Connect with us

News

Nationwide Protest: The Killer Is Afraid Of Death [OPINION]

Published

on

By Icon-James Tam

I read from the nation’s newspaper where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke through Information Minister Mohammad Idris, urging Nigerian youth to halt the proposed August 1-10th protest tagged “Protest Days of Rage”. The President appealed to Nigerians that their concerns would be addressed but emphasized the need for more time to do so.

Advertisement

He cited the recently launched student loan scheme and the new minimum wage bill signed into law as swift interventions on his part to justify caution amidst the hardships facing Nigerians.

I almost made this opinion immediately, but I was delayed because I was hungry and had to settle my stomach first. This is the daily plight of every average Nigerian, going to bed with barely half a meal.

READ ALSO: OPINION: Why Aiyedatiwa Should Not Appeal Court Judgment On Creation Of LCDA In Ondo State

Advertisement

While I searched for food and considered sharing my opinion, I listened to some persons who believed the protest was unnecessary. They argued that the Nigerian state is too fragile and feared the protest might escalate or be hijacked, potentially leading to anarchy. Some referred to the 2020 EndSARS protests which turned bloody a few days after commencing.

Although I respect their concerns for the country’s well-being, I am troubled not only by their call to stop the protest but also by President Tinubu’s claim of addressing Nigeria’s concerns.

With our memories intact, he vociferously led a nationwide protest against Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 over fuel subsidy removal, even parading an artificial casket labeled with the former president’s name as if for a funeral. No protest could be more intense than that. In every legitimate cause, there may be elements seeking to distort it, often sponsored by the state. The 2012 protest saw property damage and loss of lives across the country, which I condemn. Yet, the message was loud, and there was some level of consideration from the federal government at the time, just as the EndSARS movement achieved a landmark victory against unruly SARS operatives.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: OPINION: If Tinubu Were Today’s Opposition Leader

President Tinubu’s plea for time did not address the reasons for the proposed protest. His claim that the recently enacted minimum wage could alleviate the suffering of Nigerians has had little meaningful impact, as the prices of basic necessities continue to rise. Insecurity worsens daily, and fuel prices vary widely from one filling station to another within the same community or state.

Here is a president who, as an opposition leader even during military rule, staged protests against purported bad governance, now seeming afraid of protests. As a historical irony, it’s akin to “a one-time killer afraid of death as tables turn”.

Advertisement

Protest is our fundamental right and must be protected at all costs. The world must hear us narrate our ordeals under President Tinubu’s leadership. Therefore, I urge security agencies to act professionally and provide necessary coverage as we carry out the protest from August 1-10 to voice the hardships we endure.

Icon-James Tam
Writes from the creeks of Ogidigba 2, Ese-Odo LGA of Ondo State, Nigeria
08106294449

Advertisement

News

ITF Warns Organisations, Employers Against Rejection Of IT Students

Published

on

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has warned organisations and employers nationwide against rejecting students seeking attachment for their Industrial Training (IT) exercises.

ITF Area Manager in Bauchi, Dr Ashore Paul, issued the warning on Thursday during the orientation exercise for prospective IT students of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.

Advertisement

Represented by Mrs Nanzem Yilshuut, Head of Training at the ITF Bauchi Area Office, Paul said that “the act establishing the Fund mandates every organisation to accept students for industrial attachment.”

He further stated that any employer or organisation found in breach of these provisions was liable to conviction and sanctions.

READ ALSO:ITF Trains 120 Youth In Plumbing, Solar Power Installation, Others In Bauchi State

Advertisement

Paul also urged the prospective IT students to adhere to the rules and regulations of any organisation they joined and to be willing to learn and fulfill their responsibilities.

When these students come back, we expect that there is a difference.

“They should have learned something new because definitely, what they learned in school, would be expected to be put into practicals.

Advertisement

“This will help them in their academics and also assist them in their future endeavours.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Provide Update On Missing N3bn Within 48 Hours, Reps Tells ITF

They must participate 100 per cent, they must be disciplined and they must be willing to learn.

Advertisement

“We go round to ensure that they are doing what they are expected to do at their places of attachment.

“When we go for supervision, we ensure that what they are learning is in line with their courses,” he said.

The Rector of the institution, Sani Usman, said that the industrial attachment was an activity that enabled polytechnics to fulfill their mandate as technology and skill-driven institutions.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Edo Govt Lauds ITF On Training Of 100 Edo Youths On Skills

“Our students are given industrial experience during their first year so as to be registered in their minds that all of them are meant to be skilled class men and women and that is why the industrial attachment is very important.

“It enables them to build on what they have learned in their respective classrooms and practicals during the year,” he said.

Advertisement

Usman emphasised the importance of proper supervision during industrial training.

READ ALSO: I’m Being Impersonated – Goodluck Jonathan Disowns Social Media Account

According to him, it will ensure students not only attend their placements but also carry out their assigned tasks effectively.

Advertisement

“The supervision is also to see that the employers or the places they have been sent to do their Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) do not exploit them to the level that is not required by the institution”, he said.

He further revealed that 3,000 students across all departments in the institution were going for this year’s SIWES.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Smokers Risk Cardiac Arrest, Expert Warns

Published

on

A Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, in the department of surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Prof Eyo Ekpe has warned cigarettes smokers and patients with diabetes to take adequate of their chest in order not to fall a victim of cardiac arrest .

He said that these health conditions trigger certain types of abnormal heartbeats called arrhythmias responsible for sudden cardiac arrest.

Advertisement

Professor Ekpe gave the warning on Wednesday while delivering the 117th Inaugural Lecturer of the University of Uyo, titled “My Chest! My Chest!! My Chest!!!: Relieving Chest Pain, Preventing Death and Restoring Health”

He disclosed that many Nigerians have died for ignoring cardiac arrest triggers, preventing them, or seeking late medical attention to chest related ailments.

READ ALSO:Tobacco Kills 1.3 Million Non-smokers Yearly — WHO

Advertisement

Chest pain should not be ignored. Symptom of chest pain that is reported early would afford the clinician the opportunity to obtain adequate medical history from the person, medically examine the person thoroughly, optimally conduct the necessary laboratory tests to unravel the cause, and apply an evidence based treatment modality to relieve the chest pain, prevent death and restore heath.

“People should guard their heart diligently to prevent heart attack. Cigarette should not be smoked, high blood pressure should be prevented or controlled, diabetes mellitus should be prevented or controlled, and high blood cholesterol and lipoprotein should be prevented or controlled. A culture of regular physical exercise must be intentionally domesticated.

“People should guard their heart diligently to prevent cardiac arrest. Causes and triggers of arrhythmias should be prevented by preventing stress, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, coronary artery disease and electrolyte disorders, and avoiding cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse,” he stated.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Marijuana Smokers Prone To Head, Neck Cancers — Study

Ekpe said medical consultation for chest problems should be with qualified medical doctors to avoid misdiagnosis, wrong treatment and complications, adding that regular medical checks and timely reports of symptoms of ailments must be prioritised.

Safe-driving habit and road safety must be taken as a serious business. Seat restrained-belt should be used by all occupants of moving vehicles.

Advertisement

“Bicycles, motorcycles and tricycles should not ply traffic-congested roads. All victims of chest pain and chest injuries must be attended to by qualified medical doctors in a timely manner,” he advised.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

FirstBank’s Digital Banking Channels Suffers Downtime

Published

on

FirstBank has suffered a temporary disruption to its major digital banking channels, which will prevent some customers from completing transactions.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the bank said the downtime is affecting services on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and its *894# USSD platforms.

Advertisement

“Please be informed that we are currently experiencing some downtime affecting transactions to other banks on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and USSD platforms. Customers may therefore experience delayed or declined transactions,” the circular read.

READ ALSO:Sterling Bank Unveils First 30 Beneficiaries Of N2bn Scholarship

The bank apologised for the inconvenience and assured customers that its technical team, working with partner service providers, is making every effort to restore full services as quickly as possible.

Advertisement

The disruption occurred less than two months after FirstBank introduced facial biometric authentication on its FirstMobile app, designed to enhance the customer experience and security.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending