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Many Pharisees were good and upright people, who Jesus Christ counted among his friends.

But it was those who misused religion who angered him so much, particularly when they excused unjust actions and unfair attitudes with pious platitudes.

People might be scrupulous about small details of religious observance, giving to the temple a tenth of all their produce, even to the smallest herbs.

But if they were unscrupulous in their treatment of others, Jesus condemned them in no uncertain terms.

Which sins do religious people tend to condemn most readily today?

How much prominence do we give to justice, humility, and reverence as the most important values?

How often do we speak out against hypocrisy, greed and self-indulgence ?

The retirement age policy of the government at all levels has pushed retirees to lead a life of condemnation.

This assertion was made by the chairman of the end-of-year party of the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers' Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) chapter, Barrister Niyi Aborishade, in Ibadan, Nigeria.

''I congratulate all of you retiring today, and I also pray that you will enjoy the world of possibilities that lies ahead. They've condemned you when you retire early. You will have nothing to do. Workers should retire at 65. I urge you to develop a comprehensive strategy on how you will spend your retirement and gratuity. You have worked hard in life, and you will enjoy the fruits of your labor.'' Barrister Aborishade stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, the union's chairman, Comrade Kola Carew, appealed to members to cooperate with the executive of the union to move it forward, saying, ''We should speak with one voice. Anything you see or hear, reach out to your leaders so that we will not derail.''

Several businesses in Nigeria have closed shop due to the harsh policies of the government.

This assertion was made by the spokesperson of the Federal Workers Forum, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

''So many businesses are no longer finding it difficult to cope with the unfriendly policies of the government but are now finding it extremely impossible to stay afloat, and the only option open to them is to close shop. The general costs of doing business in Nigeria have gone beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians. Businesses have continued to collapse, while those in government are still giving empty assurances,'' Comrade Emelieze stated.

A syndicate that specializes in the stealing of electric service wires from residential buildings now operates in Ibadan, Nigeria.

The criminal group comprising some unscrupulous elements in the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) co-opted financially indisposed individuals to give out vital information that would be of mutual benefit to both of them.

On Tuesday, 17 December, 2024, between 2:45 pm and 3:10 pm in the afternoon, a marketer and a technician, both workers of the IBEDC, stole the four service wires that supply electricity to the four apartments at No. 3 Kehinde Aderibigbe Street, Olorunsogo, Molete.

Before the ugly act, the criminals had sat down and strategized at a shoemaker's shop at No. 6.

The shoemaker had in turn entertained them.

After the act, the criminals, who brought along a ladder, made away with the stolen items while residents of the community watched with keen interest.

In recent times, cases of the theft of the DISCO's equipment and materials have become rampant.

Once you become born again, avoid the temptations of backsliding. 

In the present world, temptations abound; everywhere you go, it is now left for you as a true believer to resist such temptations.

Do not become an enemy of yourself; meditate on the word regularly when you notice you are treading the wrong path.

Look up to God, and painstakingly avoid looking up to man.

Resist any attempt to backslide by anyone; it could be your friends, your colleagues at your place of work, your relations, or anyone close to you.

Be steadfast. Hosea 11:7

Young boys aged between 8 and 15 years old on Thursday burgled a residence in the Olorunsogo Molete Ibadan area of Oyo state.

The boys, led by one Imole Adewale, a junior secondary school student of Ibadan Grammar School, numbered about 12 and pretended to be playing football along Kehinde Aderibigbe Street before some of them broke into the apartments at No. 3 and made away with valuables running into hundreds of thousands of Naira.

Surprisingly, residents who own shops in and around the scene of the incident provided cover for the young criminals.

Before this time, parents and guardians in the community had repeatedly aided and abetted their children and wards in criminality.

Indeed, homosexuality, prostitution, drug addiction, and several other forms of social vices have become the order of the day as most of the young people have veered off the path of education.

Sadly, those in charge remain unperturbed despite the irredeemable damage that has been done to the young lives, even as lawlessness, indiscipline, and criminality have been adopted as daily ways of lives.

It is disheartening to come to terms with the fact that intimidation, threats, attacks, and manipulation are now tools of governance at all levels of government. Very strange and laughable. 

Leadership has been redefined to include deceit, manipulation, and lies, among other things. 

Cultists on Thursday afternoon attacked and dispossessed a gainfully employed Nigerian of his personal belongings and valuables.

The cultists, led by one diminutive hoodlum named Okunnu, numbered about 18 and operated from an events planner's shop at the Baptist Convention shopping complex, Scout Camp Junction, Challeneg/Molete road, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Acting under the influence of marijuana and other illicit substances, they attacked the innocent Nigerian and made away with all he had on him.

Despite the alarm raised by the robbery victim, bystanders who were complicit cheered the criminals.

Of worry is the role played by parents and guardians in crime, even as the general belief is that an unspecified number of law enforcement agents and government officials provide material and moral support for these criminals.

This informs the increasing rate of lawlessness, indiscipline, and criminality in many communities in the state.

Sadly, the feeble efforts of the state government to deal decisively with the outlaws have so far yielded no positive result.