Posts by solomon2day

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

Balance ensures that you push forward ideas that would impact positively on your customers.

Whatever concept you have, make sure you carry along your team members and management for the best results.

For you to be balanced, you have to create the necessary modifications in your personal and professional life.

Discard all worries and friends that may serve as obstacles to your performance at work.

In addition, forego all activities that are time-wasting and of little or no value to achieve a balance in your daily life.

I, Eze Ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, His Royal Highness, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie, the chairman, of the Non-Indigenes Traditional Council, Oyo state, and Ohaneze Ndigbo, Oyo state heartily welcome our brother, Mr. Peter Obi, and his running mate Alhaji Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, as they arrive for the presidential campaigns in Oyo state.

We trust God that all shall go well in peace, order, and success.

I am personally happy that the electioneering campaigns across the country ought to be peaceful and I am calling on all bonafide Nigerians to ensure that everything about the forthcoming elections ends in peace.

As I have always stated, we should learn to play politics without bitterness. Let's make political campaigns fun.

All presidential candidates going across the country should be able to campaign peacefully in any part of the country.

I am appealing to all Nigerians to approach the 2023 general election with the mindset of the fear of God, justice, fairness, and equity in mind while casting our votes for God to give us the best candidate.

Made-in-Nigeria goods and services are on a fast decline due to the unfavorable environment, local manufacturers ply their trade. 

The promise by Those-in-Charge to ensure a conducive environment for manufacturers is yet to be fulfilled many years after mounting the saddle.

A sizable number of manufacturers have decided to close shops as a result of the galloping inflation, irregular electricity supply, high cost of diesel, difficulties in accessing foreign exchange, importation of sub-standard products, and most importantly, insecurity.

Obviously, the government policy on manufacturing has, over time, led to divestment by focused and serious-minded investors, who have since looked outwards.

Indeed, the suggestion, if unfolding events are anything to go by, is the government would leave legacies for the manufacturing sector devoid of an all-encompassing policy and tattered support system that would take years to revamp. 

Note- Political campaigns are underway and frontline candidates are engaging in mudslinging, name-calling, and the promotion of lies and half-truths, while the purpose of seeking public offices remains at the surface level due to the absence of unknown qualities of knowledge, depth, and agenda for development.

Be conscious and discretionary in the use of Information and Communication Technology(ICT).

The prospects are broad. Ensure you devote just enough time to sorting out your emails, but do not allow this task to overwhelm you. Be in control by fashioning out time for every task.

We live in a world where there is an imperative focus on young people and People with Disabilities(PWDs) on the Inclusion Agenda.

We, however, need to move from vulnerability to leadership and delivery of a truly transformative agenda. There is a divine need to walk the talk about the promotion of an inclusive society.

For youths to be leaders of tomorrow; they must be equipped to achieve their dreams and for PWDs not to be burdensome, they must be positively engaged, thereby giving them the opportunity to participate actively in issues that directly impact their lives, which is literally everything in actual fact.

Today, more than ever, society needs precisely this kind of healing to drive out poverty and unemployment. Only when PWDs have the opportunities they deserve, can they generate ideas, products and many more for society at large.

Policies without commensurate implementation usually aggravate the hardships of the victims of the circumstance, in the case of PWDs, who deserve our empathy, rather than unnecessary sympathy. Empathy shows most of the walking, the talk of mitigation and prevention.

This snowballs into the stakeholders' readiness to work towards realizing the United Nations admonition on every nation to accept the concept of good governance and philanthropy.

The wellness of people with disabilities is equally important as an achievable feat by the government and other stakeholders, most especially in the areas of good parenting using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs, safety and security factors, social needs, self-esteem and self-actualization for all, including PWDs.

The government needs to sensitize the public, including all stakeholders, about funding the causes of people with disabilities in these respects as an antidote to insecurity for all to benefit from the expected dividends of democracy.

Workers in the University College Hospital(UCH) have called on Federal Government to rescue them from the fierce claws fo questionable estate developers.
The workers made this through the chairman of the Non-Academic and related institutions Staff Union(NASU) UCH,Comrade Kehinde Abiona.
''Housing is a very germane factor, but over time, workers have run into trouble in the quest to secure affordable homes. The government should reduce workers from the grip of these dubious developers.
 This development is disturbing. There are several advertisements on the radio for the sale of houses and land. Developers are springing up on a daily basis. The government and relevant regulatory bodies must check their activities. They use cows and bags of rice as baits to attract workers. There is this case of one of our members who paid for the form and was promised to come back for the plot of lad and but till this moment no allocation. In addition, most of these developers introduce hidden costs when an individual has registered with them. My advice to the developers is for them to come to the table with open minds. I count the hidden costs as deceit. Another issue is the documents on the land. They would always tell you they are being processed. None of them have been brought to justice. Only God will save us.'' Comrade Abiona stated.

The workers also lamented the poor state of electricity supply in the country, saying, ''the issue of electricity supply is also a great challenge to the management. Diesel has risen to between N750.00 and N800.00 per litre. This hospital runs on diesel. Electricity is not always available and this has put services into problems. Management is handicapped. The management is groaning under the debts to Ibadan Electric Distribution Company. The debts have gone beyond N50 million, even though electricity is not regular. This affects service delivery. They schedule and rechedule surgeries and operations because of the irregular supply of electricity. However, there are critical lines which are funded at all costs. These lines are the Emergency and Intensive Car Unit. These units run 24 hours round the clock.''

In the last seven and a half years, the approach to governance has been impulsive and embarrassing.

Most sectors of the economy are gasping for breadth-particularly education, health, electricity and most importantly security.

This is worrisome considering the huge oil revenues that have been generated during the period under review.

Indeed, miscarriage of justice and the violation of human rights have been the major features of the present administration in Nigeria, even as the deliberate impoverishment of Nigerians, hunger and poverty have become tools of governance.

Sadly, unfolding events indicate that Those-in-Authority are desperate to use their positions to ensure that the 2023 general elections are anything but free, fair and credible.

Without doubt any electoral process hinged on widespread improprieties and the absence of meticulous background checks on candidates of political parties would never attract widespread acceptance.

The coming days and months are ominous for peace, law, order and sanity in the polity.

Note- It is very disturbing that a number of states in Nigeria have failed to attract direct foreign investments up till this moment, yet some state executives travel overseas for unknown reasons. Such travel has not impacted positively on governance. The trips are for self-centered interests. Perhaps.

It is about Jesus Christ is important. It is the test of Truth. 1 John 4: 1-6 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ comes in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ comes in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

For decades, the FBI has served as the primary agency responsible for investigating allegations of federal election crimes, including campaign finance violations, ballot/voter fraud, and civil rights violations.

With the approaching midterm election, the FBI Springfield Field Office is providing information to voters regarding federal election crimes and how to avoid them and encouraging voters to report suspected violations to FBI Springfield.

“While individual states have primary responsibility for conducting fair and free elections, the FBI plays an important role in protecting federal interests,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “Our teams of investigators, including election crimes coordinators in each of our 56 field offices, remain vigilant in detecting those trying to undermine our political process and we will aggressively investigate any allegations of voter fraud or other election crimes. Our focus is on protecting elections from potential threats so the American people can have confidence in their democratic process.”

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against elected officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).

An election crime becomes a federal crime when there are one or more federal candidates on the ballot and one or more of the following occurs:

Election or polling place officials abuse their office;

The conduct involves voter or ballot fraud;

The crime is motivated by hostility toward protected minority groups;

The activity violates federal campaign finance law.

Voter or ballot fraud is one of the more common election crimes and can include:

A voter intentionally giving false information when registering to vote (e.g. false citizenship claims);

An ineligible person votes (e.g., all non-citizens and some convicted felons);

An individual votes more than once in a federal election (e.g., schemes to obtain absentee ballots and or vote in the name of others);

Election officials who inappropriately use their office to benefit a candidate or party (e.g., letting unqualified voters cast ballots, stuffing a ballot box with illegal ballots, or changing ballot tallies); and

A voter receives something of value (e.g. money, cigarettes, drugs) in exchange for voting for a specific candidate or party in a federal election or for registering to vote.

The FBI is standing watch assessing election-related threats, tracking significant complaints, and identifying trends indicative of a coordinated nationwide effort to disrupt the election process. FBI Springfield will have special agents available throughout the coverage area to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. FBI Springfield can be reached at 217-522-9675 or via email at springfield@fbi.gov. In the instance of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places and faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

Source-FBI

Members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders And Owners Association(ACOMORAN) in Oyo state have been warned not to allow themselves to be used as instruments by politicians as the 2023 elections draw closer. 

This warning was issued by the association's chairman, Dr. Solomon Oulgbode in a chat with Federationews2day in Ibadan, Nigeria.

'' I implore all ACOMORAN members to be law abiding and orderly, they know where they are coming from. They must also ensure that they are not used as instruments by politicians but support the Oyo state Governor because that is what my members say and want. Since Oyo state has accommodated us, why won't we support the state Governor? We don't have factions in our association in Oyo state. Those parading themselves as executives of the association are impostors. We must support the state Governor because he did not push us into the labor market, Dr. Olugbode stated

Members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders And Owners Association(ACOMORAN) in Oyo state have been warned not to allow themselves to be used as instruments by politicians as the 2023 elections draw closer. 

This warning was issued by the association's chairman, Dr. Solomon Oulgbode in a chat with Federationews2day in Ibadan, Nigeria.

'' I implore all ACOMORAN members to be law abiding and orderly, they know where they are coming from. They must also ensure that they are not used as instruments by politicians but support the Oyo state Governor because that is what my members say and want. Since Oyo state has accommodated us, why won't we support the state Governor? We don't have factions in our association in Oyo state. Those parading themselves as executives of the association are impostors. We must support the state Governor because he did not push us into the labor market,'' Dr. Olgbode concluded.

The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) is set to change the design of the 200, 500, and 1,00 Naira notes, months before the 2023 general elections. 

Interestingly, those who call the shots insist that the change is long overdue, although the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed argues that the government of the day was not carried along.

The question now is, Why did it take so long for this change since 2015?

So far, the CBN has destroyed 6 Trillion Naira-bank notes-  in this dispensation.

Indeed, a lot is wrong about national security, the economy, and socio-political space; while abnormalities persist.

The suggestion is that the government of the day is pushing forward face-saving strategies to becloud the sensibilities of worried Nigerians who are conscious of the nightmarish journey presently.

Of worry, is the uncertainty that trails the statement of Those-in-Charge, with particular reference to the transition of the government of the day in 2023, although the action and inaction of the powers that be are responsible for the situation in Nigeria today.

 Note- The refusal of candidates for the 2023 general elections to suspend campaigns in the face of very negative security pointers suggests that self-centered interests override national interests.