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The performance of pupils and students at the elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education in Nigeria, over the years, has become a source of worry and concern for parents, guardians, and other stakeholders in the education sector.
The prevalent mediocre staus that characterize the products of mots of these educational institutions now constitute a major reference point for various categories of discussants.
The Founder, Spiritual head, and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke opines that parents and guardians must put in more effort in grooming their children and wards, spiritually, morally, and educationally.
Prof. Olagoke also asserts that the government at all levels should initiate concrete policies that shall reduce hunger and poverty to the barest minimum while at the same time increasing the annual budgetary allocation for the education sector. Excerpts :
The overbearing influence of hunger and poverty in Nigeria has culminated in the lack of motivation and the attendant loss of commitment towards rendering selfless service is one of the major reasons for the unimpressive performance of pupils and students in both internal and external examinations.
The harsh environment brought about by economic hardships and insecurity is not conducive for learning.
The factors impeding the performance of pupils and students include the overbearing influence of parents and guardians on their children or wards on the choice of course of study. This is without consideration for the intelligence, interests, ability, and capability of these children and wards.
Other impediments include poor study habits, psychological adjustment problems, distraction, low retention, the effect of the wrong peer group, emotional challenges, low achievement motivation, health challenges, lack of financial support, and time management.

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In addition to this, absenteeism and truancy are now adopted as a normal routine for several of these children due to the loss of interest in the academic programs.
For the parents, noticeable fundamental defects are lacking in the area of proper guidance and the provision of basic learning needs including reading materials.
Also, the inadequate interaction with the children and their teachers, family problems, and financial difficulties paint the parents in a bad light.

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For the teachers, the use of verbal reinforcement strategy is absent, punctuality is lacking, poor interpersonal relationships and the authoritarian approach to teaching are impediments. So also is the inequality among students.
Furthermore, the syllabus coverage is not encouraging, absenteeism is the order of the day, poor teaching methods dominate the school system, incessant strikes, and the diminishing interest in the quest to ensure that students understand what they are taught.

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For the school, the large class size with limited teaching materials constitutes major impediments.
Trailing the learning environment which is not conducive, is the shortage of reference materials for the practical courses and the use of audio-visual materials is non-existent.
Above all, there is no proper orientation towards research.
The Government must address the following to ensure that pupils' and students' performances improve :
1)Unstable educational policy.
2)Leadership problems and challenges.
3)Poor supervision and monitoring mechanism.
4)The shortage of specialist teachers in schools-capacity building essence must be regular and directed towards the areas of need.
5)No job security and a consistent report of job losses.
6)Poor salaries for teachers, irregular payment of their salaries, and the lack of incentives to motivate them.
When all these are addressed, pupils and students would be able to perform creditably well in internal and external examinations.

Law Enforcement: The Reactionary Approach                       -Government Workers-A Subject of Debate

Caution has been thrown to the winds and Those-in-Charge in Nigeria today have gone into an external borrowing spree.
Presently, the country's external debt is about N39.56 trillion and at the end of the present administration, it shall be more.
In 50 Bc, Pubilius Syrus opined that debt is the slavery of the free. Syrus further asserted that a debtor is not only in perpetual bondage to his creditors until he returns his debts, but the debtor also breathes the air of insecurity characterized by harassment.

Read-Helplessness in the Face of Dirt           

  -Landlords and Tenants Associations, Crime and Criminality
The activities of the present administration revolve around the above-mentioned, even as the administration continues to cope with the creditors' domination of its affairs.
Several months to the 2023 general elections, the government is yet to achieve a more diversified economy away from the oil sector, public debts are on the increase, the worrisome deterioration of education and health services, the absence of potable water, and erratic supply of electricity, food insecurity is on the rise and worsening transportation system are all the major discussions among Nigerians.

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Of note, is the several billions of Naira, the Federal and State governments(Local Government an appendage) have plowed into infrastructural development with below minimal impact on real development.
Without a doubt, the glaring and embarrassing absence of transparency in governance and the unguarded waste of public funds by officials who enjoy blanket immunity now threaten the gains of development beyond the majority of Nigeria's population in the coming years.

-Law Enforcement: The Reactionary Approach
Interestingly, Sun Tzu in his book, The Art of War, stated, ''Internal spies are enemy officials who we employ''.
To this extent, some of those within the corridors of power who are employees at all levels of government have done more hidden damages that may never be discovered.

-Government Workers-A Subject of Debate

The deterioration of profile that routinely increases hardships for the people and also creates the poorest of the poor economy is avoidable. Even when the government is not forthcoming in the areas of the provision of the basic amenities and infrastructure.

Unpleasant consequences are also avoidable if we can be scripture compliant by heeding the voice of God.

In the Holy Quran 92 : 5–7, the almighty Allah states, ‘’As for the one who is charitable, mindful ˹of Allah, We will facilitate for them the Way of Ease.’’

This is fundamental to the concept of philanthropy and must be imbibed as a culture.

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However, there are due processes to be followed for charity to be methodical without abuse.

In the Holy Quran 2 : 270–271 the due process to follow is structurally emphasized.

‘’(2:270) Allah knows whatever you spend or whatever you vow (to spend). The wrong-doers have none to succour them.310 (2:271) If you dispense your charity publicly, it is well; but if you conceal it and pay it to the needy in secret, it will be even better for you.311 This will atone for several of your misdeeds.312 Allah is well aware of all that you do.’’

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In the same manner, the emphasis on the due process to be followed in dispensing for charity is cavalry stated in the Holy Bible, Matthew 6 : 1–4, ‘’1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.’’

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If charity dispensation is formally organized, it becomes a divine construct which may not allow any form of abuse.

It is applicable to all spheres of life, starting from the home front to the community servcie arena and the society at large. It is, therefore, important to train ourselves on how best to say No to miserly lifestyles.

There is a saying, Charity begins at home, while the society stands to benefit from the concept of give and take, care and share.

-Law Enforcement: The Reactionary Approach

The Holy Quran 92 : 8–13 refers, ‘’But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient and gives the lie to the best , we will indeed make smooth for him the path to Misery Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong into the Pit. Verily we take upon us to guide and verily onto us belongs the End and the beginning.

Be rightly guided by philanthropy rather than been miserly.

-Government Workers-A Subject of Debate

The Legislature at all levels of government have from time immemorial depended on the executive for their survival. To this extent, the lawmakers are always exposed to the arm-twisting tactics of Those-in-Charge.

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Several instances abound wherein the committees on public accounts and other committees discover irregularities in the budget preparation and implementation of a sizable number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDA)in the course of carrying out their oversight functions.

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The committees usually send out notice of invitations to the Ministers and other heads of the MDAs, sadly, such invitations were ignored without consequences.

Indeed, all those in this dispensation are witnesses to the promotion of impunity and double standards, even as the suggestion is that Those-in-Charge are now preoccupied with preparations for life after governance.

-Landlords and Tenants Associations, Crime and Criminality

The suffocating security situation across Nigeria and the priorities of certain heads of law enforcement agencies including focusing on the mode of dressing of their personnel has not brought reprieve in any way.

Security lapses in several states have been recorded with a wave of the hands, even though lives were lost. The fact that concrete efforts are yet to be made to address the worrisome situation, puts the blame at the doorstep of the Powers of today.

Criminals now perpetrate various forms of crime-heinous and grievous- without the expected consequences. The followers are also an integral part of the hydra like problems.

-Law Enforcement: The Reactionary Approach

Unfortunately, personalities who ought be role models to all and sundry have continuously and repeatedly identified with the non-state actors responsible for the insecurity all over the country. However, the people are already making the above mentioned a major reference point.

Nigerians across the six geo-political zones are now patiently waiting for the general elections in 2023 to vote out all those who have been labelled the Powers of today at all levels of government and are behind the sorrows, evil, pains, anguish and lamentations in the land.

The failure of a government involves all who are in the government. It is a collective failure. In addition, aspirations to political offices ought to revolve around integrity, performance and accountability rather than blind loyalty and sycophancy.

-Government Workers-A Subject of Debate

From all possible indicators, the Government is either already helpless or deliberately playing out a well written script, as the pump price of the Petroleum Motor Spirit(PMS) gradually soars above the reach of disillusioned and impoverished Nigerians.

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Interestingly, a bottle of Kerosene now sells for 300.00 Naira and the attitude and performances of Government at the State and Local Government levels, have not in any way ameliorated the almost hopeless situation.

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It is very sad to come to terms with the fact that the 30, 000 Naira national minimum wage is nothing compared with the suffering occasioned by the Government facilitated economic hardships Nigerians are passing through.

Indeed, a number of states take their workers for granted by ensuring prompt payment of salaries even though the national minimum wage is not yet in existence in the affected states.

The Kano state Government is tinkering with the idea of reverting the workers' salaries to 18,000 Naira. This is a bad omen for Nigerians just as the Government at all levels are in their sunset period, putting finishing touches to governance.

-Landlords and Tenants Associations, Crime and Criminality

However, the explanations by an unspecified number of civil and public servants on the whereabouts of unaccounted funds shall go a long way in making the government at all levels convincingly accountable to the people.

-Law Enforcement: The Reactionary Approach                                                                             -Government Workers-A Subject Debate                                  

In Nigeria, the Government at all levels are now rounding up their activities in preparation for the end of this dispensation. Based on this premise, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Isalm Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke opines that the people’s representatives have not been above board in their performances. Excerpts : 

Governance is better articulated through the system of justice and equity concept, where all forms of discrimination and marginalization would be absent for it to be productive for enhanced prosperity.

Nigeria needs to provide a leadership that is credible and visionary.

Nigeria cannot be said to have those who represent them in government , who have been transparent and selfless to the extent of reducing hunger, diseases and poverty that is prevalent everywhere.

Read-Helplessness in the Face of Dirt

The representatives have done little or nothing to address the worrisome absence of basic amenities, food insecurity, shortage of houses for the people among several other inadequacies.

The failure of governance at all levels in Nigeria has manifested in the declining capacity of political leaders and representatives of the people to recognize the systemic risks such as inherent and embedded in the following anti -societal acts and practices viz electoral malpractices, terrorism, armed robbery, kidnappings for ransom and ritual, ritual killings and police brutality.

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It is unfortunate to note that Nigeria lacks a system of government in which leadership is based on capability that is competence, good work attitude, timely response to the yearnings of the people, meritocracy and the promotion of excellence.

-Landlords and Tenants Associations, Crime and Criminality

Rather than the above mentioned, governance in Nigeria has been overwhelmed by individuals who attain power through nepotism rather than competence as evident in the following anti-social practices : Influencing voters with food rather than vision, the consolidation of power through intimidation or the imposition of candidates who are unknown to the people.

-Law Enforcement: The Reactionary Approach                -Government Workers-A Subject of Debate       

Forever in our hearts. Mrs. V.A Ande-Wife J. Ande-Daughter

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28 You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.

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         -Landlords and Tenants Associations, Crime and Criminality

         -Law Enforcement: The Reactionary Approach

         -Government Workers-A Subject of Debate

When the Government at all levels promotes the financial inclusion of women several communities in Africa benefit immensely.

This assertion was made by the Minister for Financial Inclusion and the Informal Sector in Togo, Mazamesso Assih.

“In theory, African women can start a business. But in practice, they are not as well equipped to develop and secure their businesses over the long term,”

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“Financial literacy is not a magic bullet for economic growth, it must go hand in hand with a robust financial system and an effective regulatory environment,” Assih stated.

-Law Enforcement: The Reactionary Approach                          -Government Workers-A Subject of Debate

Nigerian National Pleads Guilty To Participating In Scheme To Conduct Cyber Intrusions To Steal Payroll Deposits

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CHARLES ONUS pled guilty to computer fraud in connection with a scheme to conduct cyber intrusions in order to steal payroll deposits from multiple user accounts maintained by a company that provides human resources and payroll services to employers across the United States. ONUS was previously arrested on April 14, 2021 in San Francisco while traveling to the United States from Nigeria and has been detained since his arrest. ONUS pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.

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U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Charles Onus admitted to participating in a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of hard-earned dollars from workers across the United States by hacking into a payroll company’s system and diverting payroll deposits to prepaid debit cards he controlled. Our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to zealously arrest and prosecute those who seek to commit cybercrimes targeting Americans from behind a keyboard abroad.”

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According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court:

From at least in or about July 2017 through at least in or about 2018, ONUS participated in a scheme to conduct cyber intrusions of multiple user accounts maintained by a company that provides human resources and payroll services to employers across the United States (the “Company”), in order to steal payroll deposits processed by the Company.

-Law Enforcement: The Reactionary Approach

During the course of the scheme, unauthorized access was obtained to over 5,500 Company user accounts through a cyber intrusion technique referred to as “credential stuffing.” During a credential stuffing attack, a cyber threat actor collects stolen credentials, or username and password pairs, obtained from other large-scale data breaches of other companies. The threat actor then systematically attempts to use those stolen credentials to obtain unauthorized access to accounts held by the same user with other companies and providers, to compromise accounts where the user has maintained the same password.

After a Company user account was compromised, the bank account information designated by the user of the account was changed so that ONUS would receive the user’s payroll to a prepaid debit card that was under ONUS’s control.

From at least in or about July 2017 through at least in or about 2018, at least approximately 5,500 Company user accounts were compromised and more than approximately $800,000 in payroll funds were fraudulently diverted to prepaid debit cards, including those under the control of ONUS. The compromised Company user accounts were associated with employers whose payroll was processed by the Company, including employers located in the Southern District of New York.

-Government Workers-A Subject of Debate

ONUS was arrested on April 14, 2021 at San Francisco International Airport after arriving on a flight from Abuja, Nigeria. According to statements ONUS made to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the airport, ONUS was traveling to the United States for a two-week vacation in Las Vegas.

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ONUS, 34, a resident and national of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pled guilty to one count of computer fraud for unauthorized access to a protected computer to further intended fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

ONUS is scheduled be sentenced on May 12, 2022, by Judge Gardephe.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and IRS-CI. Mr. Williams also thanked the New York City Police Department, the FBI New York Cyber Task Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the FBI Field Office in San Francisco for their assistance in the investigation of this case.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Sagar K. Ravi is in charge of the prosecution.

Source-FBI