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Former commissioner for Information in Ogun State and longstanding coordinator of the popular Ojude Oba festival, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, tells AYOOLA OLASUPO about his leadership experience, how cultural preservation and promotion can foster societal growth and forthcoming 70th birthday celebration As a former commissioner, how did your experience in governance shape your understanding and approach to cultural preservation and promotion in Ogun State? As the coordinator of the Ojude Oba festival for the past 20 years and a former Ogun State commissioner for Culture, Sports, and Social Welfare, I have leveraged my extensive experience to promote cultural awareness and unity. During my tenure, I facilitated a cultural renaissance across the state, making it seamless to oversee the festival’s growth. We transitioned the festival from the palace forecourt to the annex, now named the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Golden Jubilee Centre. This role has deepened my appreciation of our culture as a powerful tool for tourism and societal cohesion, showcasing our uniqueness to the world. Ojude Oba exemplifies religious tolerance and harmony, uniting Muslims, Christians, and Iseese worshippers in celebration. It is a vibrant spectacle that underscores togetherness. We continue to raise the bar, aiming for an even greater festival in 2025, surpassing the achievements of 2024. How did your influence affect the celebration of Ojude Oba? Normally, we look at the people we want to invite. We know our sponsors and every year, we attract a new sponsor because we have raised the bar, and Kabiyesi has succeeded in lifting the festival to new heights. Our people think of innovations each year to ensure that the festival is seen as a symbol of unity, cohesion, and what the totality of Ijebu stands for. We also liaise with sponsors and look for special guests to honour. We have been expressing the state government’s interest since I joined, and of course, you will recall that it was when we started raising the bar that we also witnessed the re-emergence of the legbelegbe or age grade. They have injected flavour and friendship into the festival, attracting significant development to the town and other Ijebu towns and villages. As a highly recognised event, what strategies have you and your team employed to sustain the relevance of Ojude Oba over the years? Every year after the festival, we take stock. We (organisers) receive feedback and assess how to project into the future. We don’t take things for granted, and we ensure that we improve our activities every year because we try to be proactive. We associate with the various components of the community so that they know what we are doing and can also tell us what we should do. It is society-driven. If the visitors are unhappy with what they see, the festival will not grow. Don’t forget that sponsors have their criteria for ensuring success; if we haven’t succeeded, they will not return. We thank God. How has the festival been receiving much attention, especially from the youths in recent times? That is because of the type of advocacy we do and the publicity we create. Don’t forget that I’m also a journalist, PR expert, and marketing professional. So, it’s not difficult for me to attract my colleagues. We organise press conferences, sensitise the media, get our sponsors to speak, and start the arrangements in earnest. We thank God we have a monarch who has seen it all. Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona (GCON), the monarch, has been on the stool since April 2, 1960; that’s about 65 years ago and he is still waxing strong. How do your sponsors benefit from the festival? If they’re not benefiting, will they throw their money into the lagoon? No! They have done some auditing and compared their participation in the festival to the gains they accrue, whether in terms of return on investment, sales returns, or image, which cannot be quantified, but sales can. That is why we continue to have more sponsors every year because they know there’s something to gain. What legacy has your continued involvement in promoting cultural heritage left behind on cultural leadership? A people without culture will go into extinction, and a people without tradition cannot survive. Appreciating, developing, embracing, and growing our culture is the best way to thrive. My involvement has been beneficial to my society and some extent, to the country. When people read about Ojude Oba, they know the festival belongs to the people of Ijebu. The benefits and publicity don’t stay with Ijebu alone; they spread to the entire country. When they read about the country, they attribute it to the country and narrow it down to the community. It’s a win-win situation for developing your country, state, or community’s culture. What is your view about the recurring religious disputes between the Iseese worshippers and other religions in the country? Religious conflicts are unnecessary. Almighty Allah says in the Quran, ‘Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion’. If Allah had wished, He could have made everyone Muslim, but in His wisdom, He created diverse religions. Christianity and Islam are Abrahamic religions, that share roots in the teachings of Abraham. Christianity originated in Jerusalem, part of modern Israel and Palestine, while Abraham’s journey was linked to Saudi Arabia. Reflecting on our ancestors who lived before these religions, one must ask: would they go to hell? Ultimately, no one knows heaven’s workings. Worshipping the Creator, whatever one chooses is what matters. For instance, the Iseese people worship their Creator in their way. In Ijebuland, the saying, ‘Esin o le fa’ja’ (religion cannot cause acrimony) highlights the importance of harmony. Nigerians must realise that religion is personal and should not be a cause for division. The Bible says, ‘Love thy neighbour as thyself’, without distinction of faith. Similarly, Allah teaches acceptance: ‘If it is my wish, I will make everyone Muslim or Christian.’ Religion should unite, not divide, fostering mutual respect and peace. You’re clocking 70 years soon; how do you feel about that? I must express my gratitude to my Creator, who has kept me this far. He has made me who I am. I may not have had it all, but comparatively, I’m grateful for all I have achieved. I thank Almighty God that it has not been too bad. He has been kind to me because the environment has been kind to me. As the late sage Obafemi Awolowo would say, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. It cannot be like this forever. The world itself is a passing phase. The world is like a stage, and we are all actors. We are just here to play our parts. So, I am playing my little part, and when the time comes, I pray I live to be old. I pray to reach 80, 90 years, and whatever age God decides, but as long as I have good health, I will continue to thank God. At 70, some people want to retire and focus on their grandchildren, but you seem strong enough to be involved in state development. What is the secret behind your energy at this age? Related News Did police fail to stop only one robbery in Lagos since 2007? FG plans crackdown on cultism, bullying in schools Police foil robbery, arrest 12 suspects in Delta One thing I have discovered is that life should not allow you to be complacent, despondent, or withdrawn. Lack of activity is a negative thing that will not help you grow intellectually, spiritually, or physically. If you don’t exercise your brain, it will become rustic and demented. But if you strive to keep your body and mind active, it benefits your brain, mind, muscles, and more. You won’t become despondent or rusty. The body requires nourishment, energising, and fuelling. You can only fuel your body if you stay active. What advice would you give to youths who also pray for long life? Nigerian youths are often criticised for being mentally, intellectually, and spiritually lazy. While this doesn’t apply to all, many seem fixated on quick, effortless wealth, regardless of its sustainability. Some young people engage in harmful behaviours, quarrelling and even resorting to violence, which neither contributes to personal growth nor nation-building. Unlike in developed countries, where youths are exposed to volunteer jobs and taught the value of hard work from a young age, many Nigerian youths lack this ethic. They often misuse technology, turning it into tools for cybercrime instead of productive endeavours. In developed societies, dignity in labour is emphasised; earning and education require effort. Conversely, many Nigerian youths prioritise materialism over hard work, evident in their possession of expensive gadgets their families cannot afford, raising questions about their sources of income. The issue extends to young women engaging in prostitution to keep up appearances, while young men often join cults, commit cybercrimes, or resort to armed robbery. This reflects a broader societal dysfunction, marked by leadership and followership paralysis. Who should be blamed for the decadence in society? Yes. It’s a societal issue. Families must also take responsibility for the values their children inherit. This isn’t only a question of government policy or leadership; it is about the collective moral compass of the society. When the family fails to teach core values such as hard work, humility, and integrity, the youth are left to wander without direction. Government policies, alongside proper family structures and societal values, must work in tandem to guide the younger generation towards more productive and responsible lives. Why are most state governments against local government autonomy? I was in government before, and I believe the Federal Government has no business interfering in local government affairs. These are functions of state governments, which should create and manage local governments to suit their developmental goals. For example, when Bola Tinubu expanded Lagos 20 local governments to 57 LCDAs, former President Olusegun Obasanjo withheld allocations to those local governments. This issue arises from the country’s poorly structured federal arrangements, where the constitution is often ignored, and successive governments exploit the system. To move forward, Nigeria must embrace true federalism and strictly follow constitutional provisions. However, resistance to change persists. Some benefit from the current system, others fear uncertainty, and some lack understanding of potential reforms. Nonetheless, change is inevitable and crucial for progress. State governments must allow local governments to grow within constitutional limits. We must clarify these issues. If Local Government Service Commissions exist, to whom will they report; state governments or local chairmen? Availability of reliable infrastructure is one of the factors that can attract investors to the country. Why do you think there are many bad roads in Ogun State? The state of roads in Ogun varies depending on the area. For example, the Lagos-Sagamu and Sagamu-Abeokuta roads are in good condition. However, Ogun State’s role as a gateway state, connecting Lagos, the country’s commercial hub, to other regions, leads to heavy vehicular traffic. Virtually all vehicles leaving Lagos pass through Ogun, whether via Epe, Badagry, or the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. This problem is largely due to the neglect of the railway system. In the past, railways were used to transport heavy goods such as iron ore and cement. Today, trailers and tankers dominate the roads, which are often asphalted rather than made of durable concrete. These heavy vehicles damage the roads, especially when breakdowns or fires occur, creating potholes. Rebuilding and promoting rail transport will ease pressure on roads, reducing damage and associated repair costs. Coastal areas like Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, and Delta face additional challenges due to marshy terrain and heavy rainfall, making road construction more expensive compared to the northern regions. Moreover, government funds are often limited, complicating infrastructure development. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive planning, better allocation of resources, and a revitalised rail network to support transportation needs. Is it that successive administrations have not paid much attention to this aspect? Well, I think they will tell you they are trying their best. It’s obvious due to the availability of funds and other factors. For example, when Ibikunle Amosun was in office, his focus was on bridges, roads, and other infrastructure. I’m not in a position to assess or pass judgment on them, but I believe it depends on their focus. “They will tell you that some of these roads, which expose them to ridicule or criticism, are not state roads but federal roads. If they attempt to reconstruct or rehabilitate these roads, the Federal Government may not reimburse them. In contrast, perhaps at the federal level, money has been allocated for the rehabilitation or reconstruction of these roads. However, due to bureaucracy, the funds are not released on time. So, they blame the state. We need to understand the dynamics of some of these things before we can pass judgment. What is your view on the recently proposed tax reform bill? As I said earlier, it is difficult to implement change within the polity. Some people, who had been benefiting from the old system, would not want change. For example, we have been told that the higher you earn, the more tax you pay. Again, we need a lot of sensitisation in this country. Our people are not in the habit of paying taxes. In some countries, especially in the Western world, you can pay as much as 60 per cent of your salary in taxes. What is tied to this is that if you fail to pay your taxes abroad, you will go to jail. How many people have been jailed in this country for not paying taxes? People take it for granted, yet this is where governments get money to provide amenities and take care of their responsibilities. But when we don’t want to pay our taxes and still expect governments to provide so many things, then there is a paradox. It is paradoxical. How do we get to El Dorado without making fundamental changes? So, it is up to Tinubu’s administration to take some of these steps.
Moreover, schools will be equipped with automated sprinkler systems that can rapidly extinguish fires in their early stages, preventing them from spreading and causing extensive damage. These smart sprinkler systems are designed to respond quickly and effectively to fire emergencies, providing an additional layer of protection for students and staff.
The United States presents a paradox: Though the media and public opinion suggest it is a nation deeply divided along partisan lines, surveys reveal that Americans share significant common ground on many core values and political issues. As a political philosopher, I am deeply concerned about the perceived contrast between the public’s shared political concerns and the high level of polarization that is dividing the electorate. Sharing common ground on key issues Despite the prevailing narrative of polarization, Americans frequently agree on essential issues. For instance, there is widespread support for high-quality health care that is accessible to all and for stronger gun-control regulations. Remarkably, many Americans advocate for both the right to bear arms and additional restrictions on firearms. There is strong support for fundamental democratic principles, including equal protection under the law, voting rights, religious freedoms, freedom of assembly and speech, and a free press. On critical issues such as climate change, a majority of citizens acknowledge the reality of human-caused climate change and endorse the development of renewable energy. Similarly, support for women’s reproductive rights, including the right to an abortion, is widespread. Though Republicans tend to be more concerned about the economy when they vote, both Republicans and Democrats rank it highly as a top political priority. Despite a currently strong economy by many standards, however, supporters of both parties believe the economy is performing poorly. This fact is likely the result of a combination of pandemic-related factors, from reduced spending and increased saving during the height of the pandemic to lingering inflation, partly triggered by the pandemic. Whatever the reason for this shared pessimism over the economy, it clearly helped Donald Trump win the 2024 election. Overall, Americans have a positive view of immigration. That sentiment has declined in recent years, however, as most Americans now want to see rates of immigration reduced – Republicans more so than Democrats. Part of the tension in the nation’s thinking about immigration is likely the result of a political culture that favors sensational stories and disinformation over more sober consideration of related issues and challenges. For instance, much of this election’s discourse over immigration was marred by fictional and bigoted accounts of immigrants eating pets and inaccurate portrayals of most immigrants as criminals. It should be evident that even shared political perceptions aren’t always based on good evidence or reasons. Despite the existence of so much common ground, Americans see the nation as polarized. Shared values and concerns matter little if constant exposure to disinformation makes it nearly impossible for half the population to sort fact from fiction. The effect of perception The perception of division itself can fuel distrust where common ground might otherwise be found among citizens. Even with substantial consensus on many issues, the perception of polarization often drives public discourse. This misalignment can be exacerbated by partisans with something to gain. Research shows that when people are told that experts are divided on an issue, such as climate change, it can lead to increased polarization. Conversely, emphasizing the fact of scientific consensus tends to unify public concern and action. The perception among U.S. voters that they disagree more than they agree can precede and perpetuate discord. Differing political camps begin to perceive each other as foes rather than fellow citizens. This continued perception that Americans are more divided on issues than we actually are poses an enormous threat to democracy. The biggest threat is that people begin to see even neighbors and family members who vote differently as enemies. Stress about holiday interactions with relatives who voted differently is reportedly leading some people to cancel family gatherings rather than spend time together. Yet, Americans are still potential allies in a larger fight to realize similar political aspirations. If people are too busy attacking each other, they will miss opportunities to unite in defense of shared goals when threats emerge. In fact, they will fail to recognize the real threats to their shared values while busily stoking divisions that make them increasingly vulnerable to disinformation. Bridging the gap Recognizing the public’s shared values is an important step in healing political divides. Philosopher Robert B. Talisse has argued that one way to get started might be refocusing attention on community projects that are nonpolitical but bring together people who don’t normally think of each other as political allies. This might include, for example, participating in civic or sports clubs, or volunteering to help with local community events. These actions are not overtly politically charged. Rather, they are collaborative in a way that supports community identity rather than partisan identity. It is an exercise in rebuilding civic trust and recognizing each other as fellow citizens, and perhaps even friends, without the tension of partisan politics. Once this trust in each other’s civic identity is healed, it can open a door for meaningful political discussion and understanding of each other’s shared concerns. If we Americans don’t find ways to recognize our shared values, and even our shared humanity, we won’t be able to defend those values when they are challenged. Lawrence Torcello is Associate Professor of Philosophy, Rochester Institute of Technology. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.As the final buzzer sounded, it was Zhejiang Lion who emerged victorious, with a commanding lead over Guangzhou Loong Lion. Wu Qian's exceptional performance and Cheng Shuai Peng's dominant presence in the paint were key factors in their team's success. The duo's chemistry on the court and ability to elevate their game when it mattered most, propelled Zhejiang Lion to a convincing win.
The city police service is proposing a 13.7 per cent increase to its annual operating budget, citing increased costs of wages and benefits from recently settled collective agreements. Kingston Police will ask the police services board to approve a $54,053,627 budget for 2025, representing a total increase of $6,531,431, or 13.74 per cent, over the year before. Most of the increase, according to a new report, is “directly attributed to the newly settled collective agreements.” These agreements include increases to wages and benefits, and represent a “significant portion” of the overall budget request, the report says. “The 2025 budget increase incorporates several factors including salary and benefit increases as per negotiated agreements. The contracts, which expired at the end of 2022, were finalized recently and include retroactive compensation adjustments for the 2023 and 2024 periods, as stipulated by the agreements, which are higher than anticipated,” the report reads. “Key factors driving the increase include base wage rate increases, higher specialty and premium pay, and enhanced payroll benefits. These increases ensure compliance with the newly negotiated agreements and are consistent with trends observed across other police services and specifically, comparable services.” The report says nondiscretionary items, such as salaries and benefits, represent approximately 86.2 per cent of the total expenditure budget for Kingston Police. The police service also said 3.84 per cent of the total increase would be allocated to offset long-term absences, support implementation of the Kingston Police Service Board’s Strategic Plan, including enhanced police presence in the downtown core, and to meet legislative requirements of the Community Safety and Policing Act, which came into effect on Apr. 1. The implementation of the new legislation has “introduced several budgetary impacts for police services,” the report says, including training requirements, equipment upgrades, uniform modifications, legal and compliance costs, and administrative expenses related to enhanced oversight and reporting obligations. “These legislative requirements are non-discretionary, and the service has little or no ability to influence.” The operating budget also includes forecasts for projected increases of 8.4 per cent in 2026, 4.13 per cent in 2027, and 3.45 per cent in 2028. Kingston is not alone in facing a drastic year-over-year increase in policing costs – the story is the same throughout many jurisdictions policed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). In 2024, South Frontenac Township paid about $2.9 million for OPP services. Next year, the township expects to pay almost $3.3 million, a 14.9 per cent increase. Next door, in Central Frontenac Township, they are facing an expected 14 per cent increase in projected OPP costs. In Loyalist Township, the 2025 budget includes policing costs of more than $2.9 million, an increase of more than 20 per cent from the $2.4 million the township paid in 2024. Rising OPP costs in neighbouring Leeds and Grenville have prompted regional mayors to consider a regional municipal police force. The OPP has not yet provided an explanation for the widespread price hikes. In Kingston, on the capital side of things, the 2025 budget includes $3 million in spending, funded mostly by the Police Capital Reserve Fund, the report says. Within the budget, they’ve allocated $1.1 million for replacement vehicles, $1.3 million for information technology projects, $200,000 for critical incident management equipment, $250,000 for protective gear, and $175,000 for building capital. The $175,000 for building capital would be funded by the Facilities Capital Reserve Fund, the report says. The police board will discuss the proposed budget at its meeting this week before sending it to city council for inclusion in its annual budget deliberations. (With files from Elliot Ferguson) sbedford@postmedia.comLAHORE - The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Businessmen Panel (BMP) on Sunday urged the government to ensure smooth gas supply to the local as well as the export industry so that local production and the exports could not be suffered, which have just started to show a positive trend after a long time. Expressing serious concerns over the threats of gas supply termination and notices of additional security payment by the SNGPL, the FPCCI former president and BMP Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar argued that at a time when the exports data have showed some growth the government agencies, instead of taking business-friendly measures, are creating hurdles for the industry. He quoted the latest exports data and said the exports of readymade garments rose 23.17pc by value in the first quarter and 16.16pc by quantity, while knitwear rose 14.13pc by value and 2.17pc by quantity while bedwear posted a growth of 13.31pc in value and a growth of 14.55pc in quantity, which is an encouraging sign. The government should extend its full support to continue this positive trend of exports growth through uninterrupted gas supply to the captive power plants at affordable and competitive rates. Nisar Khuhro calls on federal govt to withdraw from controversial canal project Mian Anjum Nisar called for swift implementation of a system based on modern technology for the selection and transmission of low-cost electricity. He wanted to complete all measures for the reform of the power sector within the specified timeline. He warned that the continued escalation of energy prices could result in the closure of industries, amplifying unemployment rates and diminishing Pakistan’s export capabilities. He emphasized the need for the government to explore and provide affordable energy alternatives for the industry, stressed that such measures are crucial for ensuring the competitiveness of Pakistani products in the global market. As the industrial sector grapples with the ramifications of the gas price hike, the BMP leader’s stance advocates for the preservation of industrial stability and the prevention of potential economic setbacks for Pakistan. He said that the repeated increase in the gas and electricity prices to an unbearable level by the government has left the trade and industry uncompetitive, blaming it for trapping the country in the IMF plans. Strongly opposing gas price surge, he said that the gas tariff hike has threatened the industrial sector, besides increasing unemployment, saying that the every government had poor economic policies that unleashed the free fall of rupee against the dollar, ensuing in input cost escalation to pull down the manufacturing growth. Kamran Tessori announces grand fireworks at Governor House on New Year’s eve He demanded the government to take back the decision of hike in gas tariff in the larger interest of national economy and to save the industries from collapse. He warned that if the decision is not withdrawn the industries will close down, resulting in decline in exports and mass unemployment. This was 16.61 percent decline to the export target of $32.35 billion set for the fiscal year 2022-2023, he said that the export-oriented industries were faced with the greatest ever challenges in terms of the highest cost of manufacturing. Many industries, he claimed to have already stopped their production in the country with several others fearing a closure because of the unviable trade, which may also pulled the country’s exports further down. Anjum Nisar said that the exports of textile and clothing recorded an increase of nearly 9.51 per cent in the first quarter of FY25 amid concerns that the industry was experiencing a slump. The exports from the sector had a negative growth of 3.09pc in July, which rebounded 13pc in August and 17.92pc in September. The BMP Chairman believed that the textile sector may struggle to compete with regional rivals due to the implementation of harsh taxation measures in the current fiscal year. However, the disruption in supply from Bangladesh has also increased the demand for Pakistani garments. Sindh govt will not compromise on its water rights: Shazia Marri “We would like to bring to your kind notice an important issue which would hurt industrial units and their production activities.” He said that the notices have been issued to our members having captive power facility, demanding additional security payment based on revision of share of system gas and RLNG (e.g. 25:75). These notices are not only unwarranted but also harsh steps, given the decision to terminate the gas supply from these members from Jan 1, 2025 and simultaneously serving notices for enhanced security. “It defies logic that on one hand, the SNGPL is terminating the gas facility, and on the other, an additional demand of security is being raised. We request immediate withdrawal of these notices and ensure gas supply to industry so that exports do not suffer.” Furthermore, the industry was disappointed with the decision to terminate the gas facility. He said that the exporters have invested heavily in setting up captive power plants, and this move will render their infrastructure redundant and their investment will be doomed. Police arrest man for killing friend In the light of the Petroleum Exploration & Production Policy 2009, which aims to accelerate exploration and development programs, we believe that terminating the gas facility is counterintuitive. We request that these decisions may please be reconsidered and industry may be engaged to explore alternative solutions that may balance the interests of all stakeholders. Tags: govt urged ensure smooth gas