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 Politics › Re: 5 Countries That Recently Changed Their National Anthem by coputa(op): 1:34pm On Jun 03, 2024 |
eDoctorr:Nigeria didn't change her national anthem,she only reverted to the old one. They could as well do some modification 45 Likes 5 Shares |
| Politics › 5 Countries That Recently Changed Their National Anthem by coputa(op): 1:00pm On Jun 03, 2024 |
In recent years, several countries have taken the bold step of revising their anthems to better reflect contemporary values and inclusivity. On Wednesday, May 29, Nigeria reinstated their old anthem as the official national anthem of the country.https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/06/5-countries-that-recently-changed-their-national-anthem/amp/ 15 Likes 3 Shares
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| Politics › Re: Minimum Wage: Strike Begins As National Assembly's Intervention Fails by coputa(op): 7:57am On Jun 03, 2024 |
89green:Salary increase will not solve the problem,there will always be a corresponding increase in goods and services |
| Politics › Minimum Wage: Strike Begins As National Assembly's Intervention Fails by coputa(op): 6:49am On Jun 03, 2024 |
The organised labour Sunday insisted that its indefinite strike would begin today as planned following the federal government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage above N60,000.https://dailytrust.com/minimum-wage-strike-begins-as-n-assemblys-intervention-fails/ 5 Likes 1 Share |
| Politics › Re: No Hiding,sacred Place Anymore In Nigeria by coputa(op): 7:40pm On Jun 02, 2024 |
helinues:There was no car during the time of Jesus Christ, being a believer doesn't make you to jump into fire,it means you are tempting God |
| Christianity Etc › Re: Will There Literally Be A Burning Fire In Hell? by coputa(op): 7:28pm On Jun 02, 2024 |
Aurelius1:God created Satan too |
| Politics › Exclusive Interview:why Nigeria Is In Mess -gen.abdulsalami Abubakar Rtd. by coputa(op): 7:01pm On Jun 02, 2024 |
…Former Head of State, however, says he has no regret returning country to democratic rule • Talks about his life 25 years after leaving office • President Tinubu and hardship in the country • Reveals why military takes over power, says world political situation causing upheava From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja Following the attainment of 25 years of unbroken democracy in the country, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said he has no regrets handing over the reins of governance to a democratically elected government in 1999. The Chairman, National Peace Committee, who spoke exclusively with Sunday Sun in Abuja, looked back with nostalgia on how democracy has fared in the country, expressing satisfaction with the practice in the country. General Abubakar, however, said that though there are some drawbacks, but when compared 1999 and today, democracy has really made advances in the country. Abubakar who has been making regional interventions in the area of democratic practice, particularly in the West African sub-region, stated that yes, Nigeria is not yet there, “but we have come a long way since 1999.” He stated that there was nothing to worry about on the level of the practice of democracy in the country as world political situation is causing upheaval. Excerpt: Let me begin by asking you, how you are faring under retirement? Well, Alhamdulillah, we thank God, so far, so good, the Chairman has been very nice and I have a lot of time with my grandchildren. We thank God. Many people are still wondering how you are getting your energy to move around. How do you keep going? As a military man, you know, we just have to weather the storm whether we like it or not. Well, I am struggling and I thank God that despite my age, I am still able to move as much as I want. Don’t you think it is time for you to sit back and have some rest, having achieved so much in life? You know sometimes when you are very active and during military regime, during my service years, which have been very active for me, and so, I feel delighted in moving. When I sit down and say I am going to relax, I would succumb, you know age is catching up with us and if you don’t do any exercise, you find yourself in a different position. What is your daily routine like because you are approaching 82 next month? We thank God. The daily routine is, you know, as much as possible, do a little bit of exercise in the morning as much as somebody can and then, you will face the day. You will receive people, you will receive your relations and relatives and so on. Do you still visit the farm? I have reduced going to the farm as the children have now taken over the farm. It is not easy. Once in a while, I go to the farm. It is 25 years since you handed over to a democratically elected government. How do you feel 25 years after because people are still referring to our democracy as nascent? Well, we thank God and I am very happy that it is now 25 years ago I handed over. And we thank God that Nigerians and Nigeria are enjoying the dividends of democracy. We are not yet there, but we have come a long way since 1999. The only drawback we have in the system is people still sell their votes and they do all types of things, they allow the politicians to use them in ballot box snatching here and there – unnecessary things that we should have overcome at this age. But gradually and thankfully, yes, Nigerians are gradually coming out of this menace, they are realising that their vote counts and they are making sure that their vote counts. Unfortunately, I still maintain, there are some very few people who abuse the process and they allow their votes to be bought. And if they are buying these votes, certainly they cannot be called to be accountable, the people who are being so elected. Do you see us being at par with what happens in the United States and Europe soon where their votes count? We will be deceiving ourselves if we think in 25 years you can catch up with somebody who has been practising democracy for the last 200 years. Yes, our hope is to be there, but even if you look at the politics now all over the world, it is messy. See right now what is going on in America, which is the basis of our democracy. You can see in the last election they had, right from the leadership of the country, the president is being accused of tampering with election result. And also, you have seen what has happened in America where within three, six months, they have so many prime ministers because of the murky field politically. And if I follow the news very well, in July, they are going to have general election. So, you can see politics all over the world is a murky affair, from America, the United States, in UK (United Kingdom). When I mean the Americas, I mean the Latin America and so on. Is it India? Is it the Philippine? Is it Australia? Is it New Zealand? Is it South Africa? The whole world political situation is causing upheaval. But is this the democracy you envisaged when you were handing over 25 years ago? You know democracy is a continuous process. You can’t say this is democracy. When you describe democracy, you are talking of government of the people, for the people and by the people. Yes, we are not yet there. There are some drawbacks, but compared to 1999 to today, I will say democracy has really made advances in Nigeria. So, you have no regret handing over? Not at all! Not at all! Not at all! I am happy with what is going on. Yes, everything is not perfect, but here we are today, celebrating 25 years of unbroken democracy. You have been involved in regional interventions. How will you compare Nigeria with other countries in the region in terms of democratic practice? Well, we have to thank God. Nigeria, we make a lot of noise, but in the long run, each and everyone thinks about Nigeria. Despite the fact that yes, there are political violence, there is arson and so on, but at a stage, Nigeria holds, sits back, thinks and comes out with a solution to maintain our integrity. In some countries in West Africa, in our region, the military have taken over. Having handed over power to a democratically elected government in Nigeria, is that the right thing to do? You see, whatever happens, it must be the political field that allows any military man to take over. When you are in government and there is no equity and justice, certainly this brings problem. You have a political party and even in the political party one belongs to, there is no democracy. So, certainly, you will expect some quivers, some quarrels to come out and if they are not handled amicably, certainly, this will result to military takeover. Remember there is no military man that takes over without the connivance and assistance of politicians and civilians. From 1999 till now, we have seen Obasanjo as our president, the late President Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari and now, Tinubu. How will you rate them individually? Every leader, you know, has his good points and has some weaknesses. So, all of them, I can say, they did their best and they have made mistakes here and there. But like I say, it is a learning process. I hope the current President Tinubu who is in power, will learn from the mistakes the past leaders have made. I am not saying that I didn’t make mistakes; of course, there are lots of mistakes. Every leader does. It behoves on the current president to look at the history of the country to see where mistakes have been made and he tries to correct those mistakes and also does his own the way he thinks the country should be governed. President Tinubu is one year in office. In the last one year, it appears Nigerians have suffered more than ever before. What advice will you offer Tinubu in order to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians? I will say President Tinubu has inherited a very difficult situation. I compare him to the time I took over Nigeria. We had political problems that were very, very chaotic. Now, President Tinubu has taken over the country where it is struggling with insecurity, the economy of the country has gone down, our main foreign exchange earner which is the crude oil we have is in a lot of problems; the insurgents in the area where the oil is being produced are restless and are sabotaging the operation of the NNPC and also, you can hear it and see how our security agencies are fighting people in that area for setting up illegal refineries. So, I really know that President Tinubu has really inherited a lot of problems in Nigeria. But so far, so good, he was forced to take some hard decisions and I am glad that some of the decisions he took are really biting, but all the same, they are necessary for a leader who thinks for his country and for a leader who wants to better the country. Leading people is not easy. In one way or the other, you have to take decisions. There is a book in those days, John Ploughman’s Talk (authored by Rev. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, an English Particular Baptist Preacher), during our era. It says “Do not be all sugar, otherwise, the world will suck you in and do not be all bitter, otherwise, the world will spit you out.” This is the position President Tinubu finds himself. My prayer is that God continues to give him good health and the wisdom to weather the storm of leading our country. In that case, what advice do you have for Nigerians? Well, for Nigerians, let’s keep hope alive. There are a lot of problems like insurgency and insecurity, there is economic hardship and you can go on, the list is inexhaustible, but we shall keep hope alive and try as much as possible, try to see what we can do to better our country. Uplifting Nigeria is not the only responsibility for the government, but every one of us has a role to play. Let’s hope we play that role. Yes, I know it is a difficult situation we find ourselves and for me to ask Nigerians to tighten their belt, I know it will not be realistic. The belt has been tightened and there is no more hole to tight the belt. But I have some hope. We are getting somewhere. © 2024 The Sun Nigeria – All Right Reserved. |
| Politics › Re: No Hiding,sacred Place Anymore In Nigeria by coputa(op): 6:47pm On Jun 02, 2024 |
helinues:God allow something's to happen even to the righteous |
| Politics › No Hiding,sacred Place Anymore In Nigeria by coputa(op): 6:38pm On Jun 02, 2024 |
…As thieves break into churches, cart away valuables …Many cases not reported to Police Nigeria, a country once known for its rich cultural heritage and reverence for sacred places, has witnessed a decline in the sanctity of these revered places. The country’s social, economic, and political landscape has changed significantly over the years, leading to an erosion of the respect and protection accorded to sacred places. Historically, places of worship were revered and protected by communities, who believed in their spiritual and cultural significance. Perhaps, the worsening poverty in the country may be pushing many people into behaviours that could be termed unbelievable. For instance, the wave of burglary in churches in cities across the country has become frightening. Gone are the days when people dreaded the ‘house of God’ and stayed away from going into them for untoward activities. Nowadays, worship centres are the first point of call for burglars who consider such places as soft targets for their nefarious acts. For some time now, some Churches in the Lagos have been experiencing robberies in which a lot of valuables are lost. Some of the victims explained that the most vulnerable Churches are those that have no resident pastors and nobody sleeping in the compound. They also said that many of the robberies are not reported to the Police as victims prefer to move on. From the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, to Asaba, Delta State, to Abeokuta, Ogun State, and to the cities of Lagos, activities of barefaced thieves who have chosen sacred places to ply their nefarious trade, have become worrisome. In October last year, some suspected burglars raided four churches in Onikolobo, the Abeokuta South Local Government Area and Abule-Ojere in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The burglars reportedly broke into the churches and stole items such as amplifiers, microphones, laptops, keyboards and channel mixers, among others. The affected churches, which are located close to one another are the Glory Place Christian Centre, Onikolobo, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Onikolobo both in Abeokuta South and Kingsworld International Church and Solution Embassy in Obafemi-Owode LG. The Lead Pastor of Glory Place Christian Centre, Kunle Soyoye, said: “I was asleep when a call came in around 2am but I did not take the call because it was an odd hour and I did not even know the caller. The person called like two more times and when I did not pick up, the person called my wife who came to tell me that someone wanted to speak with me. “I picked up the call and the person said he got our contact through the church’s banner and that our church has been raided. I went to the church and realised that they had stolen keyboards, laptop and other musical instruments.” Soyoye said that he got to know that other churches were affected when he went to Adigbe Police Station to report the incident and he met representatives of the other churches who came to report similar incidents. A pastor with a Pentecostal Church in Surulere, Lagos, whose church has been broken into for over three times, told BusinessDay on condition of anonymity, that despite the security measures put in place, thieves have visited the Church a number of times. “We have suffered so much in the hands of the thieves. In the last two years, we have lost equipment that run into several millions of naira. The last one they came; it was as if they were on rampage. They turned everything upside down- from the pastor’s office, to ushers’ office, counting room and electronics room were ransacked. They even went into the ceiling and broke it; they carted away every item of our electronic instruments and the Church’s keyboard. I have never seen anything like that,” he said. Poverty, unemployment, and inequality create an environment where theft becomes a means of survival or a way to bridge the gap between desire and affordability. Theft of church property in Nigeria has become a major challenge, with thieves targeting worship centres and worshippers using these religious spaces. Accordingly, it is believed that thieves are attracted to places of worship because of the potential value of religious equipment and artifacts, and the complacency of some worshippers. Furthermore, property theft in places of worship can take many forms, including the theft of church rods, musical equipment, and the sale of stolen items from the churches in some cases to unsuspecting churches elsewhere. While it is vital for administrators of places of worship to set up committees to oversee security and safety issues in and within the churches. It also called for preventive measures by the churches to take steps to prevent theft, by being vigilant about potential security threats. Similarly, theft of church property can have serious consequences, including the loss of valuable items and the undermining of trust in the leadership and the religious institutions. Also, the community can play a role in helping to prevent theft of church property by reporting suspicious activity and supporting places of worship in their efforts to improve security. “The subject of insecurity is a phenomenon that cuts across every sphere of our dear country life. The Church is part of Nigeria and can handsomely partake of every event that takes place in the country both good and bad. In the event of the increase in burglaries of church facilities; the incident is not new but the dimension it has taken is worrisome,” Olusola Daniel Olatomi, senior pastor, Christ First Truth Assembly, Ota, Ogun State, told BusinessDay. According to him, theft of church property and related cases cannot be separated from the events in the larger society. He said further that there is currently a large pool of unemployed, underemployed and high level of unskilled able men and women roaming aimlessly about, who end-up as subtle recruits for acts of this kind. He also opined that there is a huge population of young males and females who do drugs, which he considered as a recipe for crimes and criminality that the country is experiencing. In proffering solutions to deal with the menace, Olatomi agreed that it would be tough to come up with solutions at curbing attack on churches, because the parameters that led to this point are still there in the society. “I will suggest to various local church assemblies to put measures in place to secure their premises and their properties. However, for small congregation local assemblies, I will suggest that they move essential equipment to a secured place after every meeting,” Olatomi said. According to some worshipers who spoke to BusinessDay, the theft of church property is a complex issue that demands a multifaceted approach. Accordingly, they believed that by addressing the root causes, which will have to include supporting victims, and implementing effective prevention and prosecution strategies, worshipers can work towards a safer, more just society. A local pastor in one of the Pentecostal churches in Maza-Maza, a local community in Amuwo-Odofin local government of Lagos, who pleaded to be anonymous told BusinessDay that the encroachment on places of worship has led to the desecration of many churches, leaving communities and worshipers feeling dispossessed and disconnected from their spiritual heritage. According to him, the incessant attack on churches that led to the theft of church property in many cases can be attributed to the move away from orthodox to more modern religious orientation where churches and places of worship are designed and built without provision for monastery or collegiate church that in some ways open the churches up as suitable target for burglars. Accordingly, he said that the church must collaborate with the communities and law enforcement agencies on strategies to combat theft in worship centres. He further said that church leadership should build relationships and trust to safeguard properties of both the church and worshipers. According to him, there is also a need for churches and places of worship to leverage technology for surveillance and forensic tools to track and prosecute thieves. “Raising awareness about the issue of theft of church property can help to prevent it and promote a sense of community and shared responsibility for preventing crime. Also, churches can take legal action against those found guilty of theft of church property, and can serve as a deterrent to others. “Furthermore, by recognising the importance of these worship centres in the overall social and spiritual sustenance of the country and working together to protect and preserve them, we can safeguard and promote a more inclusive and sustainable future for Nigeria. Therefore, the government, communities, and religious leaders must work together to protect and preserve places of worship, acknowledging their significance and value,” he said. © 2023 - Businessday NG. All Rights Reserved. |
| Politics › Re: Tinubu's Silence And Unreported Achievements - Tunde Rahman by coputa(m): 5:56pm On Jun 02, 2024 |
Cromagnon:It would have been done gradually |
| Politics › Re: Tinubu's Silence And Unreported Achievements - Tunde Rahman by coputa(m): 7:42am On Jun 02, 2024 |
Front0lane:The Nigerian ship had already capsides before tinubu came on board, Although,the removal of fuel subsidy and the subsequent increase in fuel prices that soar the prices of goods and services was wrongly timed This actions brought about by spiraling inflation and hardship dwarfed all the achievement's of the government |
| Christianity Etc › Will There Literally Be A Burning Fire In Hell? by coputa(op): 1:06am On Jun 02, 2024 |
In Mark 9, notice that the Lord Jesus repeats three times about Hell, “where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.” Now, I personally feel that it is a great waste of time to quibble and argue with people about whether it is literal, real fire or not. And it seems there is some reason for saying that it need not necessarily be a real fire, or that this is a literal, real worm that is referred to here. But it is interesting to note that one of the Bible words used to describe Hell is Gehenna, and that referred to the garbage dump of the valley of Hen (Hinnom), where there was fire constantly burning, and the worm and maggots never lacked something to eat. They were always alive, always in existence. Will there literally be a burning fire in Hell? The fact of the matter is that if this is just symbolic language, it’s bad enough for me, and certainly the reality will be worse than the symbol. And fire isn’t very funny. If you’ve ever been badly burned, as I was as a little boy, you never forget it. And if the Lord is simply using symbolic language, how much more terrible must the reality be? You don’t need fire to be in pain. Now, I don’t think physical suffering is the worse kind of suffering. We know that when Jesus was on the cross He took and an awful lot of abuse. He was spit on and mocked. They pushed sharp thorns down into His head, shredded His back with the cat-o’-nine-tails, drove the nails in and the spear. He was even deserted by His own disciples. The physical suffering was great. They even plucked the beard out of His face. But you never hear the Lord Jesus complaining about any of that. Rather, the peak of His agony and His suffering is when He cries out, “My God, my God why has thou forsaken me?” The real pinnacle of suffering for Jesus was to be God-forsaken and to be left alone. That hurt more than thorns and thistles and spears and nails and whips and spit and all the rest—to be God-forsaken. [see: How did Jesus Christ die?] When we read in the Old Testament, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4), really the idea of the word is that it shall be separated. It is not non-existence or annihilation, but rather it is separation from God. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. Spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. When Jesus said,“why has thou forsaken me?” that was the height of the suffering. Returning to Luke 16, and the story of the rich man and Lazarus, I’d like to mention that there is no indication here that this is a parable. It doesn’t start out like a parable, but says, there was a rich man, and a man by the name of Lazarus, specifically named. Parables don’t usually take that turn. And the one was carried to Abraham’s bosom and the other one was a lost soul who went to a place of punishment and torment. But I want you to notice in this story that when the rich man was in eternity without God, without hope, his memory was very much alive. He said, “Send Lazarus to give me a little relief.” At another point he said, “Send him to tell my five brothers, lest they also come to this place of torment.” Every once in a while, you’ll hear somebody say concerning some member of their family whom they know is unsaved, “Well, if he’s gone to Hell, or she’s gone to Hell, I want to go there and be with them.” I’ve got news for you—they don’t want you there. The rich man said, “Go tell my five brothers, lest they also come to this horrible place.” He got very missionary-minded and very evangelistic a little late in the game. What did the Lord say to him? “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime had thy good things.” I don’t really think we need to talk about fire. I think one of the most horrible, terrible features of eternity without Christ would be to have your faculty of memory—to remember the gospel services you sat through and kept saying “no” to Christ—to remember your hardness and coldness of heart to somebody that was a testimony—to remember your indifference—to remember programs and meetings in which you emotionally were stirred and maybe tears came to your eyes and a lump to your throat, and you said “No!” to Christ. I can’t think of anything that would be more horrible than that. “Son, remember.” You don’t need fire to be in pain. You don’t need physical suffering. Just to be God-forsaken—separated from God and all that is good and holy and to have your memories along with it. To remember a mother and dad who prayed for you, who tried to lead you right. You took the bit in your mouth and decided to go your own way. You wouldn’t listen. A horrible thing memory can be if we’re outside of Christ. “Son, remember.” And evidently, man in eternity could see, he could remember. He didn’t need to have fire to make him uncomfortable. There were plenty of other factors to make Hades and Hell very unfunny. To be out in eternity without Christ is very unfunny. |
| Christianity Etc › Three Great Epoch Of The World's History --their Distinctive Features by coputa(op): 12:51am On Jun 02, 2024 |
AS SOME ignorantly misjudge the skill and wisdom of a great architect and builder by his unfinished work, so also many in their ignorance now misjudge God by his unfinished work; but by and by, when the rough scaffolding of evil, which has been permitted for man's discipline, and which shall finally be overruled for his good, has been removed, and the rubbish cleared away, God's finished work will universally declare his infinite wisdom and power; and his plans will be seen to be in harmony with his glorious character. Since God tells us that he has a definitely fixed purpose, and that all his purposes shall be accomplished, it behooves us, as his children, to inquire diligently what those plans are, that we may be found in harmony with them. Notice how emphatically Jehovah affirms the fixedness of his purpose: "Jehovah of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it be." "The Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?" "I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,...My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:...Yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it." Isa 14:24-27 ; Isa 46:9-11 ) Therefore, however haphazard or mysterious God's dealings with men may appear, those who believe this testimony of his Word must acknowledge that his original and unalterable plan has been, and still is, progressing systematically to completion. While the mass of mankind, groping in the darkness of ignorance, must await the actual developments of God's plan, before they can realize the glorious character of the Divine Architect, it is the privilege of the child of God to see by faith and the light of his lamp the foretold glories of the future, and thereby to appreciate the otherwise mysterious dealings of the past and the present. Therefore, as interested sons of God, and heirs of a promised inheritance, we apply to our Father's Word, that we may understand his purposes from the plans and specifications therein given. There we learn that the plan of God, with reference to man, spans three great periods of time, beginning with man's creation and reaching into the illimitable future. Peter and Paul designate these periods "three worlds," which we represent in the following diagram. These three great epochs represent three distinct manifestations of divine providence. The first, from creation to the flood, was under the ministration of angels, and is called by Peter "THE WORLD THAT WAS." 2Pe 3:6 The second great epoch, from the flood to the establishment of the kingdom of God, is under the limited control of Satan, "the prince of this world," and is therefore called "THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD." Gal 1:4 ; 2Pe 3:7 The third is to be a "world without end" Isa 45:17 ) under divine administration, the kingdom of God, and is called "THE WORLD TO COME--wherein dwelleth righteousness." Heb 2:5 ; 2Pe 3:13 The first of these periods, or "worlds," under the ministration of angels, was a failure; the second, under the rule of Satan, the usurper, has been indeed an "evil world"; but the third will be an era of righteousness and of blessing to all the families of the earth. The last two of these "worlds" are most particularly mentioned, and the statements relative to them are in strong contrast. The present, or second period, is called "the present evil world," not because there is nothing good in it, but because in it evil is permitted to predominate. "Now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered." Mal 3:15 ) The third world or epoch is mentioned as "THE WORLD TO COME-- wherein dwelleth righteousness ," not because there will be no evil in it, but because evil will not predominate. The blotting out of evil will be gradual, requiring all of the first thousand years. Evil will not rule then; it will not prosper; it will no longer be the wicked that will flourish; but "the righteous shall flourish" Psa 72:7 ), the "obedient shall eat the good of the land" Isa 1:19 ), and "the evil doer shall be cut off." Psa 37:9 Thus seen, the next dispensation is to be so dissimilar as to be the very reverse of the present one in almost every particular. Our Lord's words show why there is to be a difference between the present and the future dispensations. It is because he will be the prince or ruler of the world to come, that in it righteousness and truth will prosper; while, because Satan is the prince (ruler) of the present evil world, evil prospers and the wicked flourish. It is because, as Jesus said, the prince of this world "hath nothing in me"--and consequently no interest in his followers except to oppose, tempt, annoy and buffet them Joh 14:30 ; 2Co 12:7 )--that in this present evil world or epoch, whosoever will live godly shall suffer persecution, while the wicked flourish like a green bay tree. 2Ti 3:12 ; Psa_37:35 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world," and until the era or "world to come" does come , Christ's kingdom will not control the earth. And for this we are taught to hope and pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth." Satan is the "ruler of the darkness of this world," and therefore "darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people." He now rules and works in the hearts of the children of disobedience. Eph 2:2 ; Eph 6:12 There must be some very important part of the great Architect's plan for man's salvation not yet fully developed-- else the new prince and the new dispensation would have been long ago introduced. Why it was postponed for an appointed time, and also the manner of the change from the present dominion of evil under Satan to that of righteousness under Christ, are points of interest which will be more fully shown hereafter. Suffice it now to say, that the kingdoms of this world, now subject to Satan, are at the proper time to become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. Rev 11:15 ) The context shows that the transfer will be accomplished by a general time of trouble. In reference to it Jesus said, "No man can enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man, and then he will spoil his house." Mar 3:22-27 ) Thus we are taught that Satan must first be bound, restrained and deposed, before Christ's reign of righteousness and peace can be established. This binding of Satan is accordingly shown to be the first work of the new dispensation. Rev 20:2 It should be remembered that this earth is the basis of all these "worlds" and dispensations, and that though ages pass and dispensations change, still the earth continues-- "The earth abideth forever." Ecc 1:4 ) Carrying out the same figure, Peter calls each of these periods a separate heavens and earth. Here the word heavens symbolizes the higher or spiritual controlling powers, and earth symbolizes human government and social arrangements. Thus the first heavens and earth, or the order and arrangement of things then existing, having served their purpose, ended at the flood. But the physical heavens (sky and atmosphere), and the physical earth, did not pass away: they remained. So likewise the present world (heavens and earth) will pass away with a great noise, fire and melting--confusion, trouble and dissolution. The strong man (Satan), being bound, will struggle to retain his power. The present order or arrangement of government and society, not that of the physical sky and earth, will pass away. The present heavens (powers of spiritual control) must give place to the "new heavens"--Christ's spiritual control. The present earth (human society as now organized under Satan's control) must (symbolically) melt and be dissolved, in the beginning of the "Day of the Lord," which "shall burn as an oven." Mal 4:1 ) It will be succeeded by "a new earth," i.e., society reorganized in harmony with earth's new Prince--Christ. Righteousness, peace and love will rule among men when present arrangements have given place to the new and better kingdom, the basis of which will be the strictest justice. Paul was given a glimpse of the next dispensation, or, as he calls it, "the world to come." He says he was "caught away" (physically or mentally, or both, he could not tell, things were so real to his view) down the stream of time to the new condition of things, the "new heaven," hence the "third heaven." He thus saw things as they will be under the spiritual control of Christ, things which he might not disclose. 2Co 12:2-4 ) Doubtless these were the same things which John afterward saw, and was permitted to express to the Church in symbols , which may only be understood as they become due. John, in the revelation given to him by our Lord on the Isle of Patmos, was in vision carried down through this Christian Age and its changing scenes of church and state, to the end of the present evil world, or epoch, and there in prophetic visions he saw Satan bound, Christ reigning, and the new heaven and the new earth established; for the former heaven and earth were passed away. Rev 21:1 Ages or Dispensations The first of these great epochs ("worlds"  was not subdivided: God's method of dealing with men did not vary during all that time--from Adam's fall to the flood. God had given man his law, written in his very nature; but after he had sinned he left him measurably to his own course, which was downward, "evil, and that continually," that thus manmight realize his folly, and that the wisdom of God in commanding absolute obedience might be made manifest. That dispensation ended with a flood, which took away all but faithful Noah and his family. Thus the first dispensation not only manifested the disastrous effects of sin, but showed that the tendency of sin is downward to greater degradation and misery, and proves the necessity of Jehovah's interposition, if the recovery of "that which was lost"--man's first estate--is ever to be accomplished. The second epoch, or "world that now is," includes three ages, each a step in the plan of God for the overthrow of evil. Each step is higher than that preceding it, and carries the plan forward and nearer to completion. The third great epoch--"the world to come"--future from the second advent of Christ, comprises the Millennial Age, or "times of restitution"; and following it are other "ages to come," the particulars of which are not revealed. Present revelations treat of man's recovery from sin, and not of the eternity of glory to follow. The first age in the "world that now is" we call the PATRIARCHAL AGE, or dispensation, because during that period God's dealings and favors were with a few individuals only, the remainder of mankind being almost ignored. Such favored ones were the patriarchs Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Each of these in turn seems to have been God's favored one. At the death of Jacob, that age or order of dealing ended. At Jacob's death, his descendants were first called "the twelve tribes of Israel," and were together recognized of God as his "peculiar people"; and through typical sacrifices they were typically "a holy nation," separated from other nations for a particular purpose, and therefore to enjoy certain special favors. The time allotted to this feature of the divine plan, beginning here and ending at the death of Christ, we designate the JEWISH AGE, or the Law dispensation. During that age God specially blessed that nation. He gave them his law; he made a special covenant with them; he gave them the Tabernacle, whose shekinah glory in the Most Holy represented Jehovah's presence with them as their Leader and King. To them he sent the prophets, and finally his Son. Jesus performed his miracles and taught in their midst, and would neither go to others himself, nor permit his disciples to go to the surrounding nations. He sent them out, saying, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not; but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Mat 10:5-6 ) And again he said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Mat 15:24 ) That this national favor ended with their rejection and crucifixion of Jesus is shown by Jesus' words, when, five days before his crucifixion, he declared, "Your house is left unto you desolate." Mat 23:38 There, at Jesus' death, a new age began--the CHRISTIAN AGE or GOSPEL DISPENSATION, wherein should be heralded good tidings of justification, not to the Jew only, but to all nations; for Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man. During this Gospel age also there is a class called to special favor, to whom special promises are made; namely, those who by faith accept Christ Jesus as their Redeemer and Lord, following in his footsteps. The gospel proclamation has gone hither and thither through the earth for nearly nineteen hundred years, so that it can now be said that it has been preached more or less in every nation . It has not converted nations--it was not designed to do so in this age; but it has selected here and there some, in all a "little flock," as Jesus had foretold Luk 12:32 ), to whom it is the Father's good pleasure to give the Kingdom in an age to follow this. With this age the "present evil world" ends; and mark well that while God has been thus permitting the predominance and reign of evil, to the seeming detriment of his cause, nevertheless his deep designs have been steadily progressing according to a fixed and definite plan, and in the exact order of the seasons which he has appointed. In the end of this age, and the dawn of its successor, the Millennial age, Satan is to be bound and his power overthrown, preparatory to the establishment of Christ's kingdom and the beginning of "the world to come, wherein dwelleth righteousness." Millennium, signifying a thousand years, is by common consent used as the name for the period mentioned in Rev 20:4 --the thousand years of Christ's reign, the first age in the "world to come." During the Millennial age, there will be a restitution of all things lost by the fall of Adam Act 3:19-21 ), and before its close all tears shall have been wiped away. Beyond its boundary, in the ages of blessedness to follow, there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain. The former things will have passed away. Rev 21:4 ) God's revelations particularize no further, and there we stop. We have here only glanced at the mere outline of this plan of the ages. The more we examine it, the more we will find in it perfect harmony, beauty and order. Each age has its part to accomplish, necessary to the complete development of God's plan as a whole. The plan is a progressive one, gradually unfolding from age to age, upward and onward to the grand consummation of the original design of the Divine Architect, "who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." Eph 1:11 ) Not one of these great periods is an hour too long or too short for the accomplishment of its object. God is a wise economist of both time and means, though his resources are infinite; and no power, however malicious, for a moment retards or thwarts his purposes. All things, evil as well as good, under divine supervision and overruling, are working together for the accomplishment of his will. To an uninstructed and undisciplined mind, which can see only a little of the intricate machinery of God's plan, it appears like anarchy, confusion and failure, just as the whole, or even a part, of an intricate machine would appear to a child. To its immature and untutored mind it is incomprehensible, and the opposite motions of its wheels and belts are but confusion. But maturity and investigation will show that the seeming confusion is beautiful harmony, working good results. The machine, however, was as truly a success before the child understood its operation as after. So, while God's plan is, and has been for ages, in successful operation, man has been receiving the necessary discipline, not only to enable him to understand its intricate workings, but also to experience its blessed results. As we pursue our study of the divine plan, it is essential that we keep in memory these ages and their respective peculiarities and objects; for in no one of them can the plan be seen, but in all of them , even as a link is not a chain, but several links united form a chain. We obtain correct ideas of the whole plan by noting the distinctive features of each part, and thus we are enabled to divide rightly the Word of truth. A statement of the Word which belongs to one epoch, or dispensation, should not be applied to another, as things stated of one age are not always true of another. For instance, it would be an untruth to say of the present time that the knowledge of the Lord fills the whole earth, or that there is no need to say to your neighbor, Know the Lord. Isa 11:9 ; Jer 31:34 ) This is not true in this age, and it cannot be true until the Lord, having come again, has established his kingdom; for throughout this age there have been many seducing deceptions, and we are told that even in the very end of the age--" In the last days ...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." 2Ti 3:1 , 2Ti 3:13 ) It will be as the result of Messiah's reign during the Millennial age that knowledge and righteousness shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. A similar mistake, and a very common one, is to suppose that God's kingdom is now established and ruling over the earth, and that his will is now done among the nations. This is manifestly far from the truth, for the kingdoms of this world are supported and enriched through oppression, injustice and deceit, to as great an extent as the increasing intelligence of the people will permit. Satan, the present "prince of this world," must yet be displaced, and these kingdoms, now under his control, must become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Anointed, when he shall take unto himself his great power, and reign. |
| Politics › One Year Later -so Little Time Left,so Much to Do! by coputa(op): 11:55pm On Jun 01, 2024 |
In truth, there really is nothing special about one year in executive political office. Governments operate annual budgets, which run from January to December. This means incoming presidents or governors are required to first operate with the remainder of their predecessor’s budget, and any true assessment of their administration can only be made after the second year, when they have operated a budget they passed. Even as his ministers ignore the present socio-economic realities and award themselves excellent scores in “imaginary achievements”, President Tinubu tactfully made it clear that he will not engage in “over-celebrations” in respect of his one-year anniversary in office. Critics of his administration say that their first year has been one of “we will”, rather than “we have!” Indeed, it is difficult to find any unbiased commentator who claims that President Tinubu has made any meaningful impact on the development and economic growth of the country, or that his administration’s policies while (maybe) necessary, have not been harsh, brutish and discomfiting. There can be no denying the abounding evidence that citizens are grappling with spiraling inflation and outright poverty. In the middle of the worsening economic situation and calls to cut the cost of governance, the decision to increase fuel prices and electricity tariffs adversely affected long-suffering citizens, privately owned businesses, and government-owned institutions such as hospitals and universities, all of whom can no longer afford their electricity bills. Even as private citizens are asked to make sacrifices, governance at both federal and state levels has been characterised by unjustifiable extravagance. This is especially true in relation to the purchase of luxury vehicles and increased remunerations. This is in marked contrast with the actions of the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, who reduced the salaries of ministers and politicians by 30%, increased workers’ salaries by 50% and refused to accept the president’s salary, insisting that he should only be paid his normal salary as an army captain! Unfortunately for President Tinubu, he inherited a bad economy and bad practices from his predecessor, who did not possess either the necessary intellect or the human compassion to manage the nation’s affairs properly. President Buhari ran Nigeria aground while presiding over serial abuses of financial regulations, and mind-boggling levels of corruption. Truly, a large part of the problem President Tinubu faces is that he took over from a president who belonged to the same political party and therefore could not expose all the malfeasance that went on under his predecessor. However, whilst campaigning, he promised to rescue the nation from economic backwardness, multi-dimensional hardship and worsening insecurity by articulating an eight-point plan titled “Renewed Hope Agenda”. He promised to make healthcare, education and housing affordable and accessible to all, but it really comes as no surprise that his administration has been unable to manage people’s expectations for immediate relief, considering that he never claimed relief would be experienced within his first year in office! In truth, the past year has seen increasing numbers of Nigerians falling into multi-dimensional poverty. Despite inheriting a mess, it isn’t possible to extricate the worsening economy from the ill-considered and poorly implemented removal of fuel subsidy. Critics and opposition spokespersons quote a multitude of statistics, ranging from exchange rates to inflation and unemployment rates to highlight the rapidly deteriorating economy. As for the war against corruption, President Tinubu never said it would be a priority of his administration. According to Transparency International, which monitors corruption worldwide, Nigeria still ranks amongst the world’s most corruption-prone nations. They have heavily criticised the controversial award of the 700-meter Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, which is immersed in controversy. The bidding process, which the Minister for Works referred to as government-approved “restrictive bidding”, was not conducted in a transparent manner and no mention has been made of any other company, which was asked to submit a bid! ad It is curious, to say the least, that the terms of the contract agreement are shrouded in secrecy. Be that as it may, there are more pressing problems to face. There is an adage that a stone you see coming should not blind you. Lamentably, many Nigerian farmlands are now under the control of bandits and because many farmers, especially in the North East, could not plant this season, projections are that food shortages are looming. Quite incomprehensibly, even as the World Bank attempts to raise $300 million to prevent famine from occurring in northern Nigeria, the federal government squandered N90 billion subsidising pilgrims! Everything considered, it’s simply not true that President Tinubu has restored hope to the Nigerian people. His first year did not witness any pro-masses government policies and as a result, living standards plummeted, basic goods became unaffordable and jobs are now virtually impossible to come by. Unfortunately, this administration did not hit the ground running and has already spent 25% of their allotted time in office. Even so, they have a minimum of three more years to go so it is better for economic experts to suggest viable necessary policy shifts rather than simply complain and reel out damning statistics. Nevertheless, there are just two years left before President Tinubu will focus on re-election. If he wants to be regarded as a success during his first term, there is so little time left and so much to do! info@dailytrust.com 1998 - 2024 Media Trust Limited. All rights reserved. |
| Politics › Hunger, Poverty, Unemployment Trails Tinubu's 1st Year -report by coputa(op): 1:54pm On Jun 01, 2024 |
President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office has thrown many Nigerians into hunger with an ample lack of basic amenities while unemployment keeps rising, the latest survey by the African Polling Institute (API) shows. In its survey, API, an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan opinion research think-tank noted that an overwhelming majority of citizens (84%) express profound sadness with the current state of affairs in the country. “Their voices, filled with dissatisfaction, are a clear call for action,” the report said. The national survey which was administered between May 1st and 18th 2024 sought to elicit citizens’ opinions and assessments of President Tinubu’s first year in office and it revealed that a significant majority of citizens (81%) feel the country is headed in the wrong direction. Some of the challenges Nigerians are presently contending with, according to the report are hunger, inability to meet basic needs, and rising insecurity among others. “Hunger (36%), Inability to meet basic needs (28%), Unemployment (13%), Heightened Insecurity (9%), and Poor Electricity Supply (5%) are identified as the biggest challenges facing them personally today,” the report stated. Also, a staggering 74% of citizens interviewed according to the report affirmed that their economic situation has deteriorated over the last year when compared to 20% who said their economic situation had remained the same and a mere 5% who said it had improved. Measuring President Tinubu’s performance in the past year, the API report shows that 78% of citizens expressed that he had performed “abysmally”, with 49% rating him “Very Poor” and 29% “Poor.” “This widespread dissatisfaction also extends to the performance of other arms of government, as a striking 81% of citizens rated Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismally, compared to 79% who rated Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, poorly,” the report stated. “Also, the Nigerian Judiciary under the CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, was not spared, as 75% of citizens also rated him poorly,” it added. President Tinubu made bold market reforms immediately after he was sworn in. He ended the popular but costly fuel subsidy regime and devalued the naira twice within a year allowing the flotation of the local currency to revamp the economy. But these reforms have stoked price pressures, sending inflation to over 30 per cent in April, its highest in nearly three decades while food inflation has equally risen to over 40 per cent. These twin policies have led to a renewed cost-of-living crisis as prices of many essential commodities have surged by more than 100% within a year. The report however raised concerns about growing discontent across the country, especially among the youth due to the deplorable state of the nation. It added that many of these dissatisfied youths are largely unemployed and are waiting for an opportunity to cause mayhem. “API has keenly observed a growing mass of aggrieved and discontented citizens nationwide, especially among the youth. “Many are unemployed or underemployed and have become local crusaders and social activists in their communities, waiting for the slightest opportunity to vent their anger against fellow citizens and the Nigerian state,” it said. © 2023 - Businessday NG. All Rights Reserved. |
| Politics › Killing Of 5 Soldier's In Abia: It's Time To Explore Political Solution-Atiku by coputa(op): 1:40pm On Jun 01, 2024 |
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the killing of five soldiers deployed to protect the citizens in Abia State. Five soldiers were murdered yesterday by gunmen at a military unit located at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill area, Abia State. This happened during the sit-at-home order, declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to hounour those that died during the Biafra war. Reacting to the killing via his X Platform, the former vice president said its time to explore political solution on the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Atiku believes that the political solution would defuse the heightened tension in the region. In his words: “The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one. May their souls rest in peace. But even more profound is the impact of yesterday’s sit-at-home in the Southeast region of our country on students writing WAEC examinations. “The veil of the so-called Unknown Gun Men hiding under cover to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators. “To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues. I believe that this will defuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties”. © 2024 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria |
| Politics › Waec:enugu Govt Cautions IPOB Against Disrupting Exams by coputa(op): 1:12pm On May 29, 2024 |
The Enugu State Government has cautioned the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against the planned disruption of ongoing West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination on May 30. The government gave the warning in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Aka Eze Aka, on Wednesday in Enugu. Aka said there was no room for IPOB’s illegal activities in the state and urged the residents and students to go about their exams and normal activities on May 30, assuring them of adequate security. He said the state government noted with deep concern the statement credited to IPOB directing WAEC to postpone the General Mathematics (Theory and Objectives) examinations scheduled for May 30, the day IPOB designated as “Biafra Heroes Day.” He said, “We note with particular concern IPOB’s statement that the WAEC board should not endanger the lives of students because the day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory.” “This is unacceptable to us, not only because of the well-known position of the Enugu State Government on illegal sit-at-home orders, which have dealt a great blow on the socio-economic life and fortunes of the South East region. “But it is also because of the far-reaching consequences of a whole generation of Enugu children failing to sit for a fundamental subject such as mathematics in one year,” Aka said. The commissioner stressed that Igbos excel on the wings of industry, education, and human capital development, saying that any pronouncement or action that tends to deny the children their rights to education, which is their ticket to the future, was offensive. He said the Igbo founding fathers and fallen heroes, who must be turning in their graves, would be wondering what could have happened to Igbos as a people. “Many of the architects of such unjust and evil agenda live in the comfort of civilised societies where they go to work and their children go to school every workday. “The Enugu State Government recognises the sacrifices of our gallant forebears, who gave their all, including their lives, to defend the Igboland. “The government will not sit by and watch the future of our children aborted by such ill-conceived pronouncements intended to keep them at home. “WAEC, as the name implies, is a regional body not just in Nigeria, but across West Africa. “The subregion will certainly not wait for us. He said the state government, therefore, advised candidates sitting for the ongoing WAEC Exam in Enugu State to feel free to go to their respective centres to sit for their papers on May 30, without any fear. “While the officials involved in the conduct of the examination should also go about their legitimate duties without apprehension. “No one has the right to impose any illegal and involuntary restriction of movement or business activities on anybody within the territory of Enugu State. Such will be met with the full weight of the law. “Consequently, the government has put the security agencies on red alert to ensure security of lives and property and also deal, according to the laws of the land, with anyone or group bent on scuttling the ongoing WAEC Exam,” Aka warned. (NAN) © 2024 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria |
| Politics › Six Things Tinubu Must Do To Succeed -atiku by coputa(op): 7:37am On May 29, 2024 |
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has listed six actions President Bola Tinubu must take if he was desirous of making a success of the responsibility of the office he currently occupies. Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, offered the advice in a statement made public in Abuja yesterday. He said: “First, pause and reflect. It is important that the government understands what reforms must be undertaken and in what sequence. A framework is needed with clearly stated reform objectives and strategies. “Second, undertake a comprehensive review of the 2024 budget within the new reform framework. The 2024 FGN budget, the exact size of which remains a mystery, is not designed to address the structural defects of the Nigerian economy or the cost-of-living crisis. It will neither create prosperity nor promote opportunities for our young people to lead a productive life. “The review must prioritise fiscal measures to deal with an unprecedented rise in commodity prices. Higher commodity prices have created more misery for the poor in our towns and villages and have pushed millions of people below the poverty line. One of such measures for immediate implementation will be to ease the existing restrictions on selected food imports. “Third, undertake a comprehensive review of the Social Investment Programme, SIP, to mitigate some of the impact of these policies on the most vulnerable households. The SIP must go beyond Conditional Cash Transfers to include programmes that prioritize support to MSEs across all the economic sectors, as they offer the greatest opportunities for achieving inclusive growth. ”In addition, a holistic programme to support medium and large-scale enterprises to navigate the stormy seas in the aftermath of the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS is also needed. “Fourth, Tinubu must be cautioned against any attempt to further pauperize the poor by introducing new taxes or increasing tax rates. We are aware of the behind-the-scenes attempts to increase VAT rate from 7.5% to 10%, re-introduce excise on telecommunication, and increase excise rates on a range of goods. ”It needs to be restated that we cannot tax our way out of this situation. Instead, Tinubu must see the need for expenditure rationalization and restraint by having the budget more in sync with Nigeria’s fiscal reality, by improving efficiency in revenue utilization, improving procurement processes and trimming the size of government and, therefore, reducing the cost of governance. “Fifth, provide clarity on the fuel subsidy regime, including the fiscal commitments and benefits from the fuel subsidy reform and the impact of this on the Federation Accounts. “It is curious that since April 2024, fuel queues had mounted at many filling stations across Nigeria, and the infamous ‘black market’ has sprouted in several states. How much PMS is being imported and distributed, and at what cost? What is the implicit subsidy? “Sixth, tackle security headlong. President Tinubu, as a matter of priority, needs to rejig the nation’s security architecture as what is currently in place is not serving the needs of the people. The state of pervasive insecurity continues to adversely impact agricultural production and the value it brings to the economy, especially in the northern parts of the country. “Insecurity resulting from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling has compelled many crop farmers and pastoralists to abandon their lands and relocate to the neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroun. “This has drastically caused a reduction in the production of food and skyrocketed prices of foodstuffs. Food scarcity in Nigeria is so dire that a report by Cadre Harmonize warns that between June and August this year, about 31.5 million Nigerians may face severe food shortages and scarcity. ”I have always been a reform advocate. The Nigerian economy certainly requires a large dose of reform measures to accelerate its transformation after many years of lacklustre growth. “I was prepared for reform fallouts. Tinubu wasn’t. However, it is not too late for him to change course and do what is right for the good of our people and our nation.” Why Tinubu’s one year rule hasn’t yielded desired fruits Explaining why Tinubu’s first year in office has not yielded fruits, Atiku stated: “Tinubu laid out no plans for the ‘remodeling’ of the economy but soon embarked on a cocktail of policies to achieve it. “In May 2023, he eliminated PMS subsidies, and a month later, the CBN implemented a new foreign exchange policy that unified the multiple official FX windows into a single official market. “More policies followed in rapid succession: the tightening of monetary policy to reduce naira liquidity, a hike in monetary policy rates, the introduction of cost-reflective electricity tariff, and a cybersecurity tax. “Predictably, 12 months on, Tinubu’s pledge of growing the economy and ending misery remains unfulfilled. His actions or inactions have significantly worsened Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability. Nigeria remains a struggling economy and is more fragile today than it was a year ago. “Indeed, all the economic ills – joblessness, poverty, and misery – which defined the Buhari-led administration have only exacerbated. Africa’s leading economy has slipped to the 4th position, lagging behind Algeria, Egypt, and South Africa. ”Citizens’ hopes have been dashed (and not renewed contrary to the propaganda of the administration) as Nigeria’s economic woes have multiplied. “In my press statement on the state of our economy, earlier this year, I expressed my concerns about the downside risks of unleashing reforms without sequencing; without any ideas on how to implement them; and without any regards to their potential and real devastating consequences. ”Implementing policies without proper planning and a clear destination is nothing other than trial-and-error economics. My concerns have not diminished. I will focus on just four areas to underscore those downside risks associated with Tinubu’s reform measures and their dire consequences on Nigeria’s medium to long-term growth and development. “First, President Tinubu’s policies do not create prosperity. Instead, they pauperize the poor and bankrupt the rich. “They spare no one. Nigerian citizens, the majority of whom are poor, are going through the worst cost-of-living crisis since the infamous structural adjustment programme of the 1980s. “The annual inflation rate at 33.69% is the highest in nearly three decades. ”Food prices are unbearably higher than what ordinary citizens can afford as food inflation soared to 40.53% in April, the highest in more than 15 years. © 2024 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria |
| Romance › Re: I Want To Commit Suicide This Night by coputa(m): 11:13pm On May 28, 2024 |
Pussyisgud:you are mentally unstable, you need to see a therapist 5 Likes |
| Crime › Re: Okada Riders Attack Ipaja Police Station In Lagos As They Protest Against Raids by coputa(m): 5:20pm On May 27, 2024 |
stacyadams:so he is an okada rider |
| Crime › Re: Okada Riders Attack Ipaja Police Station In Lagos As They Protest Against Raids by coputa(m): 5:18pm On May 27, 2024 |
TotoIsGud4boy:Nigeria deserves deserves the police she had. |
| Politics › Kano Emirate: 7 Controversies Trailing Justice Liman by coputa(op): 10:44am On May 27, 2024 |
ORDER ON SANUSI’S INSTALLATIONhttps://dailytrust.com/kano-emirate-7-controversies-trailing-justice-liman/ 3 Likes 2 Shares
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| Politics › Delta State Set To Host National Youth Games by coputa(op): 8:09am On May 22, 2024 |
The 8th edition of Nigeria’s National Youth Games has been scheduled to be held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, South-South of Nigeria from the 10th to the 20th of September, 2024, BSNSports.com.ng reports. Officials of the Ministry of Sports and the Management Committee of Delta State Sports Commission (DSSC), met last week in Asaba to conclude arrangements for the 8th National Youth Games 2024. The stakeholders at the meeting expressed appreciation to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State as well as Minister of Sports Senator John Enoh, for their unalloyed commitment and contribution to the development of the Nigerian Youth. The meeting x-rayed several issues and it also approved the September 10th to 20th, 2024 date for the 8th edition of the NYG. The date was effectively chosen into the academic calendar of schools in Delta State and the forthcoming Olympics and Para-Olympics Games. It’s noteworthy to mention that the Organizers of the National Youth Games (NYG), will be using selected school hostels to accommodate the over 5,000 athletes during the Games. The Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba which is already receiving some attention is the main venue for the Games. Delta State is the defending champion of the National Youth Games. Copyright © 2019 - 2024 BSN Sport |
| Politics › Ondo Guber Poll Turns To Battle Of Two Brothers by coputa(op): 9:29am On May 21, 2024 |
It is now certain that the real battle for the coming governorship election in Ondo state, in November this year would be between two brothers from the same area of Ilaje/EseOdo of the Ondo South Senatorial Districts. With the Independent National Electoral Commission’s dead line of submission of candidates of the political parties in the race, which expired on Monday May 13, 2024, the two major contending political parties, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC), have forwarded the names of their candidate, who apparently are from the same area. Both the incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC and Chief Agboola Ajayi, of the PDP are brothers from the same Local government and ironically, they were deputy governors under the late governor of the state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. While Agboola Ajayi served with Akeredolu in his first term, Lucky Aiyedatiwa served during the second tenure of Akorodolu until his death, after which he became the current governor of the state. Although, there were other candidates from other registered political parties, who are ready to lock horns with the duo, they are not as weighty as the two brothers, whose political antecedents have had significant impacts on the people of Ondo State. Going by what is currently on ground in the State, it is only Ajayi and Aiyedatiwa, who are making waves and determined to engage themselves in a fierce battle. Already, a lot of intrigues and power play have been put into the game, by both the APC and the PDP candidates, while their supporters and political leaders have not gone to sleep as well. In the coming November election, a lot of factors, would be put into consideration to determine, who would take the day between the PDP and the APC. Some of these factors include, the candidates past political antecedents, experience in governance and administrative qualities, the strength of their parties and that of the leaderships, geographical and senatorial considerations, personalities, choice of their deputies and most significantly, how both of them emerged as the flag bearer of their political parties. For instance, Aiyedatiwa is currently facing series of crisis with the way he emerged as the candidate of the APC. He contested with other 15 aspirants in what was called a direct Primary, which was described as shambolic by his co-contestants, who argued that there was no primary and that the Kogi State governor led primary Election committee, only wrote figures, which favoured Aiyedatiwa. This issue is yet to be resolved by even the National body of the party and the Presidency, which was the last hope of those who kicked against the modus operandi of the primary was conducted. Aspirants like Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Barrister Olusola Oke, Professor Dayo Faduyile, Dr. Soji Ehinlanwo, Prince Diran Iyatan, Funmilayo Waheed-Adekola among others, took their grievances to the National body of the APC, which consoled them to forget about it and work together with Aiyedatiwa for the victory of the APC. As at the time the primary was conducted, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was out of the country and the aggrieved, who believed that his intervention when he came back would change the tide, got disappointed as the president has since he came back, kept mute and not willing to dabble into the matter, as sources said he did not want to be seen as being partisan in the Ondo APC issues. This situation was said to have angered the aggrieved candidates the more and they are still not at home with the outcome of the primary. As it is now, the APC is strongly divided and no genuine reconciliation has been noticed among the aspirants, who are big and as well very strong politically, in Ondo State. Although, some of them have called for genuine reconciliation, the strong fear being expressed is that if nothing concrete is done between now and the election period, there are speculations that these groups of people may likely gang up against Ayeidatiwa, who people say, is not ready to back down and determined to fight the battle alone without the support of these strong politicians. This, it was argued, could be a serious doom for the APC. What people say Aiyedatiwa is backing on is the support of the Party leaders from both the Ondo North and the Central, especially, Akure. But the fact remains that, the governor has been even known not to be that popular among the people. It was also argued that he has stepped on many toes during the period he was the Acting governor, when his principal Akeredolu, was indisposed. This was the period he made more enemies in the state. Even right now, he is being accused of trying to clampdown on his opponents in the party and a clear example was the purported suspension of one of his hottest contenders in the primary, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, currently representing, the Ondo South Senatorial District in the Senate. Jimoh Ibrahim was suspended by his Igbotako Ward 2 and this was alleged to be the handiwork of Aiyedatiwa. Sources hinted that this action was done to prevent the repeat of what Senator Jimoh Ibrahim did while he was in PDP against Eyitayo Jegede, when he went to court and this seriously affected the chances of Jegede against Akeredolu, in the last governorship election which gave Akeredolu a second term in office. It was envisaged that should Ibrahim take the same step against Aiyedatiwa, he would have done so on the basis of a suspended member of the party. This action itself has even sparked a serious crisis in the party as some members and leaders have kicked against it and even caused division in Igbotako Jimoh Ibrahim’s ward with the latest report of some prominent members and leaders dissociating themselves from what they described as kangaroo suspension of their leader. Business Hallmark learnt that this has been the problem, which Aiyedatiwa would face is the choice of his deputy in the coming election. It was said that both him and Ajayi are banking on picking their deputies from the Central. The main issue with Aiyedatiwa on this is that he may dump the current Deputy from the North in favour of the son of the leader of Afenifere Pa Rubean Fasoranti, Kehinde Fasoranti, who is from Akure in the Ondo Central Senatorial District. The purported choice of Kehinde Fasoranti was said to have made President Tinubu to be mute about the ticket of Aiyedatiwa as it was said that Pa Fasoranti and Chief Olu Falae, discussed this move with President Tinubu, who it was said decided not to do anything about the primary as expected by the aggrieved aspirants in the APC. The people in the Senatorial zone, where Aiyedatiwa is from are not on the same page with him for the simple reason, that, the amended constitution says that no person can be sworn in as governor three times and since Aiyedatiwa, has been sworn in as governor, to complete Akeredolu’s term, he could only go for another one term, which the people of his area felt would deprive them of spending two terms in office. It was also leant, that the people of Owo, where the present Deputy to Aiyedatiwa, Olayide Adelami comes from, are seriously watching if actually he would drop their son, who worked for his emergence in the primary. If he eventually dropped him, they may go against him in the election. Some of these issues have indicated that there are many odds against Aiyedatiwa in the coming election. What political analysts say could help him, is what happened to Akeredolu in his second term, when all the aggrieved aspirants against him were pacified by the party leaders and with Akeredolu paying back, all the money which the aspirants spent. But it was argued that Aiyedatiwa, known for who he is, may not want to do that and most of the aspirants too, would not want to condescend that low or cheapen themselves, to collect such refunds from the governor, who they argued, may not handle that with the same maturity with which Akeredolu did. With Agboola Ajayi of the PDP strongly in the race and battle ready for Aiyedatiwa, it was argued that he has so many things working in his favour, if he handles the situation very well. Contrary to how Aiyedatiwa emerged as the candidate of the APC, he got his mandate on a clean and peaceful note. His emergence was based on his past antecedents, which were said to have benefitted the people of the state. He is described as a person, whose interactions cut across all segments of the state. He is regarded as an experienced politician, who started politics at the local level, as the chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the old Opoi ward 1 from 1988 to 1998. He later joined the PDP in 1998 and was appointed the secretary of the party in Ilaje EseOdo Local government from 1998 to 1999. He was a former member of the House of Representatives and Chairman House Committee on NDDC from 2007 to 2010 He was in APC with Akeredolu as his Deputy and it was argued that his ability to deliver and good antecedents helped Akeredolu to win in his first term. Though, he was a governorship candidate of a political party in the last governorship election, he lost to Akeredolu. Just like Aiyedatiwa, the choice of his of Deputy and where he comes from, would matter too for him. It was, however, learnt that since the PDP is waxing very strong that would not be a problem as the leaders of the party are seriously working on that. His home base, unlike Aiyedatiwa, is working in his favour because they are strongly clamouring for a person that would spend two terms, just like other zones, which Aiyedatiwa, if elected, would not have the opportunity of spending. Even the governor of Oyo State Engineer Seyi Makinde and his counterpart in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in the South West, are bent on ensuring that the PDP wins back the state. Copyright © 2024 Business Hallmark Newspapers |
| Politics › Fresh Tension Rises Between Okuama,ewu,okoloba by coputa(op): 2:09am On May 21, 2024 |
A fresh crisis is brewing between the Okuama-Ewu community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, and Okoloba community, Bomadi Local Government Area, both in Delta State, over allegations of looting of property and farmlands, armed youths laying seige to the waterways, and spying with drones. The two communities torn apart by land dispute came into the public eye a few months ago when suspected gunmen killed 17 army personnel, who, reportedly were on a peace mission to the Okuama-Ewu on March 14. The military took over the Okuama-Ewu community on March 15 and vacated on May 8, following the intervention of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of the state. Residents of the community, who took cover in the forests, and starved for nearly two months, returned on May 8, after the soldiers vacated their homeland, but since that day, it has been one crisis or the another. Reports from the area indicate that tension was building up between the two communities. Sources said unless the state government takes urgent steps, another crisis might break out between the warring neighbours. Women of Okuama-Ewu, clutching leaves demonstrated in the community, yesterday, accusing Okoloba women of digging, harvesting, and stealing cassava, potatoes, and pepper from their farms. They also accused Okoloba youths of laying siege to the waterways with guns, calling on President Bola Tinubu, and Governor Oborevowri, to come to their aid. Leaders of Okuama-Ewu, who spoke to Vanguard, said Okoloba was spying on them with drones. First protest by Okoloba women Placard-carrying Okolaba women, led by the Chairlady of the community, Mrs. Timipakebi Godwin, and Secretary, Mrs. Mary Koibi, carried out the first protest in the preceding four days, last Saturday. Related News 24 hours after Army’s exit: 1 person macheted, 3 injured as intruders loot Okuama-Ewu Yesterday, however, women of Okuama-Ewu, who claimed they caught Okoloba women, who fled on sighting them, harvesting their cassava, came back home carrying loads of cassava, which their fleeing neighbours allegedly abandoned while escaping. One protester said, “They stole our foams, boats, and other property and sold them before we returned on May 8. But today (Monday), we caught them digging our cassava, and they ran away. “On Sunday, armed youths of Okoloba blocked us with guns on the waterways, we had to take another route to come to Okuama. Our community is an island, we come through Okwagbe on the waterways, and you will first get to Okoloba before Okuama, and they blocked us with guns on Sunday.” Another woman protester, said: “When we got to our farms this morning (Monday), we found that Okoloba and Akugbene women were harvesting our cassava. When we cried out before that, they were stealing our cassava, people thought we were raising a false alarm, you can see it now. “They have been harvesting our cassava, potatoes, pepper, and other crops. Women and children are suffering, our husbands are not here, we have not seen many of our children since we returned, and we do not know where they are.” One more protester said: “We went this morning (Monday) to our farm and saw Okoloba women harvesting our cassava and they ran away. The government should rebuild our houses and call them to order. The river we pass, they have blocked it.” They monitor us with drones frequently — Okuama leader One leader, who shed light on the development said: “Yes, this morning (Monday), the Okuama women went to the farm and discovered that most of their crops had been harvested. They abandoned the cassava that they uprooted before the arrival of our women. “They ran away when they heard the voices of our women coming. After returning, our people usually go to the farm in groups. “One woman leader from the Okoloba community is leading their women to harvest our women’s cassava, potato, pepper, and all they have labored for in the bush.” I’ll get back —Koki, Okoloba chair When contacted, Chairman of the Okoloba community, Mr. Clement Koki, said he would get back with a detailed response. He was yet to respond at press time. © 2024 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria |
| Politics › Pandemonium In National Assembly As DSS Manhandles Senior Staff by coputa(op): 7:13pm On May 17, 2024 |
There was pandemonium at the National Assembly when the Department of State Service (DSS) manhandled two senior staff of the assembly in Abuja, on Friday. Trouble started when the two staff – John Nnadi of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and Chris Odoh, a Deputy Director – were trying to navigate through the gate linking the Senate new building and white House. Eye witnesses said the staff simply flashed their ID cards, while the DSS operatives had asked them to identify themselves properly. Following this, the DSS halted their movement and manhandled them in the process. Efforts to stop the DSS from manhandling the staff proved abortive as more personnel joined to physically deal with the staff. An eyewitness said the DSS personnel forcefully dragged Nnadi and Odoh to their office within the National Assembly Complex, a development that attracted the attention of passersby and staff of the United Bank Bank for Africa (UBA), Senate Committee on Public Accounts and journalists from the Senate Press Centre whose offices were along the way. Angered by the embarrassing treatment, staff of the National Assembly from various offices at the White House including the Mace bearer in the Senate, gathered in front of the DSS office and threatened to take the matter up if their colleagues were not released. info@dailytrust.com 1998 - 2024 Media Trust Limited. All rights reserved. |
| Politics › Re: Five Pro-Wike Commissioners Give Reasons For Quitting Fubara's Cabinet by coputa(op): 1:37pm On May 17, 2024 |
gigabyte13:Emefiele was a CBN Governor and not accountant general of the federation |
| Christianity Etc › Northern Nigeria Don't Allow Churches In Their Public Universities -bishop Kukah by coputa(op): 1:27pm On May 17, 2024 |
The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has disclosed that tertiary institutions promote ethnic and religious biases. Kukah made this known on The Morning Show on Arise TV on Thursday. The controversial cleric expressed dismay over the closure of doors to churches in universities in Northern Nigeria. He said: “A mosque was constructed at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I delivered a convocation lecture in Calabar three weeks ago. After my lecture, the Chief Imam of the University came to congratulate me. But as I speak to you, Usman Dan Fodio, who is over 40 years old, Bayero University, and other universities in Northern Nigeria have decided to close their doors to the possibility of churches being built in the universities across this country. “All this fanaticism we are seeing is expressed in public life. If students in the university or at the point of their growing up are not allowed to integrate and interrelate, and if churches or mosques cannot be built across this country, then there is a problem. “There was a time when Ahmadu Bello University had lecturers from different parts of the world. Now, look at what has happened to our universities across Nigeria. Our universities have become just mere incubators of ethnic jingoism. “So, I do not know which funded Federal University that you will name that has a Vice Chancellor that is not a local boy. “So the universities themselves have become playgrounds for the ambitions of the local elite. The question is why should a place of worship be a problem for a university? Whether it is for the Muslim students in Calabar or the Christian students in Sokoto. “I approached the Minister of Education about this. I have a letter from the Nigerian University Commission. The universities in northern Nigeria have refused to implement this recommendation,” he revealed. Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspaper |
| Politics › Re: Five Pro-Wike Commissioners Give Reasons For Quitting Fubara's Cabinet by coputa(op): 1:06pm On May 17, 2024 |
gigabyte13:Accountant general only takes instructions from the executive, he's just a signatory to the state government account and an also play advisory roles, he's not accountable for any misappropriation of funds 4 Likes |
Nigeria should have left all this strike nonsense behind, high time our leaders begin to put things in place, cost of everything has risen but minimum wage remains the same.
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