2015 World Public Service Day

ACKNOWLEDGING THE REWARD OF STEWARDSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY AS THE WORLD PUBLIC SERVICE DAY IS CELEBRATED TODAY TUESDAY JUNE 23, 2015

      

         

A public service is a service provided by government to the people living within its ambit or jurisdiction, either directly through the public sector or by financing provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus usually expressed via democratic elections that certain services ought to be available to all, irrespective of their income.

        

Even where public services are neither publicly provided nor publicly financed, for social and political reasons, they are usually subject to regulation going beyond that applying to most economic sectors. More so, public service is a course that can be studied at the tertiary institutions of learning. Common examples of public services units include the schools, armed forces, paramilitary bodies, fire brigade, health centres, and paramedics.

        

Public services are regarded as very important services, that for moral reasons, their universal provision ought to be guaranteed. They may be linked to fundamental human rights such as the right to water and the right to electricity, just as ‘service’ simply implies helping others with their specific need or want.

        

The term ‘Public services’ or ‘Services of general interest’ often includes education, health care, environmental protection, security, public utilities, law enforcement, postal service, public broadcasting, public library, public transportation, public housing, social services, telecommunications, town planning, and public sanitary services, just to mention but a few.

        

Any public servant, regardless of his or her status, is expected to stick strongly and passionately to the basic ethics or modus operandi of public service. A public servant, in any circumstance, is required to be sincere, trustworthy, transparent, punctual to duties, humble, respectable, serious-minded, vision-driven, accountable, unbiased, hardworking, and above all god-fearing.

         

For instance, government officials serve the people thereby managing the resources of others as stipulated by the law. With respect to the nature of this kind of stewardship, there is an expectation from the public that in conducting daily activities, the officials will practise fairness and equity. They are also expected to maintain openness in their activities to ensure that they are operating within the public’s perception of what is right and in line with the mandate of the constitution guiding their services.

        

Public officials are meant to see themselves as stewards rather than masters, as well as treat their respective jobs as means of helping people instead of dominating them. Public servants ought to note at all times that even a small percentage of misbehaviour on their part can cause a vast amount of harm or damage to the society they are serving.

         

Most importantly, public office holders should understand that certain absolute principles, such as honesty and transparency, are meant to be obeyed regardless of the consequences. Honesty or transparency is the primary product of one’s conscience. It is obvious that one who has cheated on his/her conscience has equally cheated nature; needless to say that the person must surely be visited by the law of karma, which states that ‘every work/action has a reward’ or ‘as you sow, so shall you reap’.

        

It is appalling and pathetic that currently, several public servants in Nigeria, especially the political office holders are not just cheats, but wolves in sheep clothing. The persons/officers in question are yet to realize that stewardship and accountability, which have an eternal reward, are meant to be the watchword of any public servant at all cost. This set of people is not just cankerworm to the treasury of the society/community involved, but remains the only nightmare faced by the society.

        

Most disturbingly, they see embezzlement of public funds, truancy, or lateness to duties, as a way of life. They often consider time management as an unreasonable and inconsequential factor in their everyday life. Most of them parade themselves like people who are beyond punishment, forgetting that no one escapes the consequences of his/her actions. This action of impunity is the singular reason they invariably litter the workers’ payroll with names of nonexistent beings widely known as ‘Ghost workers’.

        

Today Tuesday June 23, the international community is celebrating the 2015 World Public Service Day. In its resolution, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly designated 23^rd June each year as World Public Service Day. The Day intends to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community, highlight the contribution of public service in the development process, recognize the work of public servants, as well as encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector. The annual observance of the Public Service Day highlights the invaluable contributions of public servants and administrators in our efforts to build a better world for all.

        

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the World Public Service Day, I enjoin every public servant as well as the prospective ones in the country to acknowledge that the reward for unalloyed stewardship and accountability lasts for eternity, hence ought not to be overlooked for posterity sake. Think about it!

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056    

          

         

2015 World Refugee Day (Aired News-Commentary)

COMBATING CAUSES OF ALL FORMS OF CRISES AS THE 2015 WORLD REFUGEE DAY IS MARKED TODAY SATURDAY JUNE 20

      

         

A refugee can be described as a person who has been forced to leave his or her country due to persecution, which could be attributed to his/her race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social affiliation, or as a result of disaster, either natural or manmade, such as massacre, genocide, war, inferno, earthquake, terrorism, climate change, and famine, just to mention but a few. In some cases, the internally displaced individuals within a certain country can also be referred to as ‘Refugees’.

         

Today Saturday June 20, the global community is commemorating the World Refugee Day. On 4^th of December 2000, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in its unanimous Resolution decided that, from 2001, June 20 of every year would be celebrated as World Refugee Day. In the resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the golden jubilee or the 50^th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the status of Refugees.

        

Each year on June 20, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and countless civic groups around the world host World Refugee Day events in order to draw public attention to the millions of refugees and people who are internally displaced worldwide.

       

Recently, the Bornu State government in Nigeria cried foul as well as sought for the financial assistance of the international community in regard to the alarming number of displaced persons recorded in the state owing to the ongoing insurgency of the Boko Haram sect in the area. Such incident is not only peculiar to Nigeria, but to many other countries in the world.

    

Statistics show that not less than forty-three million people worldwide are presently displaced as a result of conflict and persecution, which is the highest number since the middle of 1990s. More than fifteen million of the aforementioned figure are refugees who fled their home countries, while the rest are people who remain displaced by conflict within their own homelands and they are generally regarded as ‘Internally Displaced Persons’.

      

Worldwide, refugees have really suffered an untold hardship in the respective camps or localities they are being hosted or they found themselves; they mostly lack the three basic needs of mankind, which remain food, clothing and shelter. Most of them often feared killed by deadly diseases, or sometimes due to the unbearable hazards attached to the environment they reside in.

        

It is worthy to note that, most of the beggars found on the major roads or streets of most cities in Nigeria, likewise other countries, are refugees. A good number of them who hail from the neighbouring countries to include Niger Republic, Chad, Benin Republic and Cameroon, migrated to Nigeria in search of a lasting succour. This implies that more than half of the world’s refugees are in urban environments, not in camps. This set of people invariably fall victim to human trafficking, which is currently on rampage in several countries.

        

No doubt, displaced persons are found virtually in all the nations across the globe. Since refugees are mainly victims of either manmade or natural disasters, there is a compelling need to take appropriate and drastic measures that would thoroughly address all forms of disasters or conflicts witnessed by mankind.

        

It is noteworthy that, even the natural disasters such as earthquake, depletion of the Ozone layer, climate change, erosion, and what have you, are mostly attributable to human/manmade actions or activities. Needless to say that, any event that could lead to displacement of individuals from their places of residence or country of origin, can be averted by the concerned persons or authorities, as the case may be.

        

To this end, inferno for instance, which usually takes place as a result of man’s carelessness or lackadaisical attitude, can be prevented by sensitizing the public on the fundamental actions that could lead to such disaster. In the same vein, people ought to be professionally directed on where, when, and how to erect various structures both residential and industrial  as well as in the case of drilling of boreholes in order to help avoid future occurrence of earthquake and other related crises.

        

There is also need for legal backing in respect to prevention of the various uncalled attitudes or practices including discrimination, extremism, racism, ethnicity, human rights violation, et cetera, that can result to a life-threatening crisis such as insurgency, terrorism or war. Hence, the bill concerning prevention of terrorism acts that is presently lying on the floor of the National Assembly ought to be given a speedy hearing by the current law makers with a view to passing it into law in earnest.

       

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the fifteenth (15^th) commemoration of the World Refugee Day, I call on the various civil society organizations as well as religious bodies to embark on a massive and rigorous awareness crusade that would educate the entire public on the dangers of any form of crisis, which will go a long way to bring a holistic attitudinal change among the overall citizenry. Think about it!

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COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056    

Int'l Albinism Day (Aired News-Analysis)

ADDRESSING THE ONGOING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ALBINOS AS THE INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY IS MARKED TODAY SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

       

        

Albinism is a genetic deficiency of melanin pigment production in which the carrier, either a person or animal, possesses very white skin, white hair and pink eyes. It is usually inherited as an autosomal recessive condition. The carrier of the syndrome is generally regarded as an ‘Albino’.

       

In albinism, a number of different chromosomes are involved, depending upon the type. There are two major classes of albinism, namely; Oculocutaneous albinism and Ocular albinism. Oculocutaneous albinism affects the eyes, hair and skin, whereas only the eyes are affected in Ocular albinism.

       

Approximately one in seventeen thousand (17,000) persons worldwide has one of the types of albinism. It is noteworthy that, albinism can affect any race and has been extensively studied in other animal species like mouse.

        

Visual plights are a significant feature of albinism. In albinism condition, Melanin is reduced or could be totally absent in the eye, skin, hair as well as the brain, thereby causing maldevelopment of neural pathways related to vision. Abnormalities in cone morphology have also been detected in the fovea. More so, severe nystagmus, photophobia, strabismus, and reduced visual acuity are common features.

        

The precise appearance of an albino depends on which syndrome or condition is involved. Medical analysts are of the view that people with albinism have red eyes, but the colour of the iris varies from a dull grey to blue or even brown. In albinism condition, a brown iris is common among ethnic groups with darker pigmentation.

       

Under certain lighting conditions, there is a reddish or violet hue that reflects through the iris from the retina and the eyes then appear red, similar to the red eye in flash photography. In some types of albinism, the red colour can reflect back through the iris as well as the pupil.

       

Diagnosis is based on careful history of pigment development and an examination of the skin, hair and eyes. The only type of albinism that has white hair at birth is the OCA1. The most accurate test for determining the specific type of albinism is a genetic test, though the test is useful only for families that have individuals with albinism. Hence it cannot be performed practically as a screening test for the general population.

       

None of the available tests is capable of detecting all the mutations of the genes that cause albinism. And, responsible mutations cannot be detected in a small number of individuals and families with albinism. Optical coherence tomography can be a useful adjunct in cases of OCA, which display atypical features.

        

Ophthalmologists and optometrists can help people living with albinism to compensate for their eye problems but they cannot be cured. Astigmatism is the most common eye problem across all the subtypes of albinism, whilst there is a high frequency of hypermetropia in OCA1A patients. However, ordinary glasses or bifocals with a strong reading correction may serve well for many people with albinism.

         

For photophobia, dark glasses or photo-chromic lenses are recommendable. There is no proof that dark glasses will improve vision even when used at a very early age, but they may improve comfort. Recent advances include contact lenses with a special iris tint and clear pupil area as well as bi-level telemicroscopes fitted on to patients’ prescription spectacles.

       

Albinism can be prevented, though could be expensive for low-income families. Gene testing can be used to determine if a foetus has albinism. Amniocentesis is performed at 16 to 18 weeks of gestation. But, those considering such testing should be aware that, if given proper support, children with albinism can function well despite considerable visual handicap and also enjoy normal lifespan. 

        

Today Saturday June 13, the world over is marking the maiden International Albinism Awareness Day. On Wednesday 19^th of November 2014, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) adopted June 13 each year as the International Albinism Awareness Day via a historic resolution. June 13 was chosen because it was on that day in 2013 that the UN adopted its first ever resolution on albinism.

        

The UN calls on all stakeholders to use this day to take action that will end discrimination, stigma, intimidation, humiliation, attacks, and what have you, against persons living with albinism worldwide. To this end, we can take action by indulging in the following:

1.  Inviting a local organization of persons with albinism to address our respective institutions.

2. Creating discussion forums in our workplaces on how we, both individually and collectively, can contribute towards ending the discrimination experienced by persons with albinism through our own belief systems.

3. Encouraging our friends, associates, relations, and/or employees, as the case may be, to spend reasonable time with the various societies of persons with albinism in order to assist them in addressing discrimination, among other uncalled treatments.

And finally, but not the least, sponsoring a local radio, television or print media campaign on June 13 to raise awareness about the rights of persons with albinism.

        

In addition, as the global community marks the first annual International Albinism Awareness Day, there is a pressing need for the law makers to enact a strict law that would thoroughly address all the challenges being faced by albinos in Nigeria with a view to actualizing a country where fairness and equity are seen as its watchword. Think about it!

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056 

@fdnnwaozor  

        

    

2015 World Day Against Child Labour (Aired News-Commentary)

KICKING AGAINST CHILD LABOUR AS THE 2015 WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR IS MARKED TODAY FRIDAY JUNE 12

     

        

Child labour refers to the employment or engagement of children in any work or activity that deprives them of their childhood rights, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to them. It can also be defined as a fulltime employment of children who are under a minimum legal age.

        

Child labour is globally considered as an exploitative practice. Many international bodies describe it as an inhumane act. Legislations across the world prohibit it with extreme passion, that, it is widely regarded as a societal monster. Though, these laws do not consider all work by children as ‘child labour’; exceptions include, work by child artists, supervised training, and certain categories of work such as those common among indigenous American children, among other countries that are technologically inclined.

        

Prior to 1940, several children aged 5-14 worked in Europe, the United States and various colonies of European Powers. These children worked in areas including agriculture, factories, home-based operations, and mining. Some worked night shifts lasting twelve hours. Subsequently, with the rise of household income, availability of schools as well as passage of child labour laws, the rate of the incidence dropped tremendously.

       

In developing countries with high poverty and poor schooling opportunities, child labour is still prevalent. For instance, in 2010, Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest incidence rates of child labour with several African nations like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and many others witnessing over fifty percent (50%) of children aged 5-14 involved in one or two uncalled activities.

       

Survey shows that agriculture is the largest employer of child labour worldwide. More so, vast majority of child labour cases is found in rural settings as well as informal urban economies; in this area, children are predominantly employed by their parents or guardians, rather than factories. Suffice it to say; child labour is fundamentally attributed to poverty and lack of education or illiteracy.

      

According to the World Bank, the incidence of child labour in the world decreased from twenty-five percent (25%) to ten percent (10%) between the years 1960 and 2003. Nevertheless, with the acknowledgement of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), recently by the year 2013, the total number of child labourers remained high involving about 168 million children worldwide.

       

During the Industrial Revolution, children as young as four were employed in production factories with dangerous, and often fatal, working conditions. In view of the recent understanding of the dangers attached to the use of children as labourers, presently it is considered by wealthy countries such as Germany, Japan, France, the U.S.A, et al, as a human rights violation, thereby outlawing its practice. Whilst, some poorer countries still condone child labour.

         

It is noteworthy that, child labour has in recent times deteriorated appallingly in most developing nations like Nigeria. The one that has degenerated into a fathomless eyesore is the ongoing alarming incidence of hawking witnessed on several streets or roads across the federation. The most devastating aspect of this scenario is a situation where the children in question would be seen hawking their wares when they are meant to be in their classrooms. It is usually noticed that most of these child hawkers are under the care of their so-called guardians or relatives, unknowingly to their biological parents that their children are being subjected into such torture or life-threatening activity.

        

The type observed in the area of prostitution cannot be swept under the carpet whenever child labour is being discussed. In most occasions, female children are cajoled into prostitution by some pimps. The less-privileged parents would be told by the pimp, albeit deceitfully, that their children would be taken abroad for some lucrative jobs; they would also be informed that the children would be privileged to attend one of the best schools in the world.

        

Today Friday June 12, the global community is commemorating the World Day Against Child Labour. The Day was launched in 2002 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12^th day of June, the World Day Against Child Labour brings together governments, employers, NGOs and civil society as well as millions of well-meaning individuals from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.

        

As the world marks the World Day Against Child Labour, we are requested to do everything within our reach to ensure that poverty and illiteracy, which are the basic attributes of child labour, are drastically and holistically alleviated in our respective societies. In addition, the legislature is expected to establish a law that would assign capital punishment to anyone found guilty of the abuse, which is currently on rampage in Nigeria. Think about it!

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

@fdnnwaozor