Solomon's Column

A former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andrew Emelieze has hailed the High Court judgment that vindicated the embattled president of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria(ASCSN), Bola Audu for human trafficking. Comrade Emelieze gave the commendation in a statement. ''The Judiciary remains the last resort of the common Nigerian. The high court's judgment has vindicated Bola Audu of human trafficking. This is a welcome development. After over two years of trial, the court has finally declared that Comrade Bola Innocent Audu is truly innocent in the alleged case of human trafficking . Comrade Bola Audu, a staff of the Accountant General of the Federation, and also the National President of the Association of Senior Civil servants of Nigeria, (ASCSN), who also doubles as the National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) was arraigned alongside three other civil servants for human trafficking. W

John Chen and Lin Feng Allegedly Furthered the PRC Government’s Transnational Repression Campaign Against the Falun Gong by Bribing a Purported IRS Official A federal court in the Southern District of New York today unsealed a complaint charging two individuals with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as unregistered agents of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), conspiring to bribe and bribing a public official, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the complaint, John Chen, aka Chen Jun, 70, a Los Angeles resident and former citizen of the PRC, and Lin Feng, a Los Angeles resident and PRC citizen, allegedly participated in a PRC Government-directed scheme targeting U.S.-based practitioners of Falun Gong — a spiritual practice banned in the PRC. Chen and Feng were arrested today in the Central District of California. “The Chinese government has yet again attempted, and failed, to target critics of the PRC here in the United States,” said Attorney Ge

Micro Finance banks in Nigeria have been called upon to put mechanisms in place to protect customers from negative tendencies by credit officers. This call was made by some customers in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria, while recounting their experiences in recent times. ''These credit officers have for long engaged in unethical practices, such as collecting daily contributions and not remitting the same to their employers. We want to be sure that our daily contributions arrive safely at the vaults of our micro-finance banks. Most of us you see here have gone through harrowing experiences with those who collect our daily contributions. The management of the bank should put measures in place to ensure our daily contributions get to them and ensure the safety of our deposits, ''they advised. However, the Head of Credit of Apex Trust Micro-Finance Bank in Ibadan, Mr. Kunle Olagunju advised customers of the micro-finance bank who have complaints to visit its offices to lodge

Nigerians have been advised to keep hope alive and not despair in the face of avoidable hardships inflicted on them by a group of individuals. This advice was given by a cleric, Pastor Opeymi Ajayi. ''Nigerians should continue to be hopeful and not despair. Our God will visit those who are inflicting us with difficulties and hardships. Our God is not sleeping, He is awake all the time and takes note of all our travails,''Pastor Ajayi disclosed. Similarly, a former chairman of the Non Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU), Comrade Fatoki Olusola- Cole has described the inauguration day pronouncement by President Ahmed Tinubu on the fuel subsidy removal as a great mistake. ''The pronouncement of President Tinubu is a great mistake and he was wrongly advised to have spoken that way on the day of his inauguration, when he was yet to get to the office to see and peruse the details of the proposed removal. I think it was a great mistake on his part a

The Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie, has admonished newly inaugurated political office holders to administer and oversee the affairs of those that elected them with the fear of God. Eze(Dr.) Anozie, who is also the chairman of the state chapter of the Association of Non-Indigenes Heads, gave this admonition on Monday minutes after the inauguration of the political office holders across Nigeria. ''Let them have the fear of God in everything they do. My good will message to all political office holders from top to bottom is for them to work for a truly united Nigeria where truth, justice, equity, fairness and peace reign supreme. Nigerians should love one another, not minding their ethnic and religious differences. This is the foundation. If we work hard, the sky is our limit. In another development, Eze(Dr.) Anozie on behalf of the Igbos and Non-Indigenes in Oyo state has congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II on

Infrastructure is a necessity for development but may not be a condition for advancement. Skilled labor, moral and social outlook, political situation and historical narratives all play critical roles in economic development. Indeed, the store of technical knowledge is not at par with economic resources available at a given point in time, while corruption remains a major impediment to development. Various conditions determine the inducement to invest, but in most cases, developing countries rely on a make-believe and cosmetic approach. Unfortunately, this has not been successful. The potential to develop is guided by the ability and willingness to save. Sadly, the capacity to save in developing countries is low due to low real income, which in turn is as a result of low productivity and the visible absence of the enablers of development. Some countries remain in the vicious circle of poverty not because of the lack of natural resources and a conducive environment, but because of c

Avoid being led astray to do evil, but always thread the path of good deeds and good will be with you at all times. 1Thessalonians 5 : 12-23 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit an