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Nigerians have been advised to identify criminals in their communities as a crucial step towards addressing the unending insecurity in the land.

This advice was given on Thursday by the chairman of the Oyo state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji in a chat at the union's state secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

''The spate of insecurity in different parts of the country is alarming. We have to go back to the drawing board. That is why we have to appeal to the parents forum to rejig the security apparatus in our various communities. Schools are located within communities. Let us identify those who constitute a nuisance within the community. Let us also be our brother's keeper,'' Comrade Oladimeji stated.

The chairman vowed to pursue the advancement of the welfare of union members to a logical conclusion, saying, ''believe in your leaders, our constant discussion and engagement with the Government is yielding results, the issue of leave bonuses has been resolved, other issues shall be resolved.''

He commended the state government for reinstating 120 primary school teachers who were previously laid off, adding,'', to us a responsible body, it is a welcome decision, it is a good development.''

Generally, access to a safe drinking water facility is recognized as a basic human need and a pre-
condition for economic and social development. Water is fundamental not only for survival but
Also, safe drinking water carries significant health benefits. In Oyo State, efforts to improve drinking water facilities have been insufficient and off track.  
Lack of proper drinking water, ingestion of unsafe water and inadequate availability of water for
Hygiene has exposed many people in Oyo State to various waterborne diseases due to inability
of the state government to provide proper water treatment. Taking cognizance of the huge
amount of state money expended on water projects, the quality of a few liters of water (if there is
any) from water points in Oyo State is not reliably safe for direct human consumption.
The water pipe projects have failed in Oyo State. The projects are just subterfuge and avenues of
siphoning the meager funds of the state.  The majority, if not all, water pipe points are not easy.
accessible or repairable, this is upsetting and a devastating blow to the so-called Oyo State Water.
Corporation. The impact of various water supply programmes is limited as many systems
break down or are abandoned prematurely due to lack of detailed problem analysis and unclear
or unrealistic project objectives. Also, Oyo state is in a catastrophic situation, with hundreds of
rural water points not functioning and a huge US $ million of World Bank water project
investment wasted due to poor programming and careless implementation.
Since water is one of the basic human necessities, there are great strides for the provision of safe
Drinking water needs to be at, most especially at the bottom of the pyramid. Also sustainable
for pipe water systems which are easily accessible or repairable should be provided for the villages.
To help improve public health, livelihood conditions and save lives, improving people's access to
Safe drinking water is the only answer.
Dr. Raymond Adegboyega is the Governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement(NRM) in Oyo state

The lapses in the government over several years at all levels have emboldened cultists and other categories of criminals to persist in their stock-in-trade in several communities in Oyo state. The covert support by the political class across party lines has not helped matters. Residents have for long been having sleepless nights, while those-in-power are still reluctant to take decisive steps to put an end to lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality and evil. Dr. Raymond Adegboyega an indigene of Ile-Oluwo, Odo-Osun, Ibadan, holds a doctorate degree in Finance and is the Governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement(NRM) in the state.

In this interview, the finance analyst and lecturer opines that cultism is new in the state and, as a result of certain factors, it persists. Excerpts :

The activities of cultists and other categories of criminals have continued unabated in several communities in Oyo state. The State House of Assembly has not helped matters by not coming up with legislation to outlaw evil. What do you think is the way out?

In the first instance, cultism is new in Oyo state, which we have had over the years revolving around youth violence and exuberance. The issue of cultism is new in this state. Several factors are responsible for this. Firstly, we have politicized everything in Oyo state. Secondly, rural/ urban drift has made people who are in the rural areas migrate to Oyo state. They have moved due to the lack of basic infrastructure in the rural areas. There is also the issue of non-indigenes from other states in Oyo state, especially from Lagos. We have been advising the state government for several years, but successive governments refused to listen. If the government made agriculture a priority, then a major part of the problem would be solved. This would preoccupy a majority of the restive youth population. The government should also create a very conducive environment for the young people because most of them are now okada riders. The touts everywhere are useful to society. All the government at all levels have to do is to rehabilitate them. The Ministries, Departments and Agencies also have to be restructured for efficiency. All efforts should be focused on resuscitating the economy of the state to guarantee prosperity.

Revitalize the culture of integrity; promote functional education and ethical professional practices.

Let all active players in the scheme of community service and national building realize that the houses of God agree with the culture and the educational institutions in this respect.

Let us equally realize that each citizen in the community and the nation has his/her Faith where he/she practices his/her religion.

It is, therefore, imperative to use the teaching effect of Culture, Education and Religion to promote peace for ease of promoting an Inclusive society in the area of functional democracy for justice, equity and Sustainable Development to naturally promote peace and harmony which all religious goals stand for, through the chosen houses of God.

The development of Nigeria's economy has regrettably suffered devastating setbacks due to illiteracy, mediocrity, corruption and compromised government institutions.

Since the setbacks are systemic, all attempts to turning to the positive side of development have failed, while trial and error is now the acceptable approach.

Sadly, Those-in-Power are presently counting the number of days to handover while the economy continues to deteriorate.

In several states of the federation, economic activities have declined drastically, this has compiled Nigerians to seek alternative means of income.

These means are criminal in nature. Interestingly, unfolding events suggest that terrorism, ritual killings, banditry, kidnappings and other violent crimes have become sources of livelihood not only for those outside government service, but for those in service.

The situation is not abating, and the criminals are not relenting, even as tears, sorrows and blood characterize living in different parts of the country.

Those-in-Power ought to salvage the almost helpless situation, but for their confused state of mind.

Members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions(NASU) have been called upon to be security conscious and report suspicious activities promptly.

This call was made by the chairman of the union in the University College Hospital(UCH)branch Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Abiona. ''Information is key to all we do.  We must be our brother's keeper. I call on all NASU members and Nigerians to be security conscious and report all suspicious activities around them in good time. We always sensitize and educate our members on basic security measures, Comrade Abiona disclosed. He appealed to the hospital's management and government to speedily facilitate the implementation of all that is due to the workers.''

''Many of the negotiated terms of contracts should be respected. The issue of promotion letters should also be resolved. Our members who have been promoted are yet to receive their promotion letters. And the is also the issue of promotion arrears for 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Another major issue is the lack of working tools for our members. Most of these tools are purchased personally by the workers. They personally purchase their raincoats, torch-lights, cutlasses among others. Of worry is that our members go for self development programs, in the absence of interventions by the management'', Comrade Abiona concluded.

The chairman  fiurther stated that the union  was fully prepared for  the outbreak of the monkeypox and other diseases, stressing that it successfully made provisions for members during the COVID 19 pandemic.

No religion teaches evil(Q6 vs. 108, Q22 vs. 67). Let us stop religious discrimination, while at the same time keeping and respecting all the houses of God.

This can be achieved by maintaining the sacredness of the houses of God. Also, adherents must follow the path of righteousness for a god state of piety.

Adherents must all shun all forms of iniquities, so as not to convert the houses of God into houses of profanity.

All of us must, therefore, realize our status as stakeholders-religious leaders and adherents-to be able to foster peace in the land.

Let our thoughts, acts and deeds including body languages stand on our determination to correct aberration through peaceful process(Q47 vs. 35).

Be not fainthearted, crying for peace, when ye are the uppermost for Allah is with you and will never put you in loss for your god deeds.

To put off evil, put on God's Armor

1 Peter 5 : 6-14

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Nigerians are left with no other option but to massively protest against the refusal of the Federal Government to meet up with the demands of the striking university lecturers

Workers in Nigeria have continuously lamented their poor conditions of service and poor welfare. In this interview, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP), Oyo state council, Comrade Oladayo Olabampe insists that his union has similar challenges. Excerpts :

How has been in journey so far, as regards addressing issues of leadership in your union?

God has being helping us. And members of the union have been cooperative with the help of God we have had a smooth journey. Although it has not been easy, we have tried our bets. God has helped us in most of the issues while we are still discussing some others, the Government is giving attention to a number of the issues and some are still undergoing some struggle.

What are the highlights of your achievements?

The major achievements start with the fact that we have a listening Governor, and we also interact with organs of the Government. When we have issues they listen to us, when we have some issues the state Government listens to us. Committees have sat and the outcome of their sittings are recommendations awaiting favorable implementations. There is the issue of teaching allowances, for years my members have been denied teaching allowances. These allowances are given to staff who are not employed to teach, but find themselves teaching. To teaching allowances are given to them as compensation. For some time now the Government has denied them the teaching allowances. In addition, the Government shall implement the CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure)salary scale for health professionals, this is the equivalent used for physicists, CONMESS(. We have made a case for the consequential adjustment of CONHESS(Consolidated Health Salary Structure for our members. This has also received attention, and it is awaiting implementation. When we mounted the saddle we commenced the compilation of data of health professionals who are gainfully employed. The result is the acute shortage of health professionals. Although the Government has employed some health professionals, there is an improvement, we are still expecting more.

What about the challenges confronting your union? Our challenges are not different from other unions.

Our number one challenge is that the Government always complains of lack of funds. We have made a strong case for our members regarding welfare. A major challenge is the mass exodus of our members to foreign countries to seek greener pastures. The exodus has created a lot of vacancies at both the State, Federal and Local Governments. The rate of exodus is not in tandem with the rate of recruitment. This has resulted in the shortage of health professional in the health sector. The brain drain has also not helped matters. However, we want our members to practice in their fatherland, but we hope the Government at all levels shall create an enabling environment.