Nigeria: Under the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari

 

By Ganiyu Ayanniyi M.

Nigeria is regarded as one of the Africa great nations which is expected to lead other fellow African and even non-African countries by examples. But, is the nation showing her great resourceful prowess by leading herself and other nations? That is what many people ask "Where the greatness of Nigeria does now lays?”

Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari had faced and is still going through a lot of criticism both from her citizens and non-citizens. This led to brutal condemnation that has been camouflaged as "hate speech" to put the emotions of the government before their duties.

The president’s policy is seen as many as being silent through voice but louder through action. This is to say that Buhari is a man of few words but full of actions which might be positive or negative.

It is no longer breaking that Prof. Agboola Gambari, a native of Ilorin in Kwara state, is the new Chief of staff of President Muhammadu Buhari. The new chief of staff, who is in his seventies as well as President Buhari, replaces Abba Kyari that died on the 17th of April, 2020 at the age of 67 as it was reported. Prof. Agboola Gambari was officially sworn in as the new chief of staff by the president on the 13th of May, 2020. It can be recalled that Prof. Gambari had also served as Minister of External Affairs when Muhammadu Buhari was Head of state from 1984 - 1985.

The opinion of some Nigerians is that the new chief of staff is very old for the job, while some buy the idea that he is fit since he had served in different places, nationally and internationally.

 Yemi Alade, a popular Nigerian artist expressed that she wasn’t impressed with the appointment of Prof. Agboola Gambari through her one of her tweets.

"75 years old as chief of staff. God save Nigeria".

Also, the Nigerian Army and President Buhari had been slammed by the public in the recent time of April after the republic of Chad gained ground in fighting the Boko haram around the Lake Chad. This development was made known in April, 2020 by the Chadian Spokesman Azem Bermenda Agouna that less than 60 Chadian soldiers were killed by the terrorist group while on their part they executed more than 1000 terrorists and recovered huge weapons through an operation launched on March 31, 2020. This brave ambush on Boko haram which was led by the Chadian president Idriss Déby Itno, a military oriented, gained international stance as many people think Chad did great compared to Nigeria which had seemed to have relented on her battle against terrorism. 

However, Nigeria is still respected for her current and past military might in West Africa (ECOMOG) and other part of Africa, like Liberia, in assuring peace. Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, chief of army staff of Nigeria, instructed his relocation to the northeast to redefine the fight against Boko haram. It is assumed that all these developments had been yielding positive results since Shekau, the leader of the terrorist group Boko Haram, was rumored to had voice out in two different audios that he would like to surrender to the right authority and recently in the early of May 2020, he announced while crying that the Nigerian armed forces are hitting hard on him and his men, terrorists.

Nigerians insisted on the death of Shekau to pay of all his atrocities and to let justice to be served. Nigerian army claimed that he would be received if he raises the white flag and frees the dove.

It is impossible to forget that the Economic and Financial crimes commission (EFCC) under President Buhari is lauded for doing great in prosecuting financial criminals and bringing them to book. This commission had helped the nation in recovering billions of naira. Recently, in the early hours of 12th May 2020, one of the news topping the headlines was that two Chinese men were involved in bribing one EFCC official with the sum of 100 million to maneuver their probe. 

 Despite EFCC getting appraisals, some Nigerians feel the commission is not doing well by not investigating some men of the ruling party, APC.

 However, many Nigerians were excited to hear that some portions of Abacha’s loots were recovered by the government. As a result of this development,, some Nigerians are of the idea that Abacha did not loot but saved money for future in case if Nigeria is in need as a good father does for his children. 

 Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was in an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday 6th May 2020. He opined that Abacha stole from the Central Bank of Nigeria;

“First of all, this fund was stolen from the federation account in the Central Bank of Nigeria. So, if the money is going to be returned, it’s being repatriated, it has to go back to the federation account. The money does not belong to the Federal Government alone; it belongs to the three tiers of government. If money was taken from the federation account, taken away, and is being brought back, it must go to the federation account for sharing by the three tiers of government. So, it cannot be spent alone. The money cannot be used for funding the budget of the Federal Government alone. So, that is number one.

Number two, the United States of America has no right under our law to dictate to us how to spend our recovered money. It was insulting, and embarrassing on the part of the Buhari administration to have accepted the insult. The Federal Government should have told the American government how dare you; this money was stolen from our country, taken away and kept for 20 years, 20 years, nobody is talking of interest; nobody is talking of penalizing the banks that kept the loot. But as far as the law is concerned, this money does not belong to the Federal Government, so it cannot be used by the Federal Government alone”.

 The renowned lawyer insisted that Federal Government cannot deploy money, cannot spend money without appropriation. Things must be accounted for.

OAU Security Department Intensifies Protective Measures against the Spread of COVID-19 on Campus

The indigenes and school community have been obedient to curfew given by the Governor of the State of Osun. The 6am-6pm rule has been strictly followed and it has helped with containing the spread of COVID-19

While there is still no news on the resumption, the security department is determined to keep the school safe.

OAU security department have added measures to keep the campus COVID-19 free. 

As at 12th of May, 2020, these orders have been effective;

1. All persons shall be required to wear face masks before they can be permitted to enter the University campus. Please note that this is compulsory

2. The number of persons in a car must NOT exceed four(4),the driver inclusive. 

3. All team sports (football, basket-ball etc.) are hereby prohibited within the University estate until there is a decline on the growing cases of Covid- 19. 

4. No commercial vehicles is allowed into the campus until full resumption of activities on campus. 

5. OAU staff resident on the University campus shall be expected to receive their visitors at the Campus Main Gate as no Visitor shall be allowed to enter the campus

6. Fellowship, meetings and all forms of ceremonies that attract crowds are prohibited in line with the federal government directive. 

7. All categories of staff that are authorized to be at the offices are advised to always be in possession of hand sanitizers. Please note that social distance must be observed. 

8. No Students is permitted to be on the Campus premises except if fully resident in the University Staff Quarters.

9. Members of staff are encouraged to be very security conscious during this period as a few unscrupulous elements have been apprehended while trying to break into offices or attempting to cart away University equipment at the academic area. All of these culprits have been handed over to the Police

10. The University community is strongly advised to cooperate with security operatives in enforcing access control at the university gates and other places on campus.

11. Please call any of the underlisted phone numbers for clarifications or if you have

useful security information.

08035801206

09034592436

09058292737 

Thank you.

Please stay safe.

Art, Flower and Beauty

 

By Emmanuel Dominic

Art, Flower and Beauty 

Since we are tasked with staying safe and being responsible, let’s talk about the things that make the heart jump. Art, flower and beauty are three concepts that have shaped the human race for centuries. They bring colors, creativity and even nature to life in a unique way. Often, these concepts are combined in the making of a master piece. Art, flower and beauty are intertwined when they are used in the same context. 

ART

Art is commonly defined as the creative demonstration of skills in expressing emotions with imagery. And this can actively occur when a man is sensitive to capture moments of others, and use that experience to express the emotions conversed. Wikipedia sees art as a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artifacts (artworks), expressing the author's imaginative, conceptual ideas, or technical skill, intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power.

Some see art as an expression of oneself, the creative work of a human. Art can be entertaining and used for communications. Art is just creativity.

Purpose of Art

* Art isn't just made for amusement. Have you ever seen a work of art and remain speechless? Not because of its beauty, but because of the perfect perception. 

* Art as a basic Human instinct. It is a "must do" activity for humans by nature to actively express feelings.

* Art provides a function, of expressing imaginations. Both in imagery painting, or in unique way of words formation

* Art, as people perceive is also a means of entertainment.

* Art can also be used for psychological purposes, it is called Art therapy, and most therapists use it as a process of helping their patients.

* Lastly, Art is a means of communication. It is a major purpose, as art in every aspect is a mean to communicate emotions, feelings and mood to the other individual viewing it or reading it.

Flowers

Flowers are known for beauty. It serves as a means of admiration. They also serve as a means of passing messages across, so they are used for varieties of events. Varieties of Color beautification have made flowers so known round the globe. They are the artistic structure of nature, so amazing. As funny as it sounds, flowers have purposes other than beautification 

Purpose of Flowers 

* Flowers can be used as a means to express love and feelings  

* It is also use for Wedding and Funeral Functions. 

* Also for Birth and christening

* It can also be used for the creation of art

Flowers like daisies; which symbolize Innocence, Lily/Irises; life or resurrection, and Roses which symbolizes love, passion and emotions are good for easy communication.

However, before you take your money to the florist, make sure the person you want to gift it to appreciate flowers. Most Nigerian gifts prefer a box of chocolate.

 

Beauty 

Beauty is everywhere and easy to see. You can see a trash can but someone else sees that trash can as a good picture concept. According to Wikipedia, beauty is the ascription of a property or characteristic to an animal, idea, object, person or place that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure or satisfaction. In other words, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Beauty is not only picture attractiveness or something pleasing to the eyes; it also has a lot to do with Psychology. Beauty can be seen in intelligence, charisma, elegance and so on. 

Art is a way of showing the beauty in flowers. The three concepts have attractiveness and interest in common.

Man has been able to accomplish so much by harnessing these three Concepts.

It's therefore said, Art, Flower and Beauty are the bedrock of creativity, emotions and expression. 

COVID-19: OAU to Distribute Relief Materials for Ife Community

By Pelumi Hassan

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, in his support of the efforts of the government and the Ooni of Ife to fight against the pandemic in the country embarked on the on sensitization and distribution of relief materials.  These relief materials are for the Ife community. 

The relief materials includes; 200 packs of OAU bottled water, One cow, 500 loaves of OAU bread, 200 bottles of 250ml hand sanitizer, 179 packs of 5kg Garri and 7½ bags of 50kg Garri. 

COVID-19: OAU to Distribute Relief Materials for Ife Community

It was recorded that the Vice Chancellor made disclosure on Thursday during the release of materials to the president of Ife Development Board (IDB); Comrade Lawrence Awowoyin. In a release by the OAU Public Relation Officer; Abiodun Olanrewaju it was noted that the release of materials to the president of IDB was at the Ooni’s Palace, Ile Ife.

The Vice Chancellor also expressed his gratitude towards the Ooni of Ife; Oba Adeyemi Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, for his “fatherly role” and support to the University.

However, the Vice Chancellor is glad that there is no case of Corona Virus in Ife community. He also hopes that the community remains free of the pandemic. 

“It is our prayer that this no-case situation remains so in the entire Ife community.”

The Vice Chancellor implores the citizens of Nigeria to stay in their homes, to observe social distancing as well as obey the guidelines released by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

The Most Productive Way To Spend A Compulsory Break✨

By Moyinoluwa Babalola

It is much easier planning a break when you have an afore knowlege of its coming. You start sending in applications to organizations, companies and corporations on hiring you as intern or you start saving up or asking your parents for money to learn a new skill and most importantly your mind is even prepared for it.

Having a break where your mind is not even prepared for it can be really difficult as much as i hate to say it, that is what we are experiencing right now.

Should we be angry and just lazy around, sleep, surf the net, watch movies and eat all through. Atleast no one can blame us, we weren't prepared for it.

No! There are 1 billion ways to make this break productive even if everything is virtual. I don't want to bore you, we will be discussing just five and i tell you, you are not ready for the great things doing these will bring.

1. TAKE AN ONLINE COURSE: The good thing about this is that various of schools and platforms are giving out these courses for free and the ones with money are more or else peanuts.

Take a course you have always been interested in or one you no nothing about but sounds appealing to your ears.

2. READ BOOKS: Those books you bought years ago and have never had the time to read them, bring them out now and start reading them. Also, those e-books you were just collecting on your phone and have never read a page, open it now and start reading.

3. SEND THOSE APPLICATIONS: Those  Scholarahips, Internships, grants, Essay competitions you have always wanted to apply for never you never had the time to do so. START THE APPLICATION NOW.

4. LEARN A SKILL: It is time to learn a skill virtually. A skill can be Copywrighting, Graphics Design, Video Animation, you name it. Look for ways to learn it, WATCH YOUTUBE VIDEOS , DOWNLOAD MATERIALS ON THEM, READ UP ON THEM ON GOOGLE.

5. BUILD YOUR ONLINE NETWORK: Update your linkedn profile if you have one and create one if you do not. Start connecting with people that matter in your career.

There are tons of other things you can do, this are just the major ones.

Don't forget to stay safe this period, call your loved ones, find reasons to be grateful always- it will help you stay happy.

Love from,

OAU PEEPS.

"All Samples collected from Ife are Negative for SARS-COVI 2 Virus" -Prof Onayade.

On the 25th of March, 2020, a Covid-19 case was confirmed in Osun State. This generated the rumour on social media about a confirmed case in OAUTHC. 

This rumour appeared to be false as Prof Onayade from OAUTHC said,

"Dear colleagues, I am glad to report that all samples collected from Ife are NEGATIVE for SARS-COVI 2 virus. All exposed persons should calm down. However, note that 80% of persons who are infected and able to transmit the infections are asymptomatic. This means the real risk to us are not the patients in the hospital but the many people we come across in during daily social interactions in offices, markets, churches, mosques, etc. Consequently, let us keep safe via scrupulous hand washing, social distancing, cough etiquette and other preventive behaviour at this time. The protocol will be distributed to all service points tomorrow and we will continue to strengthen our preparedness and plans to keep you all safe. God bless us all."

However, it was reported that the confirmed Covid-19 case is at Oshogbo. People are still urged to stay home, practise social distancing and stay safe.

Stay Safe

By Ayodele Jomiloju

Majority of us smiled at the new year prepared to set our visions right, loads of resolutions stuck in our hearts, lots of promises were made and we vowed not to recede, unfortunately or fortunately for us today it feels like the end of the world. It could had been any other time but it choose now and our preparation still matters as we can't afford to ignore precautions and run after the cure.

 People are dying and a choice to either learn or live under the shadow of rumours that have been created to make us feel safe. There are tens of invalid conclusions spreading day after day. Everytime I hear this rumor I tell myself we don't need it. All we need to do is guide ourselves, take the recognized precautions and try to stay safe.

 Hygeine is a universal culture, thorough washing of hands (for about 20 seconds) with an anti - bacteria soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizers, social distancing, avoiding large and crowdy gatherings, reduce traveling, stay at home often, cover the openings (nose and nostrils) with your folded elbow or a disposable tissue paper whenever you sneeze and cough, avoid touching your face with unclean hands and if you feel any of the symptoms (cold, dry cough, fever, tiredness or breathing difficulty) self isolate yourself and visit a GENERAL HOSPITAL. These are crucial precautions we need to adhere to.

 

 Personally I strongly encourage people to memorize the emergency hotline (080097000010) in case there's a suspected case around you and it's very important we become more observant. Another hiccup we need to tackle is the indescent use of the internet and social media, honestly I appreciate technology, internet and social media and I we need to respect the social media and use it wisely. 

 

 The virus hit the world unexpectedly and it's reasonable if human response is worry, anxiety and fear however an inappropriate defense mechanism is using the social media to laugh it off (more often at the expense of others in pain). We need to be encouraged not discouraged, let's be innovative and use the social media appropriately, a perfect anology is #Stayathomechallenge by footballers which has helped footballers and football fans stay relaxed, though you might not be a fan of watching 22 adults running after round leather still you can get innovative and help people stay relaxed through the social media.

Conclusively, we need to be patient. Stop aggravating the situation and please stay safe.