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As parents and guardians continue to worry over the disturbing performance of their children and wards in both public and private primary and secondary schools in Oyo state,  in addition to the increasing cases of deviant behavior and illicit drug use, the chairman of the Oyo state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji opines that the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has provided a conducive environment for teachers to thrive in the state. Excerpts:

How would you assess the outgoing 2024/2025 academic session in public and private primary and secondary schools in Oyo state?

First and foremost, we want to appreciate God for the gift of life. We also want to appreciate  our amiable Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde for providing an enabling environment for all stakeholders to function.

I appreciate our teachers also, for their dedication to duty.

We started the academic session on a good note, and it is so far so good.

The results of the first and second terms were very encouraging. We are in the third term. This is the term for promotion and graduation. Since the teachers have taught the pupils and students satisfactorily, we hope for the best.

What are your expectations for the 2025/2026 academic session?

We expect commitment, loyalty and dedication from our teachers, who are hardworking. It will be a continuation of our good work. We assure our parents and guardians that the results of their children and wards will be fruitful.

A former Governor of Oyo state and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland,  Oba Rashidi Ladoja has warned that cross carpeting from one political party to another was not a shield against corruption allegations.

Oba Ladoja gave this warning on Friday in an interaction with journalists in his Old Bodija, Ibadan, Nigeria residence.

A New Beginning Starts from here

''Moving from one political party to another is not new. Some people are doing this to protect themselves against the EFCC. However, moving  from one party to another should not be perceived as amnesty for wrong doing.'' he stated.

The former governor called on Nigerians to pray for the emergence of a government that would take care of the people, adding 2027 is still far way. Bola Tinubu has done well. Two years is still far, it just like we are playing football.''

Oba Ladoja wondered what had become of the labor movement in the country saying, '' I listened to the NLC president, Ajaero, I felt for him. He is leading a team that is neither here nor there.''

The poor performance of the government at all levels in Nigeria has reduced millions of Nigerians to beggars.

This assertion was made by a former speaker of the legislative assembly of the Ibadan South East Local Government Council, Hon. Tunde Yusuf.

''Visit the communities; people are suffering. People are begging to eat.

The government's poor performance has turned Nigerians into beggars.

Here in Oyo State, the local government does not exist.

Elected officeholders are nowhere to be found.

Hunger is the major discussion at the grass roots, where the illicit drug trade is booming.

At the bus stops everywhere, pick-pocketing is now the trend.'' Hon. Yusuf stated.

The ceaseless external borrowing by the Federal Government is a preplanned plot to defraud Nigeria.

This assertion was made by government workers, who are members of the Federal Workers Forum(FWF), through their National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''The endless borrowing of the Federal Government from foreign financial institutions is obviously a pre-planned agenda to defraud the country, for personal gains,with the active connivance of the Legislature. This is a bad omen for Democracy. How can the legislature be a rubber stamp? This is regrettable.

In a similar development, the General Secretary of the United Action for Democracy, Comrade Kunle ''wiseman'' Ajayi,  has opined that the present state of things in Nigeria is disturbing, saying, ''we are in a war situation. And as it is there is an urgent need for Nigerians to heighten their expression of discontent over the deteriorating state of the economy, hunger, poverty and violent crimes.

Comrade Ajayi noted that the undisclosed purpose for borrowing by the government is to undermine the economic well-being of millions of Nigerians.''

''Their plan is to perpetually keep the country indebted to the foreign financial institutions. Nigeria has no justification to be poor because the country is naturally endowed and blessed.'' Comrade Ajayi stated.

Walking in humility with the Lord is uplifting  and glorifying in the midst of mortals.

Let us pray for our decision makers in every society, that the Lord will make them to become selfless, generous, fair and transparent for posterity's sake.

Read Acts 15:12-21

The Local Scene

It is very surprising that up till this moment, the potentials in the agricultural sector are yet to be fully developed or realized.

The pivotal role of this sector is to provide sufficient food for the impoverished population, full employment for the millions of unemployed, and a source of supply of raw materials toy, eradicate poverty, and facilitate the diversification of the economy.

But very unfortunately, the result sheet of the sector is everywhere for discerning minds to reach reasonable conclusions.

Indeed, violent crimes coupled with outdated equipment and poor processing and storage facilities, among others, are obviously not incentives to develop agriculture.

The obsessive interest by officials of the government at all levels in the real estate sector has to a great extent contributed to the pitiable state of agriculture in Nigeria.

Sadly, land suitable for arable farming has now been replaced by residential estates, exclusively for the moneybags. Perhaps.

Let us pray for minorities who are vulnerable in a hostile environment—that they will know the ultimate security of faith.

Read Acts 14:21-28.

The Local Scene

It is very sad and disturbing to note that up to this moment, there is yet to be a convincing improvement in the well-being of millions of Nigerians.

The economic policy thrust of the present administration deliberately prevents citizens from accessing the basic necessities of life without hindrance.

Indeed, Nigerians are yet to be empowered to be more economically productive, while their quality of life has rapidly deteriorated.

Sadly, the measures taken by those in charge to reduce the incidence of poverty, for now, are of no significant impact on the lives of the downtrodden people.

However, the increase in domestic and foreign debts are setbacks that have negatively affected the country's economy.

Of worry is the absence of prudence, transparency, and accountability in the government's expenditure at all levels.

The tax system-a source of sleepless nights for millions of impoverished Nigerians-is anything but efficient, even though the multiplicity of taxes is the trend at all levels of government.

Federal workers in Nigeria have described the decision of the federal government to showcase its achievements in the last 24 months in Great Britain during this period when millions of Nigerians are complaining of hunger and poverty as insensitive and embarrassing.

The workers made this known through the National Coordinator of the Federal Workersm (FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''The ministers appointed by the present political leadership in Nigeria are in the process of rolling out the achievements of those in charge in London, while millions of Nigerians are busy contending with hunger, economic hardships, and poverty. This overseas trip is at what cost to taxpayers? It is wasteful. This is very insensitive, callous, and embarrassing. The wind of greed and covetousness has overwhelmed those in the present administration and has become not only a burden but also a liability to millions of Nigerians. Comrade Emelieze stated.

The Local Scene

It is surprising that the powers that be can give consent to the recruitment of 130,000 forest guards for the states in Nigeria.

This may undermine the genuine efforts by the law enforcement and security structure to curtail violent crimes.

 Taxpayers' money was expended to train, retrain, and equip the security operatives for purposes that does not include sabotage.

This initiative and the proposed security summit by the legislature speak volumes about the frame of mind of those in leadership positions.

The sugesstion is that political officeholders are desperate to compensate their well-wishers, admirers, and hangers-on.

The desire of the occupants of the presidential villa to convert to solar energy is a pointer to the troubled state of the power sector.

This assertion was made by the National Coordinator of the Federal Workers(FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''Those in the Aso Rock villa are very fortunate. They can never reason like millions of Nigerians; that is why they are desirous to convert to solar energy at a cost of N10 billion, even though the Federal Government is yet to offset the approximately 4.7 trillion naira owed to electricity generation companies. This is an indication that the power sector is already a failure, but all this while, the government has been deceiving Nigerians. The government and its advisers, without doubt, are overwhelmed by the multifarious challenges bedeviling Nigeria. Rather than come out plain to Nigerians that they have run out of ideas, they have continued to beautify and glorify failures.'' Comrade Emelieze noted.

The Local Scene

The dismal results of candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination(UTME) have only exposed the disturbing state of education in Nigeria.

Indeed, the education sector requires an urgent overhaul.

This ought to be in addition to a genuine and convincing change in the mindset of affected stakeholders.

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