Christians have been urged to embrace the fruits of divine covenant, humility, and undeserved grace to navigate life’s barren seasons and reclaim their spiritual inheritances. Bishop Akintayo Asamu, the Pastor in Charge of BRAVE 91.1FM International Temple of Christ, gave this charge during the church’s impactful Sunday Service on June 14, 2026. Delivering a powerful sermon titled "FRUITS: A CASE STUDY OF MEPHIBOSHETH," Bishop Asamu drew his anchor text from 2 Samuel 9:1–13, unpacking the profound narrative of how King David restored Jonathan’s lame son from obscurity to royalty. From Isolation to the King`s Table Addressing the congregation, Bishop Asamu explained that Mephibosheth’s journey from the barren land of Lo-debar to Jerusalem is a vivid illustration of God`s unmerited favor. He noted that like Mephibosheth, many individuals suffer from generational setbacks and limitations through no fault of their own. "Mephibosheth did not earn a seat at the palace because of his physical ability or strength," the Bishop declared. "He was remembered, sought after, and elevated purely because of a pre-existing covenant between David and Jonathan. In the same way, the ultimate fruit of our faith is anchored on the unconditional covenant of grace provided through Jesus Christ." Expatiating on the theme, the cleric noted that human limitations cannot stop divine promises. "Mephibosheth’s lameness at age five was an accident of life, but accidents cannot abort a divine covenant. Your current limitations or past brokenness do not disqualify you from the King’s agenda," he said. The Power of the Covenant Covering The cleric further challenged believers to bear the spiritual fruits of humility and contentment, especially during times of trial and false accusation. Referring to the broader biblical narrative, Bishop Asamu highlighted how Mephibosheth remained steadfast and loyal to King David, even when his servant Ziba slandered his name. "The true test of your fruitfulness is your posture when God elevates you, and your loyalty when your character is tested," the Bishop added, urging the flock to guard their hearts against bitterness and greed. "When Mephibosheth sat at the king’s table, the tablecloth covered his crippled feet. Under the covenant of grace, your flaws are covered by His mercy, while you enjoy the royal inheritance." He reassured the congregation that their current struggles are temporary, stating, "Lo-debar means a place of no pasture, a place of silence. Some of you have been silenced by stagnation, debt, or delay. But the same God who sent a chariot to fetch Mephibosheth is sending a divine visitation to your address this week." Prophetic Declarations The service, which broadcasted to a global audience via the BRAVE 91.1FM networks, climaxed with a profound session of prophetic declarations and prayers. Bishop Asamu prayed for the breaking of generational barriers, the restoration of lost possessions, and divine elevation for all participants. Releasing apostolic blessings, Bishop Asamu decreed: "I decree by the apostolic authority of heaven, every righteous covenant made by your lineage that has been forgotten by men is reactivated today. God will bypass protocols to locate you! Every ancestral land, stolen blessing, and delayed inheritance swallowed by the enemy is vomited right now! Receive a seven-fold restoration in Jesus` name." Worshipers left the sanctuary highly energized, expressing renewed faith in God’s covenant promises to lift them from their personal "Lo-debars" and seat them at tables of honor.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said the ongoing conflicts involving Israel, Iran, the United States, Russia and Ukraine are making it increasingly difficult for Nigeria and other countries to procure military equipment needed to tackle insecurity. The minister also lamented the absence of a comprehensive national database, saying it was hindering the efforts of security agencies, particularly the police, in tracking criminals and preventing crimes. Musa stated this on Saturday while delivering a keynote address at the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja. Speaking on challenges confronting the country’s security architecture, he said global conflicts had disrupted access to military hardware, making it imperative for Nigeria to strengthen local defence production. “With the war in Ukraine, Russia, Iran, the U.S. and Israel, it’s been extremely difficult getting equipment. Because most times they do down payment because they have the money and they produce most of these items. So even when you go to get, they have booked for them, and so it’s difficult. “The only solution is for us to produce what we need,” he said. He commended indigenous defence manufacturers and innovators, urging greater government support and patronage for locally produced military equipment. The minister also appealed to the National Assembly to support the creation of a comprehensive database for Nigerians, describing it as critical to effective policing and national security. “I want to also appeal to the National Assembly on the issue of a database. We must develop a database for every Nigerian in the world. There is a capacity to do that. “It is only with that that it will make the job a lot easier for security forces. The Nigerian police is struggling because they don’t have a database to track and trace,” he said. Musa, however, praised the police for their performance despite operational challenges. “I commend them because I think they are performing magic. Some of the crimes they’re able to bring out, I can tell you it’s extremely difficult without a database,” he said. The minister stressed that security agencies could not effectively combat crime without timely intelligence from citizens, warning against public indifference to criminal activities within communities. “Security agencies are not magicians. If they don’t get the support and information at the right time, it becomes extremely difficult to curtail it,” he stated. He cited incidents involving the vandalism of public infrastructure, including roads, rail facilities and solar-powered street lights, noting that such crimes often occurred because residents failed to report suspicious activities. Musa also urged state governors to ensure that increased federal allocations translated into meaningful development at the grassroots, arguing that poverty, unemployment and illiteracy remained key drivers of insecurity. “The tendency is now to throw everything at the federal. And I can tell you, Mr President is doing so well because if you look at the amount of money being released monthly to the governors, it is important for us to be able to make sure that these things get down to the people so that we can stop issues of poverty and illiteracy,” he said. The minister further advocated the proper regulation of the Civilian Joint Task Force and other community-based security outfits, warning that arming unvetted groups could worsen insecurity. Also speaking, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said the National Assembly would continue to support security agencies through legislation, oversight and funding. He, however, stressed that military operations alone could not solve Nigeria’s security challenges. The deputy speaker disclosed that local government reforms remained a priority in the ongoing constitutional amendment process and urged support for the State Police Bill, which recently passed the House of Representatives.

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has suggested that only God can ultimately bring an end to Nigeria’s security challenges. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Matawalle described insecurity as a national challenge that requires cooperation from all Nigerians, urging citizens to support security agencies and pray for peace. He warned politicians against exploiting security challenges for political gain, saying insecurity affects all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation or religion. “It’s disheartening, and we must all rise to ensure that security agencies and Nigerians work together to end insecurity in the country. Insecurity does not discriminate based on political affiliation or religion. It can affect anyone. “That is why we have urged the opposition to stop using insecurity to incite people. It is a challenge that can happen to anyone, and no Nigerian is happy about it. Unfortunately, some members of the opposition appear pleased with the situation. “They do not care about the people. What matters to them is portraying the government as a failure for their own political interests and deceiving people into believing they alone can end insecurity. “It is only God that can bring to an end to this insecurity, alongside our collective prayers and efforts. It should not be used as a tool to condemn others or score political points” he said. According to the minister, some opposition figures have used insecurity to criticize the government, rather than supporting efforts to address the challenge. Matawalle also alleged that old and misleading videos are being circulated on social media to portray the administration of President Bola Tinubu as failing in its efforts to tackle insecurity. He said some of the videos being shared online were recorded during previous administrations or in other countries, including Burkina Faso and Mali, but are being presented as recent incidents in Nigeria. The minister maintained that security operatives are working tirelessly across the country to combat terrorism and other forms of criminality, adding that insecurity is a global challenge that cannot be eliminated overnight. Matawalle appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies and praying for the restoration of peace across the country. His comments come amid renewed security concerns following recent attacks and abductions in parts of Nigeria, including Oyo and Borno states.

Tesla and SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk has made history as the first individual to attain a net worth exceeding $1 trillion, according to a report by CNN on Friday. The unprecedented achievement follows the highly successful public listing of SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace company, which made its debut on the stock market. SpaceX launched its initial public offering at $135 per share, a move that pushed Musk’s estimated wealth beyond the $1 trillion mark. Trading under the ticker symbol SPCX on the Nasdaq exchange, the company’s shares surged to $165 shortly after trading began, representing an increase of about 22 percent from the IPO price. The jump boosted SpaceX’s market value to more than $2 trillion. Prior to the IPO, Musk’s fortune was already estimated at $813 billion. According to Forbes, that figure was more than double the wealth of the world’s second-richest person, Google co-founder Larry Page, whose net worth stands at roughly $288 billion. With his latest financial milestone, Musk’s fortune is now greater than the combined wealth of the next three individuals on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison. The valuation also places SpaceX among America’s largest publicly traded corporations. The company currently ranks sixth in market value, trailing only Nvidia, Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. SpaceX oversees several major ventures, including Starlink, its rapidly expanding and profitable satellite internet business, as well as xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence firm responsible for developing the Grok chatbot.

The impassioned outcry by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) during the June 12 demonstrations serves as a damning double indictment of the Nigerian state. Speaking to protesters, Falana laid bare a harrowing reality: school pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno states have been abandoned to criminals for weeks. The ultimate horror—the beheading of a school teacher to coerce government action—demonstrates that the state has ceded its primary constitutional duty of protecting lives to lawless cartels. Falana’s revelation that these children are starving and denied medical care should prick the conscience of our political elite. Instead, it highlights a chilling official inertia. When a nation allows its youngest citizens to be weaponised by terrorists as bargaining chips, it forfeits its moral authority. Our security apparatus has failed at its core mission. Yet, this security breakdown is inextricably linked to the broader economic pathologies of the nation. Falana rightly connected the hostage crisis to crushing economic deprivation and state neglect. It is a profound paradox that a nation overflowing with immense natural wealth and capital resources continues to breed a population defined by hunger and absolute poverty. There is simply no structural justification for this level of misery. Poverty breeds the desperation that fuels the kidnap-for-ransom industry, while state funds that should secure our schools are lost to systemic corruption. As we mark another June 12 anniversary, Falana’s distinction between "civilian rule" and "true democracy" is a vital intellectual wake-up call. We must stop confusing the mere absence of military uniforms with the presence of democratic substance. True democracy cannot coexist with mass abductions, unchecked poverty, and state institutional decay. The federal and state governments must act immediately to rescue the Oyo captives. More importantly, Nigerians must heed Falana’s call to sustain civic engagement. Democracy is not a gift handed down by the ruling class; it is a fortress that citizens must continuously defend through relentless accountability on both economic equity and national security.

Says victims starving, denied medical care in captivity• Human rights lawyer insists Nigeria practicing ‘civil rule,’ not true democracy IBADAN — Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has demanded the immediate and unconditional rescue of school pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oyo State, lamenting that the victims are enduring horrific conditions. Falana made the passionate plea while addressing a crowd of demonstrators during the June 12 protest. He revealed that the demonstration was organized to confront the worsening wave of insecurity, severe economic hardship, and systemic injustice across the federation. Horrific Conditions in Captivity Expressing deep worry over the welfare of the hostages, the senior advocate stated that the children have been cut off from food and vital medical attention for weeks. He revealed that the crisis has already turned fatal, with the kidnappers executing a school teacher to force the government`s hand. “Those kids are suffering. No medical attention, no food for them," Falana stated. "As you are well aware, a teacher has been beheaded in order to convince the government to move speedily to have those children released.” He noted that the security failure is not isolated, pointing out that innocent school children in both Oyo and Borno states have remained in the custody of criminal gangs for several weeks without rescue. Protesting Hunger Amid Abundance The human rights activist strongly criticized the federal government over prevailing poverty levels, arguing that Nigeria’s vast natural resources leave no justification for widespread hunger. He further condemned the routine harassment and unlawful arrest of young Nigerians on highways by police officers. “We are calling on the government that there is no basis for poverty in Nigeria. Our country has enormous material, natural resources, and capital resources to make our people happy,” he added. `Civil Rule, Not Democracy` Reflecting on the significance of the June 12 anniversary, Falana argued that the country`s democratic transition remains incomplete, describing the current political structure as mere civilian administration rather than a functional democracy. While thanking the media and the public for their resilience, he charged Nigerians to sustain peaceful civic engagements until true democratic governance and total liberation are achieved.

ABUJA — Marking 27 consecutive years of uninterrupted democratic governance, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged Nigerians—particularly the younger generation—to pivot from the struggle for political survival toward achieving long-term economic prosperity. In a national Democracy Day broadcast delivered on Friday, June 12, 2026, the President declared that while past heroes successfully won the battle for liberty, the historic duty of the present generation is to build a nation of economic abundance. Fragile Institutions Without Economic Substance. Reflecting on the nation`s political journey, President Tinubu paid profound tribute to Chief MKO Abiola and the martyrs of the historic June 12, 1993, election. He cautioned, however, that political freedom alone cannot sustain the country if the masses do not feel its economic impact. "Democracy without economic substance is fragile," the President stated, emphasizing that civic freedoms must be matched with tangible financial security, industrial growth, and food availability for ordinary citizens. Halting the `Japa` Wave: A Call to the Youth. A major highlight of the presidential broadcast was a direct appeal to Nigeria`s youth to look inward. Addressing the ongoing brain drain, President Tinubu urged young innovators, professionals, and creators to deploy their skills within the country rather than seeking opportunities abroad. He emphasized that sustainable growth relies entirely on homegrown solutions. He promised that the administration`s policy framework will continue to build a domestic ecosystem capable of absorbing and rewarding local talent. Local Government Autonomy and Strategic Honors. To accelerate rural development and tackle grassroots challenges, the President outlined key structural pillars for the future: An aggressive pursuit of total financial autonomy for local governments to empower grassroots administration. Utilizing decentralized funding to improve community-level intelligence and combat local insecurity. The official renaming of the Kaduna Petroleum Institute to honor the legacy of the late Major-General Shehu Musa Yar`Adua. Security Challenges and the `Renewed Hope` Guarantee. The President praise-sang the sacrifices of Nigeria`s military frontlines but maintained a somber tone regarding ongoing security gaps. He openly acknowledged the painful reality of children still held captive by bandits and terrorists in Borno and Oyo states. "Democracy without security is not solid enough," Tinubu noted, re-assuring families of captives that rescue operations remain top priorities. Concluding the broadcast, President Tinubu called on political opponents and citizens to reject divisive rhetoric and despair. Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, he promised a restructured economy, accessible justice, and an inclusive Nigeria where no citizen is left behind.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has warned against indulging in corrupt practices, especially among professionals. He said that public service should be about responsibility and not personal enrichment, adding that professionals have a critical role to play in restoring ethical standards across both public and private sectors. Sanusi reportedly made the call on Thursday during the 60th anniversary of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) and the inauguration of its Kano State Chapter in Kano, adding that integrity remains central to national development. “People can make money without being corrupt. People can make money without breaking the law. People can award contracts without taking bribes. Roads can be built without people making illegal money,” he said. According to him, corruption thrives when individuals use public office for personal gain instead of service to the people, saying that if you want to make money, go into business. He also called for a revival of ethical values in governance and the civil service, noting that Nigeria’s development has suffered due to a decline in discipline and accountability. He recalled that the civil service was once stronger because permanent secretaries played key roles in maintaining order, continuity and adherence to rules.

The Nigerian Senate has called on state governments to stop making peace agreements with terrorists and armed bandits, saying such deals rarely bring lasting peace and could end up encouraging more crime. The lawmakers also asked the Nigeria Police Force and the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre to identify and arrest bandits who openly use social media platforms, especially TikTok. The Senate said many of them display large amounts of cash believed to be proceeds of criminal activities. The decision followed a motion raised by Senator Sunday Karimi over recent attacks in communities in Kogi West Senatorial District. Karimi told the Senate that terrorists recently attacked Iluke-Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State and attempted to kidnap students writing their Senior School Certificate Examination. According to him, the attack led to the deaths of the school’s vice principal, a teacher and another resident. He added that the incident occurred just a day after another attack on a private home in Odo-Ere, Yagba West Local Government Area, on June 8, 2026. The Senate also invited the commander of the National Centre for Control of Arms and Small Weapons to explain the recent attacks and discuss the growing problem of illegal weapons in the country The Nigerian Senate has called on state governments to stop making peace agreements with terrorists and armed bandits, saying such deals rarely bring lasting peace and could end up encouraging more crime. The lawmakers also asked the Nigeria Police Force and the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre to identify and arrest bandits who openly use social media platforms, especially TikTok. The Senate said many of them display large amounts of cash believed to be proceeds of criminal activities. The decision followed a motion raised by Senator Sunday Karimi over recent attacks in communities in Kogi West Senatorial District. Karimi told the Senate that terrorists recently attacked Iluke-Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State and attempted to kidnap students writing their Senior School Certificate Examination. According to him, the attack led to the deaths of the school’s vice principal, a teacher and another resident. He added that the incident occurred just a day after another attack on a private home in Odo-Ere, Yagba West Local Government Area, on June 8, 2026. The Senate also invited the commander of the National Centre for Control of Arms and Small Weapons to explain the recent attacks and discuss the growing problem of illegal weapons in the country.

The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 12, 2026, a nationwide public holiday to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the official declaration on behalf of the government. He congratulated all Nigerians at home and abroad on celebrating another democratic milestone. In his statement, the Minister honored the sacrifices of Nigeria`s democratic heroes. He emphasized that the day serves as a reminder of the resilience and unity required to sustain the nation`s freedom. Dr. Tunji-Ojo urged citizens to reflect on the country`s progress and remain committed to democratic ideals. He also assured the public that the government remains focused on securing lives and boosting economic growth across all sectors. The declaration provides a three-day weekend for public servants, private sector workers, and students nationwide. Normal business operations and school activities will resume on Monday, June 15.