solomon2day - Page 23 of 30

The Piper Plays the Tune of his Paymaster

By solomon2day
On 12/11/2020
In Special Report

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.

The Piper Plays the Tune of his Paymaster

By solomon2day
On 12/11/2020
In Special Report

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.

The Promotion of Strong Individuals ended Ethical Practices in Nigeria-Prof. Olagoke

By solomon2day
On 02/11/2020
In Special Report

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 :

For a Nation to Be Good Produce Good People

By solomon2day
On 22/10/2020
In Special Report

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.

Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

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

The Long Road to Rail Transportation

By solomon2day
On 13/10/2020
In Special Report

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.

Nine Road Maps to Prayer Efficacy

By solomon2day
On 13/10/2020
In Special Report

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

Teachers Salary Scale-For Credibility Govt Must make Details Public-Prof. Olagoke

By solomon2day
On 09/10/2020
In News

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.

The Efficacy of Prayers

By solomon2day
On 06/10/2020
In Pictures

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.

CBN Palliatives- Our Efforts to Get it Proved Abortive-Oyo Day old Chicks Farmers

By solomon2day
On 06/10/2020
In News

Members of the Day Old Chicks Association of Nigeria(DOCAN) in Oyo state have lamented that all efforts to access the Small and Medium Enterprises(SME) loans from the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) to cushion the harsh effects of the coronavirus pandemic have proved abortive.

The lamentation of the members of DOCAN was made known by its chairman, Alhaji Asimiyu Oyetunde in a chat with Poverty Line.

''All efforts to get the loans have proved abortive, we only hear that they are giving out loans, we don't know those they are giving it to'', Alhaji Oyetunde disclosed.

In the same vein, a cross section of worried members of the association have called on their leaders to put an end to the sharp and unbecoming practices going on in the centers of trade.

Aborted Protests-Posterity shall Judge Labor Leaders for Selling out-AWC

By solomon2day
On 02/10/2020
In News

The All Workers Convergence(AWC) has asserted that posterity shall hold it against labor leaders in Nigeria for selling out on the aborted planned nationwide protests against the increase in electricity tariffs and the pump price of Premium Moter Spirit(PMS).

The AWC made this assertion through its Nationa Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emeliez in a chat with Poverty Line.

''We know that posterity will judge these labor leaders for the compromise. The labor leaders have sold out and what labor leaders have done with this aborted strike is an attempt to kill labor activism in Nigeria'', Comrade Emelieze stated.

Nigeria at 60-Been Alive is a Good Reason to celebrate-Prof. Olagoke

By solomon2day
On 02/10/2020
In News

60 years after Nigeria's independence, Nigerians have expressed divergent views on how the country has fared in all the spheres of life. In this interview, the Founder Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke says that the only reason why Nigerian have to celebrate is for been alive. Excerpts :

Do you think there is any good reason for Nigerians to celebrate the country's 60 years independence anniversary ?

Nigerians, no matter the grievances we may have against successive governments' performances, for reasons of been alive we need to celebrate. The form of celebration will, however, determine the level of our seriousness and soberness. If at 60, Nigeria is know to be bedeviled with various problems of poverty and insecurity, there will be the need to compare notes, bot with our past and with other nations, on the issues of growth, progress and development for the present situation the areas of wastefulness in the management of government business must be analyzed critically and objectively for us to know the very weak areas that need correction.

For example, Nigeria was used to various constitutional process of law that supported federalism with concentrated wealth with the federating units with weal center.

The Parliamentary system of government upheld this for Nigeria to realize at the regional level, accelerated development that promoted healthy competition among the three regions then. Human development index was very high when you assumed that your socio-economic status was poor, but today, we are operating on the 1999 constitution that sourced its strength from the 1979 constitution, all of which were based on the concept of governance by the military.

The 1922 and 1946 constitutions supported a weak center and upon this, the 1954 constitution was drawn to promote and facilitate development.

This led to the strong 1963 constitution which was, however, truncated in January, 1966 by the first military coup in Nigeria and hence put an end to the strong regional government with a weak center that allowed rapid development that were directly felt with high impact even on the grassroots people.

Presently, the Federal and state Governments operate at 52 per cent federal hold and 48 per cent for the states and Local Governments to manage with. Under the present arrangement state Governors would have to go cap in hand to collect money from the Federal Government to be shared among the 36 states and 774 Local Governments to pursue the goal of development.

Worse still, under this arrangement, leakages in financial transactions, allow very many to be corrupt, this gives room for the abuse of public offices, which is now the order of the day.

Government in the process became a luxurious tantalizing mirage to the very large population that directly need selfless service or visionary leadership which has continued to be elusive.

Between the Known and Unknown

By solomon2day
On 28/09/2020
In Pictures

1 Peter 4 : 8

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Return to God for Astute Management

By solomon2day
On 24/09/2020
In Special Report

The home is the bedrock of community formation which extends to nation-building.

However, the role of the parents in running the home in order to give it a strong foundation is highly crucial as this is expected to manifest in the way we rear children.

From the physiological point of view, the custody of the child for safety and without abuse is paramount, while the growth and the development of the child equally depend on the following three parameters, namely-nutrition for a balanced diet and their regular intake for appropriate supply of adequate calories needed for upkeep.

The second factor of importance is a function of nutrition to supply good health for enough body immunity that will not allow infiltration of disease attacks into avoidable ailments which can impair the body ailments which can impair the body from properly functioning.

Good health condition leads to the wellness of the person that will constitute physical fitness, emotional balancing, psychological fitness and career/financial upkeep.

When the home fails to provide for all these, the Maslow's hierarchy of needs become disrupted for the product of the home to be emotionally challenged and socially disturbed.

Maslow opines that parents need to rear their children through the following-physiological, social, self-esteem and self-responsibility.

The Holy Quran 11 : 6, made this submission, '' There is no moving creature on earth, but its sustenance depended on Allah : He knoweth its temporary place and its temporary deposit : All is in a clear record.''

Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

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

Kenya Considers Reopening Schools

By solomon2day
On 15/09/2020
In News

The Kenyan Government is considering reviewing the January 2021 resumption date of schools in the country.

The Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, made this known after a crisis meeting at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), attributed the development to decreasing cases of Covid-19 that suggest the curve may be flattening.

“I called this meeting today to engage the taskforce and various education stakeholders on the process of drafting a new proposal to be presented before the larger national education stakeholder’s conference that will be held on September 25.”

“It is time to relook at earlier proposals regarding reopening of schools. We are looking at all aspects, but have not come to a consensus on when schools can reopen, or set any date,” said Prof Magoha. “Between now and next week, the taskforce committee will work on finer details that will be interrogated by the larger stakeholders meeting,” Prof Magoha stated.

Activate Religion to rescue Nigeria from Collapse

By solomon2day
On 15/09/2020
In Special Report

Three things are fundamentally true in life-positive, negative, and neutral. In the electrical wiring system, the three have a significant role they play in helping us to generate light or to make machines work.

The positive and negative work together for electrical circulation or to produce energy or to make mechanical work in the engine without the intervention of the neutral, the whole system may get burnt or disrupted, whenever there is an upsurge of thunder strike, if not for the third.

However, this does not work in interpersonal relationships which mainly depends on the algebraic rule of addition that makes them be commutative. This is why Nigeria is having fundamental problems in the polity.

Nigeria continues to face challenges and threats of insurgence, terrorism, poverty, and a lack of achieving sustainable development to date. The interest of the people with the mandate to rule, therefore, becomes personal with a lot of blood in their hands to protect their wealth.

This is contrary to the concept of philanthropy, good governance, and passion for the needy which are necessary to run an all-inclusive government, while the able-bodied cry of been denied access to the good things of life, the marginalized ones such as the girl child, women and people with disabilities have no hope under this oppressive condition, rather than resort to faith.

The religious sector must, therefore, get overhauled and sanitized, to be able to rescue humanity, ab initio Go created the heaven and the earth, Gen. 1: 1-2, ''At first the earth was completely empty or void'. Making the earth to be completely void was a deliberate action by God as a challenge for every human to toil through the principle of dignity of labor, process to cultivate an environment for habitation from a hut to a house, and with an emerging community.

The essence of teamwork spirit and cooperative attitude, placing ideas together for the purpose of development and unity is hereby established by God for humankind to embrace as a culture.

The Holy Quran corroborates this and warns people and nations that, for sustainable development, we must go through the due process of the fear of God by forming a formidable united front based on love.

Quran 3: 102-104,'' Oh ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam(piety, goodness, love, and legitimacy) And hold fast all together by the Rope which Allah stretches out of you, and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love so that by His grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the Pit of Fire and He saved you from it, doth Allah make His signs clear to you: Tha ye may be guided.

If we are all scripture compliant with all consciousness on the need to apply by intuition what we have learned in our Churches, Mosques, and other faith-based organizations, our value system would have been in tandem with the scriptural dictates of Quran 3 :104:'' Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.''

If we are able to follow this, our houses of God would promote and produce good and well-informed citizenry as well as credible leaders with a common focus on nutrition, health, and wellness of the people to be capable of enthroning the much needed sustainable development devoid of fraud, indiscipline, impunity, and corruption. Let's save Nigeria from collapse.

Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

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

Activate Religion to rescue Nigeria from Collapse

By solomon2day
On 15/09/2020
In Special Report