Unending ATM Conundrum

THE UNENDING ATM CONUNDRUM

     

Brethren, I sincerely commend you in your entirety for your steadfastness and relentless efforts towards ensuring that the prime motive of this crusade is totally actualized in spite of the ongoing challenges. This implies that, we really comprehend the essence of this race.

       

 Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have considered coming up with this theme on today’s edition. But I thought it wise that it was high time I did, owing to the fact that disclosing my opinion on the theme in question was long overdue. Thus I decided to have a rethink in order to save us from the anticipated nervous wreck, which is tantamount to unimaginable state of doom.

   

My last trip to Lagos State ushered in a scene which I thought only existed in my home state, Imo. In fact, that of Lagos is even more alarming. Initially, I was of the view that I was only viewing a mirage, not until I walked closer to the exact spot of the scene.

   

Having parked my car at the designated spot in front of one of the commercial banks situated at Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos State, I was majestically taking a walk towards the location of the bank’s Automated Teller Machines (ATM), till my panoramic view disclosed a scene which was not unlike the just concluded Independence Day parade that took place in Abuja. My intention was to assess some cash via the ATM, but the unthinkable crowd I encountered or I sighted from afar gave me an instant discouragement.

       

 Yes my morale was instantly dampened because the fathomless number of persons, which formed an unending queue that seemed like an Independence parade, was meant to use the machines before me. Honestly, I calmly walked back to my car and drove off because I knew there was no how I could use any of the machines in less than three hours interval. I thank God for the shock absorber He imposed in my system; if not, I would have fainted at the moment I sighted that deceptive parade. Afterwards, I managed to visit other neighbouring banks for same transaction; all to no avail.

      

Let’s face the reality. It is no longer news that the use of the Automated Teller Machine, which is popularly recognized by its acronym ‘ATM’, is really giving the Nigerian society an unbearable nightmare, that if proper and drastic measure is not taken soonest by the apt authorities, the conundrum is liable to constituting a financial mayhem to the totality of the populace found in the aforementioned society. Let’s ride on!

       

Frankly, a lot needs to be done regarding the use of ATM in Nigeria. The country requires more accurate and efficient technical know-how in the country’s banking industry as regards ATM operations. Of course if we must tell ourselves the gospel truth, you will agree with me that so many challenges are currently faced by the users of the machine in question.

        

Technical irregularities or hitches such as out of service, temporarily unable to dispense cash, issuer or switch inoperative, unreasonable seizing/withholding of transaction cards, among others, which are often encountered while using the ATM must be addressed in earnest. The ridiculous technical anomalies which include debiting an account without any withdrawal made by the owner, is the most devastating aspect of the ongoing ATM conundrum in Nigeria and other developing nations.

     

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which is the mother-bank of all commercial banks in Nigeria, as well as that of other affected countries, is expected to intervene at this juncture. We have suffered greatly; therefore need the intervention of the CBN to ensure that the country’s dream of seeing an arena filled with thorough cashless banking is duly actualized.

      

Inter alia, the routine of loading torn or damaged naira notes in the machines must be put to stop by the CBN. How could notes that are meant to be burnt or replaced be loaded in the ATM thereby creating avenue for frequent circulation of torn naira notes? Does it imply that the country’s Mint and Printing section is incapacitated?

Above all, the various branches that are currently making use of only one Automated Teller Machine (ATM) must as a matter of urgency construct at least two more ones in order to decongest the banking premises/arena thereby curtailing the chances of being invaded or attacked by armed robbers.
        

The CBN alongside other concerned groups like the civil society really needs to take an urgent and severe step towards ending the various lingering abnormalities faced or practised by the commercial banks in regard to the use of ATM; else, it is likely to cost us an unavoidable setback in near future. Think about it!

 FDN NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com  

+2348028608056

Twitter: @fdnnwaozor           

2014 World Teachers' Day (Aired News-Commentary)

THE NEED TO ENCOURAGE THE TEACHING PROFESSION AT ALL COST AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2014 WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY, TODAY SUNDAY OCTOBER 5

    

No doubt, every right thinking person eagerly wishes to know what he/she does not or is yet to know. Such attribute can be referred to as ‘Man’s quest for knowledge’.

In the same vein; for anyone to acquire any form of knowledge, he must be taught by someone or something. In a situation whereby the knowledge recipient is being taught by a non-human such as book, internet or as the case may be, it is worthy to note that that material or avenue through which he acquired the knowledge was invented by someone or a human.

Someone who imparts knowledge to other person(s), directly or indirectly, is generally referred to as a teacher. In a concise term; a teacher is someone who teaches others better ways of doing something or a better way of living. He can also be described as someone who helps or contributes meaningfully in the uplift of someone else’s educational status/level. In other words, teaching is simply the act of imparting knowledge.

This singular fact has proven to us that anyone can be identified as a teacher, considering the relationship that exists between the persons involved. But it would interest us to acknowledge that, there are those or group of persons who embrace teaching as a profession. This set of people could be regarded as institutional teachers.

 In most cases, the institutional teachers are the ones that are often recognized as ‘teachers’ owing to the fact that they are the only persons that bring out their time, energy, resources, and what have you to the fullness, to ensure that knowledge is fully and duly obtained by its seekers. Among all, anyone who practices teaching or who takes teaching as a profession, must had passed through a certain professional educational training in any higher citadel of learning.

In most nations, it is disheartening to note that this set of people known as teachers whom had contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the nation, are treated poorly or badly as regards payment of salaries and other incentives. It is even more pathetic and disgusting to note that in some quarters, these persons whom are meant to be the leading professionals are regarded as second class if not third class citizens.

If the truth must be told, then we all must agree that it is only an insane man that is yet to comprehend the fact that teachers are the building block of any nation. Needless to say; they remain the rudiments or foundation on which any nation is built.

In view of the unavoidable impact of teachers in any society, in 1994, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reached a unanimous resolution that October 5 of every year should be observed by all the UN Member States as World Teachers’ Day. The annual World Teachers’ Day, which is aimed at mobilizing support for teachers as well as ensuring that the needs of future generations would continue to be met by teachers, was first commemorated in the year 1994.

According to UNESCO, World Teachers’ Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and global development. On its part, Education International (EI), which is the global union federation that represents education professionals worldwide, strongly solicits that World Teachers’ Day ought to be internationally recognized and celebrated around the world.

As the world over marks the 20^th anniversary of the World Teachers’ Day today, the civil society and other stakeholders are expected to encourage the teaching profession by ensuring that the following conditions are reached by any employer:

v Good and enticing employment conditions including appropriate contracts, salaries, and prospects for career progression and promotion.

v Conducive and charming work environment.

v High quality pre- and in-service training.

v Effective management to include a teacher’s recruitment and deployment.

The international community and various governments need to stand firm and united to support teachers as well as quality learning worldwide, especially in those countries where the highest number of out-of-school children exists. In this regard, they are meant to acknowledge that an education system is only as good as its teachers.

Above all and most importantly, the various existing Teachers’ Unions or organizations are also expected to support their respective governments in the area of maintenance of sanity in our schools. By so doing, anomalies like mediocrity, laxity, truancy, among other nonchalant attitudes of some teachers would be totally eradicated.

The above measure if properly implemented would enable any teacher anywhere in the world to proudly identify him/herself as a ‘teacher’ regardless of the circumstance.

 

 

             COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist

_____________________________________

                 +2348028608056

The Social Crusader

Alarming Rate Of Rape In Nigeria (Aired Viewpoint)

CHECKING THE ALARMING RATE OF RAPE IN NIGERIA

      

It is no longer news that mankind is passing through the twenty first (21^st) century. In other words, every society existing in this lovely universe has embraced or is almost close to a civilized state. But the worrying question that accompanies this fact is: does civilization constitutes a high rate of social-vices?

In recent times, the increasing rate of rape has remained the order of the day as well as a fathomless societal cankerworm in the Nigerian society. And the implementation of a finite and drastic measure as regards its eradication seems like a mirage.

Rape, in a precise tense, is an act in which a man indulges a female human into sex forcedly or against her wish. In the same vein, a rapist is a man or a male human who rapes or has raped a female human.

Over the years, rape cases have been occurring uncontrollably across the country. Currently, the incidence has been lingering in such a dirty manner that it has warranted many concerned individuals or institutions to insinuate that the country was dedicated to the men of the underworlds by our fore-fathers. Suffice to say, the onlookers or members of this lovely rostrum fiercely attacked by these deadly bed bugs have been ushered to a state of imbroglio or conundrum.

Rape could take place indoors or outdoors based on the relationship between the two parties involved. The former happens between a female and a false male lover which often takes place out of seduction via intake of alcoholic/drugged drink, initiation of oral sex, et cetera.

Whilst the latter often takes place between the victim of circumstance and a group of men/boys, and usually at night. In this mode, the victim would be dragged or forcedly carried to a near-by bush or an uncompleted building by the group in order to embrace privacy.

Sometimes rape occurs as a result of the environment the two parties found themselves. For instance, some months ago, one of the national daily Newspapers reported that a certain married woman was allegedly raped at night in the police cell at one of the cities in Delta State by her cellmate who happened to be a man at the age of 22. The news was so shocking and extremely disgusting.

Subsequently several questions emerged from this disheartening information. And the summary of the questions was: on what ground or circumstance would a woman be kept in the same cell with a fellow of an opposite sex to the extent of allowing them to pass a night together?

Analysts are of the view that rape is attributed to several misfortunes including mental disorder/imbalance, immoral dressing, ignorance, intake of alcoholic drinks or hard drugs, deceit and curse which could be grouped into medical, social and spiritual syndromes.

Someone who is suffering from a certain mental disease and not kept under lock and key or any guard is no doubt a societal menace, thus may end up indulging in several social vices such as rape.

A lady who dresses half-nakedly is liable to the wrath of rape as a result of sexual seduction she might ignorantly showcase. Most ladies who indulge in such act do so to attract the attention of the public, unknowingly to them that such practice may beget evil thereby ruining their lives.

Men who cannot live without alcoholic drinks or hard drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, Indian helm, to mention but a few, would always think of, as well as go for something evil such as rape, with the view that it is a pleasurable activity.

More so, several men who are in a certain so called love-affair are usually fond of deceiving their partners through presentation of expensive gifts and/or dishing out emotional eulogies, romantic speeches among other falsehoods which would make them appear extremely affectionate and unique just to actualize their selfish interest. At the long run, he would end up sleeping with the lady/girl in question, which could be against her wish or faith. And most times, the ladies seem so lousy or careless that they can’t differentiate between the real and fake ones, even when the handwriting is boldly and clearly written on the wall.

Above all; someone who has been placed under a certain spell in subsequent to an evil deed he committed in the past, may see rape as an occupation. The members of this group usually indulge in incest.

The legislators have a very vital role to play towards eradicating this sacrilegious act. They ought to enact a law that shall bear a capital punishment such as sentencing anyone found guilty of such loathsome and bastardly act to life imprisonment or any other grievous penalty. Another law should also be enacted stating that any lady caught outside her home or place of residence clad in any immoral wear would be arrested, prosecuted by a mobile court and asked to pay a huge amount of money as fine if found guilty. The last but not the least of the laws should be on how to address the illegal sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks and hard drugs which has proliferated intensely in our noble society.

Secondly, the government should constantly ensure that any individual suffering from any form of mental imbalance is caught and taken to a special psychiatric home, duly treated and catered for. On this note, people must endeavour to report any person suffering from such illness to the appropriate quarters/agency.

Thirdly, the religious organizations are not left out. They should ascertain from members of their congregations whosoever that is suspected to be passing through any spiritual attack or any kind of curse in order to be placed on a special deliverance.

Fourthly, the civil societies and other stakeholders should on charitable basis from time-to-time sponsor seminars and workshops with the object of sensitizing and sanitizing the minds of the youth on rape and other social vices. 

Also, the police authority and other concerned bodies or individuals ought to ensure that on no account or circumstance should inmates that are of opposite sex be kept in the same cell.

Among all, we must always endeavour to tell ourselves nothing but the truth. The men folks should stay away from deceit because it’s highly blasphemous, and it maims and kills too. Learn to tell your beloved partner the gospel truth and always remember that pre-marital sex is nothing but evil.

In addition, our ladies should also be extremely careful and socially conscious of whatever they do at all times. They should first and foremost be aware of what they really want before going for it. They are, as a matter of fact, expected to know virtually everything about whosoever that happens to be their partner in any area of life. Don’t allow yourself to be deceived.

On the other hand; the actors of this evil act should also realize that, they are inviting the wrath of God which may lead them to a state of doom and could be deadly if they fail to embrace real repentance.

Frankly, no one is expected to be insouciant over any thrive regarding the eradication of this aberration that is putting the lives of millions of our innocent women/ladies in state of jeopardy. Therefore everyone is meant to be grief-stricken and act accordingly. We must work assiduously as well as fight tremendously to ensure that this barbaric incidence becomes a thing of the past.

 

 

           FDN NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist

__________________________________

              +2348028608056   

 

 

Nigeria's 54th Independence Day Anniversary

A CLARION CALL FOR UNDILUTED SOLIDARITY AS NIGERIA MARKS HER 54TH INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY

 

Every man in his real senses thrives relentlessly towards actualizing a total freedom. In other words; freedom which is the right to do or say what you want without anyone/anything stopping you, remains one of the greatest possessions any man could boast of.

Today Wednesday October 1, 2014, Nigeria in her entirety is commemorating her 54^th Independence Anniversary. Suffice to say that, she is celebrating the 54^th year so far since she got her independence or freedom.

In a period like this, the first question that invariably occurs on the mind of any concerned right thinking individual is: what is the country in question really celebrating? In most cases, such question often seems rhetorical because there is no nation in existence that has nothing to celebrate at any given time.

Nigeria, which is officially addressed as the ‘Federal Republic of Nigeria’, is a federal constitutional republic comprising thirty-six (36) states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the West, Chad and Cameroon in the East, and Niger in the North. Its coast in the South lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean.

Nigeria is often referred to as the ‘Giant of Africa’ due to its large population and economy. With approximately 174 million inhabitants, it is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous nation in the world. It is comprised of over five hundred (500) ethnic groups, of which the three largest are the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba.

In respect to religion, Nigeria is majorly divided into two with Christians who live mostly in the Southern and Central parts of the country, and Muslims concentrated mainly in the Northern and Southwestern regions. A minority of the populace practice some indigenous or peculiar religions such as paganism.

Since independence in 1960, the country’s oil reserves have played a very major role in her growing wealth and influence. Presently, Nigeria is considered by the World Bank as an Emerging Market, and has been identified as a regional power in Africa. She is also a member of the MINT group of countries, which are widely seen as one of the world’s upcoming ‘Brick-like’ economies. More so, she is listed among the next eleven economies set to be among the largest in the world.

Nigeria is a member of various global societies including the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the United Nations (UN) among other international organizations. It is also interesting to note that she is a member of the United Nations’ Security Council.

Just like other developing nations, Nigeria is currently faced with numerous social, economic, religious and political challenges thereby constituting series of societal crises. Some of these challenges include tribalism, corruption, nepotism, high level of immorality, thuggery, election rigging, rampant establishment of fake churches, kidnapping, massacre, just to mention a few.

The ongoing terrorist activity of the Boko Haram Sect coupled with other criminal activities taking place in the country, which has lingered for several years, is being tagged by both individuals and the international community as one of the most challenges presently faced by the nation, that, if severe and drastic measure is not taken to address the anomaly, it stands the chances of crippling the socio-economic status of the country.

Since Nigeria’s independence on 1^st of October 1960, the country has indeed suffered so many maltreatments from her subjects, especially those referred to as leaders. This is why it would take only a holistic measure to address the ongoing ugly state of the nation.

As Nigeria commemorates her 54^th Independence Anniversary today, there is an urgent need for everyone irrespective of social, political or religious affiliations, to come together towards actualizing a better and more unified Nigeria. On this note, it would be consequential for us to comprehend that all hands must be on deck to ensure that an undiluted solidarity is found among the entire citizenry of the country.

Actualizing a thorough and complete unity is our prerogative, thus ought to remain our watchword if truly we want Nigeria to smile broadly again. And, we should note that embracing the anticipated undiluted solidarity is long overdue, because fifty-four (54) years is not fifty-four days. Therefore it is a priority and shouldn’t be compromised. Think about it!

 

       COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist

___________________________________

              +2348028608056    

      

Truancy Among Government Workers

ALARMING INCREASE OF TRUANCY AMONG GOVERNMENT WORKERS

Greetings brethren! Honestly, even when I don’t think of you, I still see you in my dreams. This is simply because our hearts are connected to each other via covalent bonding.

For those of us who weren’t opportune to offer Chemistry while in Secondary school, you may not comprehend what I meant by “Covalent bonding.” Let me use this avenue to throw more light on that. Covalent bond is a form of bond between two or more atoms or ions of different elements in which the atoms in question share electrons among themselves. That is to say: in covalent bonding, the elements involved benefit from each other.

In biology, such occurrence is known as symbiotic relationship. A symbiotic relationship is one in which the animals or people involved stand to benefit from each other regardless of the circumstance. I want us to note that whenever there’s relationship of this kind, there is always absolute love among the animals/persons concerned. And if you truly love someone, you would end up seeing him/her in your dreams. It is a natural phenomenon.

Penultimate week, I was opportune to be in Akwa Ibom State, Uyo precisely. And during my three-day stay in the state, I discovered a certain anomaly taking place among Nigerian public/civil servants. I was able to fathom the irregularity due to the fact that a friend of mine was personally affected.   

My friend, who works with one of the state ministries, confided in me and told me that one of his colleagues had been away from office for almost a week without any tangible or serious excuse. He made me know that he had been defending the miscreant’s absence with series of lies since he embarked on the uncalled emergency leave. Thus, my good friend was an accomplice and he was really disturbed about it; that was why he disclosed the incident to me. According to him, the young man in question had been known as a truant for quite some time now.

Regarding this recent observation, I’ve concluded that truancy is indeed the order of the day in the Nigerian labour sector having witnessed same abnormality in some other states in the country including Imo my home state.

Most English dictionaries including the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary define truancy as the practice of staying away from school by pupils/students without any permission or legitimate excuse. It is worthy to note that truancy can also be applied in other fields of human endeavour, such as civil/public service, teaching, military/paramilitary, political terrain, et cetera. Let’s ride on!

Frankly the current degree of truancy among government workers in Nigeria is a scenario that requires drastic and severe measure towards ensuring that it is allocated to the history book where it rightly belongs. Without mincing words, the ugly phenomenon which seems like an indelible societal cankerworm has really eaten deep in the nation’s socio-economic sector, that, if apt approach is not taken to eradicate it, the nation in its entirety stands to be savaged by famine in no distance time.

Just take a minute and imagine a situation where every worker in the country decides to follow suit as regards the unacceptable practice. Don’t you think that such unimaginable scenario might result to thorough penury amongst the overall populace? I encourage us to think about this.

To this end, I’m using this medium to urge the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to forward a bill with regard to the termination of this aberration in earnest to the National Assembly. If forwarded, our law makers are expected to encourage the crusade by ensuring that the bill is rapidly signed into law without any iota of delay.

The members of the Executive arm of the government are meant to contribute their anticipated quota in regard to the implementation of the law as soon as it is signed by the legislators. In addition, they must endeavour to release adequate funds that would help to facilitate the said law to ensure that it is not swept under the carpet.

On their parts, other fractional labour unions like National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) must also play their role towards ensuring that the proposed law or regulation is observed at the grass root.

Inter alia, all hands are equally expected to be on deck as regards the eradication of this socio-economic menace. We must contribute our individual quotas in this regard if we actually pray for the betterment of this country.    

As we benefit from Nigeria, we should also allow her to benefit from us in return so that she would invariably see us in her dreams, because everyone definitely wants to be involved in a covalent bonding or symbiotic relationship.

Mind you; if Nigeria ceases to see us in her dreams, I’m afraid, we would be liable to embrace both physical and economic nervous wreck soonest. Think about it!

 

FDN NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com  

2014 World Tourism Day (Aired News-Commentary)

THE NEED TO UPLIFT THE NIGERIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY AS THE WORLD CELEBRATES THE WORLD TOURISM DAY, TODAY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

No doubt, observing a beautifully looking environment remains one of the prime desires of every man. This is the reason every able-bodied man works assiduously to ensure that his/her immediate surroundings appear enticingly.

Tourism as an area of life or human endeavour is a sector that has, over the decades, pays an optimum attention to how attractive our surroundings look thereby making the sector to be globally recognized as an avenue for revenue generation.

In a concise term, Tourism is the business activity connected with provision of accommodation, entertainment, and other hospitable services for people who are visiting a place for pleasure. In other words, a tourist can be described as a person who is travelling or visiting a certain locality for the sake of pleasure.

In the past, our heritages were being used by our ancestors as a means of entertaining themselves as well as their visitors or guests. Presently, the tourism industry has shown that these heritages can also be utilized as a business venture having formally upgraded most of them to international standard.

Noting the positive impact of the tourism industry the world over, it is of no need reiterating the fact that it has contributed massively to the ongoing socio-economic development of most nations. Analysts are of the view that, the industry represents about nine percent (9%) of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and that it is a key revenue sector for developing and emerging economies.

Indeed, tourism plays a very vital role in building blocks of a more sustainable future for all, which is community development. Above all, it is widely acknowledged for its capacity to respond to global challenges. In view of this, there is an urgent need for Nigeria, which is a nation globally recognized as the “Giant of Africa”, to follow suit towards ensuring that the World Tourism Industry which helps to foster global unity is granted a preferential treatment at all costs.

Nigeria can contribute her quota by ensuring that her socio-cultural heritage is optimally uplifted. This proposed measure would not only help to encourage the world tourism industry, but would also go a long way to elevate the country’s Gross National Product (GNP), thus strengthening her economic prowess.

Nigeria as an independent state is made up of over two hundred and fifty ethnic groups; and each of these groups is tremendously blessed with various socio-cultural heritages. These cultural heritages including dancing, masquerading, dressing, hunting, fishing, wrestling, molding of sculptures, inter alia, if well harnessed, would no doubt help to uplift the nation’s Tourism Industry thereby boasting her socio-economic and political pride.

Today Saturday September 27, 2014, the world over is celebrating the World Tourism Day. At its third session held in Torremolinos – Spain in the year 1979, the United Nations Assembly mandated its Member States to observe September 27 each year as the World Tourism Day, having reached a unanimous resolution.

The day of the commemoration was chosen to coincide with an important historic milestone in the world’s tourism sector, which is the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Tourism Statutes on 27^th of September 1970. The first commemoration of the World Tourism Day took place in 1980.

The timing of the World Tourism Day is particularly appropriate, because it comes at the end of the high season in the Northern hemisphere, and at the beginning of the season in the Southern hemisphere when tourism is of topical interest to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held in 2012 emphasized that well-designed and appropriately managed tourism can make a significant contribution to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon further highlighted that, tourism which remains one of the world’s largest economic sectors, is specially well-placed to promote environmental sustainability, green-growth coupled with human struggle against climate change through its relationship with energy.

As the international community celebrates the World Tourism Day today, we are all expected to contribute our quota towards ensuring that our respective environments or surroundings become globally recognized as attractive and human friendly localities, so that, generations yet unborn would  live to remember that an attractive environment is equally a revenue source.

In addition, the Nigerian government ought to note that it is high time the country’s Tourist Industry is uplifted through the realization of the fact that the Oil and Gas Industry may not last for eternity. To this end; embracing diversification as regards the nation’s revenue generation or source is long overdue. “A word is enough for the wise!”

 

        COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social activist

________________________________

               +2348028608056    

   

 

The Need To Support The Imo Civil Guard Corps (Aired Newstalk)

A CALL TO SUPPORT THE ‘IMO CIVIL GUARD CORPS’ ABLY LED BY CHIEF HONOURABLE DONATUS EWE EJIFUGHA

      

Just as he desires to see that everything is complete and as well put in place in Imo State at large in line with the famous Rescue Mission Agenda, the governor thought it wise to institute a uniform arm of the Imo Orientation Agency to ease the fight against various traffic cum environmental vices.

Owing to this fact, on July 26 - 2013, His Excellency Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha – OON inaugurated the anticipated state paramilitary corps which was named Imo State Civil Guard Corps. An initiative that attracted numerous commendations from all walks of life in the state and in the diaspora.

Subsequently, on Thursday 8^th May 2014, the bill regarding the legal recognition of the aforementioned corps, which was sponsored by Hon. Victor Ndunagu, was duly passed into law by the impeccable members of the Imo State House of Assembly ably led by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu after one week of the official launch of the corps. Such historic gesture was made possible by the law makers in order to encourage the founder of the corps, Chief Rochas okorocha for the remarkable step he took to ensure that such formidable paramilitary organization is formed in the state, and when it is mostly needed.

In the said law, it was categorically stated that the head of the corps – Imo Civil Guard shall be recognized and addressed as The Commandant General, and he/she shall stay in the office for five consecutive years having been appointed by any serving Governor of Imo State.

The fundamental objects of the Imo Civil guard Corps include Crowd and Traffic Controls, and Guard Services. Suffice to say that, activities such as street trading, hawking, illegal parks location, just to mention but few, are expected to be adequately handled by the corps.

Lest I forget, it is worthy to note that the Imo State Civil Guard Corps is working in synergy with other existing military and paramilitary corps in the state, including the Army, Police Force, Civil Defence Corps, NDLEA, Prisons, Immigration, Customs, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in maintenance of law and order in Imo State.

The most enticing aspect of the Imo Civil Guard Corps is that, the amiable and indefatigable governor – His Excellency Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha appointed a well experienced personnel of no questionable character and a distinguished worthy son of Oru East extraction, Awo-Omamma precisely, in the person of Chief Honourable Donatus Ewe Ejifugha (Odenjiji) to pilot the affairs of the corps as the Commandant General.

Having retired from the Police Force as a senior police officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to be precise, Hon. Donatus Ejifugha was employed by Chief Rochas OKorocha as his personal Chief Security Officer (CSO) prior to his assumption of office as the Imo State Governor. As soon as he became the Governor of the state, he appointed Hon. Ejifugha as his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security and Advanced Protocols. In the year 2013, he was directed by the Governor to serve as the Sole Administrator of Oru East Local Government Area before he rose to his present position as the Commandant General of the Imo State Civil Guard Corps having been found worthy by his boss to serve in such challenging position.

Among other Senior Officers, the Imo Civil Guard Corps constitutes the Deputy Commandant General, the Commandant, Deputy Commandant, Zonal Commanders, and others too numerous to mention. The offices of the Deputy Commandant General and the Commandant of the corps are currently occupied by Chief Jude Uregbe and Mr. Martins Eke respectively. 

The current recruitment strength of the corps is about 1200. According to the ethics of the corps, after conducting a certain recruitment having undergone an intensive training coupled with thorough orientation, each of the successful new recruits would be assigned to the various established units of the corps that are found in all the twenty-seven (27) Local Government Areas in Imo State, which include the Administrative, Operations, Transport and Provost departments, and as well the Traffic sections; some of them would also be assigned to most of the government offices or parastatals for guard services.

It is no longer news that the officers of the Imo Civil Guard Organization are in all corners of the state and also working round the clock to ensure that their duties are effectively carried out in respect to the directive of the tireless Commandant General, Chief Hon. Donatus Ejifugha. Presently their landmark achievements including the alleviation of illegal parking of vehicles, street trading as well as hawking activities in Owerri metropolis, speak for themselves

Currently, the corps is faced with numerous challenges to include lack of operational vehicles such as Power Bikes, Towing vans, Buses, Hilux vans, and what have you. On this note, I call on all the government functionaries and stakeholders to magnanimously contribute their respective quotas to ensure that the remarkable aim of Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha towards creating a thorough serene environment in the Eastern Heartland is duly actualized. 

 

                COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

   Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist 

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