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Teachers in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria have expressed worries over their poor salaries and despicable conditions of service.

The teachers, who lamented that they were experiencing great difficulties in meeting up with their domestic obligations, stressed that the new minimum wage of N70,000 may not be realistic in a number of private schools in the country.

Mrs. Memuna Ibrahim, a teacher in the Lube area of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) disclosed that salaries in private schools were very ridiculous,''most of these schools pay below N25,000''

However, Ejembi Ada, a teacher in a private school in Akwanag in Nasarawa state, maintains that most private schools don't issue letters of appointment and conditions of service, these schools treat teachers like casual workers.''

Interestingly, Matthew Audu, a teacher in a private secondary school in Lokoja, Kogi state, noted that the poor treatment of teachers in private schools has negatively affected the performance of pupils and students in internal and external examinations.

October 5, annually, is set aside to commemorate international teachers' day.

Teachers in Nigeria, however, insist that they have every cause to celebrate the gift of life, despite the prohibitive prices of foodstuffs, transportation, other goods and services which have gone beyond the reach of millions of disillusioned Nigerians.

People are uncomfortable with language, which suggests hierarchies and power relationships. However, we are happier with the language of equality.

None of us is entirely happy with the thought of being a prisoner of a servant.

These are words which have few honorable associations with us.

 So what is the mystery which Christ proclaims ?

It is precisely the liberty we most desire, a liberty which is a mystery or infinite treasure because it makes us all members of the body of Christ.

In Christ, we are offered the true equality of belonging.

These days it is very difficult for people to feel that they belong to anything.

We are deeply scarred by the kinds of greed or apathy which set whole communities against each other.

Let us pray for global healing between nations which have made servants of each other and prisoners of debt; let us pray for world unity.

Workers in Nigeria have every cause to celebrate being alive and faced with the excruciating economic hardships in the country.

The assertion was made by the chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU) University College Hospital(UCH)branch, Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Abiona.

''My own position is that anyone that is alive today has every cause to celebrate, basically for the gift of life in the present harsh economic climate in the country. Workers in Nigeria have every cause to celebrate being alive. The economy is biting very hard. However, one thing I want to appreciate the Federal Government for, is the prompt payment of the new minimum wage of N70,000. We at UCH have already received the new minimum wage for September.

Comrade Abiona also appealed to the Federal Government to take urgent steps to salvage the very disturbing economic situation in the country, saying ''I appeal to the government to ensure good living conditions for the citizenry.''

Millions of Nigerians are complaining that hunger and poverty have taken root nationwide. 

The insecurity in the land has disabled the productivity of farmers in different parts of the country, while political office holders have been overwhelmed by their pecuniary and self-centered interests.

 State actors insist that millions of farmers have benefited from the agricultural subsidies of the government, but the prohibitive cost of food items punctures this claim. For a considerable period of time now, the import of agricultural products has far outweighed exports, confirming the insinuation that state actors are insincere and about the true situation of things in the agricultural sector.

Enthusiasm is an intense and eager interest in and devotion to a cause, a pursuit or an ideal.

An individual possesses a state of mind that does not surrender readily to difficulties, but overcomes them.

A leader must possess enthusiasm. Little can be accomplished in leadership without it.

Genuine interest, knowledge and achievement are crucial in creating enthusiasm in leadership.

In 2004, German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, resigned the leadership of his political party, the Social Democratic Party(SDP) trailed by criticism of his welfare programs.

Schroeder had insisted that his administration would not change direction, following mass protests by the opposition party.

He also resigned as the party Chairman as a result of complaints to the party over a freeze on pensions and the introduction of medical fees.

The acting chairman of the Non Indigenes Traditional Council in Ibadan and Oyo state, and Onu Igala of Igala, High Chief Firday Okoliko has called on Igbos to emulate the life of the late Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie.

Eze(Dr.) Anozie passed on to glory on the 27th of September 2023.

High Chief Okoliko made this call in a chat with the New Federation.

''Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie was our leader, his life was one every individual should emulate. He was humble and was a leader that never discriminated. NITCIOUS is his brainchild. As a leader, he carried everyone along, irrespective of tribe, religion and political persuasion. We miss him greatly,'' he stated.

Similarly, the chairman of Igbo-Ukwu Development Union(IDU)Ibadan branch, Mr. Sunday Anozie described the late Eze as an upright person who was loved by everybody.

He was an upright person, a good Christian, counselor and lived by example,'' Mr. Anozie noted.

For the Ezeoku of Ibadan and Oyo state, Chief Joseph Wigwe, the late Dr. Anozie was a God-fearing leader,'' who resolved conflicts and problems among his subjects. He was a man of good will, who was always ready to make peace. All through his life he ensured peace and unity among Igbos in Ibadasn and Oyo state as a whole.''

However, for Dr. Benard Obiezu, the late Dr. Anozie was an honest and transparent leader,'' who liked helping people in need and that is why he was elected as Eze in 19976 by Igbos in Oyo state.''

We should not give room for our faith to falter, for God our creator will continue to guide and protect us.

He will make provision for all we need.

Exodus 16:1-10

1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

6 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:

7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.

9 And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.

10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.