Ongoing Free Education in Imo

ONGOING FREE EDUCATION IN IMO: THE PAINS AND THE GAINS

     The last time I checked, Imo State at large was reckoned to be the only state in Nigeria that observes free education from nursery to tertiary level. Needless to that it remains the only state across the federation where education is totally free in all the existing educational levels to include nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary.

      Education is the act of acquiring knowledge through learning, either in the classroom or otherwise. It can equally be described as the process through which a person is taught better ways of doing something or a better way of living. But in this piece, we are referring to education acquired via the classroom.

     Just as food, clothing and textile remain the three basic needs of life, education alongside health remains the best way anyone could be empowered. Suffice it to say that the best way one could be made useful in any society is by giving him/her a sound education as well as adequate health care. This is why anyone who means well for any society or locality he/she finds him/herself uses every possible means to encourage the educational growth in the area.

      Be it a trader, businessman, craftsman, or a professional, you are where you presently find yourself because you were given a sound education towards attaining to that level, or you were privileged to acquire the necessary educational training. A trader who cannot boast of a fundamental training in education, will continue to record failure as long as the trade lasts, likewise those in other fields of human endeavour.

     To this end, governments at all levels are invariably encouraged to pay special attention to its educational sector. This is the reason, as soon as Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State assumed duty in 2011, he vowed to take the education of the said state very seriously as well as treat it as a priority. In view of this pledge, the governor’s first move was to declare free education in Imo State from nursery to secondary level; a step that was highly commended by all and sundry including the teeming beneficiaries. As if that wasn’t enough; subsequently, Gov Okorocha extended the free-education gesture to all the tertiary institutions owned and managed by the state.

     To say the least, the ongoing free education in Imo State has made hundreds of thousands of less-privileged parents and guardians who cannot afford the cost of private education to cough up a sigh of relieve. Most of them have been praying intensely for the governor for thinking it wise to come up with such laudable programme. In some quarters, the leader in question is regarded as a messiah who has come to wipe out poverty in the state at large.

     Though the Governor Okorocha’s free-education programme has greatly suffered from criticisms from most onlookers as well as members of the state, the truth is that the initiative has succeeded in bringing succor to countless Imo indigenes or residents, as the case may be. The critics are of the view that the free-education initiative has been unable to pay much attention to qualitative education, where pupils and students are expected to acquire sound and viable education. According to them, the colossal funds constantly made available for the free education has deprived the government of the sufficient fund required to take care of other logistics in the various public citadels of learning, thereby leading to underfunding.

     Aside the free education, the Rescue Mission Administration in the ancient state has equally resuscitated the infrastructural status of virtually all the schools involved. The various schools can now boast of befitting structure or a smiling physiognomy. Teachers are also well paid and as when due, if not the ongoing economic meltdown in the overall country that’s currently bedeviling payment of the teachers’ monthly salaries and incentives.

     One major plight that accompanies the free-education programme is that the teachers or lecturers, as the case may be, in question appear to be marred by apathy. Most of them hardly bring out time for their daily lessons. More devastatingly, some have taken truancy as an option. When confronted or asked, he or she would tell you that, after all, the pupils or students aren’t paying for the lessons, thus are not meant to complain for the maltreatment as if they aren’t receiving payment for their respective jobs. Such manner of impunity had lately if not properly checked could degenerate into an unspeakable stage in the nearest future.

    Apart from the apathy, the primary and secondary schools’ learners are tasked by the teachers to pay frivolous fees at different occasions without minding if they could afford it; in some quarters, the pupils or students would be deprived of their exam results if they fail to provide the money. These incessant extortions among other financial inconveniences invariably imposed on the learners had made most parents/guardians to cry foul.

     This implies that the government is required to set up a formidable and reliable monitoring team that would on a daily basis tour between the schools with a view to ascertaining how the pupils or students are faring. In the same spirit, the government should also ensure that classroom desks coupled with other needed facilities are sufficiently made available for the free-education beneficiaries so that they would always learn under a conducive atmosphere. Hence, in addition to infrastructure, enabling environment ought to be put in place toward boosting comfort.

     No doubt, if sincerity is upheld at all times by both the government and the teeming teachers, the ongoing free education in Imo State, the Eastern Heartland would be loaded with more gains than pains. Think about it!   

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador

INEC and the July 23 Elections in Imo

INEC AND THE PROPOSED JULY 23 ELECTIONS IN IMO

    The last time I checked, Imo in her entirety was once again earnestly awaiting the Imo North Senatorial District election coupled with that of some state constituencies including Oru-East, Isiala-Mbano and Owerri-West, as rescheduled for Saturday 23^rd July 2016 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

     It’s not anymore news that the overall people of the state, the Eastern Heartland had, albeit scepticism, patiently and peacefully waited for the said elections ever since they were indefinitely postponed unannounced by the electoral umpire. In the long run, most individuals in some quarters became of the view that the awaited polls would never come to past again as anticipated, not until the INEC surprised them few weeks ago by announcing a fresh date for the elections.

     Though it is popularly cited that ‘it’s better late than never’, it is imperative to comprehend that the elections in question had already caused most Imolites an unimagined nervous wreck as well as sleeping sickness. Such unwarranted medical situation has made some of the victims to see hospitals and clinics as residential arenas; suffice it to say that they are now regarded as permanent residents of those clinical centres.

     Frankly, if you were in the shoes of those directly affected by the aforementioned incident, or the long wait, I’m afraid, by now you might be in one of those recently dug graves. You know, when one does not feel the pains as others do, he or she is liable to trivialize the ordeal at hand, thereby making him/her laugh when others are really sobbing. A famous Igbo adage says ‘Eburu ozu onye ozo, odi ka ebu oshishi kworo nku’ meaning literally ‘when one carries a corpse belonging to another, he feels or acts like one carrying a firewood’. A good illustration of it is when an undertaker does what he knows how to do best.

     The bone of contention is that, acknowledging the gravity of injury the concerned electorate had already incurred while they patiently await the said polls which wasn’t forthcoming, there’s no gain notifying INEC that enough is enough. In other words, they are required to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the new date for the long awaited polls remains sacrosanct irrespective of whose ox is gored.

     We are not unaware that Imo isn’t the only state affected by the anomaly. Thus, as the people of Imo pray vehemently for the date in question to be treated as such, some other states across the federation are equally not left out. This significantly implies that the entire country is deeply affected negatively by the menace; hence, the INEC is expected to handle the case as a national issue.

     The electorate on their part must as well become more reasonable and sober at this time by embracing the use of logic. We can’t continue to indulge ourselves in retrogressive matters all in the name of politics. Unequivocally, politicking is a game that requires participation of rational and calculating individuals; the game arguably isn’t meant for people with low thinking faculty.

     So, if you call yourself a politician, or people around address you as one, you must always be willing and ready to employ reasonable acumen in your day-to-day activity. An average politician anywhere in the world is widely regarded as a potential leader; and it’s crucial to take into cognizance that leadership isn’t for everyone. Needless to state that, every politician needs to be conscious of the fact that all eyes are invariably on him/her.

     Politicking doesn’t in any way call for noisemaking or whatsoever. Politics, which is conspicuously a profession that requires a brainwork, is never a platform for hiring of thugs or other related individuals. To this end, we must say no to political violence at all costs; it’s longer news that political violence has been the sole reason elections are often inconclusive, postponed, or characterized by various irregularities. Besides, Imolites are politically aware now, unlike before, so you can’t deceive them or cajole them to do anything against their wish.

     Similarly, the various law enforcement agencies must come to our rescue at this critical moment. We don’t want to witness further postponement having passed through an unspeakable circumstance, thus the security agents, particularly the Police, ought to ensure that anyone found culpable is arrested and thereafter duly arraigned. They shouldn’t allow the electorate or the politicians, as the case may be, take the laws into their hands, simply because they are of the notion that they were born to win while others were created to be defeated. Such silly and weird mentality needs to change this time around.

     Hence, for the umpteenth time, I candidly call on the INEC to be completely independent while the polls last. All we are yearning for is nothing but free, fair, credible and peaceful elections come Saturday July 23, 2016, thus the commission must ensure that such laudable wish isn’t shortchanged via the effort of any ruthless cabal. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador 

    

Mediating Between Presidency of the Legislative and Executive Arms

MEDIATING BETWEEN PRESIDENCY OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE ARMS

     Since the inception of the 8^th Senate penultimate year, precisely on 9^th June 2015, the chamber is obviously enmeshed in a protracted quagmire that has succeeded in causing a division among its overall members. The two outstanding groups – the Unity Forum and the Like Minds that doggedly tussled toward securing the leadership of the chamber, which saw the emergence of Sen Bukola Saraki as the Senate President alongside his deputy, Sen Ike Ekweremadu, are still at loggerheads over alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules.

     Reports over allegations of alteration or illicit amendment of the Senate Standing Rules, which have gone viral, have been generating untold ripples in the Nigerian political sphere since the emergence of the duo as the presiding officers of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS). The replacement of the existing open voting system with the ‘secret’ voting system, among other alleged amendments made to the said rules, recently set the ball rolling for the prosecution of the duo on alleged conspiracy and forgery.

     The forgery suit against Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu, which equally involved the outgoing clerk to the NASS – Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy – Mr Ben Efeturi, as was signed by the Principal State Counsel of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr D.E. Kaswe reads thus, ‘That you, on or about June 9, 2015, with fraudulent intent, forged the Senate Standing Orders 2011 (as amended) causing it to be believed as the genuine Standing Orders 2015 and circulated same for use during the inauguration of the 8^th Senate when you knew that the said order was not made in compliance with the procedure for the amendment of the Senate orders. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws’.

     It would be recalled that the current leaders of the Senate was elected based on the Senate Standing Orders 2015, as amended, which contain provisions that differ from the 2011 Order submitted to the 8^th Senate. It’s also noteworthy that the crisis rocking the upper chamber of the NASS originated from the bitterly contested leadership tussle between the camps of Sen Bukola Saraki and Sen Ahmad Lawan.

     Hence, following the dramatic controversial emergence of the former as President of the Senate, the Senate ‘Unity Forum’ led by the latter frantically alleged that the victor’s camp known as the ‘Like Minds’ connived with some bureaucrats in the NASS to illicitly alter the Senate rule with the sole intent of dubiously ensuring its victory. In view of this, the Unity Forum reported the alleged forgery of the rule to the police for onward thorough investigation.

     Notwithstanding, this critique was occasioned by the lingering accusations from the embattled Presidency of the legislative arm that the Presidency of the executive arm is being incited by a certain cabal against the welfare of the NASS in its entirety. Though the accused body has debunked the rumour in its totality, the accusers insisted that the accusation was beyond denial owing to its ‘obvious’ nature. The rift has so far constituted an unending rumpus, thereby degenerating into a nauseous circumstance.

     The executive arm’s Presidency ably led by President Mohammadu Buhari had further urged the lawmakers to openly mention names of the politicians that constitute the perceived cabal toward quenching the ongoing pandemonium which is overheating the polity, but the lawmakers have rather chosen to remain mute as regards the request. The legislators must note that they represent the most sensitive arm among the three existing arms of the Nigerian government, thus must avoid any issue liable to yield any unwarranted attention or side-attraction.

     One may boldly inquire why Nigerian politicians would invariably come up with one blame or excuse, or the other, whenever they are being arraigned or undergoing prosecution. Conspicuously, in the contemporary Nigerian society, the issue of frivolous allegations or counter-allegations whenever one is found culpable isn’t peculiar to these embattled senators. An average Nigerian politician would always find a way to cover up a crime allegedly committed by him/her even before he/she is docked, thereby making the public be of the notion that serving a verdict for any high-profile case is far-fetched. 

     The last time I checked, anyone who truly means well for Nigeria needn’t be told that the case in question concerns every Nigerian, both home and abroad, considering the fact that anything that affects the legislature directly affects the overall country and everyone who has interest in it. Undoubtedly, the legislative arm remains the backbone of any democratic setting; in other words, the institution cannot be possibly overlooked when issues relating to governance are being discussed.

     Since the rule of law is expected to prevail at all cost, the interest of every right thinking individual is that the awaited verdict ought to be served as soon as possible in order to save the country from a prolonged suspense, which has been the usual pattern in the Nigeria’s judicial system. Ceteris paribus, as it stands, the judiciary arm is meant to be the mediator between the warring legislative and executive arms.

     It’s true that if one is found culpable regarding any crime, he/she deserves to be arrested and thereafter arraigned in a relevant court of competent jurisdiction, unless in a situation where the accused person enjoys an immunity till he/she leaves office. To this end, I see nothing wrong in arraigning Sen Saraki and his deputy taking into cognizance that the reason for which they are being prosecuted is reasonable, thus acceptable. So, they are expected to defend themselves in the court instead of pointing accusing fingers at someone or a group.

     My fear remains the judiciary. We’re not unaware that same Sen Saraki is being tried by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The judicial custodians involved in the trial promised Nigerians that the defendant would be tried on a daily basis towards fast-tracking the prosecution; till date, we’re still awaiting fulfillment of the pledge. Now, we’re discussing an alleged forgery and conspiracy while the other case is still pending. At this juncture, any rational being is required to ask if we’re really headed for the right direction. For crying out very loud, we can’t continue to indulge ourselves in retrogressive matters.

     The judiciary needn’t be informed that the ongoing prosecution as regards the leaders of the NASS requires a speedy hearing for the interest of our democracy and the awaited governance. It’s understandable that neither Saraki nor Ekweremadu is willing to resign; hence, as long as this court proceeding lingers, the Nigerian democracy will remain in a state of jeopardy, and we know what that portrays.

     On its part, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has an upper hand in calling these politicians to order, ought to at this point, act like a father rather than behaving like a sibling. The party’s leadership must acknowledge that the Nigeria’s future presently lies in its bare hands. Suffice it to say that they are expected to intervene in the misunderstanding with the sole intent of settling the differences. They need to note that any miscalculation from them would give the opposition in the NASS an advantage to override them.

     Most importantly, as wailing takes place in most quarters in regard to the aforesaid ordeal, I enjoin every stakeholder, irrespective of party affiliation, to have the interest of this country at heart, because Nigeria cannot afford further crisis in addition to the already existing ones. Think about it!  

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Researcher, Blogger, Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador 

  

        

On Life Pension For Presiding Officers of NASS

LIFE PENSION FOR PRESIDING OFFICERS OF NASS?

     In a recent two-day retreat in respect to the ongoing review of the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, organized by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Review of the said constitution, the National Assembly (NASS) members raised a proposal for life pension for the principal officers of the NASS, particularly the presiding officers including the Senate President and his/her Deputy as well as the Federal House of Representatives’ Speaker and his/her Deputy.

     The Deputy President of the Senate in the person of Sen. Ike Ekweremadu who doubles as the Chairman of the aforesaid ad-hoc committee happened to be the officer who championed the proposal. In his speech, he reportedly stated that the benefits being sought had nothing to do with a certain individual; rather, it’s targeted towards protecting a national/collective interest. He went further to categorically expatiate that the issue was about the institution (NASS), thus sincerely urged his fellow members not to politicize it.

     Sen. Ekweremadu further argued that nobody elected the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), but the officer in question enjoys life pension after retirement. To this end, he vigorously enjoined the members present at the retreat not to cheapen that of the leadership of the NASS, hence reiterated that the agitation at hand wasn’t meant to be personalized or be tagged a ‘personal pursuit’.

     It’s noteworthy that another controversial proposal was equally raised by the ad-hoc committee, which had to do with immunity for the presiding officers of the NASS. The committee vocally disclosed that it was high time the leaders of the NASS enjoyed immunity from prosecution while still in office, since the leadership of both the Executive and Judiciary arms of government currently enjoys the immunity.

     Sometimes I wonder if we take a second thought of whatever we reason. No doubt, taking a second thought or more look at our reasoning would enable us to obtain its actual meaning. This is why I often go by the slogan ‘Think about it’, which has abruptly become my trademark, whenever I’m addressing anyone or group of persons. Frankly, we need to create reasonable time to think about whatever action we intend to take; else, we stand to mess it up in the long run. Let’s always bear in mind that a good thought unarguably begets a sound and wholesome action. Needless to say that we mustn’t attempt to take tangible thinking for granted if we truly intend to excel in our various endeavours.

     It’s very difficult to believe that a politician who truly means well for Nigeria would be agitating or in any way be a party to an agitation regarding life pension for any lawmaker when he/she leaves office. But, on what ground is a legislator asking for life pension? What has he/she done to deserve life pension? These, among others, are vital questions we mustn’t avoid whenever we are discussing such uncalled proposal.

     I’ve already stated earlier that even the leaders of the executive arm never deserved any life pension, thus such clause ought to be outrightly deleted from the Nigerian constitution. The obvious truth is that, no serving politician deserves a life pension when he/she leaves office. Suchlike practice doesn’t in any way augur well with any existing society, and ours wouldn’t be an exception.

     It’s more worrying that the legislators came up with the mind-boggling proposal when Nigeria is seriously bleeding financial wise, or battling with series of economic crises. Discussing or even making attempt to vote for such weird proposal at such a time the country is really seeking for rescue is a clear indication that those meant to safeguard our noble constitution are on the contrary making frantic efforts to thwart it. This very move by our highly respected lawmakers is the type that could warrant a ‘vote of no-confidence’ from their various constituents.

     Come to think of it; why would these elected officers equate themselves with the officers of the judiciary arm? Honestly, it’s so ridiculous that a lawmaker would equate his/her personality with that of a judge who may have spent over thirty-five years in service. The earlier they comprehend that the former is a politician whilst the latter remains a civil servant, the better for them. We must acknowledge when to draw a comparison, or when to contrast between two or more factors.

     The last time I checked, without mincing words, Nigerians deserved an unalloyed apology from these lawmakers for having thought of such proposal let alone making it public. If they fail to do so, I’m afraid, someone from nowhere might someday wake-up from his/her slumber and tell Nigerians that he/she equally deserves a life pension. We need to let our teeming legislators at all levels understand that they are strictly answerable to their constituents.

     On its part, that of immunity from prosecution while in office is another insensitive and untenable agitation. Our lawmakers ought to note that by coming up with such proposal, they are as well informing the electorate that they all have skeleton in their respective cupboards. One may ask; was it not same lawmakers that were some time ago agitating for removal of the immunity clause enjoy by the executive leaders, from the 1999 constitution, as amended? So, why would they turnaround and start proposing to be among the beneficiaries of a clause that’s currently under debate?

     Rather than concentrating on the needful, or putting more effort toward scrapping the already existing controversial immunity clause, the legislators whom I respect so much thought it wise to do otherwise as if Nigerians are dummies. It’s conspicuously preposterous to remind our honourable lawmakers that an average Nigerian, unlike before, is now politically aware, thus can no longer be deceived or taken unawares as they suffered in the past. Hence, they should regularly be mindful of their thoughts, utterances, inactions, or actions, as the case may be.

     The gospel truth remains that it’s high time the Nigerian politicians stopped taking the electorate for a ride, or overriding them. Respect is indeed reciprocal, thus must be upheld at all times and all cost too. Anyone occupying any position of authority must always acknowledge that his/her assumption to such duty post was occasioned by the people’s votes; in other words, he/she is expected to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the people in question are carried along in his/her day-to-day activity regardless of the circumstance.

     The last time I checked, there were series of crucial laws in the constitution under review seeking for urgent attention, thus the NASS members needn’t be told that the proposed amendments regarding immunity and life pension are extremely frivolous and trivial compared to others. The best thing that could happen to the clauses in the said constitution in regard to the issues under debate is to totally scrap the already existing ones, instead of adding more subsections. Against this backdrop, we plead with our knowledgeable lawmakers to pay attention to issues that would save this country from further collapse; therefore they must invariably endeavour to desist from any questionable attitude.  

     For crying out loud, Nigeria is too old and wise for her subjects to continue embarking on retrogressive matters when they are required to forge ahead. Obi may be addressed as a boy today, but it’s pertinent to acknowledge that someday he must attain to manhood. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

 Twitter: @mediambassador