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Nigerians are unanimous over the attitude of members of the National and State House of Assemblies.

They insist that the lawmakers have not been above board in the performance of their constitutional functions.On several occasions in this dispensation, at the Federal and State levels, the withdrawal of public funds without authorization by laws of the National and State assemblies have been commonplace.

The insinuation is that the lawmakers' hands are tied, as a result of the questionable ways they were elected to represent the people.

Curiously, in the present time, the majority of these lawmakers are not courageous enough to visit their constituencies, due to protests rocking various parts of the country.

Sadly, issues of urgent national importance are either not discussed or played down by the lawmakers, so as not to negatively affect the fortunes of those who dictate the tune for the piper to play.

Nigerians are unanimous over the attitude of members of the National and State House of Assemblies.

They insist that the lawmakers have not been above board in the performance of their constitutional functions.On several occasions in this dispensation, at the Federal and State levels, the withdrawal of public funds without authorization by laws of the National and State assemblies have been commonplace.

The insinuation is that the lawmakers' hands are tied, as a result of the questionable ways they were elected to represent the people.

Curiously, in the present time, the majority of these lawmakers are not courageous enough to visit their constituencies, due to protests rocking various parts of the country.

Sadly, issues of urgent national importance are either not discussed or played down by the lawmakers, so as not to negatively affect the fortunes of those who dictate the tune for the piper to play.

In Nigeria of today, the national ethics of Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labor, Social Justice, Religious Tolerance, Self-Reliance, and Patriotism are missing in the daily lives of a significant number of the leadership and followership. Concerned Nigerians insist that the leadership dictate the pace for the followership. This, has, however, sadly, resulted in the disconnect between the leadership and the followership. In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head, and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke opines that the focus of successive administrations in the country on the promotion of strong individuals rather than strong institutions put paid to the observance of the national ethics. Excerpts :
Why are all the elements of the National Ethics missing in the lives of a sizable number of Nigerians?
In the time past, Nigeria was rated very high, and most important dignitaries from abroad including the then Prince of Saudi Arabia received their medical treatment in hospitals in Nigeria. Then, the universities were just about four, but they ranked very high among their counterparts in every part of the world because of the quality of education and the standard of services offered by their lecturers. Though crude oil was discovered in Oloibiri in 1956, it was fully developed after the civil war between 1967 and 1970.
However, mismanagement of this made successive administrations to abandon agriculture for development. This brought in the era of uncontrollable corruption, making every government be successful in promoting strong individuals rather than strong institutions. In the process, national ethics got lost for institutional indiscipline to take over. The dignity of labor became a farce while the quick money-making syndrome which is not limited to all sorts of human rituals became the order of the day. It is very unfortunate that all agents of socialization have been eroded for things to fall apart. Since the fratricidal war of 1967 to 1970, national ethics have been missing national life. To this extent, ethnic bias and kleptocracy have replaced the senes of nationhood and patriotism, making the leadership totally disconnected from the followership. Using the recent nationwide protests, as an illustration, Nigerian leaders must realize that the ability to control the children, youth, and followership lie in the positive impact one can make while in the position of power to do so. Sanity can only reign when destitution and abject poverty are out of sight.

nce of the national ethics. Excerpts :

The challenge we have is in producing god citizens to the maximum level to overwhelm the 'bad and crazy guys' even into extinction. The Holy Quran refers,'' Therefore, stand firm in the straight path that hath commandeth-Thou and those who with thee turn unto to Allah(the almighty God)); and transgress not from the path(honor): For He seeth well all that you do and incline not to those who do wrong or fire will touch  you; and ye have no protector other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.''
In the same vein, The Holy Bible stands firm on the goodness of purpose. In Prov. 12: 3-9 in its comparative narration of good and evil, ''Evil people are never safe. But good people will be safe and secure. A husband is happy and proud of a good wife. But if a woman makes her husband ashamed then she is like a sickness in his body. Good people are fair and honest in the things they plan to do. But don't trust the things an evil person tells you. Evil people use their words to hurt other people, but the words of a good person can save people from danger. Evil people are destroyed and there is nothing left. But people remember a good man long after he has gone. People praise a wise man but don't respect a stupid person.  It is better to be a person who is not important but works hard  than to be a person who pretends to be important but has no food or value.''
In the same vein, the Holy Quran emphasizes every nation to produce good people than bad people through the network of the homes, community, state, the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and Government. For the nation to be able to be strong enough in defending the course of its people and protecting the multitude of the youth at a sustainable level.
Presently, it is imperative to work on our value systems to remove the stigma of worthlessness and international ridicule due to our actions and inaction dictated by the mass population of bad people.
The Holy Quran 14: 24-26, refers, '' Seeth thou not how Allah set forth a parable ?-A goodly Word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches reach to the heavens, it brings forth its fruits at all times by the leave of its Lord so Allah set forth parables for men in order that they may receive  admonition and the parable of an evil Word is that of an evil tree: It is torn up by the root  from the surface of the earth: It has  no stability.''

For Nigeria and Nigerians not to lose credibility,  let us decide to be good people to produce good people by shunning bad mannerism, greed,  wicked acts, and games of deceit for true development to emerge through collaborative and collective efforts.

In 1898, the then administration in Nigeria commenced the construction of the railway and between 1901 and 1909, the railway line had been constructed up to Niger at Jebba-302 miles from Lagos to Jebba.

This was followed by the Western line running from Lagos to Kano, which was constructed between 1898 and 1913.

In addition, the River Niger bridge, the major link  between Lagos and  the North, was constructed and opened for traffic by Lord Lugard in 1916, while a railway line from Port-Harcourt  to   Enugu was also constructed in the same year.

It is to be noted that the railway was extended to Kaduna in 1926 and Nguru in 1`936. Also, the River Benue bridge was constructed and opened for use in 1932,  while the railway lne from Jos to Maiduguri was constructed and opened for use in November, 1964.

In all, during this period there were 2,500 miles of railway in the country.

Interestingly, the discovery of mineral resources in the different locations greatly influenced the construction of the railway lines. Today, the debate among Nigerians is the failure of the present administration to justify the rationale behind the humongous amount of money collected as loans from China and the issue of invisible projects all over for the benefit and well being of the people. 

Most often we call for divine intervention without considering the fact that the creator is set the standard to attempt the caller's prayer.
Religion is established as a school for humankind to have an opportunity of having a deep knowledge about their creator to be able to build a cozy rapport environment for a perfect God/man relationship. All the prophets of God have been made to make the work of teaching and learning easy for all humans to purge themselves of all evil thoughts and acts. And to be able to refrain from committing sins and crimes, for worshippers to be wholesome and qualified to relate, without hindrance, with their creator, the almighty Allah.
The essence of sermons and lectures by religious leaders and scholars through the role modeling approach is thereby emphasized.
Quran 10: 57,  refers, ''  Oh mankind there hath come to you an admonition from your Lord and healing of the diseases in your hearts,-and for those who believe, a Guidance and Mercy.''
2Tim 3: 16-17,'' All scriptures are given by God (as a curriculum to drive the vehicle of religion) and all scripture is useful for teaching and showing people the things that are wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching how to live right. Using the scriptures the person who serves God will be ready and will have everything he needs for every good work,(management, administration, and governance).
For such a prepared individual, the opportunity to call on God for personal reasons or as an intercessor between God and man for the wellness of others and fairness of the state is already to his or her advantage.
This is why the scriptures emphasize that prayers must be based on the sincerity of purpose and just call for God to intervene in any affair.
Quran 13: 14 refers,'' To  Him is due, the true prayer and others that they call upon besides Him, hear them no more than if they were to stretch forth their hands for water to reach their mouths but it reaches them not: For the prayers of those without Faith is nothing but vain prayer.''
James 5: 16-18,'' Always tell each other the wrong things you have done(the essence of confession and transparency) then pray for each other. Do this so  God can heal you. When a good person(the just) prays hard, great things happen. Elijah was the same as us. He prayed that it would not rain and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years! Then Elijah prayed that it should rain and the rain came down from the sky, and the land grew crops again.''
Countries and their religious leaders must work on the following operational modules of prayer for the efficient and timely outcome as contained in  Olagoke hierarchy of needs for prayer efficacy. They are nine elements  :
1) Body preservation from sins and crimes.
2) Soul purification from evil thoughts 
3)Compacted thoughts that concentrate and focus on the mightiness of God for dialogue(Niyat).
4)Requests based on statements of fact.
5)Positive mental attitude for good behavior as extended to the forgiveness of others.
6) Reflection on perfect leadership and followership essence. that are scripture compliant to have the favor of God(Khubat).
7)Firm and absolute belief in God as sensitive and benevolent.
8) Actionable attitude towards the goal.
9)Prayer outcome at realization and actualization realm, as a sign of prayer efficacy for all time glorification.
It is therefore essential that  every adherent is sensitized o the nine elements for prayer efficacy through religious leaders exemplary lifestyle to the level of attaining the total personality attributes of a quality value-laden elder statesmanship.

Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

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

The Federal Government has reviewed the years of service for teachers in Nigeria from 35 to 40 years and also the retirement age from 60 to 65 years of age, while at the same time introducing a new salary structure.
Even though a cross-section of Nigerians applauds the decision, several others believe that the new salary structure would be difficult to implement in several states. In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,  Prof. Sabitu Olagoke opines that the Federal Government should make public the details of implementation and also introduce a Special  Teachers Pension Scheme. Excerpts :
Do you think the new salary structure for teachers in Nigeria, recently announced y the Federal Government and the adjustment of years of service and retirement age are realistic?
The new national teaching policy assigned and approved by President Muhammadu Buhari is an indication that better days await us in Nigeria, probably starting from this government. This is because the teaching service sector has been neglected over the years, making this crucial, fundamental, and primary mainstay of life to mankind highly unattractive for the lack of motivation for teachers, the profession has for long been producing the poorest of the poor of our population with the consequence of the graduates becoming touts and social miscreants.
Components that absorb half-baked products of our schools always go into the loss of goodwill except for train the trainers' cycles of workshops, seminars, and conferences. If the government now feels that it as imperative to sign and approve the new national teaching policy all of us must applaud them and stand by them for proper implementation otherwise it may become another white elephant project.
For example, the introduction of the special teachers' salary scale is long overdue, various governments had always given Nigerians a false sense of hope.
The posers that follow range as 1)Feasibility of executing the project without discontinuity, considering that many states are yet to start paying the new minimum wage of mere N30,000. Gratuities of many teachers are yet to be paid in several states while pension challenges have led to the suffering of many with the consequence of losing some fo them.
This is why the Government must intimate Nigerians on how it plans to go about this policy to give the citizenry maximum assurance.
On the issue of the retirement age from 60 to 65, the government ought to have conducted an opinion poll for correct statistics to justify the new policy.

Suffice it now to say that the government must reconsider the benefits of retiring at 60 or 70 as the nation may benefit from these human resources potentials in the face of the dynamics of activities expected in service. The teaching profession is glorious and fundamental to human growth and development which would affect positively,  proficiency in community service and active participation in national development. The new special salary scale for teachers will automatically ned to be supported by also introducing the Special Teachers' Pension Scheme.
Perusing all these,  if the government is determined to do it, the present allocation structure needs to be revisited to be in favor of the states and the Local Governments, considering the fact that the number of Primary and Secondary schools are far higher than the number of tertiary institutions we have in Nigeria for them to be able to cope Afterall.
The whole world is clamoring for Education For All(EFA) in the face of global best practices that demand standard quality.
The Federal Government has to put in place an effective monitoring mechanism that would give it the assurance for transparency and accountability through due process in procurement and every transaction.
The government must equally ensure that the teachers and students/pupils justify the new gesture that demands merit in certification. This is to allow our graduates to be attitudinally fit and professionally capable in the competitive market of labor justification.

11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.