Opinion I Police Orderlies, VIPs And The IGP's Order

POLICE ORDERLIES, VIPs AND THE IGP’s ORDER

       

It’s not anymore news that sustenance of adequate security in any given country remains a major responsibility the government owns the governed. This is the reason the various security outfits in such a society including the police, among others, are invariably charged to stop at nothing towards doing the needful in their respective jurisdictions.

         

Penultimate week, precisely on Monday, 18^th March 2018, during his meeting with Police Commissioners and Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Ibrahim Idris ordered immediate withdrawal of all police orderlies attached to “Very Important Persons” (VIPs) and firms – particularly private individuals and companies – with exception of financial institutions like banks.

        

The order was following what the boss described as the “effects of the current security challenges in the country”. He stated that the need for streamlining the deployment of orderlies to VIPs was aimed at enhancing effective and efficient policing across the length and breadth of the nation.

        

Mr. Idris however disclosed that business entrepreneurs, multi-national organizations, corporate individuals and entities that require such services and are found to be worthy, will be considered from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on application for re-validation through states’ commissioners.

        

In view of this, according to him, a memorandum would be forwarded to the President for approval, and that would henceforth “serve as a guideline or template for deployment of police officers to VIPs, political office holders” and public officers in general.

        

The IGP, who recently ordered that all prohibited arms and ammunition should be returned to the police within twenty one days, equally used the occasion to frown at the ongoing proliferation of the police Spy Number plates, covering of Plate numbers as well as illicit use of siren among highly placed Nigerians. Hence, urged his men to take maximum control of the anomaly.

       

Though the order seems to be the first of its kind under the reign of Mr. Idris, it bears essentially the same content as similar directives issued by his predecessors such as Ogbonna Onovo, Hafiz Ringim and Solomon Arase but failed to hold water in the long run. It suffices to assert that it is almost as often as the instruction for officers to desist from mounting roadblocks on our major roads, yet as days unfold, the ugly practice takes a different dimension. This is exactly where my utmost worry lies. 

         

It is gathered that about 150,000 police personnel out of a total workforce of about 400,000 across the country are attached to private individuals and companies, leaving only about 250,000 to take charge of state and community policing. The given statistics is a clear indication that these police officers are more used in the quarters they were not primarily meant for, hence the compelling need to have a review of the Force’s deployment policy.

         

I cannot agree less with any Nigeria who opines that the country is at the moment strongly in need of more hands as regards community policing. This is why Mr. Idris needs to expedite action towards ensuring that this directive of his does not fall on deaf ears as we have always witnessed in the past.

         

It’s even mind-boggling when noted that some of these police orderlies are safeguarding alleged culpable individuals. The system has become so bad that any influential person can walk up to the police quarters and demand for any number of orderlies, and such request can never be turned down. This is arguably a worrisome situation that deserves a keen and drastic attention.

        

It can’t be untrue that after several weeks of urging prohibited arms and ammunition to be returned to the police, many civilians are still illicitly in possession of the said devices. Does such behaviour not signify that most individuals are mightier than the institutions, or more powerful than the extant laws?  

        

As IGP Idris has also lamented over the lingering proliferation of the Spy Number Plates, covering of Plate Numbers and illegal use of siren, he ought to equally take into cognizance of the ongoing unauthorized use of tilted glasses that has abruptly become the order of the day in various nooks and crannies of the Nigerian society.

         

More so, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that the NPF needs to be boosted with additional manpower and working incentives to help in cushioning the excruciating effects of insecurity ravaging virtually every facet of the country. Each day, we are reminded that unemployment remains one of the greatest socio-economic bedbugs living in our midst, yet the workforce of most of our institutions are nothing to write home about.

          

As the IGP has later instructed that the implementation of the new order ought to fully take effect from April 20, 2018 rather than the earlier directive that bore ‘immediate effect’ to enable the various Commissioners of Police (CPs) aptly carryout the consignment , I enjoin them to ensure that the past mistakes aren’t repeated in this era. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

   

Opinion I As Eboe-Osuji Makes History In ICC

AS EBOE-OSUJI MAKES HISTORY IN ICC

        

In one of the serious conversations I had in the past with a professor friend who is equally my old time mentor, the don categorically told me that the best thing that could happen to any rational human creature was to leave legacies on the sands of time. Therein, I strongly looked into his eyes and asked him, “what is the best step to be taken to ensure that such feat is actualized?”

         

In a candid manner, he responded unequivocally “my dear, you will never leave legacies if you are not a sound and independent thinker”. To throw more light, he further stated that independent thinkers do not allow anyone to think for them, hence on a daily basis, they cough up reasonable time thinking of how to make a difference. This simply signifies that whatever we do in life is begotten by our thinking faculty.

         

It is indeed glad and amazing to note that while many were invariably busy thinking of how to ferment trouble in the land, a certain Nigerian jurist was doggedly busy thinking about how to make remarkable history. He is no other than Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji of Imo State extraction.

         

Judge Eboe-Osuji, a fine lawyer with a difference, was on Sunday 11^th March 2018 elected the President of the revered International Criminal Court (ICC). The legal luminary, who bagged his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Calabar, Cross-River State and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986, is the first Nigerian to record such a feat.

        

The ICC, which is an intergovernmental body and international tribunal, has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the global crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity as well as war crimes. Its primary intent is to complement existing national judicial systems. Hence, it exercises its functions when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute criminals, or when the United Nations (UN) Security Council or individual states refer situations to the court. It commenced its statutory duties precisely on 1^st July 2002.     

         

Judge Eboe-Osuji, born on 2^nd September 1962, further obtained his Masters of Law degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1991 and Doctor of Law degree from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. On December 16, 2011, he was elected as a judge of the ICC; he won the office in the fifteenth ballot in the Assembly of States Parties with 102 votes.

         

He would be serving as President in the war crimes tribunal for a three-year term with immediate effect, alongside Judges Robert Fremr of the Czech Republic and Marc Perrin de Brichambant of France who were respectively elected as First Vice-President and Second Vice-President. The presidency, consisting of the president and the two vice-presidents, plays a key role in providing strategic leadership to the ICC.

         

In his victory statement, which he released immediately after the election, Judge Eboe-Osuji said, “I am deeply honoured to have been elected by my peers as President of the International Criminal Court. As I take up my duties, I feel encouraged that I am able to rely on the wide experience of the two vice-presidents,…, both of whom I have closely worked with previously…”

         

The 55-year-old Judge Eboe-Osuji who practised briefly in Nigeria after he was called to the Bar before migrating to abroad, had prior to his election as the President of the ICC served in various capacities. From 1997 to 2005, he worked at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) as prosecution counsel and senior legal officer to the judges of the tribunal.

        

From 2005 to 2007, he worked in Canada as a barrister and law lecturer. He became the Legal Adviser to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, in 2010; just to mention but a few. It’s noteworthy that he was equally called to the Ontario and British Columbia Bars, both in Canada.

        

I therefore join other well-meaning Nigerians – both home and in the Diaspora – to celebrate this rare gem who has proven that he has hitherto been working round the clock to write his name in gold; that he is a true Nigerian; that he’s one of the few who believes in leaving footprints on the sands of time; that he’s unarguably an independent thinker.

        

However, as we celebrate this Imo-born distinguished fellow, it’s worthy of note that he is expected to see this position as a stepping stone, and not the limit of his career. In view of this, I challenge him to work extra mile toward ensuring that in the next three years when he is expected to take a bow, he would be leaving the jurisdiction far better than he met it.

        

Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji needs to take into cognizance that millions of Nigerians now look up to his person, hence the need for him to carry out his obligatory duties as a role model. He mustn’t be reminded at all times that, by recording this feat, he has written his name in the Guinness Book of Record, thus is required to do everything humanly possible to defend it.

        

The Nigerian government, on its part, ought to as well learn how best to celebrate their own when he/she makes them proud. Their appreciation shouldn’t stop at a mere Twitter tweet. Overtime whenever a Nigerian distinguished him/herself in the global sphere, you would only observe a government official – on behalf of the Presidency or as may be the case – congratulating the fellow merely via a tweet on the social media. We must go beyond such gesture while appreciating our own for updating the country’s presence on the world map.

         

As this unique jurist makes history in the ICC, as much as I enjoin him to sustain the tempo, other Nigerians thinking how to ferment trouble are equally urged to individually have a rethink with a view to thinking how remarkable history could be made. And, it’s needless to state that the government ought to be willing to seek the wealth of experience of such a citizen who has succeeded in writing his name in gold. Think about it! 

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador                    

Opinion I APC, Araraume And The Rumpus on Defection

APC, ARARAUME AND THE RUMPUS ON DEFECTION

       

The last time I holistically checked, the heat was really on in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, the Eastern Heartland that even the high-ranking members were ostensibly perturbed, thus preoccupied with fear of the unknown.

        

‘Fear of the unknown’, which remains a menace that has over the decades bedevilled the human race, is a cankerworm that can attack anyone regardless of his or her status, age or background. It has existed unabated among mankind that it could play guest to anybody’s nervous system at anytime. In Physics, the uncertainty principle can to an extent analyze how the aforementioned societal canker operates on a daily basis.

         

Lest I digress; the emergence of this piece was informed by the lingering rumour that one of the staunch members of the APC, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume is considering defecting from the party to elsewhere. According to the rumpus associated with the rumour, the said intent of the political juggernaut might not be unconnected with the premonition that the political family is likely not to be accommodating or hospitable in the nearest future.

         

This implies that Sen. Araraume is perhaps marred by fear of the unknown or what have you; that he has abruptly become pessimistic over his chances in the party; that he no longer believes in the family; that he has lost interest in the modus operandi of the party; or that he has thought it wise to relocate to where he would feel more at home.

         

It’s noteworthy that Sen. Araraume is one of the prime gubernatorial aspirants in the state. The erstwhile lawmaker, who had in the past represented the Imo-North Senatorial District in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, has remained in the frontline of the state’s guber race since 2007 till date.

         

He was actually the governorship card bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2007 general elections. But along the line, luck ran against his person, hence the party apex leadership decided to adopt another candidate in the person of Chief Ikedi Ohakim who belonged to a different political platform known as the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA). In view of this, their members were conscientized to vote for the PPA rather than the PDP. In a nut shell, the man called Araraume was during the period in review robbed of his entitlement by his political kinsmen.

         

Subsequently, he was never deterred by his past experiences. Hence, in 2011, owing to his seeming resolute and resilient nature, he persistently aspired for the same position. Luck equally ran against him in the PDP, thus he couldn’t grab the guber ticket from the party. In 2015, the vigour in him remained unchangeable; yet, as usual his fate didn’t smile on his person. 

        

And, presently, he is still passionately holding on to the wise words of the past American President, Abraham Lincoln who said, “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” In other words, Sen. Araraume who graciously defected from the PDP to the ruling APC two years ago, is at the moment still strongly determined to emerge as the number one citizen of the revered Imo.

          

Now, the rumour is on high speed that he is thinking of leaving the APC. It’s worthy of note that the party could currently boast of four major gubernatorial aspirants to include the state’s Deputy Governor – Prince Eze Madumere, the former Secretary to the State’s Government – Sir Jude Ejiogu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor – Chief Uche Nwosu, and the man in question – Sen. Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume.

        

Though it could be an unsubstantial rumour that Sen. Araraume alongside his likes is making effort to defect from the APC, it is with great concern I wish to advise him to jettison such move if he is truly thinking towards such direction. I’m not unaware that he wants to become the governor ‘by all means’, thus wouldn’t like to sense any other form of barrier on his way, but he must take into cognizance that any move to defect from the APC will drastically reduce his popularity.

        

Aside losing the fame he has earned for years, he is also liable to lose some – if not most – of his allies and protégés. I’m not a fan of Araraume, and not thinking to become one, but I detest with passion any move that is accompanied with cowardice. In other words, I’m enjoining all the aspirants in the APC to struggle vehemently to the end so that their respective supporters will remain proud of them at the end of the show. Politics is about competition, thus theirs won’t be an exception.

        

My interest is to ensure that a balance and formidable rivalry is sustained among all the aspirants in the APC as well as other political parties relevant to the state’s political terrain, and that of Nigeria in general. No one should see a political platform as a farmyard belonging to a certain individual, or only one person. No one owns an association, be it social, political or what have you. An incorporated company or firm – but not an association – can be owned by someone. The latter can only be founded by an individual but can never belong to him or her.

         

The moment the founder, or one of the founding members, of an association starts acting or parading him/herself as the owner, then the organization in question is likely on its way to extinction. This is the reason every member of any existing association, irrespective of position or rank, is said to possess equal rights and privileges in accordance with the constitution.

          

So, either unfounded or genuine, I wouldn’t like such an ongoing rumour constituting a rumpus to metamorphose into reality for the interest of us all, and Imo at large.  It was also Abraham Lincoln that said, “The probability that we may fail in struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”  Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador

 

ShortStory I Greater Day Ahead (II)

 

GREATER DAY AHEAD (II)

        One week later, as God would have it, his church raised the required fund on his behalf. In consequence to this, his Pastor accompanied him to his school for the awaited registration. It was indeed a miracle just like his mother kept telling him.

        Prior to the exam period, Uzo left no stone unturned towards ensuring that he made distinction in all his subjects. He was thoroughly determined to make his mum who he regarded as an ‘angel’ proud. He was a notable science student in his school that in every interschool exhibition/competition involving the school, he must be the school’s representative or one of the representatives as might be the case.

        When the results were released in August 1994, he came out with flying colours just as he anticipated. More interestingly, he was not just the best candidate among his set/peers but was the overall best in the whole of Lagos State. As regards the amazing performance, he was granted a scholarship by the state’s government to study his dream course, Medicine and Surgery in any university across the federation.

          His mum, Ugonma couldn’t hold her joy. On hearing the latest development, she felt like running from Lagos to Abia State – her home state. She alongside her entire family dedicated the rare victory to God. And, she challenged her other four children to follow suit. They were made to realize that their elder brother had laid a tremendous foundation for them, hence had no reason to fail.

          The following year being 1995, Uzo sat for the University Matriculation Examination (UME) – now known as the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). He enrolled for the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study Medicine.

        Consequently, he made an excellent grade when the result came out later in the year, and he successfully secured admission in the university on merit toward the end of the year in question.

          Before he departed for the campus, he had an indoor one-on-one meeting that lasted for several minutes, if not hours, with his wonderful and darling mother.

        “Uzo my son,” Ugonma called. “I have always told you that God makes a way where there seems to be no way.”

         Uzo grinned, visualizing the memory lane.

         They were seated on separate plastic chairs situated in their humble room. Ugonma who was plump, about 4.8-foot tall and chocolate, was putting on a pink casual dress and barefooted. On his part, Uzo was clad in multiple-coloured knickers, green polo spotted with white colour and equally barefooted; he was slim, fair and about 5.5-foot tall – he was a reminiscent of his late father. They were seated directly opposite each other, but very closely.

        “Now you can see for yourself.” she proceeded. “Of course you have seen how miraculous our Lord is.”

        “Mum, you are absolutely right.” he responded. “He is indeed a miracle working God.”

        “I am happy for you, my son.”

        “Thank you mum.”

        “Now that you are in the university.” she proceeded, calmly grabbed his two hands with hers respectively. “You must not forget where you are coming from.”

         She continued relentlessly till both of them became saturated. It was a holistic counselling section.

         The following three days, Uzo left for the campus. While in the university, as an ardent and gifted singer as well as one who could play an organ perfectly, he never abandoned his artistic talent rather he became more devoted to the calling.

         As time progressed, as a first year medical student and a well brought up chap, Uzo was taking three major things very seriously; they were – his prayers, studies and talent. He resisted everything that was liable to make him a failure.

         Amazingly, his singing talent took him round the state and beyond owing to uncountable public functions as well as competitions he was engaged in, that at a point, he was chosen to represent Nigeria in one international singing competition that involved students of various tertiary institutions in the world.

         In the aforesaid competition, Uzo emerged as the overall best. In addition to the astonishing prizes attached to the award which included hundred thousand US dollars, a duplex in Lagos State and a Range Over Jeep, the organizer of the event – the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – issued him a scholarship to study his discipline in any university of his choice across the globe up to any level. But Uzo chose to remain in UNILAG so he would not be far from his beloved family.

         On receiving the incredible news, his mother Ugonma passed out due to overwhelming euphoria but regained her wellness after forty-eight hours in a hospital bed.

         Little did the poor widow know that, there was a greater day that lied ahead when her son was granted a scholarship by the Lagos State government.

        From that moment onwards, their family’s life changed overnight. Everything including food, clothes and adequate shelter became available. To assert the least, they never lacked again.

       The rest is history, please.

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

 

          

          

Opinion I Today is World Water Day!

PROMOTING REGULAR INTAKE OF CLEAN WATER AS THE 2018 WORLD WATER DAY IS COMMEMORATED ON THURSDAY MARCH 22

     

      

Today, Thursday March 22, the world over is marking the 2018 World Water Day. The international World Water Day is held annually across the globe as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. This year’s theme is ‘Nature for Water.’

         

Water is a clear, colourless and transparent liquid that has no taste or smell, and that is required for the survival of all plant and animal lives. In the same vein, a large amount or area of either natural or manmade water such as lake, pond, pool, river, sea, ocean, and so on, can be referred to as water or waters.

        

Water, which is as old as the world, is consumed as food by both animals and humans, and it is also required in various fields of endeavour or human activities including, farming, cooking, manufacturing, sports, bath, hand washing, brushing of teeth, laundry, sanitation cum other forms of domestic and environmental activities, just to mention but a few.

         

The functions of water in the body ranging from cell life, to chemical and metabolic reactions, transport of nutrients, body temperature regulation, elimination of waste or toxic substances, among others, are numerous and innumerable. Water is a carrier that distributes essential nutrients such as minerals, vitamins and glucose, to cells. Furthermore, it removes waste products including toxins rejected by the cells through urines, sweats and faeces. It also participates in the biochemical breakdown of whatever we consume.

         

Inter alia, water has a large heat capacity which helps to limit changes in body temperature in a warm or a cold environment. It allows the body to release heat when ambient temperature is higher than body temperature. Most importantly, water is an effective lubricant around joints; it also acts as a shock absorber for eyes, brain, spinal cord, and even for the foetus through amniotic fluid.

         

Water is indeed at the centre of life. This is why nobody can live more than three to five days without any water intake. Suffice to say that, its role in the body is not just important, but inevitable. It has succeeded in proving to mankind that it is the most important form of food among the six classes of food in existence.

        

 Considering the agricultural sector; the absence of water would simply cripple the entire activity in the aforementioned area thereby terminating the lives of crops or livestock, as the case may be. Same is obtainable in the manufacturing industry, like the pharmaceutical firms, bakery and breweries, that requires water as one of the basic raw-materials for its day-to-day activities.

         

The positive impact of water on cooking and other household cum industrial works, is another factor that cannot be taken for granted whenever the societal importance of water is discussed. It is noteworthy that without water, most other forms of food or diet would not be prepared or provided. On the other hand; swimming, which is one of the most lucrative kinds of sporting activities in recent times, wouldn’t have been founded if water is not obtainable.

         

As it is widely noted that the significance of water to mankind cannot be overemphasized, it is also worthy to note that intake of dirty or impure water remains one of the primary causes of several diseases or infections such as, typhoid, diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, staphylococcus and other sexually transmitted diseases, experienced across the globe.

         

Without mincing words, statistics show that over sixty percent (60%) of death rate recently is attributed to consumption of unclean water as well as residing in an unsafe environment. We shouldn’t forget that accommodating dirty stagnant water such as gutter, pool et cetera, in our environments or vicinities attracts mosquito which remains the sole cause of a killer disease known as malaria. According to the United Nations (UN) findings; 768 million people worldwide lack access to improved water sources while 2.5 billion persons have no improved sanitation.

         

As the global community commemorates the World Water Day, I call on all stakeholders and the civil society to pledge to develop the policies needed to ensure that sustainable water and energy are secured for the many and not just the few as it is presently the case. In this regard, we should ensure that our respective communities are provided with adequate and safe water sources.

          

On their part; the various ministries of Water Resources and their Environment counterparts, ought to ensure that adequate and reliable boreholes are sunk in every community that is related to them and also endeavour to sponsor series of radio/television jingles to sensitize the populace on the unavoidable role of clean water as well as safe environment. The various Water Corporations are also expected to live up to the expectations. 

         

Similarly, there’s equally an urgent need to monitor borehole drilling by residents in various quarters with a view to avoiding any future manmade disaster such as earthquake or what have you. Improper sinking of borehole and other related activities poses environmental threat to the affected dwellers.

          

Among all, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) ought to, from time to time, endeavour to checkmate the activities of the various registered water companies. Also, it should not hesitate to sanction or closedown any one that is set up illicitly.

           

Most importantly, in our individual capacities, we ought to endeavour to properly boil any water we intend to drink, and also adequately sanitize any stagnant pool of water within our surroundings as well as fumigate the said environments when necessary, in order to guarantee purity and thorough sanitary thereby boasting the safety and well-being of our bodies. To before warned is to before armed. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador                    

Opinion I On The Controversy Trailing NASS' Pay Package

ON THE CONTROVERSY TRAILING NASS’ PAY PACKAGE

        

There are three major arms of government in any democratic terrain to include the executive, legislature and the judiciary. The legislature, which is our subject matter, is a group of people with the power to make and pass laws. We aren’t unaware the crucial and inevitable role of law-making in every existing country across the globe, hence Nigeria isn’t an exception.

       

Nigeria operates a bicameral system of legislature, whereby the country’s legislative responsibilities are shared among two separate assemblies. They are regarded as the Upper (Red) and Lower (Green) Chambers otherwise called the Senate and the Federal House of Representatives, respectively.

       

It’s noteworthy that a bill can originate from either chambers but cannot become law until it has been duly passed by both as well as assented to by the President. However, constitutionally, the Legislature can override the President’s veto, if both assemblies agree to do so with a two-third majority vote of its overall members after thirty days.

        

In recent times, many in various quarters have opined that the bicameral legislative mode being operated in Nigeria is an epitome of bureaucracy. According to them, the system has bedevilled the country’s financial status. This has overtime ensued tremendous debates among concerned citizens both home and in the Diaspora.

        

It seems the set of Nigerians with the above notion was vindicated penultimate week. In the period in review, during his interaction with the TheNews Magazine, the lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani reportedly disclosed that each of the legislators in the Red Chamber goes home every month with N13.5 million as ‘running cost’ allowance. He further informed that that was in addition to the N750,000 monthly consolidated salary coupled with other allowances the senators invariably receive.

        

It’s worthy of note that ever since the shocking revelation was publicly made, the colleagues of the whistle blower have began to condemn such an abrupt gesture. In their words, they could not expect Sen. Sani to act as the Spokesman of the Senate let alone ‘misinforming’ the people. Having claimed that the notice was false and unfounded, they feared that it could make their respective constituents lose their trust in them.

        

It is apparent that Sen. Sani who is a well known activist may have spoken against the wish of his colleagues. Little wonder they reacted in a displeased mood, stating that the said legislator had brought his ‘silly’ activism cause to the Senate. But, the question is; why did they think it wise to refute such information that bears an element of truism? Does it imply that they are not only seeing Sen. Sani as a ‘silly activist’ but an insane lawmaker?

       

This is exactly reminding me of the case of Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin who sometime ago equally blew a whistle in the legislature, the Green Chamber though. At the time, Hon. Jibrin disclosed that the country’s 2017 budget was ‘padded’ by his fellow legislators. In consequence to the unexpected avowal, his colleagues ganged up against him and subsequently succeeded in suspending the poor lawmaker who was seemingly standing alone.

        

In the same vein, Sen. Sani’s colleagues are ostensibly making a frantic move on how to silence him. They are perhaps of the view that relegating the whistle blower to the background would enable them to discredit his confession. Whatever move they intend to make, they ought to acknowledge that the actual figure, which has long been shrouded in secrecy, has eventually been divulged.

         

A discussion has been on that some persons venture into politics for service whilst a few others do so for self. I cannot concur less with the belief that several Nigerians participate in the aforementioned profession for the sake of the latter. This is the reason, for instance, a lawmaker having collected his/her constituency allowance, rather than using the fund for what it is meant for, would end up siphoning it into his personal purse.

        

Our politicians are really taking advantage of the civil servants. In other words, the former is obviously cheating the latter. How could one reconcile the fact that a lawmaker that sits at intervals and also goes on a recess is entitled to a bogus monthly allowance of N13.5m or thereabouts while a civil servant that works on a daily basis receives a minimum wage of N18,000? No wonder a Nigerian politician, on the average, is apparently ready to kill just to win an election.

        

Each day, we are being reminded that Nigeria is passing through recession, yet the pay package of a certain group of workers is enough to revive the country’s moribund refineries as well as resuscitate her dying institutions. The acknowledgement of such occurrence does not in any way bring hope for the weary citizenry. Hence, the time has arrived for us to take our future into our hands.

       

The public servants, particularly the political leaders, must take into cognizance that they were only mandated to plough our land, and not to plunder it. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

 

   

ShortStory I Greater Day Ahead

GREATER DAY AHEAD

        “When would this suffering end?” Uzo soliloquized. “Or, could it be for eternity?”

         Uzo whose father died four years back after a brief illness when he (Uzo) was barely thirteen, was lamenting alone right in his family’s bedroom. He was obviously an exemplarily brilliant chap who was about sitting for his Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) which included WAEC and NECO. Apart from his academic excellence, he was an out-and-out child every parent wished to behold.

         Uzo who happened to be the first child among him and his four siblings, was residing in Lagos State with his family. It’s noteworthy that the whole family was living in only one-room apartment. That was where they had been managing since two years back life became tougher and unbearable than it was.

         What actually prompted the above lamentation was owing to the fact that the poor boy was yet to register for the aforesaid exams because the needed fund was not available. What else could he do than to wallow in anguish?

         His mother, Ugonma who just obtained her National Certificate in Education (NCE) via in-service programme was a primary school teacher, and was in Grade Level 5. She actually entered the Civil Service few years back with her Senior School Certificate. Life wasn’t in any way easy with her; taking care of a family of six including herself was not unlike asking a palm wine tapper to ensure that he produced at least five kegs of palm wine from a particular palm tree on a daily basis.   
         Indeed, the poignant state of the family was seriously telling on every of its member.

        “God,” Uzo called sorrowfully. “Please, come and rescue me from this unending bondage.” He cried, looking at the ceiling.

        “Why can’t I be like Musa?” He wondered. “Or, Segun?”

          Musa and Segun were his classmates whose parents were well-to-do; their respective drivers drove them to school daily. Just like the saying invariably goes ‘all fingers are not equal’.

          Hence, he kept on wondering if his own world was different from that of his aforementioned colleagues, but more pitiably, his candid questions were left unanswered.

         He therein began to sing frantically. He was an ardent singer since his childhood. In his church, he happened to be one of the gifted and respected choristers in spite of his tender age.

         The soliloquy continued unabated not until his mother who was busy in the kitchen entered the room to checked on him having sensed his absence, unknowingly to her that her precious and lovable son had almost committed suicide.

          Uzo’s face coupled with the pillow that was lying on his thighs was covered with fathomless tears. He was helplessly sitting on a bed.

         “Uzo...!” His mum exclaimed as soon as she walked into the room, hastily walked to the bed and sat very closely to him, tenderly placed her left arm on his shoulders. “Uzo my son.” She soberly called.

         “Mum,” He managed to dish out.

         “Why are you doing this to yourself?”

           It was on Saturday morning at about some minutes past nine O’clock, and a very sunny moment. His siblings were as usual busy catching their funs outside.

         “At 17, you are not meant to bother yourself so much about things of this world.” Ugonma asserted, paused.

           He adjusted himself a bit.

         “Besides,” She rode on. “That you are poor this year 1994 doesn’t imply you remain poor by next year.”

        “Who knows if I would be alive till next year?” He thought aloud.

        “Stop saying that.” she scolded. “Where does your faith lie?”

          Uzo remained calm, couldn’t utter a word.

        “Is this what I have been teaching you?” she queried, frowning. “I keep telling you that God knows everything we are passing through in this family.”

          He seemingly became sober.

        “And only He knows the expiring date.”

          His calm posture that abruptly metamorphosed into a pensive countenance was really absorbing the opium.

         Ugonma’s pious nature had obviously helped in her children’s upbringing. Each day that passed in the family was loaded with the needed recipe as regards faith uplift. That was the only gold the poor widow could offer them come rain come shine.

         “That you are yet to register for your SSCE does not mean you won’t sit for the exams.” She faithfully assured.

          This time, Uzo became stronger emotionally and psychologically.

         “Don’t worry,” Ugonma continued. “God will surely provide the money, okay?”

           He nodded passionately as he remained seated on the weary bed.

         “So, wipe your tears.”

          Ugonma who was only putting on a single purplish wrapper, partially untied it and used it to assist him in wiping out the tears in his face.

          Thereafter, she made effort to rise him up from the bed and he complied accordingly. “Come and help me in the kitchen.” she urged the moment he rose.

        “Okay mum.” He wholeheartedly concurred without hesitation.

          To be continued, please.

 

Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador