OJUELEGBA FIRE OUTBREAK

 A two-year-old boy has been reported dead following a fire incident that gutted a flat at Ojuelegba in Lagos State on Thursday.

The parents and two sisters of the deceased, who were rushed to the hospital after the incident, are reported to have become unconscious. Rasak Fadipe, director, Lagos State Fire Service, confirmed the tragic incident in an interview with NAN. Fadipe said the tragedy occurred at 11,  Atan Street, Ojuelegba, Lagos, saying they got call around 6am.

He said at the time they arrived at the three storey building, the first floor that was housing the victims was in flame. “Before we got there, people in the area have been able to evacuate the family members out of the building unconscious due to fumes inhaling,” he said.

“The children: two girls and a boy of ages 8, 5 and 2 were taken to LUTH, while parents taken to a private hospital. “Unfortunately, the boy died at the hospital. We went to see the victims at the hospital.” He advised residents against erecting burglaries that would be dangerous to the occupants of such high rise buildings.

The director also called for the installation of fire-fighting equipment at homes and public places for emergency operations.

Days of undergraduate

Gone are the days when your mates in school appreciate the skills in your hand and which you can improve and inspire more in that skill. Days of over night drawing with a pencil on the left hand and a torch on the right hand... Overnight inspiration

MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES BY DR MAHFOUZ ADEDIMEJI

*MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES*

Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji
 January 18, 2017.

One of the most emotional faces of a frustrated man that I remember happened about three years ago. I was accosted on a windy afternoon by a man who wanted to know his chances of furthering his education at my place. After one or two questions, I told him why he was not qualified, the main reason for which was that he had a Third Class degree.

His explanation that he had one or two postgraduate diplomas did not help as I explained that such qualifications might be put into consideration in future but the regulation in use does not support such now. He soon wore the look of someone who had lost his family and life investment to a fire incident.

He restrained tears as he said, “For how long will I continue to pay for the sin of having a Third Class? Everywhere I go, my Third Class is a hindrance. What is the meaning of all this, my God? Where do I go from here? I can’t get a job and I can’t still further my education!”

I empathised with him as his forlorn look and melancholic stare probed into my soul. His words struck me like an arrow. He sounded intelligent but he could not make much headway in educational and career life because of how he spent his average of four years in the University, simplicita.

Unfortunately, many people still find themselves in his shoes as everything is becoming more competitive with little room left for the under-achieving. Students are especially vulnerable. The only good thing is that for every student, the situation of the man narrated can be averted with some seriousness now. The opportunity of being a student is for a short period. Make hay while the sun shines because a stitch in time saves nine but no stitch at all saves time.

Malcolm X famously said, “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” Many students do not plan for or think of their future and just allow the four important years that will shape their lives to fritter way. Many are obsessed with socialising and getting distracted, at the expense of their primary assignment in school. They eventually manage to graduate without (much) honours.

It is at the labour market that reality begins to dawn as many gates are closed against them. They begin to regret that if they had utilised their time very well, at least they would have been more competitive as many employers would these days specify the minimum class of degree they want. Usually, Third Class is ruled out. And it won’t be possible to roll back the hands of the clock and earn a better result.

There is no way anyone who passes his O’ level exams and gets qualified for university education should not make an average grade on graduation. The main factor for which students fail or graduate with poor grades is lack of seriousness or misplacement of priorities. If you attend your lectures punctually, do your assignments religiously and comport yourself morally, it is difficult to fail, especially when you still put God first.

As another year begins and another opportunity for recalibrating unfolds, it is important to make hay because diamonds are not forever. The nine months spent in the mother’s womb can have a long-lasting effect on the baby’s health throughout life. A careless mother risks a life-long damage for her unborn child through wrong choices and unhealthy lifestyle.

Similarly, a student who spends his school years pursuing pleasure, chasing shadows, making friends and “stabbing” lectures soon realises that his destiny is shaped and his future is altered by his record of academic performance. It is very important that one makes use of the opportunity before it slips by. You won’t be a student forever but your undergraduate years will go a long way, to some extent, in determining your future.

Regardless of the situation of the country, the problems of the society and the challenges that make life hellish for many students, let your own resolve and faith be akin to Abraham Lincoln’s own: “I will study and prepare, and someday my opportunity will come.”

So, do your best now and leave the rest. Afterwards, whatever happens is fine or at least a blessing in  disguise.

CONDITIONS OF LAA ILAHA ILLA ALLÂH

• Al-'Ilm {Knowledge} : with the meaning of negation and affirmation
  
• Al-Yaqeen {Certainty} : the completeness of knowledge by it, it negates doubt and conjecture
  
• Al-Ikhlass {Sincerity} : which negates shirk (polytheism)
  
• As-Sidq {Honesty} : negates falsehood, it prevents the falling into hypocrisy
  
• Al-Mahabbah {Love} : of this word (laa ilaha illa Allâh) and what proves it to be content with that
  
• Al-Inqiyaad {Submission} : to its rights and it is to do the obligatory and deeds sincerely that the of Allâh seeking His pleasure
  
• Al-Qubool {Acceptance}: which negates rejection.