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Trade unions in the formal and non-formal sectors in Oyo state have expressed divergent views on the unimpressive turn out of Nigerians in the collection of their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) in the state.

A sizable number insist that the frustrating and cumbersome process for the collection of PVCs has greatly discouraged thousands of Nigerians from collecting their PVCs.

Others insist that the difficult process is deliberate for unknown reasons. Sadly, others opine that in the absence of good governance, they have no choice but to make do with handouts.

In his view, the chairman of Day Old Chicks Association of Nigeria(DOCAN) in the state, Alhaji Tijani Mudashiru lamented that their votes in previous elections were yet to have an impact on the association, saying,''our members come from different homes and they have been voting for several years, but up till this moment, there has not been any government intervention. We do not have public toilets. The government has never thought of giving us interest-free loans. We need a place near this environment to continue with our business. All these would go a long way to encouraging members to collect their PVCs.''

However, for the chairman of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairers and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Comrade Solomon Olugbode it is imperative for his members to collect their PVCs,''because the PVCs are the ticket to vote.''

''For everyone to participate in the 2023 general elections, I think everyone should collect their PVCs, so that they can vote for candidates of their choice. But the process of collection is difficult. The hardships that go with collecting PVCs are what people avoid. The process is worrisome. My advice to my members is that they should collect their PVCs and vote for those who will not stop their business. They should vote for people who will not be intoxicated by power.''

The national leadership of the Ohaneze Ndigbo has been called upon to curtail the activities of those who have continued to downgrade personalities in Igboland.

This call was made recently, by the Ezechukwujiegosioluebube nala Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie at the Igbo day celebration in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

''Let me also appreciate the Ohaneze worldwide leadership, ably led by Professor George Obiozo and his dynamic team, for their selfless service they are doing to Ndigbo worldwide. May the good Lord bless and guide them always in all their efforts towards serving Ndigbo better. Please your administration should try to checkmate this rising wave of P.H.D-Pull Him Down Syndrome-which has rubbished the integrity of the Igbo race.''

Eze(Dr.) Anozie also commended the Federal Government for completing the second Niger bridge, saying, ''Let me thank the Federal Government for the completion of the second Niger bridge. I am so happy, that it was on this ground, Liberty stadium of Ibadan, that while I was reading my address in year 2002 in the presence of our very dear father, leader and brother, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as he was our special guest in that year's Igbo day like we are doing today, that I first voiced out, calling on the Federal Government to construct a second Niger bridge, I was the first Nigerian to officially make that request to the Federal Government, before others joined. I thank God, and I am so happy that it has become a reality. To God be the glory.''

''Let me quickly join respectable voices who have continued to appeal to the Federal Government to release our son Nnamdi Kanu, as ruled by the courts. I am among those who believe that political solution can resolve that issue once and for all, particularly when the security of lives and property, justice, equity and fairness begins to reign in society. ''I am joining other Nigerians to call for peaceful, free and fair elections in 2023. I am appealing to our politicians to please try playing politics without bitterness, that people who belong to different political parties should not force Nigerians  to become enemies. The Federal government should do everything very sincerely in allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to conduct free and fair elections. I am still very optimistic that Nigeria can still be fixed, '' if'' God gives us, God-fearing leadership. Thank God, all the presidential candidates contesting are all good materials. I appeal to whoever God chooses among the presidential candidates and gives us, Nigerians, that we should obediently give him every required support to succeed. To my people Ndigbo in Ibadan and Oyo state-Please continue to live in peace and harmony with your fellow Nigerians and Non-Nigerians who are living peacefully in the state.''

In the process of developing new locations in many states, those-in-authority have displaced thousands of Nigerians.

Indeed, the forced displacements include the dubious sale of several houses to conspirators, who pull down original buildings and erect something different on the land.

The forgery of property and land documents is the trend.

Sadly, this development has attracted in its wake, criminal elements, who have to a large extent damaged the reputation of the government.

Interestingly, the law enforcement and justice system have been compromised to accommodate this evil; while the people now see those-in-authority'' as bad dreams.

However, Nigerians are optimistic that the days of bad dreams would soon be over in the nearest time to come.

Note- Free, fair and credible elections can only be achieved if Those-in-Authority are not products of flawed elections. The political parties' primaries that produced candidates for political offices in 2023 were manipulated, while the arguments over the acceptability and eligibility of such candidates are still subjects of disagreements. Imposition is definitely not the true face of DEMOCRACY.

The language used in the media in relation to people with disabilities, may be an indication of whether social change has or would occur. For example, media stories about graduates or students wit disabilities often focus on the sacrifices of family and caregivers, instead of the students and the challenges there faced getting an education.

It is disheartening, therefore, that persons with disabilities are seldom covered in the media and when they are presented, they are typically damaging stereotyped and not properly epitomized.

It is not uncommon to see persons with disabilities treated as objects of pity, charity or medical treatment that have overcome a tragic and disabling condition or conversely, presented as champions who have accomplished great feats, to inspire the non-disabled.

The Editors, producers and programmers are influenced by their own thoughts of disability and what they trust will attract listeners. Equity and Equality challenges indeed!

The media, therefor re expected to: * Map out and circulate information to the masses-educate, entertain, act a platform for public service announcements.

However, the influence that the media holds over the society has not always been used for the benefit of society, particularly in relation to disability, where the media has continued to add to the discrimination of disabled people.

*Be a dynamic tool in creating awareness, refuting stigma and misinformation. It should be an authoritative force to change societal misconceptions and present persons with disabilities as individuals that are part of human diversity.

* In addition, to media coverage of issue of people with disabilities, access of people with disabilities to the media is equally an issue of concern. For example, most television programs do not have sign language interpretation. The implication of this is that people with disabilities rarely watch non-signed television programs.

The Way out

Though there have been some steps forward in removing social barriers to accessing the media, and fighting against unethical coverage of hidden impairments in the media over the last few years, there still remains a lot to be done.

The following should be addressed:

a) Focus on the Barriers Disability is sometimes covered as if it is remarkable that someone with a disability has been able to do the regular things like get education or job, or get married. This reinforces stereotypes that these things are not typical for someone with disabilities to do. Hence, viewpoint need to be integral to the story of the person and not disability.

b)Increase the percentage of people with Disabilities in Media Employment The under-representation of people with disabilities within the media workforce has seeming consequences on the control of the PWD community to influence how they are portrayed within the media and society. Increasing the percentage of people with disabilities in employment within the media industry would be a huge step towards removing stereotypes and empowering disabled people in the general community.

c)The digital revolution has opened new possibilities for Persons with Disabilities, we, therefore, need to ensure that access for them includes technological access. Assistive technologies could be explored in this regard.

d) Explore Opportunities International commemoration and other public events can offer outstanding opportunities to create awareness and conduct outreach to promote and highlight the concern of persons with disabilities.

e)Partnerships It is vital to include persons with disabilities and their organizations in preparing for any media and communications strategy or event.

As with all social change which needs drivers, and until there are more constructive representations of persons with disabilities living regular lives comparable to 'everyone else', there will continue to be incorrect, inappropriate portrayals. It is sacrosanct for the media to play effective roles in influencing public opinion about Disability. You can and  you should.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) has called on the Federal Government to appoint the right people to the right places to ensure equality, justice and fairness.

This call was made by the Chairman of the Oyo state council of their union, Comrade Ademola Babalola on Wednesday at the Star Development Initiative Media discussion with Journalists in Oyo state in commemoration of the International Day for People with Disabilities in Ibadan.

''Churches and Mosques must be accessible to persons living with disabilities, the NUJ is accessible to people living with disabilities. We should put round pegs in round holes. We in the NUJ are calling on the Federal Government to put the right people in the right places.''

Comrade Babalola was represented by the Vice chairman of the union, Comrade Seye Ojo.

In her welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of the initiative, Mrs. Grace Alezander disclosed that persons living without disabilities ought not to be pitied but treated fairly, adding, ''everybody matters, everybody counts. We want more. Anybody that says that you are limited does not see, they don't know how limitless your talents are. ''For us to achieve a healthy economy, everybody must be at the table. Disability does not make us lesser human beings, we are all human beings. We are all created differently, we must appreciate and understand every person with a disability.'' In his remarks, the Dean of the Faulty of Education, University of Ibadan, Prof. Oulfemi Fakolade stressed that inclusion was all about attitude, saying, ''without inclusion we cannot do what is expected of us as individuals. If every attitude is right, we can preach inclusion, but without inclusion there would be problems.''

False doctrines start with the misinterpretation of the word of God by people.

God gave us commandments to follow, but when we fail to follow them, there is a problem. We look for shortcuts to God, but there are no short cuts to God.

You have to follow the teachings in the Bible. People are moving away from the teachings in the Bible as a result of false doctrines.

The devil is at work when a believer does not follow Jesus Christ. Most people tell so many lies to cover single lies.

That is the situation in Nigeria today.

The church know the truth and the word of God, but so many refuse to follow the truth. So many have failed to live righteous lives.

The trend now, is to brainwash and cajole people into slavery, through signs, wonders and miracles shown to them.

This replaces the word of God they ought to have been taught. They cajole and brainwash people to part with all they have, through false doctrines.

Trust in God not money, is the right thinking. Wealth and poverty revolve around problems, but in all circumstances trust in God.

Eccelesiates 5 : 10-17

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? 17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

The experiments guided by the creditors have resulted in devastating socio-economic instability in Nigeria. The situation has been made worse by the obsession of today's leaders with the politics of exclusion.

This is glaring at all levels of government. Noticing that the failure in governance is now noticeable, the ''accidental'' leaders have resorted to the creation of an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, to bulldoze themselves back to political offices.

Political office holders ought to quickly realize that failure is collective in politics and should take responsibility for posterity's sake.

Fraud and deception have trailed the activities of a number of administrations at the state level, while several communities have a high concentration of illiteracy, ignorance and poverty.

Indeed, the hidden fact is hinged on the strength of lies and falsehood that are the backbones of governance in the three tiers of government.

Note- Olorunsogo, Molete/Oshodi/Felele communities, among several others in Oyo state, Nigeria, are now hideouts to various categories of criminals, whose lawless behaviors establish the fact that Those-in-Authority provide moral and financial support for their criminal activities. The saying, when the head is rotten, the whole body is also rotten, best describes the situation in many states.

Equity, Justice and Fairness currently remains perpetually in the refuse bins of many offices, just as injustice has occupied space in most states of Nigeria.

Sadly, the activities of those in the Judiciary have further aggravated the worrisome situation, while millions of Nigerians continue their lamentations for those who care to listen to their plight.

Interestingly, those-in-authority who facilitated the pitiful state of justice delivery are now vigorously promoting alternative dispute resolution in the states to disguise their evil deeds.

Indeed, the evil that men have done and shall do now will live with them in their twilight days.

Note-For the credibility, transparency and reliability of the judiciary to be preserved and remain unblemished, responsible and focused career officers ought not to abandon their duty posts for trips into controversy.

Nigerians have called upon the leaders of the Labor Party in Nigeria to decentralize the campaign structure of the party as the 2023 general elections approach to avoid infighting and altercations.

This call was made on Wednesday by the worried and concerned members, supporters and loyalists of the presidential candidate of the Labor Party, moments before the campaign team arrived at the Lekan Salami stadium, Adamasimgba, Ibadan, Nigeria.

''Mr. Peter Obi, his running mate-Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed and other leaders should ensure that the campaign structure of the Labor Party is decentralized and that every Nigerian is carried along in the course of the campaigns across the Federal Republic of Nigeria to avoid infighting, wranglings and altercations; the campaigns should be taken seriously and should be deviod of self-centered thoughts and attitude'', they stated.

In another development, the Ex-Officio of the Oyo state Council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), who is also a former chairman of the party in the state, Comrade Andrew Emelieze expressed great disappointement over the conspicuous absence of the labor leaders in the state at the venue of the campaigns saying, '' the labor party is the party of the Nigerian workers, the party is gradually gaining momentum and becoming popular, but look around at the venue, leaders of the the labor movement are not here, that of the TUC insisted that he was not invited; all hands must be on deck to support the workers choice, I call on the Nigeria Labior Congress and the Trade Union Congress leaders to come out and openly support the Labor Party.''

Posted 1 minute ago by Solomon Adewunmi