Blog

Q1 1

The Essence of Peace

 

Q 6Q 7Q 8

61 And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”61 And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”

Q 5

A Section of the Media Beautify Govt's Failures-Prof. Olagoke

PoThe Print, Television and other branches of the mass media ought to at all times uphold the fundamental objectives of the real purpose of governance in impartial and unbiased ways. 
Sadly, a number of organizations have failed to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people for pecuniary and related reasons. In this interview with Federationews2day, the Founder, Spiritual Head, and Grand Imam of Shfaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke opines that a section of the media in Nigeria beautify rather than highlighting the Government's shortcomings.

Excerpts: 
Some media organizations have overtime failed to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people. Why is this so?
The golden profession of the pen and other arms of the mass media are powerful communication tools to enliven the primary roles of enhancing education information and entertainment aspects of human activities for the purpose of peaceful co-existence and peoples' wellness and development.
This is why there is a regulatory control board for the proper management of the practice of the profession to avoid misleading the people and the promotion of disaffection among the people of mankind.
Without this profession, the whole world would have been in 'darkness', where waywardness and frivolities without a check would have dominated the scene to the displeasure and disadvantage of the weak and the just.  In the case of Nigeria, we started well with the print and electronic media.  Considering the emerging political scenario, partisanship has dominated the mass media, with reports having slants via tribal sentiments and political party biases.
This became more pronounced when privately owned mass media became prominent.
At a particular point in time, Nigeria relied upon foreign news than the local ones.
The local media have challenges such as the doctoring need either by government or the proprietors of various mass media otherwise employees would lose their jobs.
The role of the mass media is supposed to go beyond that of a watchdog that can only bark without biting.
However, Nigeria is yet to benefit from their competitive nature for any form of improvement need.
For the mass media to be effective, it needs to dwell on issues and objectivity based on facts and figures for their solidarity to check the opposition's overzealousness and critically evaluate the government's activities.
The performance rating and the need to restructure through management ethics need to be used as a tool by the mass media in order that their findings as x-rayed, would sensitize the society into taking decisive action on correcting aberrations in governance for all indicators of development to be improved.
Activities of the media are expected to x-ray the contributions of every individual in the National Assembly while periodical checks through a good performance rating of the executive members as well as the appointees of government into various positions of power.
Publications regarding the truth about the suitability of people in Ministerial portfolios ought to let the public know the people who are responsible for the various fraud and corruption in the land. This approach of the media would assist the government to carry out a periodical reshuffle of the cabinet for the purpose of achieving better performances in other people for the nation.
It is very unfortunate that Nigeria has witnessed cases of erstwhile good union leaders who were found wanting in governance affairs when challenged with management administration issues as they involve transparency and accountability. Also, erstwhile media practitioners of note have usually been found wanting, when given the opportunity to serve the government. One can now understand why the mass media may usually beautify government activities rather than exposing its failures.
However, for the nation to grow and develop, the mass media must be firm through organizational and professional ethics orientation as well as strong editorials and commentaries that must be respected based on objectivity that would not attract insinuations from members of the public that the outbursts were sponsored by the enemies of the government.
Society relies solely on the strength of the mass media in the charging government to be responsive and responsible through the due process of transparency and accountability.


 

Q 4

The People and Their Leaders

Q 2Q 3Q3 1

 

 

Psalm 8: 3-4

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Ni 14

Nigerians Protest Police Extra Judicial Killings

Ni 11Ni 12Ni 13Nig 8

Nigerians have continued to protest against police extra judicial kllings, violent crimes, hunger, poverty, armed robbery, cultism, ritual killings, kidnappings, the activities of ''Yahoo Yahoo'' Boys(fraudsters), deceit by political office holders among others.  Will  Government respond convincingly  to the protests of Nigerians ? Nobody knows.

News

Teachers Day-Put God First in all you Do-Pastor Akande

Teachers in Nigeria have been admonished to always put God first in all their activities.
This admonition was given by a former All Nigeria Confederation of  Principals of Secondary Schools(ANCOPPS) in Oyo state, Pastor Abraham Akande in his address on Monday during the celebration of the World Teachers Day with the theme, ''Teachers:  Leading in Crisis, Re-imagining the Future''.
''Let us as much as possible in everything we do, put God first, in our careers, assignments, and all that we do. If you put God first, He would always touch your lives and teach you what to .
Do not relent in improving yourselves so that you can produce quality learners who shall be leaders of tomorrow'', Pastor Akande concluded.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the state wing of the  Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Tojuade Adedoyin had appealed to the State Government to provide and ensure the even distribution of instructional materials to schools in the state, saying '' there is a noticeable increase in learners' enrollment due to the re-introduction free education in Oyo state. Hence, schools' infrastructure needs to be adequately provided for to compliment the available furniture that has been overstretched. Equally, Primary schools should be adequately catered for'', Comrade Adedoyin stated.
The Chairman of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ)Comrade Ademola Babalola gave the closing prayer at the event.

Ni 8

Nigeria's Independence in 1960

Ni 9The Federation of Nigeria came into being in 1954 and in the same year, the Federal Government of Nigeria was introduced, this was a year after, Chief Anthony Enahoro moved a motion for independence in 1953.

The Nigerian leaders then, had to travel to Great Britain for a conference, which deliberated on matters pertaining to Independence, in 1957, on their return, self-Government, commenced in the Eastern and Western regions.

The following year, 1958, a second conference came up in Great Britain, which laid the foundation for independence, while federal elections were conducted in December 1959 and the late Sir Abubabakar Tafawa Balewa emerged the Prime Minister of the Federation of Nigeria.

 The Northern region  of Nigeria also became self-governing in the same year.

Nigeria became an independent nation on 1st October, 1960, after the joint houses of Legislature unanimously passed the motion  for independence and Sir James Robertson emerged as the first Governor-General of independent Nigeria. On November 16, 1960, Dr. Nanmdi Azizkiwe   was appointed the first Nigerian Governor General of the Federation  of Nigeria.

Before this time, on 1st October, 1960, the Queen of England was represented by Prince Alexandra at the independent day celebrations.

Princess Alexandra unfolded the Nigerian flag of Green, White and Green which replaced the Union Jack of Great Britain.

Between 1st October, 1960 and 1st October, 1963, Nigeria's allegiance was to the  Queen of England. The Governor  General represented the Queen in Nigeria.

On October 1, 1963, Nigeria became a Republic and as a result no longer had constitutional connection with Great Britain. The Supreme Court in Nigeria  now became the highest court to which litigation of all sorts were channeled to.

Today, the loans and bonds by Government at all levels, which run into Trillions of Naira, perhaps, has compromised the sovereignty of the nation.

 

 

 

 

Cs

National Interest and Sectional Aspirations

The proponents of state police argue that it would ensure that the states maintain law and order, while at the same time making possible justice and equity.

However, the proponents are silent over the poor handling of  various security related issues in several states of the federation, while looking the other way when it comes to the activities of self determination groups.

Of worry, is the heavy presence of strangers in most communities of the federation, these set of people do not have visible means of livelihood. Those in charge are aware of the unimpeded reign of crime, criminality and impunity in communities such as Moulsi, Solanke, Olorunsog, Molete, Oshodi, Scout camp, Aluko/Barracks in Felele, Ibadan, Oyo state among others.

 Indeed, scheming and evil machinations of political office holders, who have the people's mandate has brought about the inability to secure lives and property to put an end to violent crimes across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Sadly, some state Governors have continuously manipulated the centralized policing system to their advantage.

Intimidation and harassment of political opponents and citizens who hold contrary views are common place in most states.

With reference to the above mentioned and happenings across the country, it is very dangerous to establish state police during this period of insecurity, economic hardships and agitations by groups for self determination. 

The clamor for state police revolves, perhaps, on self interests and sectional aspirations, going by events in a number of states. Of worry, is the docility of political office holders and the people's representatives at all levels in the face of rising crime and criminality everywhere.

Indeed, most of these crimes are committed with the aid of motorcycles distributed by politically exposed persons as empowerment for the youth. 

Ni 7

Increase in the Number of Illiterates a Threat-Prof. Olagoke

ProfIlliteracy is a major impediment to development in Nigeria. Sadly, over the years, the percentage of illiterates in the country has been on a steady increase due to the strange attitude of the government towards education.
Indeed, the government has to ensure the provision of compulsory and universal primary, secondary, and university education including adult literacy programs. However, successive administrations in Nigeria have failed in this respect.
In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head, and Gran Imam of Shafuadeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke opines that the steady increase in the number of illiterates is a threat to society. Excerpts :
 
How do you think the Government can stem the increase in the number of illiterates in the country?
Illiteracy is a relative term with respect to the types of education which an individual does not have access to. For example, one's inability to read through the Arabic language to be able to practice the Islamic religion could be regarded as a state of been illiterate in this respect, while the lettered ones could be regarded as literate.
In Nigeria, we have adopted the English language as our lingua franca and as a tool through which western education is taught, assimilated, and practiced.  Certification follows in the area of the cognitive domain of education to be rated as been scholarly in society. Based on this, Nigeria can be rated as been literate or illiterate.
Education, generally, is expected to build human character as well as reforming the animal called man. Our attitude and capacity level to handle issues within the scope of our areas of jurisdiction and specialization determines the types of certificates an individual receives, the work level one can effectively cope with, and the expected contribution from one on the issue of community service and national development. In 2010, Nigeria recorded 10.5 million out-of-school children and it increased to 12.5 million in 2015 and 13.9 million in 2018.
The various situations of banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes increased the figure to about 15 million, for the following reasons which are yet to be addressed. Underfunignof education which has always been usually below 10 percent of the annual national budget as against the minimum benchmark of 26 percent of the national budget as rational allocation to education per nation.  The refusal of the Almajiri system of Arabic education which has been made for long to be hostile to the acquisition of western education is another factor that is contributing immensely to the increasing number of illiterates. The predicament of the Internally Displaced Persons(IDP) is also a factor.
Schooling for education looks very much a waste of time to people who are already hopeless with nobody, Fathers, or Mothers including Governments that have no provisions for them.
The inability to read and write creates an environment of ignorance with a consequent barbaric attitude towards societal development. Such people will lack the necessary capacity to contribute and the much-needed understanding to be friendly to the society.
With the number of illiterates on the increase in society, there is a high possibility of building a culture of threats to the society whereby safety and security would be sacrificed for the polity to be heated into a chaotic situation which presently characterizes the practice of democracy.
There is the case of educated illiterates, who though can read and write, cannot perform when given assignments or tasks because they lack the ability to comprehend and process information. 
Such people are graduates who lack the ambassadorial qualities of their alma mater vis-a-vis positive self-image, confidence, self-esteem, and the positive mental attitude to do things the right way.
The situation on the ground in Nigeria is so bad, that informal education from the home cannot impart the basic necessary native intelligence. The spiritual education from the houses of God cannot produce worthy, reliable, and dependable graduates, whose activities are expected to promote sanity in their places of work.  A number of graduates of education inflict injuries on the people, disrupt the system, and see their positions as an avenue for self-enrichment rather than sacrifice. The only solution today is to overhaul the whole process of our educational management of the people by reforming their attitude to suit the target of development and friendly interactions.
Education, therefore, must culturally be regarded as fundamental to human needs and development as a luxury, but as an inalienable right of every child as established by UNICEF.
Education must be processed to nurture the nature of our youths towards leadership essence by practical training that would compel them to be conscious of the huge assignments before them, in the preservation of the heritage of our heroes and heroines and the determination to write their names in the sands of time and in gold, on the issues of peace and sustainable development.
When the foundation of education is made to be strong enough in terms of functionality, the issue of illiteracy must be squarely addressed by ensuring that no child is out on the streets begging for alms or hawking petty things, so also adult education , must be well funded and established to be able to meet up with the United Nations Declaration on Education for All.
If Nigeria is able to have a breakthrough in respecting the international instruments to be domesticated in realizing functional and all-encompassing education, there is a high probability for us to realize maximum achievement in the area of the 17 point agenda of sustainable development goals.
Education is not a luxury, but a right that must be given adequate attention by the government, international donors, and philanthropists in the land to eradicate in all its entirety illiteracy amidst us.

C 1

Good Intentions and Governance

Corruption, forgery and other fraudulent acts have become ways of life among the old and young alike in Nigeria today.

Even though there constitutional provisions to check the criminal acts, such provisions are very weak to make any noticeable impact, as events in the country suggest.

Sadly, the establishments saddled with the responsibilities of addressing the criminal acts which received adequate operational inputs and official backing have been successful in carrying out their assignments teleguided and with slants.

Of worry, is the large number of political appointees and elected office holders certificates' which have no verified evidence of attendance and completion of prescribed courses of study justifying the award of same.

Interestingly, presently, merit is perhaps, not one of the factors determining the employments and appointments into the deteriorated system in Nigeria.

The extent to which the unified structure of government bank accounts has been able to plug leakage and eradicate corruption is known only to those in government.

Sadly, reported incidents of corruption are on the increase, while the fight against corruption seem to have been toned down.

The controversial actions of those presently in the saddle of governance has, without doubt negatively affected their good intentions, which seem to now be in the realm of wishful thinking, considering the overbearing nature of self-centered interests in the land.

C

Economic Realities-Nigerians should Trust in God-Pastor Ajayi

Nigerians have been called upon to trust and put their hopes in  God for the solution to people's unfriendly policies of the present administration in the country.

This call was made by Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi in a chat with Federationews2day.

''Nigerians should put their trust in God for the solution to the increase in electricity tariffs and the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS). Nigerians should hope in God. The increase is a bad omen for Nigeria. Everybody should look up to God for divine intervention in the present precarious situation. The government should ease the heavy burden it has placed on the people. Cost of living is now extraordinarily high'',  Pastor Ajayi noted.