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  • All About Equity and Justice

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    Equity and Justice is not a priority in a sizable number of nations. Indeed. 

  • The True Meaning of Peace

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    Those in charge  at all levels ought to learn form the above. Prehaps.

  • Workers in Nigeria should resist Salary Cuts and Sack- AWC

    Fed 1Labor unions in Nigeria have been called upon to resist any attempt by the Federal and State Governments to slash the salaries of workers and retrench.

    This call was made by the All Workers Convergence(AWC) through tis National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

    ‘’The AWC is calling on labor to immediately wear another toga and resist any attempt to slash workers salaries or reduce the workforce. The AWC suggests that rather than been creative and finding out ways through which the poor can survive the coronavirus crisis, our government is there planning and trying to use clandestine means to sack workers and reduce their salaries that have never been a living wage’’, Comrade Emelieze concluded.

     

  • Community Policing will work only if…….-Vice President Ezendigbo in Diaspora

    Eze 2Community policing can only be effective in Nigeria when equity and justice become entrenched in the system.

    This assertion was made by the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, whoa also doubles as the Vice President(South) Ezendigbo in Diaspora, Eze(Dr.)Alex Anozie.

    ‘’Community policing will work out easily if justice and equity reigns in our society. I repeat again, community policing will work out if justice and equity reigns in our society. Why I continue to hammer on justice and equity every time I comment on national issues, is because if people are happy, if Nigerians are happy, if all the ethnic groups in Nigeria are happy there won’t be anything to worry about community policing, there won’t be crisis everywhere. If justice and equity reigns there won’t be the need for community policing.’’

    Eze(Dr.)Anozie maintained that Nigerians were not happy that was why insecurity in the country was on the increase saying ‘’if the people are happy, then if they see anything bad or evil taking place anywhere, they will committedly expose the bad or evil, but when people are not happy and everyday they live in fear, they are apprehensive, bad news is the order of the day, killings, armed robbery, rape and so on, who then are you policing ? The Government still has a lot to do, that is why those elected are in government. Government should try to restore orderliness and fight crime to a standstill, then people can now start talking about community policing and everybody will show interest’’.

    ‘’When people see evil everywhere, from the Government, from the top to the bottom wrung of the ladder, nobody is happy, community policing would be difficult, because everybody is minding his or her business. When justice and equity are in place, everyone would become his or her brother’s keeper. If I see someone from another ethnic group, I would show concern. But when the system is not right everybody is on his or her own. The Goverment is encouraged to do the needful by nipping in the bud the injustice, inequity and injustice that are all over the country presently’’, Eze(Dr.) Anozie concluded.

  • Parenting

    Quote 1As a Father or as a Mother how have you groomed you children, have you groomed them to be assets or liabilities to the society ? You are in the best position to answer this question.

  • The Home, Morality and Religion

    IndexHuman kind will continue to have challenges of discipline and morality when the primary agents of socialization  fail to function to meet the needs of the individual species constituting the society.

    When the parents fail to meet the needs of their children and wards, the home front would suffer from having effective control and management.

    Unfortunately, the products of the home constitute  the elements of the schools, religious bodies and government establishments. Education without discipline may produce a nuisance, who will have a consequent negative impact on the society.

    Let us remember that most of the prominent armed robbers, drug dealers and fraudsters could be rated to be well educated, but with serious lack on the issues of moral discipline, hence their impact will ever be that of serious security risk and a serious barrier in the way of developing the nation. Hence our present decadence.

    Products of the home are the raw materials in the houses of God, expected to be socially and spiritually rejuvenated under their religious leaders. Unfortunately too, most religious leaders are driven into the houses of God not by self interest or true divine call, but by the desire to boost their lust  for ego and to satisfy their economic needs.

    This condition is making religious adherents  to be worse off in character and attitude, when they are challenged  with the responsibilities of office, this has made the Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Institutions to suffer for lack of discipline and moral upbringing from their various homes and houses of God to their various places of work.

    This is why the erstwhile dignity of labor fabric is already destroyed for all organizational ethics to be set aside for a free fraud spree.

    The process of electing and appointing people into various positions of power is characterized by sentiments of ethnicity, nepotism, tribalism and the goal of business as usual in offices, in place of service in office and selfless service  to humanity.

    It is another institutional indiscipline to have records of non-credible election exercises to have our leaders in place.

    Vote buying and a scenario of juicy positions going to the highest bidder constitute the formation of government, the consequence is the two extreme regimes of kleptocracy by the few and destitution and abject poverty for the largest population of voters with the consequence of government inability to create  or generate employment, provide basic amenities and to facilitate  infrastructural development. Are these environment of poverty not enough to generate a state of insecurity, institutional indiscipline and abuse of opportunities , when impunity dominate our  general attitude to the level of sinful acts and flood of criminality.

    If we are to use the factor of religion to revive education in comatose, raise the hope of the people already distressed, frustrated and depressed, the parents and the clerics need  to work together by agreeing to implement the provisions of the scripture, monitor adherence attitude and develop a mechanism to estimate and evaluate individual understanding and spiritual progress development. Religion presently is too naked to have reasonable impact on the adherents because the divine design of the goal has been trivialized into a poor state of entertainment, false miracles and commercial enterprise against the tenets of free spiritual healing(Matt10 : 7-13, Quaran  11 : 51-52). With these tenets followed, there won't be any need for anybody to dilute the sacredness of religion through unnecessary magical wands.

    Besides this, charity  begins at home, hence there is  the need to work on the provision of  of Quaran 16 : 90 to build a strong base, '' Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and giving to kith and kin, and He forbids all indecent deeds and evil and rebellion : He instructs you, ye may receive admonition.''

    Let this apply to all facets of our lives including the systems of all agents of socialization-home, school, faith based organizations, various associations and unions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies and government as a whole. Let it start from you and  from me.

    Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

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

     

  • Parents and Child Rearing

    IndexThe issue of institutional discipline rectitude need to span through the phases of the home, school, houses of worship, places of work, the society at large for the nation to benefit.

    This is why moral instruction must be stressed an entrenched part of our curriculum of formal, informal and non-formal education which are highly essential to the sociological interactions of humans.

    At the domestic front, child custody must be within the ambit of safe and secured environment that would make the child to be free from all forms of abuse-sexual and otherwise.

    Parents must give credence to the values through which the want the society to respect their children beyond the mere rhetoric of passing instructions.

    Children must be valued through love, care, respect, attention, protection, with the need for parents to meet up with their physiological needs of shelter, food and clothing. Children must not be left to the mercy of neighbors, who must have to be tested and trusted for appropriate additional guides to be in place. The custody of the child must see him or her through the developmental stages of teething, crawling, walking and the trouble shooting phases of the dental setting(growing of the teeth). Appropriate vaccines against the killer diseases right from the weeks of birth, with the continued attendance of the pediatrics to help him or her avoid the menace of infant mortality. The are of moral instruction largely depends on the integrity of the parents for them to be able to bring out of the best from the child/children.

    All these are functions been responsive to the needs of the child and been responsible in caring for the child by the parents.

    The routine feeding, birthing and other psychological therapy for the child’s relaxation and well being are the very kind of gratitude, the almighty Allah expects from all parents as summarized in the referential example of Luqman, defined as a fountain of wisdom based on the parental roles offered in rearing his won children-Quaran 3 : 12 refers ‘’We bestowed in the past wisdom on Luqman : ‘’Show thy gratitude to Allah’’, Any who is so grateful does so to the profit of his own soul : But if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, worthy of praises.’’

     The emphasis from the above passage is on the fact that a show of gratitude or praise to Allah must go beyond been a matter of carrying out the expected responsibilities, in this case of matters of child rearing. The implication of doing things correctly, most especially following due process is that one remains as an image in a photograph forever, to either regret or appreciate his or her past actions or inaction in the future, so is the case in investing in our children through what it takes to groom future leaders.

    For example, at the awareness level of the child’s impressionable age, it is better to sow a good seed of good character for the child to be permanently be the best in the nearest future even if one is no more around him or her because discipline is the bedrock of exemplary lifestyle.

    However, two things are fundamental in rearing good children. His or her high recognition of Allah to live a Godly life and his or her reverence for parents, who are expected to be role models for the child to learn correctly through good instructions. For example, the provisions of the Holy Quaran 31 : 13–14 are sufficient case studies on this matter.

    ‘’Behold Luqman said to his son, Oh ! my son, join not in worship Allah with any others : For false worship is indeed the highest wrong doing’’.’’ And we have enjoined on man to be good to his parents : In travail upon travail did his mother bear him. And in years twain was weaning, so hear this command. ‘’Show gratitude to Me and the parents. To Me is thy final word.’’

    It is important that parents must communicate effectively with their children, to be able to know their nature for appropriate and timely corrections to be given. Proverbs 27 : 23 equally emphasizes on this. ‘’ Watch your sheep and goats carefully. Be sure you care for them the best you can.’’ Be sure that you care for them the best you can.’’ Let us all are responsible parents to produce reliable future leaders from our homes for the society ,and the nation.

    Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

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

  • Labor Leaders are only interested in Government Patronage-AWC

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    The precarious and worrisome situation of workers in Nigeria has been attributed to the insatiable appetite of labor leaders for Government patronage.

    The All Workers Convergence(AWC) made this position known throhg its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

    ‘’ What is painful is the very ridiculous response from the labor centers, the Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress(TUC), that have shown weak response to the plight of workers in Nigeria, rather than take up genuine struggle for workers, the response labor leaders have shown that labor leaders are interested in seeking patronage from Government at all levels instead of embarking on the protection of the rights of workers. It is very worrisome that labor leaders across the federation go to the extent of presenting awards to government in the face of massive hunger, poverty and public health crisis.’’

    Comrade Emelieze lamented that workers had no cause to celebrate on May 29, saying, ‘’ you don’t need a soothsayer to tel you that the Nigerian workers have nothing to celebrate as regards the Democracy day. Democracy has been pirated and the voice of the workers no longer count, workers are underrated and they are treated as appendages, only to be used when needed.’’

  • Rot in Worship Centres Militating Against COVID 19 Eradication-Prof. Olagoke

    IndexThe rot in worship centers in Nigeria has been identified as one of the major factors militating against the eradication of the coronavirus pandemic.

    This assertion was made  in a Ed El Fitri message by the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke.

    ''Religious practice in Nigeria, Christianity and Islam inclusive has become a mere gimmick for extortion, making the houses of God to become haven for fraudsters and deposit base for looted blood money, with impunity and without control. This has relegated to the poor second, religious houses interventions in controlling the spread and evolving of solution to COVID 19 pandemic leaving government to the poor mercy of mere physical and medical precautionary measure which all must abide with'', Prof. Olagoke stated.

  • From Kano state Nigeria with Hunger and Poverty

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  • Coronavirus-Workers should not Despair-AWC

    WorWorkers across the globe have been called upon not to despair as a result of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.

    This call was made by the All Workers Convergence(AWC) through its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

    ‘’Workers allover the world are urged by the AWC not to despair in the face of the global corona virus pandemic, nothing is permanent, we shall overcome. The coronavirus pandemic is not an exception, we shall overcome’’, Comrade Emelieze concluded.


     

  • Daily Guide on 2020 Ramadan Exercise for Humanity

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    Wednesday 29th, April 2020

    The Ramadan fasting period of 29 or 30 days as guided by the curriculum, has to be followed to achieve the the culture of due process of the fear of God. This has to be taken seriously through effective teaching and learning cycle by the pedagogues or scholars of note and adherents of the Islamic religion.

    The cooperation of the environment of Islam which constitutes other religious systems should be appreciated because several alcoholic shops are closed and the noise emanating from the preparation of Sahur, that is the dead of the midnight meal taken, is not only showing a good Memorandum of Understanding, but extends to the keeping of good neighborliness.

    This act of tolerance and cooperation must continue after the end of the Ramadan fasting exercise. Ramadan Kareem.

    Thursday, 30th April

    In this period of the coronavirus pandemic , there is the need for all Muslims to respect the rules of hygiene in their daily conduct, preparation of food or Iftar, breaking of fast in the sunset and Sahur, that is taking of meal before dawn.

    This is equally a period of soberness which is a precondition to have immediate response to prayer requests. Qiyamu-layl, that is voluntary Nawal-fl in the midnight during the month of Ramadan must be taken with all seriousness, to seek God’s favor on issues of personal interest and on the present challenges of mankind, which is the coronavirus pandemic, this requires divine intervention. Let us capitalize on the injunctions of the Holy Quran 2 : 186, which says that ‘’When my servant asks thee concerning Me(Allah) : I am indeed close to them, I respond to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me : let them also with a will, listen to My call and believe in Me : that they may walk in the right way.’’

    Let us allow the manifestations of God the almighty Allah reflect this benevolence. Ramadan Kareem.

    Friday, 1st May

    The period of Ramadan affords us the opportunity to be closer to God than before by engaging ourselves in reciting the Holy Quran(Tilalatul Quran), that is studying the contents to comprehension level and never be in a hurry because the understanding of it matters most to derive its benefits.

    Developing an ability to apply the content of the Holy Quran to moderate and fix our real life situation is the goal of Ramadan.

    To reform and elevate us spiritually. This is the very time when we must seek beneficial knowledge that will not be touched by Satan. The Holy Quran states in 20 :114 to the Holy Prophet Mohamed, who we must follow in thoughts, words, acts and deeds with all consistency. ‘’ High above all is Allah, the King, the Truth ! Be not in haste with the Quran before its revelation to thee is completed, but say Oh ! My Lord, increase me in knowledge’’.

    May the almighty Allah accept your fast as an act of Ibaadah, that is just worship. Ramadan Kareem.

    Saturday, 2nd May

    Let us all realize that the Ramadan fast is an act of abstinence from eating and drinking during the day. This abstinence extends to all acts that may violate the sacredness of your fast , starting from the dawn of twilight till the sun set throughout the month of Ramadan.

    The purpose of this, is to thoroughly moderate our lives into that of discipline and morality and for us to be able to have the right feeling for the poor in hunger, so that the rich in their lifestyle may be able to see the need to extend their goodwill of caring and sharing towards the poor. The Holy Quran 16 : 17 admonishes the rich to do the needful in this direction. ‘’ Allah has bestowed His gift of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others ; Those more favored are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their right hands possess to avoid them been equal to them in that respect.’’ Will they deny the favors of Allah ?

    Ramadan has really come to teach us on how to live a fulfilled life through meeting the needs of others when we have the means. Ramadan Kareem.

    Sunday, 3rd May

    The Holy Prophet has a prophetic prayer against epidemic, ‘’Oh Lord I seek refuge in you from leprosy, insanity, elephantiasis and from evil diseases.’’ The likes of this prayer, however, can only be answered in this period of moral decay, if we are able to determine, to refrain from sins and criminality as well as allowing God the almighty Allah to purify our souls.

    Fortunately, this year’s Ramadan fasting period coincides with the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, which can only be defeated through divine intervention that requires our sincerity of purpose in our worship. Much as we cannot attempt Tafsirul Quran, that is in depth analysis of the Quran, the opportunity through the media, gives us the chance to listen to sermon as a preferred alternative. The following references from the scripture are tests to this : Psalm 24 :1–10, Quran 10 :57 and Quran 17 : 81–82.

    Let us be scripture compliant to be socio-spiritually fortified. Ramadan Kareem.

    Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

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

  • Coronavirus-Govt should Enforce the Use of Face masks-Eze(Dr.)Anozie

    EzeFederal and state Governments in Nigeria have been advised to enforce the use of face masks as a step towards curtailing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

    This advise was given by the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie.

    ‘’My advice to the Federal and state Governments towards our battle against Coronavirus is that Government should make the use of face masks compulsory and automatic throughout the nation for the next one month. Also, Government should relax the lock down a bit to enable Nigerians fetch their daily bread, but they must put on face masks. Everybody, Okada riders, taxi drivers, Journalists and everybody who is coming out from his or her home to the public must put on face mask for the next one month. In addition all barbing and hair dressing salons must remain closed for now. Anybody seen on the streets without face mask should be arrested, prosecuted and made to pay a fine’’.

    ‘’However, banks and all health institutions must remain functional, and the workers concerned must put on face masks. Social distancing should continue including hand washing and sanitizing the hands. With all these in place, I am sure that we shall win the war against coronavirus. In addition, Government should hasten the process of providing palliatives for the people. After one month, Government should sincerely, review the present situation based on reliable information across the country’’, Eze(Dr.) Anozie stated.


     

  • Daily Guide on 2020 Ramadan Exercise for Humanity

    IndexFriday, 24th April 2020

    The Ramadan exercise is an annual activity of socio-spritual importance to mankind, but purposely for the adherents of Islam to keep the body system fit and make its environment safe and secured in order that human interpersonal relationship in every sphere of human endeavor is made cordial.

    Lessons are expected to be learnt for 29 or 30 days in the 9th month of the Lunar calendar. Let us be reminded of the fact that it is a grace and privilege from God for humankind that we are alive to observe it for this reason it must be taken with all seriousness. Ramadan Kareem.

    Saturday 25th April

    Let us all avoid engaging in unwarranted controversies over the fat that it is difficult to start for observations at the same time. What should preoccupy our minds is to appreciate the efforts of those who go through calculations to determine the beginning of Ramadan using the end of Shaaban for the first Tarawih, so that the Ramadan will start on the first day of the 30 day first.

    Let us equally appreciate those who take the patience to observe it through sighting the moon to start the Tarawih for their own length of Ramadan fats to be 29 days in some cases.

    Both of them are expected to go for Eid as thanksgiving period to Allah on the first day of Shawwal which is the 10th month of the Lunar calendar. The fact remains that Ramadan fast must not extend to 31 days or be shortened to 28 days . The basic cause of the differences of opinions is the spherical structure of the earth that makes the sighting of the moon to be difficult to be observed in our different locations at the same time.

    The second point is that of the weather condition which may be cloudy.

    Above all, only those who fast during this month to achieve the set objective of the fear of God matters most to the Almighty Allah. Ramadan Kareem.

    Sunday, April 26th

    Let us appreciate God the almighty Allah for the present condition of mankind in the COVID 19 challenges to coincide with the season of need for repentance from sins and crimes.

    This is because naturally fasting exercises with prayer has always been for mankind, a prescribed solution to ward off evil.

    The Muslims, in this season of soberness must work hard through the Ramadan fasting exercise to achieve preventing the further spread of the Corona-virus, finding permanent vaccines for its cure by seeking for God’s guidance and divine intervention.

    This can only be achieved if we are mindful of the fact that our frivolities ans waywardness including infidelity must have brought about the present human mistakes of the scientists that manufactured the biological culture leading to the present travail of man been brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic..

    No better opportunities can be given by God than that of the Ramadan fast, this period. Let us be more serious on it than before. Ramadan Kareem.

    Monday, 27th April

    Ramadan has a characteristics curriculum which adherents of Islam must recognize and follow to be able to have a resounding success in the 29 to 30 days spiritual training sessions which must reform us to be able to transform our environment for better. For example, Tarawaih, a voluntary Nawafl during the night of Ramadan, although we cannot observe it congregation-ally, this time around because of the closure of Mosques including those in Saudi Arabia which is the source and center of Islamic spread to all the nooks and crannies of the world.

    Muslim faithful should endeavor to seek for divine intervention on the Coronavirus pandemic. Suffice it now to say that no condition can destroy a structure erected by God and the design of God over matters can never be rubbished in the force of all conditions.

    This as observed needs to strengthen your faith in getting closer to God. May God save us from all calamities. Ramadan Kareem.

    Tuesday, 28th April

    Still on the structure of the curriculum for Ramadan fasting exercise as must be observed accordingly for 29 or 39 days, it is compulsory for Muslim adherents to painstakingly observe the exercise in a way that will make him or her achieve the culture of the fear of God or using due process in executing programs.

    For example Sahaur has a divine commutation and it goes beyond mere meal taking during Ramadan fasting before dawn . It is as significant as Iftar period, that is breaking of fast period during the month of Ramadan. Remember that most people are poor to be able to fund the cost of material demand to satisfy the conditions of Sahaur and Iftar. Of equal importance is the opportunity Oiyamu-layl that is voluntary Nawafl in the midnight during the month of Ramadan. This opportunity demands that we pass the test of body preservation for sins and crimes as well as soul purification from evil thoughts for us to be able to commune with God to have a resounding success through visible prayer efficacy-James 5 : 16, Quran 13 : 14. Ramadan Kareem.

    Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

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


     

  • MD Conac Opticals(Nig) Limited Gives out Financial Palliatives to Residents

     

     

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    On Wednesday, 15 April,2020, the Managing Director of Conac Opticals(Nig) Limited, Eze(Dr.) Anozie distributed financial palliatives to residents of Ososami road, Ibadan, Oyo state Nigeria.

    According to Eze(Dr.)Anozie this gesture was borne out of the need to cushion the negative effects of the partial lock down in the state, as a result of the coronavirus pansdemic, on the residents.

    ''I sat down and thought of it, how are people coping in these critical times, so God gave me  the directive to gather the downtrodden and give them the financial palliatives. In the light of this, I appeal to every business venture in the state to replicate this gesture in their various locations in different parts of the state'', Eze(Dr.)Anozie submitted.

  • Lock down- Disconnect Sources of Power Supply in Offices and Shops-Oyo Fire Service

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    Nigerians have been advised to ensure that all sources of electricity supply to their offices, shops and business premises are disconnected before proceeding on the indefinite break occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

    This advice was given by the Deputy Director, Oyo state Fire Service, Mr. Moshood Adewuyi.

    ‘’In this time of lock down those who are not in their offices, shops and business premises should isolate the power supply. Also they should discourage the handling of highly inflammable content in their offices, shops and business premises’’.

    ‘’I also want to advise that every home, office and shop should have a potable fire extinguisher to curtail any fire out break. They should attach great importance to 9 Kg/Co2 fire extinguishers. In addition, I appeal to members of the public not to hesitate to call the fire service in the event of any fire outbreak, so as to minimize the destruction of valuables’’, Mr. Adwwuyi stated.

  • Action Program – How the Poor Will Survive Covid-19

     
    Covid-19 or the Corona virus is turning the world upside down. The
    response from the corrupt elite is for a lockdown until the virus goes away,
    but it could be 12-18 months before a vaccine is developed and distributed.
    Who can survive at home for that long? The priorities for the poor majority
    remain the same – how to obtain food, water and housing for their families
    and friends. We also need electricity and data to stay in touch with our
    friends, families and colleagues. We need mass testing and tracing of
    contacts to contain the virus and free healthcare for all with protective
    equipment for all health workers. We are however amazed that the World
    Health Organisation has not recommended the Cuban drug, Interferon 2B,
    for the treatment of COVID-19 pandemic. It has so far proved to be the
    most effective drug in combating the virus. It is one of the drugs approved
    by the Chinese Government in containing COVID-19 pandemic.
    We need the power of the NLC/TUC to push for this Action Program. That
    will ensure that the poor majority of Nigerians do not suffer so much from a
    disease that was brought here by the corrupt elite flying in from London,
    Paris, New York and other places.
    We have a particular duty to safeguard those who are most vulnerable,
    those who are already living with hunger, weakened immune systems and
    poor access to healthcare. Greater restrictions and shutdowns may be
    necessary, but they will only work if full support is provided to working-
    class and poor communities. Comprehensive measures are needed if we are
    to avoid disaster. Each of us must act now with our workmates and in our
    communities.  In a society as unequal as ours, we must work together to
    ensure that all safety measures are shared equitably.  
    Income security for all
    In order for people to remain at home, there must be income security for
    all. Government and private sector employers must continue to pay salaries
    or grant sick leave. All retrenchments should be stopped during this time.
    Self-employed, informal workers and those whose income is suspended at
    this time must be supported by the government with cash grants. This is to
    prevent movement by job-seekers and to stop people having to take the
    virus back to their villages. 
    Social protection must be extended to ensure the direct transfer of cash to
    households during this precarious time (with clear safeguards to minimise
    corruption). All defaults on rent, electricity and debt repayments should
    not result in penalties or sanctions. All evictions and electricity or water cut
    offs must be banned. A bold economic stimulus package will be required in
     
    the coming period. These measures must be developed in consultation with
    the NLC/TUC and other trade unions.
    All households, residential institutions, the homeless and the
    informally housed must have easy access to water, safe washing
    facilities and sanitation
    There must be an immediate mass-provision of safe water access points
    with unconstrained flow in areas where there is limited household access to
    water. We also need mass-distribution of safe washing facilities in
    community housing areas. All of these sanitation points must have access
    to free soap and information on the prevention of the virus. Where
    necessary governments should provide tankers with safe drinking water
    and to remove sewage.
    All households, residential institutions, the homeless and the
    informally housed must have access to food
    If we are to stay at home during this time, access to nutritious food is
    fundamental. The absence of the School Feeding Programme due to the
    closure of schools will hit many children and their families hard. A
    coordinated and safe roll-out of free food packages directly to distribution
    points in food-stressed neighbourhoods must be implemented – as has
    been suggested by the Federal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and for
    Lagos State. Schools could distribute food parcels to their registered
    pupils. The poor and vulnerable, elderly, refugees, IDPs, persons living with
    disabilities, trafficked persons and petty traders should all be included.
     
    Essential private facilities must be appropriated for public use to
    provide a unified and fair distribution of essential goods and
    services to all
    Federal and state resources need to be focused and deployed in order to
    combat the epidemic. Essential services – health centres, food services,
    water and sanitation etc – should be identified for urgent support and
    extension. This may require the conversion of factories and other places of
    production to produce protective clothing, water tanks, soap, food parcels,
    ventilators and other essential medical equipment. The public and private
    health systems need to be regarded as one health system and coordinated
    in the national and public interest. This may require private facilities being
    taken over by the state, as happened in Spain. Finances may have to be
    mobilised through unconventional means. The rich may have to pay higher
    taxes and empty homes may have to be used to home the homeless or over-
    crowded. Regulations to stop price hikes should be implemented. 
     
    There are hundreds of thousands of unoccupied houses and other
    buildings. Internally displaced people (IDP) and homeless people should be
    resettled in these buildings. They should also be made available for people
    living in over-crowded accommodation.
    Most prisoners should be released. All the cases that have been delayed
    must be hurriedly addressed. All prisoners on remand before their trial to
    be released – they are innocent until proved guilty.
    Community self-organisation and local action is critical, as it our
    representation in national coordination
    Civic organisations, community structures, trade unions and faith-based
    organisations will be extremely important in organising on the ground
    during this emergency. We must all take action where we are. Local trade
    union structures must be engaged, supported and given representation on
    state and Federal planning bodies. The distribution of reliable information,
    essential services and care for our people will require a massive coordinated
    effort from trade union and community leaders. Volunteers must be trained
    and organised for safe, coordinated, campaigns at street-level and for those
    living in institutions. Middle-class and wealthy communities and
    organisations have an obligation to make resources available to poor and
    working-class communities. 
    We must identify strategies to calm tensions and divert violence
    in our homes
    Corona virus mainly kills the old and the ill. The death rate for those with
    the disease is probably around one in 500. We do not need to panic. But
    home-based quarantine will escalate family and relationship tensions, and
    may likely lead to more violence against women, children and others most
    marginalised in our families and communities including non-indigenes and
    foreign nationals. We need to identify strategies to calm tensions and divert
    violence in our homes and communities over this time. We need a strong
    education campaign against all forms of violence, especially domestic
    violence. We need to strengthen safe responses from existing
    neighbourhood, regional and national organisations supporting women and
    children. 
    We also need to ensure that existing ethnic and region tensions are
    addressed and minimised. It is all too easy to blame the foreigners and
    non-indigenes but we all need to work together to address this crisis.
    Communication must be free, open and democratised
    There must be an immediate distribution of free phone data to all, so that
    people are able to receive good information, contact loved ones during
     
    isolation and quarantine, and understand the measures that are in place to
    create safety. Access to the best international research should be free and
    public. There must be daily national press conferences from government
    leaders alongside scientists and professionals who can keep all of our
    people informed about the emerging situation. 
    The inequalities within our educational services need to be
    carefully considered, and mitigated, when moving to remote
    learning
    Data and free website content must be made widely available by
    educational institutions for continued learning. However, there is massive
    inequality of access to resources such as computers, electricity, wi-fi and
    learning space, as well as difficult home situations that disproportionately
    affect poor and working-class learners, students and educators. The move
    to online learning should be made carefully, and as a temporary measure.
    We should not extend the inequalities in the education system by affording
    remote education to the few. Schools and universities should consider their
    collective role as community educators and developers facing an
    unprecedented shared experience. Schools, residences and dormitories
    should be understood as a public resource during this time, including for
    the safe distribution of food and other essential services interrupted by
    school closures. 
    We must prevent a nationalist, authoritarian and security-
    focused approach in containing the virus.
    We must guard against the quick deployment of the military and police that
    may create insecurity in our communities and would spread the demanding
    of bribes. We must also prevent creating scapegoats to blame for the
    current crisis. Instead, we must ensure that care and resources are provided
    for the safety and protection of all who live in our country and in our
    communities.  
    How each of us responds to the Covid-19 pandemic will determine who we
    are as a society. The better we respond now, the better we will be after the
    pandemic. We must follow international best practice and the science that
    we have available to us to build an assertive response that works for the
    context of our own history and society. Our response must be just,
    equitable, and redistributive if we are to meet the needs of all our people. In
    times of physical distancing, social solidarity is key. 
     
    This Action Programme is being supported by the following
    organisations and individuals:
    African Action Congress (AAC)
     
    African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
    Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association Of Nigeria (ATSSSAN)
    All Workers Convergence
    Automobile, Boatyards, Transport Equipment and Allied Senior Staff
    Association (AUTOBATE)
    Center for Awareness Reorientation and Empowerment (CARE), Africa
    Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN)
    Centre for Labour Studies
    Civil Liberties Organization ( CLO) Bayelsa State Chapter
    Civil Rights Council (CRC).
    Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/ Transparency
    International in Nigeria
    Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR)
    Femi Falana, SAN
    Green Peoples Environmental Network (GREPNET)
    HipCity Innovation Centre (HipCity Hub)
    Human Rights Agenda Network
    Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER)
    Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP)
    National Conscience Party (NCP) 
    Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC)
    Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Oyo State
    Chapter
    Pegarsus-Zion Community and Environmental Health
    Peoples' Alternative Front (PAF)
    Social Accountability & Environmental Sustainability Initiative
    United Action for Democracy (UAD), Kano

  • Coronavirus-Lock Down has its Disadvantages-Prof. Olagoke

    IndexThe coronavirus has brought in its wake economic, social and religious problems. Reports of crime and criminality, domestic violence inclusive are everywhere in the media space. In this interview the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke opines that the restriction of movement by the Federal and State Governments shall result in the spread of other diseases, sexual abuses and other social and economic problems. Excerpts :

    What do you think are the problems trailing the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria ?

    The records of the quality of governance has always been tales of woes of declining profile, whereby the quality of life is always on the depletion side. Even till date, Nigeria rely more on foreign aids for its its people to enjoy products of Science, and Technology, making us to believe not in ourselves as a nation and not in our people as instruments of development, that should be encouraged to compete with global best practices. This is a nation wherein employment is based on knowing the people who matter and where most graduates roam about to manage the irritating new national minimum wage. Poverty and hunger are already like plagues in the lives of millions of Nigerians., adding coronavirus to it, would surely make things worse for our social life. The Federal Government took actions when the virus had successfully entered the country and started its damage. Everybody is susceptible irrespective of social status. The Federal Government is expected to look into the areas of weaknesses emanating from lack of ethical ways of doing things to the various instance of under funding characterizing government culture of providing social amenities and infrastructure including Research Institutes which are solutions to alert the nation of the need to take first aid cover up, in order that the spread of the deadly virus is appropriately controlled.

    However, wealthy Nigerians must realize that this is not the period to keep their wealth on selfish grounds, but to spend it now in the cause of preventing the spread of COVID 19 and curing the victims now.

    Beside this, confining people to their homes and curtailing their movements through curfew as well as preventing interstate entries for a number of days may provide the needed magic.

    But we must realize that there would be unnecessarily rowdy effects in the home front, which could result in various other diseases among the people, while at the same time promoting the spread of COVID 19. If there is no way to monitor them on compliance with the rules of hygiene. Idleness on the other hand may breed socio-psychological problems which must be effectively controlled. For example surveillance must be on to prevent pedophilia, sex abuses, incest, isolation that may even breed depression and consequent suicidal attempts must be looked out for. Effective control of these equally depends on the provision of social welfare and financial packages to remove the probable state of hopelessness which may be brought forth through debts by individual. For the purpose of survival, Government’s directive for Houses of God to close up, is in the right direction to prevent the spread of the pandemic. However, at home the culture of doing things aright must be learnt and we must realize that without good attitudinal change no prayer of any adherent can be answered as referenced in Koran 13 : 14 and the Bible James 5 : 16, while at home adherents must turn towards God to help reduce the eight months scourge of COVID 19 as spiritually revealed to the barest minimum for the wholesome cleansing of the lad to be realized and for the right vaccines to cure the victims to be discovered on time.

     

  • Address Lapses in Education Sector to Improve the Performances of Students in Exams-Prof. Olagoke

    IndexThe April/ May 2020 Senior Secondary School Certificate examinations has been postponed, even though parents, guardians , teachers and school authorities have continued to express mixed feelings over the preparedness of students for the examinations. In most recent times a number of state Governments have expressed reservations over the poor performances of students it registered for the external examinations. This prompted some of these state Governments to withdraw their financial support, in terms of paying for the examination fees. In another breadth these state Governments are working round the clock to ensure that students from their states excel in the examination by all means. Sadly, students of a sizable number of schools in the country focus more on cybercafes and betting centers, while at the same time abandoning their primary aim of attending school. This has to a large extent negatively affected the prospects of improved examination results.

    In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke says the funadmental issues affecting the education sector should be addressee before there can be an improvement in the performances of students in external examinations. Excerpts :

    How do you think the performances of students can be improved on in examinations conducted by the West African Examination Council(WAEC), considering the poor results in recent years ?

    The poor performances of Nigerian students in WAEC conducted examinations as a West African issue led to the inauguration of the National Examination Council(NECO) without compromising the standard.

    Luckily, the syllabi is based on the general curricula of education which every secondary school must comply with, right from the Junior Secondary School (JSS)1 to Senior Secondary School(SSS)3. I can remember in 1976 when our set were faced with leakages in the examination, other set of questions were made available, but unfortunately 3 1/4 of the questions were what we were taught in Form Three, while the remaining were from Forms Four and Five syllabi. Then, most of us still came out tops. However, it was during an era of institutional discipline, when even illiterate parents supported the cause of the teachers’ efforts in bringing out the best in the children.

    Since 1985, things have not been the same for the nation in all spheres of human endeavor because of the man made environment of institutional indiscipline and corrupt practices in the quest to realize the best without putting in necessary efforts.

    The core values of self confidence, self esteem and self reliance are no longer there. We have forgotten that the home and the children form the cluster of the micro elements for the society while government and its institutions form the macro, that is exactly the mirror image of the home and its products. From my personal research based on my concern on value deterioration of education I discovered that the time our children spend in school is very insignificant compared to the time they will spend in life, the geriatric period inclusive. What we teach in the classrooms, laboratories and workshops in schools to these children are mere 20 per cent of what they need to survive the ordeals of life without deviating and resorting to committing sins and crimes to be successful in life. The remaining 80 per cent is better learnt based on what they see in their environment, quick money making syndrome without hard work. This is why they fail holistically to learn correctly under mentor-ship and pupil-age interactions for the necessary wisdom.

    The materials to teach in faith based houses of god are equally defective, due to the quest to become successful in the quickest time frame, in this sense through diabolic means .The necessary firmness of purpose is no longer there for those who attend the Church or the Mosque. In the absence of a role model, the poverty of knowledge takes over. This is a psychological problem that needs to be corrected for education to become more beneficial to our children. The structure of education is intact for necessary impact, but the way we impart education is defective. For example, the attitudinal value of the affective domain is no more emphasized, hence the disciplinary aspect of the children lives is watered down. We have become robotic in the application of the cognitive domain and Nigerian children are yet to learn anything about innovation which is the essence of the psycho motor domain because of the attitude of our government towards education.

    Teachers and Lecturers are rarely motivated and challenged because they are only selective with few lucky numbers, when it comes to the essential training needs. This position is worse for Primary and Secondary school teachers who our government will carelessly claim are too many when it comes to the payment of salaries, but in actual fact there is a worrisome shortage of teachers. It is true that the advent of the social media has resulted in the drop in the reading culture, while parents are not ready to correct this lapse.

    These are fundamental issues that must be addressed urgently, before the concerns of the state Governors on the improvement needs of our students in their performances could be resulted oriented.

    In the time past, when academic calendars were never toyed with, teachers and students performances were aspects to reckon with, but presently, there is always instability in the academic calendar ,with students most of the session been at home, with all the attendant distractions of the peer group effect and the poor ones among them hawking the streets to make ends meet.

    Poverty is equally a great factor that is affecting the concentration of students in their studies. A peep into what is happening in Oyo state, as regards the state Government’s attention and focus on education is commendable. All that will aid learning are already in place. Poor parents are been taken care of and compiled Questions and Answers of WAEC/NECO into booklets have been given to the final year students, the teachers’ copies based on the subjects been taught are been photocopied for them by each school to digest well in order that they would be authoritatively fit to put the students through.

    It should be emphasized that the students should not be robotic about the past Questions and Answers. There are 12 reasons why students fail examinations : 1) Inadequate preparation by the trio of the parents, teachers and students 2) Overconfidence by some students . 3) Examination anxiety. 4) Examination misconduct and malpractices. 5)Memory loss. 6)Time management and control. 7) Bad gang effects of negative peer groups and probable hard drug effects. 8) Bad sleeping habits 9) Lack of access to education materials such as books, due to lack of funds. 10) Lack of good reading habits. 11) Intrinsic property of an introvert that may lead to shyness in asking questions. 12) Ignoring instructions in Question and Answer sheets.

    The parents, teachers and counseling psychologists must be able to help the students in order that they overcome the need for positive mindset with respect to positive mental attitude for ease of taking right decisions most especially in their quest to learn, for them to be able to pay back positively to the concerns and efforts of the state Governors in their belief that with adequate preparations no students must fail WAEC or NECO.

  • Recent Fire Incidents are man made-Oyo Fire Service

    The Oyo state Fire Service has attributed fire incidents in the state in recent times to human error.

    The potions of the fire service was made know by its Deputy Director, Mr. Moshood Adewuyi.

    Since I joined the service three decades ago, I have never witnessed such fire incidents, between January 1st and today we have recorded 200 fire calls. All these fire incidents are man made not natural causes. The fire incidents occurred due to one mistake or the other. I appeal to residents of Oyo state to be careful and abide by fire safety tips'', Mr. Adewuyi stressed.