Chai!!! There Ris God Oooooooo

VENUE: The Lord's Garden, Foursqaure Bus Stop, Ikotun-Idimu Road, Lagos.
DATE&TIME: 21st Aug., 9am prompt.
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The late General Sani Abacha was neither Hausa nor Fulani. He was KANURI.

Introduction
The Kanuris are some of the most prominent tribes/ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Predominant States/Regions
-The Kanuris are found in the areas that covers the historic Kanem and Bornu Empires (Kanem-Bornu). Kanuris are predominant in two states in northeastern  Nigeria: Borno and Yobe.
-In addition to these states, Kanuris are also found outside Nigeria, and these include western Chad, northern parts of Cameroon and southeast Niger.
-Kanuri cities in Nigeria are: Maiduguri, Damaturu, Chibok, Bama, Damboa, Monguno, Konduga, Guzamala, Marte, Kukawa, Jere and others.

Prominent People of the Tribe
Some of the most prominent people in Nigeria are Kanuris and they are as follows:
-Saninegeria Mohammed Abacha, former Nigerian military ruler
-Air Marshal Al-Amin Daggash (retired), former Chief of Defence Staff
-Sir Shettima Kashim Ibrahim, former Minister for Social Services and Education and the first Nigerian Governor of the Northern Region
-Ibrahim Imam, Nigerian politician
-Shettima Ali Monguno, educationist, politician and former minister. He was kidnapped by Boko Haram in May 2013 but was later released.
-Mohammed Yusuf, founder of the Boko Haram sect
-Abubakar Shekau, current leader of the Boko Haram sect
-Zannah Sulloma Bukar Dipcharima, Nigerian politician and former transport minister
-Ahmed Khalifa Zanna, Nigerian senator
-Ali Ndume, Nigerian senator
-Hamza Al-Mustapha, major and former Chief Security Officer to General Abacha
-Habib Bama (Shuabu Bama, Habib Mamman), an ex-soldier and Boko Haram member
-Waziri Ibrahim, businessman and politician
-Baba Gana Kingibe, politician and former minister
-Adamu Ciroma, former minister of finance. Ciroma is specifically of the Bolewa tribe in Yobe State but the Bolewas are historically part of the old El-Kanemi Empire. Same goes for the Shuwa tribe where the late Major-General Mohammed Mamman Shuwa hailed from. Shuwa was assassinated by unknown gunmen in November 2012.
-Engineer Bunu Sheriff
-Senator Ali Modu Sheriff
-Kam Salem, former Inspector-General of Police
-Major-General Abba Kyari (retired)
-Colonel Kur Mohammed
-Alhaji Abba Habeeb
- Alhaji Muhammed Goni
-Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari
-Lt. Col. Abogo Largema
-Hajiya Ammuna Ali
-Alhaji Goni Aji, appointed Head of Service of the Federation
-Dr. Baba-Kura Kaigama
-Dr. Buka Shaib
-Professor Nuhu Alkali

Traditional Ruler/Head/Leader
-The paramount ruler of the Kanuris is the Shehu of Borno, the head of the Borno Emirate. The current head is Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.

Language/Dialects/Subgroups
-There are various dialects and subgroups amongst the Kanuris. Some of these subgroups consider themselves to be non-Kanuris. These include the Mangari, Beri Beri, Bilma, Bla Bla and Tumari.
- The Kanuri language, which was derived from Kanembu, is the language of the Kanuri people. There are various dialects of the Kanuri language and these include Kanembu itself, Manga Kanuri (the speakers are called Mangari), Tumari Kanuri and Central Kanuri.
-For centuries, the Kanuri language has been written using the Ajami Arabic Script.

Interesting Things About The Kanuris

• The Kanuri people are also called Yerwa, Kanowri and Kanouri.
• The Kanuri people consider the Lake Chad to be the greatest blessing and gift from God to them. However, Lake Chad is now an ecological disaster waiting to happen as it has shrunk several times its original size.
• In other places, especially southeastern corner of Niger Republic, the Kanuris are also called the Beri Beri.
• In the 1950s, a movement of nationalists based in Bornu carved out areas of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon and they declared it to be theirs. They called it Greater Kanowra. The area they carved out for themselves was larger than half of Nigeria.
• The Borno-Yobe Peoples Forum is an umbrella body for the Kanuri people.

Livelihood/Culture/Cultural Practices and Tradition
-The Kanuris are mainly sedentary farmers who engage in farming, fishing (in the Lake Chad basin). They are also into various commercial activities and engage in the processing and trading of salt.
Religion/Religious Practices
-The Kanuris are predominantly Muslims of the Sunni Islam branch. Islam was introduced to the Kanem-Borno Empire in the 11^th century. Other faiths include Christianity and traditional African religions.

CREDITS AND REFERENCES

1. Eric Teniola, Boko Haram, the Nigerian Government and the Agony of the Kanuris, Premium Times, 1^st May, 2014.
   

 Gumsu Sani Abacha is the daughter of Nigeria’s late Kanuri leader, General Sani Abacha. Her name Gumsu means ‘Queen’ in Kanuri. Credits: Gumsu Sani Abacha.

Open Heavens Devotional - Wednesday 13th August, 2014.

FOOLISH COMPARISON.
Memorise:
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Cor 10:12.

Read: 2 Corinthians 10:12-18.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : MARK 14:43-16:8 and JOB 21:1-16

Message
One of the greatest temptations facing the human race today is that of comparison. Making comparisons about virtually everything has become part of life from childhood to old age. We compare family background, physical appearance, intelligence, character, abilities, endowments, life achievements etc.
It has systematically turned life in general to a kind of competition. Even little children are known to tell lies in order to measure up on the comparison scale of their mates. Have you compared yourself to others and didn’t quite measure up? Have you ever thought that you are not as beautiful, handsome, smart, capable, charming, gifted or as godly as your friends? Going into this kind of comparison makes it so easy to think that if you had more or knew more, you would be secure and happy. But as a matter of fact, people who have it all, even the most endowed individuals in the world, still struggle with feelings of insecurity.
In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve in His own image. He blessed them and gave them dominion over all creation. He provided everything that anyone could desire for them. He gave them intimacy and attention, He also gave them beauty, security, significance, and purpose. Nevertheless, Satan confused Eve by giving her feelings of insecurity that pushed her to take her eyes away from her precious inheritance and focus on the forbidden fruit. Comparisons will always make you ignore what you have and focus your attention on what you lack. It will push you to doubt God and yourself, convincing you to seek for solutions outside of God’s provision. By making comparisons, you will become convinced that something is missing in your life and that kicking against God’s commandment will make you be “like God”. The Lord will help you to recognise Satan’s lies and overcome his temptations in Jesus’ Name.
Do not fall for the lies of the devil anymore; learn to refute his temptations with the truth. Always appreciate and thank God for His wonderful provisions and promises. Believe the word of God in Colossians 2:10 that says, you are complete in Him. As you hold on to the word as a weapon against the schemes of the devil in your life, the word of God will work for you in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please let my focus always be on your provisions and promises in my life with praise and thanksgiving to you.