If you have a pastor, you may just have him speak a word of blessing over it. You see, the guys in the world understand this. They take their projects to places to invoke all sorts on them. I understand the place of a father's blessing. Our generation is one that despises these things. But you see, I am a product of some of these things. It works. You may not know this, but before I ever released my first album, I wrote pastor E A Adeboye, my general overseer, a letter, just asking him to speak a word of blessing before I ever launch out. I can remember his words very vividly. And I can tell tell, they haven't fallen to the ground. I was determined not to go the way of others.

9. RELEASE YOUR WORK
The beauty of this is that unlike the past, you have the Internet and social media. And independent online music platforms, and do not need record labels etc to help with distributing your work. And this is what I've learnt. If your work is good: anointed and well produced, the marketers will look for you. A good product will always sell itself.
I remember a number of them were reluctant to take up my work when I came out first, but you see, I was not in a hurry. And just kept my focus. However, today, by God's grace, the story is different.

10. BE PATIENT
"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
Hebrews 10:36.

This is where many folks miss it. They want the break now. The thing must happen immediately. In our kingdom things don't happen that way. God takes us through a process to mature us, and allow Christ to be formed in us.
So wait!

I'll end with this little story;

I began playing the trumpet in 1991. Yes. Recorded my first album in 2008. But the impact of our ministry has only begun to be felt. So what happened in between? One word..... PROCESS!

Character is formed and moulded. God tries and works on our hearts, to make sure we don't blow it when the spot light comes. Here are some great christian producers. Check them out on facebook and connect with them.
Emmanuel Juzzy Uzozie, Rotimi Akinfenwa, Wilson Joel, Wole Oni, George Adealao, etc.

I hope you find this article useful.

God bless you''.

Okay, i trust you learnt a lot reading that. Now, share and let us make Jesus Famous!!!