YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO KEEP

                                   

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.c

                    YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO KEEP

… “It is appointed for people to die once… after this, judgment, (Hebrews 9:27 HCSB)

INTRODUCTION:                                                                                                                                        Those who have the privilege to book appointments with the highly placed persons in society definitely carry with them, the experience of the rigors that go with preparations for such engagements. For instance, if the president of a nation gives his consent for one to visit his office at a given date, the one so privileged, for sure, would engage in series of preparations for the day. This is because any mistakes to that effect, would result in serious damages. So, no reasonable person plays with such a rare opportunity. But, many people often forget that there is a divine appointment which takes everyone to God’s throne of judgment, where they must give account of their stewardship on earth. In the words of Charlie Chan, “death is the one appointment we all must keep, and for which no time is set”. In fact, the unawareness of the time of death makes it the most crucial appointment in the life of every mortal being, and so, requires thoughtful and constant preparations. Having said this, please be reminded that;

                                               YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH                   Biologically, death is the termination of the life of a person or animal. The Bible refers to this form of death as the separation of the soul from the body, which is the Physical Death,(Ecclesiastes 12:7). Onyeukwu (2006), also, posits that there are other forms of death, the Spiritual and Eternal. The Spiritual Death is the state of living in the pleasures of sin, (1Timothy 5:6), whereas, the Eternal Death is the final separation of a person from God after the last judgment, (Revelation 21:8).

           So, in keeping with Divine Verdict, it is obvious that every living soul must physically die one day. However, those who die (d) in the spiritual decay of sin would have no access to God’s place of peace, as they are or will be drafted to the point of eternal damnation. On this note, one can only escape the dreadfulness of this endless punishment if one now repents of one’s sins, and in turn accepts Jesus as one’s personal Lord and Savior in readiness for the appointment of death. “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God”, (Corinthians 6:9)                     

                     THE APPOINTMENT OF DEATH WILL BRING YOU

                                  TO THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD                                        Without controversy, there is in history what is regarded as spiritual and invisible process of judgment which goes on in all ages of the world. Berkhof (1953:729) confirms that, “the Bible clearly teaches that God, even in the present life visits evil with punishment and rewards the good with blessings, and that these punishment and rewards are in some cases positive, but in other instances appear as the natural providential results of the evil committed or of the good done, Deu.9:5;Ps 9:16,37:28;59:13;Prov.11:5; 14:11; Isa. 32: 16-17; Lam.5:7…. But, it is also manifest in the Scripture that the judgments of God in the present are not final, since evil sometimes continues without punishment, and the good is not always rewarded with the promised blessings in this life. These point to the fact that there is the final judgment of God, which will take care of all the consignment of divine judgments that will, of courses, be total and decisive.At death, one queues up for the final judgment. Berkhof (1953:729), also remarks that the Bible teaches us to look forward to a final judgment as the decisive answer of God to all the apparent discrepancies of the present, Matt. 25:31-46; John5:27-29; Acts 25:24; Romans2:5-11; Heb. 9;27, 2Pt 3:7… These passages do not refer to a process, but to a very definite event at the end of time. Therefore, the simple question remains, where will you be after the event of the final judgment?  “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea(s) gave up the dead that were in them, each person was judged according to what they had done… (And) if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation20:12-15).                            

          In conclusion, be notified also that, it is not possible to escape the judgment of damnation without Jesus Christ, and that what brought about judgment and death is sin, which A.H. Strong in Cole (1968), defines as “any lack of conformity to the law of God, whether in act, disposition or state”, and so, this message is a call to repentance (Act 17:31).

BIBLICAL RECIPE FOR TONGUE MANAGEMENT

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

BIBLICAL RECIPE FOR TONGUE MANAGEMENT

            … “the tongue is a little member and boasts great things… and the tongue is a fire, a word of iniquity and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell… with it we bless God …. And with it we curse men… my brethren, these things ought not to be so… (James3:1-12)

           

INTRODUCTION                                                                                                                               The biblical injunction… “Be quick to listen, but slow to speak…” (James 1:19) is a recipe for tongue management. The tongue is men’s gift for interaction and communication. On a positive note, the tongue is an instrument that builds, sharpens and fosters peaceful co-existence. However, the tongue, if mismanaged, can breed conflicts that lead to wars and broken relationships. Human experience shows that there is hardly any problem (conflict) in the human race where the tongue is free from indictment. This calls for proper management of the tongue. God’s Word depicts a perfect man as one who does not offends in words, and also notes that one who has no control of one’s tongue has no control of one’s life. So,

BE COMMITED TO USING YOUR TONGUE WELL                                                    One’s commitment to use one’s tongue implies a regular task, ensuring one’s proper management of one’s tongue. Such stewardship of tongue ensures a lifestyle devoid of incitement, slander, sycophancy and every form of inflammatory statement.  Definitely, it is on this note that the Bible cautions against the use of one’s tongue for offences, (2 Cor. 6:3), empty boats, (Prov. 27:1-2) and idle words, (Matt 12:36). Furthermore, lack of prudence in the use of one’s tongue is often manifested in gossips, (1Tim. 5:12-13), tale-bearing, (Prov. 26:20), evil-speaking, (James 4:11-12) and lying, (Prov.12:19). All the aforementioned carry the consequences of God’s judgment, and should be avoided, (Matt. 12:36-37)

BEWARE OF DEMONS OF EVIL-SPEAKING                                                                   The understanding of the fact that not every word that comes out of one’s mouth is by one’s volition is vital. This is because one’s consciousness of the negative influence from the pit of hell over one’s tongue would help one reduce un-desirable words, and in turn, would save one from divine judgment. The Bible records that the tongue is unruly evil, a world of iniquity, and capable of setting the course of nature on fire. Pointedly, all the evil activities of the tongue are said to be sponsored by hell and its demons, (James 3:6). This implies that every evil-speaking, (James 4:11-12), tale-bearing, (prov.26:20), and all forms of inflammatory statements are to the glory of Satan and his demons and not to the glory of God. To whom does your tongue give glory?                                                        

BE CONSCIOUS OF GIVING GOD GLORY IN THE USE OF YOUR TONGUE                                                                                                                                             “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of the fools pours forth foolishness”, (Prov. 15:2). By way of definition, knowledge is information and understanding about a subject which one has on one’s mind. The foregoing implies that a wise man is a prudent manager of his tongue. He reflects or ponders over words before he speaks out, but a fool has no such consideration. One who is conscious of God’s glory in the use of one’s tongue speaks God’s righteousness and praise, (Psalm 35:28), blesses and does not curse, (Rom. 12:14) as well as weighs every statement one wishes to make in the light of God’s Word. Does your life reflect a good stewardship of the tongue? “For whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech”, (1 Peter 3:10)

            To conclude this gospel discourse, hear this, “a wise man thinks before he speaks, but, a fool speaks before he thinks”. So, learn to consider the implication of every statement you wish to make. BE ADVISED.

“PAINS” AFTER THE RAPTURE

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

P.O, Box 1184, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

         “PAINS” AFTER THE RAPTURE       “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord”, (1Thess. 4:16-17)

INTRODUCTION:                                                                                                                             In a “guide” published by the Evangelical Tract Distributors of Edmonton, AB, Canada, the writer share the feeling that, many true Christians are deeply concerned about those who will be left to suffer in the “Great Tribulation” after the Lord Jesus Christ had called His own to meet Him in the air, which is referred to as the Rapture”. The message, equally, stresses that, “the opportunity of salvation during the tribulation is merely a continuation of the present opportunity offered to everyone to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour”. It hints further that, “faith in the atonement works of Christ is the only Hope for a lost humanity sold under sin, either before or after the Rapture”                                           According to Ben Onyeukwu (2016), the period in-between the second coming of Christ, phase one which is referred to as “the rapture” or His coming into the air (1 Thess 4:16) and the phase two of His coming, which is the actual return to earth, (Rev,. 1:7) marks a time of the visible activities of the Anti-Christ on earth, which is pictured as the Great Tribulation. Some theologians are of the view that the Great Tribulation will take a period of three and half (3 ½) years, (Rev. 13:5; Dan 7:25), while others are of the opinion that it will take seven (7) years, (Rev. 11:2-3; Dan 12:5-7).  This is because, according to those who hold that the Great Tribulation will take seven years, the first three and half years of the period will witness the prevailing power of the Anti-Christ (Rev.11:2), whereas, in the last three and half years of the tribulation, the power of God’s two witnesses, referred to as the Olive trees” (vs3), which are believed to be Enoch (Gen. 5:24) and Elijah (2kings 2:11), will prevail. To some scholars, the period under review is the actual period of the Great Tribulation, while some simply describe it as the tribulation period. But, this work holds that it is the actual period and that the Great Tribulation will last for seven years, as cited above.

ANTI-CHRIST AND THE UNRAPTURED BELEIVER                                                                            As already cited, the period in-between the two phases of the Christ is the period after the rapture of the saints. During this time, both the civil and religious government of the world would come under the administration of the Anti-Christ, who would exercise excessive power on earth, and the believer who out of carelessness missed the rapture will then, be in real trouble. According to the Bible, such believers can only be saved then, by giving their lives as martyrs (Rev. 13:15); if they would escape the damnation of Hell, (Rev.20:15). In other words, they would pay for their salvation with their own blood, as they would be killed for refusing to worship the Anti-Christ and the image of the beast, (Rev. 13:15)

ANTI-CHRIST AND THE NUMBER 666                                                                                                            At the period of the Great Tribulation, the beast of the Anti-Christ will exercise great authority  that would force the inhabitants of the earth to worship him. According to the Scripture, he will deceive the people with miraculous signs, and all those who would refuse to worship his image will definitely be killed, (Rev. 13:12-15). In furtherance, he would force everyone to receive his mark (666) on their right hand or foreheads or they would not be allowed to buy or sell, (vs. 17-18). This would be a horrible time for all the inhabitants of the earth, including the carless believer who would miss the rapture.

ANTI-CHRST AND THE ONLY WAY OF ESCAPE                                                                                The only way to escape the Anti-Christ now, and during the Great Tribulation, is to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, for the spirit of Anti-Christ is already at work in the world, (1 John 4:2-3. According to the Apostle Paul, the secret power of the lawless one (Anti-Christ) is already at work; but the one who now holds it back (the Holy Spirit), will continue to do so till He is taken out of the way. And then, the lawless one (Anti-Christ) will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. (2 Thess.2:7-8). From the cited epistle, the Apostle, equally indicates that the identity of the Anti-Christ is yet to be known. To this end, some think, he would be a Jew, pretending to be the Messiah and ruling at Jerusalem, while others consider the Pope as the Anti-Christ, as there are other different opinions with regards to where the Anti-Christ would come from, or his actual identity. Please note also that, “the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceive those who are perishing.  They perish because they refused to love the truth, and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness (vs. 9-12).

 In conclusion, be informed that if one receives the mark of the Beast, which is 666, on one’s right hand or forehead, one becomes condemned forever, (Rev. 13). REPENT NOW AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!

FACTS ABOUT OGWA TOWN (A REPLY)

            

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

                                                                    Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com          FACTS ABOUT OGWA TOWN                                       (A REPLY)                             

MAIN TEXT: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us… that the blessings of Abraham might come upon (us) the Gentiles”… (Gal. 3:13-14).                 

WRITER’S QUOTE: Those who are in Christ are no longer part of the curses of their forefathers.

INTRODUCTION:                                                       Having read through a message in a booklet, on the above subject-matter, which was published (undated) by the Ogwa Believers Association (OBA), I meticulously observed that cert isain concepts and programmes put forth by the leadership of the Association carry no biblical efficacy. My observation, nevertheless, does not cast any eclipse on the noble effort made by these sincere gentle people of God, but simply point out that people could be sincerely wrong in worthwhile ventures.                                           The cited published booklet by the OBA on what it calls, “Facts About Ogwa Town”, clearly demonstrates the shortsightedness and superstitious gospel which people propagate today in the name of Liberation. In the booklet under review, the OBA in a three point content, namely;

1.      Do you know    

2.      Effects and

3.      Solutions

tries to establish a case as to what it views as the problems or rather the causes of what  it assumes are taking the Ogwa community backwards . However, as well intended as the Ogwa Believers Association may be in its drive towards the liberation of the Ogwa community from demonic bondage, it should be noted that the concept it tries to sell to the people stems from the fabric of deadly distortion.                                                                 Based on the foregoing, therefore, the writer takes a critical look at each content of the booklets titled “Facts about Ogwa Town”. The booklet in its content one, tagged, “Do You Know”, draws the attention of the Ogwa people to the fact of the geographical features of the Ogwa town, in which it cites Abazu,  Alaenyi,  Ekwereazu, Idem, Ochii, Oboro, Uru, Umuazu, Idume, Ihite and Oburu as the eleven villages that make up the Ogwa town. However, by the revelation of the writer, the present Ogwa town has twelve villages and not eleven. And, the first of them all is the community of the Ogwa Believers. Therefore, the present day villages or communities that make up the Ogwa town include (1) The Ogwa Believers Association (OBA)  (2) Abazu (3) Alaenyi, (4) Ekwereazu, (5) Idem, (6) Ochii, (7)Oboro, (8)Uru, (9) Umuazu, (10)Idume, (11)Ihite and (12)Oburo. For the purpose of clarity, the Ogwa town is in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State in Nigeria.

           By God’s design, the believers in Ogwa should have been a very powerful influence in Ogwa, in terms of prosperity and progress if they had been appreciative of God’s salvation and subsequently taken up the challenges of achieving the divine objectives for which they were saved. But, on the contrary, they have taken to the distortion that the sins of their forefathers constitute the hindrances they face on earth, and this idea has no support in the Word of God, since the Scripture says that the sins of the forefathers are on those who hate Him, to third and fourth generations, (Ex 20 : 5), but He shows mercy to thousands of those who love Him and keep His commandments, (vs. 6). By this, therefore, the writer brings to the fore that the backwardness in Ogwa, on the side of the unbelievers could be as a result of the sins of their forefathers, but to the believers in Ogwa, it is not, but as a result of the unbelief, as inspired by the leadership of the Ogwa Believers Association (OBA),

              To this end, please recall that in the case of the man that was born blind, when Jesus was asked …who sinned, this man or his parents,  that he was born blind? Jesus replied,  “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, “but that the work of God should be revealed in him,” (John 9:2-3), and this, evidently shows that the sins of the forefather may not have been the cause of the alleged backwardness in Ogwa, but the failure of the believers in Ogwa and the leadership of the OBA to reveal the works of God in the town, (vs2-3).                              

Furthermore, in pages 1-2 of the booklet being x-rayed, the OBA reveals the existence of many gods (Agwuishi, Ala Oboro, Amadioha, Eru, Ezeala, Duruagu, Ezealaoji, Ekebuzu, Okwara Ndam, Okwara ike Uru.) and how they are worshiped, and holds that they are the sources of the many problems in Ogwa, which the writer also agrees. But, the heightening of the problem with:

1)      The alleged burying of sixteen persons, as  a way of appeasing the gods in Ogwa (8 men, 8  women)

2)      The killing of one of the early missionaries at Abazu Ogwa.

3)      The killing of twins and other related offences against God, may be unnecessary, since Israel that killed all the prophets of God, which they buried in both deep and shallow graves still ranks best in science and technology. Therefore, it becomes obvious that it is the rigidly blind sense of guilt of the sins of the forefathers, doubt, fear and unbelief as unbrokenly passed on to the believing generations of the Ogwa Community by the leadership of OBA that have been the strong satanic chains that set the community backwards and not the sins of the forefathers. How?

1)      The Ogwa Believers since over twenty years have been organizing annual prayer meeting for the community, yet, do not believe that God has, by their prayers forgiven and dissociated them from the sins of their forefathers.

2)      They, also, have been living under an unbroken doubt as to whether they can move the Ogwa community forward.

3)      They, equally live in the fear that God would always bring setbacks on them, as a result of the sins of their forefathers.                                                                                   On the alleged “effects” of the atrocities and idol worship in Ogwa, the OBA in page 5 of its unpopular booklet under scrutiny put forth that such atrocities and idol worship account for:

1.      The non- centrality of the traditional institution in Ogwa

2.      Disunity

3.      Setbacks and un-successful developmental projects.

4.      Lack of political personalities in government

            According to OBA, the aforementioned and several other alleged effects have put the land under a curse and the people in bondage. But, by way of refutation, the non-centrality of the traditional institution in Ogwa should not be seen as a curse, but a display of governmental uniqueness of the Ogwa people. The Ogwa community is an “egalitarian” community with an ad hoc style of leadership. This republican disposition demonstrates the “umunna” leadership style, through the instrumentality of village heads. This type of leadership, though, not sustained, as result of the advents of the Whiteman in Nigeria should not be seen as a curse, but as a blessing.

             On the unity and stability of the Ogwa community, let it be pointed out here that, the “so called” disunity in Ogwa does not exist, since history shows no record of disintegration in the town. That clans, villages or people sometimes disagree on matters or even quarrel over issues of interest is not the ground to say that there is disunity in ogwa. In fact, what exits in Ogwa is unity in diversity. Also, the fallacy that no project has successfully been completed in Ogwa should be discarded. For, every appreciative and sincere individual, who has covered a life span of forty-fifty years in Ogwa will bear the witness that;

1)      Ogwa started and completed in the fifties, the first water project in the whole of the then, Mbaitoli-Ikeduru local government area.

2)      A dispensary project was started and commissioned about the same time in Ogwa.

3)      The Ogwa community in the sixties started, completed and handed over to the government, the present Ogwa General Hospital

4)      The same Ogwa community through self effort has built and handed over to the government the three existing secondary schools in Ogwa.

5)      By the blessed move of the Holy Spirit, the early missionaries were able to build in Ogwa several primary schools and maternity homes, which are still very much in use today.

6)      The Ogwa electricity project today has been completed and commissioned, whereas many communities in Imo State, Nigeria and other parts of the world are yet to have such a utility.

          Finally, the alleged lack of Ogwa political figures, as portrayed by the leadership of the OBA becomes baseless, as one recalls that in the sixties, the Ogwa community had produced one of the most reputable officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the person of F.O. Iheanacho, the then Federal Rehabilitation  Commissioner. Another political blessing that the Ogwa community had recorded came during the regime of Chief Sam Mbakwe, during which the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was from Idem Ogwa. It is also on record that in the local government, the Ogwa community had produced some notable figures like; Jeff Uwandu, Rufus Osueke to mention but two.                                         From the foregoing, therefore, it becomes obvious that another problem of the leadership of the OBA is “ingratitude”, since all the aformention are clear testimonies of some of the things God has done in Ogwa, and for the people of Ogwa, yet, the leadership and membership of the OBA seem not to have seen and appreciated the facts of these enormous goodness of the Lord in Ogwa from the ancient times, instead, they have always adduced an attitude that accuses and portrays Him in bad light. And so, the leadership of the OBA should sincerely take time to count the blessings of God scattered across the Community, instead of insinuating in its members the attitude which portrays God as a sadist, who is ready to strike at the slightest offence.

           In conclusion, for more blessings to come to Ogwa, the writer totally agrees to solution in page 6 of the booklet that Ogwa must;

1)       denounce demonic deities and their functions;

2)      Turn away from their wicked ways;

3)      Ask God for forgiveness, and

4)      Repent and turn to God, who says:

“When I shut up the heaven so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people. If my people who are called by my Name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins and heal their land” (2 Chr7:13-14). 

GOD’S DISPLEASURE IN GOVERNANCE (Part 1)

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

P.O, Box 1184, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

GOD’S DISPLEASURE IN GOVERNANCE (Part 1)

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVES AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION

MAIN TEXT:                                                                                              “By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down” (Proverb29:4)                                                                                WRITER’S QUOTE:                                                                       Politicians are God’s gifts for nations building, but they disappoint God                                                when they engage in corruption.

INTRODUCTION:                                                                                                                                        Without controversy, thrones, kingdoms and governments are established by God, and He places certain parsons of His choice in positions of authority who, in ideal situations should first and foremost be accountable to Him, and then, to the society in which such institutions are put in place. This implies that God expects the acts of governance to be transparent and fair, as He expresses displeasure when reverse is the case. And, no doubt, the executive arm of government takes the lead in acts of governance, though the other arms, the legislature and judiciary play particular roles. But, just as the executive arm of government is outstanding in the acts of governance, so also, is “political corruption” a common feature of its functionaries, especially where the fear of God and moral rectitude are lacking. In Nigeria, for instance, cases of ‘political corruption” have uncontrollably taken hold of most of the government officials of nowadays, that one may be tempted to view corruption as part of the Nigerian constitutional social values, and here, the writer cites the former governors,  Late DSP Alamieyeiseigha of Bayelsa State, Chief James Ibori of Delta State, and Sir Jude Agbaso, the impeached former deputy Governor  of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State as examples of persons guilty of ‘political corruption”, though, some allegedly argue  that Sir, Jude Agbaso may have been innocent or not alone in the alleged fraud, or may have suffered from certain hidden political intrigues designed to remove him from office, citing that the lack of due process in the whole exercise may have also indicted the governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, or played out his desires for a new deputy. After all, according to the Imo Trumpeta newspaper of Friday, May 24, 2013, “recent developments (on the matter), especially investigations by private and anti-graft agencies have revealed that the #450m bribe alleged to have been collected by the impeached Deputy Governor from Jpross has been traced to banks in Dubai and Lebanon said to have been masterminded by Joseph Dina, owner of Jpross”, which now gives rise to the thought that the impeached Deputy governor may not have had a hand in the alleged fraud, but a victim of some sort of political plot.

            By way of definition, “political corruption” as Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia renders, “is the use of power by government officials for illegitimate gain”…It also notes that forms of corruption vary, but include; bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft and embezzlement as outstanding. The Lexicography further states that  corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise, such as drug trafficking, money laundering and human trafficking, though it is not restricted to these activities…, and in Nigeria, as well as in other countries of the world, the foregoing among others are noticeable and condemnable crimes. However, for the purpose of stressing the evils of “political corruption” apparent among the ruling class of today, please observe that:

GOD IS NOT PLEASED WHEN GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVES USE THEIR OFFICES TO ENTRICH THEMSELVES                                                                                               In every democracy, like Nigeria, people elect their leaders. Though, during elections, people make a number of choices which may or may not favour the winner of a given election. However, when once someone is duly elected, the person in question automatically becomes the leader of the generality of the people, irrespective of those who voted him or not, and so, should have the welfare of all at heart, which in normal human behaviour should rule-out discrimination, greed, avarice and self enrichment, which work against the good of the people, state or nation being governed. In other words, a leader with good intentions for the people can hardly think of ways of enriching himself when he should be working for the benefits of the people. But, certain Nigerian political leaders think otherwise, as statistics shows that most of them who went into government poor, left office(s) un-warrantedly rich, and in some parts of Nigeria, such greedy leaders become richer than the states or areas the governed within the period of time.            For example, how rich was Olusegun Obasanjo when he became a military head of state in Nigeria in 1976 and how rich did he become when he left office in 1979? Furthermore, how rich was the same Obasasnjo when he became a civilian president I 1999, and how rich has he become since he left office in 2007? Also, how rich was ex-military president Ibrahim Babangida when he assumed power in 1985, and how rich did he become in 1993, when he left office? At state level, how rich was ex-governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State when he assumed office in 2007, and how rich is he today? And, how rich was ex-governor ikedi Ohakim of Imo State when he became the governor in 2007 and how rich has he become since he left office in 2011? Is it not surprising to observe that some of these folks whose economic records were in red are today bastardly rich, at the expense of the people they should have helped?                                             Chief Olusegun Obasanjo after his regime as military head of state established his famous Ota Farm and other network of businesses, and also came up with other business establishments running into billions of naira after his tenure as civilian president, yet with chains of allegations of financial misappropriation. Ex-military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida is today said to be the owner of multi-national/international business networks, but also carries uncleared allegation of the embezzlement of state funds from the oil-windfall during his tenure, plus other un-accounted financial dealings, as the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva was sometime invited to tell the Economic and Financial crime Commission (EFCC) how much he allegedly embezzled from the coffers of Bayelsa State. In Imo State, too, Governor Rochas Okorocha sometimes threatened to probe ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim for allegedly stealing public funds, but later dropped the idea for allegedly lack of evidence or moral reasons, for there are also allegations of financial misappropriation and recklessness against him, which may have been pricking his conscience, and so, the reason for not pursuing the purported probe may have been informed by the words of Jesus “if you have no sin, cast a stone”, (John 8:7), though, the case is being revisited by the EFCC, probably, for political reasons, or due to president Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade, which some view as lopsided.                  The fact of political corruption, which this work had already defined as “, the use of power by government officials for illegitimate gain” cannot be over emphasized. And, without mincing words, most government executives in Nigeria and elsewhere are guilty of this crime which displeases God. Today, it is obvious that government business is no longer a service to God and humanity, but a service for self-enrichment, and this may have informed one of the reason why key positions in government have become price-tagged, instead of meritoriously offered. For instance, the ex-governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim was allegedly said to have price- tags that ranged from #5m and #10m and above for the appointment of his commissioners, Sole Administrators (SOLAD), Special Assistants (SA) and other principle officers, and who knows if Governor Rochas is presently doing the same thing?                                                                                                          Another way government executives rip off the treasury of their states or nations is through the award of contracts. Between the late 70s and early 80s, what used to be in place was ten percent (10%) kick-back or kick front. But, nowadays, we hear of three hundred percent (300%) upfront payment of contracted jobs. Worst still, is the fact that most government executives become the client, the consultant, as well as the contractor in the circ=le of a given project, as a way of attaining maximum profit. In fact, this is the very accusation which today fingers Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state. And, the reader may have known that a good number of Imo people believe that the governor is relatively doing well in infrastructural development, but the allegation remains that most of the contracts are allegedly done by his own firms in a bid to further enrich himself, which by implication is a way of impoverishing the vast majority of the citizens of the state. Therefore, if the cited allegation becomes evident, it then means that the multitude of projects embarked upon by the Imo State Governor may be “incentive driven’ and not “economic driven”, as this seems to justify the notion of the opposition party in the state that most of the projects of the present administration have no economic values.                                                                                                And, a critical look at the cited view may readily picture the fact that the outrageous number of roundabouts and towers littered all over the state by the government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha may have no economic values, as well as suggest that what inspires such project may be the concept of “more project, more money”, ant not the well being of the people, though, there are as well traces of valuable projects in the ongoing programmes of the state government. However, God is not pleased, if the drive behind the project in Imo State is self-enrichment.                                                                                                                                                             GOD IS ALSO NOT PLEASED WHEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS USE GOVERNMENT BUSINESS TO UNDULY FAVOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS                                            Government is not a family affair, nor is it a forum for comradeship, but an institution designed to take care of the socio-political and economic needs of the generality of the people within its jurisdiction. This is not to say that people in government should not grant members of their families and friends certain opportunities while in office, but a stress on the need for fairness and adherence to the rule of law in governance, as well as a move against favouritism in government business, and here, it may be helpful to bring to the notice of the reader that this gospel piece drives towards ethical matters in governance and not technicalities. For instance, there is nothing wrong for someone in government to appoint certain members of his family or friends into positions of trust where there is equity and fair-play in the exercise, but there is everything wrong where such appointments are done on the basis of affinity or affiliation, without recourse to qualification and principles of technocracy.                                        Put differently, it is unethical for a political leader to appoint his brother or girlfriend, with or without qualification in accountancy to head the mechanical unit of the ministry of works, where countless qualified engineers are looking for the job. It is equally wrong for a government executive to unduly favour a friend who is a roadside mechanic for a road construction work, whereas, people who are trained and have what it takes to do the job are sidelined for the simple fact of place of origin. No doubt, such things happen almost every moment in Nigeria and other parts of the world. For example, during the regime of Chief Achike Udenwa in Imo state, it was alleged that Nze Ignatius Umunna was appointed the Secretary to Imo State government (SSG) simply because he is his half-brother. Chief Ikedi Ohakim, as well toed this inglorious path, when he appointed his brother Chief Emma Ohakim, the Chief of Staff of his administration. Today, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorcha has allegedly been appointing his kinsmen or people from his senatorial zone into key positions in his government, and by the same token has allegedly handed over the Imo State Sanitation job to his wife, coupled with the rumour that certain valuable contracts in the state are either awarded to members of his family or friends, and where people outside this cited circle are asked to do some minor jobs for the government, they allegedly find it difficult, if not impossible to receive payment for the work done, and who knows is president Mohamadu-Buhari today runs Nigeria in the cited constitutionally forbidden style? The reader should please help the writer find out if these specified allegations are true, as well as pray for a change of heart, since God is never pleased when such things take place in governance.         

GOD IS EQUALLY NOT PLEASED WHEN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES TAKE BRIBES BEFORE AWARDING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS                                                                 By now, the reader may have been aware that “political corruption” borders on the use of governmental powers for illegitimate gain, and this work carries a sweeping x-ray on those who may have been found wanting, including, Sir Jude Agbaso, the impeached Deputy Governor of Imo State, whose removal from office was hinged on the #458m bribe which he allegedly received from Joseph Dina, the owner of Jpross group Ltd. In fact, the above cited dimension of “political corruption” is what this section of the gospel piece before the reader is designed to tackle                                                                                                                                      Bribe taking before the award of contracts by some government functionaries is unethical, as well as scripturally wrong, and so, displeases God. According to the main text of this piece, a king who is greedy of bribe tears down a country, (Proverb 29:4). And, no doubt, this is one of the reasons why Nigeria, and many other nations of the world are moving backwards, instead of moving forward, and this may have also informed the reason why most government services that are usually done by government ministries are nowadays contracted out by some government executives, probably in a bid to receive up-front bribes from desperate contractors who would bribe their way through. Today, hardly can one notice where road maintenance is done by ministry of works or where other essential services of government are done by the civil servants who are duly employed for such services. But, one notice to the dismay of all that, even hospital and other social services of government are mindlessly contracted out by certain greedy government executives for illegitimate gain, and from the grapevine the writer gathers that the present contracts of the Imo State Government of Owelle Rochs Okorocha to present managers of certain government parastatals in the state may not have considered the welfare of the people as claimed by the government, but may have carried a hidden motive for private gain. This is too bad, and displeasing to God, if the allegation becomes real.                     

          In conclusion, the fact that God is the Governor-General of all nations is both biblical and experiential, and so, those in leadership positions should be aware that they serve under a sovereign God who knows and sees all things, even before they happen or are done, as well as takes delight in honest and transparent services in governance. As such, the idea of “political corruption”, which this work has repeatedly cited from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, as “the use of power by government officials for illegitimate gain” is biblically not proper, and therefore, could lead one to divine judgment that results in administrative down-fall and eternal destruction. BE WARNED!