Posts by solomon2day
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Prices of Chicken Soar in Tanzania
- By solomon2day
- On 10/08/2018
The prices of Chicken has gone up in Dar es Salaam Tanzania as a result of its shortage.
At Chicken markets such as Kisutu, Tegeta, Ilala and Shekilango prices of Chicken was increased by almost 40 per cent in the last three months.
The retail prices for chickens is now Sh7,000 and Sh8,000 up from an average of Sh6,000, this is however dependent on the weight of the chicken,while wholesale prices have also risen to an average of Sh7,500 per chicken from Sh5,500. -
Govt Goes After Opposition in Zimbabwe
- By solomon2day
- On 07/08/2018
- In News
Government agents in Zimbabwe have launced a manhunt for Opposition MDC-T National Chiarman Morgan Komichi over his refusal to accept the election results declared by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Four unidentified armed men had visited the Harare residence of Komichi on Sunday night searching for him.
However, the Police stated that Komichi and the MDC Alliance principal Tendai Biti are wanted.
Komichi, in a chat with People, confirmed that his life was in danger.
"I now fear for my life and my family because I left home 10 minutes before the armed men pounded on my wife and children looking for me. Luckily, I had just driven out," Komichi said.
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Governance in Nigeria : The Unanswered Question
- By solomon2day
- On 07/08/2018
- In Solomon's Column
Nigerians have for several years embarked on the journey to promote a just and equitable society without encouraging results.
This is regardless of the countless number of prominent citizens, who belong to the private and public sectors, including the civil society community at home and in diaspora.
Sadly, most of the innovative ideas and policy options of governance have failed woefully to serve as springboard for the country's social, political and economic emancipation from the vicious circle of underdevelopment.
Of note, is the fact that Nigeria is yet to attain the status of a free, dynamic and knowledge based economy, this is just as there are no genuine signs of commitment to fairness, equity and justice.
The foregoing stems from bad and improper governance at all levels of government.
Decisions and policies of government are guided by self-centered ideals and obsessive greed.
Most political office holders lack ideology and principles to recommend a soothing cure for the country's ailments, this is convincingly reflected in the very weak economic and political reforms which are without doubt not the compass for a new world order.
The myriad of problems confronting the country amplifies the need for transparent and incorruptible institutions to decisively address pressing issues which have taken a political turn.
Those institutions that were in place from time immemorial, might not have achieved the purpose for which they were established, even though enormous financial resources heralded their establishment.
The major questions on the lips of most Nigerians, include, Who is saddled with the responsibilities for policy formulation and governance under the present dispensation?
Is it the state or does it rest on the exploitative hands of a few private individuals ?
These questions remain unanswered, definitely not one of the high points of Democracy.
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Nigeria : Africa's Creeping Dictatorship
- By solomon2day
- On 01/08/2018
- In Pictures
The Nigeria Police Force Takes Over Lawmaking in Benue state
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Education is your Permanent Voters Cards-Prof. Adedoja to Nigerian Youths
- By solomon2day
- On 31/07/2018
- In News
Nigerian Youths have been called upon to hing their hopes of succeeding in life on education.
This call was made on Tuesday by a former Provost of the Federal College of Education(Technical)Oyo, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja at the 2018 Seyi Makinde Bursary Scheme in Ibadan.
Prof. Adedoja who was the Chairman of the occasion, said '' It is about empowering our youths. The election is coming in 2019, what do you need for the election? Show your Permanent Voters Cards(PVC), the PVC will allow you to vote for the candidates of your choice, the PVC cannot empower you, the PVC you have today, will only take care of 2019, your PVC for life is education''.
''It is about life empowerment. Empowering our youths for the future for self-development, for the development of the country. The beneficiaries are indigent students. The future of Nigeria lies in nothing other than education. When the election is over, you will put the PVC in your pocket. And after then, it is the scheme that that would determine how successful you will become in life.The founder of the scheme is not just assisting you to develop Nigeria, but to develop yourself. The fact that you have a figure in this country that believes in you and you believe in him is good''.
''The secret behind the success of anybody is education. This is a life long scheme, but I will like to urge the Board of Trustees to monitor the beneficiaries'', Prof. Adedoja concluded.
In his remarks, one of the dignitaries at the occasion, Dr. Saka Balogun prayed that the beneficiaries would also become founders of similar schemes.
However, for Primate Ola Makinde, a former Prelate of the Methodist Church, the bursary must be used for the purpose it was given.
''The older generation know the value of education, it is not the same with the younger generation. You are to use the bursary to buy books and pay for your school fees and not for buying I-phones'', Primate Makinde counseled.
In his remarks, the sponsor of the scheme, Engr. Seyi Makinde said ''My message to the beneficiaries is that if I can do it, you can do it. We sarted this programme in 2006 and we did not selec based on religion and political affiliation, but the selection was based on the fact that you are indigenes of Oyo state''.
The maiden edition of the scheme in 2006, had as Chairman, the incumbent Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi
Out of a total of 10,000 applicants, 2,500 were shortlisted for the bursary awards.
The bursary awards are meant for students of Tertiary institutions of Oyo state origin.
Dignitraries at the occasion included Alhaja Bose Adedibu, Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu, Engr. Lere Adigun among several others.
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House Ownership : Nigerian Workers Face Bleak Future
- By solomon2day
- On 30/07/2018
- In Special Report
Nigerian workers are increasingly giving up hopes of owning their own homes, as issues of unpaid salary arrears, unfavourable working environment and conditions trail the present administration up till the last lap of its four year tenure.
Mot workers have for long contended with the exploitative tendencies of house owners, who increase rents randomly.
This in in addition to the soaring costs of land and building materials.
For the National Vice President Western zone of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities(SSANU)Comrade Alfred Jimoh, workers have taken their destinies in their own hands, when it comes to the fundamental issue of housing.
''The future of workers are in their own hands, as far as owning houses is concerned. I have not seen any meaningful assistance from the management of the University of Ibadan and the Federal Government in particular. The only effort I know, is a revolving housing loan, but I don't know how effective it is. Workers are making efforts to own their houses with the assistance of cooperative societies and their unions. SSANU acquired some plots of land and distributed same to its members. Also, cooperative societies in the University of Ibadan assist their members with loans and deduct this from their salaries, As far as Government and our employers are concerned nobody cares'', Comrade Jimoh lamented.
In the views of Comrade Oluwasegun Arojo, the Chairman of the Non Academic Staff Union(NASU), University of Ibadan branch, the beauty of working is to retire into one' own home, with the assistance of government.
''Our members should be able to afford to build their own houses. Let government provide the loans and direct workers to pay instalmentally, not that when we retire, shelter becomes a problem'', Comrade Arojo stated.
However, the All Workers Convergence(AWC) frowns at the National Housing Fund(NHF), just as it describes fund as a method government introduced to evade its responsibilities.
This position of the AWC was made known by its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze in a chat with Federationews2day.
''The National Housing Fund is an imposition by the Federal Government of Nigeria, in a bid to run away from its responsibilities to provide either affordable housing scheme for Nigerian workers or giving out housing loans to the workers. The NHF is used to scoop cash from the already impoverished workers because the deductions are mandatory and almost non-refundable until probably after retirement''.
''The interests on the deductions collected from the workers is equally ridiculous. More painful is the fact that the process of obtaining the housing loans are very cumbersome and workers are usually frustrated, making them resign to fate and allow the deductions to continue without attempting to take the loans''.
'For workers, generally, we feel cheated and because we don't have options, and because we are not well protected by our industrial unions, we at most time resign to fate. In fact the NHF has never given account of the contributions and balance of workers on a monthly basis.
''And if no worker in the scheme has collected loans within the last 10 and 15 years, and the NHF is not giving reasons why this is so, it means the National Housing Fund is a fraud'', Comrade Emelieze concluded.
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2019 Presidential Poll :Religious Leaders Should Refrain from Sharing Looted Funds-Spiritual Head Shafaudeen-in-lslam
- By solomon2day
- On 30/07/2018
Nigerians insist that religious leaders and institutions have not done enough for those who eventually emerged to contest of political offices for several years, this has become a source of worry for the electorate, who believe that their votes have never counted in most elections. In this interview with Federationews2day, the Spiritual head and Founder of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke advises religious leaders to refrain from distributing loot of the affected political office holders among their congregation, in a bid to seek divine favour. Excerpts :
How do you think religious leaders and institutions can ensure the emergence of credible candidates in the 2019 Presidential elections?
First and foremost, Nigeria has a fundamental problem, with respect to the issue of religion. They fail to realize that all religions are working towards the same aims and objectives, one, to educate and enlighten into self realization for the necessary reform into the state of piety and integrity, two, to ensure that adherents have tranquility of mind, three, to promote peaceful co-existence, in order that the community or society enjoys high level of security.
Religion therefore, is to work on every individual, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences, to be credible enough to hold in trust, positions of responsibility and power, in order to serve God, through beneficial service to humanity.
However, in Nigeria, religious institutions celebrate profanity, in place of sacredness and hence, fail to produce credible candidates for the purpose of transformation of the society.
With this poor background of Nigeria's religious people, there is no way that they can perform the role of an umpire, whereby, religious leaders, would be able to see themselves as true Fathers of political leaders and true advisers for correct political practices, that would be Scripture compliant and enjoy the favour of God, through the benefit of uninterrupted divine intervention into human affairs-social, economic, political- for the purpose of achieving, in the areas of the clarion call by the United Nations, of the essence of establishing and promoting sustainable development.
To worsen the case, the Federal Government till date, have been superintending a dysfunctional educational system, which has promoted half baked graduates, which is very glaring for all to see. Observe political office holders and Technocrats, in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, institutional indiscipline and corruption that are the order of the day.
For the purpose of the fast approaching 2019 general elections,religious leaders must refrain from sharing the loot, stolen by politicians, to derisively , seek the favour of God.
We must all realize the golden advice of Nelson Mandela, that religious leaders need to face the reality of the situation, that no politician is either a good Muslim or Christian in Nigeria. They believe in sourcing for power from gods and goddesses, but always deceive the innocent masses through religion by propaganda, in order to rule over them.
If truly Nigeria's religious leaders are working for God, they must join the bandwagon of advocates for promotion of functional education and necessary empowerment processes for our youth, who are future leaders and expected to be able to turn around the system of poor governance into that of people oriented and positive political governance, that would have the very necessary positive impact on the lives of the people. Take not of the fact, that the same people who attend religious houses are the same people, we have in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, in Government, in the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and the society at large.
Mosques and Churches must refrain from religious propaganda of prosperity, that has led many Nigerians into the world of magic for quick money making ventures, ritual killings, kidnapping and several others, but instead, we must all be role models, as religious leaders, running functional Churches and Mosques, to reform adherents, into scripture compliance, for the purpose of having credible leaders with integrity, who will be able to administer a corruption free society.
For the 2019 general elections, the roles of the Churches, Mosques and other faith based organizations, is to stand by the truth and the Scripture, to be able to be credible enough, to give advice which will have the desired impact, as well as to have their prayer requests for a free and fair elections to hold.
This is the message of God from Koran 13 : 14 and the Bible James 5 : 16
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More Women Show interest in Parliamentary Positions in Rwanda
- By solomon2day
- On 27/07/2018
- In News
The Rwanda National Electoral Commission has said that more women have shown interest in becoming members of Parliament.
There are 326 women among the 537 candidates that have shown interest to contest in the election.
This disclosure was made by the, Electoral Commission Chairperson, Prof Kalisa Mbanda, who stated that this was an indication that there was gender balance in Rwanda.
"It is good news that more women are vying for such high positions," Prof Mbanda noted.
Women occupy 64 seats in the lower House and it is a constitutional requirement in the country that women should have 30 per cent of administrative positions.
In addition, there are 24 exclusive women seats which are decided in indirect election.
A total of 179 women have shown interest in the 24 seats reserved for women.
Three provinces, Eastern, Sothern and Western, have six women representatives while the Northern Province has four women representatives followed by the City of Kigali with two women, according to NEC.
The Parliamentary election have been slated for September 3 and 4 and all the 80 seats in the Parliament are to be vied for.
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Ethiopia Nets $81.6 million from Electricity
- By solomon2day
- On 26/07/2018
- In News
Ethiopia has declared $81.6 million as revenue for the export of electricity in the just concluded fiscal year.
The Ministry of Water, Irrigation & Electricity has a projection to sell 1.5 billion kWh of the electricity to Sudan and Djibouti, but was however able to sell 1.4 billion kWh within the financial year.
The total earning from Sudan was $47.5 million, or 58.2pc, while $34.1 million was from Djibouti.
Presently, Ethiopia has the potential of generating 4,500MW of energy and a potential capacity to produce 45,000MW of hydropower, 10,000MW of geothermal and 1.3 million megawatts of wind power.
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We will not allow chaos in our country-Zimbabwe President
- By solomon2day
- On 25/07/2018
- In News
Zimbabwe President, Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned those who intend to instigate the break down of law and order as the 2018 harmonized elections in the country draw near to have a rethink as the full wrath of the law will be visited on them.
President Mnangagwa handed down this warning on Tuesday, while addressing thousands of Zanu-PF supporters at a rally at Mubaira Growth Point.
"If anyone causes anarchy, the rule of law will prevail. We will not allow chaos in our country. We want peace. All those that are contesting are encouraged to contest in peace because we want law and order in our country.
"People should be allowed to do what they want, while respecting others and respecting peace."
"We accept that people have divergent views. People should not be attacked or abused because they differ with you. No, we cannot all think the same," he said.
"We now have a certain party that says it wants to shut down Harare and to shut down the country. God forbid! We have asked ourselves what this small party intends to do and how it intends to do it and on what grounds. Kana wangova mukaka wawadya, ingodya mukaka wako ugute zvakanaka.
"We are preaching peace and we are saying everyone, including this small party, has the freedom to go around the country to woo the people's vote. No one will stop any party from asking the people to vote for them, the President concluded.
In recent times, MDC-Alliance leader, Mr Nelson Chamisa has repeatedly threatened to "shut down the country" and "cause chaos" if his party loses next week's poll.
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WAEC Withholds Results of All Candidates in Ghana As It Vows To Expose Persons with Forged Results
- By solomon2day
- On 21/07/2018
- In News
The West African Examinations Council(WAEC) in Ghana has with held the results of all the 26, 434 candidates who sat for the 2018 West African Secondary School Certificate Examination(WASSCE) .
This followed several cases of malpractices that are been investigated by the examination body.
According to a statement by the Head of Public Affiars ,WAEC National office, Mrs. Agnes Teye-Cudjoe, ''The with held results of candidates will be cancelled if found culpable, or released if otherwise''.
''A total of 316,999 candidates made up of 158,550 males and 158,449 females from 946 school were registered for the examination, representing 9.6 per cent higher than the 2017 candidature of 289,207 but some 1,378 candidates did not show up.
Performance in English and Mathematics declined but improved in Integrated Science and Social Studies compared to that of the 2017 candidates''.
''"Based on the provisional results, the performance at Al- C6 in Social Studies showed a marked improvement over that of 2017 (52.25 per cent to 73.27 per cent), while Integrated Science recorded a slight improvement (43.66 per cent to 50.52 per cent).
"On the contrary, Mathematics (Core) showed a drop in performance from 2017 (42.73 per cent to 38.33 per cent). Similarly, there was a drop in the performance in English Language (54.06 per cent to 46.79 per cent)," ''For English Language, 147,232 candidates (46.79 per cent) obtained grades A1 to C6; 99,402 (31.60 per cent) scored D7-E8 while 68,002 (21.61 per cent) had F9''..
In the Core Mathematics paper, 120,519 candidates (33 per cent) had A1-C6; 94,607 (30.09 per cent) obtained D7-E8 while 99,275 (31.58 per cent) scored F9''.
''A total of 158,691 (50.52 per cent), obtained A1-C6 in Integrated Science: with 109,069 (34.72 per cent) getting D7-E8 whilst 46,367 (14.76 per cent) had F9''.
'' For Social studies, 230, 141(73.27 per cent) obtained A1-C6; 46, 464(14.79 per cent) obtained D7-E8 whilst 37, 494(11.94 per cent) had F9.
'' The council is alerting members of the public especially candidates to be wary of impostors, who promise to change examination results for a fee''. Candidates are to note that all WAEC results are well secured and can be authenticated. Persons with forged results will be exposed'', the statement concluded.
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The Progressives : Then and Now
- By solomon2day
- On 18/07/2018
- In Solomon's Column
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a political leader of Yoruba extraction, who lived by example.
His leadership impacted positively on the Yoruba people, in all spheres of life. However, it is doubtful if those who hold sway in this dispensation followed his footsteps.
Chief Awolowo had a formidable political structure that outlived him. In his time, politcal meetings were held at his Ikenne home in Ogun state.
After the passing on to glory of Chief Awolowo, in the days of military rule, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, took over the mantle of leadership and meetings were held at his Owo home, Ondo state.
During this period, the National Democratic Coalition(NADECO) came into being.
After Chief Ajasin did his beat, Pa Abraham Adesanya took over the structure up till the end of the military era.
In the course of Pa Adesanya's leadership, those who could best be described as pseudo-Awoists and pseudo-democrats, were accepted into the fold, sadly, the true and real progressives were barred, due to the fact that they took up apointments in the military regime of the late despot, Gen. Sani Abacha.
Now known as Afenifere, the group restricted its membership, while maintaining a closely knit relationship with the Alliance for Democracy(AD).
At a glance, Afenifere was composed of the first generaton Awoists, the second 11 and the unknown elements.
The unknown elements eventually hijacked the structure through unconventionl means.
Of the first generation Awoists, only a one time Governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande is still alive.
However, Chiefs Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba belong to the second 11, while others were not yet into reckoning during the functonal period of the group
At a point in time, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, the Director of organization of the Unity Party of Nigeria(UPN) then, stated that in 1982, during the last convention of the UPN, Chief Awolowo expressed the hope that a time will come, when the good elements in the conservatives will join the good elements in the progressives to form a synthesis.
But present happenings in the political sphere has defied this theory, rather polarization and division are tools that have brought about the present scheme of things.
Of note, is the fact that the progressives of the time past, embarked on laudable programes such as free education, to empower the Yoruba people.
Sadly, capitalist inclined policies, nocturnal ideals and preferences are the working tools of today's leaders in the South-west geo-political zone of Nigeria, to the chagrin of the disillusioned and impoverished people.
The new definition of the progresives includes, but is not limited to, the paymnt of school fees in Primary and Secondary schools, introduction of mulitple tax regime and the preference for mediocrity and people with doubtful educational qualificatons, to carry out government duties. So sad.
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Don't Sell Your Votes-Oyo YDP Chairman
- By solomon2day
- On 18/07/2018
- In News
The electorate in Nigeria have been advised to resist the temptations of selling their votes in the 2019 general elections.
This advice was given by the Oyo state Chairman of the Young Democratic Party(YDP)Mr. Chris Ayantoye, in an interaction with PEOPLE.
''It is very unfortunate that in present day Nigeria, Nigerian citizens are still been deceived to sell their votes for money. It is not only sad, but regrettable, when people are seen struggling to collect money for their votes. I call on Nigerians not sell their votes in the coming 2019 general elections'', Mr. Ayantoye advised.
The Oyo state chapter of the Young Democratic Party Calls on all the good people of Oyo state to Collect their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) from the INEC offices nearest to themFor further information, contact 08068964410/08104658995/07035538970
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Uganda Considers Review of Social Media Tax After Protests
- By solomon2day
- On 14/07/2018
The Ugandan Government is planning to review the tax regime it recently introduced on Social Media.
The government's decision is coming on the heels of street protests against the tax in the country's capital by Ugandans.
According to the Prime Minister, Ruhakama Rugunda, the government had taken into consideration the response of the public to the tax.
"Government is now reviewing the taxes taking into consideration the concerns of the public and an amended bill will be debated on July 19," said Rugunda.
A levy of Ush200 (or Sh6) per person on a daily basis was introduced by government, before users could be able to access WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Mobile internet users are required to input a code on their phones to pay the charge before they are able to access social media sites.
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Kenyans Oppose same Uniform for Students
- By solomon2day
- On 11/07/2018
Kenyan are expressing reservations over the plans of government to introduce a single uniform for all student in the country.
They insist that the action ogf government would encourage corruption, politcal patronage and favoritism.
Ghana and Tnazania are among the few countries in Africa that have implemented the policy, where students in all public schools wear the same uniform, that is only differentiated by badges.
Not long ago the Principal Secretary of Education, Dr. Bell Kipsang amde government's intention known at a forum at the Moi University owned Rivatex company.
"As we move towards having the same uniform and fabric in all our schools, we want Rivatex to prepare so that they are able to play a role in the manufacture of the uniforms that will be required" Dr Kipsang disclosed.
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Kenyans Oppose same Uniform for Students
- By solomon2day
- On 11/07/2018
Kenyans have risen against the plan of Government to enforce the wearing of identical uniforms by students in all the schools in the country.
They insist that the policy will encourage corruption and favoritism.
Ghana and Tanzania are among the few countries in Africa with policies where students in all public schools wear same uniform that are only differentiated by school badges.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang made government's plan known during a forum at the Moi University owned Rivatex company"As we move towards having the same uniform and fabric in all our schools, we want Rivatex to prepare so that they are able to play a role in the manufacture of the uniforms that will be required" Dr Kipsang disclosed. -
Namibia Govt Increases Pensions and Gratuity By $50
- By solomon2day
- On 09/07/2018
- In News
The Namibian Government wil from next month increase the pensions and grauities of retireesin the country by $50.
This disclosure was made in a statement by the Ministry of Poverty Eradication.
According to the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, I-Ben Nashandi, the increase would be backdated to April, this year.
The statement disclosed that all beneficiaries will receive N$1 450 in August, including a N$200 back pay for April, May, June and July.
It then stated that subsequently, a monthly amount of N$1 250 will be paid out to all beneficiaries as from September 2018.
