Tech: How to leave a Facebook group

Tech: How to leave a Facebook group

By: Ola Pat
As time changes so do individual needs and choice, thus, you may find countless reasons to leave a facebook group you voluntarily joined with enthusiasm. Or in other circumstances, you were unceremoniously added by a good friend with good intention that does not align with your desire or passion. Here is how to leave the group.

1.      Sign in into your facebook account
Read More
Schools Construction Can Ikpeazu Pause

Schools Construction Can Ikpeazu Pause

By Uche Aguoru
 
Pix provided by writer
Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, (ASUBEB) recently received the sum of 6 billion Naira from Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), this fund was meant to facilitate successful implementation of UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION (UBE) projects, with the primary aim of ensuring that all Abia children receive basic education in a conducive and comfortable educational environment that will enhance learning as designed by UBEC and implemented across the federation.
Read More
Commune Magazine, others flag off Ota Business Directory

Commune Magazine, others flag off Ota Business Directory

By: Posi Oyebola

Commune Magazine, Otta Business Day (an online business community magazine) in conjunction with Ota News (a community newspaper) has flagged off the first ever Ota 3pple formats Business Directory – The Path-finder. In a launch that coincides with the official take-off of Otta Business Day, the three community-oriented media will put together their community knowledge, experience and passion to set developmental agenda for the business community in Ota and environs. The coming together of the partners is to synergize to deliver maximum value for the project and its clients.


In a joint press release, Commune Magazine and Otta Business Day affirmed that there is a need to have a Business Directory in and around Ota and environs to make access to businesses easy. It is also an opportunity to know the kind of businesses and professional services available in these growing communities. The release went further to state that Ota and environs precisely Ado-Odo Ota is one of the fastest growing cities in Nigeria due to its industrial city status brought about by its nearness to Lagos. It is still a growing city, so places, where there are services and goods, need to map out. Thus, the Business Directory is expected to be a Pathfinder.

Speaking with a member of the project team Agboola Gbenga, he informed Otta Business Day that unlike all other Community Directory he had been part of, this one is a very special one because it considers and incorporated the past, the present and the future in its delivery. The directory, he said will be in three formats, the standard old format of a brochure (booklet), it will also be available in electronic book format (e-book) and will also be available online. He advised business people to be part of this revolution so that people can easily locate and find them.

website Homepage


Afolabi Owoyeni, head of marketing Otta Business Day confined in this reporter that the coming together of all the partners is to form a formidable alliance in order to create a sustainable synergy that will guarantee not only the success of the project but also ensure that the project delivered the promised value to all the users. He reiterated that all the partners are experienced and passionate about the community. Afolabi enjoined every business that has anything to offer Ota and environs to download the directory form from www.communemagazine.com.ng, www.otabusinessday.com.ng. They can also join our facebook group: www.facebook.com/otabusinessday
Read More
Editorial: The Re-launched of Bail is free

Editorial: The Re-launched of Bail is free

The Police image is stained
In a statement released by Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on September 13th, 2017, the public was informed that the new Inspector General of Police,Creed for the force to live by as they conduct and relate with the citizens of Nigeria. This is commendable and reassuring that the top echelon of the Nigeria Police is indeed aware of the misconduct of their “boys” and they will not sit still without doing something about it. In addition, they also know the implication of such conducts on the way the Nigeria Police is perceived and related to by the people and the harrowing experience Nigerians go through in the hands of Police personnel. Knowing and understand a problem is said to be a midway to solving it. The IGP and his team have shown understanding of this peculiar police problem, the next question is, are they ready to lead the force out of it the bottom deep image? If this campaign is successful, this will forever remove indiscriminate and illegal arrest from the operations of the Nigeria Police.
IGP Ibrahim K. Idris has ordered the re-launch of “Bail is Free” campaign across the nation. The campaign is one of the IGP’s plans to reposition the Nigeria Police “to be more accountable, responsive, responsible and reliable under his leadership”. The IGP and his management have also carved out a
Read More
What you need to know about NP Bail is free campaign

What you need to know about NP Bail is free campaign


FHQ ABUJA- SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2017
PRESS RELEASE
OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF BAIL IS FREE CAMPAIGN IN NIGER STATE ON 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2017 BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE REPRESENTED BY THE FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (FPRO), CSP JIMOH MOSHOOD AT ‘B’ DIVISION MINNA, NIGER STATE POLICE COMMAND
“BAIL IS FREE”

1. IGP ORDERS RE-LAUNCH CAMPAIGN ACROSS THE COUNTRY
It is with much delight that I address you on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni, on today’s occasion.
2. The IGP on assumption of duty on the 22nd June, 2016 promised to reposition the Nigeria Police Force to be more accountable, responsive, responsible and reliable under his leadership. You will agree with me that these declarations are already manifesting and being accomplished.
3. In furtherance of the above objectives, the IGP and Management Team have embarked on aggressive community and people oriented engagements to bring the Nigeria Police Force closer to the people so as to ensure effective service delivery to all Nigerians. The Eminent persons Forum which is a platform to strengthen the community policing strategies of the Force to tackle ethnic, religious and communal disputes and crisis that bedeviled some parts of the country was launched throughout the thirty six (36) states of the Nation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and it has been achieving the desired results.
4. To accomplish the tasks of stimulating positive conducts of the entire personnel of the Force towards the fulfilment of the focus, missions and agenda of the Inspector General of Police and management team, the ‘creed’ for the Force was fashioned out to be a watch words and guiding principles for all officers and men in carrying out their duties and in the discharge of their day to day official responsibilities as thus:
(i). We shall police the country based on international core values of policing with integrity
(ii). We shall ensure that the rule of law prevails in our actions and activities
(iii). We shall respect diversity, display courage, show compassion and demonstrate professionalism
(iv). We shall operate within the principles of Democratic policing
(v). We shall shun corruption
(vi) We shall make Nigeria safer and secured
5. While ensuring compliance with the above, the Inspector General of Police and management team pays special attention to issues of corruption allegations most especially as it concerns BAIL of suspects in Police custody.
6. The Inspector General of Police has therefore directed the launch of BAIL IS FREE campaign in all the Thirty Six (36) states of the country and the FCT, starting today from Niger State Police Command, ‘B’ Division in Minna.
7. Traditional Rulers, Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, Opinion Leaders, Market Men and Women Associations, Youths Leaders and Groups and Critical Stakeholders in the communities, towns and cities are implored to support this campaign. They are to report to the nearest Police Station the conduct of any Police Officer, Investigative Police Officer (IPO) or any other Officer that ask for money or pecuniary benefit before, during or after BAIL is granted to the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Area Commanders, The Command Public Relations Officers, Commissioner of Police or to the Force Public Relations Officer through the following Phone Nos. 07056792065, 08088450152, email: bailisfree@gmail.com­, Police website: www.npf.gov.ng.
8. The people are encouraged to paste the sticker “BAIL IS FREE” on their vehicles, conspicuous locations and public centres to assist the Nigeria Police Force to spread this campaign.
9. The Inspector General of Police has directed the Commissioner of Police in Niger State to subsequently carryout the launch and campaign of “BAIL IS FREE” in all the remaining Emirates in Niger State. He will also do similar launch in all the remaining Area Commands and Divisions throughout Niger State.
10. The IGP has equally directed all Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police to immediately ensure that ‘’BAIL IS FREE’’ is pasted in the crime branch, statement room, charge room and other conspicuous locations in all Police Divisions, Police Stations and Outposts throughout the Country.
11. The Inspector General of Police has sent out the X-squad of the Nigeria Police Force to all the states of the country to monitor compliance to “BAIL IS FREE” campaign and given power to arrest, detain and discipline any erring Police officer.
12. Lastly, the Inspector General of Police deeply appreciates the supports of all Nigerians in terms of prompt information and other assistance to the Nigeria Police Force Personnel in crime prevention and control throughout the country. The IGP enjoined the people to assist the Police to make this “BAIL IS FREE” campaign a huge success by reporting any complaint through the above mentioned avenues.

CSP JIMOH MOSHOOD
Force Public Relations Officer,
Force Headquarters,
Read More
The ways of the elite

The ways of the elite

By: Jude Idada

Two things stuck out to me on my way back to Toronto. Firstly, in Frankfurt where I stopped over on transit since I was flying Lufthansa, there was a lot of Nigerians - young Nigerians.
airport lounge
A couple of them with their mothers, on their way back to school in Canada. I got talking to a mother and her two twin daughters and a son. She was excited that I was living in Canada and wanted me to keep an eye on her children. Then the introductions began. Meet this... meet that. Somehow all these kids seemed to know each other, 47 children in all (Children of the Rich).

Read More
THE IBADAN DECLARATION, Sept. 7th, 2017.

THE IBADAN DECLARATION, Sept. 7th, 2017.

COMMUNIQUÉ OF YORUBA SUMMIT HELD IN IBADAN ON 7TH SEPTEMBER 2017
PREAMBLE

Leaders and people of Yoruba nation met in a solemn gathering at the Lekan Salami
Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan to deliberate on the restructuring agenda and the future of Nigeria, The summit was attended by Yoruba leaders, governors, parliamentarians, Yoruba social cultural groups, professional bodies, market leaders, youth groups and friends of the Yoruba nation.
Read More
The National Assembly and Restructuring

The National Assembly and Restructuring

By: Prof. Femi Mimiko

The fear is that as we deter on the needful, and expend useful time on frivolities, good reason would lose value, the appeal of extreme ideas would appreciate exponentially, and people who canvass them would seem like messiahs. That is what is called the triumph of extremism.

The Nigerian National Assembly lost a huge opportunity to be an agency for change when it bungled the on-going constitution amendment project. A definitive move on the part of the body in the direction of some form of devolution of power, and resources, away from the centre, would have just been good enough to stave off the impending crisis attendant upon the growing acrimony on restructuring. Alas, the National Assembly not only failed to do this, it ended up further consolidating the position of an already overbearing central government, which like a barracuda is already dying under its own weight. It purportedly scrapped State electoral commissions, and mandated INEC to conduct Local Government elections in all of 774 LGAs – institutions, which in a functional federal system are adjuncts of the State! It rooted for what is called local government autonomy – that very antithesis of federalism. Sadly, the National Assembly left issues of high consequence and displayed more interest in relatively mundane issues like changing the name of the Nigeria Police Force to Nigeria Police, and moving superintendence of national parks from the central to State governments! In all, what the National Assembly has done is akin to the proverbial Emperor Nero, who so much lacked the presence of mind to be fiddling while his Rome was on fire.

The prevailing governance structure is only capable of reproducing crises, instability, corruption, and underdevelopment.

The fundamental issue here is that we must compel a restructuring of this so-called Federation, so-called because it is a federation only in name. Two documents from which we cannot successfully run away in this regard are the 1963 Constitution that was forcefully overthrown in 1966 by the military; and the 2014 Confab report. The latter, in all practicality, is an update of the former. Those who decry the non-elective character of the Confab and thereby disparage its far-reaching recommendations forget that the 1999 Constitution they are wont to defend is also not a product of any elected assembly. When eventually we persuade ourselves or are compelled to stanch extant degeneration into complete political paralysis attendant upon the growing frustration with the prevailing structure, we would realize the profoundly regenerative possibilities of the 2014 document. The concern is that it gets to a stage in the life of nations when some epochal acts consequential for national rebirth become too late. It is already very late now for our country. The fear is that as we deter on the needful, and expend useful time on frivolities, good reason would lose value, the appeal of extreme ideas would appreciate exponentially, and people who canvass them would seem like messiahs. That is what is called the triumph of extremism.

I dare say for the umpteenth time that the prevailing structure of governance makes development impossible in Nigeria. Governments at all levels, no matter how determined and well-meaning they are, can only do so much viz-a-viz development. The prevailing governance structure is only capable of reproducing crises, instability, corruption, and underdevelopment. How gladsome it would have been if the National Assembly had been alive to these issues, and demonstrated the requisite courage to move our country away from the precipice.

**********************************************
Opinions shared on this Community Blog are solely that of the writers.
**********************************************


Please, do leave a comment.
 You can get across to us through any of these channels: 
Email: communemagazine@gmail.com
Call/Whatsapp: +234803 550 2253.


Read More
The role of schools in developmental educational policies

The role of schools in developmental educational policies

Crescent School Badge
By: Aisha Abdul-Lateef
As your child get ready to return to school for a new session, are you prepared mentally to learn and keep an eye on what he/she is taught? Or you have simply abdicated your role patapata to your child’s school? For the community to progress, every member has a role to play. A school has called our communal attention to matter rising in textbooks and their implicit sexual contents. In a swift reaction to what they term explicit sexual contents, crass description of sexual anatomy and pleasures derived thereof in recommended textbooks for Nigeria students, The Crescent schools community, The Head of School and The Chairman of PTA have drawn the attention of the Minister of Education and indeed the Parent Community to these anomalies.

It will be recalled that recently a parent lamenting the sexual content in a Junior Secondary School 2 textbook went viral on Facebook. It is expected that with concern stakeholders in education partnering with the ministry of education, a better sexual age appropriate textbook will be recommended for study in Nigeria primary and secondary schools.


In the letter, the school noted that it is also becoming a tradition among examination bodies to recommend textbooks that seem to be in contrast to the moral standard our educational system should be promoting. As we prepared to send our children back to school, we must pay attention to their body message to us, what they are learning in school and from what well (textbook) they will be drinking (learning) about the world. We hope other schools will follow this good move. The letter is reproduced below.


CRESCENT SCHOOLS, 1004 HOUSING ESTATE, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

9th June, 2017.

The Honourable Minister of Education,
The Federal Ministry of Education,
Federal Secretariat Complex,
Shehu Shagari Way, Central Area,
P.M.B. 146, Garki, Abuja.

Dear Sir,

OUR COMPLAINT AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE IMMORAL CONTENTS IN OUR CURRICULA

We, the Parent-Teacher Association of Crescent College, Victoria Island, Lagos, are constrained to bring to your notice that we have observed that it has become the tradition of the National Examinations Council (NECO) to recommend junior secondary literature textbooks that fall short of moral standards that our nation’s educational system should be promoting.

More specifically, the books are nothing but a means of glamorizing acts of indecency such as rape, violence, kidnapping, girl defilement and sexualization of knowledge. The books expose the vulnerable and unsuspecting minds of 10-12 year olds to amorous and deviant practices that can in turn breed rapists, cultists, homosexuals and kidnappers in youngsters. The prevalence of cases of rape among secondary students in recent times cannot be unconnected with the urge to experiment with the experience they have from such books.

For example, The Precious Child, by Queen O. Okweshine, gave a vivid description of a young lady’s body as follows: If only I can find a sweet 16 to cool me down. But these eaglets with their fronts and backs fully set. Waaoo, those tender breasts that gyrate in provocating rhythm which seem to say (pushes his chest forward) ‘I swear to God.’ (page 56). In the same vein, another book, ‘The Tears of a Bride’ authored by Oyekunle Oyedeji, an accountant, is another reason to make a responsive and responsible parent feel concerned about the kind of adults schooling is grooming their children to be. The story is centred on two characters, Ajibike and Akofe, who are passionately in love, with Araba, the staff bearer, not allowing them to be. The author throws caution and modesty to the dogs as reflected in the following excerpts:

1. Lights open on Akofe and Ajibike lying crisscross on the ground with Ajibike’s head on Akofe’s chest and his arms wrapped around her. Akofe’s eyes are closed as he savours the splendour of the moment. His index finger runs through her body, drawing imaginary lines with its tip. Ajibike curiously raises her head from his chest to look into his face, only to discover a wide smile is playing therein. (page 10)

2. Tell them also that the breast of a woman in a man’s mouth tastes better than the best of palm wine. (page 86)

3. Araba comes out of his house bare to the waist and readjusts his wrapper. Romoke cries weakly as she comes out from the house holding her wrapper to her chest to prevent it from falling off her body. Araba has just defiled her. (page 91)

Furthermore, the tradition of literary immorality has recently graduated to the level of Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) as observable from the blameable content of its recommended Use of English text for the 2017 UTME, In Dependence.
The book is succinctly described by the author, thus: It is the story of two people struggling to find themselves and each other – a story of passion and idealism, courage and betrayal, and the universal desire to fall madly, deeply, in love. Nothing short of this enamoured description of love is depicted by the storyline. In fact, our students who sat the current UTME found it morally distasteful, to say the least
.
OUR REQUESTS
In view of the negative effects of books like these on the morals of our children and the family system, the foundation of our society, we, therefore, request as follows:

1. There should be an objective content analysis of books meant for learners’ consumption before they are certified fit for school use by the appropriate organ of the ministry.

2. We request that such books (even as they affect other subjects) are withdrawn from use immediately considering the extent of their incalculable potential damage to the youths now and in future.

3. To forestall a recurrence, we demand that the process that led to the adoption of the books is investigated and whosoever is found culpable is sanctioned appropriately.
4. We implore the Ministry of Education to do everything possible within its powers to put a stop to the use of such books immediately.

5. We implore the Ministry to recommend, henceforth, books that teach values such as honesty, integrity, decency, hard work and selflessness, which seek to promote humanity in our youngsters, in the interest of our nation.

In conclusion, we are hopeful that our concerns on the textbooks and some perverted aspects of the curricula would be given a listening ear. As a parent and a role model, we eagerly look forward to your urgent decision and action in addressing these worries. Thank you in anticipation of your favourable response.


Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Fatima Mahmud-Oyekan                                                      Alhaji Aliyu Gudaji
Head of Crescent Schools                               Chairman, Parent-Teacher Association
 


 

Read More