What is Poison?

Ayo its poison, ecstasy, coke
You say its love, it is poison
Schools where I learned they should be burned, it is poison
Physicians prescripting us medicine which is poison
Doctors injecting our infants with the poison
Religion misunderstood is poison

The World has come to understand poison to mean a substance which is taken into the human body that is considered dangerous to the body and could lead to fatality. According to the definition put forward by Encarta dictionary it is a toxic substance: a substance that causes illness, injury, or death if taken into the body or produced within the body, it also defines it as negative influence: something that exercises a powerful destructive or corrupting force, especially in an insidious way. It is on this second definition that i would like to give an elaborate analysis.

The human at birth gets into a society but the first point of call is the family. The human being at infant is born with a tabular Rasla: a clean slate whereby he knows nothing other than the basic knowledge of crying for food, sleeping and defecating. The family has the responsibility of imputing the new baby with the norms and cultural beliefs that they (the family members) have held. This forms the ingredients of the make-up of the baby, which eventually leads to who he becomes as an adult and what he represents.
Everything can be poison to the man, even the principles which guides his life. Religion misunderstood is poison simply because what this does to him is that there will be wrong application of the tenets of the religion he claims to follow, Such as extremism, fundamentalism, and intolerance for religious belief of other people. The World has come to understand that water as important as it is becomes poison the moment it is too much and overwhelming...drowning in the river or sea.
The kind of education which enslaves us instead of liberating us is poison! The man of today no longer seek to pursue the values which gives respect to the human being and the development of its race. The form of education which exist today emphasizes the need to pursue the things which relegates the human being to mere animals in the jungle who are basically always fighting for survival! That is POISON!.
Man ought to live a healthy life which seeks to further the course of humanity, which is LOVE for the next person available. Enough of selfishness and a change towards selflessness.
The most important to understand that moderation in life is key, because the wrong consumption of any phenomenon is ...POISON! 

Americans voted, the world decided!

The world witnessed again why the United states is considered to be the country with the ideal model of democracy. Elections is one of the major elements of a democratic state, and which strengthens the institutions which are embedded in such a state. Elections all over the world has been known to generate so much controversies, hatred, malicious campaign messages and negative portrayal of candidates and their parties to the electorates who have the decisive power of their votes to determine who gets to hold the office.

The elections in the U.S in this last term was adjudged as the most expensive ever in the history of the country, with Mitt Romney campaign team raising and spending the most amongst the candidates, even surpassing that of the incubent president’s team. That is not what is obtainable in most parts of the world most especially Nigeria where the dividing line between the funds of the campaign team of the incubent and the state funds is highly divided in favour of the incubent, thereby suggesting that states funds must have been diverted for the purpose of election campaigns of the public office holder.

The Americans spoke and decided on whom they preferred to lead them for the next four years, but it was not only the white Americans who decided the world at large did!  Just as CNN would always air, that Americans decide, the impact is on all of us ( the world at large).Although the question is now who is an American? Historically, the red indians are considered to be the real natives of what is today known as America. The Whites from Europe overran them and thereby became the new owners. There were slaves from Africa, which are so much and are just over forty years of being recognised as equal citizens with the white Americans.There are hispanics who are by the day growing in influence in American politics. The breakdown of the elections voting pattern statistics reveal that the old white conservative Americans no longer solely determine who the U.S will be.

How does the total number of votes break down by race in 2012?

White voters-72 percent

African American -13 per cent

Hispanic -10 per cent

Asian 3 -per cent,

White 39 per cent for Obama, 59 per cent for Romney

African American 93 per cent Obama, 6 per cent Romney

Hispanic 71 per cent Obama, 27 per cent Romney

Asian 73 per cent Obama, 26 per cent Romney.

Any individual anywhere in the world who craves for equal opportunity, respect for fundamental human rights, demcratic governance and respect for institutions and supremacy of the constitution is an AMERICAN!. I am American because of those values, not neglecting the country of my birth though, but rather wishing that the leaders of my country would care-less about their selfish interests and think of how to better the lives of her people.

CBN’S INCOSISTENCIES IN MONETARY POLICIES

The Central Bank of Nigeria is constitutionally saddled with the responsibilty of ensuring the economic growth of the country through the policies it introduces. Overtime different CBN Governors have come with different policies they believe will aid the enhancement of the economy, some have been effective while others turned out to what could be termed “policy somersault”.

Sanusi-led CBN have introduced series of policies which one could say have left the banking industry unstable. He came up with the idea of the enforcement of the use of the coins a couple of years back, but Nigerians did not buy into that idea. Sensitization of the public was high, the threat of prosecution was made for those who refused to accept the coins as a medium of exchange, banks were made to force people to accept these coins across the counter when people went to banks for withdrawals, all these did not work. Then, again came the banning of the spraying of the naira notes, people still did not adhere to the law.

The announcement of the advent of the 5,000 naira note and the changing of the five, ten,twenty naira notes to coins was received by Nigerians with mixed feelings. Some of the arguments against the change of these naira notes currencies to coins include- most commodities would now be raised to the price where naira notes would be their sole medium of exchange. This automatically leads to inflation worse than the country is experiencing presently. Some have argued that 5,000 naira note would further aid corruption and bribery on a large scale. It is believed that it would now be easy for politicians to engage in the act of bribery because large sums of money can be moved around with without much hassles. It contradicts the cashless policy earlier embarked upon. While some proponents have compared Nigeria with a country like Germany which has high denominations like that, saying that it is not new.

It is expected of the CBN to carry out a survey on the acceptabillity and workability of any policy it wishes to introduce. It is meant to consider the pecularity of the Nigerian society, and fashion out what is applicable within the Nigerian economic system. If comparisons are being made with Germany, it is a very wrong comparison because the German economy is a manufacturing one while the Nigerian economy is a consuming one, which goes to show that ingenuity is needed to be able develop policies which would be relevant within the Nigerian context.

By now, the CBN should have an idea of how people think by virture of the failure of the re-introduction and enforcement of the coins a couple of years ago. Where is the nexus between the cashless policy and the introduction of 5,000 naira note? I would advice the CBN to be consistent with her policies as this ensures confidence of investors in the economy, which encourages stable economic growth and development.

WHEN THE TEACHERS ENGAGE IN EXAM MALPRACTRICES

Everyone in the country finds it convinient to say that Nigerian graduates are unemployable, making the efforts of most graduates unappreciated going by the unconducive learning environment that the average Nigerian student has to contend with. Even those who should be held responsible for this precarious situation shamelessly make this insinuations and no one seeks to hold anyone responsible.

The maxim which says that ‘teachers have their rewards in heaven’ has been eroded and deservedly too, but do they really have their rewards on earth since waiting for heaven is too long? Of course I am writing about teachers in Nigeria and the way they are renumerated, trained and empowered to discharge their duties efficiently and professionally. I witnessed an era whereby teachers were respected and even though were not rich, were of high quality and standard. Teachers were as important as parents based on their level of influence on the life of their students.

About a month ago, Lagos state conducted promotional exams for grade level 9 and 10 teachers, and I happened to be an invigilator, the average age of these teachers were 40years and by that fact some of them were old enough to be my mother. At the inception of the examination which was slated for one and a half hours, one man who looked to be in his late forties or early fifties beckoned on me and asked me to co-operate with them and that they had an envelope prepared for me, I told him, I did not understand what he was talking about and then he went further to make me understand that my invigilation should be one that would allow them use chips, I told him that it was against my religious belief, and he looked really frustrated. During the exams I siezed two chips brought in by two women (one of them looked old enough to be my mother), they had them hidden under their skirts. I had a hard time stopping and curtailing their communications in the class. At the end of the exams, one of them accosted me and offered me the envelope as earlier promised, but I bluntly refused and she could not believe her eyes, because I was young and my outlook gave the impression of one who should compromise.

It is an unfortunate situation here because there is a saying which goes thus ‘when the foundation is weak, what can the righteous do’?. The teachers are meant to be the foundations of the society, while the children be the righteous who depend on what virtures they are indoctrinated with to shape their lives. Now that we have teachers ready to cheat to pass their promotional exams what will students that they teach do? Will they be different from what they see their teachers do? Where are those teachers who taught  that honesty is the best policy? Teachers should know that their profession is a fundamental one.

WHITHER THE MENTORS OF NIGERIAN YOUTHS

“Yomi”, did you hear about the bribery scandal involving Hon Farouk Lawan and oil magnate Femi Otedola?,I answered and said  “I heard ooh”, but I trust Farouk Lawan, he can not be involved in such, he is one of few trustworthy lawmakers I have followed his progress in the House of Representatives since the inception of the fourth republic, “aw”, I do not trust anyone, but my husband not even you!. This was a conversation which ensued between a sister and I, some days after the news of the bribery scandal broke out. After the conversation, I was forced to religiously follow the story and make sure I got the facts as they are being revealed.

As a youth,desirous of being a leader with a difference, in the murky waters of the Nigeria political landscape.I had always look out for young politicians, who exhibit traits of great and selfless leadership we most times read about but are unable to find in our society.When I see resemblance of good leadership I tend to follow the progress of the individuals.

Farouk Lawan, an eloquent and brilliant lawmaker, who had over the years showed traits of confidence, independent mindedness,consistency and sense of purpose. He impressed me the most with the role he played during the furniture saga of Nigeria’s first female speaker of the House of Representative, Patricia Etteh, he was a member of the Integrity Group which championed the course of the call on the speaker to resign. He is one of those who seemed different and outstanding, who did not behave as if he was craving for power, and then the bombshell! The news boke Farouk had been indicted by Femi Otedola of demanding for bribe put at an amount of 620,000 USD!.

Our nation has a fast growing population with a significant number of naïve young population. Unfortunately, the adult population is not any better, being schooled by a system which in theory has rules and laws but in practice is mediocre and keeps its product below their potential.

This condition has brought about a disconnect between the older and the younger generations, with the latter considering the former irrelevant in the “scheme of things”, and the former observing with contempt, a teeming population of misguided and largely unproductive youth, who are following the same path that they treaded without the desired result.

This is where we need mentoring. Mentors are needed in various spheres of life. According to the encarta dictionary 2009, a mentor is someone usually  older and more experienced,who advises and guides a younger, less experienced person. A second definition says ,a mentor is a senior or experienced person in a company or organisation who gives guidance and training to a junior collegue. I would like to apply the latter definition within the context of mentoring in leadership and representation of citizens in a country

I and some of my collegues while at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as undergraduates serving as Students Union officers were selfless and idealistic believing that there could be sanity and decorum in public service.This made most of us look up to young and successful politicians, some of those we looked up to include Ghali Na’aba, Frank Nweke Jr. Smart Adeyemi,Abike Dabiri,Dino Melaye,Femi Fani-Kayode and some others not mentioned here. It should be noted that almost all these people we have tried to look up to have been indicted in one corrupt charge or the other.my question is this,why can’t we have these people standing tall and impeccable?

Some would say to me that Farouk Lawan is yet to be proven guilty by a competent court of law, I would respond thus, at first Lawan said that he did not see any money,24hours later,his statement was different.This act shows a level of culpability on his part in this quagmire. A lawmaker who spoke to a Punch newspaper correspondent said that members were pained by the fact that it was Lawan who went to Otedola’s hose to collect the money .My comment to that is; so it is public knowledge that he visited Otedola’s house, he is not an sss official or an undercover agent who carries out investigations of this nature, his investigative powers have been defined by the Nigerian constitution which he had aleady exercised through the oil subsidy probe panel.

He claimed that Otedola’s companies (synopsis enterprises limited and zenon oil)be expunged from the list based on the fact that the two companies were not on the pms scheme,with this move of his, I do believe that it was a result of the bribe received that led to his move for motion of amendment of the list,which the House unanimously agreed to based on his ability to convince other members.He further went on to state that he had given the money to Mr Adams Jagaba who is Chairman of the House committee on drugs narcotics and financial crimes.My question is, why did he not go to the law enforcement agency? why did he remit the said money to Mr Jagaba? The end to this saga is not in sight and am secretly wishing my earstwhile mentor is exnorated ,but i would rather prefer that justice is served or seen to be served.

The sad story is who will the youths look up to for leadership mentoring? will the youths be smarter fraud and corrupt representatives and public officers? Are they expected to change from the status quo of self enrichment through public treasuries?,Leaders and public figures should know that they have proteges in different parts of the country who try to emulate their lifestyles and make heroes out of them.

We will not give up,we will pray, work, fight, educate, enlighten, persevere, critique,protest,rally occupy until the desired Nigeria is in sight.If the living leaders will not avail themselves the opportunities of being mentors then we will turn to the dead by studying their leadership styles.We will be the change we crave for!.

YOMI AKINSOLA

FLOODED UNILAG or MAULAG?

These are flooded lecture rooms of UNILAG.The flooding was as a result of rain that fell in the month of may 2012.These pictures were taken in order to highlight the unconducive learning environment of the only metropolitan University in Nigeria.These anomalies should have been the focus of the Federal Government of Nigeria instead of name change of the Institution.

This is one of the lecture rooms in the faculty science.captured by Yomi Akinsola.

Ojodu-Berger:Resurgence of old Oshodi

These pictures gives a description of how this axis is becoming the popular oshodi before the clearing done by the present Governor of Lagos.No one ever thought Oshodi could be cleared,and people who knew Ojodu-Berger did not think it could become this crowded!...Pictures taken by Yomi Akinsola.

Economic effect of Boko Haram attacks

This is the popular mile 12 market in Lagos state,Nigeria.A basket of tomatoes in this market cost #3,000 three months ago,it is now in the range of #20,000 and #25,000.Questions were asked as what was the cause of this astronomical increase,the response given by these traders was that the insecurity problems in parts of northern Nigeria led to what is now being witnessed.
It was said that the traders found it difficult freely accessing the farms were they get these perishable goods,and so they go in groups to get products on one of their members farms, one after the other,thereby taking more time and more expenses than it was before to get to their farms.
And now,everyone is bearing the brunt of this situation.

EGUNGUN be careful!

Mr Doyin Okupe(the former president spokesman).Said this morning on channelstv that it was wrong for SNG group to pressurize the government on the report of the house of representative concerning the oil subsidy regime between 2009 to 2011....what manner of leaders do we have that will leave the main issues and dwell on the pheriphery....he stated that SNG is basically cpc influenced....I was in Abuja in early 2010 with SNG clamouring on the House of Assembly to make sure that Jonathan was made the president constitutionally......Yayale Ahmed (who was the then secretary to the Federal Government) said that all those demands should have been channeled through a political party after the demands had been presented.
It should be noted that in the past inquiries have made but with no implementation why should we continue to live without purpose?please Doyin Okupe should be asked when it became unethical for a person who is in the opposition to force the Government to do its duties.......Does he not know that in a fight like this the President needs the mass of the people?It is disturbing to know that so many politicians are arrogant,believing that we can not do anything.......Judgement day is coming!
I remember one of Fela tracks where he sang about N2.8BN being missing,and later the government claimed that it was no longer missing!I remember the Tony Elumelu power sector probe....till date there has been no prosecution,recovering of stolen loots ....this  is what SNG is planning to avoid we need a CHANGE!Imagine!all the probes have not led to logical conclusion but fake NYSC members were convicted within 24 hours!......Hmn EGUNGUN be careful!
Note......You can deceive some people some time....but you can't deceive all the people all the Time!

Future in trouble!

This woman with her triplets,begging thereby exposing them to health hazards which include,the inhaling of carbon monoxide,inhaling of dust from the roadside,inhaling of foul smell emanating from the gutter.They are also exposed to the danger posed by commercial motorcyclists popularly known as "okada" who are very reckless.This picture was taken febuary 2012 at berger,Ikeja area of Lagos State by Yomi Akinsola.

A bin that was introduced by the Lagos state government in 2000.DILAPIDATED!

Bin donated by a private company to Lagos community in 2011.BEAUTIFUL!

Hope this will not end up like the one above it.........

We need to build a maintenance culture!

The Pearls: This is not conducive for learning!

The Pearls: This is not conducive for learning!: This school needs a total overhaul....it is a community school in Ifo local Government Area of Ogun state,Southwest Nigeria.

This is not conducive for learning!

This school needs a total overhaul....it is a community school in Ifo local Government Area of Ogun state,Southwest Nigeria.

Jacob Zuma marries the sixth time!

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma is getting married again.
Zuma will wed long-time fiancee Gloria Bongi Ngema next weekend at his expansive homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal province, the president's spokesman confirmed Sunday. This will be Zuma's sixth marriage, and Ngema will be his fourth current wife.
Bride-to-be Ngema, who is from Umlazi township near Durban, last year joined the president on a diplomatic trip to France.
Zuma has a three-year-old son with Ngema. He has about 20 children in total.
Zuma, a Zulu traditionalist who recently celebrated his 70th birthday, follows polygamy under South African laws that allow only one civil union, but multiple customary marriages.
Some critics have argued that Zuma’s polygamy sends the wrong message to a country with an AIDS epidemic and where billboard campaigns urge men to only have one steady partner to limit their risk.
Zuma's upcoming wedding will be a private family ceremony in Nkandla, with costs paid for by Zuma, spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
It is ludicrous that things such as this still happen in a world that is changing!

Lionel Messi!The PHENOMENON!

So many people are awed by what this dimunitive striker has achieved in his career as a footballer.First,he was diagonised with fragil x, which is a term used to describe hormonal deficiency which in other words impedes growth.He shocked everyone after Barcelona fc came to his rescue at the age of 13,and then it started sorry he started.He is the youngest player to score in an el-classico match,he did not stop there,he is the first since Zamorano last scored a hattrick in an el-classico match.Pundits did not believe in his abilities.some said he could not score against a Mourinho team,he did!some said he could barely score against italian sides,he did against AC-Milan,some did not think he could be compared to Pele,but he has set records which include- first player in modern european football to be the highest goal scorer in four consecutive seasons,the highest goal scorer of all time for fc Barcelona,the first to score sixty goals in a single season in modern club football,he has scored twenty goals in twelve matches,highest goal scorer in a single league season for fc Barcelona.He is the first player in modern football to be the world best for three consecutive seasons.he is the first player to score five goals in a single champions league match.
Some have come up with another heresy that he had never scored against chelsea with John Terry playing.Well,based on the astonishing feats recorded by this Genius, would scoring a depleted John Terry led defense be an obstacle?judge for yourselves and see how gullible the proponents of this theory are.
MESSI!MESSI!MESSI!.......a NIGHTMARE!

Remembering the slain NYSC members killed during 2011 election in Nigeria

They were filled with so much enthusiasim concerning their mandatory after school national youth service,ready to partake in the election process,being their own little quota to nation building,but they were cut short in their prime.Who dunnit?The perpetrators of this evil act are yet to be unmasked and subsequently prosecuted since a year ago when this heinous crime was committed against these helpless and innocent youths,against the youths of this country that has kept the faith and not turned to crime for the eke out for a living,against parents who have struggled to educate their wards instead of building houses and engaging in frivlous activities,against communities that have looked forward to these youth for the future turning around of their environment,and ultimately ,against the elctorates that have made their choice known through their voting power.
I am of the opinion that these fallen heroes should be remembered and honoured yearly by the Nigerian Federal Government.Their blood had been shared for the sake of this country,Some people got national awards last year who did not deserve it,and this is what could be termed injustice!The money that was given by the president is not good enough to equate the loss of these youths.We can emulate what the U.N did in honour of its staffs that were killed in a bomb explosion in Abuja sometimes 2011,all the names of those killed were read out and personal tribute done to them.It is very important to note here that Nigeria has failed to understand that the citizens are Her greatest assets and not the crude oil!the earlier this is understood the better the country will be for it.
I specially remember this corpers because i was one of them during this period,although i was posted to serve in Lagos state,which is very much safe to serve,but the death of these youths hit me,because it could have been me,my parents and folks could have been thrown in perprtual mourning,because money can not replace the human life.It is my sincere wish that these youths did not die in vain!God bless their Souls,God bless Nigeria!

Barcelona fc!The laws of attraction

It has been been proven by various scholars in fields like psychology,philosophy,theology and the likes,that man attracts his likes.What this means is that the things that naturally accosts people are the things that they are.....consciously or sub-consciously.The way the world is structured gives to everyone what he or she deserves.If one believes he or she is the greatest it registers in the sub-conscious mind and he acts it out and all the forces that are unseen begins aide and abett him whether he is conscious of it or not.Mohammed Ali,who is adjudged to be the greatest boxer of all time first called himself that before the whole world saw him to be so,because he attraced what he first saw himself to be.Jose Mourinho,called himself the special one and virtually all media outfits call him that.

The present Barcelona team can be said to be the greatest team of all time which is arguable to some people who do not believe in their superior brand of football.They have proven to be the best at what they do.All sort of things have been said and published about the quarter-final second leg game between Barcelona and AC-Milan,some insinuating that the refree always favoured the Barcelona team.I ask this question,why was Messi and Sanchez not awarded penalty kicks at san-siro when it was clear that they were fouled?The  truth is that the Barcelona team is a successful team and it is bound to get favour even from the unforseen forces who help people with they really are....whether success or failure.

STOP!Don't curse NIGERIA again!

I don't need America to tell me that.Nigeria will inevitably collapse.It just exists like something hanging on a thread.I pray to Almighty God everyday for the collapse of Nigeria.I pray five times a day and in all the five times,I say God,you are a God of justice.This country is satanic.Oh God,if you love the people,let this evil entity collapse.Nigeria will surely collapse.I don't believe in Nigeria.I have never seen myself as a Nigerian.Ihate Nigeria as i hate satan(News,2005)

The above statement was made by Asari Dokubo while reacting to an American intelligent report on the likely collapse of Nigeria.I really was spechless when i read this piece.As much as i feel so much concern for the Niger deltans,this is a highly negative comment made against the country.
I wish we would pray instead of these kind of statements.Let us compare Nigeria to the other west african states,they are very small and can not dare be what Ngeria is and can be,and will be.It does not favour us as people if the country breaks and the components become  banana republics.Nigeria is a country with potential and all that is needed is a conscious effort by her citizens and tenacity on the asking of questions from our representatives that we have entrusted with power.GOD BLESS NIGERIA!

The Pearls

85 fake corpers sentenced to one year in prison

It is unfortunate that these youths are going to be termed ex-convicts.Imagine 85 youths which even with their certificates are not guaranteed of employment,now having a dented record.Some have been graduates for years with no jobs,they are already dis-illusioned not to talk about the record that these one will have.The Niger-delta militants have been granted amnesty and trained to have a good life while they took up arms against the state,some will argue that the Niger-delta case was or is different but these ones,who are also fighting for their future like Niger-deltans ....have been condemned to prison with an option of 21,000 naira.
In as much as one does not support fraudulent acts,these youths need not be condemned this way.The speed at which they were convicted suprises me,because it takes Nigeria's judiciary 3 years to determine the case of election fraud,it took them 2years to determine Olabode George's case,but 24 hours to determine the case of these hapless ones......hmn!can this be just?it is left for citizens to understand that laws are made for the powers that be by those in power and against those on the other divide.
The Youth corpers who lost their lives during April 2011 general elections are yet to get justice because there is no record of anyone convicted...not even the security operatives who are constitutionally responsible for the security of lives and properties of all citizens not to talk of how important these corpers were in respect to the National assignment they were carrying out when they met their deaths.
SAVE THE YOUTHS!......SAVE THE FUTURE.....!

NANS backs Mimiko’s 2nd term bid

AKURE—  Following approval of the N22,000 minimum wage across board for civil servants in Ondo State, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has declared its intention to conduct a campus –to –campus campaign for the re-election of Governor  Olusegun Mimiko in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.
According to a statement by the students and signed by its National Vice President, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, the association said it is working towards a campus-to-campus advocacy in support of the Iroko 2013 revolution.
Promising that it will sensitise the students’ communities on the gains of active participation in the Iroko revolution, while commending Governor Mimiko for approving N22, 000.00 minimum wage for workers in the state.
“The approval is a welcome gesture that has further drawn the appreciation and warmth of the citizenry of the state” they stated, adding further that  the new increment in wages would benefit a lot of people in view of the African family system which makes it imperative that each worker carters for at least 10 other dependants.”
“This singular initiative, among other notable innovative endeavours of Governor Mimiko  will further help the good people of this highly industrious state. NANS therefore make it bold to declare that this increment in minimum wage is worthy of emulation by other Governors in the country,” the statement added.ional Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has declared its intention to conduct a campus –to –campus campaign for the re-election of Governor  Olusegun Mimiko in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.
According to a statement by the students and signed by its National Vice President, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, the association said it is working towards a campus-to-campus advocacy in support of the Iroko 2013 revolution.
Promising that it will sensitise the students’ communities on the gains of active participation in the Iroko revolution, while commending Governor Mimiko for approving N22, 000.00 minimum wage for workers in the state.
“The approval is a welcome gesture that has further drawn the appreciation and warmth of the citizenry of the state” they stated, adding further that  the new increment in wages would benefit a lot of people in view of the African family system which makes it imperative that each worker carters for at least 10 other dependants.”
“This singular initiative, among other notable innovative endeavours of Governor Mimiko  will further help the good people of this highly industrious state. NANS therefore make it bold to declare that this increment in minimum wage is worthy of emulation by other Governors in the country,” the statement added.

HIROSHIMA, NAGASAKI!

Some pictures of America's heritage in Japan!

Obama campaign: De Niro's joke 'inappropriate'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Actor Robert De Niro opened a fundraiser starring Michelle Obama by listing her Republican rivals and jokingly suggesting that America isn't "ready for a white first lady." Newt Gingrich was not amused. And the Obama campaign says the actor's quip was inappropriate.

Campaigning in Louisiana, Gingrich on Tuesday called De Niro's comment referring to race "inexcusable" and demanded an apology from President Barack Obama.
Obama didn't apologize. But his campaign didn't stand by the actor's sense of humor, either.
Mrs. Obama's campaign press secretary, Olivia Alair, said the joke was inappropriate.
Publicist Stan Rosenfield said De Niro wouldn't respond to criticism of the actor's joke at the New York fundraiser. Rosenfield called the remark "obvious satire."

An 85-year-old woman, Taiwo Ayodeji and Nosiru Isa, 18, on Thursday appeared before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates' Court charged with stealing a Blackberry phone and other valuables.

The police prosecutor,  Insp. Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the alleged offences were committed on February 23, at about 9 p.m. at Abule Oyun Street, Lafenwa in Abeokuta.

Ozimini said that the octogenarian conspired with the teenager to commit felony, stealing and breaking into the room of one Mr Raheem Olusola.

According to him, apart from the blackberry phone, the accused stole one gold necklace, one palmtop computer, six shirts, shoes, jeans, WAEC and GCE certificates.

He added that N75,000 cash was also missing in the complainant’s room, adding that that "the total value of the items stolen is N244,000.

The police prosecutor said that the alleged offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 411 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code of Ogun, 2006.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the old woman, Ayodeji said, "I was only trying to help him because there was flooding as a result of downpour.

"I don’t have the strength and that is why I called our neighbour who is also his friend (Isa) to help pack his  property  to the backyard.

"Nothing is missing from what we packed, how can the complainant now say that we have stolen his things is what I don’t understand."

She added that her intention was to save property of the complainant from further damage.

"I made several unsuccessful attempts to reach him (complainant) on phone to inform him of the incident,'' she claimed.

The counsel to the accused persons, Mr Michael Itiolu, also said that his clients were innocent of the charges.

He said that the complainant was a sub-tenant to Ayodeji because the apartment was transferred to him by someone who rented it from the defendant.

Itiolu, thereafter, applied for the bail of the accused persons, and gave the assurance that they would not jump bail.

In his ruling, the  Chief Magistrate, Mr Akeem Adenariwo, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with one surety each in like sum.

He adjourned the case to May 28, for hearing. (NAN)
This is serious,even the aged are not spared in the anomalies of this society!

Can we have Indegenous Language Day?

Nigeria has come of age and is ripe to be truly considered as a Giant that She is.A week ago,a secondary school celebrated the French Day whereby the French language was used to deliver poems,dramas,songs and recitations.There were translations of this language to the audience present.One can nearly bet that none of these students could speak their indigenous languages which is a symbol of anyone's identity.
It is with this in mind, I suggest that there should be a celebration of all the ethnic languages in a carnival like atmosphere whereby a day would be set aside for everyone to speak his or her indigenous language and a translation is done to ensure that We as Africans retain our identity and celebrate our roots.This is the greatest Injustice that the colonialist did to us,this is our chance to undo it.

Why is it difficult to have a Sovereign National Conference in Nigeria?

Since 1999, when Nigeria returned to civil rule we are yet to record a notable achievement in any area of Human endeavour.We have had a political structure that has impeded growth and development.It is important to point out that as complex as our situation seems in this country it has a very simple solution.which is solving the political problems and naturally all other problems that has defied all kinds of policies will evaporate.
To get this political solution is just for the country citizenry to agree if they want to co-exist and if yes what are the terms of agreement.In the last 18years in Nigeria various groups have called for a dialogue whose outcome will be binding and will be the basis of our co-existence as an indivisible entity but those at the helms of affairs have refused.With the increasing threat of Boko-Haram,it is inevitable.I sincerely believe that those blocking this dialogue are the real enemies existing in Nigeria.

Truly,Nigerians deserve the kind of leaders they get.

Anywhere there is a discussion about the complex myriads of problems facing the Nigerian state it is almost certain,that the heap of blames go to the doorstep of the Leaders.People say our leaders steal from the treasury,practice Tribalism,Nepotism and Religiosity and so therefore they are the reasons for how much our country has gone bad.Ofcourse,they are right up to the point of.......the SOCIAL CONTRACT!
When one talks about a contract,there are always parties involved namely the "offeree" and "offeror",which means for a contract to exist there must be a point of agreement and a series of  compromises fundamentally,there are responsibilities for both parties which has to be adhered to if the contract is to be considered legitimate.One would ask at this point,what contract has got to do with how bad our leaders have been how come we deserve such leaders?It is important to point out that the kind of contract that binds leaders and their subjects is the Social Contract.
Every Individual is a sovereign being at birth but cannot survive alone,hence the need for cooperation fron fellow humans and a bit of surrendering of that freedom he has in other to protect his existence.this can be captured in the maxim "No Man is an island".Some reasons have been given for the coming together of individuals to form a society which include fear,loneliness,needs that can not be solved individually.Great Philosophers have come up with various modelas with basically the same meaning.Thomas Hobbes came up with the LEVIATHAN.The contract required by the most fundamental law of nature is forged and entered into by all persons.The contract, as as the means by which the individual wills of all people are joined into one unified will,then becomes a kind of artificial person,whose words are those of many others and not itself,thus,the contract and the commonwealth it forms,is an artificial person.This iconographic person is the Leviathan.
The Leviathan here is the embodiment of Leaders formed into Government that does not speak its own voice but rather that of the people who brought it into existence.If the voice of the Leviathan is at variance with that of its creator,then they reserve the right to call it to order.This is where people of this country missed it,they feel they are at the mercy of these Leaders,but that is not so rather it is they at the mercy of the people.I anything is going to be achieved then there has to be an awakening of the consciousness of the majority of the populace who do not know that they have a duty to perform by ensuring that these Leaders keep to their own part of the contract.The basic responsibility of these Leaders is the enhancement of the welfare of its citzens in all ramifications.

If I was the president of Nigeria

I feel so hurt to see vibrant,energetic,industrious,tenacious and brilliant Nigerian youths roaming the streets of Nigeria without jobs that give them satisfaction.Instead of focusing on mineral resources such as crude oil and cocoa i would focus on developing these youths.The simple way of doing this to ensure that education is assessible to them at an affordable cost.They would not have to go through hell to get a viable way of living.
To develop is simple and only need a leader who is determined,courageous and has the political will to dare the myriads of opportunist who call themselves our leaders.I speak from a heart that is hurt ......