Posts by solomon2day
-
Provide for the People-Cleric to Govt
- By solomon2day
- On 01/04/2021
- In News
Government at all levels have been advised to take advantage of the Easter season to redeem their battered images by catering to the needs of downtrodden Nigerians.
This advice was given by a Christian cleric, Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi in a chat with People.
'' The Federal, State and Local governments should make use of the Easter period to regain the confidence of the people by providing for their needs. The economy is in a bad state, there are hunger and poverty in the land. Foodstuff is very expensive and Nigerians are disillusioned. Government should remember the poor when formulating policies. It should also end the spate of kidnappings and killings in different parts of the country,'' Pastor Ajayi stated. -
Obedience
- By solomon2day
- On 01/04/2021
- In Special Report
The design of God about creation in all spheres-celestial, terrestrial and subterranean is based on a hierarchical order. This is the basis upon which leadership and followership essence is built for system orderliness to be maintained and sustained.
However, among human beings, several factors define the due process for the realization.
Age differences within and outside the home is the primary determining factor whereby respect is naturally commanded by the elderly ones by their younger ones. This style of respect allows the elderly ones to give instructions to the younger ones to carry out certain assignments for them.
In this case, the elderly ones must pay the price for being socially responsible to the younger ones, if the line of respect manifesting in the form of obedience is to be maintained or sustained.
The husband will continue to be obeyed by his wife, primarily because of the age difference and the responsibilities of protecting and making provisions for the home.
Among the siblings, the age factor plays a crucial role in maintaining the order of obedience with the characteristic normal line of downflow current of command and upward flow charges of obedience.
Obedience, therefore, has a divine base that starts with God, the creator, demanding mankind and other creatures to swim in the ocean of obedience to His divine command.
This is, generally, followed in all systems of human administration whereby all subordinates are expected to carry out the command of instructions from their bosses or leaders.
Using the perspective of culture, the line of rulership usually follows the hierarchical order of the chiefs been respect by the people while the traditional rulers usually live by the laws of the land for the chiefs and the people to be in obeisance to his instructions.
Where the line of administration meets with the natural challenges of heterogeneous group components, the system order is always under the threat of disruptions to peaceful co-existence.
This is why all leaders must be well empowered with the paraphernalia of authority through the right capacity and capability building. to be able to weather the storm of possible rebellious acts from any of the chiefs or people of the underworld, who may hide under the guise of fighting for their rights.
There is, therefore, the need fr anybody aspiring to ascend to power or positions of authority to follow the path of due process to be able to use power wisely and enjoy the support of the subordinates.
In any organization or association, there are three major types of challenges for the leader.
Firstly, the leader must be able to identify the nature and the type of people under his leadership.
The prime movers, who easily identify with the policies of the leader to walk the talk must not be taken for granted, but with timely attention given the necessary motivation.
The second group may become a liability because of their lackadaisical attitude which may become a special hindrance factor to the system development because of their attitude of inactivity and passivity.
This is why the train the trainers' programs are usually needed periodically when such people are noticed in the system for them to be upgraded so that the fold of the prime movers is increased by better and manageable elements.
The third group is always very few, but usually catalytic to a destructive ned to the system, if not timely identified and rightly cultured through the leaders' sense of maturity and wisdom to resolve conflicts and manage a crisis.
Suffice it now to say that obedience, from working partners and subordinates, usually moves forward because of advancement to the organization for the aims and objectives including the vision of the leader to be easily accomplished.
When obedience is lacking there would be voices of dissent which would retard the growth of the organization even to a destructive end, if not timely and rightly checked.
Obedience is, therefore a divine substance that is freely given out when leaders can respect the fundamental human rights of the people to have access to any of the good things of life.
For example, when governance does not meet the wellness standard of the people through food insecurity, the issue of general insecurity could be likened to the response to the harshness of the time, in terms of poor governance that cannot meet with the expectation of the people's needs, disobedience to social order and the general rules of law snowballing into various crisis is, therefore, best treated and managed through doing the needful by the people in positions of authority.
Security and law enforcement agents become beasts of burden that are usually overtasked in maintaining law and order in the land when the leaders fail to do the needful on the survival need of the people.
In our various places of work, charges of insubordination may arise when the official duties are not carried out accordingly and without the show of remorse to make amends and it may lead to various unpleasant sanctions or disciplinary actions.
Obedience, therefore, is a function of self-respect, right performance, and a conducive environment for individual operations which are expected to be within the confines or ambits of the law.
Leaders across the board must, therefore, operate on the axis of justice and equity to be able to effect an environment of peace and development to avoid a state of disobedience from the people because it is only in an environment of peace, safe and secured, that we can realize prosperity and development for natural calmness to trigger obedience.Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria
-
US Donates $1.75 million to Zambia for Vaccination
- By solomon2day
- On 30/03/2021
- In News
The United States of America has donated K36.75 million to the Zambian Government as assistance for its COVID 19 vaccination exercise.
This disclosure was made in a press statement by the country's Minister of Health, Dr. Jonas Chanda.
“We are grateful for the support of Zambia’s all-weather friend the United States government who have announced a commitment of an additional K36.75 million ($1.75 million) to provide technical assistance to Zambia’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign targeted at providing critical technical and logistical support to the Ministry of Health for planning, coordination, and delivery of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for Zambians,” Dr. Chanda said.
The Minister of Health also disclosed that the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) had formulated the National Vaccine Deployment Plan to guide the rollout.
“The Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) met on Friday 26th March 2021 to consider key aspects of the COVID-19 vaccination program. Among the key issues discussed was the consideration of the findings of the report from the Zambian Immunization Technical Advisory Group providing guidance on COVID-19 vaccines being considered for deployment.
“The ICC formally adopted the National Vaccine Deployment Plan to guide the roll-out, including considerations for the cold chain, in line with Cabinet’s guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations which are critical to controlling the pandemic, slowing the emergence of new variants, and helping to boost the economy. Zambia has also successfully met all the requirements set by GAVI under the COVAX facility,” he concluded.
. -
Forgiveness
- By solomon2day
- On 25/03/2021
- In Pictures
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. -
Honesty
- By solomon2day
- On 25/03/2021
- In The People Talk
A nation built on the platform of honesty could be likened to a house built on rocky ground, like the Yoruba proverb will say that we must not build our houses using saliva not to experience immediate or untimely collapse. To the professionals in the construction industry, this may transform into the necessity to build, starting from bidding, selection of materials based on quality and standard, and the use of a due process in transactions as well as material purchase.
Where there is an element of dishonesty, cases of delivering poor jobs that may not last the test of time may result at the end of the exercise.
Honesty is emphasized in the scriptures to be realizable when understanding of faith is met with the sincerity of purpose in worship in an environment of love.
In the absence of honesty, a good character would be defrauded into frivolous acts and waywardness thereby missing the goal of the uprightness of character.
Unfortunately, the goal of democracy is to produce people who will be able to manage the justice system through incorruptible Judges and would be able to stand firm against all odds to be able to produce deterrence which will always be a reference point that would effectively checkmate others from going into sins and criminalities.
The Legislative arm is expected to be populated by people of impeccable character with full passion for the people they want to serve by understanding their areas of need that can be regulated and recommended as a template for the government to act upon through sincere and statistically based policies.
The Executive on their part is supposed to be constituted by people who are honestly reliable with a good track record.
The electoral body is equally expected to be constituted by people of integrity with a firmness of purpose without any inkling of compromise in going about the business of electing leaders. The million-dollar question is on how far we have been able to have in place the right people in the right places for us to be able to promote the culture of honesty in realizing the goal of democracy.
Our inability, to be honest, has led us, as if to legalize illegitimacy, into various attitudinal challenges that are rubbishing the essence and the relevance of our culture been managed by traditional rulers, religious houses, and the education sector. This lack is responsible for the dysfunctional state of our Ministries, Parastatals, Departments, and Agencies, in which corruption has eaten deep to the extent of decay, for our democracy to fail in delivering peace and sustainable development, hence the chaotic situation of insecurity, destroying people and their property.
For every office that is sensitive and that has a direct bearing on the lives of the people, elected or appointed leaders are always made to swear on oath, but this has not brought about the desired results.
Teaching and learning dominate the entire lives of the people for them to be able to do things right without cheating on others or defrauding the state because they are honest.
The promotion of honesty is, therefore, sacrosanct to realizing the behavioral objectives of democracy into prosperity, a safe and secured environment with the air of love devoid of any form of discrimination for peace to reign supreme and sustainable development to be realized through the concept of justice and equity.
Honesty is equally #a bedrock of gaining salvation through the correct spiritual life of every man.Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria
-
COVID 19 Lockdown-Kenyans Leave Capital
- By solomon2day
- On 25/03/2021
- In News
Thousands of residents of Nairobi have relocated from the capital city ahead of the government move to enforce COVID 19 measures to curb the third wave of the pandemic.
In December 2020, there was a similar occurrence, a few days before President Uhuru Kenyatta revised Covid-19 measures during the second Covid-19 wave. The President, however, reduced curfew hours from 9 pm - 5 am to 10 pm - 4 am.Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi has warned that Kenya was recording an increase in the number of COVID 19 cases.
"Nairobi's contribution to the positivity is staggering and stands at close to 57.7 percent and that is very high and disheartening. As we have repeatedly said, it would be irresponsible for us to sit back and watch the situation deteriorate further.
"Unless this trend is arrested, we may have no alternative but to take more stringent measures as necessary to protect the lives of our people," Mwangangi stated.
-
Be Humble-Cleric
- By solomon2day
- On 13/03/2021
- In News
Nigerians have been admonished to be humble in the face of the myriad of challenges confronting the country.
This admonition was given by a Christian cleric, Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi.
''The scriptures are clear, we shall follow all that is in the scriptures. Nigerians should be humble in the face of the several challenges confronting the country. Humility will go a long way in addressing attitudinal issues among people,'' Pastor Ajayi stated.
-
The Essence of Hope
- By solomon2day
- On 13/03/2021
The word hope is highly significant in human activities, most especially when one considers the fundamental statement that man proposes and only God disposes of. Human propositions are an ideal concept of wishful thinking that is always positive due to the self-desire of man.
Most often religious people irrespective of the denominations or sects, traditional or alien, do claim to supplicate onto their creator for their wishful proposals to be transformed into visible results.
F or example, in our physiological needs, man is bound to put up efforts to realize food for nutrition and good health condition even if he has raw food at hand, he has to put up efforts to cook the food into edible form, within that time lag the factor of hope fill the vacuum because if after finishing the preparations and the unexpected happens during the cooked food into something else, for that moment such a person's hope would be dashed.
Generally, we all propose to have good clothes that will meet up the challenges of climate variations. One may find out that the type of clothes one may have maybe for only a climate condition-summer, winter, rain, and dry season with the possible unpleasant effect of cold or heat.
The clothes at hand may not even be adaptable to the new climate condition hence the hope of having other ones that may suit the new climate condition, becomes a matter of hope on where to get money and where to buy the clothes to suit the emerging effect of the climate changes.
In our growth profile and development, the need for shelter-hired or purchased or to be enjoyed under the benevolence of others like the parents' provision of a safe and secured environment for their children.
Even in colleges with boarding facilities, the type of people one would be living with that would suit our nature of introvert or extrovert becomes an issue of hope when the distribution list is badly been expected by the students.
The word hope is inalienable to man and it can be regarded as an inexhaustible value of the immeasurable elastic limit. This is because of the nature of man regarding his curiosity and the status of his insatiability for comfort to come by.
In the general arena of human habitation., the wish to have companions whose general behavioral characteristics would be compatible with what one has for the purpose of enjoying peaceful co-existence in order that there is good teamwork spirit for ease of achieving personal desires because achievement is time-bound, the fear of success or failure even when preparation seem to be adequate is always very high with notes anxieties. For example, 10 people are expected to be recruited in an establishment, but more than a hundred people have applied, the fear may be less with high hopes for those who must have been very well prepared with assurances of competence, good human and working relations, the high coping capacity to situations with adjustable ability to adapt.
However, no matter how brilliant one may be the hope would still be subjected to some test of fear entertainment. This is because the establishment may not use the merit standard except the hidden policy of using how well connected the interviewee is.
Is this not the situation with us in Africa, where poverty and hunger have subjugated many brilliant chaps into the labor market that are daily rendering certificate quality into poor second. It is under this situation that some cynics become skeptical about the true intentions of many establishments calling for establishments.
Fundamentally, three things are Germaine for humanity, purposive existence: the environment, the people of the society as well as the economic activities for the goal of sustainable development and peace to be achieved to take care of the wellness of the people and prosperity of the nation to be viable with a high degree of human development index.
Where things work accordingly, strong nations emerge with people's hopes always rising with certainty.
The loss of hope will ever lead to a poor justice system and a high level of insecurity because the development cannot be sustained for the peace of the environment to be threatened.
A state of hopelessness resulting, in this case, will defy all theories of conflict resolution because the apparatus of gangsterism, in terms of illegal acquisition of weapons of destruction would be easily purchased by the wealthy ones for political thugs in whose hands these weapons would remain even after the conduct of elections.
The marginalization of the people, denying them access to the good things of life would ever trigger anger to disturb the thought processes into vengeance. If sustainable development through the equity principle of the environment and the economy, viability concept of the society and the economy, and the feasibility assurance of the environment and the society, the issue of the right justice system and peace would have been addressed. Raising the hopes of the people is sacrosanct to achieving good governance because hopelessness is an invitation to insecurity which usually characterizes every bad government.
The religious sector can only manage aright the hope of the people for a better tomorrow through a high degree of responsiveness of the government to the people's social needs.
In this wise, the spiritual poverty of the people would have been equally uplifted for adherents to be rejuvenated for right service delivery while been challenged by the demands of their offices.
The government must keep the hopes of the people alive by motivating them at work and through the provision of basic amenities and functional infrastructure for the physiological needs to be met by all.
Then after predictably, everybody will be able, putting their creator first, to project into the future with ease of accomplishment.Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria
-
Liberian Govt Moves Against Intellectual Property Pirates
- By solomon2day
- On 25/02/2021
- In News
The Liberian Government is set to protect intellectual property owners from the activities of pirates.
This intention was made in a Press Release issued by the Copyright Society of Liberia (COSOL).
“Pirate copies of artistic workers threaten artists and authors’ livelihoods by robbing them of their due percentage of profits and royalties. By working in partnership with the National Collective Societies of Liberia, the government is driving anti-piracy efforts through intelligence gatherings, and educations to combat the illegal trade of piracy from further flourishing, while protecting the creative industries, the Release stated.
-
Diligence in All Spheres of Life
- By solomon2day
- On 25/02/2021
- In Special Report
Human activities in our endeavor to live without starvation, keep a safe and secured environment and maintain cleanliness and sound health are always propelled into our seeking for jobs or creating jobs with a conducive environment for ease of achieving in the areas of production processes.Fortunately, every project to be executed will always demand a test of skill as inherent in every individual. This must be developed to realize maximally good inputs and outputs through cooperative attitude and good teamwork spirit because every project will demand various skills from developed talents for ease of job completion.
A project would demand various expertise to collectively execute it.
Equally, project quality and standards are always demanded by the users who will not like to compromise in the market arena of local and global competitiveness.
Industries or companies, therefore, in their production processes will require for the best in the recruitment of workers, who they will expect to show competence, good work attitude disposition, and responsiveness in attending challenges of emerging situations to be able to break even in their cost-benefit analysis and consciousness.
Work ethics, therefore, will demand that all workers be assessed through SMART analysis by giving out specific jobs that would be measurable and achievable for the set goal to be realistically done within specified time-bound.
The behavioral aspect of every worker, therefore, matters so much to the management in their evaluation of individual contributions to productivity, efficiency, and profitability.
The importance of been diligent at work, therefore, comes up for the workers' scoreboard not to be below the expectations of the company's or industry's goal target.
Lazy or unruly workers may face the threat of future retrenchment or situational layoff when the performances are rated over the periodical assessment of performances by the establishment.
Lazy workers are always associated with idle hours which usually may result in a loss for the company or establishment, such people are regarded as not been diligent.
Workers are expected to be careful, the way they go about their routine duties at work through been diligent always for them to be able to handle their projects and enterprises in the future, most especially after retirement or personal disengagement from government work or the private establishment.
Workers today, must always see themselves as learners on the job by been conscious or been amenable to supervision or monitoring by their superiors whose powers of recommendation can influence management decisions and determine their future endeavors.
Diligence, is, therefore, a work habit that will always attract others to call us to repeat the feat elsewhere for a greater reward.
Diligence has a direct bearing on job satisfaction to attract management motivation for robust certification as a reward for a good job well done.
In the Curriculum vitae or Resume of the diligent worker, the sky is not only the limit for a greater height but universal patronage in the world of competitiveness and global best practices.
Diligent people stand before Kings and interact with successful people in life, but they need to be very painstaking to cross the hurdles of life which are necessary to be used as tools for one's reinforcement and acquisition of higher skills. Be culturally diligent, be able to stoop to conquer the whole world as symbols of success in our voyage of life to make ends meet.
Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria
-
Shun Fetish and Diabolic means to Success-Cleric
- By solomon2day
- On 09/02/2021
- In News
Nigerians have been advised to shun fetish and diabolic acts to achieve success.
This advice was given by Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi in a Chat with People.
''Several Nigerians now seek get rich quick solutions through fetish and diabolic means. There is nothing the devil will give an individual that it would not take back in another way. ''
''Nigerian should seek success through hard work and godly ways. There is always a price to pay by those who seek to be successful through fetish and diabolic methods. The evil that people do daily, is negatively affecting the prosperity of the country.
Nigerians should be hardworking and God-fearing to attain success,'' Pastor Ajayi stated.
-
Insecurity and Investments
- By solomon2day
- On 09/02/2021
- In Solomon's Column
It is not in dispute and contention that when killings, kidnappings, armed robberies, and violence characterize daily living, investments would be at zero levels.Investors are now very suspicious and cautious.
Surprisingly those in charge at every level of government prefer to shield and protect the criminals who have committed heinous and grievous crimes against humanity, rather than do the same for helpless, defenseless, and grief-stricken citizens.
Indeed, happenings and unfolding events hinge the insecurity in the land to the selfish and evil interests of certain individuals.
Obviously, the criminals are the creation of those in charge and it is imperative that they are brought to justice, as the activities of the criminals have already started counting against the ''those who pay the piper.'' This, of course, would, in the long run, have a negative impact electorally.
Sadly, the high cost of living occasioned by the unfavorable policies of the government, ignorance, and insincerity, have prompted market men, women, and other traders to further trouble the disillusioned populace.
Consequent to the havoc wrecked by insecurity, it would be difficult, if not impossible for those in charge to deliver the dividends of democracy within their constitutionally stipulated tenure.
Interestingly, governance now thrives on lies, deceit, and propaganda. -
Be the Vanguard of Truth
- By solomon2day
- On 09/02/2021
- In Special Report
Truth avails the nation the opportunity to grow and develop while falsehood drives the people into madness and wretchedness to force the nation to heads towards the precipice.
Religion stands in teaching and enforcing truth to the people in order that they eschew all forms of falsehood to be able to uphold the culture of the sincerity of purpose. The failure of people to live exemplary lifestyles may be negatively infectious to other people who are yet to be taught from the houses of God, on the essentials of upholding the truth to offer just worship in their different religions.
A good reference is in Matthew 5: 43-48,''43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.''
In the same vein, the almighty Allah confirms the statement to the last letter. The creation of heaven and earth was based on truth.
The Holy Quran 29: 44 asserts, ''Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth: verily in that is a sign for those who believe.''
The almighty God expects all interpersonal relationships and transactions among mankind to be based on the sincerity of purpose amidst the culture of truth.
Only in truth, we can realize good governance, a virile and prosperous nation, zero tolerance to indiscipline and corruption for sustainable wellness of the people, and a hitch-free development in an environment that is safe and secured with peaceful co-existence.
The Holy Quran therefore, expects all Muslims to be the vanguard of truth for them to be good exemplars to people from other faiths such as the Jews, the Christians, and the Serbians, and any who believe in Allah or God and the last day and work righteousness with the non-discriminatory promise of a reward from their creator that they will live with all authority from their Lord of a life without fear or grief as expressly narrated in the Holy Quran 2: 62. From this set of people, we expect people from other faiths to learn and imbibe the culture of truth and non-injurious lifestyles to others, that is, keeping of good neighborliness.
In the holy Quran 2: 42, it is clearly stated and admonished for all like the people of Nigeria for example, and other nations that are struggling to live by the truth for professional ethics to be the basis of the fabric upon which the mainframe of all institutions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the government are to be built, in order to be progressive rather than retrogressive.
''And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know what it is.''
The admonition, therefore, continues in the Holy Quran 2: 43-44 which if we can heed will solve our problems of insecurity and underdevelopment. ''And be steadfast in prayer: Give Zakat and bow down your heads with those who bow down in worship(live in humanity). The admonition now continues that we must all query our behavior and question our psyche on the level of heeding the admonition and why things go wrong with our nation. ''Do ye enjoy right conduct of the people and forget to practice it yourselves, and yet ye study the Scriptures?
Will ye not understand.''
All religious leaders need to examine their roles on the issue of been Scripture compliant and being answerable to God on making functional the religious system they uphold to be beneficial to community service and nation-building.
The Holy Quran 2: 119 is for our critical guide, ''Verily we have sent thee in truth as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner: But of thee, no question be asked of the companions of the blazing fire.''
Let us all take heed to be the vanguard of truth.Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria
-
COVID 19-Kenya set to Distribute 7.5 million masks to Schools
- By solomon2day
- On 09/02/2021
- In News
The Ministry of Health in Kenya has earmarked 7.5 million masks for distribution to schools and those in the informal settlements.The distribution shall be done through the Ministry of Education.
According to the Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha who made this disclosure, priority would be given to schools with a higher enrollment rate, those in informal settlements, special schools, and schools located in pockets of poverty.
Magoha also disclosed that pupils in Grade 4 to Grade 8 and secondary students will receive 2.25 million masks.
“The distribution will be cascaded to the regional and county levels. We have tasked the field officers to utilize the outlined criteria to select schools to benefit from the masks, which will be distributed as we receive them from the Ministry of Health,” the cabinet secretary stated. -
The Courts and Obedience of its Orders
- By solomon2day
- On 02/02/2021
- In Solomon's Column
In this clime, a court ruling no matter how illegal it is remains a court order.
However, for a court order to be obeyed, the court issuing such an order must have the competence to issue the same.
Judgments emanating from courts in Nigeria have over time precipitated rather than solving problems.
A commonplace is moving from one jurisdiction to shopping for a convenient jurisdiction where to obtain an order for sinister purposes.
Most of the time the powers that be consent to such illegalities, while the police play out the scripts of the Executive.
Officials of the Judiciary are helpless since their survival, these days, depends on the designs of the Executive, even as the Legislature vigorously pursue self-driven interests.
The obedience of court order in this dispensation is selective and largely depends on the mindset of the power that is at different points in time.
This has no doubt tainted the image of the leadership at all levels to the extent that credit is no longer synonymous with good governance.
The courts are now a scourge to Nigerians as hopes give way to despair. -
Taylor-Pearce ensuring Accountability in Sierra Leone
- By solomon2day
- On 02/02/2021
- In News
Lara Tayor-Pearce is the Auditor General of Sierra Leone.
To ensure accountability, Taylor-Pearce decided
to allow the public access to the annual audit reports and in the process handed Sierra Leone’s citizens the power of public scrutiny.
They have used it to save lives, reverse injustices and prevent misplaced trust.
We should continue to ask for answers to the queries raised in the audit reports, but this shouldn’t be the extent of our aims.
The governance culture we really need is one that welcomes effective scrutiny and accountability, as a way for communities and decision-makers to work together on improving public service delivery.
Lara Taylor-Pearce’s vision of a public audit office that is allowed to do its work with the committed support of Parliament is a vitally important step towards achieving that goal.
As Auditor General, she shows us the possibilities of good governance in Sierra Leone. To achieve them, we have to start playing by the rules. All of us, without fear or favor. -
Self-Centered Leaders are the Major Problems of Nigeria-Prof. Olagoke
- By solomon2day
- On 21/01/2021
- In Special Report
Self-centeredness ensures that political office holders are observed in their own affairs to the extent of losing communication with the people.
The failure to communicate with the people brings forth challenges in governance, while the desperate bid to protect self-driven interests could pave the way for different forms of insecurity.
In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head, and Grand Imam of Shafauden-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke opines that the self-centered nature of elected leaders is the major problem of underdeveloped nations, such as Nigeria.
Self-driven interests are now the major considerations in governance. Why is this so?
Self-centeredness falls into the lowest region of ego-building whereby a child up to the peak of its impressionable age will ever believe that every good thing must belong to him or her including his father's vehicle.
This is an Id region of human growth in which things are desired by mankind without considering the implications and consequences. They may even fight to possess what does not necessarily belong to them when found in the care of other people including their colleagues and parents.
Education is, therefore, expected for any individual to outgrow this region. When they are supposed to be regarded as been matured even though they are just entering the adolescent to puberty stage of their lives.
The exhibition of Id characteristics at this stage will attract a reaction from the society towards suspecting a psychological imbalance in such a person.
The adduced reason may be as a result of been overdependent on parents or guardians for their livelihood and upkeep.
In an unfortunate situation, it may be as a result of inherited traits from parents, such traits include stinginess.
Self-centeredness built into the ego region of any person will not only affect his or her expected contribution to society but equally affects negatively his or her relationship with others including his or her family members who are expected to be taken care of by him or her.
People with ego-based issues will find it difficult to uphold the concept of philanthropy in society for anybody including their kinsmen.
His or her expected age and opportunity of acquired wealth will cause such an individual a set-back and result in not reaching the super-ego region of life.
Such people, when given the opportunity to serve in sensitive positions of power, will easily develop the veins of Timocracy, whereby the individual would not see the essence of been in such positions of power for service, but more as an opportunity for business as usual and treasury looting. This is why the Yorubas believe that any individual acquiring wealth, illegally, to build an empire at the expense of his or her wellness, would eventually forfeit such wealth to other people after passing on to glory.
My belief is that the Scriptures also uphold this Yoruba philosophy.
The Yorubas equally teach us in their Proverbs that an elderly person who refuses to give out, most especially to the ladies and the younger ones, will not be noticed when such an individual is with tangible things on his head from the market place.
The life of charity is recommended for humankind to take care of the need of the world because the grasses are made for the purpose of the survival of the grasscutters.
The major problems of nations classified as underdeveloped or developing like Nigeria are not a result of a lack of natural resources -human and material-but because of the self-centered nature of their chosen leaders at all levels of governance.
It is rather unfortunate for any nation to have such a crop of people at the helm of affairs because under them kleptocracy would be the voice of their democracy, while the voters and the masses would reap the dividends of poverty because of the selfish nature of their leaders. A critical look into the reasons why several African nations suffer in the midst of plenty could be appreciated through the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs vis-a-vis, psychological needs, ensure safety and security needs, social needs of the people, self-esteem into the culture of integrity and actualization realm.
Expectedly, to be able to meet up, the Government must be able to effectively and maximally achieve in the areas of the provision of basic amenities for the purpose of people's wellness as well as the solid establishment of functional infrastructure for people to be dynamically productive through innovations and creativity to be able to go into job creation by people, coupled with government intervention on the issue of employment.
If this is truly achieved there would not be any form of agitations and security threat and the goal of democratic norms based on justice and equity would have produced for people the expected peace and sustainable development.
This is the basis of comparison between the acclaimed developed world and the underdeveloped nations, Nigeria inclusive.
Furthermore, the animal called man grows from Id to the level of the super-ego, is expected to be rational in making policies and decisions that would be beneficial to others.
This is expected to reflect in the way we rear our children from their baby class to that of responsible adults.
Unfortunately, the degree of success rate is crystal clear at the peak of Maslow's hierarchy of need, that is actualization realm which dwells mostly on personal achievements which the ignorant society celebrate overwhelmingly without considering the impact of such achievements on others.
The in-built self-centeredness into the actualization realm manifests most when such people have the opportunity to be in positions of power.
Ego-centeredness characteristics then dominate his management and administrative dispensation.
Such people may end up being richer than the state or nation or the business empire they are saddled to manage in trust for the purpose of building the people they are meant to serve.
Sensitization, therefore, needs to be mounted against self-centeredness through Olagoke Attitudinal Hierarchy of Needs, whereby people should be made to realize at the entry point of having the opportunity of admission into the academics and recruitment into establishments, on the need to shun selfishness, indiscipline, and corruption, but focus on the goal of productivity, goodwill, and profit for the establishment and that their main concern should be service to the people without living above their means otherwise the promotion exercises would be meaningless.
The Olagoke Hierarchy of Attitudinal Needs professes that the actualization realm of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs must be the bae value for mentorship essence followed by ethical practices, role modeling role through exemplary lifestyles, altruistic philosophy to enhance the concept of charity and philanthropy among the people who are lucky to be rich to complement the efforts of the government in satisfying the yearnings of the people.
Above all, for true statesmanship to be achieved, experienced senior citizens must struggle to get into the class of total personality when the characteristic value of integrity, forgiveness, love, selfless service, and conflict resolution facilitated by wisdom would create the natural class of distinction for such an elderly person.
Under this condition, selfishness will pave way for the keeping of good neighborliness as well as the culture of philanthropy will emerge to sustain the people and their nation. -
COVID 19-Zimbabwe First Lady calls for Fasting and Prayer
- By solomon2day
- On 21/01/2021
- In News
The First Lady of Zimbabwe, Mrs. Auxilia Mnangagwa has called on all Zimbabwe women to observe three-day fasting and prayer for God to ward of the coronavirus pandemic presently ravaging Zimbabwe and the world.
Mrs. Mnangagwa made this cal in a statement.“May I as the Mother of the Nation call upon all women in Zimbabwe, and all those abroad who may so wish, to join me in fasting and praying to the Lord the Almighty from tomorrow 21 to Saturday 23 January 2021 for our nation to be spared from further calamity and suffering,”
“Our country has witnessed a lot of Covid-19 deaths in the past two weeks. Death is within our communities, at our doorstep. There is no family that has not suffered the loss of their beloved ones because of the pandemic.
“Every day we hear of names that are succumbing.
“I thus humbly appeal to all women to commit to a three-day period from tomorrow in which we fast and pray to call for divine intervention to save the nation and our people.
“As women, we play a very important role in our society.”
“As mothers, let us enforce compliance at the family level with measures that reduce the spread of Covid-19 amongst us. We need a plan at the household level for regularly using any means at our disposal to clean and sanitize our homes; to ensure that everyone in the home knows the importance of having a mask and masking up properly; more importantly to organize sharp safe errands for our requirements to get going whilst enforcing the family to stay at home,” she said.
“Let us include the measures against Covid-19 as we play our motherly role of ensuring that every member of the family is responsible for their personal hygiene.“As we avoid and fight stigmatization, let’s ensure that all members of the family have knowledge of how to help those that have been infected and are willing to assist those that get sick to cope whilst remaining safe from infection.
“As we pray for relief in our nation, we should observe the measures for safe praying. The best is to fast and pray as individuals in our homes, the First lady concluded.
-
COVID 19: 20,000 Arrested by Police-S.A Police Minister
- By solomon2day
- On 14/01/2021
About 20,000 people have been apprehended by the South African Police for not wearing face masks.
This disclosure was made on Wednesday in a statement by the country's Police Minister Bheki Cele who stressed that since December 29, offenders were either arrested or fined for breaching the new rules laid done by the Government.
Cele further said that 7,455 others were detained for not wearing face masks adding, ''law enforcement agencies do not enjoy making these arrests. However, officers… are left with no choice in the interest of saving lives.”
