solomon2day - Page 17 of 21

Successive Governments failed to Explore the Opportunities in Agriculture-Prof Olagoke

By solomon2day
On 26/04/2019
In The People Talk

Prices of foodstuff in various markets in Nigeria is on the increase, despite the Federal Government’s insistence that it has done a lot to ensure that the agriculture sector is able to provide the food needs of the people and revenue for government.

Interestingly, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh has declared that 90 per cent of rice in the markets are locally produced, Nigerians, however, dismiss the Minister’s claim, arguing that most of the markets sell imported rice. In this interview, the Founder, Grand Imam and Spiritual Head of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke says that successive governments did not explore the various opportunities in the agriculture sector. Excerpts :

The prices of foodstuff in the markets are on the increase, what do you think is the cause ?

Nigeria is overdue for meaningful diversification of the economy.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s regime established the refineries with the hope of satisfying domestic demand for petroleum products. Port harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries were established and these refineries functionally produced to the satisfaction of the people of Nigeria.

The government then, equally had on its agenda, the expansion prospects, this was not to be due to the absence of continuity in governance.

The export of crude oil gained prominence, while the refining of crude oil abroad for home consumption took center stage.

Initially, Nigeria enjoyed the domestic production of crude oil, same was the case of imported refined petroleum products.

The long years of military rule in Nigeria affected policies of government and resulted in the neglect of the refineries. This now made the country to depend heavily on imported petroleum products.

Also, crude oil as the mainstay of the economy suffered from activities in the international market, such as fluctuations in prices.

This to a large extent negatively affected the annual budget, since budget performance was hinged on the unstable price of crude oil.

The cheapest area of diversification of the economy, is agriculture.

Animal husbandry , poultry farming and several other aspects of farming make the sector a very attractive potential revenue earner.

In fact the physiological needs of shelter, clothing and feeding, are the major reasons why the country must focus on agriculture.

Unfortunately, successive governments have not been able to explore the limitless opportunities in the sector.

Suffice it now to say that Nigeria needs to embark on phased restructuring process to correct the anomalies in governance.

For example the Ministers are expected to give bi-annual reports of their performances, rather than be requested to do so at the expiration period of the four year term of government.

Nigerians deserve the best in terms of governance, but this is not the case.

Strategic administration and effective management styles that could call for merit is the subject matter to build corporate governance for virile and strong institutions where policies would be made to work effectively.

Diversification of the economy is long overdue and the agriculture sector based om modern day practice all over the world must be sought in Nigeria.

Institutions of higher learning starting from technical colleges must be overhauled, to train people with relevant skills, who can manage agriculture beyond subsistence level.

Government must desist from wasting money through paper theory agriculture experts.

But must train the trainers to identify with the real farmers for the sake of rural integration need for the policy, at the implementation level, can only be realized through using the SWOT analysis on why and how similar projects failed such as DFFRI, OFN, Better Life for Rural Women and Agriculture revolution.

A critical study of the current one needs to be done, to be able to overhaul where necessary and adapt to compliment the news ideas.

Above all, democracy is about the people that must be managed to meet up with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs-physiological, sociological, security, self esteem and actualization realm, while government must manage self to be able to achieve with Olagoke hierarchy of attitudinal needs using Maslow’s apex of actualization realm as its foundation-mentor ship for governance and policy continuity, altruism philosophy for culture of philanthropy and total personality target for true spirit of elder statesmen with high sense of forgiveness and service to humanity.

Imbibing the two as a culture of living would not only put the people to be served into the readiness of supporting government on the culture of patriotism and trust in the face of government’s transparency and accountability.

When there are successes in agricultural projects, same would manifest in the welfare of the people.

Don’t let us play rhetoric with the issue of economy and agriculture, but rather let us be decisive and pragmatic in the areas of availability, accessibility, affordability and cost effectiveness to give this government a deserving credit.

Ethiopia Judiciary set to Negotiate Its Budget with Parliament

By solomon2day
On 24/04/2019
In News

The Judiciary in Ethiopia is set to assert its independence as it moves to negotiate its annual budget with the Legislature.

According to the country's first female Chief Justice, Justice Meaza Ashenafi, the Judiciary has submitted its budget request to the Parliament.

''For the first time last week, we submitted our budget request directly to parliament. In the constitution, there is a provision that says the judiciary will directly request and negotiate its budget from parliament, but this never happened. It would go through the executive. So we're changing that trend and this year for the first time we will negotiate with parliament and that, I feel, will give us some independence. We will negotiate for better resources'', Justice Ashenafi stated.

On the issue of corruption in the Judiciary, the Chief Justice said ''part of the problem is lack of communication and understanding of how the judiciary functions. I'm not saying we don't have problems of integrity - we do have them - but most of the time it is perception. Everyone who walks into my office with some sort of complaint says the judge has some sort of relationship with the opponent. This is not always true. Maybe it is true 5% or 10% of the time, I don't know, but there is that perception. We need to build trust, help people understand that the law functions in a very technical way. But we do also need to work on addressing questions of integrity in our judicial system''.

Nigerians No Longer Trust Their Leaders-Prof Olagoke

By solomon2day
On 16/04/2019
In Special Report

Banditry, killings, kidnapping, armed robbery and violence now characterize daily living in different parts of Nigeria.

The feeble response by government has further aggravated the almost helpless situation.

The impression Nigerians have, is that the present administration does not have the know how to restore normalcy.

In this interview, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke says Nigerians no longer trust their leaders who neither transparent nor accountable, which has resulted in the clamour for secession. Excerpts :

Banditry, killings, kidnapping, armed robbery and violence are the signposts of living in Nigeria, what do you think is the way out ?

Naturally, in a system of mankind, poverty takes the most percentage of what can fuel crisis and violence.

This is why the major challenges to be managed by government, revolve on the provision of basic amenities and functional infrastructure. As regards this, successive governments have failed.

For example the Boko Haram issue would have been a thing of the past, if not for the accumulated destitution among most of the youth in the Northern part of the country.

The same fundamental enabling environment for violence and impatience cuts across all states of the federation, with varying degrees of poverty, gaining prominence.

Secondly, since the inception of democracy, we have been running governments that have been insensitive to the peoples' plight, contrary to the dictates of section 16 of the 1999 amended constitution, which harps on the responsibilities of government to the welfare of Nigerians.

Apart from this, our political management has assumed an extreme dimension of ethnic and tribal coloration, where nepotism is the basis for getting jobs and contracts.

When government fails to manage the issue of corruption effectively, the wealth of the land goes into the hands of the privileged few in positions of power.

Unfortunately, the mitigation measure on ground, rests with our security agencies, which are being weighed down by lack of motivation.

Furthermore, capacity building in the areas of training with modern equipment is equally lacking, which would have enabled them to stem the ugly tide of insecurity.

The world standard of work ratio of all the security agencies to the population, they are supposed to serve, is extremely low.

This is why the clamor for state police may hold water, although with reservations.

Are we civilized enough to the level of upholding professional ethics in this respect ?

Certainly, the answer is no, because all tiers of government in Nigeria are still vindictive on the opposition, hence the security agencies may be manipulated for selfish purposes by any government in power. We need to work on this area of civility challenge.

Dearth of adequate personnel and professional training requirements, need to be addressed with utmost urgency to avoid wasting the lives of the few that are ready to stop further bloodshed that would have been found to be highly unwarranted.

Running an inclusive government, rather than the winner takes all syndrome, will not only promote amity and memorandum of understanding, between the President and the governments at the state and local levels, but will also allow for timely intervention to quell riots or any acts of violence.

Nigeria is presently enjoying, a graveyard peace.

The people do not trust their leaders who neither transparent nor accountable, this has caused a lot of disaffection to the point of hiding under restructuring motives to achieve secessionist agenda.

Most of the regions are waiting for Nnamdi Kanu to achieve his aim, for others to say '' to thy tents Oh Israel''.

With the foregoing as the situation on ground, Nigerians should naturally expect pockets of killings and anti-societal acts inimical to any reasonable development.

However, making the country ungovernable for the government in power, is never a solution, but an act of retrogression, that all Nigerians must condemn.

Nigeria ought to learn from the civilized way the issue of BREXIT is being handled.

Dialogue is the best option to adopt to further the peaceful co-existence that still keeps the country together.

The service chiefs and the Professors of conflict resolution, would continue to be indicted for incompetence and lack of patriotism, if the the President could not be rightly advised to do the needful, with all sincerity of purpose.

What is government doing with the reported $1 Billion it collected for the purchase of arms and equipment for the military ?

What are the security agencies doing with the reported N 350 million worth of arms and ammunition intercepted at the nations' borders ?

We must know fully well that a cracked wall, would ever harbour reptiles, to the detriment of the people in the house.

Inter-religious and ethnic disaffection been promoted by the President Muhammadu Buhari led government must stop, because government needs the support of all Nigerians.

First Female Students Chairperson Elected in University of Nairobi

By solomon2day
On 13/04/2019
In News

A 300 level law undergraduate has become the first female chairperson of the University of Nairobi Students Association.

Ms Ann Mwangi emerged after polling 24 votes to beat her challengers, Samuel Ayoma whoe scored eight votes Ertiman Oile scored 4 votes .

The process was facilitated through the electoral college and was presided over by Prof. Mohamed Jamaa.

Ms Mwangi will take over from Mr Antony Manyara who has been the chairman of the association since 2018.

The election is the second after the signing into law of the Universities Amendment Act in 2016 by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Act states that the students association is to be governed by a student council comprising a chairperson and a vice chairperson who must be of the opposite gender, a treasurer, a secretary-general, and three other members to represent special interests of students.

Those elected in leadership positions must reflect national diversity and the council cannot have more than two-thirds of its members being of the same gender.

Book Piracy is on the Increase in Nigeria-NPA

By solomon2day
On 10/04/2019
In Special Report

The Nigerian Publishers Association(NPA) has raised the alarm over the unabating activities of book pirates in Nigeria.

The NPA made its position known through its Executive Secretary,Mr. Emmanuel Abimbola.

‘’Book piracy is a major problem in Nigeria. Piracy is on the increase, these pirates print abroad and the quality of their work is alarming. We as an association are working with the Nigeria Copyright Commission, to reduce it to the barest minimum. These pirates are not our members, they come from outside. We embark on anti-piracy campaigns to alert the public on the activities of book pirates’’, Mr. Abimbola dislcosed.

People of Sudan Continue Protests Demanding President's Resignation

By solomon2day
On 10/04/2019
In News

Protesters in Sudan have continued their protests outside the Army headquarters in Khartoum demanding the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir.

Alleged attempts by government security forces to break the ranks of the protesters were resisted by soldiers who protected the protesters.

Attacks by students militias, anti-riot policemen and government security forces have not deterred the protesters.

Interestingly, Sudanese traders in Juba have declared that they stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters back home.

"I support with all my power the change in Sudan because change must be now, at this time on these days. (We) must take al-Bashir out," Isim Assam Abdallah, a trader disclosed

"We want justice and freedom. The government of Sudan is the government of destruction. The government has killed innocent people and has killed many in Darfur since 2004," another trader Abdallah Haman said.

Govt. does not want to pay the New National Minimum wage-AWC

By solomon2day
On 01/04/2019

The All Workers Convergence(AWC) has described the delay in assenting to the new national minimum wage by President Muhammadu Buhari as another stage in the game of deceit.

The AWC is made this postion known through its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

‘’The drama has been from one ugly occurrence to the other. The totality of it all is that President Muhammadu Buhari has shown that he is at the center of this game, calling the shots and he has been able to prove that he is not willing to pay the new national minimum wage, except through struggle and confrontation by the Nigerian workers, without which workers would continue to be entangled in the endless web of deceit in a bid to actualize the new national minimum wage’’.

‘’It is very painful that the government is continuing with the game, if not what is the explanation for the different scheming by government aimed at externally postponing the actualization of the new national minimum wage’’, Comrade Emelieze noted.

Nigeria and Its Health Challenges

By solomon2day
On 29/03/2019
In Solomon's Column

The Federal Government has lost grip of the health sector.

Nigerians now seek God’s intervention in issues pertaining to health care delivery.

Most public hospitals are now designated mortuaries, where Nigerians are left to die, rather than recover from aliments.

Interestingly the citizenry now resort to self-medication and traditional healing therapy as a result of their poor economic status.

Sadly, most health workers lack the requisite skills needed to be proactive on their jobs.

All these put together has resulted in high infant and maternal mortality and the prevalence of several diseases.

In some hospitals, patients are required to buy sachets of water for medical tests.

Government at all levels ought to set goals for a better health care, but this is yet to occur.

Nigerians hope to experience an increase in life expectancy, while also coming to terms with high and substantial levels of immunization against all vaccine preventable diseases and attaining national self sufficiency in vaccine production.

Up till this moment, government at all levels are yet to ensure that universal access to primary health care becomes a reality, in terms of support, community engagement and participation.

Government has not performed commendably in the eradication, control and prevention of epidemic diseases. Why ? The corruption and rot in the system. Perhaps.

Indeed, it is possible for the three tires of government to achieve adequate supply of essential drugs to all health facilities, but activities of government officials have become the major impediment.

It is only in an enabling environment, that the government would be able to resuscitate a viable secondary health care system.

Unfortunately, several uncompleted projects characterize health facilities across the country.

Of disturbing worry, is the fact that commercialization of some hospitals’ functions, is strangulating the already impoverished population, just as it is doubtful if existing health policies can take care of exigencies of this present time.

We Need Modern Equipment and Better Welfare Package To Function Optimally-Oyo Fire Service

By solomon2day
On 25/03/2019
In News

The incoming Government in Oyo state has been called upon to pay urgent attention to the needs of the Department of Fire Service in the state for effective service delivery.

This call was made by the Deputy Director of the Department, Mr. Moshood Adewuyi in a chat with People.

''The department needs prompt attention in terms of equipment that can cope with the present day challenges. We need sophisticated equipment and also we have shortage of outlets which cannot cope with the increasing population. Our personnel also need good welfare package. It is of note that firemen who were recruited sometime ago ran away due to poor renumeration'', Mr. Adewuyi stated.

On the fire incident that occurred at the UMC area of the state capital, Ibadan, recently, the Deputy Director disclosed that communication lag and faulty vehicle hampered the response of the department.

''Although the department's dedicated lines for distress calls are in the public domain, residents of the area did not call, when they went to the Molete office of the department, the fire fighting vehicle with water was faulty. The Molete office has a standard funcitional bore hole, so lack of water was out of it. However, we sent another vehicle from the headquarters to put out the fire'', he concluded.

Not long ago, a building collapsed along Molete/Idi-Arere road in the state capital, this has brought to the fore, the fact that several buildings got quesationable approvals from government for reconstrution. And nothing has been done to address the lapses in governance.

However, the state government, recently, distributed 33 excavators to the 33 Local Governments in the state.

Nigerians and Their Quest for Affordable Education

By solomon2day
On 18/03/2019
In Solomon's Column

Vital literacy indicators reveal a deplorable condition in the Nigerian educational system.

Indeed, adult literacy rate is embarrassing, while the number of out-of-school children has reached an all time high rate.

Trailing the fallen standard of education at all levels, is the ever increasing rate of drop-outs today.

With particular reference to the Secondary and Tertiary levels of education, cultism, gangster ism and prostitution have become the popular choice for undergraduates and students 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 class rooms, poor conditions of service for teachers, which has resulted in the poor quality of teaching and poor quality of 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 government at all levels, is a manifestation of the ineptitude of government officials.

Government’s deliberate neglect in the management of the education sector may eventually result in the total collapse of the public education system.

The shortcomings of government has heightened the stakes for private investors and made the education sector very lucrative.

With the profit motive as the major emphasis and driving force, educational institutions are now germinating like pure water factories in very 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 government at all levels make education available, relevant, accessible and affordable to all Nigerians ?
Can government 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 skilled manpower ?

Answers to these questions are in the public domain for everyone to draw conclusions.

Nigeria's Electoral Umpire and the Real Meaning of Inconclusive Elections

By solomon2day
On 13/03/2019
In Pictures

The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has fixed March 23, 2019 for supplementary elections in Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau and Rivers state, where according to the commission elections were declared inconclusive.

But with the Osun state governsotrship elections still fresh in the minds of Nigerians, the electorate now interprete inconclusive elections to mean the installing of political office holders through other methods except the ballot.

The electorate lament the state of anarchy atmosphere, elections took place, while insisting that those who emerge from elections characterized by desperation, violence, killings, cover ups and rigging would never be able to ensure good governance since they would always be haunted by the process that facilitated their emergence.

Surprisingly, the powers that be still believe that Nigerians are gullible, which, if unfolding events are anything to go by, is no longer the case.

From the Presidential and National Assembly elections to the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, all has not been well, the coming days and weeks shall give flesh this assertion.

Leaders Ought to Develop the Right Mindset for Good Governance. Read more-https://bit.ly/2UzjsVi

Despite Flawed General Elections Nigeria is Still One by the Grace of God-Grand Imam Shafauden-in-Islam Worldwide. Read more-https://bit.ly/2HivKi2

DIVINE PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR 2019 By Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

By solomon2day
On 13/03/2019
In The People Talk

For every prophecy is limited by time(for its manifestation), and soon shall ye know it(Q.6 : 67). For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one little will by no means pass from the law(prophecy) till all is fulfilled.(Matthew 5 : 18)

GENERAL

The 2019 elections would come up after some structural adjustment for effective feasibility.

Against all odds, winners would emerge. The All Progressives Congress(APC) as a party would have some threats and surprises but election would tend to favour the incumbent President.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)on the other hand, would create scene of disappointment for its Presidential candidate.

2019 shall be characterized by the following feature of events :

Year of problematic challenges and reconstruction for re positioning.
Favorable year of economic revival.
Ne face for education management.
Boost on security enhancement.
Bad year for religious revival.
Favorable year for sports.
Safety consciousness to avert road accidents.

Year 2019 Spiritual Exploration and Predictions

Month By Month Events

January, 2019

Busy month for finishing touches on some projects, lie education, economy, security and sports.
Political Parties reconstruction period.
Some religious bodies shall be busy on shady deal perfection and cover up.

February, 2019

Favorable month to boost education, economy, security and sports.
Be safety conscious top avoid road accidents and fire out break.
Pray against political stalemate and heated polity.

March, 2019

Pray against a situation of mass drift of people from a part of the country to the other. Work for peace and tighten security.
Avoid poor performance in sports.
Be safety conscious to avoid fire out break.

April, 2019

Favorable month for agricultural cultivation for the dividend of democracy with boost from education and economy.

Pray against sudden death of two prominent religious leaders.
Possible success in the security sector, but they need to beware of the resurgence of insurgency.
Possible need to overhaul the sports house to flush out the bad eggs.
Avoid fir outbreak and be safety conscious.

May, 2019

Favorable month for peoples’ relief on economic revival, security success, sporting and political activities.

June, 2019

Searchlight shall be on areas of weaknesses for possible reconstruction and re positioning on education, economy and security.
Pray against calamities in the house of God.
Pray against fire outbreak, road and air accidents.
Road rehabilitation work shall be rife in this month.

July, 2019

Favorable month for the energy sector, education, economy, sports, security and politics.
Pray for the nation on growth and development.
Pray for the religious sector not to suffer set back.

August, 2019

Favorable performance in the area ofof education, economy, security and sports.
Pray against tides in the houses of God.
Pray against accidents on the road and fire outbreak.

September, 2019

Cleansing exercise shall be rife this month.
There shall be success in the areas of education, economy, security.
Pray for politics and sports succor for people’s relief.

October, 2019

Month for reconstruction in the affected areas of our socio-economy and security.
Pray agaisnt tides in the houses of God.
Pray against religious conflicts.

November. 2019

Unity of purpose shall be addressed in this month.
Favorable month to boost the economy and security.
Pray against tides in one of the prominent churches in the country.
Government may carry out reshuffling exercises.
Pay against air mishap.

December, 2019

Favorable month for people’s relief in the areas of economy, education and political activities.
There will be cleaning need in religious activities to support the society on sanity and discipline.
Pray against fire outbreak and vehicles’ breakdown occurrences on the roads.

Conclusion

Re branding for proper socialization and correct cultural, value, orientation for promotion of integrity and discipline for all, must be put in place, to allow divine intervention to revamp our economy, promote health and stable policy as well as principle of equity.

Good governance is a function of Godly leadership, therefore the essence of this revelation is for the political class to imbibe the spirit of religious harmony to promote peace and be more dedicated to service of God to save the nation through their prayers, while all Nigerians must uphold discipline, love and culture of patriotism to move the nation forward. With these,we may avoid stalemate to save our democracy.

Rasool, Shafau, Imitizaaala

Mohammed(SAW)

Alhaji Engr. Prof. S.A Olagoke

Leaders Ought to Devlop The Right Mindset for Good Governance-Rwanda President. Read more-https://bit.ly/2UzjsVi

INEC and the Security Agencies must not Compromise the Electoral Process-Prof. Olagoke

By solomon2day
On 07/03/2019
In Special Report

Nigerians will on Saturday go to their various polling units to vote for candidates of their choice in the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

Although the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the security agencies have assured Nigerians that the elections would be free, fair, credible, devoid of violence and killings, as was the case in the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the electorate are taking this assurance with a pinch of salt, just as they rest their hopes on God.

In this interview with Federationews2day, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof, Sabitu Olagoke appeals to INEC and the security agencies not to subvert the electoral process, while asserting that voters should be given the free will to vote for candidates of their choice without regard to any overbearing influence. Excerpts :

What are your words to the electorate as they prepare to vote for candidates of their choice in the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday ?

Firstly, let's talk about the lessons that have been learnt from the outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, which serves as a warning to the politicians in general and those elected into various offices to serve, that performance matters most, most especially in the area of service to humanity, which places emphasis on the electorate and the environment.

The failure to recognize this fact and meditate on it, was majorly responsible for the fall of some erstwhile political giants and their political parties at the polls. For example, after eight years in office, some state Governors fell by the way side, in their bid to get to the Senate. Those who did not fall, have been seen to be unpopular among the people.

This answers the questions that disturbs the mind, on their questionable success.

For the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, two episodes will play out, some will be voted for, by virtue of their credentials of credibility, even when the party is not liked and some will be voted for through party leanings, even when the substance of credibility is lacking in the candidates. Whatever way it occurs, Nigerians must be very careful not to lose their heads out of unnecessary passion.

So, we must not turn the situation into that of violence, because according to Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar(rtd) Nigerians must embrace peace.

It should be noted that none of the politicians, the electorate will vote for, including their children would be affected, if the unexpected happens; rather the masses who constitute the majority of the electorate, would kill themselves, without any hope for compensation.

Nigeria must not play the fool of the tower of Babel, which was built with rigour and vigour, but got destroyed without the completion of the project, due to skirmishes, a fall out of disorganized information system and communication lag.

The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) must not be bought over for posterity sake, while the commission must retain its role as a credible umpire.

The issue of logistics and functionality of the Smart Card Readers(SCR)ought to have been resolved before the day of election, which is March 9, 2019.

The Ad Hoc staff hired by INEC must not be late in reporting to the various polling units and they must not be compromised.

In the case of the Observers, local and international, on ground for the election, Nigerians should take care not to wash their dirty linens in the open glare of the international community.

For the security agents who will protect the electorate, INEC staff and Ad Hoc staff, they must display a high level of maturity and professionalism.

They must be able to disarm trouble makers without the use of firearms. They must be able to provide adequate security at the various polling units, while also ensuring the safety of electoral materials and the offices of INEC.

Politicians have continually embarrassed their followers and supporters through the buying and selling of votes.

The implication of this ugly practice, is that our children may now imbibe pilfering as a culture, while also embracing examination malpractice as a way of life.

We must not forget that the mirror image of the society, which we are bastardizing through ungodly acts is a fall out of our attitudinal challenges, which is already having a direct effect on the psyche of the youth !

Is it not paradoxically funny that the political scientists continue to remain as fathers of politics in the Ivory Towers, even though they have failed to produce exceptional politicians for the society.

This is a direct challenge to the functionality of our educational status.

Above all, voters must not be harassed, intimidate, threatened or misled into voting against their conscience.

What should be of paramount importance to Nigerians today, is credible leadership and good governance, which can only emerge through voting according to the dictates of the voters' conscience and the fact that the votes must count.

My appeal therefore to Nigerians, is to give peace a chance, so that we can turn our various communities into environments of peace, where justice, equity peace and development shall be paramount in the minds of the emerging leaders for the states, whose activities in government shall be people oriented.

The Real Leaders are in the Lesser Known Parties

By solomon2day
On 04/03/2019

The March 9, Governorship and House of Assembly elections will definitely not have the credibility it deserves when the credibility and acceptability of the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections still hangs in the balance.

Indeed, most Nigerians are continually speaking out, that the results of the elections does not represent their will.

Sadly, the President Muhammadu Buhari led Government is determined to impose its desire on Nigerians, which is the basis of the confusion in most parts of the country.

Indeed, if the experience, credentials and leadership qualities of candidates, some unseen faces are vigorously making efforts to impose on the people in a number of states are anything to go by, the conclusion will be that the electorate must be careful on their choice of Governorship and state House of Assembly candidates.

Without doubt, candidates who possess the ability to deliver, are the flag bearers of the lesser known parties, while those who openly display the fact that they have the financial muscle to buy 'power' are in the so called 'big' Political Parties.

It is definite, that the people are making all efforts to free themselves from years of bondage, that is why caution can be the only word to guide them as they vote in another election to be conducted by the same Independent National Electoral Commssion(INEC), whose inability to conduct, free, fair and credible elections is now in the open

Re-Election of President Buhari Divine, But A Lot Still Has to Be Done-Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam

By solomon2day
On 01/03/2019
In Special Report

Nigerians woke up on Monday morning to receive the news that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had declared President Muhammadu Buhari the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC)the winner of Nigeria's presidential election, a few minutes to 4.00 AM, while they were still in bed.

However, the timing of the declaration, saved the country of widespread protests, as Nigerians continue to insist that the electoral process was not free, fair and credible, in addition they lamented that the whole process had been compromised long before the elections.

Already, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has rejected the results and vowed to challenge the results in the law court, just as he promised to reclaim his mandate.

In this interview with People, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafuadeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olgaoke says the re-election of President Buhari is purely divine, even though a lot still has to be done. Excerpts :

What is your reaction to the victory of the incumbent President at the just concluded presidential elections ?

The battle for the prestigious and sensitive position of the President among the 73 presidential candidates has come and gone. But the real battle was between President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Abubakar Atiku.

Ideally, President Buhari was not supposed to have any problem, but an easy sail to victory, if his state Governors had performed up to expectation in their various states, where the ruling APC was supposed to have very close contact with the people, which would have resulted in a resounding impact on their lives.

Sadly,contrary was the case and this could be seen in the outstanding performance of the PDP, in a number of states, including Oyo and Ondo states.

In these two states particularly, people have been hurt and irredeemable damage inflicted on them by their expected saviour- the APC government in the states.

Besides this , employment was toyed with by the APC government at all levels.

The APC victory was based on the political passion and sentiments of the people for President Buhari, who was daily insulted by the opposition and whose party , the APC, was bedeviled by intrigues and pockets of civilian coup de Grace, if only the APC had lived up to expectation there would not have been any chance for the PDP to rise again to the level of wrestling power from the ruling party.

The re-election of President Buhari is purely divine, because according to our yearly predictions from Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, it was revealed that the party and some of its big names would fall by the wayside, despite the efforts they might put up to save their faces, but President Buhari would be re-elected against all odds, the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other retired Generals factors notwithstanding.

The prediction went on further to state that the former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku would be deceived by some of his home men to play him out, his spending power notwithstanding.

Besides all these, the campaign messages of the two parties influenced the pattern of voting.

For example President Buhari said that he would continue to hunt for treasury looters, although Nigerians are not all that impressed with the anti-corruption fight.

On the other hand the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku declared that he would grant amnesty to treasury looters caught so far and that the NNPC would be sold, which brought back the memory of the privatization saga and the Halliburton scandal.

Also, Former President Obasanjo's book ''My Watch'' which outlined the corrupt tendencies of the Former Vice President has not helped matters.

Nigerians were therefore left to choose from the two. This ultimately resulted in the present situation, despite the fact that the electoral process was fraught with anomalies, which Prof. Yakubu considered not to be significant enough to declare the election inconclusive or null and void.

What is most important now, is for INEC to perfect the shortcomings in logistics, the malfunction of the Smart Card Readers as well as the very major area of security, which must be strengthened for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, for it to be peaceful and without any hitch.

The spirit of sportsmanship must be imbibed by all parties to give peace a chance.

Equally important is for the emerging government to avoid party dictates that may be offensive to the possible formation of a strong government that would walk the talk.

The winner takes all syndrome must be rejected because the functions and responsibilities of governance are in need of people who are serious, patriotic, disciplined and who have zero tolerance for corruption.

Such people must be skill based, but unfortunately, no single party has a monopoly of these vital elements. These elements cut across party lines and also transcends political parties.

This is the only way by which all congratulatory messages to Mr. President elect could be meaningfully justified in the next political dispensation.

Nigeria Needs the Favour of God for Good Leadership to Emerge-Prof. Olagoke

By solomon2day
On 25/02/2019
In The People Talk

Before the February 23, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Military and the Police to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers, who were caught in the act.

Security experts insist that this paved the way for all that happened during the elections. According to them since ballot box snatching is a security issue, President Buhari ought to have addressed the issue professionally.

The security experts argue that the President's directive is not within the purview of all that has been said and done about leadership by example.

Interestingly, there were several cases of ballot box snatching across the country, with a number of the snatchers meeting their untimely death.

Nigerians insist that the ballot box snatchers were acting on the directive of the political class who cut across party lines. Most of them met their sudden end, while some made good their escape.

Without doubt, the President's directive has affected the outcome of the general elections in several ways.

In this interview with Federationews2day, the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke asserts that Nigeria urgently needs the favour of God for the emergence of individuals who shall offer positive leadership by example. Excerpts :

What are your views on the President's directive to the Military and Police on ballot box snatchers ?

The problem with Nigeria as of this moment, is that of people who are already lost in the wilderness of politics.

In Nigeria, politicians wrestle and struggle for power, rather than competing through the spirit of sportsmanship, based on evidence of developmental programmes.

President Buhari could never have meant that ballot box snatchers should be killed because the victims could also be from his party, though without his direct involvement.

Nigeria 2

Atiku abubakar Inec 10 Ballot box snatching is as grievous as felony, hence it has to be prevented at all costs.

The President might have considered the huge amount spent so far, on the conduct of the elections as well as the security effect on ground, hence the statement that ballot box snatchers could be playing with their lives. However, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) expectedly, turned against him and interpreted his directive to mean ''kill at sight''.

Only those people with the intention to rig will catch cold over the President's directive.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has been explicit enough on the code of conduct expected during the elections, a violation of which should be expected to be in line with the dictates of the laws of any decent society.

The security operatives should therefore avoid accidental discharge and stray bllet syndrome before, during and after the period of the elections.

The 2019 general elections must not be allowed to be hijacked by the enemies of Nigeria, who believe in taking advantage of any crisis to carry out heinous acts that could lead to the unthinkable.

This is the very time Nigeria and Nigerians need the favour of God to choose for us, because consideration for amnesty for treasury looters or pursuit of zero tolerance to corruption with kid gloves, for those who dance to the tune of plea bargain, may not necessarily help the nation.

What we need are people that will offer leadership by example through sacrifice and sense of direction and purpose, for Nigeria to become a strong institution with a well informed citizenry who will enjoy visible care from their government.

The 2019 general elections must be committed to the good hands of God, through Nigerians' determination to look and vote for credible people with verified track record of love, discipline and passion for the people.

THE 2019 general elections will determine the pace at which Nigeria will move forward, that is if we allow the voice of wisdom to prevail at every level of the strata of Nigeria's hierarchy.

Nigerians should think well before reacting to issues in the polity, as a step towards avoiding hate speech and ambiguous words, so as to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the polity.

Oyo Govt. Threatening and Intimidating INEC Top Echelon-PDP

By solomon2day
On 20/02/2019

Inec 9 The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has raised the alarm over the Oyo state Government's use of intimidation, threats and harrassment on the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in the state to cow it to compromise the electoral process.

The PDP made this revelation on Wednesday, through its Presidential Campaign Coordinator in Oyo state, Dr. Nureni Adeniran at a Press Conference in Ibadan, Nigeria.

'' It has been brought to our attention that the ruling party, APC has been threatening, intimidating and pressurizing the top echelon of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to do their unlawful bidding. APC through the Governor, was alleged to have approached the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo state, Barr. Mutiu Agboke, to do their bidding and was harrassed and threatened that if he does not do their bidding, he would ensure that he is transferred out of Oyo state''

''Contrary to the directve that sensitive election materials should be returned to CBN, the Governor insisted it should be returned to Government House. Although it was resisted by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Mutiu Agboke. The fact that the effort was made by the Governor makes it bad enough for our Democracy at this auspicious time''.

''At the instance of APC and their cohorts, the smart card readers that were supposed to be configured at INEC office in Ibadan, concerted efforts were made to get it configured at the Agodi Government House, Ibadan through coercion''.

''Allegations of outright thumb printing at the Government House leveled against the Governor since last week, has not been refuted up till now. We demand investigation into this allegation since our campaign council was inundated with calls from different quarters'', Dr. Addeniran stated.

The PDP also called on staff of INEC and other agencies that would play roles in the general elections, not to ''succumb to pressure from the ruling party or anyone at all to carry out any illegal and untoward practices that could change the will of the people which can truncate our fledging Democracy''.

''We don't want a situation where they would subvert the will of the people. We should cry out on time so that the people of Oyo state will know what is going on'', he concluded

Is One Week Enough for INEC To Address The Glaring Lapses ?

By solomon2day
On 18/02/2019
In Solomon's Column

There is widespread discontentment across Nigeria, against the postponement of the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and the State Houses of Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) .

Nigerians are fully convinced that there is a lot of foul play, regardless of the reasons put forward by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Interestingly, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sirika Hadi insisted that the INEC Chairman's claim that bad weather contributed to the postponement of the general elections, was a lie, while stressing that airports across the country were directed to remain open round the clock.

Before the eventual postponement, Nigerians were subjected to funny treatment by INEC staff, in their bid to register and collect their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) in several parts of the country.

Sadly, a large population of Nigerians are yet to collect their PVCs , just as INEC has refused to make public the total number of PVCs that have been collected by prospective voters nationwide.

Of note, is the fact that Prof. Yakubu has admitted that the Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) for the Niger East Senatorial District of Niger state, Mohammed Sani Musa, was a registered contractor with the commission.

Musa's company, Activate Technologies, is responsible for the supply of the machines that INEC used to print the PVCs.

Even though Prof. Yakubu asserted that all is well, this is far from the truth, considering unfolding events that has made it very glaring that the electoral process has been compromised.

Of great worry, is that fact that the INEC headquarters has recalled all the Smart Card Readers(SCR) from all its state offices in the country. Why ?

This is the reality of the present time.

The electoral process had long been designed to suit the wishes of the ''POWERS THAT BE'' and the postponement was just a face saving strategy.

Inec 7 Most members of the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) recruited as Ad hoc staff by the electoral umpire, had earlier on influenced their NYSC postings to choice states, while a negligible number of those who were lucky to be recruited by INEC, were stranded on the day of the postponed elections.

They had no accommodation, the commission did not release their allowances and most of them were unable to locate the polling units they were posted to.

In the Oyo state office of INEC, a day before the postponed general elections, Journalists and Observers were sighted in business centres making frantic efforts to laminate their passport photographs on the papers, officials of INEC gave to them as accreditation.

Sadly, these papers might have got into the hands of individuals who have perfected same for an unknown agenda, although the commission received adequate funds to facilitate a convincing accreditation exercise for Journalists and Observers.

A Lagos Lawyer argued that it was illegal for the Acting Inspector General to restrict the movement of people and vehicles during elections.

The action of the Acting Inspector General might have made the electorate to lose confidence in the system.

Also disturbing, is the issue of the head of the electoral body donning the face cap with the logo and colours of the ruling party in a Television documentary.

Top politicians, speaking incognito, argue that the letter the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami wrote to the commission, requesting for the postponement of elections in Zamafara state and the lingering crisis in the ruling party's Rivers state chapter, contributed to the sudden decision of the umpire to shift the date of the general elections.

Indeed, the decision of the commission to resort to postponement is a demonstration of the high level of incompetence of those who call the shots in the commission.

With several lapses still waiting in the wings to pop up and the pretense of the commission that it would correct the situation within one week , it is doubtful if one week would be enough for the commission to address the several shortcomings, man-made or designed, to enable Nigerians elect a new generation of leaders that would steer the troubled ship of governance for the next four years.

Electoral Commission Postpones General Elections in Nigeria

By solomon2day
On 16/02/2019
In Pictures

INEC Inec 3 Inec 2

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Sierra Leone to Jail Rapists for Life

By solomon2day
On 08/02/2019
In Special Report

Sierr leone President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone has declared that those found guilty of rape and defilement of minors would be jailed for life.

"With immediate effect, sexual penetration of minors is punishable by life imprisonment."

"Some of our families practice a culture of silence and indifference towards sexual violence, leaving victims even more traumatized. We as a nation must stand up and address this scourge,'' the President stated.

President Bio also announced the establishment of a new police division to investigate sexual violence, a special magistrate court that would handle such cases and a public hotline specifically for reporting sexual violence, while calling on all all government owned hospitals to provide free medical treatment and certificates to all victims of sexual violence.

There has been national outcry over the increasing rate of sexual violence in the Sierra Leone .

Sierra Leoneans have called on government to introduce stringent rape laws following the rape of a 5-year-old girl by her 28-year-old male relative.

The attack crippled the girl's spine, leaving her paralyzed for life.

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