... ... 10/26/18 | IYANDA'SBLOG

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10/26/18

On-Air personality, Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, says Tiwa Savage and Wizkid displayed professionalism in their 'Fever' music video.

On Wednesday, Wizkid gave music fans an unexpected surprise when he released the visual for the hit single, which generated a lot of reactions on social media.

However, in his reaction to the video, which he posted on Instagram, Daddy Freeze wrote: "I think the video for #Fever is great. The chemistry is amazing. Wiz did a good job and so did Tiwa. Music is a profession; both were very professional. The video only served to give life to an already soulful masterpiece."

Entertainment News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has responded to the statement credited to Babatude Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, in which he said power will return to the South-West in 2023, if they re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in the 2019 presidential poll.

At a special town hall meeting on infrastructure, organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Orientation Agency, Fashola had called on the people of the South-West to support the second term ambition of President Buhari to ensure the return of power to the region in 2023. 

However, the YYC said such calls by the Minister should be disregarded.

However, a statement jointly signed by Eric Oluwole, YYC National President and Adeola Aderibigbe, the National Pubilicty Secretary, obtained by Sahara Reporters on Friday in Akure, called on the people to disregard the Minister's statement, noting that "they would strive to ensure they resist all the mistakes of the past".

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a vague promise by a former Governor of Lagos State and current Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola during the special town hall meeting organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Orientation Agency recently, advising Yorubas especially the youth to vote for the incumbent president, Mr Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election so as to enable power shift to the South West in 2023.

“We observe with consternation that Mr Fashola, who is a beneficiary of the social economic crisis [into] which the ruling elite has plunged the Nigerian youth, could start serving as an adviser at this critical period of our nation’s existence. Having been a beneficiary of democratic rule since 1999, we will not forget the level of corruption perpetrated by the Minister when he was Governor of Lagos State as leaked by his predecessor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on assumption to office.

“Yoruba youth also remember with consternation, the statements credited to Mr Fashola that Nigeria’s power problems could be fixed in six months. Three years of his reign, the Minister in charge of power has not solved our perennial power problems. We want him and his like, who are feeding Nigerians with propaganda from the seat of power, to know that the youth have learnt from history and will strive hard not to repeat the mistakes of the past in our resolve to revamp the economy of Nigeria.

"The same presidency Mr Fashola is promising Yoruba youth in 2023 is what the current Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige promised the South Easterners. Another attempt to perpetrate the ethnic division of the country? We want to say expressly that nothing can stop our collective resolve to ensure the restructuring of Nigeria in order to find solutions to myriads of problems facing our country.

“We again call on presidential candidates, who are committed to the restructuring agenda, to show commitment by signing an agreement document to ensure restructuring of Nigeria within six months of their assumption to office. Time has come to protect our future and the youths shall do all we can to decide the fate of the 2019 election without leaving a stone."

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has responded to the statement credited to Babatude Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, in which he said power will return to the South-West in 2023, if they re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in the 2019 presidential poll.

At a special town hall meeting on infrastructure, organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Orientation Agency, Fashola had called on the people of the South-West to support the second term ambition of President Buhari to ensure the return of power to the region in 2023. 

However, the YYC said such calls by the Minister should be disregarded.

However, a statement jointly signed by Eric Oluwole, YYC National President and Adeola Aderibigbe, the National Pubilicty Secretary, obtained by Sahara Reporters on Friday in Akure, called on the people to disregard the Minister's statement, noting that "they would strive to ensure they resist all the mistakes of the past".

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a vague promise by a former Governor of Lagos State and current Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola during the special town hall meeting organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Orientation Agency recently, advising Yorubas especially the youth to vote for the incumbent president, Mr Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election so as to enable power shift to the South West in 2023.

“We observe with consternation that Mr Fashola, who is a beneficiary of the social economic crisis [into] which the ruling elite has plunged the Nigerian youth, could start serving as an adviser at this critical period of our nation’s existence. Having been a beneficiary of democratic rule since 1999, we will not forget the level of corruption perpetrated by the Minister when he was Governor of Lagos State as leaked by his predecessor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on assumption to office.

“Yoruba youth also remember with consternation, the statements credited to Mr Fashola that Nigeria’s power problems could be fixed in six months. Three years of his reign, the Minister in charge of power has not solved our perennial power problems. We want him and his like, who are feeding Nigerians with propaganda from the seat of power, to know that the youth have learnt from history and will strive hard not to repeat the mistakes of the past in our resolve to revamp the economy of Nigeria.

"The same presidency Mr Fashola is promising Yoruba youth in 2023 is what the current Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige promised the South Easterners. Another attempt to perpetrate the ethnic division of the country? We want to say expressly that nothing can stop our collective resolve to ensure the restructuring of Nigeria in order to find solutions to myriads of problems facing our country.

“We again call on presidential candidates, who are committed to the restructuring agenda, to show commitment by signing an agreement document to ensure restructuring of Nigeria within six months of their assumption to office. Time has come to protect our future and the youths shall do all we can to decide the fate of the 2019 election without leaving a stone."

Elections Politics News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Students of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state, have called for the immediate probe and sack of the Dean of Student Affairs, Thomas Ojuye and the institution's Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Chairman, America Akpituren Mogbeiyishereje, over "abuse of office, gross misconduct and extortion from vulnerable students".

Some of the students, who spoke in confidence to SaharaReporters, alleged that "abuse of office, extortion and other forms of misconduct have become the order of the day at the office of the Dean of Students Affairs, especially when it concerns the issues of students bursary".

Narrating happenings in the school, one of the students, who preferred not to be named, said: "Few months ago, Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board was opened for application and there was a column provided for the Dean of Student Affairs, Mr. Thomas Ojuye, to sign. After the online registration, before final submission at the Dean of Student Affairs office, students were extorted in proxy. Again, the dean working in collaboration with the leadership of the Students' Union Government (SUG) and National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU) extorted us.

"The dean also extorted and abused his office by compelling students to pay SUG and NADESSTU dues of N1,000 and N500, respectively, three times as against the known and constitutional two times before our applications for the bursary were accepted. Mr. Ojuye and the ASUP chairman must be probed, and if found wanting, must be shown the way out of the institution. They 're too corrupt and deeply involved in sharp practices in the school."

Our correspondent reliably gathered that the institution's election of the National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU) held last week was characterised by extortion and manipulation by the Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Thomas Ojuye and the institution's Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP), chairman, Mr America Akpituren Mogbeiyishereje.

A final year student of the institution, who is well informed on the NADESSTU election, said: "The election was marred by irregularities, extortion, manipulation, threat and abuse of office by the Dean of Student Affairs, Thomas Ojuye and the school ASUP chairman. They schemed some aspirants out of the race against electoral norms and NADESSTU constitution".

Speaking on the NADESSTU election, a lecturer who preferred not to be named, said he was not happy with the outcome of the election, and also accused the Dean of Student Affairs and the institution's ASUP chairman of corruption.

He said: "The first undemocratic failed attempt carried out by Mr. Ojuye in a bid to scare away other aspirants was the publication of an undated memo for the purchase of nomination form for the NADESSTU election which breached Article (14 ) section 25(B) Viii which states that 'The position of the President and the Speaker is strictly for students with CGPA 2.50 point and above while other positions shall be 2.50 CGPA point and above'.

"But Mr. Ojuye's misconceived memo states that the position of the President is strictly for students with CGPA of 3.00 point and above as against the 2.50 CGPA point as stipulated in the constitution of NADESSTU. The Dean of Students affairs, Mr Thomas Ojuye, actually embarked on this unholy act after receiving a bribe of N500,000 from one of the presidential aspirants who is the only one that meets up with the said, demand but after series of warning he shamefully dropped idea.

"On his part, Mr America, ASUP chairman, an instructor in the Department of Civil Engineering, during the NADESSTU election threatened, coerced and intimidated tribal presidents and election delegates to vote for one of the president aspirants from his Itsekiri axis who is his anointed candidate. Mr. America was also said to have threatened that if the delegates did not vote for his candidate, their election delegates results will be tempered with." the lecturer said.

Following the development, the students have, among other things, called for the immediate probe and sack of Mr. Thomas Ojuye, Dean of Student Affairs, and the ASUP Chairman. They have also called for the set-up of an adhoc committee to re-conduct the NADESSTU election within the next 21 days, and the voting option should be by queuing to curb any malpractice that may be employed during the election.

Our correspondent gathered that aspirants and their agents were not allowed inside the venue of the election.

When contacted, Ojuye shouted on on the phone and boasted that he was untouchable. He did not deny nor confirm the story, while Mogbeiyishereje denied his alleged involvement in the election saga.

In another development, President of the institution Students Union Government (SUG), Timothy Ezie; the Secretary, Lucky Agelibe and the financial secretary, Brilliant Odio, were apprehended by men of the Ozoro police station  on a tip.

Our correspondent gathered that the three SUG officials had gone to the Unity bank in Ozoro, with a cheque book after allegedly forging the signature of the Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Thomas Ojuye, who is one of the signatories to the SUG account, to withdraw huge sums of money, and were apprehended and taken to the police station.

"The SUG president and two of his officials forged the signature of the Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Thomas Ojuye, and went to the SUG account at the Unity bank to withdraw huge sums of money. At the bank they were suspected and a call was placed to the Dean who denied them and they were arrested. But after over five hours in detention, the Dean came to the station and arranged for their bail to avoid escalation of the case because in the past, Dean has aided them to loot the union," one of the SUG members said.

Corruption News AddThis :  Featured Image :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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“All of you will prosper. That is the plan and purpose of the Buhari administration with the N10,000 Trader Moni collateral-free loans for two million petty traders in all states of the federation,” were the words of Nigeria’s Vice-President, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo as he addressed traders at the Gbagi market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, recently.

If anyone is in doubt as to exactly how the present administration expects to fulfill the promised change in the lives of millions of Nigerians, months before the next general election, look no further than Osinbajo’s N10,000 prosperity gospel.

Elections are the most interesting times in Nigeria; nothing else comes close. From gallivanting politicians campaigning with opposition hospital records, patronizing white-bearded first-lady endorsements, embracing hawkers at roadside corn-roasting spots, among others, to the crazed spree of defections and teary publicly and secretly-obtained election forms, there is no doubt that the build-up to the 2019 elections is poised for more interesting scenarios. The Ali Babas and Basketmouths should have overflowing baskets of ideas by now.

And then there is the religious angle. Between those who hide under the cover of dark to exchange white handkerchiefs for Ghana-must-go packages in Osun State, and some who would gladly sacrifice their honor on the bloody altar of ‘generous donations to the work of God’, all in the bid to satisfy political whims and caprices, it’s a scramble for bling crosses, miraculously threaded rosaries and parades on knees before clerics this season.

And don’t get us started on the prophecies!

For some reason, and sometimes quite unobvious at that, the APC’s approach to its 2019 intention to hold onto power for as long as possible is confusingly brazen. And who can blame the party? The goodwill it enjoyed prior to the 2015 elections declined faster than it could spell out the initial letters of its party, especially when there is the fear that the premise on which it tip-toed to wrestle power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — many simply voted for the next available popular candidate aside Jonathan — may just come around to also see them piggy-backed out of power.

With the daring thug-embracing risks in Osun in mind, should anyone flinch when the battle for the number one seat adopts a subtly religious approach?

Enter Alfa Buhari and Evangelist Osinbajo!

The best Nigerian alfas have peculiar attributes. Highly recommended by their faithful, every popular alfa usually comes across as clothed in a seeming sense of humility. Whether this is a true reflection of the alfa’s character is left to those who have encounters with them to decide. And don’t forget the major feature of the alfa’s entourage: his Chief Executive Interpreter (CIE).

You’ve seen them on TV, heard them on the radio, and in some cases, they have gone viral on social media. They are known for not caring what the world thinks of their messages, as long as they are in line with their conviction, which is usually based on personal interpretations of the doctrine. They're always on ground to interpret boss’ thoughts, and have the liberty to add a few sweet notes to the reported speech, as long as it makes the boss happy.

Backed by CIE Garba Shehu; CIE Femi Adesina, and how can we dare forget CIE Alhaji Lai, as well as a truck-load of others ready to defend his stand on any issue, there are many reasons to label Buhari an alfa.

From his sense of simplicity when it comes to style, his seeming aloofness to anything he wishes not to make his business — whether the country tumbles into a mass grave of smoking, malnourished corpses — and to his apparent sainthood even while surrounded by obvious sycophants and corrupt officials, Alfa Muhammadu Buhari (AMB) has proved over and over again that he could not be more ‘right’ for his current position.

And to crown it all, like all popularalfas, he has massive followership, especially many who are ready to die for him. One can almost say he is the perfect example of a living saint — no sarcasm intended.

The Nigerian alfa is all-encompassing. He is the founder, spiritual leader, among as many accolades as he can amass for himself, official or otherwise. He is most sought after — any surprise that the APC thinks parading a list of world leaders who have visited AMB is a feat?

And then there is this notion of sacrifice. Alfas, whether willingly or grudgingly, always want to give back, all in the bid to maintain this humility toga. And so, with all the emotion he could muster, 75-year-old Alfa Buhari offered to ‘sacrifice’ his most humble self to run for another term in 2019.

“Fellow party members, I am taking this step with all humility, sense of responsibility and an unquestionable desire to serve and protect the interests of all Nigerians,” were the words of an obviously emotional Buhari, as he accepted the nomination and expression-of-interests forms purchased for him by the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN).

The forms cost a whopping N45 million, said to have been contributed by — according to the president’s spokesman on New Media, Bashir Ahmad — “a group of good Nigerians”.

But what can a simple preacher do? How many alfas have you known to refuse N45 million gifts?

And then there is Osinbajo and that Trader Moni missionary journey. While his boss is back in Abuja, basking in the throes of the N45 million gift, Evangelist Osinbajo is traveling around Nigeria, distributing N10,000 gospel tracts to traders whom the APC gods have decided to bless. Trader Moni has reached Lagos, Kano, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Kaduna, Delta, among others.

Let’s do something mathematically simple. In 2017 alone, not less than four million Nigerians lost their jobs, and it would be safe to assume a major percentage of that joined the Trader Moni target audience. And the Federal Government decides that the next big thing is to champion an N10,000 six-month borrowing cause?

While AMB handles the hustle and bustle that comes with the daily rigors of fellowship with leaders, receiving awards for jobs done and undone, maintaining a sense of calm even when things seem to be falling apart, dealing with NYSC and WAEC certificate sinners as he deems fit, among his many self-selected responsibilities, Osinbajo maintains his gently harried disposition in ensuring that two million people stake their bright future on a paltry N10,000. And there’s a T-Shirt too!

In an economy where the price of everything has almost doubled, there are owed salaries — one state where the N10,000 was distributed owed 17 months’ salaries — it would be safe to assume that the N10,000 would simply go into paying school fees, hospital bills, keeping PHCN greased for a while, among other things. The average trader has bills. And a N10,000 loan during election season is simply a gifted insult!

That this is coming dangerously close to the general election, however, the APC government spins it, is clear even to the blinded deaf. It’s N10,000 times 2 million voting thumbs of assurance (due credit to Davido) for the Buhari administration.

And who else to champion that ridiculous message of N10,000-Loan-Can-Make-You-Prosper than the Bible-trotting, sweet-tongued, good-natured Pastor (Professor) Yemi Osinbajo.

Somebody shout Halleluyah!

Politics Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Braheema Thompson Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2CHSogC

“All of you will prosper. That is the plan and purpose of the Buhari administration with the N10,000 Trader Moni collateral-free loans for two million petty traders in all states of the federation,” were the words of Nigeria’s Vice-President, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo as he addressed traders at the Gbagi market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, recently.

If anyone is in doubt as to exactly how the present administration expects to fulfill the promised change in the lives of millions of Nigerians, months before the next general election, look no further than Osinbajo’s N10,000 prosperity gospel.

Elections are the most interesting times in Nigeria; nothing else comes close. From gallivanting politicians campaigning with opposition hospital records, patronizing white-bearded first-lady endorsements, embracing hawkers at roadside corn-roasting spots, among others, to the crazed spree of defections and teary publicly and secretly-obtained election forms, there is no doubt that the build-up to the 2019 elections is poised for more interesting scenarios. The Ali Babas and Basketmouths should have overflowing baskets of ideas by now.

And then there is the religious angle. Between those who hide under the cover of dark to exchange white handkerchiefs for Ghana-must-go packages in Osun State, and some who would gladly sacrifice their honor on the bloody altar of ‘generous donations to the work of God’, all in the bid to satisfy political whims and caprices, it’s a scramble for bling crosses, miraculously threaded rosaries and parades on knees before clerics this season.

And don’t get us started on the prophecies!

For some reason, and sometimes quite unobvious at that, the APC’s approach to its 2019 intention to hold onto power for as long as possible is confusingly brazen. And who can blame the party? The goodwill it enjoyed prior to the 2015 elections declined faster than it could spell out the initial letters of its party, especially when there is the fear that the premise on which it tip-toed to wrestle power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — many simply voted for the next available popular candidate aside Jonathan — may just come around to also see them piggy-backed out of power.

With the daring thug-embracing risks in Osun in mind, should anyone flinch when the battle for the number one seat adopts a subtly religious approach?

Enter Alfa Buhari and Evangelist Osinbajo!

The best Nigerian alfas have peculiar attributes. Highly recommended by their faithful, every popular alfa usually comes across as clothed in a seeming sense of humility. Whether this is a true reflection of the alfa’s character is left to those who have encounters with them to decide. And don’t forget the major feature of the alfa’s entourage: his Chief Executive Interpreter (CIE).

You’ve seen them on TV, heard them on the radio, and in some cases, they have gone viral on social media. They are known for not caring what the world thinks of their messages, as long as they are in line with their conviction, which is usually based on personal interpretations of the doctrine. They're always on ground to interpret boss’ thoughts, and have the liberty to add a few sweet notes to the reported speech, as long as it makes the boss happy.

Backed by CIE Garba Shehu; CIE Femi Adesina, and how can we dare forget CIE Alhaji Lai, as well as a truck-load of others ready to defend his stand on any issue, there are many reasons to label Buhari an alfa.

From his sense of simplicity when it comes to style, his seeming aloofness to anything he wishes not to make his business — whether the country tumbles into a mass grave of smoking, malnourished corpses — and to his apparent sainthood even while surrounded by obvious sycophants and corrupt officials, Alfa Muhammadu Buhari (AMB) has proved over and over again that he could not be more ‘right’ for his current position.

And to crown it all, like all popularalfas, he has massive followership, especially many who are ready to die for him. One can almost say he is the perfect example of a living saint — no sarcasm intended.

The Nigerian alfa is all-encompassing. He is the founder, spiritual leader, among as many accolades as he can amass for himself, official or otherwise. He is most sought after — any surprise that the APC thinks parading a list of world leaders who have visited AMB is a feat?

And then there is this notion of sacrifice. Alfas, whether willingly or grudgingly, always want to give back, all in the bid to maintain this humility toga. And so, with all the emotion he could muster, 75-year-old Alfa Buhari offered to ‘sacrifice’ his most humble self to run for another term in 2019.

“Fellow party members, I am taking this step with all humility, sense of responsibility and an unquestionable desire to serve and protect the interests of all Nigerians,” were the words of an obviously emotional Buhari, as he accepted the nomination and expression-of-interests forms purchased for him by the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN).

The forms cost a whopping N45 million, said to have been contributed by — according to the president’s spokesman on New Media, Bashir Ahmad — “a group of good Nigerians”.

But what can a simple preacher do? How many alfas have you known to refuse N45 million gifts?

And then there is Osinbajo and that Trader Moni missionary journey. While his boss is back in Abuja, basking in the throes of the N45 million gift, Evangelist Osinbajo is traveling around Nigeria, distributing N10,000 gospel tracts to traders whom the APC gods have decided to bless. Trader Moni has reached Lagos, Kano, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Kaduna, Delta, among others.

Let’s do something mathematically simple. In 2017 alone, not less than four million Nigerians lost their jobs, and it would be safe to assume a major percentage of that joined the Trader Moni target audience. And the Federal Government decides that the next big thing is to champion an N10,000 six-month borrowing cause?

While AMB handles the hustle and bustle that comes with the daily rigors of fellowship with leaders, receiving awards for jobs done and undone, maintaining a sense of calm even when things seem to be falling apart, dealing with NYSC and WAEC certificate sinners as he deems fit, among his many self-selected responsibilities, Osinbajo maintains his gently harried disposition in ensuring that two million people stake their bright future on a paltry N10,000. And there’s a T-Shirt too!

In an economy where the price of everything has almost doubled, there are owed salaries — one state where the N10,000 was distributed owed 17 months’ salaries — it would be safe to assume that the N10,000 would simply go into paying school fees, hospital bills, keeping PHCN greased for a while, among other things. The average trader has bills. And a N10,000 loan during election season is simply a gifted insult!

That this is coming dangerously close to the general election, however, the APC government spins it, is clear even to the blinded deaf. It’s N10,000 times 2 million voting thumbs of assurance (due credit to Davido) for the Buhari administration.

And who else to champion that ridiculous message of N10,000-Loan-Can-Make-You-Prosper than the Bible-trotting, sweet-tongued, good-natured Pastor (Professor) Yemi Osinbajo.

Somebody shout Halleluyah!

Politics Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Braheema Thompson Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2CHSogC

Peter Claver Oparah

Predictably, the immanence of the 2019 general election is meeting Igbo in a serious quandary. The seriousness of that quandary is typified in the kind of inchoate double-speak and obfuscation that has hit Ohaneze; the self-styled foremost Igbo socio-cultural organization. Just recently, Ohaneze thundered that Ndigbo does not need the presidency of Nigeria but restructuring! It is good if that statement best captures the interests of the race and its restiveness since it found out it made a fatal blunder in 2015. Sure, if the generality of Ndigbo feel that they don’t need the presidency either now or forever, good for them and they should live with that decision. If they feel they need restructuring, that is equally good and they are free to go about it the best way they feel.

Last week, however, the same Ohaneze, caught in the duplicity of its hideous affinity to PDP, was to state that the choice of Peter Obi as the running mate to PDP presidential candidate for the 2019 election has addressed the marginalization of Igbo in Nigeria! Sho? Strange but true! In other words, a Vice presidential ticket from PDP trumps Igbo presidency in the calculation of the Philistines that call themselves Ohaneze? Expatiated further, a PDP VP slot stands to address the noisome distractions most Igbo have adopted against the country since PDP was shoved out of power in 2015? So is it that going by the most recent stand of Ohaneze, Igbo don’t care about Nigerian presidency so long as they hug the PDP Vice Presidential slot? In whatever form it comes, the Igbo are just okay with being given a PDP VP slot? Even in its doomed prospects, the Igbo are again ready to sink and swim with PDP because it gave them a Vice presidential ticket? So restructuring pales in significance to a PDP VP slot? That VP slot, from the double-speak of the PDP mercenaries that masquerade as Ohaneze, is far weightier than the Nigerian presidency? Wonders shall never cease!

In a recent well-received article, Ndigbo; As 2019 Beckons, I had tried to point to the Igbo the need to coalesce their interests under one united goal and present a common goal for the coming 2019 election bearing in mind that their political decision in 2019 will decide their 2023 fate as it concerns Igbo leading the country. I had warned them against taking such foolhardy decision they took in 2015, which birthed the noisome agitations and hate politics the Igbo are managing to recover from. I urged Igbo to retreat to their hearth (nkpuke), review their politics and actions till date vis-à-vis the Nigerian state, tell themselves the truth they had avoided telling themselves for decades weigh the larger options possible in Nigerian politics, drop their short-sighted predilection to Nigerian politics and come out with a viable decision for 2019. I had maintained that such decision should be either to support the APC, which wields power in Nigeria at present or continue their support for PDP, which for the whole 16 years never factored Igbo in their power calculus but which Igbo support so fanatically that they can elect to be happy babysitters for its dead cadaver. I told Ndigbo to be ready to live thereafter with the consequences of such decision and not seek the pulling down of the entire house when they are faced with the consequences of their choice, as they did after the fatal error of 2015.

By its drifting affirmations, it could be taken that Ohaneze had done this critical soul-searching before it first said that Igbo don’t need the presidency but restructuring and it could as well be assumed that a further soul-searching informs their latest decision that a PDP vice presidential ticket addresses their claim of being marginalized. So from this, it could be safely concluded that Ndigbo doesn’t need either the presidency or restructuring but a PDP vice presidential ticket? Did this decision factor the possible fate of Igbo if the PDP ticket loses in the coming election? Did they factor the possible effects such loss will do for the quest for Igbo presidency in 2023?

Going by the noisome and loud affirmation of several Igbo groups since the choice of Peter Obi as PDP vice presidential candidate, it could safely be assumed that Ohaneze is fully representing the Igbo opinion about 2019 election and it could be also assumed that Igbo will massively vote for the PDP in 2019. That is good and within their democratic rights to do so. It is also assumed that Ohaneze and Ndigbo have outlived the embarrassing naivety of 2015 to do a measured calculation of their strength and capacity to push through their interests in the intricate political chessboard of Nigeria both in and beyond 2019. Unlike in 2015 when they were done in by the naivety of the impregnability of incumbency factor, they should have received good tutorials on the hard realities and factors that decide the outcome of Nigerian elections since 2015 when the old paradigm they ignorantly clutched on collapsed.

But let not the Igbo seek to disturb the public peace if and when their political folly dawns again in 2019, as they did in 2015. Let the Igbo be prepared to live peacefully with their decisions after the results of the 2019 elections come out and not engage in the kind of embarrassing attitudes they adopted after coming to terms with the reality that they had cheated themselves by packing all their aces in one bus that crashed irretrievably in March 2015 against all well-measured advice.

And the consequences of Igbo wholesome vote for PDP in 2019 are not farfetched; To any average Igbo group including Ohaneze now blaring the flute for PDP; it is either Atiku wins with massive Igbo support or Buhari wins without huge Igbo support. In the event of the first option, Igbo will get the Vice Presidency, all their woes will disappear and they would be no more marginalized as they alleged they were  in Buhari’s three years, Atiku and Obi will restructure Nigeria to make Igbo land a land flowing with milk and honey, Nigeria will rotate in PDP’s glorious urn once again and Igbo will regain the tremendous advantages they claimed they enjoyed in PDP’s 16 years, which has made Igbo the most fanatical disciples of PDP today, Atiku will spend just eight years and hand over to Obi for a long eight years and the good times will go on and on. Of course, the psychological victory over Buhari who has the effrontery to defeat the Igbo Azikiwe in 2015 will be too sweet to miss. Most importantly, the Hausa-Fulani born-to-rule mentality would be put on the check as Obi would be the de-facto president. With Atiku suddenly christened a moderate Hausa/Fulani Muslim, indeed the much-neighed Christianization of Nigeria will dawn under his presidency. These look so good to justify Ohaneze and Igbo unflinching fidelity to PDP till eternity.

But in the event of the second option of Buhari and Osinbajo continuing beyond 2019, Igbo will continue to suffer alleged marginalization that started in 2015 and the war cry for Biafra will resonate in louder crescendo, the Islamization of Nigeria will continue. The hate politics that had simmered down with the prospect of PDP coming back to power, will rebind with greater fury, the Hausa Fulani will regain their temporarily suspended notoriety as the born-to-rule cows that are lording it on the highly educated Christian Igbo, the bedlam and Armageddon of the past three years will continue and Igbo will continually be targeted for extinction in Nigeria. Restructuring will now retake its prime position as the foremost interest of Ndigbo and not either the presidency or the newfound vice presidential ticket.  Of course, the prospects of Igbo getting the presidency in 2023 (of course Ohaneze says they don’t need it but rather they need the Vice presidential ticket of PDP) will become very remote.

These two scenarios are the exclusive creation of these Igbo who deigns it a divine mission to sink and swim with PDP, despite the fact that they are finding it so hard to articulate even one thing PDP did for Igbo in its sixteen years in power. Since they seem to be in the comfortable majority in Igboland going by the loudness with which they evangelize their mission, we might as well generalize the two scenarios as those of the Igbo, going to the 2019 general election.

So these are two clear choices, I believe, Ohaneze and the various Igbo groups that now noisily hawk the PDP gospel have weighed and have settled for the juicier choice. I wish them good luck here but they should prepare themselves for the outcomes, whichever way their choice turns up. It is either a return to the sweet, rosy PDP years or a continuation of their atrophy for the past three years. The choice is theirs but I hope that in the event of the second option, they would not seek to upturn the peace of other Nigerians because they elected to differ from them? I hope they will not restart the silly rant of Buhari this, Buhari that to show their sense of loss. I hope they will not restart a futile quest for Biafra after sinking their boat for a second successive time in four years. I hope they have done all the permutations before deciding to make their well-known and hugely predictable decision to engage in PDP’s gravy train again. I hope they are assured of the impregnability of their decision before the election.

The saying goes that thunder doesn’t strike the same target twice and I hope Ndigbo are not setting themselves up to break this record in 2019. Lest, one comes hurtling and charging that I am asking Igbo to vote APC and Buhari, that is not my intent. By 2015, they were able to clearly discern their electoral weight as to turn to such beautiful bride that every suitor can’t do without. I am however counselling Igbo to calculate well and think well the decision they take in 2019 as that stands to define what they get from the Nigerian polity after the exercise might have been concluded. I am only advising Igbo to behave themselves once the consequences of their 2019 decision dawns and not embarrass the race with the kind of reaction it took after the consequences of their 2015 decision dawned on them. I hope Igbo do not hope to eat their cake and still have it as they did when they nosily heckled about what Buhari gave or did not give them after they loudly rejected him in 2015. I am only counselling Igbo to weigh their options before taking any decision that may affect them after the elections have been won or lost. I am only counsel them to shine their eyes and keep their minds on it as they decide who to support in 2019 to avert the notorious record of thunder striking the same target twice in four years.  Whichever decision they eventually decide to take, I wish them good luck.

Peter Claver Oparah

Ikeja, Lagos.
E-mail: peterclaver2000@yahoo.com

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Peter Claver Oparah

Predictably, the immanence of the 2019 general election is meeting Igbo in a serious quandary. The seriousness of that quandary is typified in the kind of inchoate double-speak and obfuscation that has hit Ohaneze; the self-styled foremost Igbo socio-cultural organization. Just recently, Ohaneze thundered that Ndigbo does not need the presidency of Nigeria but restructuring! It is good if that statement best captures the interests of the race and its restiveness since it found out it made a fatal blunder in 2015. Sure, if the generality of Ndigbo feel that they don’t need the presidency either now or forever, good for them and they should live with that decision. If they feel they need restructuring, that is equally good and they are free to go about it the best way they feel.

Last week, however, the same Ohaneze, caught in the duplicity of its hideous affinity to PDP, was to state that the choice of Peter Obi as the running mate to PDP presidential candidate for the 2019 election has addressed the marginalization of Igbo in Nigeria! Sho? Strange but true! In other words, a Vice presidential ticket from PDP trumps Igbo presidency in the calculation of the Philistines that call themselves Ohaneze? Expatiated further, a PDP VP slot stands to address the noisome distractions most Igbo have adopted against the country since PDP was shoved out of power in 2015? So is it that going by the most recent stand of Ohaneze, Igbo don’t care about Nigerian presidency so long as they hug the PDP Vice Presidential slot? In whatever form it comes, the Igbo are just okay with being given a PDP VP slot? Even in its doomed prospects, the Igbo are again ready to sink and swim with PDP because it gave them a Vice presidential ticket? So restructuring pales in significance to a PDP VP slot? That VP slot, from the double-speak of the PDP mercenaries that masquerade as Ohaneze, is far weightier than the Nigerian presidency? Wonders shall never cease!

In a recent well-received article, Ndigbo; As 2019 Beckons, I had tried to point to the Igbo the need to coalesce their interests under one united goal and present a common goal for the coming 2019 election bearing in mind that their political decision in 2019 will decide their 2023 fate as it concerns Igbo leading the country. I had warned them against taking such foolhardy decision they took in 2015, which birthed the noisome agitations and hate politics the Igbo are managing to recover from. I urged Igbo to retreat to their hearth (nkpuke), review their politics and actions till date vis-à-vis the Nigerian state, tell themselves the truth they had avoided telling themselves for decades weigh the larger options possible in Nigerian politics, drop their short-sighted predilection to Nigerian politics and come out with a viable decision for 2019. I had maintained that such decision should be either to support the APC, which wields power in Nigeria at present or continue their support for PDP, which for the whole 16 years never factored Igbo in their power calculus but which Igbo support so fanatically that they can elect to be happy babysitters for its dead cadaver. I told Ndigbo to be ready to live thereafter with the consequences of such decision and not seek the pulling down of the entire house when they are faced with the consequences of their choice, as they did after the fatal error of 2015.

By its drifting affirmations, it could be taken that Ohaneze had done this critical soul-searching before it first said that Igbo don’t need the presidency but restructuring and it could as well be assumed that a further soul-searching informs their latest decision that a PDP vice presidential ticket addresses their claim of being marginalized. So from this, it could be safely concluded that Ndigbo doesn’t need either the presidency or restructuring but a PDP vice presidential ticket? Did this decision factor the possible fate of Igbo if the PDP ticket loses in the coming election? Did they factor the possible effects such loss will do for the quest for Igbo presidency in 2023?

Going by the noisome and loud affirmation of several Igbo groups since the choice of Peter Obi as PDP vice presidential candidate, it could safely be assumed that Ohaneze is fully representing the Igbo opinion about 2019 election and it could be also assumed that Igbo will massively vote for the PDP in 2019. That is good and within their democratic rights to do so. It is also assumed that Ohaneze and Ndigbo have outlived the embarrassing naivety of 2015 to do a measured calculation of their strength and capacity to push through their interests in the intricate political chessboard of Nigeria both in and beyond 2019. Unlike in 2015 when they were done in by the naivety of the impregnability of incumbency factor, they should have received good tutorials on the hard realities and factors that decide the outcome of Nigerian elections since 2015 when the old paradigm they ignorantly clutched on collapsed.

But let not the Igbo seek to disturb the public peace if and when their political folly dawns again in 2019, as they did in 2015. Let the Igbo be prepared to live peacefully with their decisions after the results of the 2019 elections come out and not engage in the kind of embarrassing attitudes they adopted after coming to terms with the reality that they had cheated themselves by packing all their aces in one bus that crashed irretrievably in March 2015 against all well-measured advice.

And the consequences of Igbo wholesome vote for PDP in 2019 are not farfetched; To any average Igbo group including Ohaneze now blaring the flute for PDP; it is either Atiku wins with massive Igbo support or Buhari wins without huge Igbo support. In the event of the first option, Igbo will get the Vice Presidency, all their woes will disappear and they would be no more marginalized as they alleged they were  in Buhari’s three years, Atiku and Obi will restructure Nigeria to make Igbo land a land flowing with milk and honey, Nigeria will rotate in PDP’s glorious urn once again and Igbo will regain the tremendous advantages they claimed they enjoyed in PDP’s 16 years, which has made Igbo the most fanatical disciples of PDP today, Atiku will spend just eight years and hand over to Obi for a long eight years and the good times will go on and on. Of course, the psychological victory over Buhari who has the effrontery to defeat the Igbo Azikiwe in 2015 will be too sweet to miss. Most importantly, the Hausa-Fulani born-to-rule mentality would be put on the check as Obi would be the de-facto president. With Atiku suddenly christened a moderate Hausa/Fulani Muslim, indeed the much-neighed Christianization of Nigeria will dawn under his presidency. These look so good to justify Ohaneze and Igbo unflinching fidelity to PDP till eternity.

But in the event of the second option of Buhari and Osinbajo continuing beyond 2019, Igbo will continue to suffer alleged marginalization that started in 2015 and the war cry for Biafra will resonate in louder crescendo, the Islamization of Nigeria will continue. The hate politics that had simmered down with the prospect of PDP coming back to power, will rebind with greater fury, the Hausa Fulani will regain their temporarily suspended notoriety as the born-to-rule cows that are lording it on the highly educated Christian Igbo, the bedlam and Armageddon of the past three years will continue and Igbo will continually be targeted for extinction in Nigeria. Restructuring will now retake its prime position as the foremost interest of Ndigbo and not either the presidency or the newfound vice presidential ticket.  Of course, the prospects of Igbo getting the presidency in 2023 (of course Ohaneze says they don’t need it but rather they need the Vice presidential ticket of PDP) will become very remote.

These two scenarios are the exclusive creation of these Igbo who deigns it a divine mission to sink and swim with PDP, despite the fact that they are finding it so hard to articulate even one thing PDP did for Igbo in its sixteen years in power. Since they seem to be in the comfortable majority in Igboland going by the loudness with which they evangelize their mission, we might as well generalize the two scenarios as those of the Igbo, going to the 2019 general election.

So these are two clear choices, I believe, Ohaneze and the various Igbo groups that now noisily hawk the PDP gospel have weighed and have settled for the juicier choice. I wish them good luck here but they should prepare themselves for the outcomes, whichever way their choice turns up. It is either a return to the sweet, rosy PDP years or a continuation of their atrophy for the past three years. The choice is theirs but I hope that in the event of the second option, they would not seek to upturn the peace of other Nigerians because they elected to differ from them? I hope they will not restart the silly rant of Buhari this, Buhari that to show their sense of loss. I hope they will not restart a futile quest for Biafra after sinking their boat for a second successive time in four years. I hope they have done all the permutations before deciding to make their well-known and hugely predictable decision to engage in PDP’s gravy train again. I hope they are assured of the impregnability of their decision before the election.

The saying goes that thunder doesn’t strike the same target twice and I hope Ndigbo are not setting themselves up to break this record in 2019. Lest, one comes hurtling and charging that I am asking Igbo to vote APC and Buhari, that is not my intent. By 2015, they were able to clearly discern their electoral weight as to turn to such beautiful bride that every suitor can’t do without. I am however counselling Igbo to calculate well and think well the decision they take in 2019 as that stands to define what they get from the Nigerian polity after the exercise might have been concluded. I am only advising Igbo to behave themselves once the consequences of their 2019 decision dawns and not embarrass the race with the kind of reaction it took after the consequences of their 2015 decision dawned on them. I hope Igbo do not hope to eat their cake and still have it as they did when they nosily heckled about what Buhari gave or did not give them after they loudly rejected him in 2015. I am only counselling Igbo to weigh their options before taking any decision that may affect them after the elections have been won or lost. I am only counsel them to shine their eyes and keep their minds on it as they decide who to support in 2019 to avert the notorious record of thunder striking the same target twice in four years.  Whichever decision they eventually decide to take, I wish them good luck.

Peter Claver Oparah

Ikeja, Lagos.
E-mail: peterclaver2000@yahoo.com

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The Atiku Presidential Organisation has said "the latest endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by The Economist Magazine" shows clarity of vision, compared to the "vague and empty promises" of the present All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The organisation also noted that the "endorsement puts to lies the recent ridiculous claims made by Lai Mohammed, that the international media is askance of the candidature of Mr. Abubakar".

The organisation disclosed this via a statement on Friday,

The statement read: "The latest endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, by the Economist Magazine, puts to lies the recent ridiculous claims made by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that the international media is askance of the candidature of Mr. Abubakar. This is the second endorsement in as many months by the world’s number one economic and policy magazine; an endorsement based on the clarity of vision and the detailed policies of the PDP’s candidate when compared to the vague and empty promises of the incumbent All Progressive Congress administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

"As the Economist rightly states, the issues in 2019 are 'popular frustration over the rise in joblessness and poverty (two of the biggest voter concerns) on Mr. Buhari’s watch, as well as growing insecurity in central Nigeria'. No other candidate has the capacity to address these challenges, like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, under whose watch as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, Nigeria had her highest growth in job numbers.

"Indeed, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, is poised to translate the significant success he has made in his private business empire to the public sector. This anticipation is responsible for the momentum he now enjoys in all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. For the past one year, Mr. Abubakar has traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria, selling his plans, vision and policies to Nigerians. Unfortunately, rather than do the same, the All Progressive Congress has focused on negative campaigning by slandering Mr. Abubakar’s past.

"We are not surprised by their actions. When a man’s future intimidates people, they focus on lying about his past because they cannot compete in the present. However, we thank The Economist for proving that no matter how far and fast falsehood has traveled, it must eventually be overtaken by truth.

"For now, we remind Nigerians that Atiku means JOBS. And by providing the atmosphere for Jobs, Opportunity, Being United (JOBS), Atiku Abubakar is ready to Get Nigeria Working Again."

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Members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) have debunked an allegation levelled against its members by the Nigerian Army that they are planning to invade and force their way into the 'Three Arms Zone' Abuja.

This was contained in a press statement issued on Friday, signed by the Spokesperson of the movement, Shuaib Isa Ahmad, in Abuja and made available to journalists.

The group described the allegation as baseless and unintelligent, adding that the public and occupants of the 'Three Arms Zone' are fully aware that the protest by the group was to demand the release of Shaikh Zakzaky who has been in detention since 2015.

The group said that there was no occasion its members make such attempt, adding that they are law-abiding citizens and would never engage in such unwholesome act.

The statement noted that the group had on several occasions submitted protest letters to the leadership of National Assembly and presidency and lawmakers have addressed them at the main gate of the complex.

The sect said that the latest allegation was a plan by the Military to attack Free Zakzaky protesters. The group vowed to continue with their protest to demand immediate and unconditional release their spiritual leader and his wife. 

"The people of this country and International community have earlier witnessed the invasion of the National Assembly by the Department of State Service (DSS) and now Military also did the same thing. We are calling for an independent investigation into the invasion of the Three Arms Zone by the Military personnel."

The Nigerian Army had issued a statement signed by Captain  HT TAGWAI, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, that the army got an intelligence report that mischievous elements may want to cause mayhem at the Three Arms Zone of the Federal Capital Territory.

 "Based on an intelligence report of an invasion by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (aka Shiite) to force their way into the Zone. Hence, Troops were deployed to forestall any breach of peace and security," the statement read. 

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A recent investigation by Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) based in Kwara State, has revealed the "state of shame" of public schools across the state.

The organisation visited more than 30 schools in the state including Ilorin Grammar School (IGS) Ilorin, Government High School (GHS) Ilorin, Government Secondary School (GSS) Ilorin, Mount Carmel College (MCC) Ilorin, Government Technical College (GTC) Patigi, Islamiyyah College Patigi and Taoheed LGEA Primary School, Offa.

The group observed that due to the negligence of the government, reputable schools that have produced a lot of important personalities in Kwara State have become the options for poor and vulnerable Kwarans, who cannot afford to pay the fees of private schools.

It also called on the state government to declare a state of emergency in its education sector.

A statement by ENetSuD coordinator, Dr. Abdullateef Ajagbonsi, noted that there is an urgent need to revamp the schools.

The statement read: “The deplorable conditions of the schools with dilapidated structures make them unhealthy for effective teaching and learning. The state government needs to prioritise funding of the state-owned schools and declare a state of emergency in the educational sector of the state."

Some of the schools visited include: Government Secondary School Ilorin, which is the first secondary school in the state. Founded in 1914, the school has produced important personalities like Senator Shaaba Lafiagi, a former Governor of Kwara State and Senator currently representing Kwara North; Honourable Ahman Patigi Bahago, House of Representatives member representing Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency, and Professor Sulyman Abdulkareem Age, the current Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin. Interestingly, three other former governors of Kwara State — late Col. David Bamigboye (1st Military Governor of Kwara State), late Governor Mohammed Lawal and former Governor Cornelius Adebayo — are alumni of the school.

Other schools visited include: Ilorin Grammar School, a school with more than 1,500 students, Government Secondary school Adeta, Mount Carmel College, Oloje, and Ansaru Secondary School, Ogidi. The body also visited Patigi Secondary School, Islamiyya College, Patigi and Government Technical College, Patigi, where it noted the dilapidated state of the schools.

In addition to infrastructural decay, ENetSuD also learnt that staffing is another major problem facing public schools in most communities of Kwara State outside Ilorin. In Patigi Local Government for instance, four schools — L.G.E.A Matokun, L.G.E.A Esun Dari, J.S.S Edogi Chapa and J.S.S Kpada have only five teaching staff members (as at January 2018), while Ragada/Likofu L.G.E.A Primary School, Siratal Mustaqim, L.G.E.A Gbaradogi, L.G.E.A Gudugi, L.G.E.A Chitta, L.G.E.A Ekati, L.G.E.A Wodata, L.G.E.A Edogi Chapa, L.G.E.A Ndanaku, L.G.E.A Bongi, LGEA Sakpefu, L.G.E.A Fey and L.G.E.A Echi Ewada have only four teaching staff members.

Also, Idris Gana Primary School, Patigi, Tswatagi, L.G.E.A Sunkuso, L.G.E.A Gbadokin, L.G.E.A Gbodu, Islamic Sunkuso, L.G.E.A Rifun, L.G.E.A Sheshi Tasha, L.G.E.A Mawogi, L.G.E.A Gada Woro, L.G.E.A Gada Bozuwa, L.G.E.A Mari, L.G.E.A Kpevun, L.G.E.A Chenu, L.G.E.A Kanworo, L.G.E.A Dakani, L.G.E.A Sanchita, L.G.E.A Rani Ndako, L.G.E.A Gbodonji, L.G.E.A Chenegi, L.G.E.A Dzako, L.G.E.A Sakpefu Islamic, L.G.E.A Egwa Mama, L.G.E.A Rogun, J.S.S Rogun and J.S.S Jahada-Deen have only three teaching staff members, while Edogi Kpansanako, L.G.E.A Ellah Edozhigi, L.G.E.A Gada Maaji Ndako, L.G.E.A Dina, L.G.E.A Gbangede, L.G.E.A Rani Woro, L.G.E.A Edogi Kpetia, L.G.E.A Dzwajiwo, L.G.E.A Kusogi, L.G.E.A Kokparagi, L.G.E.A Ebu, L.G.E.A Reshe, L.G.E.A Guluka, L.G.E.A Dobo, L.G.E.A Maagi, L.G.E.A Zhitswala, L.G.E.A Wako, L.G.E.A Latayi, L.G.E.A Mamba, L.G.E.A Koro and J.S.S Gada Woro have only two teachers.

Schools like Nomadic Kparumagi, Nomadic Rifun, L.G.E.A Agboro, L.G.E.A Lile, L.G.E.A Kakafu, L.G.E.A Gunji Sachi, L.G.E.A Gbafu, L.G.E.A Emiworogi, L.G.E.A Ezhigiko, L.G.E.A Eka, L.G.E.A Pati Wodata, L.G.E.A Duro, L.G.E.A Darulsalam Kpada, L.G.E.A Babogi, L.G.E.A Tsanban, L.G.E.A Sokingi, L.G.E.A Kpatagban, L.G.E.A Jida, L.G.E.A Gakpan, L.G.E.A Kajita, L.G.E.A Lusama, L.G.E.A Nomadic Latayi, L.G.E.A Nomadic Rogun, L.G.E.A Yagbagi, L.G.E.A Suku, J.S.S Kusogi, and J.S.S Sunkuso were all found to have just one teacher.

The statement continued: “How then is effective teaching and learning expected to take place in these schools, considering the grossly insufficient number of teaching staff? It is also quite worrisome that despite the large number of certified and qualified Kwaran graduates, who are yet to be gainfully employed and who could fill up the shortage of staff in these schools so as to promote the standard of education in the state and reduce unemployment, majority of public schools in the state still remained highly understaffed."

Although, the state government recently announced the employment of more than 1,850 teachers in the state, the CSO noted that it still has not addressed the current deficit of teachers in the state schools.

While responding to a query by ENetSuD, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Governor of Kwara State, explained through his official Twitter handle on June 29, 2018 that: “The state of this school is one of the reasons I have severally called for emergency reforms in the education sector. A country’s development trajectory is firmly subject to the range and quality of its educational system. As it stands, ours require reform urgently. States are expected to fund school infrastructure through matching grants from Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Currently, most states are unable to afford the counterpart funds to access the grants. Also, UBEC grants only cover primary schools and Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). How can we rehabilitate JSS and ignore Senior Secondary School classrooms? We need to reform UBEC to ease states’ access to the funds and expand its remit. That is a key way to address education infrastructure at pre-tertiary levels”.

While there have been efforts to redeem this with the construction of classrooms in various schools across Kwara State by Federal Government as part of the Zonal Intervention (Constituency) Projects nominated by the federal legislators from Kwara State, the consistent lack of maintenance culture by the state government on the already existing schools and their classrooms is "condemnable".

Although, the governor also claimed to have rehabilitated 400 blocks of classrooms at primary and secondary school levels across the state, the group further challenged the governor to use his security votes and revive the critical sector.

“Quality basic education is one of the things that must be provided by any responsible government, which will have direct impact on the lives of its people. We strongly recommend that the state government provide adequate budgetary provisions to address the infrastructural needs of the schools. Moreover, the state government should totally take charge of the infrastructural needs of the senior secondary schools, since the primary and the junior secondary schools have been covered by UBEC grants. This is calling on the Kwara State government to urgently declare a state of emergency in the educational system of the state,” the group said.

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Delta State workers, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have chastised Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President for pouring "encomiums" on Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State over workers-related issues in the state.

At a courtesy visit to the Governor in his office on Thursday, Wabba had referred to Okowa as a "labour-friendly Governor with unparallelled and unprecedented open-door policy".

He said: "Here, in Delta State, salaries are being paid as and when due, pensioners receive their pensions as and when due as well, and you have extended a lot of assistance to the local governments from the state coffers."

However, the NLC President's comments did not go down well with workers and pensioners in the state.

Vice chairman, Association Of Contributory Retirees (ACR) in Delta State, Anthony Osanekwu, expressed displeasure over the pensioners-are-being-paid-as-and-when due statement.

"How can the NLC President make such a statement when the state NLC chairman is fully aware of our predicaments. It is unfortunate. As I talk, we met yesterday and a letter has been sent to the state Governor and we copied the state Commissioner of Police, who prevented us the last time from carrying out a peaceful protest against the Governor and his government over the ill-treatment of pensioners in the state," Osanekwu said.

"We have always protested the non-payment of our entitlements and ill-treatment by the state government. We shall meet to review this statement of the NLC President. We are dying and suffering; pensioners in the state are not being fairly treated, but I can confirm to you that in a few days' time, we are embarking on a mass protest over the non-payment of all our entitlements."

An executive member of the Delta State chapter of the NLC blamed the statement of the NLC National President on the State Chairman of NLC, who misled him in the bid to curry favour.

"I am most pained about the pensioners' issue. We are all aware of the suffering being meted on the pensioners by the current state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. Times without number, retirees in Delta State under the umbrella of the Association Of Contributory Retirees (ACR) had embarked on a series of protests against Okowa over the non-payment of their entitlements.

"During those protests, the pensioners who are already aging accused the governor of embezzling all the tranches of the Paris Club refund and bailout fund released to the state by the Federal Government. It is very wrong of our state NLC chairman to mislead Wabba to say pensioners are being paid as at when due. The state NLC chairman and the secretary in connivance with Okowa's SA on labour, Okeme are those helping Governor Okowa to kill the state workers.

"The LGA salaries being owed workers in the state have not been cleared as promised by our governor. Till date, promotion arrears have not been paid to workers yet Okowa is busy releasing millions of Naira to people who paid him a courtesy visit and pour encomiums on him. I am pleading with Governor Okowa to learn from former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Workers are suffering and dying under Okowa's government."

A cross-section of workers in the state, who also reacted to Wabba's comments, questioned the parameters the NLC president used to base his judgement.

A civil servant, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: "NLC National President, Wabba, is not only a disappointment but a confused fellow who has been briefed how how to praise-sing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and get monetary rewards. It is a big disservice to Delta State workers for Wabba who knows nothing about the workers in the state to come and begin to praise the governor for taking good care of workers and pensioners. We workers in Delta state are suffering and smiling, especially the pensioners."

"Did the NLC National President ever bother to ask the Governor about the local government council workers, the teachers, and pensioners? It is only a sycophant like Wabba who is looking for favour that can praise Governor Okowa on the welfare of workers in the state. Wabba is a stupid man, rubber stamp NLC President. Common minimum wage, he is finding hard to fight, only to come to Delta State to praise Okowa," another aggrieved civil servant stated.

A primary school teacher, who did not want to be named, lamented the comments of the NLC President, saying: "I am surprised at Wabba's statement which is at variance with the reality on ground in the state. Maybe he took some substances before the visit on the Governor".

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The Peoples Demcratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to show proof of his "vaunted integrity" by presenting his academic credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to Punch, Buhari had stated via an affidavit presented to INEC that all his academic qualifications as filled in his presidential form APC/001/2015 "are currently with the Secretary of the Military Board" as of the time of the affidavit.

However, a statement on Friday by Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP National Publicity Secretary, said the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC) "must realise that even their followers that were beguiled in 2015 are currently not prepared to accept 'NEPA bill' as WAEC certificate in the 2019 elections".

The statement read: "The PDP charges President Muhammadu Buhari to show proof of his vaunted integrity by presenting his academic documents, if he has any, to INEC to put an end to his certificate saga.

"The PDP also urges President Buhari to fulfil his obligation like other presidential candidates, instead of bugging the commission with affidavits.

"The PDP said while its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has submitted his educational and other relevant documents to INEC, President Buhari is rather seeking ways to short-circuit the system, instead of complying with set rules.

"Indeed a situation where Buhari has been dodging the certificate issue issue raises huge questions of integrity, which demands that he makes available his credentials, or apologise to Nigerians, if he has none, so that the nation can move ahead.

"PDP maintains that integrity strictly demands that President Buhari, particularly as the commander-in-chief, writes to the military authorities directing them to forward his claimed credentials to INEC, as requisite evidence of compliance with a key requirement for election into the Office of the President, under section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

That President Buhari and the previous INEC succeeded in circumventing the law in 2015 does not make such acceptable in our current electoral process.

"Moreover, President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) must realise that even their followers that were beguiled in 2015 are currently not prepared to accept 'NEPA bill' as WAEC certificate in the 2019 elections."

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The Peoples Demcratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to show proof of his "vaunted integrity" by presenting his academic credentials to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to Punch, Buhari had stated via an affidavit presented to INEC that all his academic qualifications as filled in his presidential form APC/001/2015 "are currently with the Secretary of the Military Board" as of the time of the affidavit.

However, a statement on Friday by Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP National Publicity Secretary, said the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC) "must realise that even their followers that were beguiled in 2015 are currently not prepared to accept 'NEPA bill' as WAEC certificate in the 2019 elections".

The statement read: "The PDP charges President Muhammadu Buhari to show proof of his vaunted integrity by presenting his academic documents, if he has any, to INEC to put an end to his certificate saga.

"The PDP also urges President Buhari to fulfil his obligation like other presidential candidates, instead of bugging the commission with affidavits.

"The PDP said while its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has submitted his educational and other relevant documents to INEC, President Buhari is rather seeking ways to short-circuit the system, instead of complying with set rules.

"Indeed a situation where Buhari has been dodging the certificate issue issue raises huge questions of integrity, which demands that he makes available his credentials, or apologise to Nigerians, if he has none, so that the nation can move ahead.

"PDP maintains that integrity strictly demands that President Buhari, particularly as the commander-in-chief, writes to the military authorities directing them to forward his claimed credentials to INEC, as requisite evidence of compliance with a key requirement for election into the Office of the President, under section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

That President Buhari and the previous INEC succeeded in circumventing the law in 2015 does not make such acceptable in our current electoral process.

"Moreover, President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) must realise that even their followers that were beguiled in 2015 are currently not prepared to accept 'NEPA bill' as WAEC certificate in the 2019 elections."

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I am a strong advocate for the unity of churches in Nigeria. This much I have highlighted in many forums in recent times. I am of the opinion that the church has a critical role to play in the entrenchment of good governance in any given society, Nigeria inclusive because everyone desires and talks about a change in Nigeria. Our church leaders have the responsibility to lend their voice to the issues of corruption, injustice, impunity and other ills in the land.
 
This brings me to the critical issue at stake. The role of the church in the build-up to the 2019 elections. News has been making the rounds on how some religious leaders have allegedly compromised by receiving a massive amount of monies to work against the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the general elections in 2019. If this is not worrisome, to say the least, it goes a long way to tell how some Christian leaders are using religion to cause disaffection and enrich their pockets, and at the detriment of good governance in Nigeria.
 
While it remains a rumor that monies have indeed exchanged hands, it indeed raises a red flag on the activities of the church in recent times. In my opinion, supporters of ostentatious and obviously manipulative men of the cloak are quick to put the critics in check by quoting “touch not mine anointed” lines ostensibly to show that men of “God” are above reproach and as such “lesser” men have no right whatsoever to criticize or condemn perceived wrongdoings of these high men of “God.”
 
But they are wrong. How, you might want to ask? When a man of God decides to align with interest because he had been “motivated” means that he has deviated and as such he is no longer an “anointed” and the biblical instruction in Psalms 105:15 that states "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm." Does not apply to he/she.
 
Having stated the above, it is also appalling on how some men of God have been feeding fat from the rot in the system and are therefore opposed to the leadership style of President Muhammadu Buhari. They forget that they are meant to be role models to members of their congregation. They also forget that in the book of Philippians 1:27, it stated that “only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” can this be said of those men of God receiving gratification from politicians?  Your guess is as good as mine.
 
I am somewhat troubled that a segment of the church has towed this ungodly path that would eventually lead to destruction, and ignoring the fact that under President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria has experienced tremendous growth. They also in their wisdom even feign ignorance of how liberal minded the president is, and how he has been able to hold the country together despite the avalanche of challenges confronting it.
 
This much can be confirmed by the recent visit of the revered Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Justin Welby to Nigeria. Also, the relationship of President Muhammadu Buhari with other Christian clerics in the country punctuates any narrative those that have their hands soiled wants the members of the unsuspecting public to believe. The president is not a religious fanatic. He is by far a liberal-minded individual for those that have interacted closely with him. This much I can vouch for.
 
At this point, I must add that it is time for the church leadership in Nigeria to rise to the challenge of contributing its quota to nation building by identifying with those whose integrity and commitment to the political, social and economic advancement of Nigeria are their lot. President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed demonstrated his responsibility to the three above mentioned areas. So do the religious leaders have a choice not to identify with him?
 
The vice president, Yemi Osinbajo interestingly is a member of the fold and one who has also shown that unalloyed commitment over time. He has been able to prove doubting Thomas’s wrong that everyone in government or anyone that gets into government would be consumed.
And if the country has such as its leaders at the moment, I see no reason why a segment of the Christian community would agree to sell their conscience for a plate of porridge.
 
I dare not say that the church is for sale in Nigeria. The church can never be for sale. The church must take its rightful place in entrenching good governance by lending its voice to the common good of humanity. It must also admit and embrace the positive inroads the Buhari administration has made in the socio-economic development of the country. The focus should be and remain on how to move the country forward. This much is the desired from all and sundry in Nigeria. The church is inclusive.

Akogwu wrote from Bodija, Ibadan.

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