Nigeria

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.

 The rapid spread of the coronavirus across the world  and the great danger it constitutes to public safety are concrete  grounds for the Powers the Be in Nigeria to declare a state of emergency.

Sadly, other unknown considerations and lack of sound judgment could be stumbling blocks  in addressing the  public health  crises, most especially when the leadership is very slow in coming up with a decisive response plan to safeguard citizens.  Social distancing is key to curtailing the spread of the pandemic, but this can only be achieved by restricting the movement of people.

With the ambiguous nature of Nigeria's constitution, only a declaration of a state of emergency  can make Nigerians to be law abiding in an environment where the leaders disobey court orders and lead with impunity.

Even though there is already  in existence a 1.3 Trillion Naira intervention fund from the Federal Government, enlightenment and sensitization of the citizenry about the pandemic is non-existent in most parts of the country, while the general attitude towards curtailing the spread of the dreaded disease is passive. 

Situations  abound where Government has continually ignored the cries of residents about an imminent public health crisis.  

For example in  Olorunsogo, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo state a Landlady and her tenants  of No. 5 Kehinde Aderibigbe street in the community have converted the building beside theirs, No. 3, to a refuse dump, were they also throw excreta. This and several others in different parts of the country have proven that even though Government means well its officials might be sabotaging its efforts.

Also  read -WHO  Director General's Remarks at the Media Briefing on COVID 19-23 March 2020-Click here- https://bit.ly/2UgZZet

                   -Pass the Message- Five Steps to Kicking out coronavirus- Click here-https://bit.ly/2UeOOD7

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) who decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in recent times have been advised to retrace their steps before it is too late.

This advice was given by the Chairman of the Oyo state chapter of the PDP, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha in a chat with Federationews2day.

''My advice is that our members  who still remain in the ruling party should come back now, if they don't come back now it may be too late for them. Things are changing, if we don't stand up to our duty, they will destroy the country.  Considering  what happened in Oyo state in the last election, we want it to go round the South West. They don't know how to run government. Almost all of us have resolved to come together to slavage the party'', Alhaji Mustapha stated.

Perhaps disturbed by the worrisome performances of political office holders in this dispensation, a bill by one of the lawmakers is,presently before the Senate that seeks to make the minimum qualification  to vie for the position of  President and Governor, Higher National Diploma or its equivalent, while for other elective positions the minimum qualification  Ordinary National Diploma or its equivalent is been proposed. Nigerians are already expressing divergent views on this proposal. In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of  Shafaudeen-in-Isalm Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke says the bill is a welcome development, but government must ensure it does a background check on the past of holders of certificates. Excerpts :

A bill  presently before the Senate  seeks to make the minimum qualification  to vie for the position of  President and Governor, Higher National Diploma or its equivalent, while for other elective positions the minimum qualification is Ordinary National Diploma or its equivalent. What is your reaction to this bill ?

Positions of power under democratic norms largely depends on  concept understanding, moral discipline, patriotism  and rudiments of administrative sagacity cum management technical know how.

 All these characteristics  are expected to be in-built virtues of any aspirant vying  for positions of power. Luckily for us, the three domains of education expected to reinforce aspirants as a necessary tool for capacity building   in this respect apart from the literacy and numeracy advantage of the affective domain, the attitudinal building  is equally embedded in this domain.

Unfortunately emphasis on character building is very low in our educational pursuit to the detriment of the desired development  as a goal of education. This vital aspect of human life happens to be the basis upon which the fate based houses of worship are built. Unfortunately, the wrong attitudinal value that humbles education into effectiveness allowing corruption to dominate the lives of the elite and scholars is the same virus that has eaten into the fabrics of sacredness  expected  of the houses of God into that of profanity making the man to become a misfit in the game plan of political activities to the detriment of the desired goal of sustainable development. In this Nigeria, we have seen excellent performances of holders of standard six certificates, that was during the era of an environment of institutional discipline. Promotion exercises were based on in-service training attendant higher efficiency at work and consequent higher productivity with lots of goodwill in terms of profit. Pupil-age was equally appreciated while mentor-ship took the pride  of replicating  hard-work and dignity of labor.

The then Head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon ruled this nation as an holder of School Certificate, he equally succeeded in executing  the fratricidal civil war of 1967-1970, that was when sincerity of purpose, ruler-ship by conscience  and a high level of the fear of God were in vogue. Training, pupil-age and mentor-ship used to have direct bearing on the assessed needs for planning to have a right direction of purpose.

However, today we insincerely depend on the certificate worth usually based on the theoretical realm of education, where researches may not necessarily have direct bearings on the need of the people. Despite the various observed anomalies in the cognitive arm of our educational institutions, the nation continues to hero worship holders of certificates .The three tiers of education viz Primary, Secondary and Tertiary are equally badly affected  by the challenges of facility update and dearth of experts in some areas of specialization. At the secondary level, challenges of appropriate  and adequate laboratory and workshop equipment are equally there. When certificates are obtained in an environment of under funding, the worth of such certificates may not necessarily reflect on the holders, hence the challenges of effective performances would be there, therefore Nigeria should be ashamed of itself, considering the fact that  our Senior secondary school certificates-WAEC or NECO- are no longer relevant in the scheme of our political system.

The HND/B Sc.  minimum qualification  to vie for President and Governor bill in the senate is a welcome idea, but this might not give us the expected results, if the holders' past records are not critically looked into, such certificates held by future treasury looters would only justify what brought about terrorism in Nigeria. The expectation is that the holders of HND/B Sc. and above  must be creative enough  for them to be able to tap into the psycho motor domain of education which clearly stands for provision of basic amenities using appropriate technology and establishment of functional infrastructure to solve the myth surrounding employment issues and our economic management challenges. High worth of certificate will never be productive without the right attitudinal approach to issues based on the fundamentals of positive mindset towards the nation and the expected  service demanded by the positions of power, the  holders of the certificates may assume, because in this lies the core value of self esteem and integrity, self confidence, positive mental attitude for ease of making right, accurate and precision prone decisions to move the nation forward.

The  bill presently before the senate that seeks to ban the use of generators in Nigeria  has been described as an indication that leadership in the country is in a state of confusion.

This  submission was made by the All Workers Convergence(AWC) through its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''The bill proposing the ban on imported generators is a clear indication that the leadership and Government are confused and have lost a sense of direction.  This is also to prove that the present crop of leadership in Nigeria has nothing to offer Nigerians, this is so because electricity is a necessity and if government has failed to provide electricity do you now ban the importation of generators ?''.

''What is the reason behind the bill, when government officials constitute the majority of those patronizing imported generator sellers. The proposed bill is a product of a confused leadership which has nothing to offer Nigerians'', Comrade Emelieze declared.

The National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) scheme has been weighed down by several challenges over the years. The scheme seeks to promote unity and integration among the diverse peoples of Nigeria. However, a cross section of Nigerians insist that the scheme has outlived its relevance while stressing that efforts should be geared towards repositioning the scheme. In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke says that the management of the NYSC must be above board, for the scheme to serve the purpose for which it was established.

Is the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) still functioning to provide for the the unity and integration needs of Nigerians ?

The National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) scheme was established in 1973 as an aftermath effect of sanity restoration into Nigeria after the harrowing experience of the fratricidal war of Nigeria/Biafra of 1967/70, as part of the follow up of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation. One of the aims therefore is to foster unity among Nigerians of different tongues and tribes. The hope was to integrate people through their children, most especially the youth into different communities that constitute Nigeria.

Above all, the curriculum expectation is to inculcate in Nigerian graduates, a sense of discipline and integrity to become assets for development rather than been liabilities. The assessment of the NYSC scheme as programs and projects for Nigeria based on the above set of objectives, shall therefore be the criteria through which our assessment and evaluation shall be based.

Postings are influenced arbitrarily without considering the set of objectives for which the NYSC was established. When this happens, affected candidates are denied their rights of familiarity to areas of opportunity to learn different things like culture, tradition and languages that would have made them to understand better, the different nationalities that constitute Nigeria; for the purpose of of knowing the reasons why we must allow peaceful co-existence.

Presently, the South-South and the South East to me are still alien, if not for some opportunities of attending conferences of professional importance around the areas. The same thing happens to many of us having myopic views about regions beyond the areas of our race forcing ourselves to consume the lies and the truth about people from the races. For example, the Middle Belt and the North in general. On the security point of view, the NYSC has been badly affected. There are several cases of violence involving Corps members. The phenomenal cases of kidnapping and road hazards also contribute enormously to parental fear, making them to prefer their wards serving in near by states and in some cases their states of origin.

One expects the Federal Government to pay particular attention to the security needs of the nation and the safety of the Corps members while on service in any part of the country. The scheme is supposed to enjoy some level of immunity and privileges which could be appreciated in the Military services. When this kind of environment is guaranteed for the NYSC scheme, parents and their wards will have no alternative option to official posting procedure to be followed to the letter without any excuses or need for any influence.

Progressively, in terms of the NYSC at 10, during my own time, it paid us 200 Naira as monthly allowance, although then, the purchasing power of the Naira was equal to the Dollar and even then, jobs after the scheme were guaranteed.

However, graduates going for national service are already wallowing in an environment of poverty, inflation and unemployment, making them to live in a state of uncertainty for economic survival. Under this condition the tendency to misbehave to a state of indiscipline is very high, unless they are truly religious with very good upbringing. The NYSC scheme is therefore faced with how to regulate and control the exercise, effectively manage the incoming graduates as well as as how best to sustain the exercise not to lose track of the set objectives.The issue at stake therefore, revolve on the huge management cost for the scheme with the ever increasing number of graduates every year.

The remuneration for the NYSC participants is another issue of great economic interest. For example, we are in an era of the need for a living wage. Th status of corps members is highly above $98. Government must therefore live above rhetoric, but pay as appropriate with immediate effect, the corps members remuneration that is attractive and sustaining . If Corps members take home is about 50,000 Naira, nobody will thank the Federal Government for this. These graduates in the active service of the nation need motivation because the government forced them into the entrepreneurship scheme while they were in school most especially during their final year.

Instead of making them roam about the streets, government ought to create a saving scheme for them whereby they manage N25,000 monthly and save the remaining N25,000 for the 12 months they are to serve the nation for them to be able to establish a vocation of their choice based on the entrepreneurship scheme already acquired while they were in school. In the spirit of TIVET, such graduates must be made to have easy access to loans to complement the amount already saved. Such loans must attract very low interest rates with single digits, to be able to meet up with the agreed pay back period. An environment of this kind of hope would make the scheme continue to be relevant, while parents and their wards would be ready to accept any area of offer for the service. 

Our hope to have true integration of the people to accept other people’s culture in the spirit of one nation, lies in the success of the NYSC because only the youth filled with love for togetherness and service can achieve at sustainable level the set objective for which the NYSC was established. Finally, a scheme aims at promoting unity, system integration and production of assets rather than liabilities like the NYSC must be managed without fraud, while it must not equally be underfunded. In the spirit of Democracy that stands on justice and equity principles, the NYSC management must be above board hence people with impeccable character are expected to be saddled with the responsibility of ensuring peace and sustainable development in an environment of high respect for the fundamental human rights of the people. The youth constitute the NYSC, knowledgeable as they are, the nation must rely on them because apart from serving the nation through the primary and secondary duties assigned them, they equally promote friendship and intermarriages which Nigeria needs to be truly united.

Applicants fopr the 7,000 teaching jobs in Oyo state have appealed to the state Government to ensure that the recruitment process is not characterized by personal and political  considerations.

The applicants made this appeal at the Teaching Service Commission zonal  offices across the state, during the submission of their completed application forms.

''Government  should not allow the recruitment process to be colorated by political and personal considerations. , but it should be based on merit'', the applicants stated.

Sadly, the questionable recruitment process in the past had resulted in the worrisome attitude  and behavior of students in public schools in the state, with those  in the private schools also in focus.

Cultism, rape and armed robbery are now past times of a sizable number of secondary school students, while parents, guardians and school authorities watch helplessly.

In his views, the Chairman of the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Tojuade Adedoyin disclosed that the recruitment was a welcome development saying'' it has been long overdue. However, we are believing that they will follow due process by recruiting qualified teachers on merit and not for political patronage''.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria(CBCN) has called on Christian faithful to wear black, or at least black armbands as a sign of mourning and solidarity with the victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes, on ash Wednesday. The first day of the Lenten season.

The All Workers Convergence(AWC) has also thrown its weight behind the Catholic Bishops.

A statement by the President of the  CBCN, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze invited  Christian faithful to join to join a “Day of Prayer Procession” to kick off the Lenten season, to protest the state of insecurity in the country while 

describing the procession as a part of the Church’s moral responsibility.

The march, scheduled for Ash Wednesday, is against “the repeated barbaric executions of Christians by the Boko Haram insurgents and the incessant cases of kidnapping for ransom linked to the same group.”

The statement condemned the public show of impunity by the perpetrators of these crimes on social media, the constant threats to many communities, and the lack of arrests of the criminals by the government.

No peace/growth without Security

Emphasizing the importance of peace, the statement reads: “May we, once again, remind all the arms of the government in Nigeria and all whose responsibility it is to protect Nigerians that without security there can be no peace, and without peace, there can be no development or national growth.”

The CBCN also called on the international community to come to the aid of the Nigerian government in its fight to restore security and stability in the country.

Nigeria has been on a constant fight against the Boko Haram insurgents who in 2014 kidnapped girls from a secondary school in Chibok, Northern Nigeria. In recent times, there have been multiple instances of kidnappings and violence against local communities linked to the same group.

Similarly the AWC through its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze called on workers in Nigeria to join the protests saying ''we should not wait until we are personally touched, for an injury to one is an injury to all. We at the AWC commend the Catholic Bishops for this initiative and we cal on all workers in Nigeria to show solidarity for the clarion call. Workers should join the protests on Wednesday by putting black to show that they are not happy with the spate of kidnappings, killings and other violent crimes.''

Staff of the National Identity Management Commission(NIMC) Enrollment centers in Ibadan, Nigeria, including the center at the University College Hospital(UCH) now reject Pre-Enrolment slips from Nigerian desirous of obtaining the National Identity Number(NIN) for undisclosed reasons.

The employees of the NIMC advise these category of Nigerians to discard the Pre-Enrolment slips for the registration forms for fees that vary from one center to the other.

Indeed, it shall amount to double registration, if people should discard the Pre-Enrolemt slips for registration forms, since their data are already in the National Identity System(NIMS).

It is now obvious that the National Identity exercise has come under heavy sabotage from those who believe pecuniary benefits is the destination.

Sadly, the recruitment process of the employees of the NIMC has become a subject of debate among concerned Nigerians.

The NIMC Pre-Enrollment slip states ‘’Print this slip and take it to any NIMC Enrollment office closest to you’’.

Towards the end of 2019, the NIMC had organized a Bid opening ceremony for about 586 local partners who submitted their expression of interest (EOI) for the provision of Data collection and Issuance of the National Identification Number (NIN) services at the NIMC Headquarters, Abuja.

The NIMC Director-General/CEO Engr. Aliyu Aziz who was represented at the ceremony by the General Manager, Corporate Services Department, Abdullahi Ibrahim stressed that stakeholders’ collaboration for accelerated delivery of digital identity in Nigeria was critical.

Ibrahim had stated ‘’“NIMC will be partnering with public and private sector service providers including Federal, State, Local Governments, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations and others as well as qualified private vendors for the provision of data collection services and issuance of the National Identification Number (NIN) under the National Identity Management System (NIMS) programme,” 

The All Workers Convergence(AWC) has declared that the non inclusion of the budgets of key government agencies in Nigeria in the national budget for 2020 is tantmount to shielding corruption.

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

''It is funny to realize that some key agencies of government budgets were not captured in the 2020 national  budget, rather a special budget has been prepared to cater for agencies such as the Central Bank, Customs and several others. This to us amounts to high profile corruption.What government is attempting to do is basically to use this medium to divert public funds for sinister motives. This is not in the people's interest. With the poor state of governance and decisions of government such as this, Nigerians have been pushed to the wall and would soon explode, having budgets outside the national budget is an attempt by government to shield corruption'', Comrade Emelieze stated.

About 60 agencies of government budgets were not captured in the 2020 national budget.

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC) is set to review the salaries and allowances of political office holders in Nigeria. This has attracted condemnation from a cross section of Nigerians.

Interestingly, the issue of the new national minimum wage is yet to be resolved in several states of the federation, while political office holders continue to enjoy very attractive pay packages despite the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.

In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke insists that the pronouncement of a possible review by the Commission’s Chairman without been definitive on whether upward or downward is a diversionary game, considering the fact that several states are still still negotiating the consequential adjustment of the new national minimum wage of N30,000. Excerpts :

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC) is tinkering with the idea of reviewing the salaries and allowances of political office holders, do you think this is proper in this period of economic crunch ?

The review of remuneration of political office holders in the face of Nigeria’s economic realities is long overdue. Down the memory lane , former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo made an upward review of the remuneration of political office holders, he damned the consequences, since so many were against his action. Chief Obasanjo said that his action was to discourage corruption.

When President Goodluck Jonathan came on board, he asserted that stealing should not be labelled corruption.

When supposed role models throw caution and modesty into the dustbin, institutional indiscipline is fostered, while the culture of corruption becomes endemic.

Hence the present situation of Nigeria becoming the headquarters of poverty and aggravated state of insecurity.

The game changers in the persons of Prof. Wole Soyinka and late Prof. Chinua Achebe became the prophets of our time through their prophetic literature books. For Chinua Achebe, ‘’Things Fall Apart’’ is neither a fiction nor a narration that should be localized for the changing challenges of the Igbo culture. It now directly re-echoes on Nigeria of the present time because things are falling apart, while the center can no longer hold and neither do the Falcons listen to the Falconers again. Who will now rescue Nigeria from imminent distingeration and international ridicule ?

 From Wole Soyinka’s perspective the man died in that person who keeps mute in the face of tyranny, why are Nigerians so docile in the face of various unwarranted persecution by the elite and leaders.

A lot has gone wrong in the nation’s educational institutions, where the rat race to become Vice Chancellors, Rectors or Provosts is not the same as having passion to fulfill the Town and Gown philosophy, but to amass wealth and flex muscles of ego among fellow Professors and Chief Lecturers respectively.

This is because from among the the category of Professors and Chief Lecturers respectively,a Vice Chancellor or Rector emerges, who would earn N2.5 million or N1.8 million respectively, while their colleagues will remain within the range of a little above N500,000 or N400,000 respectively.

One can now see how the political thinking that influenced the upward review has now led to a do or die affair among the people of the pen profession, who are supposed to be the epitome of peace, methods and methodology as well as role models in the area of best practices.

The people of the academia thereby resort to Voodoo power play deviating from the expected role of civility for civilization based on the Town and Gown philosophy.

The negative effect of an upward review would therefor be felt by all within the government circles, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, where the ill policy has thrown erstwhile friends into becoming bitter enemies because usually merit would be murdered, while juicy positions go to the highest bidders. This would have a far reaching effect on the quality and standard expected from the beneficiaries of this review policy.

If we are Godly and we are able to live by the scriptures that upholds our religious beliefs, divine guidance could have prevailed to do things aright because according to Psalm 127 :’’Builders labor in vein without divine intervention’’ and from the Islamic perspective, Koran 8 : 63 : And moreover God hath put affection between their hearts ; not if thou hath spent all that is in the earth, could thou hast produced that affection, but Allah hath done it : For He is exulted in might, Wise’’.

The pronouncement of a possible review without been definitive on whether upward or downward is a diversionary game, in the wake of several states still negotiating the consequential adjustment of the new national minimum wage of N30,000, which is just $98. When one compares this amount with what a Senator takes home, say N14.2 million per month, everybody should be able to see the wickedness in the politicians.

If the cries of restructuring, resource control and secession bids are to be avoided , the downward review of the salary packages and allowances of both the political office class and the MDAs including parastatals must be critically looked into to justify the ethical principles of Democracy as it reflects in its Chemistry of Justice, Equity, in a sane environment for us to have peace, sustainable development and a high level of security which is best appreciated under natural occurrence, that is divine intervention.

A cross section of Nigerians have expressed worry over the increasing rate of child marriages in the country.

Indeed, the elite in society among several others are to blame for this disturbing trend which has gained ground in an unspecified number of communities. Why is this so ? In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke opines that there are a lot of dangers involved in child marriages just as he warns parents to shun the act. Excerpts :

Child marriage is on the increase in Nigeria today, why is this so ?

A minor in marriage is morally wrong, rejected in the religions of the world and considered to be anti-social. It is equally regarded as a human aberration medically.

Fundamentally, marriage is best consummated for sound minds, who can take decisions on their own, and matured minds who can be regarded as rational in decision making.

For a minor in marriage, coercion is the tool, and this does not consider the fundamentals of love as basic to two different people, male and female coming together as husband and wife.

The institution of marriage states that the two to be involved in marriage must have done a detailed assessment in the process of wooing each other, based on certain considerations of natural importance : beauty, parental wealth, academic pedigree and probably religion.

Of any of the four chosen, there must have been a time lapse, regarded as courtship period for the two to understudy their areas of strength,weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

And in this modern time, counseling must predominate and extend to personality traits compatibility as well as blood group and genotype class to determine a hitch free union.

Parental consent then follows, before witnesses and people are called for the socio-spiritual ceremony.

Love, passion as well as acceptable character or attitude are equally considered.

However, under a minor involved marriage, the above considerations are absent, while the influences cuts across parental influences based on business consideration.

On the other hand, way ward and reckless lifestyles leading to unavoidable pregnancies could force parents to organize for a minor involved marriage, perhaps to save face of for the girl child to have a good care under the roof of the elderly man.

Minor involved in marriage could lead to Vesico-vaginal fistula(VVF) and in another breadth it could be disgusting to the growing girl child and this could result in serious attempt's by the girl to kill the husband, who she may develop hatred for because of his oppressive tendencies and the lack of love in the relationship.

The health of the minor under forced marriages may result in serious medical conditions and unfortunately, the man involved goes about unhurt in search of another victim.

It is also unfortunate that most of those involved belong to the elite class, who most of the times equally claim to know so much about their religion.

But alas, we must not forget the fact that all religions teach morals and are strictly against one inflicting injuries on the other.

This is a period where the whole world now clamors for equality of access and treatment to the boy and girl child. And that the girl child and women generally, must always be spared from agonies of maltreatment such as domestic violence, are, pedophilia and other forms of sexual abuse.

Proverbially, when we eat unripe fruits, we plunge ourselves into the problem of stomach ache.

So also marriage to a minor is bereft of any pleasure, respect and care. Hence, the right of such a girl to have access to good education and have a successful career life is already in jeopardy.

All women have values which must not be destroyed by the selfish desire of men.

A girl in a forced marriage has already lost a promising future of good growth profile and development.

Her God given talents are already torn into shreds, while society will remain at a loss due to this practice.

This is why several countries that had earlier been into this practice, are making changes by shifting the minimum age for marriage to 18 years old for their girl child.

At this, level of growth, the pelvic girdle is strong enough to carry the load or pressure of pregnancy.

The child at this age is expected to have acquired a minimum certificate of Nigeria’s Senior Secondary School Certificate standard. This implies that she can take decisions that may be favorable to her and her future, even when she finds herself in the web of a love tango.

Parents need to be properly educated on the issue of the need to protect the interest of their children, most especially the girl child.

Child rearing must follow a universal guiding code of value, protection, safety, respect, inclusion, attention and freedom.

If we are able to follow this valuable guidance in child rearing,cases of incest, rape, pedophilia and minor involved in marriage would never arise.

The girl child is a valuable better half and must be treated equally like their male counterparts.

Circumstances wherein men work and women stay at home to cater for the home and children, is no longer in vogue as the running of the home is now a joint responsibility of the husband and wife in an environment of career driven development.

We must therefore, avoid minor involved marriages to respect the divine institution of marriage as supported by our culture and all our religions including Islam and Christianity.

Besides this, we must consider the health challenges that may accompany minor involved marriages, to safe guard the girl child.

Instead there is a need to pursue the cause of women emancipation to be voices to be reckoned with in society and for each nation to be able to achieve in the areas of 35 per cent affirmative action for women at the various decision making points.

Only women, who are not abused, but supported in the cause of their growth and development without truncated period of minor involved in marriage , can be supported to achieve the various international opportunities open for their advancement.

A nation accomplishing this, would be regarded to be fair in the competitive world of global best practices. Nigerians must say no to Child Marriage.

Government at all levels, parents and guardians have been called upon to protect children and wards from all forms of sexual abuse.

This call was made recently, by the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke at the Shafaudeen Ishrat 2020 opening ceremony and Kiddies sports, at Wakjaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria.

‘’Government, Parents, schools officials need to protect the interest of our children not to be raped or forced into unholy sexual abuse. We must therefore be caring, watchful, monitor, examine, question and even teach sex education. Starting from the mother to the girl child and the father to the boy child, using experiences already inbuilt in them, while government medical centers and personnel on health related matters should take care of this at formal level’’.

‘’Parents must be aware of warning signs. Identify bad peer group, keep positive and open but effective communication to empower the children to have sufficient research against predators. Children must cultivate the habit of reporting feelings and events to parents, no matter how trivial and even against all odds of threats’’, Prof. Olagoke advised.

Nigerians have been called upon to put their hopes in God for the solution to their sufferings.

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

''These days things have gone wrong. There is hardship everywhere. Families are increasingly finding it difficult to feed. Nigerians should look up to God, to alleviate their sufferings. Nigerians should call upon God to see us through. When Nigerians put their hopes in God, the myriad of challenges  confronting the country shall have solutions. Both the leaders and followers should call on God to intervene. When there is hope there is life'', Pastor Ajayi stated.