Solomon's Column

The Oluwo of Iwoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi has disclosed that there are no slaves in his palace in Iwo, Osun state, Nigeria. Oba Akanbi made this disclosure recently in a lecture titled CONSTITUTIONAL ROLES FOR ROYAL FATHERS at the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers' Union of Nigeria(RATTWU) Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo state(BCOS) chapter, Oyo state, Nigeria. ''I don't have slaves in my palaces, all those in my palace receive monthly salaries,'' Oba Akanbi stated. In his remarks, the RATTAWU chairman, Comrade Kolapo Carew,  expressed gratitude to God for protecting members of the union all through the year, adding, ''our governor paid our Christmas salaries on the 14th of December. He has also paid the wage award, and he will soon pay the 13th month salaries.'' However, federal workers have lamented the stoppage of the N35,000 wage award. The workers made this known through a former chairman of the Trade Uni

  Former Minister of Communications, Dr. Adebayo Shittu has described the death of the Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN), as an irreparable loss to Ondo state and Nigeria as a whole. Dr. Shittu made this assertion in a chat. ''My heart-felt sympathy goes to the family, the people of Ondo state and Nigeria as a whole. May God grant the family, the people of Ondo state  and Nigeria as a whole the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. He was a governor who performed wonderfully well. His sickness destabilized Ondo state for more than six months, only to result in his death. I pray that God will stabilize the state government, '' Dr. Shittu stated.

The killings in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau state, at a time when millions are celebrating, are very unfortunate. It is a tragedy coming at a time when the government at all levels is glorifying the January/December budget cycle, while budget performance at the center and the states of the federation are giving citizens sleepless nights. Those in charge must justify their positions by salvaging the pitiable situation convincingly.

  Nigerians have been called upon to give their lives to Jesus Christ as they go into the new year. This call was made by Prophet Timothy Arabambi of the Christ Apostolic Church(CAC) Reformation land(Ile Atunse)Olunloyo-Akanran road, Ibadan, Nigeria. ''With Jesus Christ all things are possible. I am  appealing to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to give their lives to Jesus Christ as they go into the new year. Jesus Christ is the hope for the hopeless. Nigerians should accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal savior.'' Despite the economic hardships brought about by the removal of the fuel subsidy, millions of Nigerians are still smiling because they have Jesus Christ in them. I am appealing to all and sundry to accept  Jesus Christ  as their Lord and savior,'' Prophet Arabambi stated.

  Apply the words of God gained in the church to life through confessions, faith and obedience. James 1 :22-27 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth  therein , he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion  is  vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,  and  to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The unfolding events in Rivers state is a reflection of the warped mindset of the leadership at the  highest level of governance in Nigeria. Not surprisingly, mum is the word at this very important level of government. Why? Those in leadership positions are yet to imbibe the tenets of democracy. Indeed, a lot is wrong with the approach, template and structure of governance, even though deceit, lies, falsehood and depraved actions of those in government continue with impunity.

  The strangulating inflation, prohibitive prices of goods and services and the poor performance of the Naira in the exchange market are all signposts of a faulty leadership foisted on Nigerians. This assertion was made by a former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andrew Emelieze. ''The inflation in the country has brought about untold hardships, sufferings and difficulties for millions of Nigerians, coupled with the poor showing of the Naira in the exchange market. All these are credible indicators that faulty leadership has been foisted on Nigerians and the World Bank knows this fact and is utilizing it to the fullest. It is very glaring in all sectors of the economy,''Comrade Emelieze stated.

  The Holy spirit's work is a gift  of God that is freely given on the basis of faith and faith only. His Spirit is given to us to accomplish His purposes, not ours. The Spirit cannot be bought or bargained for. Acts 8 : 9-25 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had recei

  The Federal Government has been called upon to account for the deductions of the National Housing Fund from workers' salaries. This call was made by a former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andrew Emelieze. ''The National Housing Funds deductions from the salaries of workers has been non-functional as workers do not have access to the loans as a result of the stringent conditions attached to the loans. The government should account for the deductions, otherwise the widespread feeling is that the NHF is a ploy to swindle workers of their hard-earned money,''Comrade Emelieze stated. Similarly, the N35,000 wage award  cannot solve the problems workers are presently experiencing. This assertion was made by a former chairman of the National Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP) University College Hospital(UCH)Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Olusegun Sotiloye. There is no way that N35,000 can alleviate the sufferings o

  The attitude, behavior and activities of millions of Nigerians are crucial to the visibility of the positive impact of education on their lives. Even when the whole annual budget, once the needful by Those-in-authority is not done, salvaging the deteriorated standard of education would just be an exercise in futility. The open display of lawlessness, indiscipline, criminality and evil in different parts of the country are pointers to the unwavering fact that education is yet to achieve its purpose in Nigeria.

  A former Bureau of Prisons supervisor, Kevin X. Pearce, 39, was sentenced yesterday to 66 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for leading two cover-ups of assaults of inmates held at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy. Pearce was convicted after a six-day trial. His co-defendants, former corrections officers Samuel Patrick and Clinton Pauley, previously pleaded guilty and were respectively   sentenced   to 36 and 40 months in prison.  “As a supervisor, this defendant was responsible for safeguarding the rights of thousands of inmates, but he abused his authority by leading cover-ups of two violent assaults of inmates in his custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable law enforcement officials who violate federal civil rights laws or who cover up violations. We will protect the rights of all people, including those held inside our jails an

  The harsh and problematic economic environment in Nigeria has made the media industry vulnerable to censorship. This assertion was made by the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Jagaban Communications International, Mr. Samuel Adenitan. ''The bad state of the economy has negatively affected the media industry. The industry is vulnerable. It has suffered greatly in this dispensation. Owners of media outlets are finding it increasingly difficult to  operate and stay afloat. In Nigeria, we censor the truth. Any country that censors the truth will not be taken seriously. We have good laws, but the effectiveness of the laws constitutes a problem. In Nigeria, the truth is censored.

  In the times of King Jehoash of Israel, money collected in the form of taxes were used to carry out worthwhile repairs. Those who handled the money could be trusted completely to use it for its intended purpose. 2 Kings 12 :1-15 1 In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name  was  Zibiah of Beersheba. 2 And Jehoash did  that which was  right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. 4 And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD,  even  the money of every one that passeth  the account , the money that every man is set at,  and  all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD, 5 Let the priests take  it  to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let

ZIMBABWEAN Judicial officers led by Judge President of the High Court Justice Mary Dube are currently Tanzania observe how the country runs its judiciary with a major focus on Information Communication Technology (ICT). “We do not know exactly how you go about this, that is one of the reasons why we are here, we want to learn so that when we go back home, we will be able to implement the system. We are also here to know how Tanzania got a way to get people from rural areas become connected easily to the system,” she said. “As you highlighted earlier on, Tanzania is an old friend of Zimbabwe… and there are so many other African countries in this continent, which are ready on this system, but we chose you (Tanzania) because of your existing good relationship with us,” “We are here to learn, we have embarked on the system, but we obviously want to make improvements …. before we embarked on the system, we used to hear matters physically, pleadings were being filed phys

  Take time to know the major divisions major divisions of the Bible, the old and new Testaments and how they are related. In addition, be familiar with the general themes of the Bible and the specific theme of each book, who wrote the books, to whom they were written and their period of time. Also get to know the different types of literature i the Bible-history, prophecy and poetry. Palm 119 : 161-176 161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. 162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. 164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. 167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. 168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee. 16

The Federal Government ought to make provision for a new national minimum wage in the 2024 appropriation bill presented to both chambers of the National Assembly. This assertion was made by a former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andreww Emelieze. ''It is disturbing that the details of the 2024 appropriation bill were not made public, but the Federal Government ought to make provision for a new national minimum wage in the bill, if it is truly sensitive to the difficulties and hardships Nigerians are passing through. As at today, the N35,000 wage award cannot buy a bag of rice. In addition, the government has only paid the wage award once since it commenced payment to federal workers,'' Comrade Emelieze stated. Similarly, health workers in Nigeria have expressed the hopes that their new salary scale would be included in the 2024 budget. The health workers made this known through a members of the National Execut

The recent disclosure by Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is a hint of what Nigerians should expect from the present administration in the next four years. This assertion was made by a former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andrew Emelieze. ''The recent revelation by the National Security Adviser is very credible and serves as a pointer to what Nigerians should expect from the present government in the next four years even though it may not meet their expectations,'' Comrade Emelieze stated. Mallma Ribadu had disclosed that the present administration was contending with very serious budget constraints and confessed that they inherited a bankrupt country. He stressed that at present the government was taking care of the debts of the immediate past administration.

In the quest for righteousness, we should turn away from all filthiness. God wants us to separate ourselves from spiritual garbage. When we cultivate Godliness, sin will never flourish in our lives. 2 Corinthians 6:14 14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 7-1

&n bsp; The Federal Government has been called upon to urgently rescue industries that are daily folding up in Nigeria as a result of the harsh economic climate. This call was made by the Chief Executive Officer of Jagaban Communications International, Mr. Samuel Adenitan. ''The situation in the manufacturing, agricultural, power and other sectors is worrisome. Businesses are folding up, the economic environment is not conducive for business, there is no regular electricity supply and the prices of petroleum products are so high that it is almost beyond the reach of Nigerians. The Federal Government should take urgent steps to stem the tide to save the broadcast industry..'' ''Today, so many companies have either folded up or divested from the country. This development has negatively affected private television and radio stations in the country in terms of sponsorships and advertisements,'' Mr. Adenitan stated.

A member of the Ibadan branch of the Nigeria Bar Association(NBA)Ibadan branch on Thursday 23rd  November 2023 accompanied by thugs broke into a building at 3, Kehinde Aderibigbe Street, Olorunsogo, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. The trespassers placed a banner with the inscription, ''For Sale PROPERTY/LAND-contact- The lawyer on 08057321344/0806762694, in a desperate attempt to sell off the property without the consent of the sole occupant. Before this time, On Thursday 9th November 2023 at about 9.30 am at 3, Kehinde Aderibigbe Street, Olorunsogo, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo state, a lawyer with phone number-08053721344- alongside four thugs made an abortive attempt to serve a harmless citizen a letter in the midst of intimidation and threats from the thugs. However, the citizen bluntly refused to accept the letter. This development was trailed by unthinkable actions of four operatives of the Nigeria Legion Corps of Commissionaires, who supervised the damaging of the pa

An unspecified number of patients in the University College Hospital(UCH) Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria have expressed reservations over the high cost of obtaining medical reports. The patients, who spoke incognito, lamented that they were made to part with N6,000 before they could be issued with the hospital's medical report at the records office. ''We were told that we could only be given a medical report on the payment of N6,000 in these hard times, it is beyond reach,'' they lamented. However, the hospital's reaction, the Public Relations Officer, Mrs Adetuyibi Obafunmilayo disclosed that the hospital charges N6,000 for medical reports, adding,'' The patient makes a request for a medical report, while all the tests conducted on the patient are in his or her case note. Medical records officers do not write medical reports. It is the duty of medical consultants.'' ''Yes, we do charge for our medical reports. The money we charge is

  The Personal Assistant to the late Eze  Ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.)Alex Anozie, Mtr. Samuel Ulelu, in this piece, describes the late Managing Director of Conac Nigeria Limited, as a kind and detribalized Nigerian. Excerpts: His passage was shocking to me because I was with him on Tuesday 26th September 2023, that very day he showed no sign of ill health, that one may have suspected. There was no premonition, that very day the Hausa community came to pay him a visit, appealing to him to be their patron, which Eze agreed. After the program, everyone left. The next day I was called early in the morning, I was preparing to go to work, when the caller told me Eze was dead, I was surprised I did not believe the caller. But when I got to the office, I discovered it was true. It is a very great loss at this time when Ndigbo and Nigeria need him most. He was a very kind, loving, and detribalized Nigerian. He was humble to a fault.

Let us always pray to the Lord to deliver us from self-righteousness that leads us to despise people. The only difference between a sinner and a saint is the Grace of God. 1 Timothy 1:12-20 12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18This ch

  The death of Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie has been described as shocking and unexpected. Take an interest in your Health and Wellness This is the view of  Akaekpkuonwa Ndigbo Ibadanland, Ichie Sunday Okafor. T he death of  Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie came as a shock to all Ndibgo in Ibadan and Oyo state, it was unexpected. In fact, up till now, we have yet to believe that he has left us. It is a great loss to all of us. May God grant the family the fortitude to bear the great loss. Ichie Okafor stated.

The Vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale had disclosed that the university out its certificate as a reward for vigorous academic work. Take an interest in your Health and Wellness Prof. Adebowale made this disclosure on Tuesday, the first day of the foundation anniversary and 2023 convocation ceremonies in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. ''The University of Ibadan is committed to academic excellence, and this makes it fly. We are confronted with brain drain, student attrition, and electricity problems. However, there is a need for the government to recognize the uniqueness of the university system. The certificate is not one that can be obtained on a platter, it is a reward for hard work,'' Prof. Adebowale stated.