As Prof Eze Emerges the New FUTO VC

AS PROF EZE EMERGES THE NEW FUTO VC

    

  

    The last time I thoroughly checked, Professor Francis Chukwuemeka Eze, the Imo-born eloquent and astute academic remained the next substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the prestigious Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, Nigeria. This obvious fact was occasioned by the pronouncement made on Thursday March 17, 2016 by the governing body of the university ably led by Dr Emmanuel Enemuo, stating that the academic in question was the winner of the election that was conducted among all the academics that were vying for the highly respected seat.

    FUTO was reportedly agog on the aforementioned date because, according to the jubilant persons, they were unanimously expecting the enthronement of a ‘saint’ as the seventh substantive VC of the ancient citadel of higher learning in the person of Prof F.C. Eze. They went further to state that the said academic didn’t just deserve the honour, but was hyper qualified. This very reaction happened to be one of the factors that triggered my pensive pen.

     Let me quickly intimate us that there is a rigorous outstanding proceeding comprising different phases toward the election of a university’s Vice-Chancellor. This proceeding ranges from various screening exercises to aptitude tests and the election proper which may last for several months. Along the line, most of the aspirants made up of well celebrated professors would be dropped or shown the way out prior to the election phase which invariably marks the last phase of the uncompromising ritual. This, no doubt, implies that Prof Eze just successfully returned from an inevitable holistic academic odyssey having been declared the overall winner of that rigorous exercise.

    It’s noteworthy that Prof Eze’s emergence as the FUTO VC is long overdue owing to how much he has been longing to sit on that hot seat. It would be recalled that the incoming VC was one of the top aspirants for the said position in 2011, in which the outgoing VC Prof C.C Asiabaka emerged victorious. In spite of the fathomless challenges trailing suchlike ambition, he remained resolute and resilient till this moment when fortune thought it wise to smile at his person.

    Prof Eze, a native of Ideato-South LGA of Imo State, who is a Professor of Experimental Solid State Physics and Material Science had his first degree, Master’s and doctorate programmes in the Universities of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Dundee – Scotland, and also UNN, respectively. After his Bachelor of Science, he worked as a banker before proceeding to his subsequent academic pursuits. Immediately after his PhD, he became a teacher in FUTO. As a veteran academic, he has authored and co-authored numerous academic journals, text books and articles among other innumerable publications in Industrial Physics.

     He is a two-time Head of the Department (HOD) of Physics, FUTO. In 2008 when he was serving for the second time in the aforesaid capacity, as a result of his exemplary prowess, he doubled as the Dean of the School of Sciences (SOSC) which was recently split into two separate autonomous faculties namely – School of Physical Sciences (SOPS) and School of Biological Sciences (SOBS) by the university’s Senate. Then, he concurrently served as HOD and Dean until someone succeeded him in the former.

    Thereafter, he was recognized as the Director of the Nuclear Energy and Research Centre of the university; a position, in which he relentlessly and doggedly showcased the best in him to the envy of his colleagues, both far and near. Consequently, in 2013, he was expectedly appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor on Administration under the able leadership of the outing VC Prof Chigozie C. Asiabaka; a post which he holds till date.

     As an indisputable scholar and intellect-driven experimental physicist, in addition to the Fellowship he presently enjoys in countless reputable local and international professional societies, he is a Fellow to the famous Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP). He’s a Christian to the core to the glory of God; as a well grounded practising Catholic, he was inducted into the Knighthood of Saint John International (KSJI) many years ago. By His grace, he’s currently happily married with four children.

     It would interest you to acknowledge that Prof F.C. Eze is my teacher. He thought me way back in the university during my first degree, and I happened to have a personal relationship with him. He’s a man who believes in hard work, thus never joked with serious-minded students. He taught me Analytical Mechanics during the Harmattan semester of my third year (300 Level); and I can’t forget in a hurry the bonus mark he granted to me when I answered a question he raised, which none of my classmates was able to, during one of his classes.

     He’s a passion-driven, strict and very serious-minded individual. In 2008 when FUTO hosted the NIP conference, I was privileged to be among the Local Organizing Committee and that was when he was serving as the HOD of Physics Department for the second time. During the said era, the mentorship I enjoyed from his person was tremendous. Aside his zealous and brilliant nature, that was when I realized that he’s not just humble, but down to earth despite his gigantic posture. And, that very conference became nothing but extremely a success because he was at the helm of affairs.

     He understands the essence of open-door administration, and also gives anyone a listening ear irrespective of the circumstance. This singular attribute alone makes hundreds of thousands of people attracted to him. As an experienced teacher and administrator, he acknowledges when to mix lecture or administration, as the case may be, with humour. His sense of humour can keep one’s brain busy for a whole day. Even when one’s medulla oblongata seems incapacitated or dull, he knows how to reactivate it.

    As this fine gentleman is ready to assume duty as the 7^th substantive VC of FUTO come June 2016, everyone who really believes in competence and trustworthiness is seriously yearning to embrace the awaited epoch-making event that’s expected to usher in a new era.

    So, at this juncture I wholeheartedly say: congratulations, my able Prof. Meanwhile, you needn’t to be reminded that in two months time by His grace, FUTO would seemingly be in your hands, thus you’re required to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the university is placed ahead of others not just within Nigeria but beyond. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador 

         

    

Buhari, Beware of Blarney!

BUHARI, BEWARE OF BLARNEY!

     In the famous and widely sold William Shakespeare’s play titled ‘Julius Caesar’, which was named after one of the protagonists in the play, it was the Roman dictator King Julius Caesar who disappointedly exclaimed in Latin “Et tu, Brute?”, meaning literally ‘Even you, Brutus?’ or ‘You too, Brutus?’ the moment he discovered that one of those whom wanted him dead happened to be his protégé and trusted ally in the person of Marcus Brutus.

    The last time I holistically checked, the reign of several well celebrated leaders in the past was truncated owing to the invariable insincere gestures or eulogies showcased by most of those they recognized as their friends or brothers, as the case may be. This is why any leader who actually intends to excel must be extremely conscious of such societal lifestyle commonly known as sycophancy which I invariably addressed as a monster.

     In any leadership setting or in life generally, there are factors that tend to be symbiotic. Among them are tyranny and sycophancy which pervade every level of governance. The combination of the two aforementioned phenomena, which are dangerous to both institutions and countries, makes any leader blind to even conspicuous pitfalls thereby making them seem miserable if they eventually fell.

     There are two major classes of sycophants, namely: genuine sycophants and mercenary or fake sycophants. The former have inexhaustible capacity to be ‘happy slaves’ and to demean themselves in favour of the master. Somehow, suchlike individuals or followers are at best Spartan-like in the sense that they do not feel the pain inflicted on them and liable to be dehumanized both morally and mentally.

     Instead, they feel the pain for the master, claiming that they are the master’s ‘shock absorber’, and usually struggle to take pleasure at the suffering of those who incur the wrath of the tyrant. In most occasions, they are likely to be more unfriendly and cruel than the master. This set of sycophants would always make effort to defend the interest of the boss regardless of the situation at hand.

     On the contrary, the mercenary ones are dangerous to the tyrant unknowingly to him (the leader), and they often play a very vital role in the day-to-day running of the affected administration. They equally possess the ability to play the ‘happy slaves’ role successfully, appear to demean themselves, pretend not to possess minds of their own, and unabatedly wear a happy physiognomy façade while sulking internally.

     A fake sycophant is no doubt skilful in warming his/her way into the bosom of the boss by studying closely the weaknesses of the system and that of the master. Such an individual or so-called ally has no scruples; rather, he/she is Machiavellian. He definitely knows how to acquire access to power by ingratiating himself with the leader via grant of an assortment of briberies or gratification to the right people, flatteries, organized accusations against well-meaning followers or citizens as well as unconditional shedding of crocodile tears.

     Furthermore, a mercenary sycophant is relentlessly very intelligent and clever in playing victim and shifting blames. He/she is so skilled in manufacturing cum painting of misleading services that the leader is bamboozled by his/her supposed ‘loyalty’. Such follower capitalizes any opportunity to betray the trust and overthrow the leader. In other words, as such follower carries out or discharges his duties on a daily basis, he looks forward to discovering or creating a loophole that would serve as an advantage to his sinister motive.

     The paramount challenge to any leader who wishes to have sycophants is to distinguish between genuine and fake ones. However, the bone of contention remains that harbouring sycophants is even more detrimental to the leader in question than to the teeming followers, irrespective of the circumstance. Hence, there’s no gain reiterating that any sycophant, if discovered, deserves to be discarded without much ado because they are all useless.

     In most occasions, you would notice that these sycophants are allies who usually appear to be extremely hardworking and creative, but realistically they are doing virtually nothing. They often use noisemaking or exaggeration to create awareness thereby luring unsuspecting followers into their net.    

     It’s noteworthy that sycophancy or undue praise-singing, which is arguably the willing undertaker of any country’s socio-political lost glory, seem to be taking an institutional presence or recognition in Nigeria at large, particularly on the country’s political platform. Isn’t it preposterous to see able-bodied citizens, even the old, singing and dancing in praise of somebody who has only succeeded in impoverishing his followers in the name of ‘leadership’ or consorting people’s aspirations to chisel his/her self aggrandizement?

     In Nigeria today, such manner of nauseous lifestyle takes place with an embarrassing frequency, yet nobody ostensibly cares to even acknowledge the colossal menace let alone discussing it. Funnily enough, most leaders have the impetus to gloat about the unsavoury and inglorious idiosyncrasy, even in a public sphere.

     This endemic wave of sycophancy sweeping across the lengths and breadth of our political space with uncontrollable rage of inferno, prosecuting our god-sent democracy and fuelling several political movements, unarguably needs to be thoroughly considered as well as checkmated by any leader that bears ‘decency and transparency’ as his watchwords. It’s needless to state that, such way of life requires to be holistically thrown to the waste-bin, which is its rightful place, for eternity.   

     Intriguingly, only but a few had openly condemned this monster that’s gradually, but steadily getting engraved in the psyche of most Nigerians, probably consciously or otherwise, while trading their sense of honour, candour and integrity on the platform of actualizing egotist gains. We must note that, on the average, it’s sycophancy that breeds despotism in any democracy; this is why any leader who truly thinks good of the society or country he leads mustn’t in any way pamper its practice that’s flourishing unabatedly not just in Nigeria but across the globe.

    The most worrisome, and perhaps amusing aspect of it is a situation where you would notice that those who never wanted Mohammadu Buhari to become the President of Nigeria are currently the prime ‘supporters’ of the present administration. How would you reconcile this? Of course, since their man had been defeated, they decided to take a U-turn to the other side of the road just to quench their selfish urge. Unequivocally, President Buhari needs to distance himself from this set of people who actually mean no good for his administration.

     Similarly, on the part of the electorate; if we’re sincerely yearning for a positive change, then we must, individually or collectively, say no to all these partisan activities occurring daily across the federation. The youth that are widely reckoned to be the ‘leaders of tomorrow’ must steer clear from presentation of unmerited eulogy to any leader, so that, power would become theirs somebody as they earnestly anticipate; or like Esau, they ought to go ahead and sell their birthright just for a bowl of meats. If they don’t desist from such unwholesome attitude, the proposed town-hall meeting, if eventually observed by the Presidency, would as well be marred by sycophancy.

     Another devastating phenomenon, which triggers the senses of anyone who understands the societal implications, is that most Nigerians have resorted to adopting it as a norm or their occupation having inured themselves to it, thereby relegating morality, modesty and integrity to the background. And pitiably, they have no iota of plan in the nearest future to abjure it, or even lose a bit of interest.

     Against this backdrop, the President Mohammadu Buhari led administration that’s anchored on a change mantra is expected to do everything within its reach towards ensuring that sycophants are not just shown the way out, but thoroughly prosecuted considering the fact that they are deadlier than highway robbers. Thus, as the said administration is strongly determined to wipe out corruption in the country in its entirety, sycophancy ought to be treated as one of its priorities.

    This significantly implies that, there’s a compelling need to enact a strict law that would  adequately address the anomaly, which is observed in every such field of human endeavour as, but not limited to, trading, education, health, politics, governance, business, journalism, and what have you. Suffice it to say that, the cankerworm is found in our everyday social, economic, as well as political lives.

    Indeed, blarney, which remains a deceptive and fake gesture in any setting, is wicked, inhumane and deadly; hence, needs to be considered as such. Like cancer, it has conspicuously eaten up the soul and conscience of this country. While ending the lifespan of this dreaded monster, no one should be seen as being above the law or above mankind. Think about it!  

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador 

The Controversy Trailing Eche's Appointment

THE CONTROVERSY TRAILING ECHE’S EMERGENCE AS IMO SSG

    The last time I painstakingly checked, Chief Jude Ejiogu was no longer the Secretary to the Imo State Government (SSG). The gentleman in question was reportedly disengaged from his duty unannounced last two weeks, on Friday 18^th of March 2016 precisely, for a reason best known to his employer – Chief Rochas Okorocha.

    Consequently, penultimate week, the governor brought in Sir George Eche into his cabinet to replace the erstwhile SSG. The new SSG, Sir George who had variously served in different top civil service positions as, but not limited to, the Permanent Secretary of Imo State Ministry of Finance as well as the Accountant General of the state respectively, hails from Ngor-Okpala LGA in Imo East Senatorial district of the ancient state.

     Several reactions followed by counter reactions have tremendously greeted the appointment of the astute public servant, which were no doubt occasioned by the fact that the appointee was a serving civil servant. The aggrieved persons, perhaps members of the opposition parties, are of the view that the appointee never deserved the resounding recognition since he had never handled any political post in the past or was, according to the wailers, yet to know the modus operandi surrounding such highly reputable position.

     Most times, in my lonely mood, I feel like crying over some certain ridiculous news marred by ignorance I invariably receive on my desk. It’s no longer news that in the contemporary Nigerian society, several individuals or groups often speak just for their voice to be heard and nothing more, especially when they feel their fans have really missed their voice or when they are of the opinion that the said fans would mistake their silence for a state of political oblivion. If not, how on earth would someone in his/her real senses be aggrieved over the appointment of a distinguished citizen of Imo State as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) just because the appointee or employee was a serving civil servant.

     And, it’s really amusing and amazing that the ongoing melodrama emanated barely few hours after I did a piece entitled “Appointment of a ‘layman’ as Commissioner for Health”. In that very piece, in my usual self, I unequivocally and categorically as a civil rights and constitution activist enjoined the general public to always acknowledge the difference between rights and privileges.

    For crying out very loud; that politicians had often been assigned to serve as SSG doesn’t in any way imply that the said political post is reserved or meant for only practising politicians. In other words, such lingered practice or norm that had unabatedly been enjoyed by the teeming Nigerian politicians was just a privilege, and not the right of the politicians as being presumed in most quarters. Read my lips.

    The only qualities or factors that are consequentially and constitutionally meant to be considered while recognizing someone that would serve in such position are competence and trustworthiness. And, you and I are very much aware that the new SSG in the person of Sir George Eche is conspicuously equal to the task as regards the aforementioned features or idiosyncrasies, considering his antecedents. Notwithstanding, I’m not here to tender eulogies, but to appraise facts just as the title of this column implies.

    Mind you; the recognition of Sir George never meant that the governor didn’t find anyone among his allies worthy to replace the former SSG, but it’s gratifying to acknowledge that sometimes change, which remains the only constant factor in life, is highly needed and consequential. Of course, there are several competent and trustworthy politicians that were qualified to wear the pleasant cap, but the candid point remains that change is necessary sometimes. I enjoin us to serious think about this clause.

    The bone of contention of this critique is that the appointment of Sir George was constitutional, rational and obviously logical, hence generally acceptable; thus, it ought to accepted by all and sundry. In view of this assertion, rather than negatively criticizing his emergence as SSG, we are expected to unanimously convey our felicitation to him, so that, he wouldn’t be deterred by anything while discharging his lawful obligations.

     Meanwhile, having congratulated the new sheriff, I want to seize this opportunity to extend my cheerful farewell to the erstwhile sheriff, Chief Ejiogu as I sincerely wish him nothing but success in all his future endeavours. Similarly, the new sheriff should please not hesitate to consult his immediate predecessor whenever he’s faced with any dilemma or quagmire owing to the challenges surrounding the position. The said predecessor, on his part, shouldn’t hesitate to respond to such call when the time comes.

     Most importantly, I want to equally appeal to the allies of the past SSG to desist from any unlawful or irrational act they intend to indulge in simply because their boss was relieved of his duty, rather they ought to join their boss in appreciating the governor for having granted him the golden opportunity to serve the ancient state in such well respected capacity since 2011. Service or stewardship is about ‘soldier go soldier come’, thus it’s nobody’s farmyard. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador 

   

  

2016 World Tuberculosis Day

CHECKING THE MENACE OF TUBERCULOSIS AS THE WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2016

      Tuberculosis popularly known as TB is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules or tubercles in the human respiratory organs, especially the lungs. It is a curable communicable infection that is transmitted by inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of a carrier or an infected person.

      Tuberculosis (TB) mainly affects the lungs, though it can affect any other part of the body, including the glands, bones, and nervous system. Typical symptoms of TB include a persistent cough that last more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm which may be bloody, loss of weight, high temperature or fever, night sweats, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite, overstayed swellings, among others.

      TB is generally caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which could be found in food, water or unsafe environment. The type that affects the lungs is the most contagious type, but it usually spreads after prolonged exposure to someone with the illness. Most times, it is transmitted within family members who live in the same house.

      In most healthy people the immune system, which is the body’s natural defence against infections or illnesses, kills the bacteria thereby making the patient free from any form of symptom. Sometimes the immune system cannot kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body of the carrier; this means the carrier in question would not have any symptoms but the bacteria will remain in his or her body. This mode of infection is known as Latent TB.

       If the immune system fails to kill or contain the infection, it can spread within the lungs or other parts of the body, and symptoms will develop within a few weeks or months. This is known as Active TB. Latent TB could develop into an active TB infection at a later date, particularly if the patient’s immune system becomes weakened. It is estimated that, about one-third of the world’s population is currently infected with latent TB; of these, up to ten percent (10%) is expected to become active at some point.

      It is important to note that someone suffering from HIV/AIDS or any immune-deficiency disease is at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, especially when the person is not placed on a proper diet. Thus, a HIV patient is expected to go for TB test from time to time.

      Pulmonary tuberculosis is the type that affects mainly the lungs, while extrapulmonary TB is used to describe the type that occurs outside the lungs. Any of the above types has the tendency of affecting the brain or spinal cord of the carrier.

      Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis disease. Many foreign-born persons have been BCG-vaccinated. BCG is used in many countries with a high prevalence of TB to prevent childhood TB meningitis and miliary disease. Though, the vaccine is meant only for selected individuals who have met specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert.

      It is noteworthy that, tuberculosis can be cured. In some cases, the carriers would need a course of antibiotics, usually for six months. Several different antibiotics are used; this is because some forms of TB are resistant to certain antibiotics. If one is infected with a drug-resistant form of TB, treatment can last as long as two years or thereabouts.

      Tuberculosis is a contagious air-borne disease. Someone suffering from the infection is not supposed to share household materials like spoon, fake, cup, and what have you, with anyone until he is totally cured. He is also required to always endeavour to cover his mouth with handkerchief whenever he coughs, to avoid spreading the bacteria to his immediate environment or transmitting it to anyone around him.

      Today Thursday March 24, the world over is commemorating the 2016 World Tuberculosis Day. The annual World Tuberculosis Day, which was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and duly adopted by the United Nations (UN), is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by WHO.

      The World Tuberculosis Day is aimed at building public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. According to UN, survey shows that in the year 2012, about 8.6 million people fell ill with TB and 1.3 million of the said carriers died of the disease, mostly in the Third World countries or developing nations such as Nigeria.

      As the global community marks the World Tuberculosis Day, there is an urgent need for every Nigerian, both at home and in the diaspora, to acknowledge that the societal menace of tuberculosis cannot be overemphasized and that, it is indeed a contagious and deadly disease. On this note, we ought to continually ensure that whatever we eat or drink is thoroughly boiled or washed as the case might be and also endeavour to keep our nostrils away from unwanted environmental particles such as dust and what have you.

     Also, we should bear in mind that intake of vaccine, if and when necessary, is a pathway towards embracing a TB-free society. Therefore, government and other health stakeholders should encourage the entire citizenry to ensure that they are vaccinated against TB by ensuring that the BCG vaccine is regularly made available within their reach. Think about it!   

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador