SALUTATION: An Obligation Or A Voluntary Gesture?

SALUTATION: AN OBLIGATION OR A VOLUNTARY GESTURE?


Brethren, we could see for ourselves that this congregation is really improving and as well increasing on a daily basis. if I’m to comment on this, I would loudly and boldly say that such development wasn’t by our might, rather that of the supremacy.

Two nights ago, I was busy watching a certain melodrama on the humble television situated in my sitting room. The drama was all about a housewife who deeply lacks honesty, and she nags a lot even in the public; in other words, she also lacks respect. As a psycho/social analyst, I would say that the woman in question was in a severe social bondage.

Let me quickly remind you of one existing fact. There’re three very important words in life, which are love, honesty and respect; without these in your life, you’ve nothing.

Love, according to the context of the above clause, is the state in which you behave in a kind and caring way towards someone else because his/her happiness matters a lot to you. Also, ‘honesty’ is the state in which one does not cheat or break the law, and can be trusted with valuable things. Furthermore, honesty is that act your conscience tells you is right; thus, it has to do with one’s conscience. On the other hand, ‘respect’, in a nutshell, is one’s good and genuine opinion of someone or others.

Lest I forget; it’s high time we commenced. Salutation in a concise term, based on the context of this edition, is simply a greeting to someone. Greeting, on its own part, is something friendly that you say or do on meeting someone. This edition is trying to enquire if, salutation/greeting is supposed to be a statutory obligation or a mere voluntary gesture.

In an Igbo setting for instance, salutation is widely recognized by all and sundry as a mark or symbol of respect one owes his/her elder. In other words, everyone who hails from Igbo land expects a salutation or something similar from his younger ones each time they meet. Such ideology/norm is not unconnected to the type witnessed among the people of the Yoruba nation. Even, in an average or typical Yoruba community, salutation is being taken/considered more seriously than that of the Igbo nation; because in most cases, the person dishing out the greeting is expected to bow, or better still prostrate. Thus, on the average, an Igbo/Yoruba community takes salutation as a statutory obligation. Let’s ride on!

In a formal setting; for instance a corporate organization, every staff is expected to present his greeting to his senior in the establishment, regardless of their ages. Therefore, in such environment or community, it is statutory for any staff to send his greeting (salutation) to his superior or senior colleague. In this case, most times the junior staff wouldn’t wait until he/she meets his/her superior, rather, courtesy invariably demands that he seeks for the face of the affected or concerned superior by taking a walk to his/her office in order to extend his greeting. This aspect testifies the severity of the obligation in a formal setting.

Then, considering the military or paramilitary setting, you will bear me witness that, greeting or salutation is strictly obligatory; in the sense that, each officer must tender his/her salutation to his senior officer. This gesture is meant to take place when the officers involved, i.e. the junior and the senior officers, are in their formal uniform. But on the contrary, it’s often observed even when any of the officers or both of them is/are in mufti; this also signifies the severe nature of the obligation.

In my own singular view, there are certain factors that mustn’t be taken for granted whenever the issue of salutation or greeting is raised. In as much as it is mostly and widely noted that salutation is not a voluntary obligation, we are still bound to acknowledge some vital facts that accompany salutation.

From my perspective, salutation is meant to be reciprocal. Both in the formal or informal (native) settings, salutation or greeting is expected to be reciprocated whenever it is being dished out by the younger or junior person/staff as the case might be. Thus, one could describe salutation as an exchange of pleasantry irrespective of the ‘setting’ in question. Even, sometimes the elder person or the senior colleague could extend his/her greeting first in order to attract the attention of the younger or junior one. We really need to comprehend this fact to the fullness so we could put an end to the ongoing inconsequential bickering or pandemonium in respect to salutation (greetings).

Above all, I wish to remind you that ‘salutation is not love’. This simply means that salutation doesn’t signifies that the person presenting the pleasantry truly loves you. Suffice to say that, salutation could be deceptive or a sign of deceit. So we must endeavour not to fall prey to any deceptive salutation/greeting. Believe me, it is better for one to stay without receiving any respect in the name of salutation than to receive the ones that are fake or misleading. Of course, someone who often receive fake salutation from his younger/junior ones could be referred to as one in a ‘Social bondage’. Please, beware of insincere salutation at all times because it maims, and kills too.

Based on the aforementioned facts, I think it would be better for us to regard salutation as a voluntary gesture, rather than seeing it as what ought to be done compulsorily. After all, what would it benefit us to receive a deceptive salutation, at the expense of our happiness or lives? Think about it!



FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

The Ongoing She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP)

THE NEED TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING ‘SHE NEEDS A ROOF PROJECT (SNARP)’


Brethren, a good friend of mine who bears ‘Izuawuba’ took his precious time penultimate week to give me the insight on the real meaning of the native name (Izuawuba). According to him, the name simply means, ‘Secrecy does not beget genuine wealth or riches’. In other words, one who does things in secret or who often hides himself will definitely finds it difficult to embrace any genuine thing in abundance.

Mind you, ‘wealth’ does not only represent abundance of money. Thus, it could be abundance of good health, knowledge, wisdom, power, fame, or what have you. Yes, one may be rich in any area of life. Needless to say; we must reach out to people if we are blessed with anything, in order to embrace the abundance of it. Because, anything done in secret can never yield something genuine, talk less of its abundance.

So if you’re blessed with wealth/riches in respect to money, endeavour to touch people’s lives with it, so that, the riches would be surplus to your greatest delight. Well, that’s by the way; it’s high time we faced the theme of today’s crusade squarely. And it’s no longer news that our theme for today remains ‘She Needs A Roof Project’.

Due to her extreme love for humanitarianism and as a mother par excellence, as soon as she assumed office as the Imo First Lady, Her Excellency Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha through a divine inspiration assured the good people of Imo State that she would stride relentlessly to ensure that poverty is drastically alleviated among Imo indigenes in line with the Rescue Mission Agenda of her darling husband – Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

In view of this, Her Excellency went ahead to institute a remarkable programme known as She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP) under the aegis of a Non Governmental Organization – the Women Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), solely founded by her. The inauguration of the aforementioned project attracted dignitaries and well-spirited individuals from all walks of life across the federation.

This programme instituted by the Imo First Lady, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha is driven by her intense passion to ensure thorough eradication of shanty huts through the construction of befitting bungalows for the poorest of the poor and the downtrodden in Imo State, most especially the indigent widows and orphans.

With all sincerity, in the history of Imo State and beyond, this would be the first time we would witness such capital-intensive project being spearheaded by a First Lady. In the past, we only saw the First Ladies share bags of food stuffs and other valuable items among the indigent women. But the present First Lady, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha has proven to us that one can still thrive beyond his/her strength if he/she is truly willing and determined, having introduced and as well implemented the ongoing life touching programme (SNARP). Let’s ride on!

The astonishing and most amazing aspect of SNARP is that, it is being carried out simultaneously in all the existing twenty-seven (27) Local Government Areas in the state. Most importantly, the consistency and the ebullience constantly showcased by the Imo First Lady while carrying-out the projects, is not in doubt. This was why the entire Imo women unanimously crowned her with an impeccable and memorable title “Eji Ulo eme ogo”.

At the moment, the Phase I, II and III of the She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP) have respectively taken place in all the LGAs in Imo State, and the commissioning of the Phase III which was recently rounded-off by Her Excellency is ongoing in all the LGAs.

Another impressive part of SNARP is that, during the commissioning of the furnished ultra modern two-bedroom apartments built for the indigent women or orphans, the beneficiaries would be provided with other fascinating living facilities; and among these, a certain trade would be established for each of them afterwards. Above all, all the affected orphans stands a chance of being adopted by Her Excellency for the rest of their lives.

Suffice to say; the benevolent Imo First Lady otherwise known as the hope of the hopeless, is not just beautifying our indigent women and orphans with enticing houses, but also extracting them from the zone of poverty for eternity.

Truly, the SNAR Project solely instituted and oversees by Her Excellency, Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha, is worth supporting by all and sundry because it is genuinely a philanthropic programme that is aiming at waving goodbye to abject poverty in the whole of Imo State in spite of the arduous nature of the initiative. On this note, I urge all the Imo State stakeholders both home and in the diaspora to join hands in uplifting this historic magnanimous gesture by contributing their respective quotas. We can also emulate the project by instituting other similar programmes across the state.

No doubt, considering the unprecedented achievements so far, it is obvious that the She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP) has surely come to stay in Imo State; but all hands must be on deck for its object to be totally actualized.

So we must come out and support this genuine love being shown to those that has none. We shouldn’t do it in secret because secrecy doesn’t beget genuine wealth or riches. After all, nothing good is hidden. Think about it!


FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

The Ongoing Cyber Crimes

REVIEWING THE ONGOING GLOBAL CYBER CRIMES


Brethren, surely it’s needless to ask you how was your night; because apparently, going by your respective facial countenances, I can boldly see for myself that you had a very fantastic night. I most sincerely welcome you all to this special edition of our ongoing social crusade.

“It’s a completely new game now”, says a commander involved in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 which was heading from Malaysia to Ukraine with 239 people on board that vanished into thin air from radar. Furthermore, he (the commander) reportedly said, “We went from a chess board to a football field”.

If I may ask; how does the above utterance sounds to your hearing? So funny, right? Nevertheless, the bone of contention is that any phenomenon or occurrence can take a different dimension as time goes on. But sometime, the subsequent dimension(s) we encounter might not just sound funny, but as well seem unfounded or deadly as the case may be.

A good friend of mine residing in Asia, precisely Japan, called me on phone penultimate Monday to ascertain how Nigerians were coping with the hurdles as regards internet hacking. The friend and colleague in question is my fellow ICT consultant. I responded unequivocally that Nigeria as a society was growing equally with western (civilized) nations such as U.S.A and England in respect to internet/cyber connectivity, but the major plight being faced by the said country was that, hackers were coming up with various advanced hacking softwares or techniques beyond the knowledge of most ICT personnel in the country.

Frankly, internet/computer hacking which constitutes the most recent cyber crimes, is real and really eating deep in the global internet connectivity. ‘Computer Hacking’, in a concise term, is the act of breaking into someone else’s computer systems, especially in order to acquire secret information that is stored there. In the same vein, a computer hacker is someone who tries to break into computer systems belonging to others for the purpose of getting secret or confidential information stored in them.

Apart from internet hacking which is widely in circulation and “lucrative”, there are other many internet/cyber criminal acts taking place globally on a daily basis. Such acts include the ones occurring on the numerous existing social media.

Prior to the invention of the Internet, criminals had to dig through people’s trash or intercept their mails to steal their personal information. Now that all of these information are available online, criminals presently use the Internet to steal people’s identities, hack into their accounts, trick them into revealing the information, or infect their devices with malware. A malware is a “computer threat”, which includes the famous computer virus. Let’s ride on!

Most cyber crimes are committed by individuals or small groups. Though large organized criminal groups also take advantage of the Internet. These so-called professional criminals find new ways to commit old (ancient) crimes. They treat cyber crimes like a business and form global criminal communities. Criminal communities share strategies and tools and can combine forces to launch coordinated attacks. They even have an underground marketplace where cyber criminals can purchase and sell stolen information or identities.

It’s very difficult to track cyber criminals down, because the Internet makes it easier for people to do things anonymously and from any location on the globe. So many computers used in various destinations have actually been hacked and are being controlled by someone far away.

For hackers who want to come clean and turn away from crime out of pretence, one option is to work for the people they used to torment by becoming their security consultants or employees. These set of hackers are referred to as “Grey Hat Hackers”. In the past, they were addressed as “Black Hat Hackers” who used their computer expertise to break into systems and steal information illegally while posing as a friend or dedicated employee/consultant. But presently, some of them are acting as “White Hat Hackers” who specialize in testing the security strength of their clients’ information systems.

If the interest of the aforementioned set of hackers (White Hat Hackers) is to be paid, they will attempt to hack into a company’s network and then present the affected company with a report detailing the existing security loopholes of the company and how those anomalies can be tackled. The advantage of this is that, they can use their skills for a good cause and help stop other cyber criminals, since keeping up with security and cyber criminals is a fulltime job and many companies can’t afford financially to have someone totally dedicated to it.

Another recent devastating aspect of internet hacking is the “Social Engineering” routine. Social engineering is a tactic used by cyber criminals that use lies and manipulations to trick people into revealing their personal information. Social engineering attacks frequently involve very convincing fake stories to lure victims into their trap. Some of these tricks include sending victims an email that claims there’s problem with their account and has a link to a fake website, trying to convince victims to open email attachments that contain malware, pretending to be a network/account administrator and asking for the victim’s password to perform maintenance activity, claiming that the victim has won a prize but must give their credit card information in order to receive it, promising the victims that they will receive millions of dollars if only they will help out the sender by giving them money or disclosing their bank account details, just to mention but a few.

The recent dimensions of cyber crimes, which is becoming funny, barbaric and deadly, have called for constant and consistent update of advanced anti-hacking computer softwares by software producers, and the adequate dissemination of the said softwares to the apt quarters. Presently most developing countries are less-privileged in regard to advanced anti-hacking or anti-malware softwares.

On the other hand, a strict and grievous law regarding cyber crime ought to be implemented by all the countries in the world. Such law mustn’t bear anything less than capital punishment if anyone is found guilty. Also, thoroughly equipped Internet Communication Agencies comprising well experienced experts are expected to be established by the respective countries.

And, those involved in these criminal acts with the sole aim of bankrupting their victims should as a matter of urgency, endeavour to turn a new leaf to distance themselves from the dangers that will surely befall them.

Above all, the potential victims either individuals or corporate organizations, must also take precautions of the above mentioned internet/computer scams in order not to exclaim ‘Had I known’. Truly, “A word is enough for the wise”. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Gov. Okorocha's Recent Visit to Oru East LGA

THE RECENT GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO ORU EAST LGA (Aired Newstalk)


It is no longer news that on the 31st March, 2014, all roads led to Oru East Local Government Area situated in Oru Ancient Kingdom, in honour of the Governor Rochas Okorocha’s visit in respect to inspection of the ongoing projects in the area.

Prior to the day the governor arrived Oru East, the entire people of the council which encompass the elders, youths and children, were working assiduously and unrelentlessly to ensure that the long-awaited day becomes a success, not withstanding that, the event took place one week after the day being Monday March 24, 2014, it was formerly stipulated to take place. No doubt, this was due to the extreme love the good people of Oru East have for the governor, coupled with the impeccable passion they have for the Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Barr. Obinna Amagwula.

Of course, the unquantifiable love the people of Oru East have for Governor Rochas Okorocha is not unconnected to how they unanimously waited patiently and persistently towards the arrival of the governor on that fateful day. In spite of the some hours delay encountered by the people in question, as a result of the staff of office that were being issued to the ninety (90) out of one hundred and three (103) elected Traditional Rulers from different Autonomous Communities in the state by the governor, the people eschewed any form of pessimism thereby remained steadfast till the governor arrived at some minutes past two in the afternoon owing to the fact that, they were waiting to receive the only performing governor.

One of the most remarkable things that transpired while the governor and his entourage were heading to the Oru East headquarters situated at Omuma, was that, the governor observed four stopovers at four different localities which include Umueme junction, Nichben junction, Umubochi junction and Awo-Omamma junction respectively, all in Awo-Omamma which is the town that leads to the council headquarters, due to the overwhelmed teeming crowd he encountered at the respective junctions.

As soon as His Excellency arrived the council headquarters – Omuma, he commissioned the gigantic befitting hall (Owelle Rochas Okorocha Hall) situated at the headquarters, which was named after the governor. The aforementioned hall built by the TC-Chairman, Barr. Obinna Amagwula and his amiable team, is not just a hall, but as well coupled with befitting office apartments and other laudable facilities.

The TC-Chairman, Hon. Barr. Obinna Augustus Amagwula, who commended the governor for making both the erection and completion of the Owelle Rochas Okorocha Hall successful through the magnanimity he showed to the people of Oru East, also pointed out that, the public Power Supply at the council headquarters which was in total blackout for over three years, was restored by his administration within his short stay in office.

In his speech, the governor who expressed his delight over the level of achievements recorded by the TC-Chairman, proudly announced to the people present that he has adopted the TC-Chairman in the person of Barr. Obinna Augustus Amagwula as his beloved son in whom he was well pleased; a statement that aroused unreserved applause from the gathering.

The governor, Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha, having painstakingly enumerated all the projects taking place at Oru East which include the Millenium Development Goals’ projects, went further to categorically disclose the fact that, about 26.8km roads ranging from all nooks and crannies of Oru East which inculcate Awo-Omamma- Okwudor road, Umuokwe-Amiri-Omuma road, Oluoha-Omuma road, Akatta-Akuma road, Akuma-Amagu road, among others, had been awarded to various contractors; a disclosure that was to the people’s greatest surprise.

According to the governor, about #887 million has already been coughed up for the said contracts which worth a total sum of #1.611 billion. Each of the affected contractors present at the occasion was mandated to sign a surety expressing their readiness to complete their respective contracts within a short period of time. Also, the governor promised to go in search of those contractors who were not present.

Every dick and harry of Oru East who was present at the ceremony testified boldly to the fact that, it was really a memorable event, because they saw by themselves that the governor having proven to the people of Oru East that they were ranking number one in appointive positions in the state in appreciation to the fact that they were the people that made it possible for him to emerge as the governor of Imo State, is indeed a people oriented governor.

At this juncture, I want to sincerely appreciate all the leaders, youths and children of Oru East who contributed in one way or the other to ensure that that occasion became successful, such as Prince Marshal Okafor Anyanwu, Chief Engr. Chime Nzeribe, Hon. Donatus Ejimfugha, Evang. Esther Obong Egbuna, Dr. Emma Ogbenta, Chief Emodi Amagwula, Chief Dr. Nicholas Onwumere, Mrs. Nma Nzeribe Michael, Hon. Lawrence Nwobodo, Mrs Stella Odogwu, the Traditional Rulers, the Transition Committee members, of course most importantly, the ebullient Transition Committee Chairman who has written his name in gold and on the sand of time – Hon. Barr. Obinna Amagwula, and many other individuals and groups too numerous to mention.

Above all, I cannot conclude without mentioning the Senior Advocate of the Masses, Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha – OON, who out of his kind heartedness thoroughly ensured that the occasion came to past by the special grace of God, despite all the challenges faced prior to the manifestation of the event.

One thing you must know for sure is that, even all the leaves in the bushes situated in Oru East and its environs are still rejoicing that Governor Okorocha visited Oru East in regard to inspection of the ongoing projects in the area, when a trustworthy and competent son of the council, Barrister Amagwula is piloting the affairs of the council; with the view that, Oru East in its entirety will soon become a place to reckon with.

Needless to say unequivocally; with Barr. Obinna Amagwula being in charge of Oru East while Governor Rochas Okorocha is piloting the affairs of Imo State, no doubt, would yield more immeasurable fruits in Oru East LGA. This is why every corner in Oru East cannot cease to wear a smiling face.

Governor anyi, Owelle ndi Imo, ndi Oru East na asi gi; Anyi so gi na azu oo!!



ENGR. COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Special Adviser on Media & publicity
to the TC-Chairman

________________________________

              +2348099250401

The Ongoing National Conference

THE ONGOING NATIONAL CONFERENCE: LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!


Greetings brethren! I sincerely welcome you all to another special segment of this holistic crusade we started together otherwise known as “Fancy Facts”. Apparently, the Almighty has been by our side ever since we commenced this humanitarian activity; this is the reason I personally can’t thank Him enough not unlike I’ve always said.

Having witnessed so many calamities in the Nigerian state, it’s obvious that life remains the most precious and expensive tool on earth in its entirety. Or if you wish to counter the opinion, you can kindly and boldly forward yours anytime as it pleases your person. Of course, you know exactly how to reach me.

Having noted the above opinion, I wish to use this avenue to reemphasize on our respective daily prayers. Please, no matter how vigorous you intend to pray or you’ve been praying, I want to let you know that prayer over the sustenance of our lives cannot be compromised for whatsoever reason. Thus, as you pray on a daily basis, I expect you to concentrate on the protection and sustenance of your life by the supremacy. Because, if your precious life goes beneath the forbidden six-feet, then everything about you here on earth has automatically gone as well. Yes, the arithmetic is just as easy as summing one to one which definitely would give you two.

Come to think of it; have you ever, even for once, wondered why people can’t stop crying or mourning over the loss of their loved ones? The answer is very simple. It is simply because they would never be privileged to have an encounter with the departed soul or the deceased person again, till they join him/her if possible.

The bone of contention of my today’s crusade is that, one’s life can never be compromised for anything. Therefore, we must all work to ensure that our lives are sustained. And for our lives to be sustained, we must endeavour to embrace or extol peace among us at all cost. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten based on one of my recent publications, that, peace can never be found if there’s no unity among the people or group in question?

Late last year, precisely 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan proposed to come up with a national conference. He subsequently reiterated that there would be no “going back” on the proposed National Conference; with the view that, it would help to restore normalcy in respect to unity and peace among the Nigerian citizenry.

It’s no longer news that since the assumption of office of Mr. President, Dr. Jonathan precisely, there has been fathomless lawlessness and high level of insurgency in Nigeria, the northern region to be precise, thereby constituting unquantifiable pandemonium on the Nigeria’s polity. No doubt, this was one of the reasons the Presidency insisted on the national conference. Let’s ride on!

Afterwards, the proposed national conference was inaugurated few weeks ago constituting about 492 delegates from all facets of the country. Delegates were also drawn from various recognized social/professional groups existing in the country. And the ongoing National Conference is officially expected to last for several months as planned.

One of my old time friends in the diaspora lamented recently, albeit humorously, that most of the delegates are “group of tired and sick bones”. Such observation was not unconnected to the slumping witnessed among them almost on a daily basis. Though he might be right, but I’m strongly of the view that the people in question were selected based on their unreserved experience; thus, it’s a way forward.

One fact we must not take for granted is that, for the ongoing National Conference taking place in Abuja to actualize its anticipated vision, the entire delegates are expected to possess some crucial idiosyncrasies. And the qualities expected of them must not be compromised for whatsoever reason if truly that, our primary mission is to foster formidable unity amongst the occupants of the nation regardless of social, religious or political affiliations.

First, each of the delegates must concentrate on the national interest at the expense of their respective individual or ethnic interests. Of course, the national interest is nothing but unity coupled with absolute peace. President Goodluck Jonathan has already stated during his inaugural speech that, any view/opinion contrary to national unity coming from any of the delegates would not be accepted. So for them to arrive at the apt point, they ought to pocket their selfish desires. On this note, they must eschew their personal grievances, and consider only that of the nation.

Secondly, they should endeavour to wear a bold skin to enable them earn their views freely without any iota of fear or intimidation. Their views count, that is why they were nominated and as well appointed to represent their respective groups. Therefore, they shouldn’t let their people see their representations as wastes. In other words, they must all live up to the general expectation of their respective groups.

Thirdly, they must not play politics with the opportunity granted to them by their people. They ought to endeavour to draw a dichotomy between the major object of the conference and the Any Other Business (A.O.B). the delegates must realize that the conference is not in any way a political convection. Suffice to say that, they must distance themselves from politics as long as they remain in that conference; thus, they should leave politics for those who own it. A word is enough.

Lastly, and most importantly, the Federal Executive Council in conjunction with the Legislative Council must endeavour to implement anything of national interest the delegates would arrive at; if not, the ongoing national conference would be tagged by all and sundry as a mere jamboree afterwards. So if during the conference, they agreed on any issue that would promote national unity, the Presidency ought not to hesitate in the implementation of the agreement. In other words, politics mustn’t be attached by our men at the top.

Having noted the above facts, we must on our own accounts pray and fast enthusiastically and vehemently to ensure that our delegates obtain what we ask them to purchase in the market, because we are aware that anything less than our expectations won’t be accepted from them.

For crying out loud; we’ve already lost millions of lives and property due to lack of unity. Thus, we must all work collectively to restore this lost glory. And the time to act is now. Think about it!



FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com