#WisdomTablets (11)

Attracting Happiness To Your Relationship
_________________________________

The last time I checked, several ongoing relationships -
both marital and friendship - were seemingly going into
extinction simply because the parties involved were
only looking forward to discovering flaws from each
other.

Rather than being cantankerous, we are required to
pass through each day by thinking beyond our
limitations, considering the factual fact that no mortal
is flawless.

Learn to attract joy to your relationship instead of
chasing it away. Joy is no doubt a rare recipe that has
the ability of spicing up your union, even when there is
nothing material wise. Living for each other alone has
a great way of making you both feel so complete like
one who is on top of the world.

Try to make up the lapse you found in your partner because
that's one of the sole reasons you are there. Believe me, it's
when you have sacrificed enough in your relationship that
you would stand to enjoy every bit of it the more. Needless
to assert that it's all about sacrifice all the way.

Inter alia, you must be happy within yourself before you
can attract the happiness to your relationship. It's worth
noting that you cannot give what you don't have. Happiness
is just like a perfume; you can't pour it on others without
spraying a few drops on yourself.

Above all, you can't attract absolute happiness to your
relationship if you both are not close to your Creator.
Learn to submit your burden to Him having put in your
best. He alone remains the Alpha as well as the Omega.
Hence, you cannot move an inch without His consent.
#ThinkAboutIt


Follow me @mediambassador
http://facebook.com/TheMediaAmbassador
    
 

Opinion II Who Exactly is Deceiving Imolites?

WHO EXACTLY IS DECEIVING IMOLITES?

        

The last time I checked, most Imo people were really being deceived by a few ruthless cum unscrupulous politicians in the state. The sign of deceit was not unconnected to the awaited 2019 gubernatorial polls that would usher in an interregnum, or a successor to the sitting governor in the person of Chief Rochas Okorocha.

       

Each time I recall the aforementioned scenario, I found myself weeping inwards owing to the fact that if care isn’t taken, Imo may be taken aback come 2019; because if the needful is not done on time, we might live to mourn after the said election; because if Imolites allow it to flourish, I’m afraid, we may be filled with fathomless grief when we are expected to celebrate. Needless to assert that the pathway might lead to an unspeakable scene.

        

Deceit, particularly self-deceit, remains one of the worst things that could happen to mankind. If you are being deceived, hardly would you have the privilege to face reality; hence, before the reality would dawn on you, it would be too late. One who is being deceived is not unlike a television being manipulated with its remote. Same is applicable to self-deceit. Self-deceit is the act of one not telling him/herself the truth; the attitude of lying to yourself; and we are not unaware what that implies. The implications are grievous.

        

Someone who truly knows that he is not qualified for a particular position would go ahead telling people that he remains the only qualified person to handle such position if given the chance to do so. This is purely self-deceit. It is quite different from someone who doesn’t know that he is not qualified for the post in question. But whatever the case might be, deceit remains deceit, be it self- or not.

        

This piece is informed by the need for the teeming Imolites to realize the compelling need to be extremely careful. The need to stay closer to history. When I say ‘history’, I meant the state’s history. The need for them to desist from myopia; acknowledging that such sight defect is very harmful. A myopic person does not see from afar; he cannot catch the sight of a distant object. It suffices to say that a myopic individual is in a pathetic condition, thus deserves reasonable sympathy from his/her teeming friends and relatives.

        

Imolites need to shine their eyes as much as possible; if possible, they ought to keep them broadly open at all times. Many people by the corner are seeking for a slightest space to devour the good people of the state; and if eventually given the chance, I’m afraid, this state might be sold to interested buyers. Imo is not in any way for sale, so we shouldn’t be deceived by anyone who poses as the messiah while in the real sense, he is actually a monster.

        

First, we must not let the ongoing zoning mantra becloud our sense of logic. Yes, zoning begets equity, and the latter begets fairness. And no society can thrive if whatever that’s in vogue is not fair to all concerned. But, zoning ought not to be the paramount factor to consider when seeking for a suitable head that would succeed the current governor; rather, we are bound to concentrate on competence, antecedents and trustworthiness.

        

If peradventure someone from Imo East Senatorial zone, or Imo North zone, emerges the next governor of the Eastern Heartland come 2019, but turns out to be a mediocre person or a hypocrite, what then would be the fate of the state? This is why we shouldn’t be laying emphasis on the so-called zoning. I, personally, am not in any way against zoning but we are expected to focus mainly on the rudimentary factors at such a time like this.

        

Secondly, we shouldn’t attempt making a mistake of adopting anyone to run for governorship position, simply because we were promised heaven and earth. If anyone promised you whatever, as a wise or discerning individual/group, you are meant to go extra mile in ascertaining where actually the aspirant is coming from. And your findings should not stop at that; you are equally required to ascertain what the person had been able to achieve in the past while occupying one or two minor/lower positions.

         

Imo remains a state reckoned to be adored owing to its uniqueness. Because, it is an entity made up of countless well-learned, informed and widely travelled individuals. So, it would be a shame for any member of the state to be cajoled into indulging in trivial matters, thereby relegating meaningful issues to the background. We need to be well tutored on the consequences of such action.

         

Hence, at this juncture, I urge us to sit up towards understanding that not all that glitters is gold. In view of this, we must be sober at all times and at all cost too. Imo is indeed too old and wise to be drawn backward, so no space should be given for such uncalled agendum to be actualized. We may not have the time to discuss this topic again, thus a word is undoubtedly enough for the wise.

         

Above all, the political parties involved must also do what is expected of them. Their respective leaderships must jettison their selfish interests toward ensuring that only a qualified candidate becomes the party’s flag bearer. A costly blunder could be deadly; we must invariably take this fact into cognizance. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

________________________________

Follow: @mediambassador

http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor   

         

ShortStory II Complicated Odyssey

COMPLICATED ODYSSEY
(A True-Life Story)

       I was conspicuously a vibrant and outspoken but gentle chap as an undergraduate of the revered Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Imo State, Nigeria. Being a Lagos brought-up, I found it more convenient spending my school holidays in the ancient city of Lagos State where I had countless reliable friends as well as relatives.

       During one of my semester breaks, I had travelled to the said territory, as usual, to catch funs with my childhood contemporaries who could not apparently wait to have my presence. On my arrival to my destination by land, at about 6:30pm on a Thursday, I was sure penniless that I needed to visit the nearest available bank first thing the following day towards making a withdrawal from the account I maintained, via an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). I needn’t bother making the proposed transaction that same day since it was already late, and perhaps my chief host wouldn’t want me to further undergo stress after all the hurdles encountered on my way.

        First thing the following day being Friday, as planned, I got dressed and headed for one of the commercial banks in my vicinity. On reaching the area in question having stepped out from the cab I boarded, popularly known as ‘Keke’, I caught the sight of a very frightening queue whose members were expected to make use of the ATM; the queue was not unlike an Independence Parade that took place at Eagle’s Square in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) penultimate year during Nigeria’s Independence anniversary. Funnily enough, there were about five ATMs mounted at the arena but only one was seemingly functional.

        Beloved, I was therein bewildered as I contemplated on the next action to take. I took a deep breath and hastily exhaled the gas while I stood aloof from afar watching each member of the pathetically-looking queue moved like a millipede that was deeply drenched, as I was yet to make up my mind whether or not to follow suit, or consider going to another bank located about fifteen kilometres (15km) away. Each of the thoughts emanating from my smart mind amounted to fear of the unknown. First, I wasn’t sure and could not imagine how long I had to wait if I joined the sluggishly-moving train. Secondly, I was still unsure if the ATM of the next bank was functional at the moment since it was no longer news that most ATMs mounted at various banks across Nigeria were just for decoration’s sake. Thirdly, assumed that the bank’s ATM was functional, I was not in good position to foresee the length of the queue I would encounter over there. Hence, I was placed in dilemma.

        At last, having taken a well-thought conclusion, I joined the intimidating queue. Mind you; while I stood aloof watching the queue, about twenty persons had already walked in and queued up. In other words, I was now standing behind those who came after my arrival; acknowledgement of such fact alone widened the size of my perturbed mood and annoyance. Notwithstanding, I told myself I had to wait patiently till the end since ostensibly I had no other choice, coupled with the fact that I was desperately in need of cash because my humble pocket was damn wretched.

         Before I realized it, one hour had come and graciously passed, yet there were about fifteen individuals to make use of the machine before it gets to my turn. I quickly looked around and smiled inwards; rather than being more anxious, I was consoled that over forty persons were standing behind me. Minutes later, I was eventually the fifth person to transact with the machine; but at this point, the network became so slow that it took an individual over fifteen minutes to scale through his/her transaction. Thus, my temper increased unannounced.

        “What kind of country is this?” I murmured.

        “I am sorry.” said the young lady who stood directly behind me.

          I turned and looked at her. “You need not be, my dear,” I replied, got my eyes fixed on hers. “Because you are equally in the same shoes with me.” I added in a jiffy.

        “But I can see, you are more disturbed than me.” She observed.

          I smiled. “Really?” I exclaimed and turned completely to her as if I wasn’t in need of the ATM anymore.

         She was obviously pretty – tall, slim and dark – clad in a purplish gown designed specifically for a red-carpet occasion.

         “Of course,” she responded. “It’s obvious.”

         “How?” I enquired. “Why do you think so?”

         “It is written all over you.”

         “Hmm..” I murmured.

         “You don’t need to be surprised.” she urged. “Anyone around would notice that you can’t wait any longer.”

          Her outspokenness further attracted me to her person. By this moment, I was the third person to use the seeming god-forsaken machine that had kept me waiting impatiently for almost two hours.

         “You must be a student?” I thought aloud, still facing her but not wholly anymore. “I mean, an undergraduate?” I hurriedly supplemented.

         “Why did you say so?” inquired she.

         “While looking at your level of composure,” I said, twisted myself. “One would know you are not from the gutter.”

         “Really..?”

         “Yea.”

         “Well, sorry to disappoint you.” quoth she. “I graduated from the university three years ago.”

          I was immediately shocked over the information, though I was still of the view that she was merely pulling my leg.

         “I am currently on my P.H.D.” She added frankly.

          The last notice brought another shocker. I stared at her again and again as if I was yet to notice her presence. Going by her countenance and stature, she could not be more than 22-year-old. I was then 23 but in my fourth year in FUTO; my degree studies were meant to last for five years.

         “Are you sure about this?” I managed to utter, remained jittery.

         “Of course..” she frantically replied. “How could I lie with such thing?”

         I strongly looked at her in silent awe.

        “I studied Mass Communication in Convent University,” she rode on. “I did my Masters in California University.”

         I shook my head uncontrollably. “Please,” I uttered. “How old are you?”

        “I am 21.” She answered.

        “Oh my God..!” I exclaimed at the top of my voice as I marveled over the challenging revelation.

        All eyes were shifted to my side. I was the next person to use the ATM, so the crowd thought I was grateful that it eventually got to my turn. I hastily backed her, shifting my attention to the awaited machine as I pondered over the uncommon information.

        I felt like strangulating myself since at 23, I was still struggling to acquire a first degree; whilst at her 21, she was already undergoing her P.hD programme. However, I had to console myself with the fact that we all were created with different destinies.

        Beloved, worse still, few seconds later as I was damn ready to make use of the ATM, the fucking machine stopped working abruptly. The unimaginable mirage took my person to a slight state of coma.

        To be continued, please!

FDN Nwaozor 

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com 

Twitter: @mediambassador

http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor 

              

              

Opinion II Today June 26 is, Int'l Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

COMMEMORATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

     

 June 26 annually, the global community commemorates the 2017 edition of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day is being observed by all the United Nations (UN) Member States towards sensitizing the general public on the evitable dangers inherent in drug abuse and its illegal trafficking, and how the societal cankerworm can be holistically crucified.

       

The day was established by law in the year 1987 by the United Nations (UN) following the unanimous resolution reached on 7^th December 1987 by its General Assembly. The said Assembly decided to observe June 26 of every year as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation in order to achieve the goal of seeing an International Society that is totally free from all forms of drug abuse.

                              

The last time I checked, one of the optimum desires of any society in a sober state was to experience a serene and tranquil atmosphere, and the Nigerian society isn’t exceptional. In other words, every man’s paramount desire is to embrace a trouble-free environment or atmosphere since every society is comprised at least a man. This significantly means that a Nigerian, on the average, looks forward to embracing a Nigerian society that can wholly boast of a trouble-free environment.

      

An abuse, in a nutshell, can be described as a misuse of anything whilst drug is any substance used as a medicine or an illegal substance taken for its stimulating and other effects. Thus, drug abuse is simply the misuse of a substance used either as a medicine or stimulant. On its part, illicit drug trafficking is an act involving an illegal trading in drugs or other related substances forbidden by law.

       

Considering the above definitions, apparently drug abuse is a social ill that involves two distinct dimensions. It could be the misuse of a substance used as a medicine or the improper intake of medicine by an individual. Secondly, it could be the intake or misuse of a stimulant that’s not supported by law such as cocaine, cannabis, marijuana, and Indian helm, just to mention but a few. The former is often as a result of ignorance or negligence, while the latter is wholly a criminal and illegal act, and appears to be more dangerous to both human and animal health compare to the former.

       

Prior to the resolution for an International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 1987, the UN General Assembly understood that in spite of the continual and increasing efforts by the international community, the global drug predicament continued to constitute a severe threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity especially the young people, and the national security and sovereignty of States thereby undermining the socio-economic and political stability of the affected nations.

       

Thereafter the resolution was reached, the Assembly encouraged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to continue its work on International Drug Control, and went further to urge all governments to provide the fullest possible financial cum political assistance to enable the organization (UNODC) actualize its objectives. The UNODC recognizes that the effort of every stakeholder and corporate body is required toward actualizing the prime motive of this commemoration.

       

To this end, as the world celebrates this remarkable day, I call on governments, NGOs, religious bodies, civil societies, medical experts, every concerned law enforcement agency, the media, and all well-meaning individuals across the globe, particularly Nigeria, to do everything humanly possible to raise awareness of the unquantifiable harm caused by drug abuse and its illicit trafficking.

      

We can contribute our respective quotas by ensuring that anyone caught in the act is reported to the apt quarter as soon as possible to enable the law act aptly as requested. Similarly, the Traditional Rulers can be of vital help by fishing out the bad eggs in their midst regarding drug abuse and thereafter drag them to the nearby police station for onward prosecution.

      

In regard to self-medication and other forms of drug abuse attributed to ignorance or lack of orientation, a thorough awareness campaign on the dangers of intake of drugs without the consent of a qualified physician ought to be embarked on by every relevant organization such as the civil society and religious institutions, and every avenue including the mass media should be used to reach out to the general public.

      

The plight occasioned by illicit trafficking cannot be adequately addressed without the candid and thorough involvement of such concerned authorities as the Nigerian Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). The former must ensure that their personnel are equally mounted on our various major roads toward ensuring that various vehicles as well as travellers are duly checked if necessary; the latter ought to equally endeavour to work hand-in-hand with the former at the various borders toward attaining accuracy and efficiency.

      

Both agencies shouldn’t hesitate, either individually or collectively, to prosecute any suspect no matter whose ox is gored to serve as a deterrent to other intending traffickers. Above all, the Ministry of Interior must ensure that all the relevant agencies or commissions are living up to the expectations, come rain come shine.    

      

On their part, the individuals or group of persons abusing the drugs should also help themselves. They ought to acknowledge the fact that misuse of medicine such as self-medication, consumption of medicine without consulting an apt medical expert, and intake of over/under dose contrary to the doctor’s prescription, are all a death-trap that could take one’s life unannounced.

      

Those who take hard drugs or the ones the law forbids, which invariably lead to anxiety, panic, depression, brain fag or damage of brain cells, mental imbalance, protracted illnesses, death, or what have you, should note that the ongoing restrictions as stipulated by law are solely for the sake of their well-being. On their part, those involved in the illegal cultivation, production, or trafficking of the hard drugs ought to be aware that many have lost their precious lives in the process while many are presently rotting in jail.

       

Though most of these hard drugs are very useful raw-materials often used in several firms to manufacture a quite number of useful products or finished goods, the obvious fact remains that we’re not meant to consume them when they are still in their raw states. Thus, we must be very conscious of this assertion irrespective of the circumstance we find ourselves.

       

There is also need for us to acknowledge that absolute decency is required while consuming those stimulants that are not forbidden by law such as snuff popularly known as ‘Utaba’, cigarette, cigar, whisky, dry gin otherwise referred to as ‘Kai-Kai’, et cetera. We are required to comport ourselves in whatever action we take or while exercising any lifestyle, so that, our paramount desire of embracing a trouble-free and tranquil society would be duly actualized. Think about it!

          

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

-----------------------------

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

Opinion I Today June 23 is, Int'l Widows' Day!!

CONFRONTING ONGOING VULNERABILITY OF WIDOWHOOD AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2017 INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY ON FRIDAY JUNE 23

        

Today, June 23, the world over is commemorating the annual International Widows’ Day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN). The International Widows’ Day is a UN ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. 

        

The day was established in 2005 by Raj Loomba. The establishment was made under the aegis of The Loomba Foundation to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on 21^st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly. The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Never alone’, which is targeted towards letting any widow realize that she is not standing alone regardless of the circumstance.

        

Though anywhere in the world, anyone found in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged because his/her partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. In Africa, particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman is passing through the ordeal.

         

In Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow irrespective of her status, is severely molested, intimidated as well as humiliated. The major plight faced by a widow in this part of the world is deprivation of her late husband’s properties or possessions by her teeming in-laws. In this case, she would be banned from making use of anything belonging to the deceased, thereby making her appear like a mere slave in her matrimonial home.

          

In most cases, the widow in question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through. In some quarters, to prove her innocence, the poor widow would be mandated by the accusers to drink the water used in washing her late husband’s corpse; a practice that obviously seems highly irrational and barbaric.

         

To worsen the matter, she might even be sent out of her matrimonial home as if she was not legitimately married to the deceased. Even if she begot a child for the deceased, she would be asked to leave with the child for her parental home. It’s worth noting that this aspect of intimidation can make the sufferer commit suicide unannounced owing to the gravity of ignominy attached to the ordeal. 

          

Most pathetically, based on the locality, a widow may be subjected to marry her late husband’s sibling, which is often referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’. Funnily enough, the so-called prospective husband of the widow may even be a married man or sometimes an imbecile.

          

As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the International Widows’ Day, we must acknowledge that in our respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that these ugly ubiquitous melodramas as regards humiliation of widows are totally eradicated. We can assist in the ongoing campaign by ensuring that in our respective jurisdictions, a widow is not treated unjustly.

         

Similarly, every widow should be conscientized on the need to fight for her right irrespective of the circumstance. Widowers should equally be supported in any possible way in order to keep them away from any form of emotional or psychological trauma.

         

The civil rights lawyers shouldn’t hesitate to pursue any legal case regarding widowhood that’s brought to their chambers even if the plaintiff lacks the financial muscle. In the same vein, the civil society as well as the religious bodies ought to put up a holistic sensitization toward making the general public understand the repercussion of treating a widow or widower, as the case may be, unjustly.

         

The widows on their part are required to form a formidable coalition in any locality they find themselves to enable them possess one voice towards tackling any form of maltreatment they are usually faced. By so doing, they can assist each other in solving any predicament.   
           

They, particularly the less privileged ones, should equally desist from exercising despair. It’s no doubt very painful for one’s marriage/life partner to depart eternally, but that shouldn’t make the victim of such circumstance see it as the end of the world. So, such circumstance shouldn’t make them resort to any act, such as prostitution and begging, that would ridicule their persons. Rather, they ought to absorb it as one of the inevitable challenges nature brings, thereby making them appear stronger both physically and psychologically. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador