Last week, I stated that the money allocated to Aso Rock clinic was 3.4 billion naira. I later discovered that 4.8 billion naira was actually set aside for both capital projects and recurrent expenditure for it, the clinic used by the President, Vice-President, their families and close associates. That amount competes favourably with the total allocation usually earmarked by the Federal Ministry of Health for tertiary health institutions nationwide which serve thousands of Nigerians annually, while only about N2.66 billion is to be spent on building new hospitals all over the country.

This year’s governorship election in Edo State to fill the vacancy that would result from the end of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure will no doubt be keenly contested. For the first time in recent years, many well tested citizens have already shown interest in the position. In particular, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the main opposition party- the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to give each other a hot chase as both parties are strong in the state. But before the political scene begins to boil, no one should forget that the state has so much to thank God for.

Nigerians cannot complain of lack of political leaders. And in the same vein, leaders cannot complain of lack of followers. Over here political leaders are made every second of the day. It is how you project yourself that will establish you as a leader.

I thoroughly concur with the above quoted position credited to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, and agree also that it is about time we addressed the greatest scourge and abuse of millions of people in our society. It is a common place in our society to accept that some citizens are meant to be nothing and do nothing but beg from cradle to grave. Those holding this belief, inadvertently, promote and relegate a huge number of citizens to a bleak future. And those who make begging their livelihood purposely marry and breed their offspring for a lifetime of begging. And the ones that give to them are equality responsible for perpetuating this heinous practice. Giving to professional almajiris will not absolve them of their sins, it is a false sense of absolution. it will be better to consider what is better of the two sayings: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” and the better option is clear. The almajri system has created a dependent culture.

By Femi Aribisala A Christian does not have peace in the world: he has peace in Christ. A Christian does not have peace in the world: he has trouble in the world. Jerry Brown-Johnson took his young son, Jedidah, to a children’s hospital. When he got there, he was told Jedidah would have to be […]