Solomon's Column

Members of the University College Hospital(UCH)branch of Ibadan,Nigeria of the Non-Academic Staff Unionand AssociatedInstitutions(NASU) have declared that they are not among the beneficiaries of the 40 per cent increase in the allowances of civil servants in the country. They made this declaration through the union's chairman,Comrade Kehinde Abiona. ''The issue has been put to rest with the payment of April salaries,then we discovered that UCH and other teaching hospitals in the Consolidate Health Salary Scale(CONHESS) were not captured. The only respite we have in the health sector for now, is the latest video released by the Minister of Labor and Productivity,Dr. Chris Nigige wherein he promised that some category of us would enjoy a 25 per cent increase,''Comrade Abiona disclosed.

The journalism profession in Nigeria is under intense siege within and outside the circle of practitioners.Standards have been eroded and it is now an allcomers affair. Dr.Francis Amenaghwon who holds a Ph.D in communication, is a former staff member of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria(FRCN). Dr. Amenaghwon is presently a lecturer in the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan. He opines that sanity ought to be restored in the profession. Excerpt: For me,it is increasingly becoming difficult to define who a journalist is in Nigeria. In these days of citizen journalism,I-Reporter,online radio,online radio and television channels.The minimum standards of practice ought to be restored. Every profession has its own minimum requirements. When we have a meticulous registration of members,the problem will have been half solved. This is the way forward. Let's set minimum standards for media organizations and institutions correcting the worrisome situat

Parents and Guardians in Oyo state have been advised to monitor their children and wards. This call was made during the weekend by an Old student of Ibadan Gramar School(IGS), Mr. Adebolu Okikiolu. '' The buck stops on the parents and gaurdians. Charity begins at home , each family should nurture their children and wards in the ways of God. They should monitor their activities. In addition, the state government should provide all that is necessary to encourage smooth education. The bad eggs among the teachers should also be dismissed,'' Mr. Okikiolu stated.

Workers in Nigeria are bitter, unhappy and sad as a result of the insensitivity of the government at all levels. This was the submission of the former chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU), Comrade Fatoki Olusola-Cole. ''Workers in Nigeria are bitter, we are not happy, we are sad. Governments at all levels have made life more miserable for us through their wicked deeds. The government at all levels have succeeded in bastardizing everything in the country. History will make a better judgment of all of us either good or bad. The wicked will never escape the judgment of God wherever they run to,'' Comrade Olusoal-Cole stated. In a related development, the chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Bosun Olabiyi has expressed reservations over the poor salaries of workers in the state. Comrade Olabiyi made his views known on Monday in his address at the 2023 Workers' Day celebration with the theme,

The education sector is weighed down by multiferous challenges in Nigeria. Sadly, the education policy of a number of states may not be responsive to the needs and problems of primary and secondary schools. The focus on hotels, eateries, night clubs, beer parlors and event centers by some state governments has psychologically defeated the interest of pupils and students in education. The existing schools in the affected states are yet to be satisfactorily catered for and this has resulted in the unimpressive academic performance of pupils and students. Of worry, is the conversion of so many schools to a base and launch pad for criminals of all sorts, while school authorities are benefiting commercially from the rentage of classrooms and premises to members of the public. The attitude of government and other stakeholders in the education sector is suggestive of a mounting opposition to learning. The Resort to Hard Drugs Illicit and outlawed substances are now in regular use and ab

Cultivate the habit of selflessness and service to humanity to redeem the decadent society. Phiillipians 2 : 1-11 1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a na