1. MNP allows subscribers to migrate from one mobile service provider to another without changing their mobile phone number. It empowers subscribers to terminate their relationship with their current network service provider if they are dissatisfied with the quality of services provided.

2. The service is provided by all GSM mobile operators in Nigeria- MTN, GLOBACOM, ETISALAT, and AIRTEL- free of charge. This, however, does not apply to Fixed Number Portability, FNP, or any other form of number or service portability.

3. All mobile phone users, no matter the type of your subscription or plan – pre‐paid/pay-as-you-go, post‐paid/contract, simple/single number or complex/multi number – can take advantage of the service. Individual numbers are ported separately as separate transactions using the same procedure as for a single number account except that the numbers may share the same porting request form.

4.Subscribers must visit the customer care office, retail shop or outlet of their chosen new service provider to request to port their number. Porting cannot be done via telephone calls, text messages, online or other electronic means. Deferred or delayed porting is not permitted. Only real-time porting of numbers is allowed.

5.You must present valid identification documents- passport, driver’s license or an official identity card that has your picture on it- as for proof of identity. A webcam is used to capture your image in the absence of proper identification documents.

6.Your new network needs to check for credit worthiness to ensure that the request to port a number or numbers is not malicious.

7. To port your number, you would be asked to complete a Port Request Form. You would then be asked to send a text message with the word “PORT” to a short code “3232”. Porting is completed within 48 hours.

8. A new SIM card is issued every time you port your number to a new service provider. Your old SIM card ceases to be useful once the porting process has been completed.

9. Subscribers to any network can port at any time and as many times as they like in a given year. However, porting to a third operator or back to your original operator is restricted within 90 days of a previous port. You would need to follow the same procedure each time you decide to port your number or return to your previous service provider.

10. Information on the progress of your porting request is sent via SMS. You can change your mind at any time before you receive confirmation SMS is sent. Cancellation of porting request or porting process is not acceptable once you receive confirmation.

11. Service from the old service network operator may be lost within an hour of notification by SMS of completion of porting request.

12. Your call charges may change to reflect the tariffs of the new network operator.

13. Voicemail, SMS, MMS and ancillary services would need to be reset with the new service provider. Messages sent to you prior to porting may be lost.

14. Pre‐paid subscribers cannot take outstanding credits while switching to the new service providers.

15. Post‐paid subscribers must settle outstanding bills to their previous service provider, including any early termination fees, before the porting process can commence. A final bill for usage up to the time the number is ported would be sent to the new operator.

Via Nigeria Info 99.3 on Facebook

To burn ISO to Flash Drive on a MAC system using Terminal, Open a new Terminal window. Then follow the instructions below.

%> df -h

Sample output

locate the name of the usb device it will be something like /dev/disk1s1

%> diskutil umount /dev/disk1s1

using this example the usb drive is now /dev/rdisk1, the rdisk number will match the number used when it was mounted. so if your usb was disk2s2 it will be rdisk2 after the command above is run.

%> dd bs=1m if={/path/to/image.iso} of=/dev/rdisk1

wait a bit for it to finish….. it isn’t very chatty and eject the disk.

%> diskutil eject /dev/rdisk1

usb drive will now be imaged with the iso.

Years of studying Islam brought Montgomery Watt, an Orientalist scholar, to this conclusion:

“The other main allegations of moral defect in Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah Be Upon him) are that he was treacherous and lustful . . . Sufficient has been said above about the interpretation of these events to show that the case against Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah Be Upon him) is much weaker than is sometimes thought.The discussions of these allegations, however, raises a fundamental question. How are we to judge Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah Be Upon him) ? By the standards of his own time and country ? Or by those of the ‘most enlightened’ opinion in the West today?

When the sources are closely scrutinized, it is clear that those of Muhammad’s (Peace and Blessing of Allah Be Upon him) actions which are disapproved by the modern West were not the object of the moral criticism of his contemporaries. They criticized some of his acts, but their motives were superstitious prejudice or fear of the consequences.

If they criticized the events at Nakhlah, it was because they feared some punishment from the offended pagan gods or the worldly vengeance of the Meccans. If they were amazed at the mass execution of the Jews of the clan of Qurayzah, it was at the number and danger of the blood-feuds incurred.

The marriage with Zaynab seemed incestuous, but this conception of incest was bound up with old practices belonging to a lower, communalistic level of familial institutions where a child’s paternity was not definitely known; and this lower level was in process being eliminated by Islam . . .

From the standpoint of Muhammad’s (Peace and Blessing of Allah Be Upon him) time, then, the allegations of treachery and sensuality cannot be maintained. His contemporaries did not find him morally defective in any way.

On the contrary, some of the acts criticized by the modern Westerner show that Muhammad’s (Peace and Blessing of Allah Be Upon him) standards were higher than those of his time. In his day and generation he was a social reformer, even a reformer in the sphere of morals.He created a new system of social security and a new family structure, both of which were a vast improvement on what went before.

By taking what was best in the morality of the nomad and adapting it for settled communities, he established a religious and social framework for the life of many races of men. That is not the work of a traitor or ‘an old lecher’.”

Barak Allah ‘Alaykum

Imam Ahmad recorded a Hadith from `Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Bakrah, from his father who said,

“A man praised another man in the presence of the Prophet. The Messenger of Allah said:
“Woe to you, you have cut off the neck of your friend! Woe to you, you have cut off the neck of your friend!If one of you must praise a friend of his, let him say: ‘I think that so-and-so is this and that; Allah knows best about him and I will never purify anyone before Allah,’ (if he knows his friend to be as he is describing him.)””

Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah collected this Hadith.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Hammam bin Al-Harith said,

A man came before `Uthman bin `Affan and praised him. Al-Miqdad bin Al-Aswad started throwing sand in the face of that man, saying, “The Messenger of Allah ordered us to throw sand in their faces when we see those who praise.” Muslim and Abu Dawud also collected this Hadith.

Siffaatu salawaat

Many people visit bereaved friends, relatives, friends of relatives and relatives of friends.

This is a noble act and highly encouraged.

We should exhort them to be patient and beseech Allah, on their behalf, to grant them better than what they used to get from the deceased.

We should avoid wailing, crying, cursing and other signs of grief as we’ll only be sinning and making things hard on them.

If there comes people who cry, wail or curse; we should convince them to avoid these acts as they do not help, but make things worse.

While there’s no limit to the assistance we can render, let’s be moderate. Avoid alcohol, dancing, singing and other disliked or haram acts.

We should also be careful not to put off our responsibilities in the name of consoling a bereaved.

May Allah forgive the deceased and bless them. And May He Provide Succour and Strength to us as we mourn our dead.

The message from our creator is clear and he has warned us of a great event that is close by. He has told us to be wary of this event. He asks that we recourse to him and work righteousness so we will not fail at that event. One of the several chapters about this event and a short commentary follows:

Go to commentary

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

• Whereof do they question one another?
• (It is) of the awful tidings,
• Concerning which they are in disagreement.
• Nay, but they will come to know!
• Nay, again, but they will come to know!
• Have We not made the earth an expanse,
• And the high hills bulwarks?
• And We have created you in pairs,
• And have appointed your sleep for repose,
• And have appointed the night as a cloak,
• And have appointed the day for livelihood.
• And We have built above you seven strong (heavens),
• And have appointed a dazzling lamp,
• And have sent down from the rainy clouds abundant Water,
• Thereby to produce grain and plant,
• And gardens of thick foliage.
• Lo! the Day of Decision is a fixed time,
• A day when the trumpet is blown, and ye come in multitudes,
• And the heaven is opened and becometh as gates,
• And the hills are set in motion and become as a mirage.
• Lo! hell lurketh in ambush,
• A home for the rebellious.
• They will abide therein for ages.
• Therein taste they neither coolness nor (any) drink
• Save boiling water and a paralyzing cold:
• Reward proportioned (to their evil deeds).
• For lo! they looked not for a reckoning;
• They called Our revelations false with strong denial.
• Everything have We recorded in a Book.
• So taste (of that which ye have earned). No increase do We give you save of torment.
• Lo! for the duteous is achievement
• Gardens enclosed and vineyards,
• And maidens for companions,
• And a full cup.
• There hear they never vain discourse, nor lying
• Requital from thy Lord a gift in payment.
• Lord of the heavens and the earth, and (all) that is between them, the Beneficent; with Whom none can converse.
• On the day when the angels and the Spirit stand arrayed, they speak not, saving him whom the Beneficent alloweth and who speaketh right.
• That is the True Day. So whoso will should seek recourse unto his Lord.
• Lo! We warn you of a doom at hand, a day whereon a man will look on that which his own hands have sent before, and the disbeliever will cry: “Would that I were dust!”

English translation of the meaning of Qur’an Chapter 78 – An-Naba’

Name

The surah derived its name from the word an-Naba in the second verse. This is not only a name but also a title of its subject matter, for Naaba implies the news of Resurrection and Hereafter and the whole surah is devoted to the same theme.

Period of Revelation

As we have explained in the introduction to surah Al-Mursalat, the themes of all the surahs, from Al- Qiyamah to An-Naziat, closely resemble one another, and all these seem to have been revealed in the earliest period at Makkah.

Theme

Its theme also is the same as of surah Al-Mursalat, i.e. to affirm the Resurrection and Hereafter, and to warn the people of the consequences of acknowledging or disacknowledging it.

When the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) first started to preach Islam in Makkah, his message consisted of three elements:

1. That none be held as an associate with Allah in Godhead;
2. That Allah had appointed him as His Messenger;
3. That this world will come to an end one day and then another world will be established when all the former and the latter generations will be resurrected with the same bodies in which they lived and worked in the world; then they will be called to account for their beliefs and deeds and those who emerge as believing and righteous in this accountability will go to Paradise and those who are proved to be disbelieving and wicked will live in Hell for ever.

Of these, although the first thing was highly unpleasant for the people of Makkah, yet in any case they were not disbelievers in the existence of Allah. They believed in His Being the Supreme Sustainer, Creator and Providence and also admitted that all those beings whom they regarded as their deities, were themselves Allah’s creatures. Therefore, in this regard the only thing they disputed was whether they had any share in the attributes and powers of Divinity and in the Divine Being itself or not.

As for the second thing, the people of Makkah were not prepared to accept it. However, what they could not possibly deny was that during the 40 years life that the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) had lived among them before his claim to Prophethood, they had never found him a lying deceitful person or the one who would adopt unlawful methods for selfish ends. They themselves admitted that he was a man possessed of wisdom, righteousness and moral superiority. Therefore, in spite of charging him with a thousand false accusations, to say nothing of making others believe, they were finding it difficult even for themselves to believe that although he was an honest and upright man in every other affair and dealing of life, yet, God forbid, a liar only in his claim to be a Prophet.

Thus, the first two things were not in fact so perplexing for the people of Makkah as the third thing. When this was presented before them, they mocked it most of all, expressed unusual wonder at it, and regarding it as remote from reason and impossible, started talking against it as incredible, even inconceivable, in their assemblies. But in order to bring them to the way of Islam it was absolutely essential that the doctrine of the Hereafter should be instilled into their minds, for without belief in this doctrine, it was not at all possible that they could adopt a serious attitude with regard to the truth and falsehood, could change their standard of values in respect of good and evil, and giving up worship of the world, could be inclined to follow the way that Islam urged them to follow. That is why in the earliest surahs revealed at Makkah the doctrine of the Hereafter has been impressed and stressed more than anything else. However, the arguments for it have been given in such a way that the doctrine of the Oneness of God (Tauhid) also is impressed on the minds automatically. This also contains brief arguments, here and there, to confirm the truth of the Holy Messenger of Allah and the Quran.

After understanding well why the theme of the Hereafter has been so frequently repeated in the surahs of this period, let us now have a look at the subject matter of this surah. In it first of all, allusion has been made to the common talk and the doubts that were being expressed in every street of Makkah and in every assembly of the people of Makkah on hearing the news about Resurrection. Then, the deniers have been asked: “Don’t you see this earth which We have spread as a carpet for you? Don’t you see the high mountains which we have so firmly placed in the earth? Don’t you consider your own selves how We have created you as pairs of men and women? Don’t you consider your sleep by which We make you seek a few hours rest after every few hours labour and toil so as to keep you fit for work in the world? Don’t you see the alternation of the night and day which We are so regularly perpetuating precisely according to your needs and requirements? Don’t you see the strongly fortified system of the heavens above you? Don’t you see the sun by means of which you are receiving your light and heat? Don’t you see the rains which fall from the clouds and help produce corn and vegetables and luxuriant gardens? Do these things only tell you that the power of the Almighty Being Who has created them, will be unable to bring about Resurrection and establish the Next World? Then, from the supreme wisdom which is clearly working in this world around you, do you only understand this that although each part of it and each function of it is purposive, yet life is meaningless? Nothing could be more absurd and meaningless that after appointing man to the office of foreman and granting him vast powers of appropriation, in this workhouse, when he leaves the world after fulfilling his role, he should be let off without any accountability. He should neither be rewarded and granted pension on satisfactory work, nor subjected to any accountability and punishment on unsatisfactory performance of duty.

After giving these arguments it has been emphatically stated that the Day of Judgement shall certainly come to pass on its appointed time. No sooner is the Trumpet sounded than whatever is being foretold shall appear before the eyes, and whether you believe in it today, or not, at that time you will come out in your multitudes from wherever you would be lying dead and buried to render your account. Your denial cannot in any way avert this inevitable event.

Then, in vv. 21-30; it has been stated that every single misdeed of those who do not expect any accountability to take place and have thus belied Our Revelations, lies reckoned and recorded with Us, and Hell is ever lying an ambush to punish them and punish them fully for all their doings. Then, in vv. 31-36, the best rewards of those who lived as responsible people in the world and have provided for their Hereafter beforehand have been mentioned. They have been reassured that they will not only be rewarded richly for their services but in addition they will also be given sufficient gifts.

In conclusion, the Divine Court in the Hereafter has been depicted, making it plain that there will be no question of somebody’s being adamant in the matter of getting his followers and associates forgiven, none will speak without leave, and leave will be granted on the condition that intercession be made only for the one to whom leave of intercession will have been given, and the intercessor will say only what is right. Moreover, leave for intercession will be given only for those who had acknowledged the Truth in the world but were sinners; rebels of God and rejecters of the Truth will deserve no intercession at all.

The discourse has been concluded with this warning: The Day the coming of which is being foretold, shall certainly come to pass. Do not think it is yet far off, it is close at hand. Now, whoever wills, let him believe in it and take the way towards his Lord. But he who disbelieves, in spite of the warning, “will have all his deeds placed before him: and he will exclaim regretfully: “Oh, would that I were not born in the world!” At that time, his regrets will be about the same world of which he is so enamoured today!

In seeking a way to calm my heart in recent times due to a noticeable increase in my anxiety, I stumbled upon this book: Patience and Gratitude by Ibn al-Qayyim. The methodology discussed therein has been of great advantage to me. I am positive you stand to gain from them too.Below is an introduction to the book. You can download the book here: http://www.kalamullah.com/Books/Patience_and_Gratitude.pdf

We live in an era of overwhelming Western influence where two major ideas are upheld and promoted. One of these is the expectation of instant gratification, whereby few people are prepared to wait, or work hard, or suffer temporary hardship, to get results. People see a world of wealth and power, depicted on TV and in the movies, and they want it, now. Immediate satisfaction is expected in this world, so how much harder must it be for such people in terms of preparing themselves for the Hereafter!

The other major idea promoted by Western influences is the cult of the superman. Here, too, TV and movies must take much of the blame for filling people’s minds with the notion that the stronger and wealthier you are, the freer you are to do what you like, regardless of the consequences. The idea of the “survival of the fittest” is used to justify destroying the weak. In their quest for independence and superiority, the godless are turning this world into a living hell where competition and conflict prevail. Crime is on the increase, as religion and morality are no longer deterrent forces, and a sense of fear and insecurity is spreading in its wake. Mental illness and psychological disorders are further symptoms of the malaise caused by negative Western influences.

The Islamic way is in sharp contrast to the current trends of the West. Our Creator knows best the make-up of the human psyche, and the guidance of the Qur’ân and Sunnah is in perfect harmony with human nature. Not for nothing is Islam known as dîn al-fitrah (the life transaction of the natural state of man). Muslim scholars and scientists developed an extensive and deep knowledge of human behaviour and psychology, which was firmly rooted in the guidance of the Qur’ân and Sunnah. Centuries ago, scholars developed Islamic concepts by which any person who is seeking strength of willpower, and perfection may be guided. Instead of struggling alone, for no other reason than self-gratification, Islam channels us into seeking perfection for the sake of Allâh, and teaches us to seek His help in doing so. Thus we have important Islâmic ideals such as:

• ‘ubûdiyyah (being a true slave of Allah), which puts a person in touch with the highest Power in the universe, the Power of Allâh;
• tawakkul (putting one’s trust in Allâh), concerning which the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) advised, “Whoever wishes to be the strongest among men, let him put his complete trust in Allâh”; and
• sabr (patience, forbearance, fortitude), which enables a man to face hardship with dignity and to accept times of ease without becoming arrogant.

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (1292-1350 CE) was one of these scholars. His full name was Muhammad ibn Abî Bakr ibn Ayyûb ibn Sa’d az-Zar’î and his kunya was Abû Abdullâh Shams al-Dîn, but he is better-known as Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah. Born in Damascus, Syria, he was the son of the attendant (qayyim) of the school of al-Jawziyyah. He lived in a period of great turmoil in the Muslim world, which was still reeling from the Mongol onslaughts. At the same time, his was an era of remarkable scholarship. He studied under the great scholar Ibn Taymiyyah, and was also a contemporary of Ibn Kathîr and others.

This post includes a link to a PDF book that is an abridged translation of Ibn al-Qayyim’s famous work, ‘Uddat asSâbirîn wa Dhâkhirat ash-Shâkirîn (literally, The Equipment of the Patient and the Investment of the Grateful). The work deals with the closely-related topics of patience and gratitude. Although often translated as “patience”, the Arabic word sabr has a broader and deeper meaning than the English. Depending on the context, it may mean fortitude, patience, equanimity, forbearance, patient endurance, etc. Shukr may be translated as “gratitude” or “thankfulness”. As is shown in the book, patience and gratitude are two sides of the same coin, closely-related attitudes which the Muslim should seek to foster in every aspect of his or her life.

This kind of spiritual advice is something that today’s Muslims so desperately need. Far from being a set of empty rituals and nit-picking legal technicalities, or a set of words to be repeated or chanted ad nauseam, Islâm is a holistic way of life: if it is applied only partially, imbalance will result. A most important aspect of Islâm, which must always accompany the formal “rituals” and the recitation of du‘âs and dhikr, is constant remembrance of Allâh and constant contact with the Divine. Developing a truly Islâmic attitude of patience will enable us to do this.

Although the works were written over six centuries ago, Ibn al-Qayyim has much to offer the modern reader. Caught as we are between the tempting influences of the West and the hidebound superstitions of some of our Muslim communities, Ibn al-Qayyim’s levelheaded and above all practical advice will point us back towards a purer Islâmic way, insha’Allâh.

It is my firm belief that Islâm has the answer to many of the psychological problems that trouble mankind today, such as anxiety, depression, lack of confidence, addictions, etc. In direct contrast to the Western focus on the “self,” Islâm tells us to look beyond ourselves and focus on Allâh. By doing so, we will move towards fulfilling the purpose for which we were created, and thus attain peace with our Creator and within ourselves.

Download: Patience and Gratitude, [Written by Ibn al-Qayyim, Translated by Nasiruddin al-Khattab]

EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE BANNING MUSLIM PRAYERS IN THE SECRETARIAT.

His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola on 15th of February, 2012
issued an Executive Order (No. EO/BRF/003 of 2012) titled:

“IMPROVEMENT ON SECURITY MEASURES WITHIN AND AROUND THE LAGOS STATE SECRETARIAT”banning Muslim prayers within the Secretariat. The Order
in paragraph 4 reads thus;

“All religious activities within the Secretariat are hereby prohibited, including the conduct of Muslim prayers behind the Ministry of Justice and behind the Ministry of Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations. All devotees are now to use the Central Mosque and the Chapel of Christ the Light respectively, which have been provided for these purposes.”

While we appreciate the proactive measure of His Excellency in protecting lives and property of Lagosians, thereby making life safer for everyone particularly with regards to the increasing and disturbing bomb attacks in the country by the BOKO HARAM terrorists (not Islamic Sect), we are deeply worried that the primary victim of the Executive Order are the Muslims.

We worry that while  the Governor has rightly and accurately identified the major cause for lack of security in and around the Secretariat as contained in the first paragraph of the Order, that:

“I HAVE OBSERVED WITH GRAVE CONCERN, THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE TO CHECK MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF THE SECRETARIAT, RESULTING IN A HIGH LEVEL OF HUMAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WITHIN AND AROUND THE SECRETARIAT”

Meanwhile, the appropriate solution has been identified by the Governor himself which is to beef up security to check movements in and around the Secretariat and not to deny the peace loving Muslim population opportunity to serve their Creator.

The Governor should appreciate and understand that the issue of the Muslim faithful working with the government going to the Secretariat mosque to observe their obligatory prayer  at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock is not really feasible or practicable as it may lead to a series of probable and unforeseen problems such as victimization of Civil Servants and cases of dereliction of duties amongst other problems. One of the tragic resultant effect of this Order is that many Muslim Civil Servants would cease from going for their prayers.

This Order would be a tragedy for Muslims in Government, for the Islamic faith and the Muslim Civil Servants.

MORE DISTURBING AND GRIEVOUSLY DISHEARTENING is the DEMOLITION ORDER dated 24th February, 2012 issued by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for the immediate demolition of the mosque within the Ministry!

Here in Lagos State the Muslims are peace loving people and the Civil Servants are responsible. The mosques are places to preach the fear of Allah, obedience, honesty, loyalty, etc, not a training camp for terrorists.

Tell Governor Fashola to please STOP THE BOMBS AND NOT THE MOSQUES, TO STOP BOKO HARAM AND NOT THE MUSLIMS.

Secondly is the purported plan on the ban on use of the Hijab in Government Schools. We are awaiting the official Order. Tell Governor Fashola, this cannot be his contribution for the development and progress of Islam and the Muslims.

THE ISLAM CENTRE

15th January, 2012

Press Statement

WHY LABOUR—FG TALKS STALLED AND STRIKE/PROTESTS CONTINUE MONDAY 16 JANUARY 2012

The talks between the Federal Government and Labour represented by  the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)  in Abuja on Saturday 14th January, 2012  stalled due to differences on the methodology in finding a solution to the crisis.

Labour’s analysis of the situation is that tension is very high in the land following the fuel price increase, the resultant strikes, rallies and street protests and the human causalities that have followed. And that a suspension of the new petrol prices will reduce tension and return the country to normalcy.

We decided to make a plea to President Goodluck Jonathan in the overriding interest of the country to suspend the PMS (petrol) price increases and direct that talks between government and Labour be concluded on the petroleum industry especially at it affects fuel subsidy and pricing within a short time frame.

We made a pledge that once the price increase suspension is announced, Labour and its allies will immediately suspend the strikes, rallies and street protests.

The summary of Labour’s position at the meeting was that talks and consultations were on-going before government aborted them by announcing the 120-220 per cent increase in the price of petrol, and that it is necessary to return to the status quo in order to douse tension, return the country to normalcy and allow for a conducive atmosphere for consultations and talks.

However, Government’s only offer was to reduce the new prices while declining to allow a phased price increase. We think that the government position will not return the country to normalcy. The Labour Movement pledges that whenever and wherever government invites us for talks, we shall be there without any conditionality.

Objectives of the Strikes and Protests

The Labour Movement once again reiterate that the strikes, rallies and streets protests must be peaceful and that the objective is the reversal of the petrol (PMS) prices to their pre-January 1, 2012 level.  We are therefore not campaigning for ‘Regime Change’

The Labour Movement is wedded to democracy, therefore, anybody or group that wants a change in the political leadership of the country at whatever level, should do so through the ballot box.

The Labour Movement and its Civil Society allies are also saddened by the unprecedented loss of lives and injuries sustained during the indefinite strikes, rallies and streets protests that commenced from Monday January 9, 2012.

We reiterate that those who visit violence on protesters and their masters who gave such evil orders will individually be brought to justice.

We in the Labour Movement have done our duty to our country; we have made tremendous sacrifices including loss of lives; we have carried out the mandate of the Nigerian people; we can do no more.

For the avoidance of any doubt, the indefinite strikes, rallies and protests continue nationwide from Monday 16th January, 2012.

Owei Lakemfa                                               John Kolawole

Acting General Secretary                           Secretary General

Nigeria Labour Congress                     Trade Union Congres

Here’s a thought-provoking piece I came across this morning. I hope it helps answer questions you have in mind about the ongoing “#occupyNigeria” movement in Nigeria:

The President is Not Better than You Are, or Maybe Not
I have a few words for you.

After spending about seven hours walking in protest on the long, hot highway from Yaba to Ojota, I went back home cramped and tired. I got to my little kitchen and discovered insufficient cooking gas. There was nothing else available to eat. I grabbed a can of beer and crashed on the sofa hungrily wondering what the hell possessed me to go out protesting the fuel subsidy removal (#fuelsubsidyremoval) in the first place.

In fact, I could accommodate the financial effects of the subsidy removal. It would cost me some more thousands of naira in my monthly budget. I would have to reduce my savings. My dependents would be forced to accept less than usual from me. But I have a fairly comfortable job, and like the President sermonised, in the long run, I would adjust my lifestyle to the new way of life.

But why should I adjust my lifestyle to the new way of life? Why not the President himself?
Come on, you say, the president is The President.
Oh, I see! But I have a few questions too.

The President has a more generous kitchen budget, but does his family have better and more expensive taste buds than mine? I don’t own a car, and he has several—does his body have to be carried around in separate pieces? When I fly, I go by Dana, Aero and Arik, he flies in several luxurious “presidential” bomb-proof aircraft—is his life more precious than mine? If he wants to enjoy all of these, then let him do as I do! Let him work his ass off 8am to 6pm daily in a private sector job! Then he will be entitled to the fruits of his sweat and not that of the Petroleum Profits Tax.

But if you think the President is clearly God and I am a mere mortal, then, fine. You are right. I should not protest against God—I will adapt my own economics to the new reality.

But how about those who have only enough to eat, how do they adjust to the new reality? Why not let us just save ourselves the trouble of killing them in the long run and just do it now and fast? Let’s just round up every family that lives on less than N300,000 in a month and every individual that lives on less than N100,000. We will put them in concentration camps and have them shot in batches. It will be quicker and less expensive. Think of the benefits! We can clear the commercial buses off the road and have them plied by private cars alone. No more stinking markets, just shopping malls. No more street beggars, no more hungry relatives. It will be just like the paradise promised by religious teachers! Indeed, the President is God!

Economists are not Hungry People—Except Your High School Teacher
Wait a bit, you say. This is about advanced economics.

Of course, it is about advanced economics. There are few things that confuse an average human being more than advanced economics. Even economists are stumped by advanced economics. Now, throw in African, plus Nigerian, add illiterate and a dash of religious—and you get the perfect combination of naïve and ignorant. With a citizenry where that combination is in the majority, you can get away with anything in the name of advanced economics. I mean, any-fucking-thing. So the President gambled on this factor and he’s planning to get away with his retarded economic policy.

Luckily, simple economics on the other hand is what it is—simple. Question 1: You have N1000. You know if you spend above that you’re broke. If you spend below that, you can save something. You decide whether you want to be broke or not—either way, you know what’s cooking. It’s so simple primary school students can solve it using basic arithmetic. We may be confused by advanced economics, but we are experts at simple economics. Simple economics tells us that the subsidy removal would leave us broke.

As a test, let’s give the Minister of Finance N50,000 and have her manage it as a livelihood for a month without going broke, then maybe she’ll understand the true meaning of simple economics. My mother does it every month without running into debt. And if my mother says she can’t do this with the subsidy removal, then that does it for me.

I am tired of getting smoke-screened by the so called economic benefits of subsidy removal. I agree there is a benefit somewhere for someone (and maybe even for me if I know where to look), but I do not want to suffer to get IT—especially when IT is an undefined and non-specific theory. At least the Israelites knew they were getting “milk and honey” not just “benefits”. So to hell with these economic benefits. The only person who can convince me otherwise is my high school economics teacher on minimum wage.

Anyone not on a budget of less than N80,000 per month should shut the fuck up about the benefits of fuel subsidy removal. Anyone in a tailored suit who doesn’t shut up about the benefits of fuel subsidy removal should be stuffed in a drum of petrol and sent down the River Niger.

You May Be Too Smart To See the Obvious

Just in case the economic benefits theory convinced you and you’re feeling smarter than us ignorant folk who can’t do calculus to save our limbs from being torn to pieces, hang on a bit.

See, I agree with you. The subsidy removal is economically correct and IMF sanctioned. Maybe, my mother and a few other financially unfit persons would be killed off. So what? Charles Darwin had already written that this was inevitable in life, we’re only adding a new twist to it. The survival of the financially fittest.

Now how about you? Would you trust a swindler because he makes sense? The longer you look at a 419 scam the more sensible it becomes. Always trust your first instinct and walk away. The first instinct of the public is that this policy smells, and it smells bad. To you, this may look like the best idea since Lugard invented Nigeria in 1914, but government ideas always look that way. Every time. 1960 to date has not been bereft of ideas. But sometimes, ideas can be a distraction from the obvious.

What’s the obvious, you ask? One, the fuel subsidy removal could be a graduated process—you start with 5% and work it over to 100% over 5 years. For every percentage removed, equal social development is set in place. Two, if we need to encourage hasty foreign investment, all we need to do is remove the legal and tax bottlenecks imposed on doing business: we reduce fees for governor’s consent, reduce stamping fees, reduce capital gains tax, reduce NAFDAC and other agency fees, reduce customs duties, reduce a hundred other fees! Three, if we need to conserve money, then we should split the budget of the legislature into half and then subtract another N100 million from it!

Obvious things!
Too obvious!

But I bet, if they did all that, you and your family will stop benefiting from this oil money too. Right? So let I and my family suffer instead? Not likely.

Try and Be An Average Nigerian, Just For Today

But let’s forget all of the above. Let me just plead with you.

You’re smart and rich or maybe your daddy pays the bills so you don’t give a fuck about the protest (#occupyNigeria). Maybe you’re like me—not wealthy, but comfortable. But think of this, how many people like yourself do you know? They can’t be many or they won’t call your social circle exclusive. Then think, how many like yourself do you see around every day? Fewer. For every two people in a car, there are thirteen more people in a bus and that’s just a randomly generated fact. Even if you live in the fortresses of Maitama or Ikoyi, you are surrounded by gardeners, househelps, drivers, salesgirls, and others.

Forget the big business owners you rub shoulders with, it is their employees and the small business owners that matter in this protest. No one has asked you to donate your money to other people or increase staff salaries. No, you have a right to your money. This is not socialism or communism. This is about public funds and government spending. It is about popular demand. It is about democracy. It will not hurt you to lend a voice and more.

But it will hurt all of us very much, if you do not.

- Ayo Sogunro