The
ember months are here again. The months that mark the end of Gregorian
calendar, that invariably start from September and end with December, are
generally referred to as ‘Ember months.’ The term ‘Ember’ might not be unconnected
with the suffix that accompanies virtually all the months in question. On its
part, quest is a long search for what one desires; it can also be described as
an extreme passion attached to what someone wants or whatever he/she wishes to
possess. In the same vein, materialism is an act in which one thinks that money
and other material possessions are the most important things on earth.
The last time I checked, the three basic needs of man remained food,
clothing and textile. It’s equally worth noting that the three major desires of
any sane being are wealth, fame and power. It’s pathetic that currently mankind
has derailed profoundly as regards the avenue being embraced towards obtaining
any of these three desires. Unequivocally, the manner in which most Nigerians
parade themselves during the Ember months has become so worrisome to all concerned,
that, if proper and drastic measure isn’t taken by the apt authorities, it
might degenerate into an unimaginable state of doom in the nearest future.
The uncalled and irrational
quest for materialism among mankind, particularly the youth, especially during
the ember months, remains one of the rudimentary causes of the various
lingering social-vices taking place in all nooks and crannies. No doubt, the
current astonishing increase of death rate is attributable to some of these
vices, to include cultism, armed robbery, thuggery, prostitution, kidnapping,
drug trafficking, assassination, and what have you.
The astronomical prevalence of
the listed vices during ember months has made the former to seem synonymous
with the latter, thereby making people to perceive the season as forbidden. Aside
the aforementioned vices, there are other countless anomalies associated with
the period, such as over-speeding and cheating among sellers in various markets.
This is the reason road carnage is invariably on the rampage at such a time.
The truth is that, no one seems
to be safe during the ember months, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.
It is a period when an apprentice appears smarter than his master; a period
when various law enforcement agents, whom are meant to control the menace,
indulge themselves in all kinds of sabotage or unpatriotic acts; a period when an
average seller sales food stuffs with a cup’s bottom; a time when a commercial
driver wants to cover a 7-hour journey within three hours; and of course, a
season when a secondary school student feels like dropping from school towards
participating in any available ‘moneymaking’ activity.
Research indicates that the ongoing alarming quest for materialism or
youth restiveness is mainly occasioned by inconsequential rivalry, greed and/or
lack of contentment among the populace. This implies that the anomaly is a
product of man’s inability to face reality at a given circumstance, even when
the answer to the situation is very glaring.
Inconsequential rivalries are
those competitions that are not called for, or that seem unreasonable and
barbaric. On the average, politicians or established business men often indulge
in this practice. It’s usually observed among the aforementioned set of people
during electioneering era or when battling over supremacy, as the case may be.
Some youths also indulge in this act toward showcasing that they belong to the
ruling or most powerful class, with a view to proving that they are ahead of
their contemporaries. Some individuals often do all sorts of things to find
themselves in such class.
Greed or lack of contentment has also contributed immensely to man’s
intolerable quest for materialism, thereby setting the period that leads to any
festive season, such as the ember months, ablaze. Greed has arguably brought
humanity to a state of mockery, and has succeeded in tearing several unions or
societies apart. Against this backdrop, it’s needless to state that lack of
contentment has remained a colossal nightmare to mankind.
As we undergo another era of Ember months, it is our collective
responsibility to ensure that the commemoration of the forthcoming festive
seasons, Christmas and New Year precisely, takes place in a peaceful atmosphere.
Hence, I call on governments at all levels, schools, the civil society, religious
institutions, the mass media, as well as all well-meaning individuals, to do
everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the awaited Ember months
would bring nothing but a blessing to the Nigerian society in its totality.
This can be actualized by embarking on massive sensitization programme across
the country via town-hall meetings, street awareness, and issuance of bulk
SMSs, among others.
More so, the various relevant law enforcement agencies shouldn’t hesitate
to arrest any individual or group caught in any of the above listed acts, and
must ensure that the suspect is brought to book at all cost. In view of this,
the judicial custodians ought to endeavour to maintain speedy hearing of any
case relating to youth restiveness among others; such step would definitely serve
as a deterrent to all prospective criminals. The parents and guardians, on
their part, should at all times equally be mindful of what their children/wards
do, where they go to, as well as who they mingle with.
Those who are already party to
any of these uncivilized and blasphemous acts, or intend joining the chorus, ought
to acknowledge that it is only by the grace of God one can acquire laudable and
everlasting wealth, power, or fame come rain come shine. To before warned is to
before armed. 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.comTwitter: @mediambassador
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