For the country to attain greatness and peace, the youths as the country most greatest asset needs to be valued, Dr Francis Agbaraoluwapo has said.

Dr. Agbaraoluwapo, a doctor and lecturer at the department of Physiology College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said this at the first “National Parents and Teachers Conference 2017”, themed ‘Raising A Complete Child’, organized by Young Explorer Network, which was held on the 9th september,2017 at Fanlot international school ,Abule-egba Lagos.

According to him, “we are wasting away the resources abound in the greatest asset we have. The youths and the children are the country's greatest asset we have refused to tap into. We have unvalued and abandoned them. We see them everywhere, they are abused by parents ,teachers and others people in the society” he said.

“In this country, everyone is demanding for money, but nobody is demanding for the welfare of the students and the children. The parents we have now are not even helping matters, they have become unaccessible to their children. I have on number of occasions interfere between parents and their children”.

“What we have now currently in Nigeria is the endangered species endangering the society”.



“Our roles as teachers and parents is very critical and we have to retrace our step. We have refused to tap into the hidden treasures abound in our youths. The mind is the hidden treasure, a very important part of the human body. A pilot and foundation of our destination. A man could be fifty years of age and have a mind of 10-year-old. The mind is the key to wealth and happiness when it is in a good state”.

“For us to be productive, we have to focus on the health and for that to be okay, the mind must be okay before that can be achieved”.

Also Mr Yahseph Ananaba, an instructor at the Foundation for Positive Character Development, a Non-governmental organization said parents needs to start becoming responsible.

“the story of children being about to be initiated into cult in Ogun State is something that needs to worry everyone. We are at a stage where we have more sexual active children. There is a falling standard” he said.

“Our parents were not perfect, but tried their best and it worked out well for most of us. That we are looking for money to train them, send them to school is not an excuse, we shouldn't abandon the responsibilities of training them”.

“parent must be a role model, teacher and displaying a positive character to their child. They learn quickly from what they see, which register more than words spoken to them”.

“We should be able to control them, their tantrum at a very tender age and let them know that what they are doing is not right, not in an aggressive manner”.

“when a child can't get a positive feedback from his parent, he will seek it in a negative way. We

shouldn't be quick to give up on them at a tender age, we should always know that the key to training them is becoming a positive and effective parent. Your child see what you do and if you want them to behave positively in the society, we our ourselves must exhibit a positive character”

An author and journalist, Mrs Grace Edema, said parent should learn to stay clear of using abusive words against their children.

“whatever you want to see in your child, you must behave that way. We need to learn not to be abusive towards our children. You have to be a parent, coach, friend and mentor to them” she said.

“try to build a good working relationship with them. You gossip with your friends, but why not do that also with your child; let them be able to tell you everything about what is going on with them”.

“Try to befriend them and be listening to whatever they want to tell, whether good, bad or unnecessary stuffs. Talk to them, let them be your friend, share issues with them and let them also do the same with you”.

The founder of the young explorer network, Mr. Israel Ikumapayi said in his closing remark that Turbulence and other social vices tearing the world apart will greatly reduce if a concious effort is made to give effective moral training to the young ones. This is because, young adults are vulnerable, they are used to perpetuate all kinds of criminal acts including terrorism, robbery to mention afew.

For this reason, parents, guardians and teachers are urge to embrace their responsibility to ensure that young people around them  turn out well in life for a better society.in conclusion he appreciated everyone that was present at the event,including education writers association of Nigeria(EWAN),Lagos state ministry of youth and social development, schools,medias,churches ,partners,family and friends.

https://thebelltimes.com/nigeria-wasting-great-resources-available-youths-dr-agbaraoluwapo/

As parts of measures to ensure that the students currently benefiting from the ongoing free coaching lectures in all the three senatorial districts in Ogun State are well cater for, and given qualitative teachings, the promoter, Paseda Legacy Foundation, Otunba Rotimi Paseda, during the week, made an unscheduled visit to two centres in Ijebu Ode, to personally assess the progress so far made.

The Ogun State 2015 governorship candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), made his first port of call at the Varsity Nursery & Primary School, a coaching centre located along Epe Garage, Ijebu Ode, which has a population of 2,500 students drawn from Primary 3 to Junior Secondary 3 and Senior Secondary school, the largest in size among the 12 centres located in all the three senatorial districts of Ogun East, Ogun West and Ogun West.

It would be recalled that no fewer than 10,000 are beneficiaries of the ongoing free coaching lectures put together by Otunba Rotimi Paseda, in order to impact positively on the educational standard of the younger generations in Ogun State.

Writing materials like exercise books, pens, pencils and others were distributed to the students.

The one coaching lectures commenced on Monday August 7 and expected to wind up before school resumption in September.

While addressing the students of the coaching centre, Paseda charged them to be focused and dedicated in their respective studies, while he noted that education is a key to greatness.

According to him, “I want you to be obedient to your parents and elderly ones. Also, I want you to take your education as very important, in order to achieve greatness in life. I know many of you may want to be like Paseda but I want you to know that I worked to become what I am today. I pray you will be greater than me, Paseda, in life” he said.

“Don’t join bad gangs and make sure you respects your parents and elders. Don’t fight each other when it comes to politics. You are not to dabble into politics because you are still young. By my dream is to ensure that you are well educated. Education is the key. It is the weapon to attain greatness in life.

If and when I become governor I will introduce free education at all levels I’m Ogun State, beginning from Primary school to the university level. Your parents would no longer pay for your education. But what I want from you is your continued prayer for your parents and also remember me as well”.

“You are to face your studies squarely and as you are winding up the one-month free coaching I wish to replicate another one next year, may God spare our lives. But this programme would not come to an end without having a get – together with you by August ending”.

At the second centre located at New Horizon Educational Consult, New Road, Ijebu Ode, Paseda admonished the students to face their studies, thus reminding them as being leaders of tomorrow at their various endeavours in life.

https://thebelltimes.com/education-is-a-key-to-greatness-paseda-charges-ogun-students/

As Nigeria ‘comes out of recession’, there seems to be some bewilderment as to why this new advantageous economic state is not reflecting in our dining table, the local market-place or beer parlour. While ordinary Nigerians are more concerned with how the country’s newly augmented GDP will pay their owed salaries, the political heavyweights sense in this uncertain state an opportunity to score cheap political points. Recession ends when every Nigerian can eat three times a day, sings Atiku- in what is by all indications the perfect melody to the ears of starving Nigerians. Will the music fall on deaf or attentive ears? Only time will tell.

What does it mean to come out of recession? Atiku was, of course, right to place an emphasis on ‘poor’ Nigerians in his attempt to define ‘coming out of recession’, as these are the people who feel the full weight of recession in Nigeria. Even though the presidential aspirant was also right in highlighting the role played by food in determining a people’s emancipation from economic recession, I think it’s equally important to emphasize the role played by comfort in ensuring the economic well-being of a people.

Human beings are a comfort-seeking creature – who, when given the opportunity, will interact with their environment to achieve a level of comfort they desire. This level of comfort is dynamic, which means, if their environmental conditions change, their instinct will lead them to find a new level of comfort which they feel they need. Some researchers use the term ‘thermal comfort’ to indicate the degree of human satisfaction with their immediate setting. The level of thermal comfort of a human being can be different from others. Based on research conducted on humans from every part of the world, an average Japanese citizen is comfortable with the temperature in his house which ranges from 18-28C (figures considered as ‘normal’ for human beings); but it is found that there are some parts of the world where human can withstand extreme cold temperature of 10C (e.g. Europe and North America) or extreme hot temperature of 35C. (e.g. Tropical countries like Nigeria)

Read also: Humanism, the internet of things, and Nigeria’s 2039 Presidential Election (Science fiction)

To regulate extreme temperature, and achieve their thermal comfort, various methods have been adapted by humans since time immemorial. The forms of interaction that humans have with their environment to achieve their thermal comfort, can be psychological, mechanical, social or cultural, depending on access to all kinds of assistance. Of all these forms, the most effective seems to be the mechanical- which attains thermal comfort for human beings by regulating climatic conditions with tools like the Air Conditioner (AC).

The main purpose of AC is to create comfort for human beings, and this comfort can lead to many other benefits. But in a country like Nigeria where the average employed graduate earns N50,000 a month, affording a N90,000 air conditioner is virtually impossible.

A person’s economic performance and happiness is closely related to the climatic conditions in which they live and work. Research argues that climate is the ‘enemy’ of economic efficiency and productivity; thus, it must be controlled. This is particularly important in a country like Nigeria where the temperature can climb up to 40C or more. Picture a young Nigerian Barrister renting, from his N40,000 monthly salary, a modest 1bed apartment with no AC. From frying pan to fire, he leaves his hot abode to a hotter workplace, the court of Law, clothed in gown and wig, sweating like a cockroach; only to come back to meet power failure in his hot abode.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of air conditioning in fostering economic performance and improving overall happiness in a tropical country. On this issue, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, had the following to say:

‘Air conditioning was a most important invention for us, perhaps one of the signal inventions of history. It changed the nature of civilization by making development possible in the tropics. Without air-conditioning you can work only in the cool early-morning hours or at dusk. The first thing I did upon becoming prime minister was to install air conditioners in buildings where the civil service worked. This was key to public efficiency.’

Air conditioning is a necessity in the modern world. Does it occur to you that the first thing you feel when you come out of the plane at the Murtala Muhammed Airport is heat? Or that two of the most prominent signs of poverty in Nigeria are sweating and bad body odour caused by the inability to control perspiration. These things can be controlled by air conditioning. In 2017 when most countries have air conditioning in public buildings, it is not enough to put ceiling fans in ours, and then label this an ‘achievement’. We need to urge our leaders to stop celebrating mediocrity and start installing air conditioners in public buildings for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians.


Femi can be reached at femiowolade@gmail.com

https://thebelltimes.com/recession-ends-every-nigerian-can-enjoy-benefits-air-conditioners-femi-owolade/

Diego Costa has got off lightly compared to the treatment John Obi Mikel was subjected to by Antonio Conte, according to ex-Chelsea player Emmanuel Sarki.

The Spain international striker is currently in his native Brazil having been exiled by his manager following a bust-up last January.

Costa is not the only member of Chelsea’s 2014/15 title-winning squad to experience Conte’s ruthless streak, however, with Sarki claiming the long-serving Mikel paid the price for his loyalty to Nigeria.

Sarki, who began his career at Stamford Bridge before moving to the likes of Westerloo and Wisla Krakow, revealed the former Juventus boss froze Mikel out after he decided to represent his country at the Rio Olympics, even refusing him the chance to play for the Under-23s in a bid to build up his fitness.

I was told how Conte treated Mikel after his decision to represent Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympics. He was granted permission to go by Conte under one condition, which was you might not get a look in upon your return,’ Sarki told Owngoalnigeria.com.

‘Mikel was told by the same man who granted him permission to represent Nigeria at the Olympics upon his return that his services weren’t needed anymore.

‘Even when the coach of the national team of Nigeria (Gernot Rohr) pleaded for Mikel to be allowed to play Under-23 games to build up his fitness, Conte still didn’t budge. How painful he didn’t give Mikel the chance to say goodbye to fans who have stood by him for ten and half seasons.

‘Costa’s case is mild to be honest, Mikel went through worse but never said or acted wild as he is someone who doesn’t talk much and hardly react negatively to issues.’

Mikel, who made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea between 2006 and 2017, was sold to Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA FC back in January.

https://thebelltimes.com/antonio-contes-treated-mikel-worse-than-what-diego-costa-has-had-to-suffer-ex-chelsea-player-claims/

More than 200000 Americans reside in South Korea, same with Japan having a minimal population of Americans in their country.

Guam which is an American colony is a stone throw from North Korea missiles, same as the alleged International Ballistic Missile tested by the North Korea to be able to hit mainland America.

You would think North Korea, a country of not more than twenty-five million population should be standing up against Uncle Bengi, the ekun itself, dabaru of countries who stand against it quest for hegemony.

In North Korea, we now know America ain't that invisible, it can be replied, matched rhetoric for rhetoric, can be bossed to the corner and made to mellow down it gra gra and see that the world doesn't actually below to it anymore.

In North Korea, we have been able to see that the world is moving from the unipolarity enjoyed by the Americans for more than 40years to multipolarity.

It would be stupid and foolish for any country to think it can attack North Korea now, without receiving a response.

America in search of a war. It needs to ignite a global war with a strong country to prove it superiority over every country in the world, or else we may in near future be witnessing what happened with the Ottoman Empire repeating itself with the USA.

Vladimir Putin has been able to position the Russian Federation, it is now becoming a feared super power house.

It is now almost sidelining and having equal say in how the world should be.

Reason I am not surprised at America latest actions against the Russians.

A much bigger war may breakout and don't be surprised, it could be the Americans, it deluded allies, against Russia and China.

They shouldn't be testing the calmness of a former KGB agent, not to talk of PRA.

Young Explorer Network has decided to sensitize and remind the society, especially parents and teachers of their roles in ensuring that the young people around them are given the appropriate and effective moral training.
 
Several issues as regards this will be discussed at a one day seminar for young adults and parents and all stakeholders in the education sector. It will take place on September 9, 2017 at Fanlot international school. 1, Obadina close, U-turn bus/stop, beside Anikulapo filling station, Abule-Egba, Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos. Time :10:00am.
 
According to the organiser, Israel Ikumapayi said, “Turbulence and other social vices tearing the world apart will greatly reduce if a conscious effort is made to give effective moral training to the young ones.
 
However, parents, guardians and teachers have an important role to play in ensuring that young people turn out well in life" he said.
 
All stakeholders in the education sector, including parents, young adults, teachers, school owners, school administrators, Lagos state and local government, ministries of education to mention a few are expected at the event.
 
Furthermore, the conference has an aim to inform/teach Parents, Guardians and Teachers on how to be positive mentors to their children and learners, support Government in its ongoing fight against corruption in a way to ensure a healthy and corruption free society for our young generation and the future ones Above all, to give Parents, Guardians and Teachers achievable method on how to raise and mentor a child.

https://thebelltimes.com/towards-entrenching-good-morals-young-adults/

Eluwilussit:
Really? Una eye never see anything. No be bubu the charlatan? Dude sabi pretend. Why didnt the presidency do the renovation while bubu was away? Common sense will suggest that this ought to have been done before the idiot came back.

There is no truth in all this rat stories. If it isn't a cover up, then bubu and his vice are complete m.orons.

I love this. This is pure propaganda. Everyone is focus on rat issue, forgetting about Buhari health or the bad economy

The United Labour Congress of Nigeria, a faction of the Nation Labour Congress, led by Comrade Joe Ajaero says the union may embarking on an industrial strike action if government doesn't itself respect the interest of workers and the citizenry.

Hemade this known in a communique signed by the president, issued at the end of it technical working committee, held on the 22nd of August, at the NUPENG secretariat, Jibowu, Yaba Lagos.

The Union also called on the federal government to quickly implement agreements it had with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

He also accused State Governors of fraudulent practices over it non-payment of workers salaries.

According to him, “we have made some demands and expect those concerned to respect and approve it. If the demands are not met within two weeks of this date, ULC shall embark on an Industrial actions that would force government to correct itself and respect the interest of workers and the citizenry” he said.

“we are worried that Nigerian workers and masses have become increasingly abandoned by to their fate by an unconscionable ruling elite occupied with the battle for the filthy lucre and the pursuit of crass political power which they intend to use to further the exploitation and humiliation of the Nigerian people. Our workplace have become havens for wicked and malicious employers who seem to be having a field day acting with impunity over rights of workers under their employ and reducing shopfloors to places of fear and trepidation.

“Nigerian workers have not had it this bad in a very long time as everywhere you; it is one harrowing tale of exploitation, abuse or another. Government has been jettisoned and replaced with crass and mindless sharing of national resources accruing to our coffers not out of constructive policies and programmes but rents and loyalty from mineral deposits. The nation's leadership has become so impervious to the sanctity of lives of the citizenry to an extent to an extent that our people are not only mowed down in our streets and villages by insurgents, kidnappers and armed robbery but those in faraway South Africa have also become easy prey to the security agencies of that country.

“It is with deep angst that despite collecting huge bailout funds from the federal government and the Paris club debt refund, many State Governors have refused to pay workers salaries, which we view as fraudulent”.

“We from here have decided that the government must ensure that their should be an immediate payment of arrears of salaries owed Nigerian workers, employers who are colluding with the army and other security agencies, setting up garrison in our factories for the purposes of intimidation and harassing workers in order to deny them their rights, be called to order by relevant agencies of government”.

The withholding of registration certificates of the ULC be stopped and the certificate released forthwith so that the nation's industrial relations clime be made more inclusive and robust. Government should honour its 2009 agreement with university lecturers under the umbrella of ASUU quickly so that our universities will be re-opened.

The union also took a swipe at former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole saying he should not exaggerate his relevance to the Nigerian workers.

“Adams is a past which the movement wants to move away from and in which he insists on ensuring that we remain stuck in. He has over exaggerated his relevance to the movement and do not understand that Nigerian workers clearly demonstrated their rejection of him during the last May day in Abuja”.

That ought to have been a lesson to him, but he has not learnt it. We therefore call on Adams Oshiomole to refrain from his unwarranted attacks on Nigerian workers as the outcome may not be savoury.



Listen to the audio of his statement below:



Listen to NLC faction blast Oshiomole, threatens nationwide strike in two weeks by The Bell Times #np on #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/the-bell-times/nlc-faction-blast-oshiomole-threatens-nationwide-strike-in-two-weeks


https://thebelltimes.com/nlc-breakaway-faction-blast-oshiomole-threatens-nationwide-strike-two-weeks/

In order for teachers to be successful in management of classes and students, a Non-governmental organization, Educational Aid Global Initiative Edu-Aid of Covenant Christian Centre, is organizing a conference for teachers in the country.

The conference themed, “THE TEACHER REVOLUTION” is scheduled to hold on Saturday, 26th of August 2017 at the Covenant Place, Iganmu Lagos.

The conference aims for investment in recruiting, supporting, and empowering teachers that have been identified as a major key in realizing, Sustainable Development Goals, (SDG 4) which is the new global education goal that is at the heart of the Education 2030 Agenda.

Peace Bamidele Program Officer-EDUAID, said the program aim is to share best and current practices regarding mentoring, instruction and motivation of students for best possible outcomes.

According to her, “the is being organized to build capacity and strengthen competence through exposure to relevant information, vital skills and current teaching principles, styles and techniques. It is going to feature key speakers who have been experts in the field of education and teacher training for decades” he said.

“we intend to share best and current practices regarding mentoring, instruction and motivation of students for best possible outcomes and also is going to be a platform for teachers to interact, build networks and develop relationships that will advance the teaching profession”.

The indefinite strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Lagos State Polytechnic chapter has been suspended after sixteen days.

The union in a statement by the union General Secretary, Olayinka Uthman said the suspension is in line with court ruling.

According to the statement, “Dear Congress men and womenIn line with the court ruling and due consultation with the Union’s Counsel, the ongoing strike is hereby SUSPENDED” the statement read.

“Your Union will in due course call a Congress to discuss matters that arose from the meeting held with Deputy Governor and what transpired at the court”.

Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, had appealed to the striking workers suspend to suspend the strike embarked upon on August 1, 2017.

The Special Adviser on Education to Lagos State Governor, Obafela Bank-Olemoh in a statement issued, said the court ruling by Justice F.I. Kola-Olalere on Tuesday ordered the striking unions back to school.

He said the state government took the agitating staff unions of the institutions to court after their refusal to halt the industrial action in the interest of students while the Ministry of Education explored an enduring solution to the lingering crisis.

The statement by the SSA state that the Unions filed a Statement of Defense and preliminary objection on Friday 11/08/2017.

According to him, “Hon. Justice Kola-Olalere adjourned the hearing of the preliminary objection by the defendants to Wednesday, September 27, 2017, and directed the parties involved to explore amicable resolution of the issues before the adjourned date in line with the provision of section 20 of the NIC Act, 2016,” the statement added.

Bank-Olemoh also said the Akinwunmi Ambode administration recently increased the monthly subvention of State tertiary institutions and has always paid staff salaries promptly.

But the striking workers in a counter statement by the General Secretary, Olayinka Uthman, seen by Bell Times, said government is not serious about resolving the issue.

According to him, “We wish to let the general public know that the Government/ Management did not push for the withdrawal of the case as agreed with the Deputy Governor, which is a clear demonstration of consistent breach of trust and flagrant disregard to constituted authority who have great interest in search for lasting industrial peace and harmony” the statement read.

“Though the court appealed to us in the interest of the students, he also judge made it vehemently clear that if by 27th of September 2017 when the preliminary objection will be entertained, if amicable resolution is not forthcoming, the Union can go back.

It will be recalled that the three Staff Unions of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) embarked on an Industrial Action on the non-payment of arrears consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS( 15 Migration scheme which the government said was not in Line with the provisions set out by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2009.


https://thebelltimes.com/laspotech-strike-asup-suspend-strike/

Isaac Oyewunmi, the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Lagos State university chapter, says the union would not allow the university educational system be killed by government.

Oyewunmi said this in a telephone interview with channels TV sunrise daily, yesterday.

He also said the government budgeting six percent for education expenditures in the country’s budget is shameful.

According to him, “the items listed in the agreement, must be provided before we go back. The theatrics of the government need to stop, this is 2017” he said.

“we will not join in the politics to kill our universities, just as we watched why the ruling class killed the public primary and secondary schools. We won’t allow the university system go this same wrong path”.

“It is a shame that we have six percent of our annual budget expenditures for education, while more than 12 percent lunch, so it is a shame. The Nigerian University system is dying and we need to revive it”.


https://thebelltimes.com/ASUU-strike-will-not-allow-government-kill-public-universities-lasu/

Court calls for dialogue

The indefinite strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Lagos State Polytechnic chapter has been suspended.

The union in a statement by the union General Secretary, Olayinka Uthman said the suspension is in line with court ruling.

According to the statement, “Dear Congress men and womenIn line with the court ruling and due consultation with the Union’s Counsel, the ongoing strike is hereby SUSPENDED” the statement read.

“Your Union will in due course call a Congress to discuss matters that arose from the meeting held with Deputy Governor and what transpired at the court”.

Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, had appealed to the striking workers suspend to suspend the strike embarked upon on August 1, 2017.

The Special Adviser on Education to Lagos State Governor, Obafela Bank-Olemoh in a statement issued, said the court ruling by Justice F.I. Kola-Olalere on Tuesday ordered the striking unions back to school.

He said the state government took the agitating staff unions of the institutions to court after their refusal to halt the industrial action in the interest of students while the Ministry of Education explored an enduring solution to the lingering crisis.

The statement by the SSA state that the Unions filed a Statement of Defense and preliminary objection on Friday 11/08/2017.

According to him, “Hon. Justice Kola-Olalere adjourned the hearing of the preliminary objection by the defendants to Wednesday, September 27, 2017, and directed the parties involved to explore amicable resolution of the issues before the adjourned date in line with the provision of section 20 of the NIC Act, 2016,” the statement added.

Bank-Olemoh also said the Akinwunmi Ambode administration recently increased the monthly subvention of State tertiary institutions and has always paid staff salaries promptly.

But the striking workers in a counter statement by the General Secretary, Olayinka Uthman, seen by Bell Times, said government is not serious about resolving the issue.

According to him, “We wish to let the general public know that the Government/ Management did not push for the withdrawal of the case as agreed with the Deputy Governor, which is a clear demonstration of consistent breach of trust and flagrant disregard to constituted authority who have great interest in search for lasting industrial peace and harmony” the statement read.

“Though the court appealed to us in the interest of the students, he also judge made it vehemently clear that if by 27th of September 2017 when the preliminary objection will be entertained, if amicable resolution is not forthcoming, the Union can go back.

It will be recalled that the three Staff Unions of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) embarked on an Industrial Action on the non-payment of arrears consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS( 15 Migration scheme which the government said was not in Line with the provisions set out by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2009.


https://thebelltimes.com/laspotech-strike-asup-suspend-strike/

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Proffesor Pat Utomi and other Nigerians bags I am Nigeria Awards in Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

I AM NIGERIA Initiative held a memorable and profoundly appreciative dinner and awards ceremony at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. 

At the opening event, Sir Victor Okwuadi of I AM NIGERIA Initiative also stressed that  the organization unshakably believes in the great people of Nigeria and that the organization believes in giving honor to whom honor was due and that was the  theme in action at the the dinner and awards night . 

Some of the Awardees are: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Prof. Pat Utomi, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Engineer Greg Ogbeifun, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, Dr. Dare Mark, Dr. Ayo Adegboye, Titus and Tobias Igwe, Chude Jideonwo, Comrade Ahmed Ojikutu and many more.

Nigeria political class and every successive government, starting from Olusegun Obasanjo, killed the Nigerian educational system.

ASUU strike timing may be bad, but it is known that the political class for selfish and greedy reason knowingly sabotage the development of public education in Nigeria.

The characters of the elites in Nigeria, had always been for the poor to remain poor. To be subservient and gullible.

They got successful with the public primary and secondary education, now there next step is to cripple the Polytechnic and university education system.

Their actions of destroying the education system was successful in some part of the north.

They know education is power and its the reason they had and will always strive to block and plug where the citizenry will be able to get quality education that would transform into Knowledge.

The current problem faced by the Nigerian education system was championed by former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

The establishment of Bell University by baba, gave impetus to others, to toil the same line and even those without the required funds to establish school, engaged in what has become a culture amongst Nigerians.

The man, who now is gallivanting round the country, talking about peaceful co-existence, restructuring, becoming anti-corruption fighter in the National Assembly; himself when with the mantle of leadership, supervised the gradual destruction of education.

The Nigerian public primary and secondary schools which were once a glory to all, now is more of a pig abode; as funds meant for schools have been Channeled by people like the grandstanding master for personal use.

If care ain’t taken and if the citizenry does not stand up against the political elites and government lack of interest towards public education, then quality education for citizenry who can’t afford the outrageous tuition fees, won't be possible.

When achieved, the grandstanding and ostentatious master, couple with those who stole funds meant for public education to establish elites schools would become happy over their achievements.


Shehu Bello Olayinka is a graduate of Mass Communications from Lagos State Polytechnic.
He can reached at Olayinkashehu@gmail.com, Twitter.com/ShehuBello

The bomb dropped on North Korea by the Americans during the Korean War, was more than the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima that killed hundreds of thousands by the same Americans.

North Korea lost more than a million citizen to the war.

Technically, the Korean War is still on. It didn't end on a mutual or on friendly agreement, but on armistice forced on both parties by the United Nation.

Don't blame the North Korea in it entirety for wanting a nuclear weapons. America has always renegade on agreements signed for peace to reign in the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea is suspicious of America presence in South Korea. There is a belief within North Korea hierarchies that America build up of military equipments and soldiers, actually not for countering the growing influence of China, but a plan invasion of North Korea for the purpose of forceful reunification of the two Korean State, Headquartered in Seoul that would be subservient to Washington.

The Chinese Angle

China is a major obstacle to the two Koreans finding a lasting solution to the crisis plaguing the two Korean State.

It is a known and indisputable fact, that having a United Korean State, would spell problems in multiple forms for the Chinese in the region.

Meanwhile, North Korea is a country with only four nuclear war head, while the United States is worth more than to 6000 nuclear war head that can strike anywhere in the world.

Those actors in North Korea are not that stupid or clueless. The said attack on Guam would not occur. Everything is just all talk.

The North, has been able to rebuild their country from scratch after the mass destructions of it land carried out by the Americans during the war and fighting a war now would only send them back to the days when they were under the rule of the Japanese.

Shehu Bello Olayinka is a graduate of Mass Communications from Lagos State Polytechnic.
He can be reached at Olayinkashehu@gmail.com, Twitter.com/ShehuBello

Residents of Igando and Ikotun Local Government Area, last week Monday staged a peaceful protests over the epileptic power supply faced by the community, since 2012 at the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company, Ikeja Lagos.

The residents who in their large numbers, paralyzed the activities of the company; as it blocked the two main entrance gate of the company.

The community claimed it had been lied to by staffs of Ikeja Electric on number of occasions that the company is working on finding a solution to the problem.

It also said the incessant power outage faced by communities in the area, is the reason why militants and kidnappers have found a home in the area.

The residents were with placards with inscriptions like: we are not animals, give us light. Ikeja either you give us light us remove us.

The residents in a letter sent to Managing Director of Ikeja signed by Comrade Oladele Hunsu, Chairman protest committee made available to Bell Times, state that the community has been paying without enjoying electricity for years.

According to the letter, “it is highly imperative and extremely crucial to reiterate the fact that over the years we have been paying because we never enjoyed your service in any of our communities. We have been battling with crazy or outrageous bills couple with epileptic and paralyzed electricity supplies”.

“of course there is likelihood to human endurance, and we instructed our people not to continue paying for services we never enjoyed in order to register our dissatisfaction on on the subject matter. Instead of your company to fulfill all the promise made to us since November 14th, 2015 and find solutions to the problems of very poor power supply/total blackout in our communities, you decided to dissociate us from electricity supply leaving our communities in total darkness”.

“This has resulted in various social vices such as vandalisaton, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, harassment and Molestation etc. today we are here to say enough is enough and in order to avert breakdown of law and order that accompanies darkness, as law abiding citizens of our country, on behalf of our kings, Baales Chiefs of various Communities like we demand the replacement of all vandalized cables within our communities, breaking of Akesan Feeder into, immediate restoration of electricity supplies to our communities, discussion on the modalities that will foster cordial relationship between your company and our people, scrapping of all unconsumed accumulated crazy bills and the enforcement and implementation of existing agreements between IE and the communities” the letter read”.

A resident, Comrade Olabode Olaolu in a chat with Bell Times, said the issue of electricity supply in the community has been ongoing since 2012.

“we have been on this since 2012. I gave birth to my child five years ago and I can’t say he has enjoyed electricity for a full whole day and also some few month back, I also gave birth to another child and it is the same situation” he said.

“we all know how this country is right now, powering generator is not that cheap anymore unlike those days and people also need electricity to run their business are also badly affected by the actions of IE”.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZHyyoTEO1s


https://thebelltimes.com/video-ie-fraudulent-company-igandoikotun-residents/

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Lagos State Polytechnic chapter says the agreement reached between it and the government over the implementation of the ASUP/Federal Government Agreement of 2009 which has not been fully implemented is the reason it’s on strike.

The union in a statement signed by the General Secretary, Olayinka Uthman, said the strike embarked on by the union, would continue until government implement the agreement.

According to him, “we wish to categorically state that the Unions are pursuing legitimate issues supported by document. The document titled resolutions reached by the state government with the three unions at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, dated Friday, 31st December, 2010 and signed by Adesegun Ogunlewe Head of Service (Representing LASG), O.T. Arowolo- ASUP, LASPOTECH Chairman, A.J. Ogungbayibi- NASU, LASPOTECH Chairman and H.B. Tairu- SSANIP, LASPOTECH Chairman” he said.

“According to the document, (i) that Lagos State Government has agreed to implement the ASUP/Federal Government Agreement of 2009; (ii) that the financial aspect of the agreement shall commence in January, 2011; (iii) that the Lagos State Government would increase the polytechnics subvention by 25% while the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) OF THE Polytechnic would complement the balance; (iv) that the Lagos State Government has agreed that the accrued arrears from 1st July,2009 to31st December, 2010 shall be paid through the Polytechnic IGR; Etc. with this, the noise that the CONTISS 15 is yet to be domesticated is put to rest”.

“It will also interest the general public to know that, the immediate past Rector of the Polytechnic constituted a committee on the migration to CONTISS 15 and revised NBTE Scheme of service in the Polytechnic headed by the then Deputy Rector (Admin.), now the current Rector- Oluyinka Samuel Sogunro. The committee via a report dated 6th June, 2014, reference CIC 16 signed by Sogunro and other six members submitted, for the sake of sustainable peace to ensure (sic) a conducive atmosphere for teaching and community service, the committee recommended the option of salary point to salary point of Nineteen Million, Seven Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Nine Naira (N19,718, 559,00) over and above the present wage bill of the Polytechnic for implementation in the Polytechnic”.

“Subsequent upon Sogunro led committees report to the Management of Lagos State Polytechnic, the then Rector, Dr. Abdulazeez A. Lawal through a letter dated 11th September, 2014, referenced REC/MEPB/027C/IX/016 to the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget with specific prayers amongst which was, (b) seeking approval for the adoption and implementation of the NBTE Migration to CONTISS 15 Circular and new Scheme of Service with a monthly financial implication of Two Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Six Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighty Naira (N236,622,708,00)”.

“In May 2016, the Polytechnic received a letter referenced SAE/HED/S.7/Vol.T/53 and duly signed by the current Special Adviser on Education- Obafela Bank-Olemoh with the title, payment of newly approved monthly subvention”.

The letter partly reads thus, In part fulfilment of the pledge of the Governor, His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode to reposition all the State-Owned Tertiary Institutions, he approved the upward review in the Institution’s monthly subventions as a measure to improve their fiscal profile. To this end, His Excellency has graciously signed-off the payment of N210,000,000,00 (Two Hundred and Ten Million Naira) only monthly, as the new subvention rate of your Institution with effect from June, 2016”.

“For proper financial moderation based on our discussion on debt profile reduction. N30m (Thirty Million Naira), representing not less than 50% (fifty percent) of your Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) should be dedicated to settling monthly the debt profile of N2,778, 549,846,21 (Two Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight Million, Five Hundred and Forty- Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty- Six Naira Twenty-One Kobo) only.General bail-out is not envisaged for now until appreciable level of monthly debt reduction is attained.

The LASPOTECH subvention was raised from N153, 731,200 (One Hundred and Fifty Three Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty One Thousand, Two Hundred Naira) to N210, 000000.00 (Two Hundred and Ten Million Naira),(N55 million- Fifty Five Million Naira difference), with the caveat that backlog of outstanding debts must be settled. Sogunro led committee claimed that the difference of Nineteen Million, Seven Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Nine Naira (N19,718, 559,00) monthly would be required to migrate the staff”.

“Ironically, on 19th September, 2016 through a letter referenced REC/SAE/025/IX/133, while the staff were yet to enjoy the implementation of the CONTISS 15 migration despite the increase in subvention since June 2016, Sogunro led administration was already requesting for additional funds. it may interest you to know that our monthly salaries, wages and pensions amount to N229,401,307.00 which is higher than the new monthly subvention of N210,000,000. To make up for this shortfall , the sum of N19,401, 301 is required monthly as augmentation,it is our prayer that the directive of setting 50% of our IGR for debt settlement be waived at least for now”.

“We want to state unequivocally that:
We don’t have any issues with the Lagos State Government or the person of the amiable Governor- Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on the CONTISS 15 arrears
We are fighting for a legitimate reason as enshrined in the National Board For Technical Education, NBTE letter referenced C/TEB.608/VOL.1/287”.

“Lagos State Government has made provision for the arrears vide SAE/HED/S.7/Vol.T/53, therefore Lagos State Government is not owing LASPOTECH Staff”.

“There is availability of spendable funds to the tune of N249,000,000 (two hundred and forty nine million naira) accrued from the Polytechnic IGR and excess monthly subventions from LASG to offset part of the arrears. This information is contained in the report of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education’s fact finding committee that was signed by the LASPOTECH Management and Representatives of the Unions in July 2017”.

It was earlier reported that the National Industrial Court struck out the motion Exparte by the Lagos State government against the lecturers, ordering staffs to resume immediately.


https://thebelltimes.com/laspotech-strike-persist-asup/

By, Femi Owolade

Part 1

The notion of humanity was first developed by the Greeks when, in the 5th century BC, they conceived mankind as a group defined beyond gender, race and class, by a characteristic common to all human. To the Greeks, that characteristic, which held humanity together was ‘reason’. This idea was further developed by the Romans in the 1st century BC who added virtues, such as sympathy towards others and kindliness, to the Greek’s conceptualization of humanity. Thus, since Greco-Roman antiquity, to be human has meant one thing: being civilised, i.e., having good habits, and governing one’s life rationally. One was not born human. One had to become human, through the indoctrination of attributes such as good habits and through the liberal disciplines that during the Italian Renaissance (14th-16th century AD) came to be called the ‘humanities’.

About 500 years after the Renaissance period, by the year 2039 AD, the concept of humanity- and the world as we know it- will be buried in the sands of time. Gone will be halcyon days when our specie aimed to be ‘human’. Instead, after decades of unprecedented technological advancements, homo sapiens will be posthuman; a transformed being whose basic capacities greatly exceeds those of the past human. Our transhumanism would not have been possible without the development of sophisticated technologies, cohering for the benefit of man, in a system called the ‘internet of things’.

In the 1900s, the internet was created by people, for benefitting and unifying people. It became the digital fabric woven into the lives of every human, changing the world and the way people interacted.

By the early 2000s, a new type of internet followed, poised to change the world again. This new form of internet didn’t connect people, it connected (non-living) things, and thus the name: the internet of things. Under this new system, like the internet of people allowed people to share their experiences with other people (e.g. on social media), things/objects will be able share their own experiences too. How will this work? You take things and give them the 5 senses, enhance their ability to taste, touch, hear, smell and see; and there, you have things interacting and collaborating with each other, for the benefit of human beings.

The internet of things will change the way we do things; from how we drive, to how we buy items and even how we pick clothes in our wardrobe. Sophisticated sensors and chips will be embedded in things around us, each transmitting data- data that lets us understand how things cohere to work for us.

By the 2020s, our planet will have 25 billion connected devices, so whether we are improving the level of production in a factory or monitoring our personal health, a single ‘internet of things’ platform will bring a set of devices together, and create a common language for these devices to communicate with each other. The platform to unify these devices will be known as ‘Lifebook’ (an imitation of the biblical ‘book of life’), owned by Mark Zuckerberg, who by this period will be the most powerful man on earth. Through Lifebook, Zuckerberg will pilot humankind into a new evolutionary epoch, a new world order, where nation-states will collapse and merge into a powerful e-government, led by Zuckerberg.

By 2039, Nigeria- united by a single religion, would have experienced a decade of unprecedented economic growth, romantic nationalism and scientific development (2020s), and thus will be the only autonomous and independent country- but our independence will have a caveat.

During the e-colonisation of earth and Lifebook’s establishment (2022-2037), Zuckerberg will coerce the Nigerian government into signing an agreement, in the year 2035, in return for the country’s independence. The agreement will ensure that the next Presidential election in Nigeria (2039) is conducted on the Lifebook platform, under the watchful eye of Zuckerberg.

To be continued…

Femi can be reached: femiowolade@gmail.com


http://thebelltimes.com/humanism-internet-things-nigerias-2039-presidential-election-science-fiction/

Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has described religion as intrinsically culture-phobic.

While speaking at the University of Benin eminent lecture entitled ‘Culture at Risk’, the professor linked the risk our African culture is facing to imposed foreign religion threatening our cultural existence.

Soyinka explained that culture is not simply about literature, but an amalgam of social practices such as theological, metaphysical and artistic materials.

He asserts that he does not preach and practice antiquated culture, rather, that culture is an accomplishment of the people and should diversify as against cultural relativism practiced by absolutists.

The professor lamented that foreign indoctrination have succeeded in pitching our own folks against our culture, by calling the traditional culture idolatry.

Devotional sculptures are being label as idol and burnt down in villages by indigenous Christian crusaders while the fanatical absolutist Islamic groups have continued to destroy relics from historic sites.

“Christian and Islamic excesses were not condemned in the process but traditional devotional materials suffer in the midst of it all. Adding to the problem is the prejudice and fierce bigotry indoctrinated by religious leaders where dissidents are blacklisted and persecuted in the name of infidel, blasphemy, and so on, with no room for criticism. The culture of religion has turned “kill-ture” and the argument has changed from “I am right, you are wrong” to “I am right, you are dead”.

Professor Wole Soyinka, in his speech, said that cultural relativism is a bi-product of decolonization; he explained that the mind is thoroughly colonized and can only be liberated by another enlightened and independent mind.

Removing and destroying ancient statues, and devotional sculptures is reducing humanity to abuse since these objects are part of human way of life, he said.

Soyinka advice that these neo-barbarians called religious extremists must know that cultural tolerance and deliberate acceptance of doctrine will enhance humanity’s progress.

http://thebelltimes.com/devotional-sculptures-called-idols-religious-extremists-wole-soyinka/

Acting President Yemi Osibanjo says it is wrong to claim one group is more corrupt as corruption can found everywhere.

He said this during the Institute for Security Studies seminar themed: Unity in Diversity, held at the DSS Training School, Bwari, Abuja.

The seminar was also attended by Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and DG, DSS Lawal Daura.

The acting president media aide,Laolu Akande in series of tweet, also said the country is greater having every groups together.

According to him, “it’s a false narrative that nations formed the way ours was formed is bound to fail. The term mere geographic expression not original to Nigeria”.

“It’s also a false narrative one group is more corrupt than the other. Not so. If you look at a corruption charge sheet, there is unity you find all ethnic and religious groups equally represented in corruption. There’s complete unity in the business of corruption”.

“It’s also a false narrative that we are better off when ethnic groups are on their own. While different groups have strength we are better united and also not true that those who make marginalisation charges are altruistic. Often what they are saying is i am marginalised-‘appoint me”.

Osinbajo also advised the citizenry to shun all narratives which foment trouble and create divisions and embrace those that unite.

“It’s a mistake to think hate speech is freedom of expression and we should not allow it. ‘What we must do as a people is that we must respect each other & not allow anyone to speak anyhow, Government must and will ensure protection of life & property. President Buhari has said this duty of protection is first duty of government. So we’ll ensure our security agencies know that & equip them for capacity and we must approach social justice seriously”‘

"This is why our single budgetary item is N500B social investment Prog. It’s an empowerment not poverty alleviation. We must deal with corruption, its the single worst evil Nigeiar has experienced & lastly we must promote unity".


http://thebelltimes.com/false-narrative-say-one-group-corrupt-osibanjo/

NwaAmaikpe:



Gosh!!
This man still looks so young.

Maybe that's why he keeps sacrificing his family members for rituals.

I'd say that baby's mother is a fool for inviting such an occultic man with ill luck to her daughter's birthday.

I would have said you are stupid, but I see no reason on doing that, as your comment shown the kind of person you are.

I don understand, what is the stone meant for?

A 10-year-old boy, Michael Hassan Ajetunmobi, who
was among the survivors of the recent Lagos Island building Collapse is in serious need of financial assistance.

According to facebook user, Kehinde Rhoda Akinrinmade, the primary five boy student, who just passed his common entrance examination is said to be in need of money for drugs for one of his leg affected by the collapsed building before doctors could carry out operation.

“pls MICHAEL Needs help for an INJECTION worth 12000 naira for Morning and Night also another 3500naira till he can feel LIFE in his right foot COS the Doctor says it might affect his HEART before his OPERATION…… pls help push till it gets to d right People”.

Her post: Update on MICHAEL ONE OF the Occupant of Carena Collapsed Building in Lagos island #Remember Michael in ur prayers also pls MICHAEL needs money for ONE OF HIS LEGS, I Was told he has not been feeling LIFE in that leg since the day he was brought out, he just been strong, he is in pain pls donate for Michael and as u do GOD will reward u in Abundance Amen.

Speaking with Michael tonight gave me hope that he will Rise again and walk with his two feet Amen.

I showed Michael and the Mom the Video when he was brought out, the Mom cried, I cried and also Modupe the lady in the Video with me, she looked for my number, left home and also made me drive down to check on MICHAEL, I must say a Big Thank u to everyone asking me to go check up on MICHAEL, My Facebook Family, Instagram and people also willing to help ….

I Present to u our Warrior he fought for his life underground, under the Debris for 15hours, he kept saying “The Lord is My Shepherd ” ….. pls MICHAEL Needs help for an INJECTION worth 12000 naira for Morning and Night also another 3500naira till he can feel LIFE in his right foot COS the Doctor says it might affect his HEART before his OPERATION…… pls help push till it gets to d right People.

Michael’s graduation was suppose to be The Wednesday before the Incident happened on Tuesday he is 10years old, he passed his Examination from Pry 5 to JSS1, Michael Hassan Ajetunmobi is a son of an Hairdresser and a Policeman.


http://thebelltimes.com/boy-10-survive-lagos-island-building-collapse-need-helps-photovideo/

The country seem to be heading to a point of no return.

No, Nigeria will not change, not this year, not next and not even in the next 20-years as it has shown that those planning to take over from the current breed of greedy politicians, shares same mentality with the cretins in Abuja and other government offices situated in each State.

I refuse to accept and acknowledge that every being inhabiting this country is corrupt, but accept that majority of Nigeria populace as it stands are corruption personified.

This is no country for sane individuals. Every happening keeps on surprising and each day I tend to believe, those coming generations, my millennia won't be different from those currently destabilising Nigeria with their stupid, greedy and self-centered attitude.

Each opportunity to make things better or someone tries to make a change, he or she get shout down by the same people who have been at the receiving end of bad governance.

How and why majority of the people became blind to the ludicrous and obnoxious characters daily exhibited by Nigerian politicians beat my imagination.

Every single Nigerian is a political animal. Every single thing that makes... feel sane, has been eroded and sent to the gallows.

The story of opolo eyes came, with revelations of her stealing billions of dollars, and you still have some poverty stricken people supporting her, even though, their life is the way it, just because of people like Opolo eyes.

Whatever the politicians are doing, certainly is working, they have been able to make Nigerians useless and also being able to shrink the thinking faculty of the citizenry.

No. Nigeria corrupt political elites are not the major problem, but the people who watch doing nothing, while selected corrupt million send them to the pit of poverty.

Nigeria is in a (man made) recession and Ex-Governors and their deputies are raking billions from pensions, while those who serve the fatherland, are still being owed. Again, you have some Nigerians supporting them.

Nigeria politicians are the most corrupt and inhumane being residing in this planet. Callous, greedy and infused with a character that will shock Jesus Christ himself.

A legal luminary, Dr. Kole Abayomi, SAN, says the country is in need of moral constitution as it is the only way for it to attain greatness.

Dr. Abayomi, said this during seventh edition of the Professor Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN, organised by the department of law, University of Lagos, at the school main auditorium.

According to him, “there are many things going on in this country, compounded by the fact that the economy of this country is no growing” he said.

“It is in focus that we discuss where we go from here. To my mind, we have gone through a lot of conferences and constitution: from Littleton to Macpherson and to the one that granted self governance, to the state to the regions to the independence and Republican constitution. To the creation of more State and yet no one is satisfied, as there is a always a problem to be solve.

“To me it is not the amount of the number, or the contest of the constitution that is important, but it is the attitude of the citizenry to the constitution, after all Britain has no written constitution and for many years, they have manage to be balance”.

“Restructuring can be political, economical or financial and the problem will not be solve. what is important is the moral constitution. Reconstruction that will show humility, love, tolerance, accommodation and will obliterate the divine rights of a particular section to rule us and to continue to do this. That is moral realignment, absolute love, absolute purity, absolute accommodation and with that I am sure Nigeria will best for it”.

The guest Lecturer, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, in her presentation on ‘Restructuring Nigeria: Pros, Cons and Matter Arising’, said solving Nigeria political and economic problems is dependent on putting in place a strategy and structure that ensure ethnic tensions and rivalries are doused.

“Some have argued that the current six-geopolitical zones should be reconstituted into the Federating units of the country. I find attractive the thinking that Nigeria should devolve more power and responsibilities from the centre to the subnational units, as these units can be organized on a zonal basis to reflect the existing six geopolitical zone, with each zone having its own government and responsible for its own development, very much after the pattern of the regional system of the first republic” she said.

“Taking a cue from the Indonesia and Malaysia system, I think clear that the solution to solving our structural political and economic problems is dependent in putting in place a strategy and structures that ensure that ethnic tensions and rivalries are doused. And thus can only happen if the subnational units have sufficient autonomy and financial independence to enable them implement plans and programmes specific to their constituents’ development needs” she added.

http://thebelltimes.com/nigeria-need-moral-constitution-legal-luminary/

By, Shehu Bello-Olayinka

One thing that is missing and has hindered the development of Nigeria, that I have come to realise and accept is the non-existence of moral constitution.

The current optic and the Shenanigans being played out by some, has made me realise that even if the division or restructuring clamoured by some is to be achieved, the current maladies rocking country will still be what the different regions or State will still be dealing with. More agitators and secessionists will spring up within each regions and States.

We need to come to terms and look deep, beyond ourselves and move into the society before we can understand what actually is really wrong with the country.

Are the said one percent at the helms of affairs of this country not a product of society? What makes, Obasanjo, Atiku, Tinubu Buhari, clown Dino or Saraki different from the man on the street of Abuja or Anambra?

Nigeria is an insane country. I have seen first hand how my people behave like lesser beings in front of politicians, even when he or she is no different from them.

The Nigerian constitution is not the problem, but the citizenry attitude.

Every Nigerian is in need of attitudinal change.

One of Nigeria greatest product, Dr. Kole Abayomi, SAN, a legal luminary during the seventh edition of the Professor Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN, organised by the department of law, University of Lagos, at the school main Auditorium, opined that the citizenry of the country needs an attitudinal change.

Excerpt from his speech: “there are many things going on in this country, compounded by the fact that the economy of this country is no growing” he said.

“It is in focus that we discuss where we discuss from where we go from here. To my mind, we have gone through a lot of conferences and constitution: from Littleton to Macpherson and to the one that granted self governance, to the state to the regions to the independence and Republican constitution. To the creation of more State and yet no one is satisfied, as there is a always a problem to be solve.
To me it is not the amount of the number, or the contest of the constitution that is important, but it is the attitude of the citizenry to the constitution, after all Britain has no written constitution and for many years, they have manage to be balance. Restructuring can be political, economical or financial and the problem will not be solve another reconstruction or reconstitution what is important is the moral constitution”.

“Reconstruction that will show humility, love, tolerance, accommodation and will obliterate the divine rights of a particular section to rule us and to continue to do this. That is moral realignment, absolute love, absolute purity, absolute accommodation and with that I am sure Nigeria will best for it”.

The key point from that is the country has gone through a lot of restructuring and some still seem not to be satisfied.

Each restructuring embarked upon by Nigeria since independence, has come from agitations by some disgruntled and dissatisfied citizens.

If the division or the restructuring clamoured by some is to be achieved, then the same thing we are grappling with, will still be the same each State or region will be dealing with.

Nigeria is a corrupt country. It is even more worrying that the youths, are embracing and seeing nothing wrong in corruption.

Have we been able to correct the moral decadence and distrust that exist amongst us?

We shout and bark at the police when they tend not to perform their duties well, but refused to accept that the Nigerian policemen and women, are underdeveloped, under-funded and giving weapons used in world war one and two to combat crimes in a country like Nigeria.

Nigeria is now a crimogenic State, only because the populace allowed it.

Our educational and health system is in a comatose state, because the people allowed and gave thumbs up to a very fraudulent and self-centered former leader.

Even within the Igbo community, a high level of hatred and distrust still exist. Same as in other ethnic groups.

The Nigerian society is of a society that support and glorify criminals.

This is a country where a mother or father pushes his/her ward into prostitution or fraudulent activities.

We allowed and gave credence to stupidity and fatuous characters exhibited by Political elites.

We glorify and praise politicians inhumane character, and also smile and laugh with them whenever support induced by money is demanded from us.
No society develop on having half of the population with a mindset that success only comes with engaging in fraudulent activities.

No society develop when almost all it politicians are protégés of the Abrahamic faith said King of the underworld.

No country develop when government of the day tries working out a policy that would help in the development of the country and you have people due to ethno-religious sentiment and low-level thinking ability of the populace standing against it.

No County develop, when everything has been politicise.

No country develop when almost 70% of it population are actually still suffering from mental slavery.

As said by Gimba Kakanda in one of his articles, the same problems faced by South East is the same faced by other geopolitical zones.

The same political elites in the south east, are the same situated and residing in other geopolitical zones.

For the country to be better, it needs it citizenry to do away with coulrophobia, stand against those beast residing in every government houses, to start thinking critically and having a moral constitution in our society.

Only efforts of the citizens can save this country.


Shehu Bello Olayinka, is a political commentator, who reside in Lagos. A graduate of Mass Communication from Lagos State Polytechnic.

He can be reached @ Olayinkashehu@gmail.com, Twitter: Twitter.com/shehu, Facebook: Facebook.com/shehu.olayinka

The Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, has kick against handing over of teachers salaries payments to the Local Government Council under the planned autonomy for local government.

The union, on Friday staged a peaceful protest in Lagos during the National Assembly Joint Working Retreat on the Review of the 1999 constitution ongoing at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos.

The NUT National President, Micheal Alogba Olukoya, who spoke to newsmen said the union is against having primary education under local government authorities, as it has shown to work against primary education development.

According to him, “We are here to tell our lawmakers that primary school education should be giving a separate entity instead of putting them under the planned local government autonomy. We are here to say to autonomy if primary education will be put under local government. We are not against local government autonomy, but because of the fact that when primary education was under local government, it was not in a good state and we don’t want a repeat of that. We are here to intimate our lawmakers, that we want a reincarnation of national primary education commission” he said.

“Where that would not be let primary education be put under the state, we don’t the local government as we have had a lot of arguments and today is not a continuity of that, we just want to let them know that they are at the instance of the Nigerian people and if democracy is called a government of the people, we need let them know that they being here is hear the yearnings of the Nigerian people and we are saying no to primary education under the local government”.

The Lagos NUT President, Comrade Raheem Adesegun Abdulganiu, said the local government would only take primary education backward if placed under it.

According to him, “We are here to sensitize our lawmakers about this issue as we don’t want them to make Laws that won’t be accepted by the public and it is in relation to the autonomy of the local government, which we are not against but what we are saying is that salaries and allowances of teachers should be removed from the federal allocation getting to the Local Government from the federal government if the LGA will be granted. We have giving options, it is either we are giving to the Federal Government or the State government. We have witnessed the three scenarios before and when the primary education was with the local government, we knew what was going on then as the local government was the worst in terms of handling the primary school education.

“What we are saying is that salaries and allowances of workers, should be taken away from the local government. It is fact that local government as a tier of government cannot recruit workers above grade level six and the entry point for any teacher, is Nigeria certificate in education which is grade level seven and the implications of that is that no local government can employ any teacher. If government insist on it, we will make the process ungovernable for them, we will stand against it as it is anti-teacher and anti-people. What we are saying let autonomy be granted and salaries of teachers be removed. If it is removed as I see nothing wrong in that as it is a percent of their allocation and if removed should be taken to State or the federal government accounts” he added.

MWUN urge Government to set up Primary Health Commission

Meanwhile the National Vice President of Medical and Health Workers Union, Femi Adebisi, also present at the protest in a chat with newsmen said government should set up a primary health commission.

According to him, “If you look at the health system in Nigeria, you will notice that the teaching hospital are not everywhere or even State hospitals everywhere not to talk of general hospitals, but there is no village in Nigeria you don’t have a primary health center. So what we are saying is that, if there is going to be a local government autonomy we want a perfect health system at the grassroots whereby an average Nigeria can have access to primary health center” he said.

“What we are canvassing for is there to be a National primary health development agency, where primary health clinics will be operating from and should make the funding a first line charge for it”.

Responding to the protesting unions, Ahmed Lawan, majority leader at the at the Senate said their demands would be looked into.

According to him, “Primary education is very fundamental. So we understand what you are saying and understand your plight. And for your recommendations, we at the National Assembly are already looking at your request and I would urge you to continue to engage us and continue to tell us what you want” he said.

“I want to assure you that this national assembly is a responsible one and is always ready to listen to every Nigerians particular those at the production sector and you are indeed nation builders. So we are here to listen to you and convey your feelings and request and demands to our colleagues and leaders in this hall”.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fks_3CLk5H8

http://thebelltimes.com/video-nut-kick-funding-primary-education-local-government-council/

Prognose:


I read the whole thing.
You're not alone bro. The problems you're having is the same kind of problems married people have at this stage of their marriage. This is the setting limits stage. This is where you both draw the line on things you can tolerate and things you won't allow no matter what. This is the stage where you show the kind of man you are and your wife will likewise adapt as a woman. Your problem is nothing out of the ordinary that others in these phase of marriage have experienced.


You didn't see all these flaws in her initially because you were deeply in love with her then. You may have even noticed some of these things but pushed them aside. But now the euphoria of love have gone and both of you are seeing yourselves live and direct. It's not a new thing bros, trust me.

So she nags. Almost all women nag, some nag worse than others. It is kind of your job to be patient with her as the man. Pls try and control your temper, this is what will make you matured and will separate u from being a boy. When she shouts and talks ceaselessly find a way to leave the environment or ignore her, depending on the type u can do. Over time she will learn to control herself.
Her controlling herself and reducing her nagging and your not getting enraged to be slapping her shows that you are both coming of age in the marriage and are understanding each other and becoming mature.


Do you want her to go back to her job? Remember she is pregnant (for the first time) and in a delicate and scared state. She is quite vulnerable right now with the changes going on in her body. Your job at this time is to be as supportive as you can. I don't mean you should become her slave but try and give her more rope when she misbehaves. It gets worse at three to six months of age and then she should start returning back to normal.

Set a boundary for her father. The fact that he has cut the phone on you once is enough to piss you off. He's not married to her, you are. If he calls again tell him politely that this is your family and you have your own plans for your wife. If you don't have the mind to do this then u can just ignore him instead. This is your wife now, he should stop butting in.

Find a job for her to do, no matter how little. Also don't give up on yourself. Every married couple went through this stage, it is those that come out of it that last. If you break up now, what's to say in your next marriage u won't break up again at the first sign of difficulty. Your a postgraduate man, you should be more mature and patient bro.

Find an older married couple you can talk to for advice. Not online o. A respectable married couple or couples preferably from the generation before ours let them tell you what they've been through themselves. Marriage is hard work and the more work you put into it the sweeter it becomes.

Cheers bro.

Best advise

Me, I didn't receive any test. Pls add me to the WhatsApp group 08080991741

But seriously, but we should have out grown this backward mentality.

Has fulani herdsmen being labeled terrorists even after there action is same as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Useless morons