Posts by solomon2day
-
Examine Thyself
- By solomon2day
- On 06/11/2024
- In Update with Solomon
People react to the pressure of events and never to the changes of their character and attitude.Status quo or disruption? Breaking down the U.S. election's impact on Japan
Make it a duty to examine yourself periodically and spiritually, to determine your closeness to the Lord or distance from Him.
Most Christians live on the surface of life.
Once you expose your heart and life to Jesus Christ, who is the light, then all illusions will be stripped away, and the gate will open for the healing and redeeming power of Christ in your life.
Accepting Christ will give you a direction and make you to know yourself.
Knowing yourself will prevent you from committing sins, while if you don't allow God in you, you will never discover God.
Read Daniel 12:1, John 4:25
-
Ibadan residents at the mercy of cultists
- By solomon2day
- On 04/11/2024
- In News
Cultists have, for over 5 years running now, taken over most of the communities of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.Trump sues CBS over Harris '60 Minutes' interview
These cultists, who operate with impunity, boast of their untouchable status openly, to the consternation of members of the public.
Their presence in the midst of unscrupulous law enforcement agents has not helped matters.
Indeed, residents have decided to keep quiet when all their complaints have never attracted any uplifting response from those in charge.
Of great worry is the nonchalance of the state government and the state legislature towards breathing constitutional and statutory life into the anti-cultism law in the state.
The cultists have, for long, broken into the houses of residents and forcefully made away with property documents.
On Monday, at about 7.40 am in the morning, cultists led by one Lekan Adewale made a failed attempt to break into an apartment at 3, Kehinde Aderibigbe Street, Olorunsogo, Molete.
Sadly, occupants of No. 5 (a two-story building) served as accomplices.
The leader of the cultists operates from No. 8 Kehinde Aderibgbe Street, Olorunsogo, Molete.
For long, the cultists have been forcefully evicting residents from their landed property and disposing of such property with the aid of erring law enforcement agents and government officials.
-
The burden of Parents and Guardians
- By solomon2day
- On 02/11/2024
- In Special Report
The judgment of God shall always come upon parents who fail to bring up their children in the Lord's way.Indeed, a sizable number of fathers and mothers do very well in guiding other people's children towards the right path, but this is not so for their biological children.
Even though the children of this category of parents are lacking and deficient in several aspects of life, their parents see all the goodness and perfection in them.
Today, most parents have failed to instill moral discipline in their children.
It is imperative for all to care for their vineyards, as they also care for the vineyards of others. Read 2 Kings 16:3
-
Achieving your Dreams
- By solomon2day
- On 30/10/2024
- In Special Report
Dreams are planned, pursued, and achieved.Dreams don't come true on their own unless they are made to happen.
Steps to Take Towards Achieving Your Dreams:
1) Identify a dream
Without doubt, the journey to success starts with a dream. The dreams become a purpose and driving force to the destination.
Once a dream is identified, an individual now has an objective and is purposeful; life becomes meaningful while the journey towards actualizing your dream is on track.
2) Your goals must be realistic ;
It is quite convenient and realistic to set up goals with a six-month and 24-month accomplishment target.
Make a mental vision and evaluation of these goals, and give each of the goals a critical thought.
3) Diligence : Regardless of your desire or aspiration, diligence is a prerequisite. This is the secret behind success. Genuine successes never happen suddenly, accidentally, or by wish.
4)Determination :
Be determined in the pursuit of your dreams. Determination is the inner power embedded in you by God that enables you to defy any form of obstacle.
Without it, success is not certain.
In confronting your challenges, be determined.
5) Opportunities:
Identify opportunities and make good use of them.
In whatever form opportunities come, recognize them and fulfill your dreams. Read Jeremiah 23:28
-
Leading by example
- By solomon2day
- On 28/10/2024
- In Special Report
We want our heroes to remain on their pedestals, so that we who aspire to be like them may hope one day to share in the honor and privilege they enjoy.Jesus Christ's humility shows itself in his readiness to serve us. Ours shows in our readiness to receive His service.
It is said that it is better to give than to receive.
But it is sometimes harder to receive; it puts us in debt to the one who gives and robs us of the pride of being in the position of giving to others. Read Joshua 1:6
-
The Food Question
- By solomon2day
- On 28/10/2024
- In Update with Solomon
Nigerians are proud to live in a country with a land area of 923,773 km2, with varied vegetation and types of soil suitable for various agricultural purposes.In 1960 and the years following, up until the early 1970s, Nigeria's economy was between the agriculturally friendly ''grassroots'' and the ''white collar'' city-oriented center.
All that had to do with the production of goods was concentrated in the city, while a large percentage of Nigerians resided in the villages, with farming as their major occupation.
The villages, then, lacked major amenities of life.
Governance during this period was with a chain of challenges.
Then, most of the earnings from exports were from agriculture, while 65% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) also came from the sector.
Nearly 50% of government revenue in 1960 could be traced to agriculture.
Today, as in the 1960s, the provision of quantitative and qualitative education, quality health care delivery, and the absence of social and economic infrastructure are just a few of the long list of challenges that confront the government.
In 1973, when crude oil emerged as the mainstay of the economy, the government took a ''nap'', having noticed the 'light at the end of the tunnel.'.
That 'nap' was at great cost, as can be seen in the unfolding events of the present time.
In 1980, crude oil constituted 81.1% of government revenue and 96.1% of export earnings.
Indeed, the growth of the economy was tied to projected earnings from crude oil exports; this was despite the fact that signs had begun to manifest on the imminent collapse of crude oil prices in the international market.
With fiscal and current account deficits occasioned by unstable crude oil prices, resulting in internal and external imbalance, and the state governments contending with monetary challenges, Nigerians insist that those who are at the helm of affairs at all levels, presently, know little or nothing about governance.
The cries of hunger and poverty has now become the chorus on the lips of millions of Nigerians.
Their only hope lies in the newly elected political office holders in the new dispensation. Shall they be able to deliver the dividends of democracy? Time will tell.
-
The Steady Drift
- By solomon2day
- On 25/10/2024
- In Update with Solomon
Those in security circles around the globe insist that a government that is responsible and accountable to its people does not give deadlines, ultimatums, and time limits to criminals.They go on to attribute insurmountable insecurity in several countries to either the covert involvement of the government itself, its admirers, well-wishers, or agents.
These personalities stress that such a government must have identified and isolated fifth columnists within its ranks before it ever thinks of commencing a maximum cleansing of the criminals impeding good governance.
But sadly, this is not the case in Nigeria, as unfolding events have proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Nigerians have concluded that the government does not have ready solutions to the kidnappings, killings, and other violent crimes, while they daily pray for God’s intervention.
Even the security summits that have already been organized in the past several days by some interest groups, with some state governors in attendance, have been seen by Nigerians as mere jamborees.
With the continuous spate of kidnappings, killings, and other violent crimes not abating, Nigerians have come to the conclusion that the country is already in a state of emergency, though the government is yet to make such a declaration.
They attribute the agitation for the establishment of state police by a few self-serving individuals to the uninformed perspectives of these individuals.
Of worry are the great difficulties experienced by government praise singers and bootlickers to accept the hard fact that the present administration can no longer address the overwhelming insecurity in the land without reaching out to personalities and institutions it had hitherto ignored.
What is the situation?
The present administration continues in its condolence culture, for which the citizens have known it for.
For how long shall this go on? Nobody knows.
-
The Steady Drift
- By solomon2day
- On 25/10/2024
- In Update with Solomon
Those in security circles around the globe insist that a government that is responsible and accountable to its people does not give deadlines, ultimatums, and time limits to criminals.They go on to attribute insurmountable insecurity in several countries to either the covert involvement of the government itself, its admirers, well-wishers, or agents.
These personalities stress that such a government must have identified and isolated fifth columnists within its ranks before it ever thinks of commencing a maximum cleansing of the criminals impeding good governance.
But sadly, this is not the case in Nigeria, as unfolding events have proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Nigerians have concluded that the government does not have ready solutions to the kidnappings, killings, and other violent crimes, while they daily pray for God’s intervention.
Even the security summits that have already been organized in the past several days by some interest groups, with some state governors in attendance, have been seen by Nigerians as mere jamborees.
With the continuous spate of kidnappings, killings, and other violent crimes not abating, Nigerians have come to the conclusion that the country is already in a state of emergency, though the government is yet to make such a declaration.
They attribute the agitation for the establishment of state police by a few self-serving individuals to the uninformed perspectives of these individuals.
Of worry are the great difficulties experienced by government praise singers and bootlickers to accept the hard fact that the present administration can no longer address the overwhelming insecurity in the land without reaching out to personalities and institutions it had hitherto ignored.
What is the situation?
The present administration continues in its condolence culture, for which the citizens have known it for.
For how long shall this go on? Nobody knows.
-
Grace and Knowledge
- By solomon2day
- On 22/10/2024
- In Special Report
Titus 2:11-14For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Hold on to the teaching and commandment of God. When you embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, then you are already with the power of God unto salvation.
It is mandatory that you grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ so as to
to be able to ward off false doctrines.
You can only grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
The word Christian means people who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
Therefore, a true believer is a christian you who practices and does the will of God.
-
Don't be Discouraged
- By solomon2day
- On 20/10/2024
- In Special Report
Psalm 55-22Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.''
Discouragement is a life threatening state of mind, as it renders an individual vulnerable to attacks by enemies of the soul.
In most situations, discouragment is inevitable in the life of a believer, however, Jesus Christ is the solution.
It destroys the faith of a believer and wrecks havoc on an individual's will power to live.
The enemy always makes use of the weapon of discouragement, but it is left for you to ward off same, by having a mindset devoid of resentment and bitterness.
The devil makes use of discouragement to destroy initiative and render an individual useless and disillusioned. For these reasons, you must be strong in faith and reassure yourself that all things will continue to be good.
-
Wanted Urgently-Qualified and Experienced Teachers
- By solomon2day
- On 20/10/2024
- In Update with Solomon
The first term of a new session across private and public secondary schools is underway in Nigeria. Parents and guardians are out there, doing whatever it takes to ensure that their children and wards continue their education.Curiously, in a number of major cities and state including Ibadan, Oyo state;private and public school proprietors, proprietresses and owners of schools are still in urgent need of qualified and experienced teachers to justify the ridiculous fees they charge.
Nobody knows what happened to the workforce.
However, the underlying challenges could be traced to the action and inaction of the government, staff of the ministry of Education and the law enforcement agencies among others.
Indeed, the policy of education of a number of state governments is defective, this is in addition to the unwillingness of pupils and students to learn.
The behavior and activities of pupils and students on the streets of Ibadan are a good reflection of the bleak future that lies ahead of young people in Nigeria.
-
Violent Crimes-The Position of Spectators
- By solomon2day
- On 18/10/2024
- In Update with Solomon
The consensus among Nigerians is that the arms build-up in different parts of the country has its background woven around the aspirations of actors in the socio-political scene in the land.
The arms build-up festers side by side with poverty, hunger, and brigandage, while the land has over time become fertile for trading in illegal arms with evil deeds as the major focus.
Indeed, state actors are familiar with the negative effects of injustice, inequality, nepotism, and favoritism, but are, sadly, handicapped by self-centered interests and incurable greed.
Interestingly, the competition for power and privilege has resulted in the loss of precious lives and the wanton destruction of the properties of innocent and harmless citizens. The debate among Nigerians now is on what constitutes the major functions of state actors.
The illegal influx of arms and ammunition has continued unabated through constitutional and unconstitutional channels with the active connivance of those who ought to be well-informed on security matters.
As violent crimes soar nationwide through the use of sophisticated weapons, Those-in-Charge have adopted the position of spectators to the amazement and chagrin of Nigerians.
Believers are not only friends of Jesus Christ, but are also friends of one another.
-
Government Attitude and Workers' Devotion to Duty
- By solomon2day
- On 16/10/2024
- In Update with Solomon
At the present time, in Nigeria, only a handful of civil and public servants take their duties seriously and wholeheartedly.Their attitude is directly related to the position of government in the three tiers on issues of workers' welfare and conditions of service.
Indeed, the focus of those on government payroll in any given line of duty or assignment is what is in it to gain and not what ought to be done. In other words, selfless devotion to duty is no longer there.
Assigned tasks in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies are no longer done properly and promptly. A sizable number of workers no longer possess a sense of responsibility. Who is to blame ?
For several years now, the monster of indiscipline has continued to fester, with due process as the major casualty. The struggle for ''power'' among government workers is the most prominent activity going on in most offices.
Sharp practices are the order of the day. This is partly as a result of the sectional democracy in vogue today.
At the federal, state and local government levels, workers, who are co-opted to generate revenue for the government, make good use of the opportunity to protect their future.
The source of inspiration for this category of workers includes stories of government workers who retired in 2010 and are yet to be paid their gratuities.
Workers ought to be devoted and committed to duty, to avoid negative reports from their superiors.
The worrisome question everywhere at present is : has the insensitive attitude of government ensured workers' devotion and commitment to duty ?
A Disturbing Community Leadership
For a while now, the chairman of the Molusi street, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo state Landlords and Tenants Association, one Akeem, alongside Indian Hemp smoking hoodlums, who operate from the unfenced IMG Schools 1 and 2 Ibuko, Molete, Ibadan, attacked and dispossessed innocent residents of their valuables.
Just on Tuesday, at about 6.15pm, the chairman alongside his boys, attacked and dispossessed a resident of his personal belongings a few metres from the primary school, along the road.
Similarly, a police rank and file serving with the Oyo state Police Command, has for long operated a brothel, where questionable characters hibernate. The brothel located along Oyegbami street, Olorunsogo, Molete, has been a subject of worry for the residents in the community, considering the status of the owner.
-
Young People Drift into the Iredeemable Circle
- By solomon2day
- On 13/10/2024
- In Update with Solomon
Vital literacy indicators reveal a deplorable condition in the Nigerian educational system.Indeed, the adult literacy rate is embarrassing, while the number of out-of-school children has reached an all-time high rate.
Trailing the falling standard of education at all levels, is the ever-increasing rate of drop-outs today.
With particular reference to the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels of education, cultism, gangster ism and prostitution have become the popular choice for undergraduates, students and pupils in educational institutions across the states of the federation.
Shortage of qualified teachers, lack of teaching aids, recreational facilities in schools and basic infrastructure are just a few among the sore points of schools in Nigeria.
Of serious worry are the poor sanitation, overcrowding in classrooms, poor conditions of service for teachers, which has resulted in the poor quality of teaching and poor quality of classroom products.
All put together, have become negative signposts of the school environment.
Sadly, poor educational management, a reflection of the poor inter-sectoral allocation, multiplicity of agencies with duplicated functions and inadequate coordination, have all made education administration in most states questionable and fraudulent.
The weak support for education by governments at all levels is a manifestation of the ineptitude of government officials.
The government’s deliberate neglect of the management of the education sector may eventually result in the total collapse of the public education system.
The shortcomings of government have heightened the stakes for private investors and made the education sector very lucrative.
Sadly, the complicity of the government and society, over the years, has prompted the uncontrollable behavior and acts of young people particularly in Ibadan, capital of Oyo state and other major cities in Nigeria.
Surprisingly, the adults watch helplessly as this category of Nigerians drift into the irredeemable circle.
With the profit motive as the major emphasis and driving force, educational institutions are now germinating like pure water factories in every nook and cranny of Nigeria, while at the same time, such institutions are turning out educationally unacceptable products.
With all these in mind, Nigerians are urgently asking :
Can governments at all levels make education available, relevant, accessible and affordable to all Nigerians ?
Can governments at all levels ensure immediate and long term social and economic returns from education ?
Are public educational institutions, considering their present state, competent to produce a skilled workforce ? Answers to these questions are in the public domain with stakeholders vigorously avoiding these questions.
-
Service
- By solomon2day
- On 13/10/2024
- In Special Report
We want our heroes to remain on their pedestals, so that we who aspire to be like them may hope one day to share in the honor and privilege they enjoy.Jesus Christ's humility shows itself in his readiness to serve us.
Ours shows our readiness to receive His service.
It is said that it is better to give than to receive.
But it is sometimes harder to receive, it puts us in debt to the one who gives and robs us of the pride of being in the position of giving to others.
Read-Luke 16:13, Joshua 24:15
-
The True Vine
- By solomon2day
- On 08/10/2024
- In Special Report
There is no distinction between the vine and its branches. From the moment it emerges from the soil, the vine begins to spread.Earn by taking surveys-click here
It is its branch.
To belong to Jesus Christ is to be part of the true vine.
For this reason, we can pray in complete confidence, because when our wills are united with his, we will pray as part of the living vine.
The image of Jesus Christ is all about growth, which happens organically, from within the very substance of the vine.
Nourished by the sun, by rain and chemicals which feed it from the soil in which it is planted, the vine forces its way into the light.
We have here an image of growth which gives us a powerful understanding of what it means to belong to Jesus Christ.
-
The Mao Zedong Model
- By solomon2day
- On 08/10/2024
- In Update with Solomon
Mao Zedong, popularly known as Chairman Mao, was successful with his noble goals for China through despotic means.His leadership was severe, dictatorial and personalized.
For as long as Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution lasted, thousands of Chinese died of starvation and inhuman labor.
Mao and his co-travelers argued that the same was the price their people had to pay for re-education.
This brand of governance ensured the extermination of the heroes of the civil war and the old party chieftains by the President's armed squad.
Chairman Mao is perhaps the role model of those who hold sway in Nigeria today.
Indeed, the Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai is among several other political office holders, who adore President Muhammadu Buhari.
Those in support of this argument insist that on a number of occasions, the Kaduna state Governor knelt down to greet and/or consult with the President. They maintain that this is only a sign of respect in the traditional African setting.
However, those against this order of things, stress that the underlying factors revolve around hypocrisy and boot licking.
Nigerians are yet to stop complaining of constitutional breaches and the unabated trampling of the rule of law in the dust, without noticeable changes by the powers that be.
From recent events in the country, the economic reform programs of the All Progressives Congress(APC) led government at the center and in the states, are modeled along the thinking of a free market economy.
It is doubtful if the government, in most recent times, has managed the economy for the benefit of Nigerians.
Of worry is the state of manufacturing industries, which could be said to be epileptic, even as food security is a mirage, insecurity is the chorus everywhere, while crude oil remains the major hope of the present administration.
Interestingly, the future growth of the Nigerian economy rests comfortably on diversification and focus on visionary and creative people-friendly economic policies, although the government still over-relies and over-depends on crude oil to fund its programs.
Can the present administration turn around the troubled economy ? Nobody knows.
-
New Minimum Wage-Only 40,000 Naira was added to our salaries-Federal Workers
- By solomon2day
- On 07/10/2024
- In News
Workers in a number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the federal civil service have expressed disappointment over the discovery that only 40, 000 Naira was added to each worker's monthly salary in the guise of the new national minimum wage.
The workers insisted that the government,''in the process has caused great problems for them, saying,''workers have been defrauded, there is nothing like consequential adjustment. Just 40,000 Naira was added to the salary of every worker under the pretense of the new national minimum wage.''
''Workers have never had it this bad. The 70,000 Naira as announced by the Federal Government is mere window dressing and a deceit of the highest order. We are now finding it extremely difficult to survive and meet their various obligations,'' they stated.
-
Between Good and Evil
- By solomon2day
- On 07/10/2024
- In Special Report
Avoid sowing evil, it only results in destruction. The word of God brings about happiness and peace. The devil is the enemy in the home, who influences all that is evil.Husbands killing their wives and wives killing husbands is common place in society today. Why is this so ? The devil has infiltrated several homes. Fathers and mothers no longer bring up their children according to the word of God.
Teach your children the ways of the Lord, so that when they grow up they will not depart from the word of God.
Don't give the devil the opportunity to take over the affairs of your home, build your home on the foundation of the word of God.
2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
18The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
-
Teachers' Day-Oyo teachers pledge continued loyalty to state governor
- By solomon2day
- On 06/10/2024
- In News
Teachers in Oyo state have pledged their continued loyalty to the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his good deeds to them.The teachers made this pledge on Saturday through the chairman of the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji during the 2024 World Teachers Day celebration in Ibadan, Nigeria.
''On behalf of all the teachers in Oyo state, I say thank you father, we will remain loyal. We appreciate the governor for so many things he has done for us. Kindly permit me to mention a few of the laudable achievements so far recorded since the assumption of office as the Executive Governor of Oyo state: 1)Prompt and regular payment of teachers' salaries on the 25th day of every month or earlier should that date fall on a holiday or weekend; 2)Payment of N25,000 palliative to teachers since October 2023, to cushion the negative effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government. 3)Mass promotion of qualifed secondary school teachers to salary Grade Level 17. First of its kind in the annals of the history of Oyo state. 4) Mass promotion of graduate teachers in primary schools to a salary of Grade Level 15, among others.''
Not surprisingly, parents and guardians in the state have continued to express mixed feelings about the behavior and conduct of pupils and students in public and private schools spread across the state.
In a show of appreciation, the NUT chairman named the NUT(Endwell)Model College sports complex, Owode Housing Estate, Apata, after the state governor.
Similarly, in his remarks, the chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC)Comrade Kayode Martins commended the state governor for all his good gestures to workers in the state, saying''we want to appreciate you for giving us so much. You have done so much for us. The NLC Oyo state council appreciate you.''
Awards of excellence were given to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, the majority leader of the state House of Assmebly, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, the commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, the chairman of the state Teaching Service Commission, Pastor Akinade Alamu, the chairman of the state Universla Baisc Education, Dr. Nureni Adeniran and a member of the ninth assembly of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Peller.
However, the chairman of Jogor Events Center, Engr. Femi Babalola, also an awardee, was conspicuously absent.
At the 2023 World Teachers day, the special guest of honor of the state council of the NUT was a reputable business executive and philanthropist, Engr. Dotun Sanusi.