Recent Political Tempo In Imo

THE RECENT SOCIO-POLITICAL TEMPO IN IMO

  

Brethren, by acknowledging the absolute effect of a sincere and polite language, a true Nigerian on the average would rightly tell you unequivocally that the country is currently salvaged by antagonism coupled with sycophancy due to political rivalry.

The ongoing socio-political tempo in my home state, Imo, popularly known as ‘the Eastern Heartland’ is not unconnected to the aforementioned scenario, political rivalry. Regarding the devastating and uncalled phenomenon, initially I thought it wise to remain a mere observer, but lately the overwhelming nature of the ‘madness’ angered my humble pen that appeared to be fast asleep. 

It is no longer news that since Governor Okorocha has been at the helm of affairs in Imo State, to the best of the knowledge of every concerned individual, the masses who were jubilating when he emerged victorious as the governor of the state, precisely on Thursday May 6, 2011, are still in their euphoric mood, which has to do with the good governance they have enjoyed since the emergence of the ‘Rescue Mission’ Administration, ranging from education, to health care delivery, infrastructure, road network, security, agriculture, prompt payment of workers’ salaries/wages, pension matters, among others.

No wonder when the governor publicly indicated his interest to vie for the presidential position, the said masses felt like descending on him as if the governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, had spoken an abominable thing. When I interviewed one of them, he frankly told me that they wanted the governor to run for a second term in office. According to the interviewee, it wasn’t because they didn’t want Okorocha to become the President of Nigeria someday, but on the contrary, simply because they wanted him to consolidate the dividend of democracy he has ushered to Imolites.

Fortunately for the masses, Governor Okorocha who is popularly regarded as the ‘Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) and the ‘Commander of Free Education’, lost the presidential bid. I must tell you; when he was away to Lagos for the presidential tussle under the aegis of the All Progressives Party (APC), some of the persons I was opportune to meet on the streets of Imo disclosed to me without mincing words that they had been frantically praying for Chief Okorocha’s downfall at the presidential primary election, so that, he would return to the state and participate in the incoming gubernatorial race. Yes the narrated incident sounds weird and funny, but the truth of the matter is that the story was real. Let’s ride on!

Today, Imo is at it again as usual, just as it was prior to April 26, 2011. During the 2011 race, it was mainly between the then governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) having defected from Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA), and Chief Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in which the latter emerged victorious after the supplementary polls that took place on the 6^th of May 2011.

Presently, the gubernatorial race is mainly between Owelle Rochas Okorocha - the seating governor of the State, of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha - the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP); Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Osmond Ukanacho of the United Progressives Party (UPP), and Chief Ken of the Accord Party.

No doubt, the heat is really on in Imo State as regards the forthcoming general elections that are fast approaching. The recent uncalled and ‘crazy’ tempo in Imo, which has negatively affected both the social and political lives of the residents, has constituted a state of anarchy among the people. Frankly Imo, likewise any other state in Nigeria, is currently undergoing an unwarranted torture by the political rivals that parade themselves as gods.

Considering the charismas of the above mentioned candidates, as a well experienced analyst, I observed that all of them want to assume duty as the governor of the state, come May 29, 2015, by all means. Also, by critically looking at the respective manifestoes of the opposition parties including PDP, APGA, UPP and what have you, they seem to be repeating one thing; which is, that the present governor has ‘rubbished’ or has already ‘killed’ Imo State. In retaliation to the accusation, the accused person Rochas Okorocha, would tell you that his rivals are mere ‘wolves in sheep clothing’; stating that, they are seeking for a slightest chance to bury or take the state to a ‘graveyard’ just as they had done in the past before he resurrected the state.

 

Which implies; as the opposition parties are accusing the seating governor who is also an aspirant of having killed the state, the governor on his part is of the opinion that they are seeking for a medium to bury the body he (the governor) has murdered. Very funny indeed!

The most devastating side of the scenario is that, presently in Imo State, you would hardly recognize when the governor is coming because virtually everyone goes by convoy as well as siren. Honestly, the show has taken a different dimension, that, even the blind could see.

The funniest part of the ongoing melodrama is that the aspirants in some parties are of the view that the acclaimed flag bearers of their respective parties are just mere purported candidates; stating that, they are the ‘rightful flag-bearers’ of the said parties. For instance, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and Chief Okey Ezeh of the PDP and APGA respectively have allegedly declared themselves the winners of their parties’ primaries, and are presently campaigning vigorously in the state, which has put some of the members of the affected parties in a state of imbroglio. Believe me, the tempo is excessively high.

The question now is: who truly do the people want to see emerge as the governor of the Eastern Heartland, come February 28, 2015? Indeed, it is a puzzle no one can answer because the arena in question is predominated by fake as well as opaque homo-sapiens. Think about it!

 

COMR. FRED DOC NWAOZOR
-The Media Ambassador-
Public Affairs Analyst & Rights Activist
Founder/Leader , Imo Fans Fortress (IMOFAF)
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Thinking Beyond Party Politicking

THINKING BEYOND PARTY POLITICKING AS THE GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE FAST APPROACHING

        

An election is a decision-making process in which a population chooses an individual or group of persons to hold an official position or a public office. In the same vein, the election of a person or a political party is their success/victory at the electoral polls; or the situation whereby one is being chosen for a certain position of authority by the majority.

Elections are usually employed in order to fill vacant offices in the legislative and/or executive arm of any government. The process is also used in many private or business organizations such a clubs, voluntary associations and corporate societies.

The universal use of elections as a tool for selecting political leaders or representatives in modern democracies is in contrast with the practice in the democratic ancient Athens whose elections were conducted by an oligarchic process in which most political offices were filled via Allotment method through which officeholders were chosen by a lot.   

Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy has operated since the Seventeenth (17^th) Century. These aforementioned assertions have proven beyond any reasonable doubt that it is only in a thorough democratic setting, that, elections are witnessed or allowed to take place.

Democracy which is referred to as the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, is indeed a practice that needs to be sustained by all means by any concerned country or nation because it is only the form of government that grants the citizenry the opportunity to choose their leaders or representatives. And for democracy to be sustained, elections or electoral matters must be taken very seriously by the electorates.

Since the emergence of democracy in Nigeria, the giant of Africa, it is obvious that elections which are widely regarded as a veritable tool have been maltreated by both those seeking for political offices and the electorates due to corruption. Ab initio, disheartening cases including molestation, thuggery, sale of Voter’s Card, bribery, lobbying, impersonation, as well as election rigging among other forms of electoral malpractices have been the order of the day.

As the 2015 general elections are fast approaching, there is urgent need for the electorates to look beyond party politicking while making their choices, especially as multi-party system is being observed in Nigeria. Perhaps, since the multi-party system routine has the tendency of distracting the electorates, they are therefore expected to concentrate on the individuality of the candidates rather than their political affiliations.

In view of this, the background of the aspirants ought not to be taken for granted. The social, religious, educational and parental lineages of the aspirants speak volume than any other factor because it is the recipe that would inform the electorates where exactly the candidates is migrating from thereby enabling them (the electorates) to know what he/she can offer if emerged victorious at the polls.

Also, for the candidates seeking for second or third term, or who wants to divert to a different position, as the case may be, the electorates should thoroughly assess his/her accomplishments during the first tenure or while in the previous office. In this aspect, the person’s achievements during the previous term(s) should also be seen as his/her background thus must be critically considered by the concerned electorates. By so doing, they would be able to separate the grains from the chaffs.

On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ought to as a matter of urgency, disqualify any candidate with any questionable character or any trace of criminality. Those who have violated or who possess the tendency of violating any of the electoral laws or regulations should not be exempted in this line of action.

The electorates should also assist INEC that is poised to conduct free and fair elections, by ensuring that each of them is registered for the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and afterwards, go for its collection at the designated quarters. Registration for and collection of the PVC is the civic right of any bona-fide Nigerian citizen who has attained the age of eighteen (18).

Anyone who registered at a particular ward, zone or state but wishes to cast his/her vote elsewhere is statutorily meant to apply at the INEC office for onward transfer of his/her bio-data to the affected electoral ward, zone or state as the case might be. Also, those who have registered in 2011 and were issued Temporary Voter’s Card (TVC) are not meant to register again before they would be entitled to collect their PVC. INEC and the civil society should on their respective capacities help to create more awareness in this regard.

Above all, we must ensure that our votes are duly counted having voted for candidates of our choice. Our votes are our mandates; therefore we must at all cost endeavour to safeguard them irrespective of the circumstance. We ought to note that, for the anticipated free, fair and credible elections not to end up as a mirage, all hands must be on deck towards its actualization.

So, as the various political aspirants in the country are currently busy with their respective electioneering, we are expected to look beyond party politicking and concentrate on the candidates’ individuality and most importantly, the future of the country. Think about it!

 

   COMR FRED NWAOZOR
  The Media Ambassador
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Newstalk On Gov Okorocha's Tour To Oru East LGA By Fred Nwaozor

GOVERNOR OKOROCHA’S CAMPAIGN TOUR TO ORU EAST LGA, ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14, 2015

It is no longer news that it was jubilation galore in Imo State in its entirety on Thursday 6^th of May 2011 when Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha, OON emerged victorious as the Governor of the State in subsequence to the supplementary election that took place at Oguta, Ngor-Okpala, Ohaji/Egbema, Owerri North and Mbaitolu LGAs due to the inclusiveness of the main gubernatorial election that was conducted on Tuesday April 26, 2011.

On that fateful day coupled with the days afterwards, the cripple were jumping and the dumb were seen talking because they were of the view that Imo State, the Eastern Heartland, had at last gotten a Messiah as a leader. No doubt, the euphoric mood noticed among the electorates was not unconnected to the free-education programme via the Rochas Foundation Colleges which Chief Okorocha had sustained across the nation for several years.

To say the least; since Governor Okorocha has been at the helm of affairs in Imo State, to the best of the knowledge of every right thinking individual in the State, the masses that were agog when he emerged victorious as the state Governor are still preoccupied with their usual mood of excitement. This is as a result of the dividend of democracy they have enjoyed from the onset of the ‘Rescue Mission’ dispensation; ranging from education to health care delivery, security, road network, infrastructure, agriculture, prompt payment of workers’ salaries/wages, pension matters, just to mention but a few. Not forgotten the indelible programme of the amiable Imo First Lady, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha – the She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP) under the auspices of the Women for Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI).

In regard to this fact, some of the masses who could not hide their feelings would say unequivocally that Rochas Okorocha has done virtually everything he needed to do for Imolites; stating that, whatever the governor has done in the state is visible unlike what was the case during the past administrations. This is the reason the Commandant General of the Imo State Civil Guard Corps, Hon Sir Donatus Ewe Ejifugha described the governor as ‘Ome nke ahuru anya’.

No wonder the entire state was agog on Monday January 12, 2015 when the Governor formally disclosed his interest to vie for a second term in office under the aegis of the All Progressives Party (APC). On that historic and epoch-making occasion, the people’s governor categorically stated that his second term would focus mainly on industrialization and job creation since other aspects have already been actualized during his first term.

Today Wednesday January 14, all roads would lead to Oru East Local Government Area ably led by Honourable Prince Lasbery Okaforanyanwu, as the governor – the Senior Advocate of the Masses and the Commander of Free Education accompanied by his able entourage is ready to visit the council in line with his Rescue Mission Campaign Tour. The rally is expected to unfold many things such as presentation of the party (APC) flag bearers to the people of the area, addressing the youths of the area on their civic responsibilities during the forthcoming general elections, among others.

As the indisputable Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, OON and his running mate Prince Eze Mmadumere, MFR visit Oru East today, we are using this avenue to appeal to every good spirited individual of Oru East origin who are pleased by the numerous charming achievements of the Rescue Mission as well as every leader of the council and all the officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Oru East Chapter including the traditional custodians, commercial drivers/motorcyclists, the youth, school children, the Nneoma Women Organization, and all the women groups in the area, the Booth Leaders, APC Youth Vanguard, and the APC Ward officials, to come out en masse.

I want to sincerely appreciate all the leaders of the council who have been working relentlessly to ensure that the Governor’s visit becomes a success such as Hon Prince Lasbery Okaforanyanwu and the Transition Committee Councillors, Chief Sir Donatus Ewe Ejifugha – KSJI, Chief Bernard Nwananya, Chief Chime Nzeribe, Hon Law Nwobodo, Dr Emma Ogbenta, Hon (Mrs) Nma Nzeribe Michaels, Chief Romanus Egbuladike, Hon Nathan Udogwu, Barr Obinna Amagwula, Chief Dr Nicholas Onwumere, Chief Nkenna Nzeruo, Barr Nicholas Nkendeme, High Chief Calistus Ugoeze, Hon Alphonsus Onwumere, Hon Jude Opurum, High Chief Abu Nnanna, Chief Augustine Onyedebelu, Barr Nelson Ezerioha, and Barr Evaristus Duru. In the same vein, I want to commend Evang Esther Obong Egbuna and Mrs Stella Udogwu who have been very supportive from the onset.

The People’s Governor, Ndi Oru East Na asi gi, Ijeoma oo!!

 

        COMR FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs Analyst & Rights Activist
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            frednwaozor@gmail.com   
              +2348028608056  

 

My Open Letter To Governor Okorocha

MY OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR OKOROCHA

Brethren, never let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality. In the same vein, accept no one’s definition of your life; rather, define yourself.

No doubt, it was jubilation galore in Imo State, the Eastern Heartland, on the Thursday 6^th of May 2011 when Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha emerged victorious as the Governor of Imo State in subsequence to the supplementary election that took place in the State, at Oguta, Ngor-Okpala, Ohaji/Egbema, Owerri North and Mbaitolu LGAs precisely due to the inclusiveness of the main gubernatorial election that was conducted on Tuesday April 26, 2011.

To my greatest surprise as a concerned citizen of the aforementioned state, I saw the cripple jumping as well as the dumb talking, on that fateful day – May 6, 2011, because the leader in question finally emerged as the victor at the said supplementary polls after all said and done by the opposition. In my curious mood, I tried to enquire what actually prompted the moment of euphoria among the electorates or why almost everyone was supportive of the victory, and I was told unequivocally that Imo State had at last gotten a Messiah.

Frankly, many were in the mood of jubilation across the facets of the state on that very day, and the days afterwards. I succeeded in interviewing a young man closely, to know the exact reason the state in its entirety was turned into an euphoric arena. According to the chap, I learnt that the jubilation regarding Chief Okorocha’s victory was not unconnected to the free-education colleges, Rochas Foundation Colleges, he had sustained across the nation for several years. Let’s ride on!

To say the least; since Gov Okorocha has been at the helm of affairs in Imo State, to the best of the knowledge of every right thinking individual in the state, the masses who were jubilating when he emerged victorious as the Governor of the State are still in their right mood of jubilation, which has to do with the dividend of democracy they have enjoyed from the onset of the ‘Rescue Mission’ dispensation, ranging from education to health care, road network,  security, agriculture, infrastructure, prompt payment of salaries/wages, pension matters, and what have you. Some of them (the masses) would tell you that Rochas Okorocha has done virtually everything he needed to do for the Imolites.

Now, the heat is on again in Imo State regarding the forthcoming general elections in the country that are fast approaching. The proposed gubernatorial election that would take place in the State, not unlike the presidential aspect of it, has indeed increased the political tempo in the state to the highest level. As regards the approaching elections, presently one may be of the view that Imo, likewise any other state in Nigeria, has abruptly become a home for insane elements.

At this juncture, my candid advice to Governor Okorocha is to remain steadfast and never be distracted by the opposition if he truly wants to reign for a second term. What he should be more concerned with now, is to concentrate on how he can consolidate the genuine good work he has done in Imo State, because Imolites need more from him. Industrialization, job creation, and massive attention to the tourism sector ought to be his watchword or priority at this point.

Thus, the governor should never let someone else’s opinion of him become his reality. Also, he ought not to accept anyone’s definition of his life; rather he should endeavour to define himself, because Imo must surely get to the anticipated Promised Land. Think about it!

 

        COMR FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs Analyst & Rights Activist
Founder / General Coordinator, Imo Fans Fortress (IMOFAF)
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            frednwaozor@gmail.com   

              +2348028608056  

    

Revitalizing Nigeria's Educational Sector

REVITALIZING NIGERIA’S EDUCATIONAL SECTOR

 

According to BBC English Dictionary, Education is ‘the process through which a person is taught better ways of doing something or a better way of living’. Same dictionary also recognizes it as the act of teaching people various subjects in a school or college. In the same vein, the Wikipedia Online Dictionary defines it as ‘a form of learning in which the knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits of a group of people are transferred from one generation to the next through story-telling, discussion, teaching, training, and/or research’.

Whilst, Revitalization is simply the act or process of making something more active, lively, or successful. So, to revitalize something or a system means to make it more lively, active, or successful, as the case may be.

Frankly, the survival of any nation as an entity depends solely on the health status of its educational sector. In line with this singular fact, the unavoidable role of education in the development of any society has been vastly documented in series of global academic journals.

Presently, unequivocally Nigeria which is widely regarded as the giant of Africa is still uncertain where she is headed regarding her educational system. Suffice to say that, her destination is yet to be known by the concerned citizenry. It is against this backdrop that the minds of many of our young ones are preoccupied with the intention of leaving the country for elsewhere for their academic pursuits.

It is no longer news that most educational programmes initiated both in the past and present by the Nigerian government, have ended up serving as mere siphons to transfer money to the bank accounts of the corrupt political officers and their allies. To start with; since the commencement of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1976, the programme has failed to perform effectively as anticipated as a result of lack of funds necessitated by corruption, among other related factors.

Furthermore, the Universal Basic Education (UBE) initiative launched by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in Sokoto State on 30^th September 1999, which was intended to be universal, free and compulsory, has in the long run seemed incapacitated due to the ongoing troubling revelation of the shortage of teachers as well as employment of half-baked ones in our various schools, which is also attributed to the aforementioned socio-political cankerworm known as corruption. These and lot more similar programmes taking place in the Nigeria’s educational sector have been hampered by corruption thereby crippling the nation’s socio-economic system.

It is obvious that most of our school structures are in dilapidating states, which shows that Nigeria has a weird value system. Indeed, Nigeria is a society where priorities are considered to be less-important. For example, the monthly wages of the less/non-educated local government councillors are far greater than that of university professors. Of course, something is apparently wrong with any society that doesn’t take its educational system seriously.

As the disgusting culture of corruption persists, the public tertiary institutions have been left to rot away. Some of the loans received from the World Bank towards the revitalization of the nation’s educational system, were rather used to purchase inconsequential equipment that could not be properly installed or maintained, and several institutions received irrelevant books and journals in this regard. Due to this anomaly, each year the nation’s tertiary institutions send-forth hundreds of thousands of half-baked graduates in different fields of endeavour to the nation’s labour market.

Sincerely, to restore the Nigeria’s economic sector, there is an urgent need to revitalize the nation’s educational system, and this measure can only be actualized by revisiting all the factors that currently affect the system in question such as lack of infrastructure, teaching facilities, social amenities, poor wages and incentives, substandard teaching curriculum, high tuition fees, just to mention but a few.

First and foremost, we must begin from the grass root. The government ought to as matter of urgency rehabilitate all the dilapidated technical colleges situated in various locations across the country as well as provide adequate facilities required to run the schools, and sufficient funds to sustain the said structures and equipment. Honestly, the country’s anticipated technological development or enhancement shall remain a mirage if the grassroots are not properly addressed.

Most of the technical works presently done in China is being carried out by the school children. Nevertheless, barely few years ago, China was recognized as one of the third-world countries in the world alongside Nigeria and other developing nations. But today, China is among the world’s ruling class as regards science and technology.

Also, there is an urgent need to reintroduce History subject, which has abruptly vanished, in the Nigeria’s school curriculum. And, a law mandating every tertiary institution in Nigeria to offer History as General Studies should be enacted by the National Assembly. It is pathetic that most of our young ones barely know their past or lineage, and such anomaly is solely as a result of the sudden disappearance of History subject in the nation’s education curriculum. It is worthy for us to note that without knowing our past, we can never comprehend where we are meant to be headed.

Furthermore, world-class libraries, laboratories, and research centres, should be establish in all the existing primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the federation, which would go a long way to enhance both the reading culture and the practical method of teaching faced by the pupils and students.

The medical and engineering undergraduates ought to be meant to pass through befitting teaching hospitals and workshops respectively, to enable them acquire the desired skills. Also, well-equipped national engineering workshops are expected to be established at strategic localities in the country, so that, any graduating engineering student would be meant to pass through any of them; and it would serve as a prerequisite to  the mandatory National Youth Service Programme, just as it is observed by the medical students.

In the same spirit, the ongoing Industrial Training and Teaching Practice schemes embarked upon by the students of our Universities/Polytechnics and Colleges of Education respectively, must be taken more seriously by the concerned authorities. The officers assigned to supervise the students or to visit the various firms or schools where they claimed to be, should endeavour to pay regular sudden visits to the said establishments. This measure would help to eradicate any form of insincerity found among the students/trainees since most of them prefer to dodge the training, thereby enabling the institutions to actualize the primary aim of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). And the institutions involved must on their parts endeavour to encourage the supervisors by providing sound vehicles and other logistics for the concernment.

On the other hand, the tuition fees of all the public citadels of learning in Nigeria must be revisited by the appropriate authorities with the view of reducing the fees to their barest minimum, so that, it would be affordable by every parent or guardian. Due to payment of high tuition fees, some of the students whom are less-privileged often indulge in menial jobs while in their respective schools in order to assist their parents or guardians or to supplement what the said benefactors have given to them. And by so doing, they would pay less attention to their studies thereby indulging in examination malpractices, cultism, armed robbery and other kinds of criminality which ends up affecting their academic statuses negatively; most of them even become dropouts at the long run, due to the financial challenge.       

Most importantly, government ought to endeavour to employ qualified applicants to teach in all the public institutions regardless of their levels, including nursery, primary, secondary, as well as tertiary. Engaging quack teachers in our public schools has cost the nation a very grievous harm and we cannot afford to pay more for the damages. Thus, formidable and trustworthy agency must be set-up in earnest by the government in this regard, in order to put to stop nepotism, lack of due process, and all forms of corrupt practices.

Above all, conducive or enabling environment should be provided for the teachers at all levels. At the tertiary level, befitting offices ought to be allocated to both the academic and non-academic staff to enable them discharge their duties effectively and efficiently. Also, revisiting the teachers’ salaries or wages is long overdue. They, especially the lecturers, should be meant to receive reasonable amount of money regarding their levels/cadre as salaries and they ought to be paid as at and when due; and all their entitled incentives are expected to be revisited from time to time. No doubt, this measure would help to eradicate all manners of corrupt practices namely, admission racketeering, examination malpractice, sorting, and what have you, taking place in our various schools; as well as help to eradicate the incessant strikes embarked upon by the teachers at all levels.

In a more serious note; the private sector ought to also be mandated to follow suit as regards revitalizing the nation’s educational sector. In view of this, any private institution that is unable to live up to the expectation should be shut down indefinitely by the appropriate regulatory body, such as National Universities Commission (NUC), National Polytechnics Commission (NPC), Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), the state ministries of Education, and so on, as the case might be.

For the above suggested measures to work, all hands must be on deck and we must endeavour to tell ourselves the gospel truth. It is needless to state that Nigeria has suffered tremendously in the area of education; therefore it is high time we eliminated any form of hindrance behind the ordeal. Think about it1

 

           FDN NWAOZOR

Public Affairs Analyst & Rights Activist

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            frednwaozor@gmail.com   

            +2348028608056  

       

       

                    

             

     

 

The Alarming Rate Of Rape

CHECKING THE ALARMING RATE OF RAPE IN NIGERIA

      

Greetings brethren! It is no longer news that mankind is passing through the twenty first (21^st) century. In other words, every society existing in this lovely universe has embraced or is almost close to a civilized state. But the worrying question that accompanies this fact is: does civilization constitutes a high rate of social-vices?

In recent times, the increasing rate of rape has remained the order of the day as well as a fathomless societal cankerworm in the global community. And the implementation of a finite and drastic measure as regards its eradication seems like a mirage.

Rape, in a precise tense, is an act in which a man indulges a female human into sex forcedly or against her wish. In the same vein, a rapist is a man or a male human who rapes or has raped a female human.

Over the years, rape cases have been occurring uncontrollably across the globe. It can take place indoors or outdoors based on the relationship between the two parties involved. The former happens between a female and a false male lover which often takes place out of seduction via intake of alcoholic/drugged drink, initiation of oral sex, et cetera. Whilst the latter invariably takes place between the victim of circumstance and a group of men/boys, and usually at night. In this mode, the victim would be dragged or forcedly carried to a near-by bush or an uncompleted building by the said group, in order to embrace privacy.

It is needless to say that rape incidence has abruptly emerged as the order of the day in most countries, in which Nigeria is not an exception. Unequivocally, that of Nigeria has become an alarming and devastating phenomenon that requires a drastic and severe approach.

Some months ago, one of the national daily Newspapers reported that a certain married woman was allegedly raped at night in the police cell at one of the cities in Delta State by her cellmate who happened to be a man at the age of 22. The news was so shocking and extremely disgusting to the audience. One may ask: on what grounds or circumstance would a woman be kept in the same cell with a fellow of an opposite sex to the extent of allowing them to pass a night together?

Also, barely few weeks ago, it was reported that in Onitsha Anambra State, a certain secondary school girl clad in her school uniform was dragged by a group of armed men to an uncompleted building and she was allegedly defied in the act.

Most pathetically; last three days, the public was reportedly informed by a social media that a mad woman in Kabba Kogi State, was gang raped at night where she usually have her night rest, though the gang was later apprehended by a vigilante group.

Rape solely depends on the environment the two parties found themselves. Analysts are of the view that rape is attributed to several misfortunes including mental disorder/imbalance, immoral dressing, ignorance, intake of alcoholic drinks or hard drugs, deceit and curse, which could be grouped into medical, social and spiritual syndromes.

Someone who is suffering from a certain mental disease and not kept under lock and key or any guard is no doubt a societal menace, thus may end up indulging in several vices such as rape.

A lady who dresses half-nakedly is liable to the wrath of rape as a result of sexual seduction she might ignorantly showcase. Most ladies who indulge in such act do so to attract the attention of the public, unknowingly to them that such practice may beget evil thereby ruining their lives.

Men who cannot live without alcoholic drinks or hard drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, Indian helm, to mention but a few, would always think of, as well as go for something evil such as rape, with the view that it is a pleasurable activity.

More so, several men who are in a certain so called love-affair are usually fond of deceiving their partners through presentation of expensive gifts and/or dishing out emotional eulogies, romantic speeches among other falsehoods which would make them appear extremely affectionate and unique just to actualize their selfish interest. At the long run, he would end up sleeping with the lady/girl in question, which could be against her wish or faith. And most times, the ladies seem so lousy or careless that they can’t differentiate between the real and fake ones, even when the handwriting is boldly and clearly written on the wall. Let’s ride on!

Above all, someone who has been placed under a certain spell in subsequent to an evil deed he committed in the past may see rape as an occupation. The members of this group usually indulge in incest.

The legislators have a very vital role to play towards eradicating these sacrilegious acts. They ought to enact a law that shall bear a capital punishment such as sentencing anyone found guilty of any of the aforementioned loathsome and bastardly acts to life imprisonment or any other grievous penalty. Another law should also be enacted stating that any lady caught outside her home or place of residence clad in any immoral wear would be arrested and prosecuted by a mobile court, and would be subjected to pay a huge amount of money as fine if found guilty.

The last but not the least of the laws should be on how to address the illegal sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks and hard drugs which has proliferated intensely in our noble society, with the effort of the Nigerian Customs Services and the Consumers’ Protection Council (CPC).

Secondly, the government should constantly ensure that any individual suffering from any form of mental imbalance is caught and taken to a special psychiatric home, duly treated and catered for. On this note, people must endeavour to report any person suffering from such illness to the appropriate quarters/agency.

Thirdly, the religious organizations are not left out. They ought to ascertain from members of their congregations whosoever that is suspected to be passing through any spiritual attack or any kind of curse with the aim of placing him/her on a special deliverance.

Fourthly, the civil society and other stakeholders should on charitable basis from time-to-time sponsor seminars and workshops with the object of sensitizing and sanitizing the minds of the youth on rape and other social vices. 

Also, the police authority and other concerned bodies or individuals ought to ensure that on no account or circumstance should inmates that are of opposite sex be kept in the same cell.

Among all, we must always endeavour to tell ourselves nothing but the truth. The men folks should stay away from deceit because it’s highly blasphemous, and it maims and kills too. Learn to tell your beloved partner the gospel truth and always remember that pre-marital sex is nothing but evil.

In addition, our ladies should also be extremely careful and socially conscious of whatever they do at all time. They should first and foremost be aware of what they really want before going for it. They are, as a matter of fact, expected to know virtually everything about whosoever that happens to be their partner in any area of life. Do not allow yourselves to be deceived by a so called spouse.

On the other hand; the actors of this evil act should also realize that, they are inviting the wrath of God which may lead them to a state of doom and could be deadly if they fail to embrace real repentance.

Frankly, no one is expected to be insouciant over any thrive concerning the eradication of this aberration that is putting the lives of millions of our innocent women/ladies in state of jeopardy. Thus everyone is meant to be grief-stricken and act accordingly. We must work assiduously as well as fight tremendously to ensure that this barbaric incidence becomes a thing of the past in our noble society. And the time to act is now. Think about it!

 

       COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs Analyst & Rights Activist
__________________________________
           frednwaozor@gmail.com
              +2348028608056   

 

 

 

New Year Jubilee

NEW YEAR JUBILEE: THE GENESIS OF A UNIQUE ODYSSEY

       

Brethren, it has almost become a cliché to say that someone is redrawing the map of the world. Same is applicable to seeing actors in their dramatic moods. For many years, several cultural and historic monuments have been destroyed which has tremendously jeopardized the progress of various historical jubilees that would had constituted many historic remarks. Most of these remarks that have existed in the past successively were lately misunderstood by the present generation, therefore, being observe as mere clichés.

Saturday penultimate week, one of my bosom friends residing in Abuja called to register his extreme anticipation in respect to the forth coming year, 2015 precisely. In his first sentence, he informed me that he couldn’t wait to see the New Year. I tried to find out the actual cause of the immeasurable anxiety, though which is most times usual amongst mankind. He further informed me that he had already set aside a very tangible resolution that would commence as soon as 2015 begins.

At this juncture still on the phone conversation, I became more curious and my curiosity was accompanied with enthusiastic inquisition. Thus, I persuaded him to disclose the resolution to me even though he wasn’t ready to let the cat out of the bag. And, he gladly succumbed to my humble persuasion. He told me that he had made a resolution that “in the coming year” (2015), he would never taste beer or any alcoholic drink again. Honestly, I laughed because the fellow in question has been known by all and sundry as one of those who believe that beer ought to always be in one’s tummy irrespective of the nature of the weather.

And this is why he was not ready to disclose the resolution to me because he knew I would certainly consider it as a mere annual cliché being vomited (cited) by millions of youths scattered all over. But, he further let me see the reason his was a distinguished one by backing it up with some facts or experiences. I concluded by telling him “Bravo!” and he was so delighted to receive such gesture/exclamation from my person.

In any perspective your observation or analysis might be standing on, the fact remains that any anniversary is consequential regardless of the nature or its area of interest. Sometimes the discrepancies between school records and examination results may not be considered necessary because both are found on academic environment. But notwithstanding, in any two or more existing similar materials or facts, there must be a distinct dichotomy among them. In other words, if many anniversaries or jubilees have been in existed for donkey’s years, one or two of them must be definitely different or distinct. Let’s put it this way; if two babies are born simultaneously and they happen to be identical twins, there must be certain difference(s) lying between them.

We are discussing New Year jubilee/anniversary. A “New Year” is a certain different year that has just been encountered by mankind which the beginning takes place in every 365 days or 366 days as the case may be. In the world at large, the commencement of such year always calls for a jubilee among the entire mankind irrespective of religious or cultural affiliations.

The world over celebrates the 1^st of every New Year to mark a certain distinct journey that has just begun. Suffice to say; every New Year is regarded as a different odyssey that has just been embarked on, and each day that makes the year in question is seen as one of the steps that constitute the journey since any journey must begin with a step. Let’s ride on!

Most people come up series of resolutions at the beginning of every calendar year; few end up actualizing theirs while most of them often fail towards the end of the odyssey. And these, failures and successes have been a point of attraction to many concerned souls in regard to New Year resolution(s).

New Year jubilee is truly a welcome phenomenon that has resulted to many worthwhile histories or historic events. As we celebrate such day, courtesy or tradition demands for a certain useful individual resolution to be reached. And, the resolution ought to be seen as the essence of such jubilation.

Having reached a certain resolution, there is optimum need for such decision to be accompanied with adequate practical-intensive support to ensure that its outcome becomes a success. Having backed up your decision with an intensive support, then you shouldn’t relent to couple such journey with tremendous prayers and faith. Any of the above tools or measure should not be taken for granted if you truly want your goal to be actualized. There’s no two ways about it.

Thus, for success to be attained there must be a certain target or dream. And such dream or aim must be accompanied with hard work coupled with any necessary avoidance as well as adequate prayers and tremendous faith.

But mind you; sometimes failure(s) might be consequential regardless of the amount of effort put in any of your objects (aims). And this is where nature comes in. Certainly, man proposes but God disposes.

Having stated the above facts, frankly New Year jubilee or anniversary is surely the genesis of a unique odyssey therefore calls for adequate maintenance. Think about it!

 

FDN NWAOZOR

Public Affairs Analyst & Rights Activist
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: fdnnwaozor