Nigeria

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.

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.

Two years after the EndSars protests on October 2o, 2020, across Nigeria, a number of state governments are yet to compensate victims of the protests.

This attitude by political office holders has brought to the fore the mindset of those who represent Nigerians at all levels of public office.

Families and communities are still mourning their loved ones who lost their lives as a result of the absence  of the will to do the right thing by those who occupy public offices.
Obviously, this is an eye opener for all and sundry.

However, an Ex-Officio of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), who is also a former chairman of the union in the state, Comrade Andrew Emelieze asks some very important questions :
1)Why were the street lights at the Lekki toll gate switched off on the night of the protests?
2)Who ordered that the Close Circuit Television Cameras(CCTV) be switched off?
3)Who also ordered that the lights of the billboard advertisement be switched off?
4)Why were the security operatives deployed to the scene armed with rifles and live ammunition?
5) Where are the bodies of other victims of the Lekki incident aside from those deposited in the mortuary?
Comrade Emelieze laments that lessons have not been learnt from the 2020 protests saying, '' two years down the line, all the events that led to the EndSARs protests are still with us today. There is police brutality everywhere. Nigerian police officers and rank and file are back on the streets collecting bribes from motorists. Youths aside from the criminally minded are the targets of extortion and molestation.''

Nigerians have been called upon to commend or criticize the government when there is a justifiable cause.
This call was made by the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.)Alex Anozie in a Press Release dated 13 October, 2022.
''We must learn to praise the governments, be it federal or state, or local government, whenever they have done well,  just like we must criticize when they have not done well.''
''All Nigerians should be happy with the federal government over their effort towards the completion of the second Niger Bridge.''
''I am particularly happy over this news, because I remember that I was the first Nigerian that voiced out, and called on the Federal Government to construct a second Niger bridge, after which other people joined, that was during our Igbo day ceremony of 2002 at Liberty stadium, Ibadan, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu was our special guest at the occasion. During my address, I called on the Federal Government to construct a second Niger Bridge to ease the pain people are going through every time they drive by crossing the only bridge.
I am so happy for the Presidents that made it happen, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari, thank you all and God bless Nigeria.'' the statement concluded.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT) Oyo state Wing has appealed to the state government to speedily domesticate the elongation of Service  for TEACHERS as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

This appeal was made on Wednesday by the NUT chairman, Comrade Raji Oladimeji Ismail at the celebration of World Teachers day with the Theme '' The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers'' in Ibadan, Oyo state. ''Teachers are indispensable and their impact on nation building is a reflection of the great strides globally. State governments should do the needful to domesticate the 40/65 years elongation of service and years of retirement age.''

''While bringing my address to a close, may I appeal to the government of Engineer Seyi Makinde to please work on  the above mentioned for the sustainance of the various achievements recorded in the education sector.''

The 30,000 national minimum wage for workers in Nigeria has been described as the impetus for corruption.
This assertion was made by the General Envangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church(CAC)Worldwide(Reformation Land,Ile Atunse, Prohphet Timothy Abass Arabambi.

''We are always preaching that corruption should be eradicated. How is this possible? When the least paid worker earns 30,000 Naira, how can such a worker cope? He or she has to have transportation, feeding and school fees to provide for. How can such a person cope in the face of stressful economic hardships? The government should do the needful,'' Prophet Arabambi stated.
He also advised the Federal Government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) to amicably resolve the impasse for the benefit of the helpless students, saying, ''there is an adage that says that children that parents fail to educate would sell the homes of such parents. In light of this, when one meditates on the plight of the university lecturers, their strike action and their poor salaries, one will have pity for them. I appeal to the government to do the needful to salvage the future of our children.''

The move by the Federal Government to increase the national minimum wage at the twilight of its eight-year tenure has been described as a last ditch effort to hoodwink Nigerians.

This position was made known by an Ex-Officio of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''Nigerians are skeptical about the motive behind the statement of the Minister of Labor, Dr. Chris Ngige to the effect that the Federal Government would soon increase the national minimum wage .It may be a set-up to argue for the removal of the subsidy on petrol and this would eventually be used to devalue the Naira. And it may also be used to justify the implementation of the Stephen Oronsaye report. . Why is the government contradicting itself? President Muhammadu Buhari in a meeting with the executives of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria gave reasons why the government would not increase the salaries of workers. How come it is now the Minister of Labor that is now amplifying the issue?'' Comrade Emelieze questioned.

In several states of Nigeria, the lack of goodwill has made those presently in the saddle build on the encouraging foundation previous administrations have laid in most sectors; the health sector is inclusive.

Record keeping in health institutions in these states is obsolete and outdated and has for long influenced waste and redundancy.

Transparency and accountability are crucial to the management of health facilities only if those- in-charge realize this fact.

The provision of accurate health data and storage results in a robust health care administration that is reliable and efficient.

Sadly, however, the absence of an electronic medical system in several government-owned institutions has promoted difficulties in accessing patients' data, to enable health care professionals to deliver improved and prompt health care services.

Health care records hinged on technology would go a long way in ensuring functional health care services and in the process facilitate an enduring health system for people.

Note- 7 million Nigerians have been disenfranchised by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), while the electoral umpire is in the process of recruiting 1.4 million ad hoc staff for the 2023 general elections. When consideration is given to the commission's budgetary allocation for the election, the plight of eligible voters and the rising debt of the present administration, then Those-in-Charge ought to thread the paths of winding up with caution.

Posted 19 minutes ago by Solomon Adewunmi

Inspiring strides from viable societies have proved that agriculture has the potential to solve several internal challenges, including food shortages, prohibitive prices of foodstuffs, unemployment and the heavy dependence on the monthly federal allocation, among others.

Unfortunately, the agriculture sector in several states has been unable to provide jobs for the majority of the unemployed, particularly the youth, even as kidnapping for ritual and ransom purposes are now the preferred choices.

In addition, the worrisome state of government-owned farm settlements has made the cultivation, processing,packaging and storage of varieties of crops impossible.

Sadly, the lack of capacity, policy bias, underinvestment and misinvestment have all along been impediments to the development of agribusiness in affected states.

In addition, the government at all levels have failed to create a conducive environment to attract investors into the sector, even though a number of them still insist that their major focus is agribusiness, but this is not in tune with happenings in so many states.

Note- It is a source of serious concern that those who have aspirations for political offices are only dissipating energy to actualize their self-centeredness, while human lives are sacrificed daily under the guise of violent crimes. This is the height of inhumanity and insensitivity.

The trend in several states of Nigeria today are the threats to public peace with impunity, violence and the unlawful possession of firearms.
Indeed, criminals sponsored by politically exposed persons have always been in and out of the custody of law enforcement and security agencies. Sadly, they are, most of the time, let off the hook without prosecution.
The insinuation is that they are above the law.
Interestingly, these criminals who have been involved in heinous and grievous crimes against humanity walk the streets  freely.
 Of worry is the fact that an unspecified number of uniformed personnel have a longstanding relationship with criminals, while the production of stickers, emblems and souvenirs, uniforms and other accessories for law enforcement and security agencies continues as the count down to the 2023 general elections begin.

ot surprisingly, most political office holders who seek to retain their positions and those aspiring to occupy political offices rely on threats, violence, intimidation and subversion to achieve their self-centered ambitions. The government has continued to feign ignorance for unknown reasons.
Note-
The increase in the duty tour allowance would greatly benefit Minsters and Permanent secretaries.

This is a wrong direction, considering the increase in the Pay As You Earn Taxes of civil and public servants.

Panama came into being in 9103 as a breakaway province of Colombia.
General Manuel Noriega became the country's leader after Brigadier Omar Torrijos was taken out in controversial circumstances that were trailed by conspiracy theories.
Leadership at that point in Panama's history revolved around subversion of the opposition, blackmail and intimidation of the electorate and rigging of elections.
However, most countries of the world have since realized, understood and keyed into technical skills and competences as credible and reliable methods to build and sustain leadership and other positions at different levels of government.
Sadly, leadership examples in Nigeria suggest that Gen. Noriega is a role model.
Knowledge and experience have proven to be among the crucial indices to economic and political development of any nation.
In Gen. Noreiga's time, Panama was a  vast criminal empire where lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality and evil reigned supreme.
Several countries having the desire to prosper economically and politically have since embraced methods hinged on strategic leadership and leadership excellence to handle problematic situations that have threatened their stability and peaceful existence.
Note-The localized network of evil and diabolism has brought along the internalization of the acts of inhabitants of the Biblical Sodom and Gomorah, in addition to the dismal performances of pupils and students in examinations.
Of course, parents, guardians, teachers and the government are to blame for this worrisome development.

 

Everybody should do the right thing. First of all, every Nigerian of voting age should register and collect the Permanent Voters Card(PVC) and be ready to vote in the next elections.

I have said it before, and I am still saying it again, if I have my way, it should be made compulsory for every Nigerian, 18 and above, to register and collect their PVCs and afterwards vote and show evidence they voted in elections before they can carry transactions in banks and gain admissions into schools. But when you don't have PVCS, you may not be allowed access to privileges you ought to have access to as an eligible citizen.

This would encourage citizens to participate in our Democratic process actively, and it would make Nigerians take elections seriously. Our democracy would now have a positive outlook which would result in the emergence of competent and capable leaders.

The lack of interest in elections and voter apathy would now be a thing of the past. In addition, the Government to ensure free, fair and credible elections, devoid of violence. Consequently, everyone would now vote according to the dictates of his or her conscience.

When elections becomes violence free, this would encourage people to come out and vote in elections without fear. More importantly, let us all, whether Christians, Muslims or traditionalists, remember that truth is God and God is truth. Indeed, the only issue that can start healing the wounds of our country is Justice and Equity.

And as Christians and Muslims, with conscience, we must reasonably agree that it is justifiable to allow the South East to produce the next President in 2023. For several months and years I have been agitating for the Presidency to be zoned to the South-East. I am so happy that people of integrity like former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, both of them, whom I believe, truly love Nigeria.

People with conscience have also subscribe to this position. God will begin to release his miracles for Nigeria when justice is done, and Presidency moves to the south east. God is God of justice. An

d let it be known that we are all going to churches and mosques wasting our time when we are denying justice its cause.

Eze(Dr.) Anozie is the Ezeigbo, Ezechukwujiegosioluebube nala,Ibadan and Oyo state and Chairman Non-indigenous Traditional Heads, Oyo state

The administration of criminal justice is the motivation for democracy to thrive in several countries of the world.

However, in most states of Nigeria, the administration of justice seems to have been discarded as a result of the sharp practices by lawyers, Magistrates, Judges, those in the customary court and the entire support staff in the Judiciary.

Frivolous suits by litigants with the full consent of their counsels in addition to forum shopping is now the trend. Indeed, it is worrisome to note that judgments are now for sale while Those-in-Power have taken advantage of this defect to manipulate the justice system, taking over landed properities of an unspecified number of helpless Nigerians.

Without doubt the Judiciary and the legal profession urgently reuqire self-assessment and self-cleansing.

Those in the Judiciary ought to stop engaging in unwholesome practices, just as efforts must be geared towards ridding the legal profession of bad eggs, in order to restore public confidence in the administration of justice.

The expectation is that the legal profession shall in the nearest future blaze the trail in all human affairs.

Note- It is very obvious that all arms of government at all levels need overhauling for quality service delivery. A six month period for repositioning and reorientation is the way to go. Perhaps.

Nigerians have been advised to identify criminals in their communities as a crucial step towards addressing the unending insecurity in the land.

This advice was given on Thursday by the chairman of the Oyo state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji in a chat at the union's state secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

''The spate of insecurity in different parts of the country is alarming. We have to go back to the drawing board. That is why we have to appeal to the parents forum to rejig the security apparatus in our various communities. Schools are located within communities. Let us identify those who constitute a nuisance within the community. Let us also be our brother's keeper,'' Comrade Oladimeji stated.

The chairman vowed to pursue the advancement of the welfare of union members to a logical conclusion, saying, ''believe in your leaders, our constant discussion and engagement with the Government is yielding results, the issue of leave bonuses has been resolved, other issues shall be resolved.''

He commended the state government for reinstating 120 primary school teachers who were previously laid off, adding,'', to us a responsible body, it is a welcome decision, it is a good development.''

Generally, access to a safe drinking water facility is recognized as a basic human need and a pre-
condition for economic and social development. Water is fundamental not only for survival but
Also, safe drinking water carries significant health benefits. In Oyo State, efforts to improve drinking water facilities have been insufficient and off track.  
Lack of proper drinking water, ingestion of unsafe water and inadequate availability of water for
Hygiene has exposed many people in Oyo State to various waterborne diseases due to inability
of the state government to provide proper water treatment. Taking cognizance of the huge
amount of state money expended on water projects, the quality of a few liters of water (if there is
any) from water points in Oyo State is not reliably safe for direct human consumption.
The water pipe projects have failed in Oyo State. The projects are just subterfuge and avenues of
siphoning the meager funds of the state.  The majority, if not all, water pipe points are not easy.
accessible or repairable, this is upsetting and a devastating blow to the so-called Oyo State Water.
Corporation. The impact of various water supply programmes is limited as many systems
break down or are abandoned prematurely due to lack of detailed problem analysis and unclear
or unrealistic project objectives. Also, Oyo state is in a catastrophic situation, with hundreds of
rural water points not functioning and a huge US $ million of World Bank water project
investment wasted due to poor programming and careless implementation.
Since water is one of the basic human necessities, there are great strides for the provision of safe
Drinking water needs to be at, most especially at the bottom of the pyramid. Also sustainable
for pipe water systems which are easily accessible or repairable should be provided for the villages.
To help improve public health, livelihood conditions and save lives, improving people's access to
Safe drinking water is the only answer.
Dr. Raymond Adegboyega is the Governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement(NRM) in Oyo state

The lapses in the government over several years at all levels have emboldened cultists and other categories of criminals to persist in their stock-in-trade in several communities in Oyo state. The covert support by the political class across party lines has not helped matters. Residents have for long been having sleepless nights, while those-in-power are still reluctant to take decisive steps to put an end to lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality and evil. Dr. Raymond Adegboyega an indigene of Ile-Oluwo, Odo-Osun, Ibadan, holds a doctorate degree in Finance and is the Governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement(NRM) in the state.

In this interview, the finance analyst and lecturer opines that cultism is new in the state and, as a result of certain factors, it persists. Excerpts :

The activities of cultists and other categories of criminals have continued unabated in several communities in Oyo state. The State House of Assembly has not helped matters by not coming up with legislation to outlaw evil. What do you think is the way out?

In the first instance, cultism is new in Oyo state, which we have had over the years revolving around youth violence and exuberance. The issue of cultism is new in this state. Several factors are responsible for this. Firstly, we have politicized everything in Oyo state. Secondly, rural/ urban drift has made people who are in the rural areas migrate to Oyo state. They have moved due to the lack of basic infrastructure in the rural areas. There is also the issue of non-indigenes from other states in Oyo state, especially from Lagos. We have been advising the state government for several years, but successive governments refused to listen. If the government made agriculture a priority, then a major part of the problem would be solved. This would preoccupy a majority of the restive youth population. The government should also create a very conducive environment for the young people because most of them are now okada riders. The touts everywhere are useful to society. All the government at all levels have to do is to rehabilitate them. The Ministries, Departments and Agencies also have to be restructured for efficiency. All efforts should be focused on resuscitating the economy of the state to guarantee prosperity.

Revitalize the culture of integrity; promote functional education and ethical professional practices.

Let all active players in the scheme of community service and national building realize that the houses of God agree with the culture and the educational institutions in this respect.

Let us equally realize that each citizen in the community and the nation has his/her Faith where he/she practices his/her religion.

It is, therefore, imperative to use the teaching effect of Culture, Education and Religion to promote peace for ease of promoting an Inclusive society in the area of functional democracy for justice, equity and Sustainable Development to naturally promote peace and harmony which all religious goals stand for, through the chosen houses of God.