How To Maximise Your Singleness-I.D. Samuel PhD

When you think that singleness sucks? I found out that many people struggle with themselves, so they get into different relationships because they don’t want to be alone. Well, I will share how to maximize your singleness, for it to be beneficial to you.

Some people might think or maybe feel that being single sucks. I know, sometimes it can. It can suck when you want to be in a relationship for the wrong reasons.

Being single is as essential as being in a relationship, having a spouse, kids etc. It’s important!! Why? Because that’s when you’re supposed to FOCUS on YOURSELF! That’s when you’re supposed to be prepared for the vision that you have for your future. That’s when you get to know you and improve you.

I remember when I wrote this post for the first time, I wanted to share how being single is beneficial. Back in 2018, I was battling between being in a relationship or remaining single. When I decided to stay single, I took the time to maximize it.

What do I mean by maximizing your singleness?

In Emmerance’s words, maximizing your singleness means to use 100% of your time being busy building yourself up! When you maximize your singleness, it helps you find purpose in your relationships.

Some people take singleness lightly. They quickly want to escape this stage of their life and quickly get into a relationship, hopefully, marriage. However, maximizing, taking the time to enjoy the singleness is very important. 

When you focus on maximizing your singleness, your attention should be on building yourself. There are many things you have to focus your attention on, and the main one is building a relationship with yourself. 

Many people don’t know who they are. They keep wearing different masks around different people. When you’re in a relationship, you’re probably wearing a mask to be loved/liked by your partner.

The purpose of maximizing your singleness is so that you can stop faking it and be yourself around people you love. You take care of your spiritual health, get to know yourself, work on your skills and talent, and build a meaningful relationship.

Improve your spiritual health

When maximizing your singleness, it’s important to prioritize your spiritual health. You must focus on developing or improving your relationship with God.

Whether you’re a religious person or spiritual, you must find space for prayers and meditation daily. This should be the first thing to do when you’re single (even when you’re in a relationship, but it’s as essential to do when you’re single). 

There are different ways to increase your spiritual health. You can meditate, write down your prayers, pray or read your Bible. There are also groups that you can join and bond with people that want to grow their spiritual health.

On my spiritual journey, it’s been two years now, I was able to explore many different methods. I have tried prayers, meditation, reading the Bible, affirmations, and being consistently grateful by having a gratitude journal. 

I was also part of a 21 days abundance group with strangers on WhatsApp during the quarantine. You had to meditate every day for 21 days, and you have one assignment to do during the process. It was an excellent experience for me. I discovered a spiritual side of myself that I didn’t know about. 

Please do your own research, explore the best way that you can stay consistent and grow spiritually. Then implement what you learn, stay consistent in that and keep your faith high.

Improve the relationship that you have with yourself

As I explained in “Choosing yourself” blog post, some people don’t know how to handle their emotional self. When you take advantage of your singleness, you get to know yourself on a deeper level.

Maximizing your singleness is all about getting to know yourself better. It’s an opportunity that you have to give yourself your own time. The time you will set aside is to analyze your emotions, past relationships, and the things that are holding you back. 

Take a day and spend it with yourself only. Get to know yourself more. This might be difficult if you’re extroverted. However, understand that this will reduce the chances of being in a relationship because you just want someone by your side.

Doing this will be beneficial because you will stop wasting your time with other people that don’t know your value. You will face the world on your own or with other people with purpose and not just because you feel lonely. 

When I’m single, I always find myself thinking about how I could improve myself every day. I’m not an emotional intelligence expert, but I try to analyze my past relationships or those I have now. When I take a moment to study them, I can find a pattern in my life, and then I ask myself how I can improve myself.

Questions to ask yourself when you’re improving your relationship with yourself:

It’s important to know if you’re ready to be in a relationship. Obviously, you’re not going to stay single forever, unless you’re aiming for that. If you’re planning on being in a romantic relationship, you must ask yourself if you can date yourself.

Can you spend the day by yourself and enjoy your own company? I know that this might be easy for introverts. However, it will be evident to you if you can’t date yourself. 

When you spend the time to examine your past relationships and habits, you will figure it out. If you can date yourself, marry yourself, then you’re ready to be with someone else.

I also believe that even if you’re in a relationship, you should ask yourself if you can date yourself. Answering that question will help you become more aware of your own habits, and hopefully, you work on them if they’re bad ones.

Make sure that you do a self-evaluation. How were you when you were in that particular relationship? What did you learn from it? What are you ready to change, and how can you bring your best self in your next relationship. Don’t blame the other person, do a self-evaluation and think about things you could have done differently.

Get to know yourself on a deeper level.

When you answer the question, “can I date myself?” there are many questions that might come up in your mind. When you date other people, you figure out their story, what they like, who they want to be late etc.

Maximizing your singleness involves getting to know yourself on a deeper level. It’s wise to see what you like, who you are, your weaknesses and what inspires you. If you don’t know yourself, you should stick with being single until you figure it out.

What I realized in many relationships is that the partners become very much alike. It’s cute when the partners enjoy doing the same things and love the same activities. However, some people get lost in their relationships. What I mean by that is that you get blended in your partner’s habits and their way of life.

I can’t stress this enough! It’s important to know who you are. You can do this by taking some time off to get to know yourself better.

Know what your boundaries are, how you want to be loved and taken care of. You need to know yourself, things that you like and dislike. You need to know what you want, who you are, and discover your gift.

Maximizing your singleness also means analyzing the way you handle yourself. So, as soon as you know yourself. You should know who you’re striving to be and what inspires you. If this isn’t the case, you should focus on getting better.

Improve yourself, your skills, your lifestyle, and know your goals

As you figure out what you like, who you want to be and what motivates you. When you maximize your singleness, you also try to better yourself. Merge what you like and what motivates you with your skills.

To improve yourself, I figure that looking elsewhere for assistance is essential. You can get a mentor or coach. It’s also the place to seek therapy if you just think you have some baggage you must let go of.

Improving your lifestyle includes the way you take care of your overall health. How often do you drink, eat unhealthy food or workout?

Remember that your body is the only thing that will stick with you. So it’s important to take care of it. You’re fully responsible for your own health and of your own way of life.

To give a personal example, I found out what I love to do, I know my skills and try my best to cut off bad eating habits. I’m a little extreme sometimes like I avoid eating sugar and carbs as much as I can. I exercise 6 times a week with the help of Shaun T on Beachbodyondemand.com. 

I read to better myself and write because I love writing my knowledge and thoughts. Since I’m not a student, I invest in improving my skills. I buy many books and online courses because studying never stops.

Get your finances in order.

In my opinion, the most important thing to do when your single is getting out of debt. You must find a way to be financially free and improve your financial literacy. 

The reason why you should focus on improving your financial literacy is that when people are in a relationship, they tend to spend more and get into debt. Spending money on dates and gifts can be expensive in the long run. That’s why you must master your money, learn how to budget and get your financial goals aligned.

Maximizing your singleness also means maximizing your finances. Learn how to manage your money, learn how to budget, pay yourself first, teach yourself how to make money.

I recommend having a side hustle, not a second job. Having a second job might not help. When you have a side hustle, you will do things that you love the most. Then that might turn into a full-time income, then you might just quit that 9-5 job.

You can spoil yourself, however, know when you should limit your spending. Get out of debt when you’re single; this is the right way to maximize your singleness. Get the bad debts out and keep the good ones if that’s what you want.

Build meaningful relationships. 

Human beings need to interact with other human beings to survive. Maximizing your singleness doesn’t mean that you stay single without talking to other people. It’s about being so comfortable with yourself that you don’t need people around all the time.

However, you should go out there, get to know other people, make friends or, if you’re lucky, find your soulmate. You spent time getting to know yourself, what you love and who you want to be. It’s important to know what type of people you want around you.

Find people that encourage you to be your better self. People that want what’s best for you and that support your decisions. People that want to see you win, I think you get the idea.

I highly recommend building meaningful relationships with other people. You don’t necessarily need a lot of friends, but having a strong network is essential. 

One last thing, date as much as you can until you’re tired. When you date people, you will get an idea of what you need to improve yourself and what kind of partner you would like to have.

One final note on maximizing your singleness

I like the say, “I’m alone, but I’m not lonely.” I can’t remember who said it, but it resonated with me when I heard it. When you start to enjoy your own company, you won’t feel lonely. Being lonely brings a negative feeling to our lives, which is what we’re trying to prevent. 

By enjoying your own company, you won’t feel lonely. You will feel like you’re in a wholesome relationship with yourself. When you find comfort in yourself, you will see how easy it is to find purpose in whatever you do.

Now that you know the areas in which you must improve, how will you improve yourself? Depending on your answer, you must find the best way to improve yourself. If you’re still in school, focus on your studies. If you’re working full time, try to invest in your education.

Try to invest in books or activities that will help you. When you maximize your singleness, you won’t get the feeling of loneliness. You will enjoy your own company. Maximize your spiritual health, the relationship you have with yourself, your finances and build meaningful relationships.

 

7 Tips for Thriving in Singleness.I. D. Samuel PhD

Are you single, but not loving the season of singleness you’re in? Whether you have never been married before, or you are newly single after a breakup, divorce, or death, you can learn the tips for being single and loving it.

Here are seven encouraging tips for you. Apply these tips for greater satisfaction in your singleness, no matter how long that season lasts.

1. View singleness as an opportunity rather than a burden.

To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. – 1 Corinthians 7:8

The Bible affirms both singleness and marriage. But it does say that marriage is more complicated than being single. Singleness affords you opportunities that marriage does not.

When you are unhappy in your singleness, it’s easy to see it as a burden. However, you can embrace the freedom of having your own choices about what to do with your life as a single person. As a responsible adult, you don’t have to consult anyone else before making decisions. When you choose to view singleness this way, your eyes will be opened to the myriad opportunities in front of you.

Pray that God will help you see the opportunities of singleness rather than focusing on it as a burden. He’ll do the heavy lifting for you so you can find rest in him (Matt. 11:28-30).

2. Grow your relationship with God.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. – Psalm 63:1

Your season of being single is an excellent time to grow your relationship with God. Since no one else is competing for your attention when you are alone, you can dedicate that time to loving and worshiping God in new ways. Read books on prayer and spiritual growth or listen to the audio versions. They will help you develop your relationship with God in ways you may have never considered before.

Rather than desperately longing for a romantic connection, you can earnestly seek God and thirst for his loving presence. If your season of singleness feels dry, God will give you living water, so your thirst is fully quenched (John 4:13-14).

3. Use it as a healing time.

O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. – Psalm 30:2

Perhaps you are in a season of singleness against your will. You may have endured a painful breakup from a datingpartner or deep heartache after divorce or death. Or you may be hesitant to engage in relationships due to a difficult childhood.

The state of being single affords you the chance to heal from damaged emotions. You can invest a great deal of time in self-improvement, seeking God’s healing in the deepest places of your heart. A Christian counselor can guide you through the process of healing your emotions.

The good news about the hard work of healing is that you will enter every other relationship as a wholly healed person. You won’t bring unprocessed baggage into your relationship. Instead, you’ll be a healthier, wiser person after you go through the healing process.

4. Explore what you like to do.

And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 8:15

Singleness is a great time for self-discovery. Maybe you have been so caught up in previous relationships that you lost sight of your identity as an individual. Being single gives you the chance to enjoy life just the way you like it.

Go back to hobbies you had in your younger years and try them out again. You may rediscover a previous love for the arts, sports, engineering, or any other kind of replenishing activity. Schedule at least one hour a week for activities that simply make you glad. Exploring what you like to do is a form of self-care. It’s good to embrace yourself just the way God made you, with your unique likes and preferences.

5. Learn new things.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. – Proverbs 9:9

Learning new things is a fun part of being single. You can try things out without consulting anyone else on how to spend your time or money. You can experiment with new activities and classes, different genres of movies and television shows, and even group activities for singles.

It’s important to always be growing as a person. In your singlehood, you can pick just what you’d like to learn about for the first time. This choice will help you grow in understanding and help you enjoy life on a deeper level. Search online for new activities to try. You can find them in colleges, community groups, and churches. Stretch yourself to try something new, and you may discover a favorite hobby!

 

 

6. Serve the Lord in your singleness.

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 7:32

Singleness frees you up to serve the Lord in ways that are more complicated as a married person. You can volunteer for many activities that won’t interfere with a spouse’s schedule and won’t make you feel guilty since you aren’t spending that time with your spouse.

Check with your local church to learn about the ministries in which you can serve. You may be surprised to find there are more ways to serve than you originally expected. Choose activities based on your spiritual gifts and things you like so you will stick with them.

For example, if you are an introvert, you may not thrive as a greeter. But you might like to prep materials for Sunday school behind the scenes. Conversely, extroverts may enjoy serving on the worship team or as leaders for vacation Bible school. There are many ways you can serve the Lord in your singleness – just ask your local church.

7. Serve others in your singleness.

For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. – 1 Timothy 3:13

This passage was written for the deacons and overseers in the first-century church. The apostle Paul explained to theyoung pastor Timothy what kind of character lay leaders needed to have, and his guidance frequently involved how to treat other people (see 1 Tim. 3).

You can serve other people through a church, but you can also serve others in your community. Many schools need volunteers for reading tutors. You can get involved in setting up food drives, assisting with community programs, delivering meals to the elderly, and many other activities of service for others.

There are great rewards for serving others. You get the rewards described in 1 Timothy 3:13, along with the rewards of feeling good about giving. Serving others in your singleness drives selfishness out of your heart, and blesses you with the satisfaction of doing good works for God’s glory.

Christian Counseling for Singleness

As you can see, being single has its benefits, and you can learn to love the fact that you are single. However, many singles are not happy with their status, and they want to learn how to be better prepared for relationships in the future.

If you feel this way, meeting with a Christian counselor can help. Your counselor will affirm you, pray for you, and offer you practical help that meets the needs of your unique situation. Contact us today to learn how Christian counseling can help.

LERE - PRESS STATEMENT BY THE COALITION OF CONCERNED NATIVES OF LERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE: WE SAY YES, WE ARE PART OF SOUTHERN KADUNA AND MEMBERS OF SOKAPU, 20/1/2025.

Our attention has been drawn to a statement made by a group said to be Lere Local Government Unity Association Forum and signed by one Barrister Nasiru Bello Dembo and his secretary, one Mal. Ahmed Idris in which they accused the organizers of Southern Kaduna Cultural  Festival (SKFEST) which ended on 28/12/2024 with a grand finale at the New Kafanchan Township Stadium. 

The group stated amongst others, that some political office holders from Lere local government were tagged as members of Southern Kaduna. Quoting section 8, 48 and 72 of Nigeria's Constitution which "...lumped Lere local government into Northern Senatorial District of the state," adding that "...Lere local government is not in any way part of geographical classification of Southern Kaduna and warned the organizers of the event to refrain from such publications to avoid causing confusion, " the statement ended. 

We, the natives as a Coalition will give it to them in this context because it is true that politically, Lere Local Government is in zone 1.  

It is however not lost on us how the political maneuvers  that produced Hon. James Bawa Magaji and H.E Dabo Lere worked successfully against the state's northern power block, and how Lere Local Government had to be carved out and later taken to Zone 1 to scuttle recurrence of that maneuver, and we shall come to that.  It is good that we have been tasked by Barr Idris' group to wake up from our decades of slumber!

The Journey so Far:

It is worth noting the fact that "facts are sacred" and this  corroborates the old dictum, "you cannot shave my head without my consent." At this juncture, a mental journey into the past is key as far as this discourse is concerned. Thus:

1. Southern Kaduna (12 LGAs including Lere LGA is NOT the same as Kaduna South Senatorial District (8 LGAs excluding Lere LGA) neither is Northern Kaduna (11 LGAs) same as Kaduna North Senatorial District (8 LGAs).

2. The present Lere and Kauru LGAs used to be part of Saminaka LGA up till 1989 and the old Saminaka LGA was part of the  Senatorial District of old Kachia LGA, comprising the present Kachia, Chikun, Kajuru and Kagarko LGAs (the 2nd largest in Gen. Gowon's Nigeria of 1967) AND old Jema'a LGA comprising present Jema'a, Kaura, Sanga and Jaba LGAs represented by Senator Jacob Madaki, a great Bajju man from Zonkwa (now, Late) 1st October 1979 - 30th September 1983 and 1st October 1983 - 31st December 1983 (when Gen. Muhammadu Buhari ousted the Democratically elected administration of NPN/President Shehu Shagari.

3. Present Lere LGA was extracted from the old Saminaka LGA. The boundaries were so manipulated to constitute  an electoral constituency, such that it favours the state's northern power, which today constitutes the Northern Senatorial District. This was the same manipulation done to old Kachia LGA where Chikun and Kajuru LGAs were extracted AND taken to Kaduna Central Senatorial District ALL with the aim of "dismembering" the Southern Kaduna peoples as a voting block and a voice. We remain resolved that : 

i. These have not, will not and cannot remove the Southern 'Kadunaness' from Southern Kaduna people whether in Lere, Kauru, Chikun, Kajuru, Kaduna South or ALL the other LGAs for that matter; it is a matter of the heart. For the records, SOKAPU is a sociocultural association and the constitution of Nigeria is not ambiguous about that, so why the heartache? As natives of the area, it is one of our fundamental rights and moral obligation  to belong to SOKAPU This is a matter of choice and we have chosen to align with SOKAPU as a people, the more reason why as usual, we took part in the 2024 SKFEST and went ahead to also invite our political leaders whom we elected into various offices only for us to get this reaction from a group. Indeed, we are taking note.

The political office holders from Lere LGA that were referenced in the program of events for the grand finale to have come from Southern Kaduna could not debunk it, perhaps, for political reasons and that may explain why we have a different hand and voice on the matter in view. Thus, the quickness of the hand cannot deceive the eye, a clear case of one man crying more than the bereaved or one taking panadol for another's headache.

ii. No Electoral Constituency is permanent and we trust time and space.

iii. That we the natives of Lere local government are part of SOKAPU NATURALLY, all skewed demographies in attempt to suggest otherwise notwithstanding. We are a people bonded by traditional, cultural, historical and  customary affinity. This is attested to by available and verifiable historical facts nicely captured in the archives dating back to migration periods. The Nok civilization dating 500 years back is there for confirmation.

iv. Before Usman Dan Fodio's jihad of 1804, where were the great grand fathers of the writers of this press statement? We are not unaware of this history and, in the spirit of cosmopolitanism and open society, we have tried to stomach these historical facts and also chose to look the other way thereby allowing the 'sleeping dog not to wake up.'  Little wonder, the thrust of the press statement under interrogation essentially stands on one crippled leg-political reason. In contrast and for emphasis, our membership to SOKAPU precedes this politically motivated press statement neither can we be cowed by it to disown SOKAPU or leave her, she is for us a mother from whom we have sucked the milk of being more humane, considerate, fair and above all, we as natives are more comfortable identifying with SOKAPU and our roots in Kaduna South Senatorial District unlike what we keep suffering from Zone 1 for decades without visible benefits of dividends of democracy. The facts are there for empirical verification. Structural and physical projects are lopsidedly located in northern part of the state where the Fulani are the Lords, even Hausa people that own the land are marginalized there. Same is the fate of other tribal communities and natives in Lere LGA like Amo, Piti, Kinugu, Anir'Arahgu (Kahugu) Akurmi, Gure, Lemoro, Janji and Dingi that are lumped into the northern zone. These facts are verifiable and we challenge any investigative authority to check it.  

In truth, Barr Nasiru and Mal. Ahmed Idris essentially tasted the waters and chose the right time!

v. Is the constitution of this country silent on freedom of association?  Certainly NO!

vi. Can Barr. Nasiru Bello Dembo and Mallam Ahmed Idris publish the names and members of their association with its ethno-religious composition? It is difficult to belief that there is any of our ethnic groups that is part of Barr Nasiru's association. However, since the constitution of Nigeria allows freedom of association, having any native as a member of Barr Nasiru's association cannot be a surprise but we are skeptical if they were carried along in this press statement, even if they were, it essentially rests on political reason as stated from the foregoing, because the writers of the document under review only wrote to defend our elected delegates at all levels that they  do not belong to Southern Kaduna Senatorial District which is intrinsically true, but it is NOT true that we the natives of Lere LGA are not part of SOKAPU, indeed, we are.

vii. The leaderships of our various communities  in Lere LGA that have over the decades registered with SOKAPU and have been participating in her activities include Amo, Piti, Kinugu, Anir'Arahgu (Kahugu), Akurmi, Gure, Dingi, Janji, Lemoro and Jere. We wonder why our membership to SOKAPU has made Barr. Idris' group jittery, indeed, Southern Kaduna is our ancestry.

For the records, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed used Mauritania's Nationality Code as captured in the Nigeria Tribune of 2021 that, "...Mauritania's Nationality Code of June 12, 1961 says any child " at least one of whose parents is a citizen of Mauritania, regardless of the child's country of birth is a citizen by decent. The newspaper adds that, "...their old man died 34 years ago, yet the road to Mauritania has remained a familiar terrain for his surviving children. On Saturday  April 17 this year (2021), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed with his brothers and sisters and uncles had a family get-together in Nouakchott, Mauritania (see his Facebook post made on 18/4/2021)..." 

It was Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed with his unforgettable roots from Mauritania that masterminded the skewed delineation of constituencies when he held sway as the Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1998 for the political expediency of Fulani against the natives. If Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed visits Mauritania his ancestral home for a family meeting while retaining his Nigerian citizenship at the same time, we are safe to conclude that Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has set a precedence on this, therefore, we, the natives of Lere LGA have the moral obligation to follow suit. Indeed, what is good for Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed ought to be good for the natives of Lere LGA, and let it be on record that we affirm that we are more at home with our kinsmen in Southern Kaduna Senatorial District and by extension, Gurara State if the conversation for its creation continues, and no one can and should deny us from identifying with our  kinsmen. 

Reading in between the lines, we find the press statement under reference too 'pregnant.' On the strength of the foregoing therefore, we call on Senator Ibrahim Khalid (Kaduna North) and Senator Sunday Marshall Katung  (Kaduna South) Senatorial Districts respectively to, as a matter of urgency, sponsor a bill to rectify this political banditry championed against us by Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

SKFEST is an annual cultural event organized by us members of SOKAPU, where our cultural values as a people are promoted, unity is preached, patriotism encouraged and unconditional love practicalized. In the 2024 SKFEST, during the grand finale, H.E Senator  Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna state used the event to preach peace. He also told the people about his style of inclusive governance. Governor Diri Douyi of Bayelsa State, a good friend of Southern Kaduna praised Governor Uba Sani for a paradigm shift of inclusiveness, urging him to sustain it for a better, united and developed Kaduna state. Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state was also there to lend his voice on the conversation on the needed peace and harmonious coexistence. Ditto, the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, ably represented by his Deputy, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur. The government of Kano and Katisna states and other political office holders across the country were also in attendance to celebrate the people's rich cultural heritage. 

So,  we the natives of Lere LGA are more comfortable with a region that has been promoting unity, peace, patriotism and mutual coexistence and what is wrong with that? May God give Senators Ibrahim Khalid and Sunday Marshall Katung of the Northern and Southern Senatorial Districts respectively more strength, wisdom and good health to take Lere LGA back to where it was decades ago.

It is therefore our considered opinion using eagle eyes and lenses of sound reason from the  foregoing that, essentially, Barr Nasiru Bello and Mal. Ahmed Idris only stood as acolytes to defend those we elected into political offices but, on one hand, veiled it as 'protecting' Lere's geographical location and on the other, 'testing the waters,' whether or not the natives of Lere LGA are part of SOKAPU and to the latter, WE SAY YES, WE ARE PART OF SOKAPU and nothing will either change or rewrite that historical fact in our hearts and even in the archives. Barr Idris' press statement is actually a propaganda-induced amnesia. Indeed, we were the ones that elected these political leaders and since identifying with our kinsmen in Southern Kaduna is now an offense to a group, we now know better. Rewriting our history and or changing our ancestry is too late!

Signed:

Comrade Stephen Sale,

__________________

Secretary.

Comrade Engr. S.I Mori,

__________________

Acting Coordinator, SOKAPU Lere LGA Branch.

Comrade Bitrus Elisha,

____________________

CDAs Coordinator Representing Lere LGA at SOKAPU's National Body.

Ethnic Groups' Presidents.

1. Akurmi 

2. Amo

3. Anir’Arahgu (Kahugu)

4. Dingi

5. Gure 

6. Janji 

7. Jere 

8. Kinugu 

9. Lemoro 

10. Piti

NIGERIA'S 36 STATES AND FCT RANKED IN ORDER OF LAND SURFACE AREA (KM²)

1. Niger State 76,363KM²

2. Borno State 70,898KM²

3. Taraba State 54,473KM²

4. Kaduna State 46,053KM²

5. Bauchi State 45,837KM²

6. Yobe State 45,502KM²

7. Zamfara State 39,762KM²

8. Adamawa State 36,917KM²

9. Kwara State 36,825KM²

10. Kebbi State 36,800KM²

11. Benue State 34,059KM²

12. Plateau State 30,913KM²

13. Kogi State 29,833KM²

14. Oyo State 28,454KM²

15. Nasarawa State 27,117KM²

16. Sokoto State 25,973KM²

17. Katsina State 24,192KM²

18. Jigawa State 23,154KM²

19. Cross River State 20,156KM²

20. Kano State 20,131KM²

21. Gombe State 18,768KM²

22. Edo State 17,802KM²

23. Delta State 17,698KM²

24. Ogun State 16,762KM²

25. Ondo State 15,500KM²

26. Rivers State 11,077KM²

27. Bayelsa State 10,773KM²

28. Osun State 9,251KM²

29. Federal Capital Territory 7,315KM²

30. Enugu State 7,161KM²

31. Akwa Ibom State 7,081KM²

32. Ekiti State 6,353KM²

33. Abia State 6,320KM²

34. Ebonyi State 5,670KM²

35. Imo State 5,530KM²

36. Anambra State 4,844KM²

37. Lagos State 3,345KM²

Anambra + Enugu + Abia + Imo + Ebonyi = 29,525KM²

Kogi = 29,833KM²

Ogun + Oyo + Osun + Ondo + Ekiti = 76,320KM²

Lagos = 3,345KM²

Niger alone = 76,363KM²

Niger State = Entire Southwest States - Lagos

The entire Southeast 

is a little less than Kogi State only.

Just for our record

The North Has enough land for ranching and cattle colony. 

 GLOBAL CATTLE BUSINESS: FACT SHEET 

A. Top 10 NATIONS in terms of cattle inventory (2017).

1. INDIA 303 million 

2. BRAZIL 226 million

3. CHINA 100 million. 

4. USA 93 million. 

5. EU 89 million.

6. ARGENTINA 53 million

7. AUSTRALIA 27 million

8. RUSSIA 18 million

9. MEXICO 16 million

10. TURKEY 14 million.

B. TOP 10 MILK EXPORTERS

 

1. NEW ZEALAND  $4.4 Billion

2. GERMANY  $2.6 Billion

3. NETHERLANDS  $1.9 Billion

4. FRANCE  $1.5 Billion

5. USA  $1.4 Billion

6. BELGIUM  $1.2 Billion

7. AUSTRALIA  $852 Million

8. BELARUS  $637 Million

9. UK $569 Million

10. SAUDI ARABIA  $556 Million

C. TOP 10 BEEF EXPORTING NATIONS (2016).

1. AUSTRALIA  $5.6 Billion

2. USA $5.2 Billion

3. BRAZIL  $4.3 Billion

4. INDIA $3.7 Billion

5. NETHERLANDS  $2.7 Billion

6. IRELAND  $2 Billion

7. NEW ZEALAND  $1.9 Billion

8. CANADA  $1.5 Billion

9. URUGUAY  $1.4 Billion

10. GERMANY  $1.3 Billion

Additional Considerations:

1. Nigeria is not among the top 20 nations in the global cattle business. 

2. Non of the top cattle producing nations create cattle colonies or engage in primitive cattle grazing. All the top cattle producing and exporting nations utilise  modern technology and ranching methods to maximise production and profit.

BEHOLD I WILL DO A NEW THING Text : Isaiah 43: 16-19

The just concluded year 2024 was very challenging for many and for some it has been from one testimony to another.

Brethren, irrespective of what you passed through in year 2024 , the Lord is assuring you by His word that 2025 is our year of Glory . “ Behold I Will Do A New Thing “ in 2025 that all men will celebrate the God you serve with you .

In this presentation, we will be focusing on four main words from the bible text and each word will be used to explain few things as we go on together.

1. REMEMBER NOT / FORGET

*In preparation for a New Thing , you will need to “Remember not” the past struggles, silent frustrations and failures you experienced in the previous year .

* Remember not could also mean to Disregard or loose memory of all the unpleasant situations and ridicule you encountered in year 2024.

God is able to do a new thing in your life throughout the year 2025 but you need to forget the past .

Isa 43:18, 2 Corth 5:17, Phil 3:13-14

2. BEHOLD / SEE

The word BEHOLD can be found in the Bible 368 times so it means it has an important role to play in the life of every child of God .

* The word “Behold ” means to observe something or someone of a remarkable nature . God has a nature that seems to turn hopeless situations around but you need to Behold Him in order to turn your life around .

* To BEHOLD means to look with an undying and untiring aim .

To enjoy the newness of God in year 2025 , you will need to have an undying hope in Christ that is backed up with an undivided attention.

Isa 59:1 , Rev 3:20, 2 Corinth 6:2b , Rev 22:7 and 12.

3. THE NEW THING

The word NEW THING implies 3 things :

a. It means the purpose of God for you will not be complete until all things are made New in your life , Isaiah 65:17 , Isa 66:22 , Isa 62: 2.

b. God was sitting on the throne when He said it

” Behold i make all things New ” .

When a king sits on the throne and makes a declaration, his words stand .

New is one of the promises of God to mankind .

C. New is something different from the one that existed earlier. The new thing God will give you always more than what you have in the past . What the Lord will do for you in year 2025 will be clearly different from what you had earlier experienced in Jesus name( Amen) .

D. New thing is the fashion of God , He show cases His glory everyday ( Lamentation 3: 22-23) .

E. A New thing signifies the following :

* A new name

* A new status

* A new blessing / breakthrough

* A new song and peace in all endeavours

4. NOW

The word” NOW ” used in the passage means your miracles in the year 2025 will surface without any further delay ( Amen) .

The word NOW is a big contrast to the past , that means what God is ready to do in your life what  will completely knock out your past unpleasant situations in Jesus name.

Eph 3:20 emphasise and spelt out the ability of God to do exceedingly and abundantly in the lives of His children . All you need to make it in life has been planted before now and all it needed to germinate has been supplied before now .

Brethren, stop fearing the Unknown ! Choose  to hope in the known ( God Almighty) .

The word NOW is mentioned in the bible 1, 355 times , that means you can trust God wholly this year that things will work well for you in Jesus name. The bible says ” Every good and perfect gift comes from God ………James 1:17.

In conclusion

God is very ready to do it again in your life in the year 2025. Keep trusting God and you will see Him in action in your life in Jesus name .

Please note that , when troubles and frustrating situations comes your way , it is never Gods intention to put you to shame but for His holy name to be glorified in your life .

I prophecy that the year 2025 will bow before you in Jesus name .

Happy New Year to you .

Shalom !!

I WILL DO A NEW THING

 ....Revelations 21: 5 (KJV)

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Isaiah 43: 18 – 19 (KJV)

18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

CONCEPT OF THE NEW

One of God’s word to us in 2025 is that he will do a new thing. I attended a Pastor’s retreat end of the week in Kafanchan. The theme was: A NEW THING.

Every now and then God decides to change the status quo and he does a new thing, something different from what we already are used to. 

The children of Israel were in captivity for 430yrs, God decides it’s time to bring them out he called Moses and said he’s heard the cry of his people (Exodus 3: 7 – 9). That was the beginning of a new thing.

Malachi was the last prophet we know in the old testament. For about 400yrs we had the dark ages when God was largely silent. Then suddenly John the Baptist started preaching in the wilderness, baptising everyone (Matthew 3: 1 – 3) It was the beginning of a new visitation. A new beginning

Jesus had died and risen. He was about ascending to the father but he told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they are endued with power. (Act 1: 4 – 8). It was a new beginning. The start of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as promised by prophet Joel.

The disciple were preaching about him everywhere. God was getting ready to extend the gospel to the gentiles, because salvation was from the Jews. Peter was in the house of someone called Simon, a tanner by the seaside. God showed Peter a Vision and instructed him to follow the men sent by Cornelius. That was a new beginning. An unveiling of the gospel to the gentiles.

There are many new beginning in the scriptures. However every new beginning is activated in the place of prayers. Without prayers there can be no new thing or next level. Prayer is the cooking pot where a new is cooked before being unveiled.

What New things are we to expect?

1 – New Spirit – Ezekiel 11: 19, Ezekiel 36: 26, Ezekiel 18: 31, Romans 6: 4, Romans 7: 6, 2 Corinthians 5: 17, 2 Corinthians 5: 17, Galatians 6: 15, Colossians 3: 10, Ephesians 4: 24,  

2 – New Covenant – Jeremiah 31: 31, 1 Cor 11: 25, Matthew 26: 28, Luke 22: 20, Hebrews 9: 15

3 – New Commandment – Isaiah 62: 2, 1 John 2: 8

4 – New Name – Revelations 2:17

5 – New wine – Proverbs 3: 10, Luke 5: 38, Isaiah 65: 8, Joel 3: 18

6 – New Song – Psalm 33: 3, Psalm 40: 3, Psalm 96: 1, Psalm 98: 1, Rev 14: 3, Psalm 149: 1, Rev 5: 9 

7 – New blessings – Leviticus 26: 10, Isaiah 43: 18-19, Isaiah 42: 9, Revelations 21: 5

8 – New Miracles – Numbers 16: 30 and eventually:

9 – New heavens and earth – Revelations 21: 1, Isaiah 62: 23, Isaiah 65: 17, 2 Peter 3: 13

God wants to do a new thing, but spiritually new things are birthed in the place of prayers.

Nuggets:

Until there is travail, Zion cannot give birth……. 

Our memory verse for January 2025

Habakkuk 2: 22 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

REFRESH, RENEW AND REVITALISE Anointing for a New Beginning

In life, we often find ourselves at crossroads, needing a fresh start or a new direction. Whether it's overcoming past failures, stepping into a new season, or embracing new opportunities, we need the anointing of God to guide and empower us. The Bible is filled with promises and examples of how God's anointing brings about new beginnings. Today, we will explore how the anointing of God can transform our lives and set us on the path to a new beginning.

1. The Power of the Anointing to Transform Lives (Isaiah 61:1):

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."

God's anointing has the power to transform lives. It heals the brokenhearted, sets captives free, and brings light to those in darkness. This anointing is not just for a select few but is available to all who seek a new beginning in Christ. The transformation begins with the touch of the Holy Spirit, empowering us to step into a new season with hope and purpose.

2. God Makes All Things New (Revelation 21:5):

"He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

God is in the business of making all things new. He takes what is old, broken, and weary, and transforms it into something new and vibrant. When we come to God, seeking a new beginning, we can trust that He is faithful to renew and restore every aspect of our lives. This promise of newness is a reminder that no matter how bleak our circumstances may seem, God has the power to bring forth a new beginning.

3. Anointing to Leave the Past Behind (Isaiah 43:18-19):

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

The anointing of God enables us to leave the past behind. Too often, we are held back by past mistakes, regrets, and failures. But God’s anointing gives us the strength to forget the former things and embrace the new thing He is doing. This anointing helps us to move forward, free from the chains of our past, and into the new beginnings God has prepared for us.

4. God's Call to a New Beginning (Isaiah 60:1):

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."

God calls us to rise and shine, to step into the new beginning He has for us. This call is a divine invitation to step out of the shadows and into the light of His glory. The anointing of God empowers us to respond to this call with boldness and confidence, knowing that He has gone before us and prepared the way.

5. Renewal of Strength Through Divine Anointing (Isaiah 40:31):

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

The anointing of God renews our strength. When we are weary and worn out, God’s anointing revitalizes us, giving us the energy and endurance we need to continue our journey. This renewal of strength is essential for embracing a new beginning, as it enables us to face challenges with vigor and determination.

6. God's Anointing Empowers Us for New Opportunities (Isaiah 58:11):

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

God’s anointing opens doors to new opportunities. When we are anointed by God, He guides us, satisfies our needs, and strengthens us to seize new opportunities. This anointing ensures that we are like a well-watered garden, flourishing even in difficult circumstances, and ready to step into the new opportunities that God brings our way.

7. A New Beginning Through Repentance and Cleansing (Isaiah 1:16-17):

"Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

A new beginning often requires repentance and cleansing. God’s anointing cleanses us from our sins and empowers us to live righteously. This process of repentance is the doorway to a fresh start, allowing us to step into a new life that is aligned with God’s will and purpose.

8. The Anointing That Opens Closed Doors (Isaiah 45:1):

"This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut."

God’s anointing has the power to open doors that were previously closed. Just as He anointed Cyrus to open gates and subdue nations, God’s anointing can remove obstacles and open doors in our lives that lead to new beginnings. This anointing breaks down barriers and ushers us into the new paths God has prepared for us.

9. The Anointing to Live in Newness of Life (2 Corinthians 5:17):

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

In Christ, we are a new creation. The anointing of God brings us into the newness of life, where the old has passed away, and everything becomes new. This transformation is the ultimate new beginning, as we are no longer defined by our past but by the new life we have in Christ.

Conclusion:

God’s anointing is the key to experiencing a new beginning. It transforms our lives, renews our strength, opens new doors, and empowers us to leave the past behind and embrace the future with hope and confidence. As we seek God's anointing, let us remember that He is always doing a new thing in our lives, inviting us to rise and shine in His glory. No matter where we are or what we have been through, with God’s anointing, we can step into a new beginning and live a life that reflects 

His power, purpose, and grace.