Some Christians have taken to social media channels to protest the new Starbucks holiday cup, which they say is conspicuously devoid of images of both Christmas and Jesus Christ himself. The new cup, which is shades of red with the Starbucks logo, showed up in stores late last month.
“Starbucks REMOVED CHRISTMAS from their cups because they hate Jesus,” wrote Joshua Feuerstein in a viral Facebook post with nearly 10 million views. In an accompanying video, Feuerstein encourages customers to give their name as “Merry Christmas” to force Starbucks employees to say the phrase. The movement had caught on by Sunday with the hashtag “MerryChristmasStarbucks” trending on Facebook.
Starbucks has offered special holiday cups since 1997 with designs varying from year to year. Jeffrey Fields, the company’s vice president of design and content, explained this year’s design as a “more open way to usher in the holidays.”
“Starbucks has become a place of sanctuary during the holidays,” he said in a press release.
“We’re embracing the simplicity and the quietness of it.”
Here are some of the reactions on social media concerning the holiday cup design;
Pro Biafra groups stage a protest in Australia, May 2013 | Daily Sun
I have noticed some miscommunication and misperceptions about what the Biafra movement is about. Here are 9 key facts about the NEW BIAFRA that everyone should know.
(1) Biafran agitation has nothing to do with hydrocarbon crude oil deposits in Niger Delta. Imo, Abia, Anambra are currently oil producing states in Nigeria, with huge natural gas reserves not forgetting the enormous untapped coal deposits in Enugu.
(2) Biafra is not land-locked. It has numerous access to the sea, including through the River Niger.
(3) Biafra entire population is about 35 million people which is greater than the population many advanced countries in Western Europe, including Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, Austria… etc
(4) Biafra does not or in any form signify war, violence, armed struggle or any sort of physical confrontation. BIAFRA IS NOT WAR! It simply means political, economic and socio-cultural freedom from a feudalist State ruled by terrorists and Jihadists.
(5) Biafra is not a call for massive exodus to Igbo land. Put differently, every Igbo or Biafran must not live in Biafra land. Those who wish could still maintain their residency wherever they are as well as own properties anywhere in the world, including Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Abeokuta…etc.
(6) Independent and sovereign Biafra will never translate to loss or forfeiture of landed properties of her citizens in Lagos, Abuja or anywhere in Nigeria. There are many domestic and international treaties, conventions and laws that protects Assets of non-citizens everywhere in the World, that will apply appropriately.
(7) The NEW BIAFRA shall be a coalition of desirous and willing ethnic nationalities in defunct Eastern Nigeria and would never be a forceful annexation of any unwilling ethnic nationality within its current geo-political definition. Ijaws, Ogonis, Ibibio, Anangs, Efiks, Ogojas, and host of other ethnic minorities shall possess the privilege to decide whether to tango politically with their Igbo brethren or go their own separate ways or remain part of current structural deficient Nigeria.
(8) Biafra is a train of peace and liberty. A desire for liberation from institutionalised stumbling blocks like quota system and federal character principles in Nigeria’s quasi-unitary society. It is a movement against internal colonialism, tribal gang-ups, economic marginalisation and political subjugation of Igbo and ethnic minority neighbours.
(9) It has nothing to do with hate, bigotry or ethnic chauvinism. Just a desire to live in a healthy society where your tribe, tongue, religion or creed does not define who you are or how far you would go in your career.
Uju Nwokorobia is a political and national policy affairs expert. Connect with him on Facebook.
Source: The Trent
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
The Ogun State Government has demolished a church building owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) to cries of lamentations by worshippers.
Premium Times reports that the demolished building is located inside Obasanjo Hilltop, an estate named after former President Olusegun Obasanjo by the state government; and located along the Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta, the state capital.
The demolished church | Premium Times
The church construction project was started in 2013 and was headed by a prominent critic of the APC-led Ogun Government, a former lawmaker in the state, Remmy Hazzan. The building was being roofed when caterpillars, on orders from the Ogun Governor Ibikun Amosun rolled in to the property on Friday, November 6, 2015 and pulled it down.
According to sources which spoke with online newspaper, Premium Times, the church was set to commence use of the ground floor for Christian activities this Sunday, November 8, 2015 ahead of the completion of the building.
According to eye-witnesses, as the state government demolished the building, workers at the site and church members burst into tears, with some shouting “Jesus, Jesus, this is your house,” “Lord where is your face.”
Investigations by Premium Times reveals that the State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, “insisted the building be pulled down, arguing that the structure violated the residential master plan of the estate”.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties, Leke Adewolu, told newsmen, he was not aware of the demolition exercise. But, special adviser on Media to Governor Amosun, Adejuwon Soyinka, revealed that the demolition was approved by the governor because “the church building did not have an official approval”.
Muhammadu Buhari, having a pretty relaxing Thursday morning at his farm in Daura, Katsina, giving Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun and others a tour of the place in May 2015 | Bella Naija
“I am told that the church has no title documents nor approval,” Soyinka told newsmen. “The estate is strictly residential, and the building has defeated the approved design plan. And let me quickly add, nothing is political about the action.”
Another commissioner in the state, Adebola Adeife, who heads the Urban and Regional Planning Ministry was unreachable for comments.
When contacted, officials of the church declined comment on the orders of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the church.
RCCG is one the largest pentecostal churches in Nigeria. Adeboye has been named of the most influential people in the world. Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is a pastor of the church.
Pastor Williams Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, (DCLM) has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption as a step in the right direction which should be supported by all Nigerians.
In a chat with journalists, Kumuyi who was in Aba, Abia state on Sunday for a unique combined worship service of the church at the Abia State Polytechnic playground, said “I am a layman when it comes to politics. But from what we can see, I believe that the President is in the right direction and if we support him with our comments and in other ways, I believe that we will see corruption brought down very quickly.”
He stated that the Church can help the President in the fight against corruption by teaching members to shun evil conducts and contribute positively to the progress of the country.
“When we say the church, we are not just talking about buildings; we are talking of people who come to church and also go to offices. For the church to support the fight against corruption, preachers must teach our people to learn how to contribute positively to the progress of the country wherever they are .If you are a governor, commissioner, teacher, minister and among others; do your best for the country. Don’t think of what you can get out of the place that you are working, but how they can contribute to the place in order to support the efforts of the government.”
He also advised political office holders to lead with the fear of God and always remember to fulfill their campaign promises, insisting that they must see themselves as servants of the people who elected them into office.
A Nigerian doctor who was infected with Ebola and survived gave birth a fewhours ago in California, USA.
WHO
Dr Ada Igonoh's baby girl weighed 4.1kg at birth and has been certified Ebola-free, a hospital press release says.
This is really great news to the now increasing number of Ebola survivors as serves as proof that the Ebola virus which is believed to remain in a survivors blood stream for weeks after cure and in the semen for as many as 9months, cannot be passed on from mother to child.
Following the judgment of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal that nullified the election of Governor Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), revelations have surfaced about a grand plot to build Nigeria’s biggest mosque in State’s capital city of Port Harcourt.
According to sources, the plan, which dates back to 2012, is to repossess a large portion of old Port Harcourt Township from the popular Aggrey road, through Victoria to Bonny Streets and unto Creek road and convert it to a new development to be called Great Dawatul City.
The developers of the project, which will have Nigeria’s largest Mosque, 6,000 units of 3 and 5 bedroom residential duplexes and world class business arcades as its star attractions intend to use it as a global model to showcase and redefine Islam as a progressive religion in cosmopolitan cities around the world.
Funding for the project it was said, had been secured by a billionaire mogul and industrialist who himself had negotiated some years ago to purchase the entire shoreline from the Creek Road axis which he has earmarked for world class luxury apartments and Africa’s first 7 Star hotel.
Possession of the shoreline was hindered by the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s refusal to give its nod following agitations by local inhabitants of the area claiming forced eviction. The new plan, it is reliably gathered has got the nod of the Presidency and will have residents and property owners handsomely compensated in return for their lands.
A former governor of the State who is already in talks with the promoters of the Estate development assured them of cooperation on the condition that allegations of corruption against him are ignored and the current Governor Nyesom Wike is removed from office to facilitate the smooth implementation of the project.
The developers plan to market the project as an open society which would provide jobs for the teeming unemployed and change the skyline and landscape of the Garden City.
The area earmarked for the multi billion dollar project already has the highest concentration of Northerners in the city and is expected to see an increase especially of elite class after its completion in 2023
To determine TIME’s annual list, the magazine consider accolades across numerous fields, global impact through social media and overall ability to drive news. Out of the 30 teens highlighted by TIME, GNA takes a look at the 15 who are not influential, but are actually making ‘meaningful impact’ in the world today.
Here’s a quick preview of the GNA selection (ordered from youngest to oldest)
Moziah Bridges, 13
ABC/Getty ImagesThe Memphis resident started his own bow tie business, Mo’s Bows, at age 9. Now—thanks in part to an appearance on the investment show Shark Tank—he’s running a $200,000-a-year apparel company touting licensing deals with Cole Haan and Neiman Marcus. Bridges’ latest accomplishment? Supplying bow ties to basketball players at the 2015 NBA draft.—Samantha Grossman
Ashima Shiraishi, 14
PCN/CorbisSpain’s “Open Your Mind Direct” rock-climbing route is considered one of the most difficult courses in the world, thwarting all but the most skilled of adult, mostly male athletes. So when Shiraishi, at age 13, completed the challenge earlier this year—simultaneously becoming the youngest person and the first woman ever to do so—she was dubbed rock-climbing royalty, earning rave write-ups inOutside magazine, the New YorkTimes and more. (Her reaction: a celebratory Instagram whose caption started with “OMG!!!”) The New York resident now says she hopes to compete in the 2020 Olympics in her parents’ native Japan—if climbing is added as a sport.—Sarah Begley
Martin Odegaard, 16
Angel Martinez—Real Madrid/Getty ImagesIn May, soccer fans got a glimpse of the future when Odegaard subbed in for reigning World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half of a La Liga match. The Norwegian prodigy became the youngest player to take the pitch for Real Madrid, the world’s wealthiest soccer club. Odegaard signed with Real Madrid in January, for a reported $4 million. Often dubbed the “New Messi,” he’s insisted the hype won’t get to his head. “If you get carried away now, you won’t get far in 10 years,” Odegaard said. “I’m supposed to be at my best then, not now. That I know.”—Sean Grego
Olivia Hallisey, 17
GoogleThe Connecticut high school student invented a new way to test for the Ebola virus that doesn’t require refrigeration or electricity—a huge boon for the rural areas that have been most affected by the epidemic. Although it will require real-world trials before getting deployed, it won top honors at September’s Google Science Fair, a testament to its life-saving potential.
—O.B.W.
Malala Yousafzai, 18
Muhammed Muheisen—APThree years after being shot by the Taliban while going to school in her native Pakistan, Yousafzai is now a fierce advocate for girls’ education. In the months following her Nobel Peace Prize award, the He Named Me Malala subject spoke at the U.N. General Assembly, appealed for the release of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram, and launched the #BooksNotBullets campaign to encourage politicians to redirect some military spending toward global education. On July 12—her 18th birthday—she traveled to a Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon to open a school. “Spending time with Malala Yousafzai made me stronger,” wrote Mezon Almellehan, a Syrian refugee, in this year’s Time100. “She suffered, and yet she continues to fight for what she believes in—for the rights of children and for their education.”—Naina Bajekal NAVIGATE TO GOSPEL NEWS AFRICA FOR FULL LIST
The BBC earlier received pictures of what looks like a rocket-making factory belonging to Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram.
The pictures - sent to the Whatsapp account of the BBC Hausa Service - show a number of newly made rockets in what is believed to be a laboratory at a college in north-eastern Borno state, the birthplace of the group.
An inscription on one of machineries shows the abbreviation of the Government Technical College in Bama, a town previously held by the militants before they were dislodged by the army.
The equipment appeared to have been donated to the college by the Educational Trust Fund in 2005 - a special fund set up by the government to help tertiary institutions.
Boko Haram
It is not, however, clear when the pictures were taken, or whether the equipment has been moved.
The question of where Boko Haram gets much of its weapons has been a subject of intense debate.
The group has been known to use rocket propel grenades in the past.
This is worrying for Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, who has given the military a deadline of mid-November to defeat Boko Haram.
The group has lost most of its territory this year but increased suicide attacks and bombings since Mr Buhari came to office in May.
