Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour (Joshua 6:2). In our previous study, we emphasized the importance of seeing and creating the future you desire through the power of vision. Today, we take it a step further by understanding the necessity of having a strategy. Many of God’s children, though able to visualize, lack the vital element of strategy. Joshua 6 provides a remarkable example of how vision and strategy work together to produce divine results. God said to Joshua, “See, I have given into thine hand Jericho.” The battle had not yet begun, but God declared the victory. Joshua had to see it first—this is the power of vision, seeing what God has already given you and acting accordingly. However, vision alone is not enough. God gave Joshua the vision, but Joshua needed a strategy to take the city. The divine strategy was for him and the children of Israel to march around Jericho for seven days. Joshua had to follow the strategy to bring the vision to pass. In the same way, when God gives you a vision, He also gives you the strategy to accomplish it. Be sure to employ that strategy. Life is a construction, not an accident. If life were an accident, it would be chaotic. Many people live in chaos because they have not structured their lives with purpose and vision. They drift from one event to another, relying on luck or chance. But a successful life or any successful endeavour is built on a solid foundation through vision, strategy, principles and means. It makes no difference what your endeavour is; function from where God has positioned you and use the tools He has given you—vision, strategy, and faith—to build something extraordinary PRAYERDear Father, I thank you for the ability to see and construct my life according to your divine vision. I walk in wisdom, guided by your Spirit, implementing the right strategies to fulfil your purpose for my life. My steps are ordered, and my success is inevitable, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. FURTHER STUDYJoshua 6:1-5Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. 2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour. 3 And ye shall compass the city, all [ye] men of war, [and] go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. 4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. 5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long [blast] with the ram’s horn, [and] when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. Joshua 6:20-22 CJB;So the people shouted, with the shofars blowing. When the people heard the sound of the shofars, the people let out a great shout; and the wall fell down flat; so that the people went up into the city, each one straight ahead of him; and they captured the city. 21 They completely destroyed everything in the city with the sword — men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. 22 Y’hoshua said to the two men who had reconnoitered the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring the woman out with all that she has, as you swore to her.” DAILY SCRIPTURE READING1-Year Bible Reading Plan:Acts 5:12-42 & 2 Chronicles 23-25 2-Year Bible Reading Plan:Luke 1:57-66 & Deuteronomy 13Extract From Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional DAILY AFFIRMATIONS: Christ lives in me! I’m the expression of His reality, His grace, glory, kingdom, power and personality! I’m the expression of His fullness; He is my completeness. It makes no difference what challenges I face in life; there’s a force – an empowerment – at work in me to blaze through the barriers. I live in health, prosperity, and excellence. I have no lack in this life because all my needs are met in Christ Jesus. I’m strong in Him and in the power of His might! I am not moved by the prevalent circumstances anywhere in the world. Every day of my life is full of God’s glory, beauty, excellence, and grace. My life is for the glory of God and I experience His goodness and mercies today. My life is a life of honour, excellence, praise, glory and thanksgiving to the Lord at all times. Christ is my divine immunity. He is my defense and fortress. Satan has nothing in me because I am full of the Holy Spirit at all times. The environment in which I live is Christ. Here, there is no health scare, infection, or pandemic. No matter what happens to those in the world, I stand firm in faith, and I enjoy my glorious life now. I bask in the provisions of Christ for my life, health, and all that concern me. I walk in supernatural strength, supernatural health, supernatural supply, and supernatural abilities every day. My progress is unstoppable because I cannot be limited by sickness, disease, or the negativities of the ordinary life. As Jesus is above all things, so am I. The Holy Spirit has beautified my life. He brings colour into my life. I live a wonderful, colourful, beautiful, and productive life. The glory of God is beaming out of me with intensity. The Lord is my beauty, He is my sweet attractiveness. I am divinely enabled to see, think, say and, to do things that ordinary men cannot do. I am sagacious. I have an extraordinary amplitude of comprehension. I am a
Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, reaffirmed his strong backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, expressing full confidence in the president’s ongoing leadership and reforms. During the ground-breaking ceremony of an Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone spanning 184 hectares in Gombe State, Governor Yahaya applauded Tinubu’s administration for driving impactful policies and nationwide development initiatives. He emphasized that Nigeria’s livestock sector has undergone remarkable transformation since President Tinubu assumed office in 2023. According to the governor, Tinubu’s substantial investments in livestock infrastructure aim to enhance the economy, boost employment, and improve the general well-being of citizens. Yahaya disclosed that the Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone in Gombe received robust backing from the Federal Government under Tinubu’s leadership. He highlighted that ₦120 billion was approved for the project, with 50% of the funding already disbursed. “For everything President Tinubu has done, is doing, and is yet to do – I confidently assure him that Gombe people will follow him into battle, even blindfolded,” Yahaya declared. “By the grace of God, his success in the 2027 election is guaranteed,” he added. Governor Yahaya emphasized that Tinubu’s prioritization of the livestock industry—a key economic sector in Northern Nigeria—demonstrates his genuine concern for the welfare of the Northern population. “No Northern president in 47 years ever considered investing ₦120 billion to uplift the livestock value chain, even though it is predominantly a Northern business,” Yahaya remarked. He further praised President Tinubu’s bold vision for revitalizing agriculture, especially in Gombe and other rural communities. Yahaya assured citizens that despite the current hardships brought on by economic reforms, brighter days are ahead under Tinubu’s guidance.
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• Ajasin’s Family Objects, Says True Democratic Icons Were Excluded • Activists Seek Recognition for Carrington, Adebanjo, Opadokun, Enahoro, Others President Bola Tinubu’s gesture to honour a select few democracy fighters during the commemoration of June 12 has sparked widespread debate, with claims that many foundational figures in Nigeria’s democratic struggle were left off the list. During his Democracy Day speech, Tinubu saluted several individuals who played critical roles in Nigeria’s return to democratic governance, acknowledging their bravery and commitment in confronting dictatorship. “The victory over tyranny wouldn’t have been possible without the bold sacrifices of those who stood tall during dangerous times,” Tinubu remarked during his national broadcast. He described the act of honouring these individuals as a significant move to preserve “the truth and legacy of our democratic evolution.” Ajasin Family Reacts However, the family of the late National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) leader, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, has expressed disappointment over the exclusion of their father from the honour list released by the Federal Government. Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, speaking via a statement, questioned the rationale behind omitting such a prominent figure from the recognition, despite his frontline role in the fight for Nigeria’s democracy. He said: “It’s shocking that Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, CFR, a foremost democratic icon, was excluded from the June 12 honour roll.” Tokunbo pointed out that Ajasin was not only the leader of Afenifere and NADECO but also provided ideological and structural leadership to groups like Campaign for Democracy (CD), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Movement for National Reformation (MNR), and National Conscience Party (NCP). In his words: “Chief Ajasin was a foundational architect of our democratic framework. To omit him, particularly as NADECO’s leader, from the June 12, 2025 honours, is a disservice to history.” Citing former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba’s book Battle Lines: Adventures in Power, he listed Ajasin among the original 49 NADECO signatories, a list that included notable figures like Anthony Enahoro, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Bola Ige, and many others, most of whom were also omitted from the honours. “Chief Ajasin led with vision and sacrifice at a time when it meant risking everything,” he added. Despite the lack of official recognition, Tokunbo emphasized that the Ajasin family never sought rewards, stating: “Our father’s role in defending democracy came from deep moral conviction. Still, it’s unfortunate to erase the contributions of genuine heroes from our national memory.” More Democratic Advocates Left Out A separate coalition known as Quintessential Professionals also criticized the omissions, calling on President Tinubu to honour Walter Carrington, a former United States Ambassador to Nigeria who stood firmly with Nigerian democracy advocates during the June 12 saga. According to the group’s coordinator, Stanley Dunia, Carrington collaborated extensively with local activists while serving as ambassador between 1993 and 1997. He was married to Dr. Arese, a Nigerian from Edo State. The group argued: “Carrington’s dedication merits a posthumous award. His support helped keep the June 12 vision alive during dark days.” They also advocated for the inclusion of other overlooked heroes, including Tinubu’s allies in Afenifere and NADECO: Chief Ayo Opadokun, Pa Olanihun Ajayi, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, and others. Also mentioned were activists such as Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, Innocent Chukwuma, Mike Ozekhome, Yinka and Joe Okei-Odumakin, among several more. Presidency Responds The Presidency, responding through a senior source, acknowledged the backlash and attributed the omissions to “human error.” “Even individuals within Tinubu’s core campaign group, like those from SWAGA ’23 who were deeply involved in the June 12 struggle, were mistakenly left out. A revised list is being prepared,” the source explained.
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In the midst of escalating conflict, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has delivered a strong warning to Iran regarding its ongoing retaliatory strikes. According to Katz, Iran will suffer severe consequences if it persists in its aggressive responses toward Israel. Speaking during a strategic assessment session with the Israeli military’s chief of staff on Saturday, Katz firmly declared: “If Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continues launching missile attacks against Israel’s home front — Tehran will burn.” This stark warning follows deadly Iranian retaliation, which resulted in the deaths of at least three Israeli citizens and left several others injured. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly addressed the attacks, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirming his government’s commitment to preventing further threats, particularly those involving nuclear and ballistic missiles from Iran. In what appeared to be a preventive measure, Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, highlighting growing fears surrounding Iran’s controversial regime. Iran responded swiftly and fiercely, launching a barrage of drones and missile strikes on various locations within Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
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Anderson Talisca, the former Al Nassr striker, has shared heartfelt reflections on Cristiano Ronaldo’s demeanor and influence during their shared tenure at the Saudi Pro League club. In a recent interview with Globo (as quoted by The Nassr Zone), Talisca revealed that every moment he spent with the Portuguese football icon was filled with valuable lessons and deep respect. He highlighted how playing alongside Ronaldo elevated his mindset and professionalism. “I developed a stronger sense of discipline and clarity about my ambitions. Ronaldo helped me become more intentional and focused on my growth as a professional athlete.” The Brazilian forward emphasized that Ronaldo’s approach to the game was unlike any other teammate he had encountered. He described the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as a direct and admirable figure both on and off the pitch. “He is incredibly honest and inspiring. It was like living a dream, having the chance to work side-by-side with him.” Talisca further noted that sharing the frontline with Ronaldo at Al Nassr is an experience he will cherish for the rest of his life. The duo had 49 appearances together, contributing to seven joint goals during their stint at the club.
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Napoli’s prolific forward, Victor Osimhen, is currently in negotiations with eight top-tier football clubs as he considers a potential summer transfer. Among the teams expressing interest in signing the Super Eagles striker are Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Manchester United, Juventus, and Galatasaray. Osimhen is presently spending his holiday in Nigeria, taking time to carefully evaluate his next career move before making a final decision. The update came through football transfer specialist Valentin Furlan, who shared details on X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend. According to Furlan’s post: “Eight teams have contacted Victor Osimhen, per me and @RudyGaletti, in the last few days:Galatasaray, Juventus, PSG, Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, AC Milan, and Real Madrid.Osimhen in no rush to decide his future.” It is worth noting that Osimhen was close to sealing a deal with Chelsea during last summer’s transfer window. However, the move did not materialize, and he later completed a season-long loan switch to Galatasaray instead.
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Ado Aleru, a notorious figure linked with banditry in Northern Nigeria, has warned that violent actions carried out by his faction will continue unless the government and society stop labeling them as terrorists. The statement was brought to public attention by Zagazola Makama, a prominent counter-insurgency analyst, who detailed Aleru’s remarks during a recent peace negotiation held in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State. Representing his armed group, Aleru emphasized that the ongoing violence stems from years of neglect, discrimination, and socio-political injustice endured by pastoralist populations across the region. “As long as we are still being referred to as terrorists, don’t expect us to act differently,” Aleru stated during the session. He further explained that such stigmatizing language has become a barrier to any genuine dialogue or reconciliation process aimed at restoring peace. According to him, many of the youths drawn into violent banditry did not set out to be criminals, but were forced into it due to unfavorable economic and societal conditions. “Our elders are not pleased with our actions, and honestly, most of us don’t desire this path either. We long for a time when herders and farmers coexisted respectfully, and the security agencies treated everyone fairly,” he added. The dialogue in Danmusa is part of a broader peace-building initiative led by local government leaders and national security forces to find lasting solutions to the prolonged violence plaguing Nigeria’s North-West region.
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Following prolonged rainfall on Saturday, June 14, another wave of severe flooding has affected Kpautagi in Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State, resulting in widespread displacement within the community. According to local residents, the torrential rain began late Friday night and persisted into the early hours of Saturday, triggering flash floods that forced multiple households to evacuate immediately. Currently, the total number of lives lost and the full scale of the destruction remain unconfirmed. Attempts to obtain a formal reaction from the Niger State Government were unsuccessful as of the time this report was compiled. This most recent flood disaster closely follows a similar tragedy that struck the Mokwa region just days ago, where reports indicated that over 200 individuals lost their lives, and thousands were rendered homeless. Eyewitness accounts from that incident painted a grim picture, describing bodies being recovered across various sections of the town, while many families are still searching for their missing relatives. With the recurring nature of these tragic events, community members are now pleading for immediate government action to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of lives and properties across flood-prone areas.
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Israel has formally submitted a request to the United States of America to participate in its escalating military conflict with Iran. This disclosure was made public by Spectacular Index via a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday. “Israel officially requests the US join the ongoing campaign against Iran,” the platform posted. This major development unfolds amid growing tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel, which have sharply intensified within the last 48 hours. On Friday, Iran launched ballistic missiles targeting prominent cities in Israel in response to earlier airstrikes carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on its nuclear development site. In a swift retaliation, Israel is reported to have executed a counterattack on Tehran, warning of its potential to ‘burn down’ the Iranian capital if provoked further. Additionally, the Times of Israel earlier revealed that former U.S. President Donald Trump communicated to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States might consider striking Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility should it become imperative to prevent the Iranian regime from developing a nuclear arsenal.
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United States President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to implement a visa restriction policy targeting Nigeria and 35 additional nations, according to a classified U.S. State Department memo. This move represents a major extension of the travel limitations initially unveiled earlier this month by the Trump administration. As cited by The Washington Post, the memo highlights a list of countries potentially affected, with 25 African nations among those under consideration for travel limitations or immigration-related penalties. The internal document, bearing the signature of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines a 60-day deadline for the named countries to meet newly introduced immigration and security benchmarks set by the State Department. According to the memo, each listed government is required to submit an initial action plan by 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, detailing steps towards compliance with the requirements. Some of the justifications for the potential visa bans include an inability to issue credible identification or civil documentation due to the absence of a central and cooperative governing authority, or the presence of systemic governmental fraud in certain nations. In other instances, the decision was influenced by high levels of U.S. visa overstays among nationals of the listed countries. Full List of Countries Facing Possible U.S. Visa Ban: These countries now face heightened scrutiny and must act promptly to avoid being subjected to full U.S. travel and immigration sanctions.
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Award-winning Nigerian music icon, Damini Ogulu, widely recognized as Burna Boy, has opened up about the personal strength that has kept him consistent in his music career. The Afro-fusion superstar emphasized that his determination and mental fortitude have helped him push forward, even when life gave him many reasons to surrender. Speaking on NSTV, the acclaimed artist revealed that his upcoming album, titled “No Sign of Weakness,” is deeply rooted in his journey of perseverance and survival. “I’ve had more than enough reasons to stop existing, but I’ve never shown any weakness. That’s the essence of this album—endurance through all struggles. I want everyone coming after me to embody that same strength—show no sign of weakness,” Burna Boy declared. His forthcoming project, which marks his eighth studio album, is set to debut on July 11, 2025. It will be released under Atlantic Records, Spaceship, and Bad Habit.
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Inter Miami’s star forward, Lionel Messi, has revealed that his attitude towards the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup will be different from his past experiences. The global football icon is set to lead Inter Miami CF as they kick off the tournament at the Hard Rock Stadium against Al Ahly SC, one of Africa’s top clubs. Messi, who has previously featured in the prestigious competition during his time with Barcelona FC, shared his thoughts on what the event now means to him. “This tournament is truly special. It’s always exciting to participate and represent your club on such a grand stage,” he said. “However, this time I’ll be stepping into it with a different perspective compared to when I played with other teams.” Despite the shift in mindset, Messi expressed that his enthusiasm remains unwavering. “I still feel energized and full of hope. I’m eager to face top-tier opponents and deliver top performances.” The tournament carries extra significance this year, as it will feature 32 participating teams for the first time in its history, marking a new era in the FIFA Club World Cup format. For Lionel Messi, a record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, this will mark his fourth appearance in the competition. He previously lifted the trophy three times with Barcelona, making him one of the most successful players in Club World Cup history.
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Nigerian striker David Okereke is on the verge of completing a permanent switch to Turkish Süper Lig newcomers, Kocaelispor. According to reports, the 26-year-old forward has reached personal terms with the promoted club ahead of the upcoming 2025/2026 campaign. Okereke, who was on loan last season at Gaziantep FK, also a Turkish top-flight club, had joined them from Serie B team, Cremonese. During his time at Gaziantep, the pacey attacker made 30 league appearances, contributing 10 goals and three assists, showcasing impressive attacking prowess. The technical director of Kocaelispor, Selçuk İnan, who previously worked closely with Okereke at Gaziantep, is said to be instrumental in pushing for the deal to be finalized. Meanwhile, Kasimpasa has also expressed interest in signing the talented Nigerian forward, setting up a potential transfer tussle in the Turkish transfer market.
