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Tag: 3

  • Tanya’s dilemma (3)

    I FELT worried about my mother’s condition, so I kept trying her number until I finally got through. It was my aunt who picked the call. She told me she was about to call me and informed me that my mother was in the hospital and wanted to see me.

    “She had an okada accident. She’s getting treatment at the hospital some good samaritans had taken her to. You need to come right away as she has been asking after you,” she said.

    Diane offered to accompany me so we took a cab and headed immediately to the hospital. I felt reassured after seeing she was alright apart. Apart from the injuries on her legs and other parts of her body, there was no major damage.

    Diane and I stayed with her for sometime before leaving. Teddy was waiting at the house when we got home. I told him we had gone to see a friend when he asked me where I had been.

    “I was about to come and look for you when your number was not going through,” he said as he hugged me on my arrival.

    “Sorry, darling. We were held up at our friend’s place. That girl loves to talk,” I stated before going into the kitchen to get him a drink.

    Later, we sat chatting in the parlour especially the plans for the coming weekend which included the wedding of a cousin of his.

    “I hope you are coming for Abe’s wedding this weekend. I want you to look really good as I will be introducing you to my parents and other family members at the occasion,” he said.

    “Sure I’ll be there. My friends too if your cousin won’t mind,” I told him. After Teddy had left, Diane said to me:

    “This your Teddy guy really likes you. Imagine, he’s already planning to introduce you to his parents. That means he could have serious plans for you, like marriage.”

    “Well, I don’t know about that. All I know is that Teddy loves me very much. He told me his last relationship ended badly over two years ago and he had sworn to stay off dating until he met me.”

    “So, you made him change his mind. Great! But Tanya, don’t you think it’s time you told him the truth about yourself?” she asked.

    I gave her a quizzical look.

    “What are you talking about?” I demanded.

    “Girl, you know now. The fake lifestyle, trying to be what we are not. He thinks you are from a rich home and your uncles are in possession of your late Dad’s money and properties. But you and I know it’s all lies,” she responded.

    “Why would I do such a stupid thing? Do you want me to lose him?” I queried sharply.

    “That won’t happen. If he really loves you, he will accept you the way you are, whether your father is a poor man or not. Poverty is not a crime afterall,” she noted.

    I shook my head.

    “You and I know that in this country, being poor means you are a nobody. And you know who Teddy’s parents are. His Dad was a former ambassador and a big time business man with lots of money. How will it look like if he brings home someone from my type of background as a fiancé? They will throw me out!” I said.

    “I think Diane is right,”put in Stephanie who had just stepped into the room. “What happens if you two get married and he finds out the truth later? Do you think he will be happy at being deceived by you?”

    “Well, when or if I get to that bridge, I will cross it,” I rejoined.

     

    ***

    Later, I thought deeply about my friends suggestion in regards to confessing to Teddy about my background. What if he no longer liked me after knowing the truth about me, I wondered. The thought of losing him filled me with dread. I just could not afford to let go of a guy like Teddy who is one in a million. On the other hand, what if Diane and Stephanie were right that it was better I was more open with him about my family situation than giving him a false image of myself? So, one one evening when he came to visit me at home, I said:

    “Teddy, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

    “What is it, honey?” he stated.

    “The thing is, I…” I began to say.

     

    To be continued

     

    What next? Find out next Saturday!

     

    Names have been changed to protect the identity of Tanya and other individuals in the story

     

    We welcome comments/suggestions from readers. All correspondence should be sent to 0802320183, (sms only), psaduwa@yahoo.com or psaduwa007@gmail.com

     

     

    I FELT worried about my mother’s condition, so I kept trying her number until I finally got through. It was my aunt who picked the call. She told me she was about to call me and informed me that my mother was in the hospital and wanted to see me.

    “She had an okada accident. She’s getting treatment at the hospital some good samaritans had taken her to. You need to come right away as she has been asking after you,” she said.

    Diane offered to accompany me so we took a cab and headed immediately to the hospital. I felt reassured after seeing she was alright apart. Apart from the injuries on her legs and other parts of her body, there was no major damage.

    Diane and I stayed with her for sometime before leaving. Teddy was waiting at the house when we got home. I told him we had gone to see a friend when he asked me where I had been.

    “I was about to come and look for you when your number was not going through,” he said as he hugged me on my arrival.

    “Sorry, darling. We were held up at our friend’s place. That girl loves to talk,” I stated before going into the kitchen to get him a drink.

    Later, we sat chatting in the parlour especially the plans for the coming weekend which included the wedding of a cousin of his.

    “I hope you are coming for Abe’s wedding this weekend. I want you to look really good as I will be introducing you to my parents and other family members at the occasion,” he said.

    “Sure I’ll be there. My friends too if your cousin won’t mind,” I told him. After Teddy had left, Diane said to me:

    “This your Teddy guy really likes you. Imagine, he’s already planning to introduce you to his parents. That means he could have serious plans for you, like marriage.”

    “Well, I don’t know about that. All I know is that Teddy loves me very much. He told me his last relationship ended badly over two years ago and he had sworn to stay off dating until he met me.”

    “So, you made him change his mind. Great! But Tanya, don’t you think it’s time you told him the truth about yourself?” she asked.

    I gave her a quizzical look.

    “What are you talking about?” I demanded.

    “Girl, you know now. The fake lifestyle, trying to be what we are not. He thinks you are from a rich home and your uncles are in possession of your late Dad’s money and properties. But you and I know it’s all lies,” she responded.

    “Why would I do such a stupid thing? Do you want me to lose him?” I queried sharply.

    “That won’t happen. If he really loves you, he will accept you the way you are, whether your father is a poor man or not. Poverty is not a crime afterall,” she noted.

    I shook my head.

    “You and I know that in this country, being poor means you are a nobody. And you know who Teddy’s parents are. His Dad was a former ambassador and a big time business man with lots of money. How will it look like if he brings home someone from my type of background as a fiancé? They will throw me out!” I said.

     

  • She left me because I was poor; so what does she want now? (3)

    As you can imagine, my wife’s abrupt and unexpected departure from our home left me confused and sad. At first, I just sat staring blankly at the wall in the living room, unable to function. Later, when the twins began crying for food, I had to get up and prepare breakfast for them. That was the beginning. From that point, I became a father, mother and nurse maid to the boys. Initially, they asked for their mother. But after a while, they stopped pestering me about when ‘Mummy would return from the village to visit ‘Grandma’ as I had told them.

    God knows I made a lot of efforts to get her back but all yielded no fruit. I even travelled to her village to inform her mother and family about what was going on in my home. They told me they had neither seen nor heard from her for months and did not know where she was. The same with her friends when I contacted them; they denied knowing where she presently lived.

    It was only one, Brenda who probably took pity on me and confessed that my wife had warned her not to tell me where she had moved to.

    “Sherri’s staying with one man she calls her ‘husband’. I saw her once with the man while she was still living with you but she never told me she was having an affair with him. I thought they were just friends. Anyway, I don’t like what she has done and I told her so when I went to see her recently,” Brenda said.

    She then gave me the address of my wife’s new abode. One Saturday morning, my friend Larry drove me down to the place so we could cajole her to return home. For despite what she had done, the truth was that I still loved Sherri and I was ready to accept her back if she was willing to.

    But it was a wasted journey. Sherri, on sighting us at the door of the new-looking bungalow where she lived started shouting that if we did not leave at once, she would call the police and ‘have us locked up!’

    “Dan or whatever your name is, you have the guts to come to my new husband’s home! You are not even afraid! I think the poverty afflicting you has affected your brain! You better leave before I call the police!”

    “Please, why don’t you just listen to us, Sherri. Dan wants you back home. Just pack your things and let’s go,” said Larry.

    “Go where? This is my home now! This is where I belong. The earlier this stupid friend of yours realize our marriage is over, the better! You are lucky my husband is not home, or you people would have seen ‘fire’ today!”

    I spoke up then.

    “It hasn’t come to that, Sherri. You are still my wife and the mother of my children. The twins keep asking after you. Don’t you even miss them? Why don’t you come home and see them?”

    “You want me to come home! Alright, wait here let me get my bag,” she said, going into the house.

    A short while later, she returned with a bucket of water which she threw on us! Worse, the water was mixed with pepper; so we were not just soaked to the skin, we had itchy skin from the pepper.

    As we walked towards the gate looking like drenched cats, Sherri kept pouring curses and invectives on us.

    “So, you are leaving? Stay now! Useless, jobless idiots! You have nothing better to do than come here to harass another man’s wife so early in the day. The next time I see your ‘k leg’ in this compound, it’s acid I will pour on you, not just ‘pepper water’. Yeye people! You want to come and put ‘sand sand in my garri’, spoil all the fun I’m having in my new home. Nonsense!..

     

    Family meeting

    After that nasty experience, I did not see my wife again till some weeks later. It was at a family meeting that was convened to resolve the matter between us. At the gathering presided over by an elderly Uncle of hers who was the family head, my wife remained obdurate. The old man precisely told her that as far as the family was concerned, I was the only husband they knew; he even ordered her to move back to our home.

    “You have no excuse whatsoever for abandoning your matrimonial home and moving to another man’s house. So what if he is currently having difficulties because of his failed business ventures. So? Is he the first man to fail in business and go broke? If every wife abandons her home just because the husband is broke, do you know how many broken homes we will have in the society? What kind of irresponsible behaviour is that? If your father were alive today, he will be very angry with you! I don’t know where you got this bad character from because women in our family don’t behave in this manner. This young man was good to you and also the family when the going was good. It’s your duty as a wife to stand by him now that things are rough. That is what marriage is, full of ups and downs. It’s not rosy all the time! You don’t run away at the slightest hint of trouble and move into another man’s house!”

    “This your so-called new husband is unknown to us. We don’t know that man! It’s our son-in-law here, Dan we know. So, go and pack your things at once and go back to your home. Go and take care of your children and family. That is my final decision and that of this family!”

    I was very happy at the decision and was hopeful that it would put an end to Sherri and I’s estrangement. How wrong I was! Sherri defied her family’s order to return home and continued to stay with her new man. To make matters worse, she even threatened to get custody of the twins through the courts if I did not stop harassing her about returning. She already had Karen, our baby daughter and I did not want to lose my sons. It was tough bringing them up on my own but I would rather go through all that stress of raising the boys than allow them brought up in another man’s home.

    I decided to leave everything to fate and focus on my boys as well as resuscitating my business. With Larry’s support, things began to pick up for me gradually. A few jobs here and there enabled me acquire some capital with which I began doing business again. Then, to my joy, Larry’s business partner in China finally agreed to do business with me on a credit basis based on his recommendation. That turned out to be a major breakthrough for me. I sold the first consignment of goods he shipped to me and promptly remitted the money to him. He was so happy that I met up with the contractual agreement on time that he agreed to do business with me on a long term business.

    With that connection and a few others, I started making money again. I moved out of the house we were living into a bigger place in a nicer neighbourhood. I even got a maid to take care of the house and twins who were growing fast. Then, nearly two years after my wife left me, I started seeing another lady. Doreen was a member of our church. I used to see her around the church but we did not become close until we both became members of a committee set up for a building project in the church headquarters.

    All along, I had stayed away from women because of my experience with my wife. Besides, I always felt at the back of my mind that Sherri might return home one day and what would happen when that day came and another woman had taken her place. But when two years passed with no sign of her, I finally gave up especially when I heard she had had a baby for her new man. I decided to put the past behind me and forge on with my life.

    It was at this point that Doreen and I started seeing each other. We grew to love each other and best of all, she loved my boys and was always caring towards them. After I had studied her for a while, I made up my mind and decided to marry her. Larry and all my family members were all in support of the union. So, five months ago, they all accompanied me to her father’s house in Benin and we did the introduction and other traditional marriage rites.

    Since then, we have been living happily together as a couple. Her coming into my life has brought so much blessings, it’s like a new beginning for me. My business is doing so well that I’m nearly at the level I was three years before when my goods were seized at the ports.

    I’m at a good place now and I thank God for everything. The only problem now is my former wife Sherri. She suddenly resurfaced in my life after three years of absence begging me to take her back! Imagine that! This is a woman that caused me so much pain and heartache and just when things were going well for me again, she wants to return.

    It turned out that the man she was living with had a wife who was based abroad. The woman, who owned the house and all the other properties they had been enjoying, suddenly returned to Nigeria one morning. She threw Sherri and her children out, locked up the house and took her husband with her back to her base abroad.

    With no where to go, Sherri felt she had no option but to come back to me! Anyway, I told her when she came to see me in my new office that there was no ‘vacancy’ at home anymore, that her place had been taken by a woman who understood what real love and marriage meant.

    She has been going about telling all my friends and family members to plead with me to forgive her and take her back. I always tell them that can only happen when ‘pigs start flying’ meaning never!

    Why would I take a woman back who abandoned me at my hour of need? Who almost blinded me with the water and pepper concoction she poured on my friend and I? In fact, her misdeeds are too many to mention here.

    The only concession I have is to send her an allowance regularly at least for the upkeep of my daughter Karen so the little girl will not suffer because of her mother’s bad behaviour. With time, I plan getting custody of the child so she can be with her brothers.

    I’m writing this so the young guys out there who want to marry should learn to choose their partners carefully. Look for a lady who loves you enough to remain with you even when things are not going well, not the one that will run away like my ex-wife just because I lost all my money and became poor.

     

    Concluded

    Names have been changed to protect the identity of the narrator, his wife and other individuals in the story.

     

    Send comments/suggestions to 08023201831(sms only), psaduwa@yahoo.com or psaduwa007@gmail.com

  • God designed your home for success (3)

    I want to provoke you to pragmatic thinking! I’m not out to expound theories to you. John, the Beloved, said in the opening of his epistles: And our hands have handled, of the Word of life; That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus

    Christ (1 John 1:13).

    The things I have handled, seen and heard are what I will be sharing with you in this week’s teaching.

    Last week, I said, marriage is what you think it to be, and that your perspective makes your marriage what it becomes. Let me also say here that your expectation shall not be cut off. In Genesis 2:18-25, we see God initiating the idea of male and female relationship, in which both will serve as succour to each other.

    The purpose of God in marriage is to create a help that is suitable, adaptable and complementary, to establish unity and for procreation. Daily, we see men and women seeking after soothsayers and seers, to know whom to marry. Some highly placed and educated young men and ladies creep stealthily into the dingy abodes of herbalists to know the cause of their marriage delays.

    Also, it is not a common thing to see couples running after palm readers, fortune-tellers and astrologers, just to find out what the future holds for their marriages, and how they can be guided into glorious homes.

    But, for us at the other side of Jordan, we have a reason to thank God. He doesn’t leave us to guess and grope through life. That is why He said: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).

    Nobody builds a tower without an adequate preparation and a strong foundation. You must first desire a tower, before you can build one. Do not enter into a marriage covenant without an expectation. If you expect the best, it will be yours (Proverbs 23:18).

    God has promised to grant your expectations, whether good or bad. So, let your expectations be based on God’s Word, for it is higher than any evil experience or information you may have had or heard about marriage (Proverbs 10:24).

    If you are already married, there is still opportunity to change all negative expectations. As a couple, discuss your positive expectations and I guarantee that things will work out more smoothly in your home.

    The scripture says in Hebrews 3:4: For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.  God is the Almighty Programmer of marriage; hence, He had created all that it would take to make it glorious. Man on his own part needs to abide by God’s principle and implement His plan.

    For instance, God has said: Husbands, love your wives … and to the wives, He said: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husband (Ephesians 5:22, 25). Thus, if you and your spouse want to experience success in marriage, then you must do what God says, without circumventing His laid down rules.

    Unmarried ladies and young men, what do you expect in marriage? Your expectations shall not be cut off! Before we got married, my husband and I made discoveries from God’s Word that made us expect a hitch-free marriage. Our testimony today: Those expectations have not been cut off!

    I believe you have been mightily blessed by this teaching. So, as I pray for your family, believe God for a unique touch in your home. You will have a testimony!

    In the Name of Jesus, I ask for the hand of God to rest heavily on your home. I declare that from today, you begin to enjoy God’s goodness and honour in your home!

    The power to accept the responsibility of marriage can be given to you, by surrendering your life to Christ. If you are ready to surrender your life to Christ, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood.  Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

    Congratulations! You are now born-again! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: counselling@faithoyedepo.org, Contact@faithoyedepo.org; Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437.

     

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • God’s view concerning marriage (3)

    God’s view concerning marriage (3)

    Dear Reader, we have seen so far in this series that God’s view for marriage is good and it is also to provide help for man.

    This week, I will be sharing with you on one of the most important instructions in the Bible for finding a mate. It is one you must have in marriage, to build the foundation of the home with Christ. I am teaching on being Unequally Yoked.

    A complete bond in marriage is based on the foundation that each partner is “equal” in their belief and vision for their life in Jesus Christ. God’s Word says: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).

    In a bid to find the right partner, the Bible clearly states that there cannot be a successful relationship, when both partners do not view things from the same spiritual perspective. No child of Christ can expect to find his or her perfect mate in a shrine or cult because light and darkness have nothing in common. The Believer and unbeliever, each serves different masters.

    Some people try to flout this law. They think God wants to deprive them of what they like. No, He only wants what’s best for you. Too many, after it is too late, have discovered that they can’t bend God’s rules and expect to enjoy their marriages.

    As a born again child of God, look for one who is also a believer. Make sure he or she understands what it means to have Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. No matter how appealing or suited you think that person is, you are not to compromise this first and major rule or you will be signing in for heartache!

    Some people have concluded that since they have waited for so long and have not got the right person to marry, they are ready to marry whoever comes, even unbelievers.  Such people have forgotten that how long they have waited is not as important as the success of the marriage. Take for instance, someone who is 30 years old before marriage and may probably live up to 90 years on earth.  If such a person rushes into marriage with an unbeliever, it implies that he or she will have 60 years to live with an unbeliever.

    Now, the journey after marriage for him or her is longer than the one he or her has gone through. Wisdom therefore, demands that you seat down to think before rushing into a marriage that will not last. God’s Word says: …None shall want her mate (Isaiah 34:16). If He says none shall want her mate, it means He has a mate for everyone. Remember, God cares about you and He cannot forget you; wait for His time.

    A sister I know in church, who out of desperation got herself married to an unbeliever, found out too late how unwise her decision was. She was contemplating leaving the home because they both were living like room mates. Although they were living in the same house, they were not on speaking terms. That is certainly not what marriage is all about. God has reserved something wonderful for you. Why not patiently wait and obediently follow through and you will get your desired partner in Jesus’ Name.

    Someone may want to ask if one has been in courtship before conversion, should the courtship continue after the salvation of one of the parties or not?  It is so simple. When one of the parties (or both of them) gets born again, the best thing to do immediately after conversion is to break the relationship.  This is because the relationship started when both parties were unbelievers.

    This is not to say that it is impossible for God to bring them together again.  If you are a serious child of God serving the Lord sincerely and in truth, He will guide you.

    Since old things are passed away and all have become new at salvation, that kind of courtship should be done away with. Such individuals were in the kingdom of darkness when the relationship started, but now that one or both are saved, there is a translation into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, which is a new Kingdom altogether. There ought not to be any carry-over from the old kingdom to the new one.

    In case you are out there reading this material today and you claim to be born again, but still engage in fornication, you better stop it before it stops you. Fornication is a sin against your own body. It is you opening yourself spirit, soul and body for the devil to come in and destroy you. Health-wise, spiritually and also mentally, you are damaging your system. Please don’t do it. Marriage is for life. You have all the time you want with your spouse under a legal and spiritual covering.

    If you have offended God in this area, don’t lose hope. God is a merciful Father. If you confess your sins and forsake them, He will cleanse you from unrighteousness. This is what being born again is all about.  If you want to be born again, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I believe You died and rose again for my sake. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Now I know I am born again!

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and conselling@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Taxation of contracts and direct labour procurement of MDAs (3)

    Opadiran (1987) defined Direct Labour Procurement as a process by which a project is executed by the workers of an organisation instead of the project being contracted out. It can simply be described as a ‘do it yourself’ approach to project procurement.

    Direct Labour could also be defined as a method of procurement whereby a client otherwise known as “the owner” uses his or her own in-house resources for the design and execution of a project. The in-house resources here will include both supervisory staff, skilled and unskilled labour force besides equipment. Worthy of note in this system is the elimination of the contractor, which makes the direct labour method distinct from other procurement methods.

    According to Iyagba and Idoro (1995), Direct Labour method of procurement can take various forms among which are;

     

    Fully in-house direct labour

    Here the organisation has the human resources in place for all the phases of the project. The organisation pays the monthly wages or otherwise of the human resources.

     

    Partially in-house direct labour

    Here the design and production information could be prepared by practicing consultants, while construction is handled by permanent personnel.

     

    Hire-labour direct labour

    Here the project owners do hire oflabour, machinery, purchase material and coordinate the construction work, possibly engaging a qualified professional for the management of the construction process.

     

    Self-help type of direct labour

    Self-help construction where the inhabitants of a community are organised and mobilised with the direct labour establishments of a ministry.

    Others are:

    – The developer provides the necessary recources, buys the necessary materials, hires the men and the machinery required, and mobilises the resources on his own.

    – Communal construction with the use of voluntary labour drawn from family members and friends.

    – A self-help construction whereby the inhabitants of a community organise and mobilise themselves to execute a project.

    These arrangements were seen to originally represent the true context of direct labour construction. Based on the definition, the following comments are made on the different forms of Direct Labour presented above:

     

    Forms contract implication

    Fully in-house direct labour. No contract Partially In-house Direct Labour Design and production of information by third parties are contracts.

    Hire-Labour Direct Labour Hire of labour,machinery, qualified professionals and contract purchase of materials will not qualify as direct labour. Cash purchase of materials may qualify.

    Self-help type of Direct Labour Direct Labour of the Direct Labour Establishment of the Ministry.  Others may qualify as direct labour when executed through cash advance to a staff of the MDA within approval limit. They may not qualify when managed by a third party.

    Contract can be inferred from the basis for payment by the project owner.

    a. Cash advance to staff to be retired after the procurement: No contract

    b. Payments for staff invoices: Contract (staff should not invoice his/her employer)

    c. Payment to staff for third party invoices: Contract

    d. Payment based on certificate of job completed: Contract

    Any Direct Labour Procurement must possess these characteristics to qualify as non contract procurement.

    a. Ownership of procurement facilities: The ministries, Department and agencies of government must use only the in-house resources for the design and execution of the project.

    b. Absence of contractual relationship with both staff and non staff, in the procurement.

    c. Payment should be through cash advance to staff. The cash advance must be retired at the end of the procurement and within approved limit.

     

    Direct labour procurement and the nigerian tax laws

    The schedule to the Companies Income Tax {Rate, etc of Tax deducted at source (Withholding Tax)} Regulations 1995 exempts those transactions which are, and indeed constitute “Outright sale or purchase of goods and property” and which take place “in the ordinary course of that particular kind of business”, from Tax deduction at source. Where a sale or purchase transaction becomes repetitive or habitual, it will not qualify for exemption. The sale of goods on a once-for – all basis will qualify for the exemption in so far as it meets the second condition. A sale takes place in the ordinary course of business when it takes place in the course of that particular business. Where, for instance, a trader sells goods directly to third parties, he will be seen as acting in the ordinary course of his business, that is, trading. However, where the trader enters into contract for the sale of the goods, he is no longer acting within his ordinary course of business, that is, trading, but has made an adventure into another business, that is, contracts. Further, a manufacturer who makes contractual sale or purchase is no longer acting within his ordinary course of business that is manufacturing, but has gone into another business, that is, contract. Although the manufacturer may use the items purchased or sold in his manufacturing business, the contractual arrangement for the sale or purchase will be subject to five per cent withholding tax.

     Conclusion

    It is the Public Procurement Bureau’s Policy that procuring entities outsource those services that are either not part of their core business activity or for which there is a fluctuation requirement in the terms of specialist skills or equipment , or where the open market provides a more efficient and commercial alternative. It is also its policy that services, materials and equipment shall be acquired by procuring entities at the most favourable terms compatible with the desired quality and delivery requirements, taking account of total life cycle costs and in a manner that safeguards and preserves the reputation of the procuring entity; and to support the development of an indigenous contractor base in Nigeria and particularly in the area in which the various procuring entities operate. Despite these comprehensive provisions in the Procurement Act and the Financial Regulations, many Government Agencies deliberately set aside contract award procedures in favour of direct labour procurement option.

    The pertinent questions would be:  why are the MDAs interested in direct labour procurement method? Could it be for better quality delivery, availability of more competent In-house staff, cost saving, non availability of competent contractors or Tax planning etc? Whatever the reasons, their actions should be guided by relevant Laws. They should be sure and ready to prove a case for direct labour in the Public Procurement Act, that they have ascertained:- that a schedule of rates, cost – plus or target contract would not be feasible, as quantities of work to be carried out cannot be defined in advance; that works are small and scattered or in remote locations with no local contractors and demobilization costs for outside contractors would be too high; that works must be carried out without disrupting existing operations; that the risk of unavailable work interruptions is better borne by procuring entity than by a contractor; that no contractor is interested in conducting the work at a reasonable price; that it has been demonstrated that Force Account (Direct Labour) is the only practical method for constructing and maintaining works under special circumstances; or that national security would be compromised if any method was used. Any tax planning that violates the provisions of the tax laws is illegal.

    Some government accounting officers are quick to argue that the reason for Direct Labour Procurement option is the absence of budgetary provision for the payment of VAT which are invoiced to them by the contractors. It is advisable that Accounting Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government should include the VAT payable in the budget estimate for approval instead of violating the provisions of the relevant laws. From the content of the Financial Regulations and the Accountant-General Circular of 2009, it is instructive to note that any payment for public procurement above N200,000 may not be accepted as a payment for Direct Labour, and could be deemed as Taxable Government Expenditure.

     

  • Institution for child-training (3)

    Institution for child-training (3)

    Dear Reader, in the previous teachings, we have seen the home as the first institution for child-training and the tool of example.  This week, God has something for us again as we go ahead to see God’s command to teach.

    From the beginning, God instructed parents to teach their children. Speaking to the ancient Israelites, God said: And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up  (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

    This kind of teaching requires much more than a once-a-week session at church services. It must be a regular practice, all week long, so that it becomes a way of life (Proverbs 22:6).

    Abraham, called the friend of God in James 2:23, was given high praise by God for teaching his children and household God’s way of life. In Genesis 18:19 God said of Abraham: For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.

    King Solomon understood that when we reach maturity, we reflect the training we have received as children (Proverbs 22:6). History clearly shows that when Israel neglected teaching and obeying God’s commands as they were told to do in Deuteronomy 6, they suffered tragic results.

    Apostle Paul wrote: And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). This statement is simply a continuation of the same principle God gave the Israelite in the Old Testament.

    I read a scripture sometimes back that changed my perspective of child-training: A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother (Proverbs10:1). In other words, the son that is wise is the father’s, while the one that is foolish is the mother’s! That’s why I told myself that I must be ready to accept responsibility, so that my children will not end up as fools.

    In case you are a woman reading this article, you must rise up to the task and accept the responsibility of raising wise children. However, if you had your children before getting born again and they are thorns in your flesh, I want you to believe God for a miracle, for with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

    Today, we need to likewise teach our children God’s commands. These commands, when applied, provide a moral compass to guide their conduct for the rest of their lives.

    How, then, can you effectively teach? Biblical passages on parenting show that God wants you to use love, patience, dignity and respect in working with your children, just as He does with you. Love is the foundational principle for all Christian relationships (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35). Paul said obeying the Ten Commandments expresses love toward God and your neighbours (Romans 13:9-10).

    Just as God instructs because He loves you, you must likewise instruct your children, if you love them (Hebrews 12:7). Loving your children does include discipline. Establishing fair rules and consequences for breaking those rules has been described as setting up boundaries. The purpose for boundaries is that children learn appropriate behaviour and feel secure.

    Your attitude toward your children is, perhaps, the single most important consideration in proper child rearing. Your words and actions show your children whether you love them or not.

    To effectively obey the commandment on child-training, you need to identify with Chris, by being born again. To be born again means confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set for this, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I believe You died and rose on the third day. Forgive me of my sins.  Cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Now, I know I am a child of God.

    Congratulations! You are now born again! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: Email: contact@faithoyedepo.org, counselling@faithoyedepo.org and Tel. No: 07026385437, 08141320204.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Building a Successful Family, Understanding Motherhood, Raising Godly Children, and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored with Dr. David Oyedepo).

  • My love of an extravagant lifestyle and greed for money led my husband into crime (3)

    ABOUT a week later, I brought up the matter of the trip abroad to my husband again but he made it abundantly clear that there was no money to embark on it at that time. He said we could wait till a few years time when his two younger brothers that he was sponsoring at the university graduated and the financial burden on him was reduced.

    “Just be patient, dear. We will travel at the appropriate time. God’s time is the best,” he said reassuringly.

    But I was not ready to listen to his sermon about being patient. I so much wanted to travel; and I felt it was his responsibility as my husband to do things to make me happy so what was all this talk about being patient?

    ‘Afterall, my name is not Patience,’ I thought to myself one day as I was mulling over the matter. ‘My mates are out there having fun and he says I should be patient! Till when?’

    So, one Saturday evening, on his return from an engagement, I drew his attention to a company’s website on the computer that organised trips to different locations in the world with a nice discount for family bookings.

    “Honey, it will be less expensive if we book online. Maybe we should try them,” I said, looking at the screen.

    “Annette, what’s the matter with you? I’ve told you before that we can’t afford this vacation right now. I just don’t have the money for it,” said Hilary.

    “That’s what you say all the time- you never have money for anything to do with me. But if it’s your relatives, money will miraculously appear from nowhere!”

    That did not go well with my husband and he made that clear.

    “And what’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded angrily. “Are you saying I don’t take enough care of you? Or the children? Are you now saying I’m a bad husband just because I refused to sponsor your frivolous holiday abroad?” he queried.

    “Call it whatever you like. All my friends are going off to exotic places this period while am stuck here in Nigeria. Why should I be different? Do they have two heads?” I countered.

    “Can you just hear yourself? So, you want to be like your friends now, abi? Has it entered that mind of yours that our situation, money wise is different? In case you have forgotten, let me remind you that I’m just an ordinary employee where I work and not the owner of the business. We are not multi-millionaires like your friends,” he stated firmly.

    “That’s your problem. All I know is that I’m travelling this year whether you like it or not,” I told him.

    “This your new found attitude of wanting to live beyond your means, live a flamboyant lifestyle like your friends will get you nowhere. You have to learn to cut your coat according to your size. Stop imitating what others are doing. You should be satisfied with what God has blessed us with,” he maintained.

    I did not answer him but simply left the room and went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

    If my husband thought that I had given up, he was in for a surprise. I kept on nagging him about the issue for days. When he still did not budge, I began denying him sex and any intimacy. I moved to the children’s room and refused to return to our bedroom despite his pleadings. Not just that, I started going out more frequently and returned home late. We had a house maid who did most of the housework and also took care of the children so I had a lot of time on my hands.

    The fight

    One evening, I returned home very late at about 10 pm to meet my husband standing in front of our apartment, his hands folded on his chest. He looked really angry, like he was ready to pounce on me any minute.

    “And where are you coming from at this time of the night?” he demanded, glancing at his watch.

    “I went to see a friend and…” I began to say but he cut me off.

    “You went to see a friend? You left the children at home with the maid since morning and you are just returning now. Have you forgotten you are a housewife, Annette. You are not a career woman so you have no excuse for staying out late like those women who work,” he noted.

    “Look, Hilary, I’m tired and need to rest. So, stop with all these questions,” I said and pushing him aside, went into the house.

    He followed me inside the house. The children were already asleep and the maid was with them.

    “I hope they ate before sleeping,” I asked her.

    “Yes, Madam. I gave them dodo and beans as you instructed,” she replied.

    I went to the kitchen to find something to eat as I was hungry. I was warming some rice in the microwave when my husband entered the kitchen.

    “Your movements these days is becoming suspicious. You go out all the time and return late. Tell me, are you having an affair or what, Annette?” he asked.

    I ignored him and continued with what I was doing.

    He came to where I stood and grabbing my hand, said:

    “I’m talking to you, woman! Answer me! Are you cheating on me?”

    “And what if I am! Afterall, I’m still young and attractive even after two kids and men chase me all the time. So, if my husband can’t give me what I want, maybe somebody else outside will,” I said with a sneer.

    “You dare open your mouth and tell me this bullshit? How dare you!” he said angrily, followed by two resounding slaps on my face. I screamed and covered my face and head with my hands in protection as he repeatedly hit me. He was about hitting me again but was stopped by the maid who had run into the kitchen on hearing my screams.

    “You better watch yourself, woman if you want us to continue living together in this house. I won’t tolerate my wife gallivanting all over the place, prostituting herself. You hear me?” he threw at me as the maid led me out of the kitchen.

    The following day, I went to see my friend, Runo. She was shocked when she saw the bruises on me from the beating my husband gave me.

    “You mean he did this to you just because you want a vacation abroad? How much will it cost him? He must be a stingy man!” she said.

    She brought out her first aid kit and applied some medication on the cuts on my face and arm.

    That day, I did not return home but spent the night at Runo’s place. My husband kept calling to know my whereabouts but I refused to pick his calls. He also sent text messages, apologizing for what he did, promising that he would never lay a finger on me again as long as he lived.

    By the third day, I wanted to go home as I was missing my children whom the maid said had been asking for me.

    But Runo did not want me to return yet, stating that Hilary needed to be taught a lesson.

    “You need to be firm. Stand your ground and don’t give in too easily or he will continue to take you for granted and be treating you like a punching bag,” she explained.

    I had been in Runo’s house for about a week when my husband showed up on her doorstep one evening. He had never been there before so I wondered how he was able to locate the place.

     

    He was full of apologies.

    “Please, honey forgive me! It will never happen again, I promise. I miss you so much. The children too miss you. Please come home!” he pleaded over and over.

    Seeing how remorseful he looked, I finally gave in and agreed to return but on one condition.

    “Anything you want, just name it. I will do anything for you. I just want you back!” he stated.

    “Alright. All I want is that vacation, that’s all,” I said.

    To my surprise, he readily agreed to my demand.

    “I told you he will agree to your demands in the end. You just have to know how to manipulate men to get what you want from them,” Runo stated later as I went to the guest room to pick my bag and the few belongings I had come with.

    I don’t know how my husband raised the money but a few weeks later, he had made all the necessary arrangements for our trip to the U.K. We planned to stay with his cousin Johnny who had been living there for over ten years and was a British citizen.

    I was so happy when the day of our journey finally arrived and we flew out of the country…

    To be continued

    Names have been changed to protect the identity of the narrator and other individuals in the story.

    Send comments/suggestions to 08023201831(sms only), psaduwa@yahoo.com or psaduwa007@gmail.com

    Names have been changed to protect the identity of the narrator and other individuals in the story.

    Send comments/suggestions to 08023201831(sms only), psaduwa@yahoo.com or psaduwa007@gmai.com

  • Handling sexual perversion (3)

    Handling sexual perversion (3)

    Dear Reader, I welcome you to the last edition of the series of teaching of the month of July.  I began this teaching on the very first week by examining sexual perversion on fornication and pre-marital sex.

    I said Perversion is a derogatory term for deviation from the original meaning or doctrine, literally ‘turning aside’ from what is perceived to be normal.

    I also defined fornication as any unlawful sexual intercourse between two unmarried man and unmarried woman. I went on to say that pre-marital sex is having a sexual intercourse before marriage.

    Last week, we also examined God’s view on homosexuality and His prescribed remedy. I defined a homosexual as one who is sexually attracted only to people of the same sex as oneself.  Today, being the last edition, I shall be looking at God’s Purpose For Sex.

    As we all know, God is a God of purpose and He never does anything without a purpose. Everything He created has a purpose for creating it. God created us male and female. We saw this in the Word of God: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27).

    It is also good to know that God gave man reproductive organs with which to function effectively in sexual relationship between husband and wife. There is therefore, nothing unclean or dirty about sexual intercourse for the married.  Marriage is only honourable only when the bed is undefiled. If sex is engaged before marriage, the honour is thereby taken away.

    Sexual intercourse is only within the context of marriage and it is a celebration of the covenant of marriage.  God’s creation of sexual union was for good and not for evil. However, any good thing can be perverted when wrongly used.  I have emphasized so much on sexual perversions in our previous teachings.

    I want you to know that God created man with certain basic physiological needs, including sexual needs.  But satisfying this urge ought to be done, decently and in order, within the context of marriage.  Satisfying the sexual urge in extra-marital context is contrary to God’s original purpose of it.

    God knew that man will not be able to live a successful holy life, without satisfying this biological need.  Marriage, therefore, was instituted to meet this need, and at the same time, make it easy to live a holy life.  This does not suggest that marriage is for people who cannot control themselves.

    The truth is that, if you cannot control your sexual drive while single, you will probably not be able to exercise control when you are married.  That means you will be in serious temptation, when your partner is not available.  Self-control is a must, especially for the single persons.  I want us to examine in details God’s purpose for sexual relationship within the marriage institution.

    For Procreation:

    God chose this unique method to replenish the earth and then commanded man to be fruitful: And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth (Genesis 1:28). He gave them reproductive organs with which to carry out this command.

    We are told in Genesis 4:1: And Adam had marital sex with his wife and she conceived (The Living Bible).  This, along with other scriptures, prove that God designed marital sex for procreation.  However, wisdom demands that you plan for the number of children you can raise in the fear of the Lord.

    For Pleasure:

    Talking to husbands about how to relate with their wives physically, the Book of Proverbs says: Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love (Proverbs 5:18-19). God intended that apart from the purpose of procreation, marital sex should give pleasure.

    Statistics show that homes where husband and wife enjoy each other sexually, are the happiest homes.  For the breast of a man’s wife to satisfy him, means the two of them to have pleasure in marital sex.

    However, God expects married couples to give sexual satisfaction to each other.  Sex, in the context of marriage is not dirty or sinful, as some would have us believe.  Marriage is a union of spirit, soul and body; so, it is therefore not complete when the physical aspect is missing.  Sexual union between couples is not just a physical act, it is also symbolic of the oneness of the spirit and soul, and of the mutual submission that God ordained it to be.

    For Intimacy:

    God’s Word says: And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife (Genesis 26:8). “Sporting”, as has been suggested by Bible scholars, may not be marital sex or actual sexual relationship, but foreplay. It must have been intimate enough to suggest to Abimelech that Rebecca was Isaac’s wife.  This, too, is a good and perfect gift from a good and perfect God.  “Playing” intimately with your spouse is not wrong, but rather brings you closer.

    The Bible uses the word “know” to describe the intimate, physical relationship between husband and wife.  One of God’s intentions for marriage, is for the couple to really know one another until they become truly one.  The Bible says: For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh (Matthew 19:5-6).

    The joining to one’s spouse also, describes the act of sexual relationship.  For as a man is joined in physical union to his wife, they will be very close to each other than any other person.  It is only within the context of marriage that guilt does not accompany sexual intercourse. If both man and woman work at making the act of sex more than just an avenue for procreation or the releasing of tension, it becomes a means of enhancing intimacy.

    The act of sex is a fellowship – giving and receiving tender love.  This is what brought comfort to Isaac after the death of his mother, Sarah.  It provided a means of intimate fellowship with someone he loved. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death (Genesis 24:67).

    To Avoid Fornication:

    One other reason why God designed the marriage bed is to ensure that man has a legitimate avenue for releasing sexual tension. Outside the sanctity of marriage, any sexual act, from petting to sporting is sin.  God’s Word says: Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband (I Corinthians 7:1).

    The first and important step you need to take to be free from immoral act of sin is to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. If this is your desire, then pray this prayer with me: “Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!”

     

    Congratulations! You are now born again! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: counselling@faithoyedepo.org; Contact@faithoyedepo.org;  Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Handling sexual perversion (3)

    Handling sexual perversion (3)

    Hello Reader, a very warm welcome to this wonderful edition of this week’s Family Forum. Last week, I examined adultery as one of the sexual perversions.  I said that adultery is any sexual intercourse by a married person with another person other than the lawful spouse.

    I equally said that an adulterer is simply a man or woman who goes into sexual relationship as a married man or woman, but does it outside of wedlock.

    Today, I will be talking on God’s view on homosexuality and His prescribed remedy.

    The dictionary defines a homosexual as one who is sexually attracted only to people of the same sex as oneself.  God defines it as an abomination.  The Word of God says: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination (Leviticus 18:22). Yet the world is teeming with homosexuals; some churches even conduct marriages for homosexuals! They are fighting for the right to be regarded as a nuclear family.  They are everywhere: in government, on the streets, in institutions of learning, etc.

    Watching CBN’S 700 club one day, I saw a Christian woman who had been ensnared by the spirit of homosexuality (it’s a spirit you know) and who required help to break the habit.  She had suffered in secret for many years, and now needed deliverance.

    In secondary schools, youngsters are drawn into homosexual practices by cruel seniors, and their own lust.  But for whatever reason, homosexuality is of the devil.  The Word of God says: Because they do this, God has given them over to shameful passions, Even the women pervert the natural use of their sex by unnatural acts (Romans 1:26-27 (GNB).

    In the same way the men give up natural sexual relations with women and burn with passion for each other.  Men do shameful things with each other, and as a result they bring upon themselves the punishment they deserve for their wrong doing.

     

    Origin

    Where did the problem emanate from? It emanated from the fall of man.  After man fell and handed the government of the world over to the devil, the devil tried to pervert every good and perfect thing God had made. God created a means of procreation between the man and his wife.

    After the fall, man wondered what it will feel like to mate with animals and with people of like sex.  What God created to be enjoyed between the man and his wife became marred.

    Man began to seek other women outside marriage; he began to crave for intercourse with men. Unregenerated man keeps searching for new ways of living in “excitement”.  Because homosexuality is a spirit, they become chained to it and are unable to escape.

    When a man becomes born again, something happens: sin has no dominion over him any longer (Romans 6:14).  He is free to walk away, and as a matter of fact, is advised to flee from every appearance of evil.

     

    Remedy

    What is the remedy for anyone caught in the web of homosexuality?

    a. Become Born Again

    Only Christ has the remedy.  When He died on the cross, He paid the price for all sins, once and for all (Romans 6:6). God loves you, and wants to deliver you from every trap of the devil.  Homosexuality is a trap and its only recompense or reward is AIDS.  Do not toy with it, come to Jesus today and He will free you from its hold.

    b.Receive a New Mind

    •Believe that now you are in Christ, old things have indeed passed away (II Corinthians 5:17). Believe that God has forgiven you and forgive yourself!

    •Read the Bible and spend time meditating on God’s Word.  Memorize scriptures, and let them be a part of you (Psalm 119:11).

    •Pray: There is no situation that prayer cannot change.  Continue to ‘wash’ your thoughts on your knees.  For effectual prayer, you need the Holy Spirit.  Receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).

    •Fast: Set time aside to wait upon the Lord in a fast and consolidate your freedom.

    •Make Christian friends and spend time discussing edifying things.  Do not engage in idle talk.

    •Attend a Bible-Believing Church, where the mind of God is made known in unequivocal terms.

    •Literature: keep away from dirty novels (as long as Christ is not glorified, it is deadly), which propagate inordinate sexual acts. Keep yourself busy in the Kingdom and discipline yourself.  No one can reach your thoughts; so you, by yourself, must consciously guard your heart with all diligence.  Philippians 4:8 has an all-purpose drug.  It reads: Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, … honest, … just, … pure, … lovely, … of good report,  … If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

    If the steps discussed above are followed, you will receive total freedom from these deadly diseases of homosexuality and sexual perversions.

    The first and important step you need to take to be free from this immoral act of sin, is to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. If this is your desire, then pray this prayer with me: “Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!”

    Congratulations! You are now born again! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: counselling@faithoyedepo.org; Contact@faithoyedepo.org;  Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • 3,050 PDP, Accord Party members defect to ACN in Oyo

    3,050 PDP, Accord Party members defect to ACN in Oyo

    No fewer than 3,050 members of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) and Accord Party(AP) in the Ibadan South East Local Government Area of Oyo State yesterday defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    A breakdown shows that 2,200 former AP members were from the camp of the former chieftain of party, Hon. Alabi Waliu, while the other 850 were from the camp of the former First Secretary of the PDP in the Ibadan South East Local Government Area, Chief Muftau Adegboyega.

    The ACN chairman in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke, who was represented by the council party chairman, Engineer Kayode Arowolo, who received the defectors into the party called for mutual co-existence among old and new members, urging the defectors not to feel alienated, but see themselves as members of the same family.

    Oke said the defection was an attestation to the sincerity of purpose and sense of belonging of the ACN towards ameliorating the age-long impoverishment of the residents by the former PDP-led administration in the state.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Transition Committee Chairman of the Ibadan South East Local Government Area, Alhaji Abass Bolaji Najimudeen, who had earlier commissioned three public toilets in schools, one borehole and a transformer within the council area, explained that the defectors were convinced by the quality of jobs that the ACN has been doing in the state.

    “I want all of you to be peaceful and unite with us because this is a collective government,” Najimudeen said.

    The spokesperson for the AP defectors, Hon. Waliu, said their desire to join the ACN was inspired by the performance of the caretaker chairman of the local government, Alhaji Najimudeen.

    He said :” I left the Accord Party because there is no unity among the members, and we have all seen what Governor Abiola Ajimobi has been doing to transform this state. So we want to support him because it is not necessary to oppose a progressive government.”

    Also his counterpart from the PDP, Chief Adegboyega, said they were tired of insanity and leadership tussle in the People’s Democratic Party, adding that “that is why we have come to join the progressives.”

    He described the council boss as “friendly and tolerant.”