Monday 30 March 2015

Nigeria Decides

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Presidential Election: Nigeria Chooses Its Leader Today

Clement Ejiofor, 2 days ago

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The most expected day of the recent period has finally come: March 28, the day of the presidential election.

Millions of Nigerians are to go to the polling units to cast their votes for the candidate who will lead the country for the next 4 years.

Fourteen parties and presidential candidates were gunning for presidency.

The toughest competition will apparently take place between President Goodluck Jonathan, running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Muhammadu Buhari, representing the All Progressives Congress.

Both candidates yesterday arrived in their hometowns for the historical event in the political life of Nigeria.

Follow Naij.com for the freshest updates from across the country.

01: 20 In the final result announced at the two polling units at the Presidential Villa Saturday night, PDP candidate President Goodluck Jonathan lost to APC candidate General Mohammadu Buhari as he polled a total of 595 votes to General Buhari’s 613 votes.

00: 30 INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, expressed satisfaction with the election process so far. Speaking at the Channels Television, he admitted challenges with the card reader and explained the rationale behind creating an addendum to the electoral guidelines. He also said he regrets the unforeseen incidents.

00: 10 Though counting of ballot papers is still ongoing and 300 polling units will continue voting process on Sunday, March 29, some results have been already displayed (Abia: PDP 75%, APC 25%; Lagos: PDP 10%, APC 90%).

23: 15 According to the recent reports, Boko Haram extremists killed 39 people, including a legislator, in northeastern Nigeria, disrupting the country’s presidential election. Residents of the town of Miringa say Boko Haram militants torched people’s homes and then shot them as they tried to escape. Twenty-five reportedly died. Another 14 people, including Gombe state legislator Umaru Ali, died in attacks on the towns of Biri and Dukku.

22: 56 Thugs suspected to be working for the ruling PDP snatched one of the ballot boxes at Shehu Manzo 005 polling unit in Gombe metropolis where Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo’s casted his vote following apparent indication of President Jonathan’s failure at the unit.

Reportedly, the thugs were aided by armed policemen men on patrol in the polling unit area after observing from the tune of the counting that the result may not favour PDP’s presidential candidate.

22:34 The votes are being counted by torchlight in Abuja and other states

21: 50 The incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan comes back to Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, after casting his vote at his hometown in Otueke, Bayels

20:50 More and more polling units send in their reports with results. The APC looks really strong in Lagos.

20:12 Night-time voting is underway at various polling stations in Lagos.

19:54 APC supporter shot in Edo state has been brought to the hospital two hours later and is said by the Doctor’s to be in stable condition.

APC Supporter Shot in Edo
19:45 The head of the ECOWAS Election Monitoring Team to Nigeria, John Kuffour, has praised Nigerians for the large turnout for the general elections.

He said: “Nigeria is very strategic to West Africa and Africa in general, that is why the attention of the continent and the whole world is focused on this election.

“It is our hope that Nigeria will come out a winner. I commend the way and manner voters conducted themselves.’’

19:40 The Rivers state police command have revealed that they apprehended a middle aged man for stealing a ballot box in Tai local government area of the state.

19:02 BBC Journalist, Kelvin Brown, shared this picture of Buhari’s hometown as people still wait in line to cast their vote.

18:55 Reports coming in state that Governor Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) had clashed with Army Brigade Commander due to his movement wi

Nigerians awaiting the result of the election

close race
5 hours ago
From the section Africa

Media caption
The BBC's Andrew Harding: "It is an uneasy wait here"
Early results from Nigeria's election show little separating the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan, and ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.
With eight states and the capital Abuja declared, President Jonathan's People's Democratic Party (PDP) has a lead of about 20,000 votes.
Final results in the closely contested poll are due Tuesday.
The US and UK in a joint statement expressed concern over possible "political interference" in the count.
"So far, we have seen no evidence of systemic manipulation of the process," said the statement from UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and US Secretary of State John Kerry.
"But there are disturbing indications that the collation process, where the votes are finally counted, may be subject to deliberate political interference."
Nigeria's election commission (Inec) dismissed these fears, with a spokesman telling the AFP agency "there is absolutely no basis" to talk of meddling.

Female opposition supporters in Rivers State protested against alleged irregularities in the vote

The security forces used tear gas during the demonstration
Of the nine regions announced, the PDP has taken four, with 2,322,734 votes, and Gen Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) taking five, with 2,302,978 votes.
Police in the battleground Rivers State have used teargas against female opposition protesters who were attempting to lodge complaints with election officials of alleged rigging.
Voting spilled into Sunday in some parts of Nigeria after problems were encountered with new electronic card readers.
President Jonathan was among those whose registration to vote was delayed by the technology, which was introduced to prevent fraud.
The PDP, which had opposed the card readers, called it a "huge national embarrassment".
Election commission chief Attahiru Jega said only a fraction of the 150,000 card readers being used nationwide had failed.

Nigeria at a glance:

Two main presidential candidates: Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress (APC), Muslim northerner, ex-military ruler, fourth presidential bid; and Goodluck Jonathan, People's Democratic Party (PDP), Christian southerner, the incumbent.
Years of military rule ended in 1999 and the PDP has been in power ever since
Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and leading oil producer
With a population of more than 170 million, it is also Africa's most populous nation
Unpredictable poll
Nigeria decides 2015: Full coverage

The presidential and parliamentary elections had been delayed by six weeks because of the insurgency by Boko Haram militants.
The Islamists attacked polling stations in north-eastern states, with a curfew declared in Bauchi State after fighting between the security forces and the group.
The UN gave an upbeat assessment of the vote on Sunday, with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praising the "determination and resilience" of Nigerian voters, despite the reports of attacks by Boko Haram and others.
He said in a statement voting had been "largely peaceful and orderly".

President Goodluck Jonathan is bidding for a second term

An APC party supporter, which has provided a stiff challenge to the government
His comments were echoed by the regional bloc Ecowas, which urged Nigerians to accept the result.
The PDP has dominated Nigerian politics since 1999, but the APC is viewed as a serious challenge.
Voters are also electing members of the house of representatives and the senate.

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Sunday 29 March 2015

My girl

I Built My Marriage Around Truth And Openness –Mercy Johnson-Okojie

Solomon Nda-Isaiah

— Mar 29, 2015 | 1 Comment

In an age when many celebrity marriages barely outlive the buzz they created, Mercy Johnson-Okojie is one actress whose four-year-old marriage has remained stable and she attributes this to her decision to build her marriage on truth, no matter the situation. In this interview with SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH, the thespian said her resolve to abide by the truth at all times followed an advice from her pastor.

You’re rated as one of Nigeria’s biggest actresses. What do you do differently that has kept you in the league of A-list actresses?

As you may already know, the industry is a very competitive one and if you fail to bring something refreshingly different to the table, there is a high chance that you will be swept under the carpet within a very short time. I believe that people who have seen my movies are in a better position to talk about what they think are my strongest attributes. Personally, I try to be original. I also take it easy and try not to over act because overacting usually gives the same results you’re confronted with when you fail to meet the demands and expectations of the producer and director. I also try to stay very true to my fans. When you are in the heart of showbiz, your fans can make or mar you and I’m glad I realised this at a very early point in my career. For me, it’s always about putting smiles on their faces. True fans cannot be bought over with money or gifts. The moment they develop a liking for your brand, they will stay with you even during your trying moments.

There is a general notion that actresses do not make good wives. Do you agree with this submission?

Well, I can only speak from my own perspective and when I say my perspective, I mean from my personal experiences, marriage and relationship with my husband. One of the biggest lies anyone can tell himself/herself is using one or more random experiences to judge and stereotype others. We all have our different stories to tell. I have two children for my husband today and he has not stopped talking about how down-to-earth I was yet I am an actress; not just any actresses. I had a large following at that time yet I did not go around pouting my lips or playing the snub. My husband later confessed to me that for him, it was love at first sight but that did not stop him from asking me to cook for him the first day I set foot in his house. At first, I was stunned that a Nigerian man was asking me to enter his kitchen to cook him a meal. A part of me whispered to me that perhaps, he was not aware of who I was and when I said to him: ‘You must be joking. My name is Mercy Johnson’. What shocked me even more was his response when he said: ‘I know’. Rather than take offence, I was drawn closer to him. We have been married since 2011 and we love each other to bits till date and have consciously decided to spend the rest of our lives together. As I said earlier, I am an actress who is correcting the rigid stand that actresses cannot have happy homes when they get married. Also, bear in mind that there are several Nigerian actresses like me who are happily married. Having a happy marriage is a choice a woman has to make. When you decide to have a happy marriage, you focus your thoughts, actions, words, work and everything else around protecting that happiness.

What do you think is responsible for the high divorce rate among celebrities?

In marriage, you must have trust and you must also have love. The moment you lose these two, then it is just a matter of time before you embark on a calamitous countdown towards the end of your marriage. My relationship with my husband has been very special. He is not just my husband or father of my children. He is my friend.

Apart from love and trust, what other secrets would you attribute to the stability of your marriage?

I don’t even have to think about it. It is honesty. I remember the words of my pastor to me even before we got married. He advised me never to have a marriage built on lies and I listened. I don’t lie to my husband. We have agreed to tell the truth to each other regardless of how painful or scary it might be. I remember one instance when I found myself crying when I had to tell him the truth. That day, I had attended an event wearing a lovely dress that had a slit but unfortunately, at that event, the paparazzi captured a wrong image of me. I picked up my phone and I don’t think I have to tell you who I called first. My husband, of course, and guess what? I was crying and sobbing even before I started talking to him because I felt really bad about it. Rather than lie to him, I told him the complete truth and it helped in no small measure. I remember him asking how bad it was and I remember telling him that it was really bad. I sent him the photo and he consoled me. That is what a husband who is also a friend does. He did not rub it in my face, insult me, make me feel bad or dent my self-esteem. He was there for me when I needed him and he has not stopped till date. This is one of the reasons I do not hide anything from him. He loves me just as passionately and as fiercely as I love him and I have no doubt in my mind that our marriage was ordained. God had a hand in it and that is why everything just works out between us. That is the only thing I can consider the secret of our love story, which continues to blossom. I have two children, an amazing husband and millions of fans who have held my back over the years and of course, God who has watched over my affairs from the very first day I arrived in this world till this moment.

Censorship of movies

Exploring The Censorship Of Movies For The Nigerian Audience

Susan Ironsi

— Mar 15, 2015 | 0 Comments

In Nigeria, approximately 50 per cent of the citizens are urban dwellers with access to the cinema or home viewing technology that allows them to watch both western and Nigerian movies. Against this backdrop, Suzan Ironsi reviews recent incidents of censorship in the country.

For a lot of adults, watching movies is a popular way to relax; an indulgent leisure activity where people enjoy the make-believe atmosphere created by film makers, often to enlighten or change our views towards social issues. For Nollywood movies, the common themes are those that address moral dilemmas facing modern African cultural contexts for either the Christian or Muslim segments of the population. High grossing movies such as 30 Days in Atlanta, October 1, Ijé and The Return of Jenifa may be easier to classify, because of the content. The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) is tasked with the responsibility of screening and classifying these movies for public viewing. NFVCBS mission is to contribute to the positive transformation of the Nigerian society through the censorship and classification of film and video works, while balancing the need to preserve freedom of expression within the law, and limit social harm caused by films. If we consider that the behavioural pattern of people is formed by different factors in their environment, and movies have emerged as popular part of the environment, then we can consider the strong influence that movies have. There are those who believe that if movies are not of strong moral quality, and have a reasonable aspect of the Nigerian culture, then they will influence the Nigerian audience negatively.
Days after the public screening of “Fifty Shades of Grey”, the NFVCB announced its ban. Nigeria isn’t the first country to do so, as other countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia carried out the same action.
The movie, which is the adaptation of an erotic novel published in 2011 and written by British author E.L. James, is the first installment in the Fifty Shades trilogy that is already known for its explicitly erotic contents, and featured elements of sexual practices involving bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism (BDSM). Its showing might have been perceived as a laissez-faire stage in Nigerian cinema and the popularity of the movie can be validated by the box office figures which were at $100 million mark in the USA, with an additional $200 million coming in from foreign countries after its release. However, in news reports credited to a statement from the NFVCB, the movie was banned in the public’s interest. Now, according to the NFVCB website, their role is not sufficient to maintain the moral tone of our society. In their statement, the board recognised that it is a shared responsibility with censorship being complemented by public education.
However, this is not the first high profile movie to feel the heat of the Nigerian censorship guidelines. In 2014, the movie Half of a Yellow Sun which is partly on Nigeria’s civil war, also known as the Biafran War, had been rescheduled from its intended release date. A press statement signed by the agency’s acting head, Corporate Affairs at the time clarified it from being banned as was speculated, but explained it as a request by the NFVCB to extend the release date, so that it could exercise due diligence, consonant with section 36 (1) (b) of NFVCB Enabling Law ACT 1993, CAP N40 LFN 2004 which requires that “a decision on a film shall ensure that such a film is not likely to undermine national security” and the board had to ensure that other kinds of objectionable materials capable of inciting civil strife is reduced or eliminated completely. The credibility of the content of Half of a Yellow Sun, which is an adaptation of the award-winning novel by one of the country’s leading writers, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, was not in contention, nevertheless in response to the unscheduled delay, Chimamanda Adichie had been quoted as expressing that while agreeing that the political atmosphere was tense, she was of the opinion that Nigeria’s political culture is averse to openness.
While the popularity of a movie might be an indication that there is an audience for such a movie in Nigeria, when it comes to movies such as Fifty Shades of Grey, the NFVCB is statutorily mandated to censor and classify it; as it does for all films and video works made locally or imported into the country. The statement from the NFVCB went further to explain that in carrying out their responsibility, the board has to take into consideration that in a multi-ethnic and religious society like Nigeria, the censorship and classification of films into varying categories not only allows adults the opportunity to see a wider range of films dealing with the realities of the adult world, but at the same time restricts children and the youth from viewing what could be harmful to them in one way or another.
District 9, a 2009 science fiction action thriller film directed and produced by Academy awarding winning Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, had been banned from Nigerian Cinemas for accusations of being xenophobic and showing racism towards Nigeria. The film adapted from Alive in Joburg, a 2005 short film directed by Blomkamp and produced by Sharlto Copley and Simon Hansen, depicts humanity, xenophobia, and social segregation and went on to win numerous awards. Nigeria’s Information Minister at the time, the late Prof Dora Akunyili (OFR), had asked that cinemas around the country either ban the film or edit out specific references to the country. Subsequently, the NFVCB had reportedly asked cinemas to stop showing the film. Opinion from Nigerians were in line with the minister, where some expressed distaste for the portrayal. Popular Nigerian-born British actor, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, had also been reported as criticising the representation of Nigerians in the film, telling the Beeld newspaper: “Africa is a beautiful place and the problems it does have cannot be shown by such a small group of people.”
Censorship for countries possess their unique forms. In Britain, the censorship board is independent, and whose business affairs are controlled by a council of management selected from leading figures in the manufacturing and servicing sectors of the film industry. The council appoints the president, who has statutory responsibility for the classification of videos, and the director who has executive responsibility and formulates policies. The board is financed from the fees it charges for classifying films and videos and is run on a not-for-profit basis.
In Canada, appeals by the judiciary to community standards and the public interest are the ultimate determinants of which forms of expression may legally be published, broadcast, or otherwise publicly disseminated. Other public organisations with the authority to censor include the Canadian Human Rights Commission, various provincial human rights commissions, and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, along with self-policing associations of private corporations such as the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council. Though the NFVCB was set up by Act No.85 of 1993 to regulate the film and video industry in the country, and members of the board are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the minster, the board’s vision remains that of being recognised as a world-class film and video regulatory agency that institutes best practices in the discharge of its duties, which means addressing illegal importation of pornographic movies from abroad, selling and the rental of uncensored movies.

Nigerians, through popular online media forums, in reacting to the ban of “50 Shades of Grey” made comments such as “Only in Nigeria will a board of movie censors review the movie AFTER it has been released. Honestly 90% of Naija government workers need to have their job functions explained to them” and …. “I don’t understand as well. Yes the movie is risqué from what I’ve heard , but then label it 18+ and get on with it. Always trying to make Naija adults into children. They should kukuma turn us to North Korea”
Whilst It may seem that not everyone is averse to sitting through an erotic romance in the company of a theatre full of strangers , it is for this same reason that the NFVCB should and has reaffirmed its resolve to attend to submitted movies with utmost dispatch and the display of due diligence in its role as the industry gatekeeper.

Walt Disney explained that movies have a tremendous influence in shaping young lives in the realm of entertainment, towards the ideals and objectives of normal adulthood

Grazees stitches

Grazee Stitches Dazzles At Nigerian Fashion Week 2014

— Dec 29, 2014 | 0 Comments

The Nigerian Fashion Week which is one of Nigeria’s most respected fashion exhibition platforms, has come and gone, but everyone who witnessed the event will not forget in a hurry the glitz and glamour that lit up show , especially the participation of Spanish designers Agatha Ruiz De La Prada, of the famous Prada family. One of the most talked about aspect of the show was the eclectic display of vibrant colours and designs from many established and emerging Nigerian designers including talented Abuja based designer, Grazee Stitches.

Grazee Stitches, a fashion line known for its simple and stylish style tries to blend in Western style into African designs. “Because I’m coming from a corporate world, I’m trying to encourage indigenous, African fabrics to be incorporated into corporate fashion. I want a situation whereby we can wear our own African fabrics to the office and our bosses will not think we are out of place,” Grace Ibironke Ojo, the creative Director/CEO of Grazee Stitches explains what influences the unique designs being churn out by her emerging fashion line.

At this year’s Nigerian Fashion Week, Grazee Stitches wowed the crowd with her unique and creative designs tailored around the theme of this year’s event “Going Green”, making sure her designs and fabrics emphasized on that even as hundrends of guests and fashion afficionados both from home and internationally got stunned.

She speaks more about her participation; “At this year’s NFW, I showcased what people can wear in the corporate world, what they can wear to evening outing and just everyday casual wears all with the Ankara fabrics. I just generally tried to express my talent and creativity with the African Fabric.” An enthusiastic Grace continues; “It’s awesome. It’s great to be in the midst of so many other designers and you’ll see so much competition in the industry but for me, it’s not about competition; it’s about self-expression. It’s an eye-opener for me because I’ve been challenged and also seen that I can do better. I’ve been encouraged because so many people walked up to me to appreciate my designs and I got very eye-opening feed-backs. It’s a good stepping point for me and I realised I’m on the right track.”

As 2015 beckons, it’s no doubt that Grazee Stitches is here to take her rightful position in the burgeoning Nigerian Fashion industry, and the already established international stage as well. Grace Ibironke Ojo, who finished her first degree and second degree at Bayero University, Kano and went on to bag her third degree at the National Open University of Nigeria, is from Ekiti state. She hinted us a little on parts of her plans for 2015; “By God’s grace next year I hope to showcase my designs at the African Reception in Paris. I look forward to that.”

Ebele premier

Ebele Premiers In Abuja

Solomon Nda-Isaiah

— Mar 28, 2015 | 0 Comments

A movie on the life of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan premiered last Monday at the Silverbird Galleria, Abuja. The movie, entitled ‘Ebele’ was shot in Abuja and Bayelsa, amongst other parts of the country and features Felix E. Amadi, aka Nollywood Last Born as the lead character, Ebele.

The movie chronicles the life of President Jonathan from his birth on November 20, 1957 which was the day then premier of Nigeria’s Eastern Region, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe visited his community. It also narrates his performances as an excellent pupil going on to secondary school in 1971 and winning a scholarship for his university education in 1977. Against all odds, he excelled and was an inspiration to his contemporaries.

According to Kolade Oludare Success, producer of the movie, the idea behind embarking on the project was not for money but to make history.

“It is the first time in Nigeria’s history that a movie has been made in honour of any of our presidents. The movie serves as a good lesson for the Nigerian youths. When you look at him in the movie, you can see that his personality exudes calmness right from his childhood. You even noticed that he had a premonition he will become great one day despite his poor background. His friends doubted him because he didn’t have the means to school in abroad.

“However, from this it has shown that it’s not only those who go to Britain that can become a president,” the producer stated.

Success, who visited Jonathan’s hometown, Otuoke to interview his uncle, said he also gathered information from the president’s alma mata, the University of Port Harcourt and the Bayelsa State Culture and Tourism ministry.

Avoid early marriage

Mathematician’s Formula for Finding True Love: Avoid Marriage Before Age 22 + Choose Unattractive Friends + Highlight Your Flaws

29.03.2015 at 7:33 pm By BellaNaija.com 13 Comments

Is there a formula for finding true love? Mathematician, Hannah Fry, thinks so. And she has come up with a formula for finding your soul mate: Avoid marriage before age 22 + Choose friends who are less attractive than you + Highlight your flaws = Love of your life appears.

In addition to being a Mathematician, Fry is also a lecturer at University College London and author of The Mathematics of Love, Daily Mail reports.

Hannah Fry

Listed below are summaries of each part of Fry’s formula:

Choosing friends who are less attractive than you

According to Fry, choosing friends who are less attractive than you when going out to look for love can be beneficial to you.

This part of the formula is based on Discreet Choice Theory, “the idea is that if there are two women – A and B – who men rank as being equally attractive, if a third woman comes along who looks like a less attractive version of woman A, then woman A becomes more popular with the men.”

Highlighting your flaws

This part of the formula has to do with how one portrays oneself on dating websites. According to the report, “analysis from dating websites show that often times it is not people rated as the most attractive that get the most responses.” Instead, it is the people who have less than perfect physical traits – something that sets them apart from the crowd – that may get the most responses from other users. The rationale here is that people who find those “less than perfect traits” attractive will face less competition than messaging those who have “perfect” profile pictures.

According to the report, “men with bald heads, for example, should not wear a hat to cover their pate as their lack of hair will be attractive to some. Those who are overweight should also not use clever photo cropping to hide what they perceive as flaws. “

Avoiding marriage before the age of 22

This part of the formula is also called the Optimal Stopping Period theory and it dictates that people looking for true love should not settle down “until 37% of their ‘dating period’ has past.”

The report states that for instance, if your aim is to get married by age 35 and you started dating around age 15, you should not consider settling down with any of the partners you had before you were 22.4 years old. Fry further advices that after the 37% period has passed, “people should marry the first partner they find that is better than any that came before.”

***

2geda forever

A Couple that Travels Together…Ubi Franklin & Lilian Esoro Attend Dance Afrique Concert in London

29.03.2015 at 4:05 pm By BellaNaija.com 13 Comments

While Ubi Franklin and Lilian Esoro kept their relationship under wraps for a long time till they announced their engagement (click here if you missed it), the two lovebirds are now excitedly stepping out together and are constantly in each other’s company.

The MMMG boss and actress were spotted at the airport two days ago as they waited for their flight to London (rocking matching sweat suits and sneakers) to attend the anticipated Dance Afrique concert at The SSE Arena, Wembley.

Also with were their friends Freda Francis, Ovire Peggy and Natalie & Charlie of D3 Dancers.

Baby on the way

Mavin Babies Coming Soon! Tiwa Savage at Dr SID’s Wife Simi’s Baby Shower

29.03.2015 at 6:22 pm By BellaNaija.com 8 Comments

How cute is this? !

Mavin Records’ Tiwa Savage & Dr SID’s wife Simi Osomo are both prepping to be moms for the first time.

The songstress attended Simi’s baby shower which seemed to have a garden theme, with the celebrated mum-to-be in a flower crown.

Tiwa gushed about the party, saying,

We can’t wait to see the cute baby pics!

Saturday 28 March 2015

Speech

Dr. Wayne Dyer's top 5 motivational speeches of all time

John F. Kennedy delivers his Inaugural Address after being sworn in as the 35th President of the United States on January 20, 1961 in Washington, D.C. AFP/GETTY IMAGES

By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

The motivational speaker and author of such self-help books as "Your Erroneous Zones," "Wisdom of the Ages" and "10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace," says one speech can change a person's life. "Sunday Morning" asked Dyer to list his five favorite addresses aimed at elevating and moving an audience to action. There are presented below, with video extracts.

drwaynedyer.com
Follow Dr. Wayne W. Dyer on Twitter (@DrWayneWDyer) and Facebook
"I Can Do It 2015," Denver (April 24-26, 2015)

My five favorite motivational speeches (in no particular order of importance):

The Sermon on the Mount

Word of Hope for Today

Hope in God in Hopeless Times

by JACK WELLMAN ·

Print ·

The times we live in are so troubled. People losing their jobs, the stock market falls, natural catastrophes, and uncertainty in what the future holds. In today’s economy there is little to hope for the future however God is never caught off guard or by surprise. God knows the future. You are not the only one that has felt that there is no hope. Even Bible heroes had their times when they wanted to give up. Job, Moses, Jonah, Jeremiah, even the powerful prophet in the Old Testament, Elijah.

Humans have definitions of hope that are different from God’s. We might hope our team wins the Super Bowl, or we might hope we don’t lose our jobs or our house. But the biblical definition of hope is not a hope-so but a know-so. Our hope in God is surer than the sun rising in the morning. Just read these verses of hope and put yourself or your own name in the place of “I” or “we”. Where is hope found? It is in the Bible, the Word of God. Psalm 119:74 “I have put my hope in your word”, in Psalm 119:81 “… I have put my hope in your word”, and in Psalm 130:5 “… in his word (The Bible) I put my hope”.

Here is real hope. When a person reads the Word of God (Bible) they can know for certain that they have a secure and certain future for God will never allow us to suffer beyond our own capabilities to handle it. There is nothing on this earth more certain than hope in God. He will never leave us nor will He ever forsake us. He is our anchor in the present and for the future.

Redemptive Hope

Put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. Psalm 130:7

If you are a believer you can rest assured that God’s love is unfailing and He will deliver us in the days of calamity. He has rescued the born-again believers from certain judgment and promised us an eternal home with Him. Instead of using ink, God has signed this redemption with Jesus’ own blood which seals you permanently. When our hope is in the Lord and not in us, it is a rock solid hope.

Gift of Hope

For you have given me hope. Psalm 119:49

We know that there is always hope when we trust in God for He has given us His Holy Spirit to seal us as we read in Ephesians 1:13, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

Future Hope

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

God had plans for you. You can bank on that. His plans are not intended to harm you but to prosper you. Now this does not mean that He plans to make you rich but He does plan for you to have a secure future. God says that He has plans for you and He knows them even if we do not. Your stockbroker or financial adviser might have plans for you too, but they do not know the future, they may try to plan for a secure future but they do not have the ability to bring it about. God knows your future and is planning it better than anyone else can, ever ourselves.

Hope is for now, it is for today, and it is for tomorrow too.

Unending Hope

Put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore. Psalm 131:3

Hope is for now, it is for today, and it is for tomorrow too. Jesus clearly tells Christians that He will never leave us, never forsake us, and will never, ever caste us away (John 6:37). This promise is for tomorrow morning, next week, and next year. This hope is the believer’s hope that covers their entire life. It is without end and will stay with us until Jesus comes for us.

Lovely Hope

The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11

I am a father and grandfather. My children have troubles. They come to me for advice. I am always offering them hope that all things will work out for their best despite what today may seem like (Romans 8:28). I delight when they come to me with their troubles. So too does the Lord delight when we put our hope in Him and His unfailing love. He wants us to depend upon Him for everything. He delights to give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4).

Unashamed Hope

No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame… Psalm 25:3

If we have our hope in the right place, that is not in ourselves, our jobs, our circumstances, but in God alone, we will never be disappointed. We will never be ashamed for placing our hope in Him because He has the power to deliver us out of all our troubles. We do not posses that power. Our 401K does not have such power. God owns the whole earth, He owns every animal in the forest, and He is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills as Psalm 50:10-11 says, “for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.”

Guiding Hope

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

We are finite creatures and can not look beyond today but God has planned every step we take. He guides us and protects us, even in areas where the dark shadows of death seem imminent in the lowest valleys (Psalm 23). We might plan our own course but God Himself determines where our steps go (Proverbs 16:9).

Courageous Hope

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24

If we are not a believer, then we have only hope in this world and among men are most miserable. But if we are Christians, then we can take heart and be courageous because God is our hope. When God is your hope you have a sure thing. When it is in the world, then we are consumed with worry because we don’t know what comes next. Those who have hope in God have hope in the only One Who can guarantee our future.

Reverent Hope

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, Psalm 33:18

When we hear the words “fear in the Lord” or “those who fear him” this is not a fear of punishment or retribution. Fear is simply a reverential respect and standing in awe of God. That is what “fear of the Lord” means. It means that those who reverence God and His name have nothing to fear at all; no evil, no pestilence, no begging for bread, and no fear of want. His unfailing love is upon those that fear or revere Him: His love never fails and His eyes are fixed on you in a permanent gaze that is transfixed upon your today and your tomorrow. You are the apple of His eye (Deuteronomy 32:10, Zechariah 2:8).

Protective Hope

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

Our hope in God is a shied of life. Not only a shield in eternal life but in the present life. He is our help when we need it and our shield when we need protecting. God alone is our help and our shield.

Sovereign Hope

But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7

When we look to ourselves, our employer, our retirement fund, or our inheritance, we can not fully hope with 100% certainty. But what do we look for when our Hope is in God? We know that even our employer’s decisions are in God’s sovereign hands. Proverbs 21:1 says,“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.” The king thinks he might be in charge, or the boss might think he or she is making their own decision, but in God’s sovereignty, they do nothing that is not in God’s divine plan for us. They are subject to the Lord’s will whether they know it or not.

… when hope is in God we have reason to praise our Savior and our God.

Praiseworthy Hope

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

(These are repeated in Psalm 42:5 and Psalm 43:5)

Here the Psalmist examines his own heart in asking, Why am I so downcast? Why am I so disturbed? When really he has no reason to be because when hope is in God we have reason to praise our Savior and our God. If you do not know Christ, then I would agree that there is every good reason to be downcast, to be depressed, and to be so disturbed. The world is the most uncertain place to live in today above any other day but not so for those whose hope is in God.

Restful Hope

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

I have often times wrestled with tomorrow while I lay down to sleep. The many “what if’s” haunt my mind and do not allow me to sleep as I rehearse the day’s events and worry about what happens tomorrow if…. But worrying about tomorrow is borrowing trouble from tomorrow and spending it on today. When you realize that tomorrow is already taken care of by God alone and the hope you have in Him, then you can find rest. It is easier to sleep tonight if you know tomorrow is in God’s hands.

Hope In God Bible Verses

If you are feeling hopeless and worried about tomorrow, next week, or even next year read the rest of these verses and see how far having hope in God goes:

Psalm 65:5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas

Psalm 69:6 May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord…

Psalm 71:14 But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

Psalm 71:5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

Psalm 9:18 But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm 9:18 But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

Job 11:18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

Psalm 33:18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.

Psalm 33:22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 119:74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.

For A Certain Future!

If you are not a born-again Christian then you have no hope in this present world. Your future is uncertain and you have no idea what tomorrow may bring. Decide right here and now, at this very moment, to fix your hope on the rock-solid promises of God and all of these verses can be literally claimed by you. It is a promise from God Himself. Today is your day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Here is how you can have a living, breathing hope. Even if you have to print this out and read this on your knees, or you have to read it out aloud right now, I ask that you would receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior today. Do it right now and you have the assurance of hope in God for today, tomorrow, and for all eternity:

I Admit – that I am a sinner and in need of a Savior (Romans 6:23)
I Abandon – self-effort and realize I can not be saved by my works or efforts (Acts 16:31)
I Accept freely Christ’s payment for my sins, required of the Father (John 3:16)
I Acknowledge Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior (Acts 4:12)

If you have just received Jesus, you have now received God’s inheritance rights since you are now a son or daughter of His and can never be lost again & live forever (John 10:28-29). Now, join a Bible-believing church, or call 1-888-NeedHim (633-3446) for follow up questions about salvation that is only available through Jesus Christ.

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