RAMADAN TALK: The Essence of Ramadan

1ST DAY OF RAMADAN, 1435

Ramadan is here again. The best month in the year. Fasting is one thing that is famously synonymous to this holy month and all muslims (both practising and non-practising) fast. But is it all about fasting? NO! Ramadan is way more than fasting. Some of my Christian friends will tell me: "What is the essence of you not eating in the day when you've ate like you are loading a container in the night?" I just laugh it off. Deep inside of me, I know there is more to Ramadan than fasting.

I saw an inscription that reads: "Strive more to get your deeds accepted than to do the deeds." This simply means not all deeds are accepted. Not all fasts are accepted. There are some the Prophet (SAW) described as just making themselves hungry for nothing. I know nobody is ready to go hungry for 30 days just to see that it was not accepted. How will you feel - if you were given 30 difficult questions in your exam; you did them correctly but gave one-word answer when you were told to show all workings or roughened the sheet and the examiner refused to mark one-word answers or your rough sheet? You will feel worse if you fasted for 30 days and decided to give one-word answer by neglecting some key things or roughened your sheet by carrying out some bad actions and on the Day of Recompense, it was not counted as one of your good deeds.

The essence of Ramadan was fully said in this famous Ramadan ayah (Q2 v 183):

Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 183:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun.
(English - Mohsin Khan)
via iQuran

Who is the Al-Muttaqun?
The pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained).

Did you attain the stage of being an Al-Muttaqun while you were fasting last year? Did you even attempt to be an Al-Muttaqun?

All you do is fast and start checking time every now and then (not for salat but for breaking).

All you do is fast and start playing games, gossiping and so on to while away time.

All you do is fast and not observing any Salat.

All you do is fast and no reading of the Qur'an or attending a lecture or tafsir.

All you do is just to fast in Ramadan...

If that is all you do, you are really missing out. It's not to late to retrace your steps as you might have done such mistakes in the past. This is another Ramadan; strive to be an Al-Muttaqun. YES, YOU CAN!

My name is Taslim OKUNOLA; I am a Muslim and I am NOT a terrorist.

#TerrorismIsNotIslamic #RamadanTalk

Thanks for reading.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NIGERIAN STUDENTS TO THE ECONOMY OF THE NATION

We have come to realise that the Federal Government is trying its possible best to sideline the Nigerian students either by hike in school fees, not acting to end strikes, less development in schools and so on. I guess they tend to believe that we are of no use to them and their government. Nigeria's economy is still categorized as developing despite the fact that the development on ground in this nation is even very minute compared to other nations.

The involvement of youths in the development of this nation has been very shallow right from time. This is because youths are being sidelined at every instance by the old goons in power. HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi once said that: "Nigeria is the only country that imports what they produce and exports what they don't produce." I have come to conclude that this is happening because of the fact that our intelligent youths with the unlocking key are not given the opportunity to unlock the potentials of Nigeria's economy.

The economy of Nigeria will only be made first class if the youths can be directly involved and in control of the economy. Hence, the importance of the Nigerian students who will be in the labour market soon to the economy can never be undermined.

We remain very important to the development of this nation.

Support and Vote Oluwafemi Williams A.K.A JABULANI as NANS Vice President (National Affairs)

TESLEEM OKUNOLA
MEDIA DIRECTOR, JABULANI CAMPAIGN MOVEMENT

PUBLIC EDUCATION SHOULD REMAIN PUBLIC

Before this time, quality education was made for all and was a right. But now, it is being portrayed as a privilege. Managements of various universities are taking turns to increase the school fees without any form of consideration. We have seen school fees that were increased by more than 300%. I do not really care if private universities are paying 3 million dollars per semester; after all, they are private (not for all and sundry). But, I seriously frown against any form of action to make public universities private.  They should be public; a place where you will find the children of petty traders, civil servants, market women, carpenters and so on. This set of people that constitute the management boards were children of blacksmiths, hunters, farmers and so on but where made what they are today because of the cheap education they could enjoy; the public education they went through. Now, they are big men and fail to realise that not everybody is as big as they are.

I stand to vehemently disagree with the excuse that they need increased revenue to develop infrastructures. Most public universities realise more than enough revenue from various intervention funds, space allocation on campus, enterprises ran by the university (radio, sachet water, bread e.t.c.). Why on earth will they need our school fees to develop then? Are those ones embezzled? If my memory is not failing me, I could vividly remember that ASUU fought for more development fund last year wasting a whole of 6 months of our precious time. This is mid-year, where is the fund? What have they used it to develop?

Education in Nigeria is not even what it should be. It is a big shame if this kind of education we are going through is made expensive. Over 80 students in a department; a lecturer teaching over 1000 students in a lecture theatre that has no loudspeaker and writing on the white board with bad marker; receiving lectures from 4pm to 6pm and even on Saturdays and so much more. All we could boast of are quality lecturers and professors. But a professor teaching over 80 students cannot make the same impact a professor teacher 40 students will make. If this kind of education of little quality is made expensive, then I fear for the future of this great country. Making it expensive should be termed extortion and corruption.

It is very unusual that even with this kind of conditions, the zeal to learn remains in the soul of Nigerian students. We stand strong to learn, we remain strong by diving through this circumstances to gain knowledge. The ability to gain the university knowledge is what we don't want to be denied of. The rich have their private universities to patronize; the public universities are all we have as children of the commoners. Must the little we have be taken away from us? I have a quite number of friends that sponsor themselves in my school. Can they ever afford giant fees? NO! Most of our professors sponsored themselves back then through the university because education was cheap then. Take a look at the men they've became today.

I want to use this medium to salute without any reservations Nigerian students that have stood strong to ensure that public education is not made private. We remain strong to always demand that any injustice to Nigerian students be brought to justice.

Support and Vote Oluwafemi Williams
A.K.A Jabulani as NANS Vice President (National Affairs)

TESLEEM OKUNOLA
MEDIA DIRECTOR, JABULANI CAMPAIGN MOVEMENT

DON'T CRUCIFY YOURSELF - by Seun Alaofin

I understand how you feel, I have been there to, so trust me when I tell you that I know how it feels. I know that feeling of making a very big mistake, I know that feeling of falling below your expectations, I know that feeling of self-betrayal and hurt, not because I am Mr know all, but because I have experienced many of these things.

Each time i sit down to reflect on the mistakes I have made, I realise that I made these mistakes on my own, so I definitely have what it takes to correct them. If I am the inventor then I can be the corrector. I would not sit down and watch the mistakes make me when I have what I need to correct the mistakes to my advantage.

I would not cry, weep or mourn, but I would rather sit down and restrategise. I made the mistakes, so I would not allow what the environment says, what the people around me says or what the mistake itself is saying. I admit to making the mistake, but I would not surrender to the oppression, torture, damage and demoralising effects of the mistake.
It takes a wise man to do this, it takes a man of purpose and vision to do this. Admit the fact that you made the mistake, but don't admit the fact that it can ruin your life.

Today, forgive yourself of all the past mistakes you have made, forgive yourself for believing all the negative things that people around you have said, and the heart breaking words your environment has communicated to you that you have believed and has worked against you.

Remember you are the captain of your soul, don't allow the mistakes you have previously made to wreck it. I love you, and there is no mistake that can change that fact.

Until we meet again, remember that you can connect with me on;
Facebook: Seun Alaofin
Twitter: @seunalaofin
Bbm: 7e0b0efd
Instagram: seunemmanuelalaofin
Email: seunemmanuelalaofin@gmail.com

Road to Redemption by Beautiful Nubia

Photo Credits: iTunes

I really love this guy's song. He is an intellect. His lyrics are always on point morally and motivfationally. Check this out:

"Bombs falling from the sky to buy your freedom
What manner of freedom you gonna get?
They’ll taint your women, corrupt your children
Time passes by and you never learn
So you go down on your knees and pray to a foreign god
And you scream and shout and fast and no one answers
You read your holy book and wait for deliverance
Time passes by, you never learn
Brother don’t you see we gotta wake up
The answers are not far from our noses
We’ve got to liberate our minds my sister
Time passes by, you never learn
Time passes by; you’re still the same
You turn your back on hard work and wisdom
Stretching out your hand for compassion and charity
Your children become strangers in their own world
Time passes by, you never learn
You silence all your prophets and good sons and daughters
Stamp out all contrary opinion
You’re a slave to money and possessions
Time passes by and you never learn
Sister, don’t you see we gotta wake up
The answers are not far from our noses
We’ve got to liberate ourselves my brother
Time passes by, you never learn
Time passes by; we’re still the same
Bombs falling…
The road to redemption may not be easy
But I’ll walk with you all the way…"

(Road to Redemption, from "Oriojori-Eternal Spirits")

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SONG

Bribery: a menace that should be ended

I was going to school this morning and I saw the officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) collecting bribe. It's an act that is almost synonymous to our Police but I was shocked to see that FRSC has also joined the train. Even some soldiers also take it.

Bribery is now everywhere. It is one of the menace our society is facing. Unqualified people get to be picked in most employment opportunities, competitions e.t.c. simply because they could bribe their way in.

What are the damages bribery can cause?

How do you think everyone can contribute to the reduction or complete eradication of Bribery?

What role could the Government play in this?

Let's begin the interactive session using the comment box.

Photo Credits: The Victory Hour

The Secrets of Success

A friend sent this to me on BBM:

"In bed, I was asking myself; "what are some of the secrets to success in life?" I found the answer right there in my very room. The fan said,"be cool", the roof said, "aim high", the window said, "see the world" ,the clock said, "every minute is precious", the mirror said, "reflect before you act". The calendar said, "be up to date". The door said, "push hard for your goals".  The Rug said "kneel down and pray". The toilet said "flush the Bad habits that will deter u from becoming someone influential in life! The Quran/Bible laughed and said, "read me for direction"."

I guess things around us are enough to motivate us. Cool, isn't it?

T.O.B is ONE!!!

On the 11th day of June, 2013, I started blogging about the youths; utilizing and maximizing our resources as youths of today to build a better future. I value my generation. When I think about the youths of today, I see the leaders of tomorrow. How we are gonna make tomorrow better than today lies in us.

Taslim Okunola's Blog is one year old today!!!

I remain committed to enlightening, advising and motivating the youths.

"My name is Taslim OKUNOLA and I am a progressive Nigerian youth."

THE NECESSITY TO CHANGE THE WAY WE PLAY OUR CARDS - by Biyi Agboola

We played the game, i slept and woke up angry. My roommate wondered what caused my anger . Was it a night mare??????? nope!!!!!! i exclaimed ...then i began to scream in agony "the rules, the rules , the rules...."

YES, its a game, we play our cards, there are players, its amazing, sometimes scary, perhaps bloody, but there are RULES which are unjust...
"The DO'S & The DON'T"...lets examine them in details.

.........THE DO'S......

(1). worship your stakeholders and so called political leaders like gods .thats when they see you as being loyal.

(2). be dubious

(3). be heartless

(4). make empty promises or break the real onces you make

(5). sell your integrity to get what you want .(if u have any)

(6). Your interest is the most important , not that of the spectators or your fans.

(7). Be friends only when you need to get your opponents weakness..act as soon as you get them.

(8). Betrayal is not a sin.

(9). Do not bother about competency , packaging or experience.

....................THE DON'T........................

(1). Your integrity is your personal property only few players are watchfull. so dont make it your selling point.

(2). Your packaging is for your fans not the players. so it should be a compliment not a major.

(3). Trusting your partners is at your own risk, dont trust.

(4). Sincerity is a sin. Dont be sincere.

(5). Never let the enemy get hold of your strongest plan.

(6). Spirituality is a foul, you bare the consequences.

(7). Never pledge loyalty during negotiation with players when playing your cards. it doesnt exist in their dictionary.

(8). Competency is never a critetia to qualify to be the best player.

(9). Your experience should not be your selling point. it does not matter.

who are the players???? ANS : POLITICIANS

WHAT IS THE GAME???? ANS: POLITICS..

We the youths are involved in politics(unionism) ,we are the so called FUTURE of our country. The game has been on like this for a long time and we seems to have inherited these ridiculous way of playing the game with the abnormalties inherent in the rules "DO'S & DON'T"

I SO SUBMIT THAT THE CHALLENGES OF OUR NATION CAN BE TRACED TO ITS ROOT CAUSE OF THE RULES OF OUR GAME. THEREFORE WE TRULY NEED TO CHANGE THE RULES AND THE GAME STRUCTURE TO DEMOSTRATE THAT WE ARE PROGRESSIVES AND DEMOCRATS.

GOD BLESS NIGERIA

‪#‎letschangetherulesandgamestructure‬

urs RT.HON BIYISTICAL..

Goodnight Prof. Dora

Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili yesterday journeyed to the land of no return. She is patiently waiting for the judgement day in her new place of abode.

Women in the history of Nigerian politics have not really made crude impact. We have the fraudulent ones like Patricia Etteh, Stella Oduah and co. We have the bleakish ones like Diezani Allison-Madueke and co. But what of Dora Akunyili, she stood out.

She stood strong against corruption, elevated her integrity and was concerned with the development of Nigeria till the last day. Ma, you are the true actor of our National Pledge.

You were faithful, loyal and honest. You served Nigeria with all your strength, defended her unity, upheld her honour and glory and God truly helped you.

We knew NAFDAC's state while you were there and now that you are no more there. You set indelible records. The Rebranding of Nigeria was also an innovation of yours while you were the honourable Minister of Information; Nigeria - Good People, Great Nation. Your achievements are countless.

You have transformed your generation. You did your best to effect changes. You are one in a million. We love you, We cherish you. GOD BLESS DORA IN HER GRAVE.

From: Taslim OKUNOLA

That wretched man could be your saviour

Someone shared this on Facebook, let me share it with you also:

True Life Amazing Story:

The Invisible Need To Be Seen! Juan worked at a meat distribution factory. One day, when he finished with his work schedule, he went into the the meat cold room (Freezer) to inspect something, but in a moment of bad luck, the door closed and he was locked inside with no help in sight Although he screamed and knocked with all his might, his cries went unheard as no one could hear him.

Most of the workers had already gone, and outside the cold room (freezer) it's impossible to hear what was going on inside. Five hours later, whilst Juan was on the verge of death, the security guard of the factory, eventually open the door and saved the life of Juan.

Juan then asked the security guard how he got to open the door, as it wasn't part of his work routine, and he explained thus: "I've been working in this factory for 35 years, hundreds of workers come in and out every day, but you're one of the few who greets me in the morning and says goodbye to me every night when leaving after working hours.

Many treat me as if I am invisible. Today, like every other day, you greeted me in your simple manner ' Hello ' at the entrance when resuming for work. But curiously, after working hours today, I observed I've not heard your ' bye! see you tomorrow '.

Hence I decided to check around the factory. I look forward to your ' Hi ' and ' bye ' every day. To you, I am someone. By not hearing your farewell, I knew something had happened. Then I Sought and found!

"Moral Lesson to reflect upon: Be humble, love and respect those around you. As life is too short! Try to have an impact on people in ways we can't even imagine, especially the people that cross our part every day. Let the teaching warm all hearts!