Blog

 Tuesday 19th May 

We are supposed to be by now better in understanding of the scripture for self realization. It is in clear terms, we should all be able to attest that sins always bring about the wrath of God. And that the best for the atonement of sins is in our determination to go and live by the culture of soul purification to refrain from evil thoughts, occultism and abuse of terrestrial and subterranean power.

 Furthermore, we need to go into body preservation from sins and crimes to sanctify the body by refraining from indulging in illicit ecente, such as fornication, adultery, bestial acts, incest, drug abuse, human trafficking and the sponsorship of clandestine gangs.

These are preconditions to live exemplary lifestyles which can satisfy the conditions for the use of the houses of God, to seek God’s favor and for ease of beneficially impacting on the society for peace and development. Let us emulate Jesus Christ and the Holy Prophet Mohammed on this. Ramadan Kareem.

Wednesday, 20th May 

Let us realize that this is a period of harvesting the fruits of the planted trees in the month of Ramadan which marks the significance of Iti’Kaf or spiritual retreat an an esoteric research into identifying the very day to meet with God during the glorious night of power, Laelaetul Quadri, for a successful exercise of this, we must totally and committedly refrain from sins and crimes as well as all forms of evil deeds. This is because according to the Bible-James 13 : 15 ‘’ When a person is been tempted, he should not say, God is tempting me, evil cannot tempt God and God himself does not tempt any person. It is the evil things a person wants that tempts that person. His own evil desire leads him away and holds him. This desire causes sins, then the sins grows and bring death’’. This should be taken as a statement of truth that is fundamental to every human life. Holiness for Allah brings about an ease of complying with the concept of the fear of God, which is the import of the whole Ramadan fasting exercise. Let us live a modest life. Ramadan Kareem.

Thursday, 21st May

This year’s Ramadan admonishes for human consistency in goodness. This demands that we must realize that there must be limit to which we van continue to indulge in sinful acts.

The Holy Quaran 4 : 137 refers ‘’ Those who believe reject faith and go ion increasing in unbelief. All will neither forgive them nor guide them on the way’’. This is because in another verse of this chapter states clearly, ‘’Allah accept the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards, to them Allah turn in mercy for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom’’. 

The scripture continues to emphasize on consistency in goodness in the follow up of this verse of the Holy Quaran, where unmistakable affirmation is made.

 Quaran 4 : 18 sates ‘’of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil, until death faces one of them, and he says’’ now have I repented indeed’’, nor of those who die rejecting Faith ; for them have we prepared chastisement most grievous. Let us use this to rebuild our character into discipline and morality to Path find the lost glorious value of integrity’’. Ramadan Kareem.

Friday, 22nd May

The essence of the content of Ramadan is to ensure that we are less passionate about the world of materialism, but to build self and community with high level of spiritual state of piety based on holiness for God. Like in the electromotive force for system energisation or latent heat of energy increases human immunity against life hazards.

This is the essence of religion in every society.

Unfortunately, where sufficient heat is not supplied, we can’t realize the latent heat of energy; hence water would remain liquid without going into vapor or remain solid without going into liquid form.

The inability of our faith based house of God to be scripture compliant in teaching and learning makes the adherents and the society to remain morally decayed because Jesus Christ said that man shall not live by bread alone. People’s lives depends on what God has in stock for them. This is why the Holy Quaran 91 : 7–10 says ‘’ by the soul and proportion and order given to it and its inspiration as to its wrong and its right, truly he succeeds that purify it and he fails that corrupts it’’. Let us be spiritually rejuvenated to goodness. Ramadan Mubarak.

Saturday, 23rd May

After Ramadan what are the expectations to justify the rigors of the exercise, I have the joy to declare the death of the coronavirus pandemic, most especially in Nigeria. Much as we appreciate government’s efforts in stopping curtailing the spread, religious people must be joyous enough that divine intervention has justified our claim that the solution rests with God, the houses of God are expected to be open for use, but with caution against waywardness and frivolities because we are expected to be scripture compliant and refrain from evil deeds, thoughts, words and acts, with clear mind full of love for our fellow human being. The sanctity and sacredness of the Churches and Mosques are germane, not to further attract the wrath and anger of God.

The Holy Quaran 10 : 21 admonished all on this ‘’when we make mankind taste on some mercy, after adversity has touched them, behold they take to plotting against Our signs say : ‘’swifter to plan is Allah verily, Our messengers record all the plots that he make’’.

While going out of the training sessions offered by Ramadan please reflect on this practically : ‘’come, I will rehearse what Allah has really prohibited you from’’; Join not anything with him : be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want; and-will provide sustenance for you and them;-come not nigh to indecent deeds, whether open or secret; take not life which Allah has made sacred except by way of justice and the law : thus doth he command you, that you may learn wisdom and come not nigh to orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; give measure and wait with full justice ;- no burden do we place on any soul but that which it can bear;-whenever you speak, speak justly even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfill the covenant of Allah : thus doth he command you that he may remember’’.

This is a standard form of exemplary lifestyle. Ramadan Mubarak.

Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria

Thursday 14th May 2020

The Ramadan agenda on I’’Itikaf or spiritual retreat into the mosque generally when Jumat services are observed is equally a very good point of study for human rumination. Three things are expected to happen while spending the last 10 days in and around the premises of the mosque.

Pondering over sermons and reading to a comprehension level the verses of the Holy Quaran for ease of application to the real life situation and for necessary attitudinal adjustment.

This is reminiscent of the power therein contained in the sermon as explained in narrative in the Quaran 10 : 57. ‘’ O mankind there art come to you an admonition from your Lord, and a healing for the diseases in your hearts, and for those who believe in Guidance and Mercy’’.

While observing this at home, because of the lock down, let us all strive to get spiritually elevated to the height of this Quaranic verse. Ramadan Kareem.

Friday 15th May

 The injunctions God on the sacredness of Friday can equally be observed at your home before and after the afternoon Solat-Zhuur.

The consciousness of the the heart and mind while the period of Jumat is approaching is equally a process of achieving the fear of God. It is equally with Godly reward-studying the Quaran needs to preoccupy one before observing the afternoon Solat and after it, one is allowed to venture into serious supplications for God’s intervention. The gains of the reward of observing Jumat service , virtually, through the mind and basically by the four Rakats of Zhuur will make one achieve the first fundamentals of sermon which would have been enjoyed by Khutbat of the Jumat service, if there had not been a lock down. All these are implied as embedded in the verses of the Holy Quaran on the significance of the Jumat service. Quaran 62 : 9–10, states ‘’ O ye who believe ! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday, the day of assembly hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business and traffic that is best for you, but if ye but knew ! And when the prayer is finished then may ye disperse through the land and seek for the bounty of Allah-and remember All frequently that you may prosper’’.

It is imperative for any human being not to be carried away by the distractions of the situation, most especially when it comes to matters concerning our relationships and duties with and towards God.

May the almighty Allah continue to protect us from the harshness of the COVID 19 pandemic. Ramadan Kareem

Saturday 16th May

Let us remember that religion is a school of life for socio-spiritual rejuvenation of the adherents to have tranquility of the mind and a secured environment, in order that an individual would be able to maintain and sustain man/God perfect relation. But this is only achievable through imbibing the culture of the fear of God, as socially translated by Jesus Christ in John 4 : 34, ‘’Jesus said ‘’My food is to do what the one, God sent me and wants me to do. My food is to finish the work that he gave me to do’’. This is an exemplary lifestyle. recommended for all human beings most especially the Muslims as contained in the Holy Quaran 2 : 208–209. ‘’O ye how believe enter into Islam wholeheartedly, and follow not the footsteps of satan for he is to you an avowed enemy. If ye backslide after the clear signs have come to you, then know that Allah is exulted in Power, Wise.’’ Let us be an example to others. Ramadan Kareem.

Sunday 17th May

Salam, three things are germane to meet up with the goal of Ramadan fast in establishing for mankind the culture of doing things aright without transgressing and according to respect for ethical values, the demand for societal development through transparency and accountability, minding the fact that apart from human auditing, the almighty Allah is always fast without fatigue in bringing every individual to pay for the account of his deeds or misdeeds, actions and inactions. Three important articles of faith are fundamental to develop the ability deliver without deceit and destruction.

1. The practical use to which we put the teachings received from the scripture.
2. The processes of actualizing our desired status, aims and objectives. The bottom line revolves on , are they through illegitimate means ? Haram or legitimate means-Halal ?
3. The unconscious evaluation of us through our character by our neighbors-bad or good ?

Sermon offers us the opportunity to SWOT analyse ourselves and make amends.

Meditation in isolation or retreat would help us esoterically into the hidden treasures of life for us to have a close contact with the almighty Allah, while our concern through counseling others for good would bring about divine favor and the authority to live by what we profess.

However, the almighty Allah does not want us to be bags of deceit and disbelief, otherwise our prayer request would not be entertained.

Quaran 17 : 82 refers ‘’we send down stage by stage of the Quaran that which is a Healing and a Mercy to those who believe : to the unjust it causes nothing but lose after lose’’.

 let us be modest and moderate in our affairs. Ramadan Kareem.

Monday 18th May

From time immemorial till date, Muslims have been going to Mecca, and Christians have been going to Jerusalem for spiritual rejuvenation because they consider the places clean fit for prayer efficacy. Muslims in addition, go for Umrah or lesser hajj.

However, we must all be warned that spiritual tour of such dimension must never be likened to tourism. Even though they would be opportuned to visit many places of historical importance.

Since the almighty Allah is everywhere, spiritual retreat in Mecca-I’’Itikaf is not supposed to be different from the one observed in the local mosque, in one’s own country because God does not appreciate humankind based on the differences i their social status and degree of affluence.

However, the status of may local mosques and other spiritual centers are devil controlled, making them to be highly unsuitable for nay spiritual retreat.

A return from Mecca or Jerusalem therefore, demands that we should work on the spiritual status of sacredness for our worship centers. Quaran 9 : 17–18 refers ‘’it is not for such as join gods with Allah, to maintain the mosques of Allah, while the weakness against their own souls, to infidelity, the works of such bear no fruit, in Fire shall they dwell. The mosque of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the last day, establish regular prayers and pay Zakat. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance’’. Say not to profanity but uphold sacredness.

Examine yourself through correct assessment and evaluation to measure the degree of the state of your piety.

Make necessary amends today. Ramadan Kareem.

Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria

The All Workers Convergence(AWC) has called on the Federal Government in Nigeria to give cogent reasons why the looming sack of Federal workers cannot be postponed.

The AWC made this call through its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

‘’The question workers in Nigeria are asking in all these notification of the implementation of the Oronsaye report, is that the workers that shall be affected are they not working ? Is Nigeria broke ? Where is the billions of Dollars in the foreign reserve ? This is the period that Government is supposed to be protecting lives and livelihood. Why should it now focus on the implementation of the Oronsaye report. Workers in the country need answers to all these questions’’, Comrade Emelieze concluded.

Sense of responsibility means the duties or work assigned to an individual is done properly and promptly.

People who occupy public offices must ensure that all they are entrusted with, is properly taken care of.

Work is done carefully, whole heartedly and efficiently.

Those in public offices should realize that their acts of commission or omission could affect others, either negatively or positively.

Cultists who pose as okada riders have continuously terrorized residents and commuters along the Molusi, Olorunsogo, Molete, Scout camp, Felele areas of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

The cultists led by one hoodlum, popularly known as Brother Bayo,an okada rider always on blue hooded top to shield his identity, a vulcanizer, and a spare parts seller, whose shops are at the ASAS bus stop junction of Molusi street, have their base at the ASAS bus-stop/Molusi street junction.

The criminals intimidate, threaten attack and dispossess unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables, at night, since there are no street lights in theses areas.

Expectedly, the residents and other members of the public are helpless,while the connivance of respected members of these communities with the hoodlums has greatly frustrated actions against them.

Sadly, the law enforcement agency saddled with the responsibility of ensuring sanity in this category of transportation focus on pecuniary interests at the expense of a safe society.

The declaration of the Director General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control(NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu that Nigeria is desperately in need of test kits to curtail the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic has exposed the nature of the appointees of the ‘’Powers that Be’’.

In other words, indecision has exposed the unpreparedness of the Government to curtail the pandemic.

In another perspective, does the Director General mean that Government does not have the financial capacity to purchase the kits or Government is stylishly calling out for donations ?

Lock downs without accompanying palliatives is not only faulty but suspicious .

Ignorance, illiteracy and idleness are among the major obstacles militating against winning the war over the pandemic.

The Federal and Kano state Governments should take the health situation seriously, while other state Governments should learn from unfolding events.

The Oyo state Government has been advised to ensure that the palliatives to be distributed to poor and vulnerable Nigerians cuts across all the ethnic groups in the state.

This advice was given by the Eze Ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, who is also the Vice Chairman(South) of the Eze Ndigbo in Diaspora, Eze Dr. Alex Anozie.

‘’As the Head of Igbos in Ibadan and Oyo state, I believe in justice for all Nigerians and all ethnic groups in Ibadan and Oyo state and I believe that whatever the Government decides to do, whatever palliative steps they decide to take for the benefit of all, they should do it and let all ethnic groups enjoy the benefits. So, I do not want to come out and begin to shout ’see my people Ndigbo’, when I know that the problem that is on ground is affecting everybody. So what I am saying is that whatever the Government intends to do, should be for the benefit of Ndigbo, NdiYoruba, NdiHausa and all other ethnic groups residing in Oyo state. And again, I want to remind all through this medium, that I and my group constitute the legitimate leadership of the Igbos in Ibadan and Oyo state, as ruled by a court of competent jurisdiction. And no other superior court has given another judgment vacating that judgment which states that I and my group constitute the legitimate leadership of Igbos in Ibadan and Oyo state’’.

‘’Therefore, we believe that the Oyo state Government is a law abiding Government which we are sure would never, never allow anybody or group to deceive it. The court judgment is the highest authority as far as the Nigerian constitution is concerned. So, we expect the state Government, been a law abiding Government to reach out to us as the legitimate leadership of Igbos in Ibadan and Oyo state. So whatever is happening, whatever the Government intends to do, all Nigerians in Oyo state should benefit from the palliative measures. We thank God for giving our Governor fast healing from the coronavirus pandemic, same also goes for the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital(UCH) and a few others. We shall continue to pray to God that very soon we shall overcome the coronavirus pandemic. It shall become a thing of the past. Those who are yet to be healed, we pray that God should heal them fast.’’

‘’Let me also use this medium to appeal to all and sundry to keep strictly to both the Government’s directives and those of medical experts towards curtailing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic’’, Eze(Dr.) Anozie concluded.

Nigerians in different parts of the country have continuously complained about  the methods adopted by several state governments in the distribution of palliatives to the people.

Recently the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance, in a tweet, pleaded for ventilators from American billionaire and Industrial Engineer, Elon Musk, to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, but subsequently deleted the tweet when Nigerians expressed reservations. This is in spite of the donations, running into billions of Naira by well meaning individuals and corporate organizations. Begging has since become a way of life among Nigerians and also in government circles. In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke says that the poverty of knowledge and ideas was the driving force behind the Federal Ministry of Finance’s decision to beg for ventilators. Excerpts :

What is your reaction to the move by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance to beg for ventilators from American billionaire and Industrial Engineer, Elon Musk ?

What we presently have in Nigeria in the telecommunication industry is 4G. The present pact is on 5G that was what that was on the discussion table when the coronavirus pandemic came into being. And the pandemic started ravaging the world. This brought about the make shift solutions of social distancing, the shutting down of work places, religious houses and places where crowd effects are prevalent. The use of face masks and disinfectants among other preventive measures were introduced to combat the pandemic, in the face of the present public health crises, the 5G masts were launched in the United Kingdom. The health effects of this are more deadly than the coronavirus because the radiation would have a direct negative effect on an individual aside from the disturbances as a result of vibrations.

COVID 19 therefore becomes more of a diversionary problem that would not allow the people to agitate against the installation of 5G masts in several countries of the world.

The poser before us as human beings now is on why the commercial aspects of life is the priority of powerful nations of the world rather than the welfare of the people. Some schools of thought believe that the intention is to decimate the population of the world with people above 60 been at more risk of the negative effects of biological weapons of destruction.

Another poser is on the claim that several of the victims of the pandemic lost their lives while a sizable number survived the scourge. If it is not a political game against the massive population of the world, government’s claim of some people recovering from the coronavirus pandemic must be with the evidence of the drugs or vaccine used for it to be recommended generally, otherwise we must stop toying with lives of the people through unnecessary political gimmick. Nigeria’s case is a peculiar one, where before the public health crises we live a life of begging and insufficiency trailed by poverty of knowledge and ideas. This must have informed the Federal Ministry of Finance begging the American billionaire, Elon Musk for ventilators. When a need involves a corporate entity protocols of due process need to be followed. This action has brought to Nigeria another article of embarrassment which would have been avoided if normal process was followed. Even now, records of beastly political scores are been settled in the face of the scourge on the pages of newspapers. In this period of travail, one expects that we should close ranks and face the task of preventing the further spread of the coronavirus, while our professionals are expected to adopt the World Health Organization’s standards of combating the pandemic.

Nigeria is expected through all levels of government to use this crises period to address our areas of need cutting across educational institutions, the health sector and other areas that have direct application to the improvement of the the people’s welfare. It won’t be proper for us to commence another round of agitations to demand for the needful after we might have come out of this problem.

Students must not go back to school to discover that their teachers have commenced another round of strike. The general poor conditions of the nation needs to be surgically addressed in this period of searching for solutions we must not limit our efforts to the challenges of coronavirus and 5G mast installation radiation challenges. What should be the concern of every stakeholder is the prevention of the scourge and in avoiding blood money from what can adversely affect millions of Nigerians.

Above all, there is nothing bad in seeking for help but we must not continue to attack blindly without substance because some people are now of the opinion that anything from China is coronavirus infected to, avoid misleading ourselves let our professionals stand on quality and standards for any product we may generate or receive from abroad and let our transactions go beyond hypocritical social media effects. Due process followed would save us from any embarrassment.

The All Workers Convergence(AWC) has called on the Federal Government to make provision for  Financial  and Social welfare packages for Nigerians as the coronavirus ravages the land.

This call was made by the AWC through its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

‘’Th AWC calls on the Federal and state Governments to see how families and individuals can get financial support, free medical care and subsidies for utilities within this period, electricity and communication should ve provided Free of Charge for Nigerians. The Federal Government must also provide adequate protection for all those on essential services, who will daily meet up with the needs of the people. More importantly, since Government at all levels have ordered the closure of work places, they should ensure the early payment of salaries to workers and all necessary welfare packages including the further downward review of the pump prices of petroleum products. In conclusion the AWC is calling on all leaders to be more responsible to citizens in this trying period’’, Comrade Emelieze stated.