The New Face of JAMB

THE NEW FACE OF JAMB: LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!

Brethren, of course we know that Rome was never built in a day or within twenty-four (24) hours, and that, there is nothing good that comes easily. Thus, if we sincerely anticipate something great, we must be ready to work hard and tirelessly too. On this background, let’s go straightly to the gospel of the day.

For decades now, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been conducting examinations for prospective students of the existing tertiary citadels of learning in Nigeria. And so far, their modus operandi has been satisfactory to the best of the knowledge of the education stakeholders in the country.

Frankly, there is no gain reiterating the fact that JAMB has succeeded in equipping the intellectual and mental know-how of the teeming Nigerian admission seekers. No doubt, it has helped tremendously to uplift credibility and fairness as regards admission issues affecting our young ones.

Recently, the said examination umpire introduced the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for their prospective candidates. The mode in question was introduced in 2013 and was partly utilized during the last examination of the 2014/2015 academic session conducted by the board. And currently, it is obvious that the CBT mode was totally utilized during the just concluded examination of the proactive board. Unlike that of the penultimate session which only a few candidates were involved and it had to do with their choices, this time, every candidate is statutorily meant to make use of it.

Indeed, the CBT routine would go a long way to sanitize the academic prowess of our dear children/wards as well as introduce a scene filled with no iota of examination malpractice or impersonation, which currently remains the major cankerworm our educational sector is ravaged by. Inter alia, it would help to ensure that any of our young one, who intends to further his/her education, is computer literate. Let’s ride on!

However, it is noteworthy for JAMB to realize that so many factors need to be put in place to guarantee accuracy as well as ease congestion in its subsequent examinations. It is no longer news that most of the candidates in the ongoing examination have expressed disappointment while many others cried foul for having missed their exams. These and many more lamentations are not unconnected to database mishandling. Nevertheless, I never expected 100% accuracy knowing fully that, the CBT pattern is relatively new.

First; more examination centres ought to be approved in order to accommodate as many computer systems as possible so that candidates will not be asked to wait for a long time before they would be ushered into their respective exam halls due to lack of space or insufficient computer systems. This measure would also enable JAMB to conduct the examination only in one day thereby curtailing the ongoing over-labour experienced by their staff.

Secondly, more ICT experts are equally expected to be employed to help boast the network challenges presently faced by candidates and the examiners; in addition, the management should endeavour to continually purchase standard and world class softwares for their networking activities, so that the ICT staff won’t experience any form of hacking in future.

The above suggested measure, among others, is the only avenue the JAMB’s new face would embrace its anticipated success. Yes the initiative is a worthwhile and commendable one, but the education umpire must also acknowledge that ‘Second to none’ is expected of them, rather than ‘Second best’. 

I can see JAMB ushering Nigeria - the Giant of Africa, into that scene we have longed to embrace. On this note, every right thinking Nigerian who thinks good of this country is expected to do everything humanly possible to contribute his or her quota towards sensitizing the public on the significance of the scheme in question. Think about it!  

 

FRED D.N NWAOZOR

(Media Ambassador)
_______________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

Arbitrary Court Adjournments

ARBITRARY COURT ADJOURNMENTS

       

Brethren, as concerned and patriotic citizens of this noble country, it is our duty as well as our civic responsibility to call anyone to order via our respective abilities whenever the person or officer derailed or goes astray.

In one of my previous pieces, published precisely on Monday July 7, 2014 on one of the dailies, which was on my personal tribute to the Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, I reminded us at the sixth paragraph of the said work that “Judiciary is the last hope of a common man.” And I went further to define a common man as “a person who can boast of nothing or no material possession, but only his life.”

Taking a painstaking study on the Nigeria’s judicial system, you would see for yourself that the aforementioned philosophy no longer hold water owing to the fact that several anomalies have set in unannounced. One of the aberrant syndromes is the issue of consistent inconsequential and uncalled manner of court adjournment taking place in most of our existing judicial institutions.

Recently, I’ve watched with keen interest as regards the ordeal, thereby discovering that an establishment widely known and recognized as the “last hope of a common man” has virtually lost its vision. Taking any state as a case study, the manner in which court proceedings are being abruptly adjourned either till further notice or until a specific date, is indeed a scenario that calls for urgent and severe attention of the jurists in higher positions of authority or some reputable judicial bodies or committees such as the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), or the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as the case may be.

Of course it’s no longer news to most of us that some court suits/cases have lasted for several months, if not years, all to no avail. Funny enough, in some quarters you would notice that some of the persons involved in the court case, which could be the applicant or the defendant, had already kicked the bucket prior to the final judgement. Such incidence is mostly attributed to sudden occurrence of hypertension or other ailments related to pressure irregularity or emotional imbalance. Let’s ride on!

The other devastating consequence of this unwarranted judicial tradition is in a situation whereby a certain plot of land situated amidst some living houses is under a dispute and the case has been taken to an appropriate court of law; since the land which is in court can never be tampered by anyone irrespective of his or her status, it is obvious that someday, the grasses on it will definitely grow into a forest which is tantamount to accommodating series of deadly animals or predators such as snake and what have you, thereby constituting menace to the members of its immediate environment.

Above all, lately in most parts of Nigeria, we have been overhearing some cases of alleged extra-judicial killings. It is worthy to note or take into cognizance that sometimes the issue that often results to the killing is already in court. In such circumstance, you would find out that the person who actually committed the murder may be of the view that the court proceeding is taking enormous time frame to unveil justice. Sure it sounds ridiculous, but the truth of the matter remains that, such manners of unlawful behaviours are really happening in various facets of the country.

In view of the above facts, it is of no gain reiterating that all hands are meant to be on deck towards ensuring that these ongoing abnormal practices occurring in our various courts of law are put to a final stop in earnest. In this regard, I call on all government arms particularly the legislature; as well as all respected jurists or legal luminaries and bodies, civil rights societies, religious institutions and all well-meaning individuals across the country, to sleep over the ugly conundrum that constitutes a societal menace.

Thus, I urge the law makers to enact a law that would address the disgusting and perilous scenario. The proposed law ought to stipulate the expected duration for all forms of law suits, ranging from criminal to civil, land, company, and what have you, which would no doubt go a long way to remedy the ugly situation. Honestly, these men need to be called to order in earnest. Think about it!

   

 

COMR FRED D.N NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)
___________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

 

2015 World Day of Zero Discrimination (Aired Newstalk)

KICKING AGAINST ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AS THE WORLD DAY OF ZERO DISCRIMINATION IS MARKED TODAY SUNDAY MARCH 1, 2015

                  

Discrimination is simply the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things. It can also be defined as the practice of treating one person/thing or group of persons/things less fairly or less well than other persons, things or groups, as the case may be.

This biased behaviour known as ‘Discrimination’, which is an action that denies social participation or human rights, has in the recent times caused a severe harm or succeeded in placing millions of lives across the globe in a state of jeopardy or agony. Indeed, it has made several mindsets to be preoccupied with skepticism when it calls for one seeking for what he/she deserves, especially when the bearer of the said mindset considers him/herself as a less-privileged.

Discrimination, which is widely recognized by the civil society as an inhuman behaviour/act, could be as a result of various reasons or factors such as gender, language/ethnicity, race, deformity, health condition, age, marital status, religion, retaliation/revenge, educational background, social status or class, among others.

For instance, in a political terrain especially in a less-civilized country like Nigeria, someone might be discriminated by others simply because the person is a woman or belongs to the women folk. On the other hand, someone may be denied of a job or employment opportunity because he/she is too young or old for the job, or due to his/her ethnic or religious affiliation.

In the same vein, a person or group stands the chances of missing a certain opportunity as a result of their marital status, class or racial heritage. More so, discrimination might be experienced by someone or a group of persons owing to their educational background even if they are mentally and intellectually qualified to fit in the cycle, or simply in order to punish them for what their predecessors or parents as the case may be, did to the potential benefactor sometime ago; this aspect which is known as retaliation is not just unreasonable but childish.

Recently, the most devastating form of discrimination experienced by people or some members of the public is in the case where the applicant or seeker is physically challenged or suffering from a certain illness such as HIV/AIDS, hypertension, diabetes, or even tuberculosis that is curable. This aspect of discrimination, which is globally addressed as ‘Stigmatization’, has called for the concern of various international societies including the United Nations.

Take for instance, in a situation where a person is deprived of an admission space because he/she is a sufferer of any of the aforementioned diseases, or that the person is suffering from one form of deformity or the other. Most times, it doesn’t even has to do with when the carrier or the affected person is seeking for a favour, contract or job as the case may be; in some quarters, he may not be allowed to enroll for his membership in any social group he is meant to belong. Such intimidating or humiliating act is liable of causing the death of the person in question, or it could even make him/her to become violent or a monster in the society he or she belongs.  

To be realistic; the only reasonable or acceptable way someone could be discriminated or denied of his or her right, privilege or opportunity in any society, is in a situation where the person is affiliated to a certain vice or illicit social activity, to include robbery, cultism, rape, drug/human trafficking, prostitution, admission racketeering, examination malpractices, and what have you. Other than these or any other related act, anyone in any given society or country has the right or privilege to be treated equally like others, since he/she is a bona-fide citizen of the said country or society. 

In this regard, there is an urgent need for every right thinking individual across the globe to ensure that his or her quota as regards fighting this scourge is immensely contributed. On this note, I call on all concerned bodies or authorities to intensify their awareness crusade regarding the elimination of this societal menace.

Today Sunday 1^st of March, the world over is commemorating the 2015 World Day of Zero Discrimination. The Zero Discrimination Day is an annual worldwide event that promotes diversity and recognizes that everyone counts. The first commemoration of the Day took place on March 1, 2014 by the effort as well as the mandate of the United Nations (UN); the celebration came in consequence to the launch of Zero Discrimination Campaign on World AIDS Day in December 2013 by the UNAIDS – the UN arm on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

As the global community marks the annual World Day of Zero Discrimination, I enjoin the entire members of the Nigeria’s legislative arm to enact a strict and formidable law that would put a final stop to any form of discrimination taking place in the country at large. The teeming members of the public are also expected to assist in the proper implementation of the proposed law by ensuring that anyone around them that indulges in the uncalled and disgusting act is brought to book.

Above all, we ought to note that it is our civic responsibility to endeavour to ensure that, this aberration is totally and thoroughly restored in our respective communities or societies. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
__________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

 

2015 Int'l Mother Language Day

PROMOTING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MOTHER TONGUE AS THE INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY IS MARKED TODAY SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21

        

A language can be defined as a system of sounds, written symbols, and/or signs used by the people of a particular country, geographical area, tribe, or status as the case may be, to communicate with each other. It can also be described as the human ability to acquire and use complex systems of communication.

There are several forms of languages in existence, such as spoken language, sign language, computer language, and animal language. Estimates of the number of languages in the world vary between five thousand (5,000) and seven thousand (7,000). However, any precise estimate depends on a partly arbitrary distinction between official languages and local/mother languages.

Mother language or Mother tongue, which is also widely known as dialect or native language, is the indigenous language of one’s parents which is usually the first language learnt by him/her. In the same vein, it is also referred to as the language of one’s ethnic group. Suffice to say that, one’s Mother tongue is an apparent indication of where he/she hails from.

Mother language is often regarded as one’s ‘first language’. Therefore by contrast, a second language is any language that one speaks other than his or her first/native language. The Mother language is noted as ‘first’, because it is regarded as the most important language spoken by anyone due to its hereditary value as well as its cultural impact on the concerned individual.

No doubt, Mother language or first language contribute immensely in a child’s personal, social, cultural, intellectual, educational and economic life. Personal; in the sense that a child’s first (native) language is critical to his or her identity. Social; in the sense that when the native language of a child is not maintained, important links to family and other community members may be lost. Cultural; in the sense that sustaining a child’s Mother tongue would help the child to value his or her culture and heritage, which contributes to a positive self-concept.

Furthermore, the intellectual aspect of it is that, when students who are not yet fluent in their second/official language such as English or French, but have switched to using only the said official language, would have the tendency of functioning at an intellectual level below their age thereby resulting to academic failure. Educational wise; students who learn second language and continue to develop their native language would have chances of higher academic achievement in later years than those who learn their second language at the expense of their first language. More so, economically; there are available better employment or job opportunities in Nigeria and in the disapora for individuals who are conversant with their official language as well as another language – probably a native language.

Today Saturday February 21, the world over is commemorating the 2015 International Mother Language Day. The Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999. The date – February 21, represents the day in 1952 when the Pakistani students who demonstrated for recognition of their native language, Bangla, as one of the two national languages of the then Pakistan, were shot and killed by the Police in Dhaka – the capital of what is now Bangladesh.

On 16^th May 2007, the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution called upon Member States to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world. By the same resolution, 2008 was proclaimed as the ‘International Year of Languages’, to promote unity in diversity and international understanding through multilingualism and multiculturalism.

As the global community celebrates the Int’l Mother Language Day, I call on every Nigerian, both home and abroad, to join in the ongoing crusade of promoting the significance of Mother tongue by acknowledging that Mother languages are the most powerful instruments required to preserve and develop our respective tangible heritages.

To this end, I also call on the National Assembly to enact a law that would ensure that every citadel of learning in Nigeria, ranging from primary to tertiary level, offers at least one native language relevant to the area or community where the institution is situated. In addition, the proposed law ought to also mandate the various existing examination boards in the country including the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the National Examination Council (NECO), and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to ensure that the students compulsorily enroll as well sit for the said native language or subject as it concerns their respective schools or the institution where they are seeking for admission, as the case may be.

Indeed, considering the singular fact that Mother Language helps to create full and thorough awareness on cultural traditions coupled with its role in promotion of solidarity among members of any given community thereby uplifting the level of moral, social and intellectual values of our young ones, it is of no gain reiterating that the ongoing crusade regarding uplift of various Mother languages is a task that awaits all and sundry. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED D.N NWAOZOR

-The Media Ambassador-
_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

 

   

Brief Hint on Chief Sir Donatus Ewe Ejifugha

SIR DONATUS EWE EJIFUGHA: THE ICON BEHIND THE SUCCESS STORY OF IMO CIVIL GUARD CORPS

       

The famous Imo Civil Guard Corps, which was created from the Imo Orientation Agency (IOA), was formally founded on July 26, 2013 by the amiable and indefatigable governor of Imo State – Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha, OON. Since the establishment of the paramilitary body in Imo State – the Eastern Heartland, it has been discharging its duties in the area of Guard services, Traffic and Crowd Control, effectively and relentlessly.

Indeed, the success story of the Imo State Civil Guard (IMCG) cannot be completed without mentioning the renowned security giant - Chief Sir Donatus Ewe Ejifugha, KSJI who has, from the onset as the Commandant General of the corps, been doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the body becomes an envy of all in Imo State and in the diaspora.

After his primary, secondary and university educations at Ubachima Primary School Awo-Omamma, Comprehensive Secondary School Awo-Omamma, and Abia State University (ABSU) Uturu, Abia State, respectively, the young and vibrant Donatus Ewe Ejifugha was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on 1^st June 1974.

After his stewardship at Aba and Umuahia Police Stations between 1974 and 1979; from 1979 to 1985, he was assigned to the Imo State Government House under Chief Dr Sam Mbakwe and Brigadier Ike Nwachukwu’s administrations respectively. Subsequently, from 1988 to 1990, he was the Officer in Charge of Anti-Robbery Squad at Olu Obasanjo Police Station, Port-Harcourt Rivers State; after which he was transferred to the Zone 9 – Umuahia as well as the Imo State Police Command.

From 1995 to 1997, he served under the Force Criminal Investigation Department (C.I.D) at Alagbon Close, Ikoyi in Lagos State. Due to his high level of vibrancy and competence, in 1997, Chief Ejifugha was reassigned to the Imo State Headquarters C.I.D Unit – Owerri, as the Officer in Charge (O/C) of the Anti-Vice Squad of the Unit; a position he held till the year 2000.

As a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the proactive Ejifugha served in three different locations starting from Osisioma Police Station, to Central Police Station –Aba, and Ukwa Divisional Police Station; all in Abia State, from 2000 to 2002, 2002 to 2004, and 2004 to 2006, respectively. Furthermore, in 2006, he was assigned to serve as the Area Commander (O/C Operations) at Aba Area Command; where he retired after thirty five (35) years of meritorious service, on 1^st June 2009 precisely, as a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

Due to his passion for service to humanity, immediately after his retirement, he joined Politics. As it is widely noted that a gold fish has no hidden place, in 2011 after the emergence of Owelle Rochas Okorocha as the Governor of Imo State, Chief Sir Donatus Ejifugha, KSJI was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Security and Advanced Protocol; a position he held till 2012. In the same vein, he was later appointed by the Governor as the Sole administrator of Oru East Local Government Area.

With regard to his dogged and ebullient nature coupled with his experience as a retired security expert, in 2013, His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha went further to appoint him to super head the Imo State Civil Guard Corps as the pioneer Commandant General; a position he is expected to hold for five (5) consecutive years as the law stipulates. There is no gain reiterating that the ongoing pragmatic dispensation of the Imo Civil Guard in Imo State at large is not unconnected to the fact that an ever-competent man Chief Donatus Ejifugha is piloting the affairs of the corps. This is the singular reason the People’s Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha always addresses him as “A round peg in a round hole”.

Of course it is longer news that the officers and the entire management and staff of the Imo State Civil Guard Corps have been performing up to the expectation of any concerned Imolite both home and abroad. Since the emergence of the corps, the officers have been working continually to ensure that Crowd and Traffic congestion as well as Street hawking become a thing of the past in Imo State in its entirety. The 2003 and 2004 Operation Zero Traffic Congestion and Operation Free Flow of Traffic respectively, during the festive periods of the aforementioned years, is one of the yardsticks of the ever-performing nature of the corps.

As regards his numerous contributions to selfless service to humanity, Chief Ejifugha has bagged series of awards from various social and religious organizations or institutions such as Rotary International Club – District 9140 Owerri, National Association of South-East Students, Federation of Oru Students’ Associstion, Boy’s and Girl”s Brigade – Nigeria, and Christ the King Catholic Church (C.K.C) Awo-Omamma; just to mention but a few. Also, due to his innumerable efforts coupled with his countless contributions to the activities of the Catholic dominion and the Church at large, on Sunday 2^nd November 2014, he was honoured by the global Catholic Community as a Knight of Saint John International (KSJI).

On the other hand, his remarkable and outstanding personality made him to be honoured with various Chieftaincy titles by different Autonomous Communities across Nigeria, to include; Ode Jim-Jim I of Awo-Omamma, Ome Ka Agu I of Umuahia Ibeku, Nwata Kwochaa Aka I of Abayi Aba, Ogba Egbe I of Uturu, among others.

Surely, by painstakingly considering the overwhelming achievements and unrelenting hard-work of this tireless Masquerade -  Chief Sir Honourable Donatus Ewe Ejifugha, KSJI, in both human and societal developments, it is needless to state that he is no doubt a star everyone wishes to behold.

 COMR FRED NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

SA on Media & Public Matters to the Commandant General
__________________________________

+2348028608056

         

     

Celebrating the 2015 World Day of Social Justice

THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN AWARENESS ON FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE ELECTION AS THE WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IS COMMEMORATED TODAY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20

        

An election is a process in which people or the public choose a person or group of persons to hold an official position through voting. In the same vein; a free, fair and credible election, in a concise term, could be described as an election in which no one is disenfranchised and no iota of injustice is being employed.

On the other hand; a social justice is a situation in which individuals or citizens of a certain society are allowed to fulfill their societal/civil roles or obligations as well as receive what is due for them. Social justice, which is a justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society, assigns rights and duties in the institutions of a given society which enables people to receive the basic benefits and burdens of cooperation.

Considering the significance of social justice, no doubt, it is only by the acknowledgement of its existence, that, a free, fair and credible election would be guaranteed in any country or organization. This is why thorough practice of social justice is required by any nation that claims to possess a good number of true democrats.

It was Abraham Lincoln who said in 19^th May 1856, that, “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” Furthermore, in his first inaugural address as the President of the United States of America (U.S.A) in March 4, 1861, he said, “This country with its institutions belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it.”

To this end, it is high time the aspirants in the forthcoming elections in Nigeria started playing politics of vision to be accompanied with mission with the view that the people or the electorates are the major determinant in any election; rather than the usual or the ongoing alleged believe that the polls do not require the participation of the electorates for an election to take place.

On their part, the electorates ought to understand that the future of this country lies in their bare hands by ensuring that they concentrate on the real visions of the respective aspirants instead of laying emphasis on his/her ethnic, political, or religious affiliation.

It was John Quincy Adams who said, “Always vote for principle; though you may vote alone, but you shall live to cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” Also in his speech, Woody Allen stated, “We stand today at a crossroad: one path leads to despair and utter hopelessness while the other leads to total extinction. Let us hope we have the wisdom to make the right choice.”

In this regard, most importantly, the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC), which stands as the sole umpire for the said elections, should in their corporate capacity not attempt to compromise the confidence majority of Nigerians have in them. Similarly, by comprehending the fact that many Nigerians have become sceptical over the effectiveness of elections in Nigeria due to the porosity of the ones conducted in the past, it is therefore the responsibility of the INEC to prove to the doubtful electorates beyond any reasonable doubt that, the fast approaching elections would be the first as well as the best of its kind in the history of the country, in order to eliminate the enormous apathy witnessed among them.

Today Friday February 20, the world over is commemorating the World Day of Social Justice. The World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1995 and resulted in the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action regarding Social Justice. Nearly ten years later, precisely in February 2005, the United Nations’ Member States reviewed the Declaration when they gathered at a session of the Commission for Social Development in New York, U.S.A.

Subsequently, on 26^th November 2007, the UN General Assembly named February 20 as the annual World Day of Social Justice; the Day was scheduled to be first observed in the year 2009. On that day, the General Assembly urged the leaders of the various Member States to allow their citizens to exercise their civic responsibilities as well as grant them their respective entitlements irrespective of background, status, or age.

As the world marks the World Day of Social Justice, there is need for all concerned and patriotic organizations as well as stakeholders such as the civil society, religious bodies, and the media at all levels, to strengthen the ongoing awareness on the need to exercise a free, fair and credible election in the country come March 28 and April 11, 2015 respectively. As regards this, we are expected to continually preach the gospel of “One man, one vote”, and the need for every Nigerian to participate actively at the polls.

We shouldn’t forget that, for us to actualize the future we dream of, all hands must surely be on deck; else, we would end up actualizing a goal we never wished to behold. Think about it!

 

 

FDN NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

 

 

Celebrating The 2015 World Radio Day (Aired News Commentary)

THE NEED TO DIGITALIZE THE NIGERIAN RADIO BROADCASTING INDUSTRY AS THE WORLD RADIO DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13
        

According to the BBC English Dictionary, Radio is defined as ‘the broadcasting of programmes for the public to listen to, by sending out signals from a transmitter.’ Also, the Wikipedia online Encyclopaedia defines it as ‘the radiation or wireless transmission of electromagnetic signals through the atmosphere or free space.’ In the same vein, a piece of equipment used to listen to radio programmes or receive radio signals is also referred to as a Radio.

Information such as sound is carried by systematically changing or modulating some property of the radiated waves including amplitude, frequency, phase, or pulse width. When radio waves strike an electrical conductor, the oscillating fields induce an alternating current in the conductor. The information in the waves can be extracted and transformed back into its original form.

A radio communication system sends signals through the radio. The radio equipment involved in communication systems include a transmitter and a receiver, each having an antenna and appropriate terminal equipment such as a microphone at the transmitter and a loudspeaker at the receiver in the case of a voice-communication system.

The etymology of radio or radiotelegraphy reveals that it was initially called ‘wireless telegraphy’, which was later shortened to ‘wireless’ in Britain. The prefix ‘radio-‘ in the sense of wireless transmission, was first recorded in the phrase ‘radio conductor’ – a description provided by the French physicist, Edouard Branly in 1897.

In recent years, the more general term ‘wireless’ has gained renewed popularity through the rapid growth of short-range computer networking like Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, as well as mobile telephony such as GSM and UMTS. Today, the term ‘radio’ specifies the actual type of transceiver device or chip, whereas ‘wireless’ refers to the lack of physical connections; suffice to say that, the former talks about radio transceivers only while the latter talks about wireless devices and wireless sensor networks generally.

Presently, the radio set seems to be the easiest and most affordable means of telecommunication. Until the invention of the social media, it was widely regarded as the only handy medium for information dissemination. It is the easiest, in the sense that most current electronic devices such as GSM among others have access to radio signals; most affordable, in the sense that anyone regardless of his/her status can boast of an access to radio communication.

For instance, a portable radio set can be obtained at the rate of three hundred naira (#300) in any local market in Nigeria, and the Direct Current (DC) battery, which could be used to power the said device, can be purchased at most sixty naira (#60). But a GSM, which could guarantee an access to a certain social media such as Facebook, can never be obtained at less than five thousand naira (#5000); in most cases, it takes only Symbian phones such as Android, Phantom, iPod, and Blackberry for one to gain access to most recent social media like BBM, Whatsapp, Badoo, Twitter, Instagram, and what have you, and such phones cannot be obtained at less than twenty thousand naira or thereabouts.

The television communication system is not left out in this analysis or comparison. In an average electronics market in Nigeria, a 14-inches television set is sold at about sixteen thousand naira or above. And after purchasing the TV Set, the consumer still needs to obtain an outdoor antenna to enable him boast of absolute clarity while using the device. Even, sometimes he may still need to buy a Power Generating Set to aid power supply since there is no assurance for steady power supply in Nigeria.

Therefore, another remarkable phenomenon to be considered while comparing a radio communication system with other means of telecommunication is that due to instability of power supply in most developing nations like Nigeria, acquiring information through the communication system in question has remained the only reliable means of telecommunication in existence.   

On the other hand; considering other means of communications such as the print media, how many Nigerians can afford a one hundred and fifty naira (#150) or one hundred naira (#100) newspaper as the case may be, on a daily basis, or even a four hundred naira (#400) newsmagazine weekly? Needless to say; the print media is not just expensive to an average Nigerian but no doubt an exorbitant means of communication, compare to radio broadcasting service.

Today Friday February 13, the world over is commemorating the 2015 World Radio Day. The Day was proclaimed on 3^rd November 2011 during the 36^th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It was originally proposed by the Spanish Kingdom; the first procedure was in January 2008 by the President of the Spanish Radio Academy, Mr Jorge Alvarez. The Day 13^th February was chosen in line with or in recognition of the day the United Nations Radio was established in the year 1946.

Afterwards, in December 2012 precisely, the General Assembly of the United Nations endorsed the Proclamation of World Radio Day thereby enabling it to become a Day to be celebrated by all the UN Member States, agencies, as well as their partners. Various radio industry bodies around the world have been supporting the initiative by encouraging radio stations in developed countries to assist those in the developing world.

As the global society celebrates the annual World Radio Day, there is need for the totality of the Nigerian Radio Broadcasting industry to be overhauled. In this regard, the concerned bodies should as a matter of urgency, be mandated to switch over from the ongoing analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting.

Thus, in view of the above remark, the recent mandate of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in line with the directive of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regarding migration from analogue to digital broadcasting by all the broadcasting firms in the country not later than June 17, 2015, ought to be very taken seriously by the concerned authorities.

On their part, the members of the National Assembly are expected to enact a formidable law that would mandate the closure of any media firm that fails to meet the stipulated deadline as well as sanction anyone that attempts to return to analogue broadcasting in future. The proposed law should also mandate NBC and other relevant authorities to ensure that provision of digital broadcasting equipment by any upcoming or intending media firm is a prerequisite to issuance of license to the company in question.

In addition, the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) ought to in its capacity assist the government in conscientizing their members on the significance of digital broadcasting. Therefore they should at all times maintain a cordial relationship with the NBC with the aim of actualizing a totally digitalized broadcasting industry in Nigeria. The generality of the civil society is as well expected to follow suit in this sensitization crusade.

Yes, radio broadcasting service remains the most reliable and affordable means of communication in the world, but it is worthy to note that its reliability or affordability is liable to become a thing of the past if abused or if adequate attention is not given to the sector. Think about it!

 

COMR FDN NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
_________________________
  frednwaozor@gmail.com
  +2348028608056

 

2015 World Cancer Day (Aired News-Commentary)

THE NEED TO INTENSIFY AWARENESS ON CANCER AS THE WORLD CANCER DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Cancer, also known as malignant tumor or malignant neoplasm, is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the tendency of invading or spreading to other parts of the body.

Possible signs and symptoms of cancer include a new lump, prolonged cough, abnormal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, a change in bowel movements, among others. While these symptoms may indicate the occurrence of cancer, it is also worthy to note that, they may occur due to other medical issues.

Cancer, which can occur in over one hundred different ways in the human body, is mainly caused by either uncalled practices or dietary risks such as tobacco smoking, incessant intake of alcoholic drinks, obesity, low fruit and vegetable consumptions, lack of physical activities, as well as certain infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and human papillomavirus. Some cases of cancer could also be as a result of genetic defects one inherited from his/her parents.

Cancer can be detected by certain signs and symptoms or by screening tests. It is typically further investigated by medical imaging and confirmed by biopsy. Early detection through screening is useful for cervical and colorectal cancer.

Cancer, though a preventable disease, is indeed a human frightening and deadly medical condition that can occur in any essential organ in the body including stomach, lung, breast, kidney, liver, heart, eye, nose, skin, cervical, bone, brain, just to mention but a few. Many cancerous growths can be prevented by not indulging in smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking too much alcohol, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, being vaccinated against certain infectious diseases, not eating too much red meat, coupled with avoidance of regular exposure to sunlight and urban air pollution.

Cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or targeted therapy; or sometimes, a combination of all. In a typical cancer treatment, pain and symptom management are an important and basic part of care. Palliative care is particularly recommended for patients suffering from advanced cancer condition.

The chance of survival solely depends on the type of cancer and the extent of the disease as at the time the treatment commenced. In children under the age of fifteen (15); at diagnosis, the ‘five-year survival rate’ in the developed world is on average eighty percent (80%).

In 2012, about 14.1 million new cases of cancer occurred globally, not including skin cancer. Statistics show that, the outbreak caused about 8.2 million deaths or 14.6% of all human deaths in the aforementioned year. This implies that, in near future if adequate care is not taken, cancer cases might be responsible to over twenty percent (20%) of death rate in the world.

The most common kinds of cancer in males include lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and stomach cancer; whilst in females, breast, colorectal, lung, and cervical cancers are mostly common. Diagnosing a new cancer in pregnant women is difficult, because any symptom is commonly assumed to be a normal discomfort associated with pregnancy. In children, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and brain tumors are mainly common except in Africa where non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurs more often.

The risk of cancer increases significantly in regard to the age of the potential sufferer, and several cancers occur more often in developed countries. Unequivocally, cancer rate increases on a daily basis as more people live to an old age and as lifestyle changes are regularly witnessed in the developing world.

Today Wednesday February 4, the world over is commemorating the 2015 World Cancer Day. Each year, on 4^th February precisely, the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) supports Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer.

The annual World Cancer Day was formally adopted in Geneva, Switzerland by the United Nations General Assembly in the year 1933 through the remarkable efforts of the UICC and other world’s prominent cancer societies, in order to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration. The primary aim of the Day is to significantly reduce illnesses and death caused by cancer via raising of awareness on cancer and encouraging its prevention, detection, and treatment.

As the World Cancer Day is being observed today, there is an urgent need for every one of us to detest any form of uncalled or unhealthy lifestyle such as tobacco smoking, intake of hard drugs like cocaine, regular consumption of alcoholic drinks and what have you, that could jeopardize our precious lives. In the same vein, there is also need for us to be extremely mindful of whatever we eat or drink at all times. We should also not forget that adequate and instant treatment of any illness or infection we noticed in our body remains one of the major avenues of embracing a cancer-free society.

Those suffering from the disease ought to continually and strictly adhere to their treatment procedures and should endeavour to consult their physicians when necessary. They should also ensure that they are placed on proper dietary like regular consumption of vegetables and fruits. In addition, we are expected to comprehend the fact that early detection of cancer enables adequate eradication of the disease from the body of the sufferer; thus there is need for us, irrespective of age, to go for constant cancer testing or screening.

On this note, I call on all health practitioners and stakeholders to, at all cost, strengthen their crusade targeted to educate the entire public on the dangers and possible causes of cancer, so that, we shall all live to celebrate a cancer-free world as it is widely anticipated by the global society. Don’t forget; prevention is no doubt, far better than cure. Think about it!

 

 COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

                  

The New One Hundred Naira (#100) Note

THE NEW ONE HUNDRED NAIRA NOTE: WHERE EMEFIELE GOT IT WRONG

 

Brethren, ordinarily I wouldn’t have considered coming up with this epistle until I realized that I would be speaking the mind of many if I do so or that the piece would interest many concerned individuals. Suffice to say; I’m not just commenting for myself, but on behalf of millions of souls out there.

Of course, we are all aware that the statutory fundamental object of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remains to regulate the nation’s economy as well as print new naira notes when necessary. These among other functions, are peculiar to the Central Bank of any country in the world.

For quite some years now, it has been in the tradition of the CBN to introduce a new/different naira note whenever a new governor takes over the helm of affairs of the apex bank. Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo came on board and introduced some of the naira notes we are using now, and even went ahead to change the pattern/design of some of the notes that were already in existence as well as reintroduced the existence of Coins.

Subsequently, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the current Emir of Kano, took over the mantle of leadership of the said bank and thought it wise to follow suit as regards introduction of different naira notes. And he succeeded after all the reactions and counter-reactions from the public and analysts. Let’s ride on!

It is longer news that a different one hundred naira (#100) note has been introduced into the system by the present Governor of CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele. The naira note in question, which is tagged “Centinary #100”, has been in circulation for quite a few weeks now upon the approval/endorsement of the National Assembly.

I must tell you unequivocally that I have been worried likewise other observant concerned citizens, since the naira note was put into circulation. Compare to the previous one hundred naira note, the recent one is nothing to write home about in regard to its graphics design. If you take a close look at the note, you would notice that there’s a “Colour riot” on it, which makes it seem dull or unattractive.

One fact we must acknowledge regarding graphics designing is that if the colouring becomes too complex and pronounced, rather than making our work appear very attractive as we anticipated, the reverse would definitely become the case. There’s no two ways about it.

It is obvious that several concerned and patriotic citizens are also disturbed by the aforementioned anomaly. Of course, their worry is on the rampage, and it was one of the reasons that prompted this critique. Something needs to be done urgently to restore normalcy; else, the emotional condition of some persons like me might deteriorate in no distant time.

Perhaps, at this point I expected the apex financial institution to concentrate on the economic measure to be taken to ensure that the value of one US dollar becomes less than one hundred and forty Naira (#140) as well as other foreign currencies, rather than the ongoing ugly value of our beloved and notable currency, Naira.

I wonder why the National Assembly as well as Mr President endorsed such note in the name of “Centinary one hundred naira”. Frankly, this is exactly where Emefiele got it wrong. Besides, what made the introduction of the so-called centenary naira note seem so important to the Nigerian economy amidst our present tremendous economic challenges that made its proposed existence appear unavoidable?

Brethren, we must continue to acknowledge the importance of ‘Scale of Preference’, after all the people in question are partners in Economics as a discipline. Though the deed may have been done, but there’s still need for us to make a redress for posterity sake. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)
+2348028608056

2015 Int'l Day In Memory of the Holocaust Victims

COMMEMORATING THE 2015 INTERNATIONAL DAY IN MEMORY OF HOLOCAUST VICTIMS

       

The term ‘Holocaust’ came from the Greek word ‘Holokauston’; referring to an animal sacrifice offered to a god in which the whole animal is completely burnt. Literary, holocaust which was formed from two distinct Greek words ‘Holos’ and ‘Kaustos’ meaning whole and burnt respectively, can be defined as a situation involving a very great destruction and loss of lives and property.

Destruction of lives and property, which could result from either natural or manmade circumstance such as war, inferno, earthquake, auto crash, plane crash, genocide, or insurgency, is obviously a phenomenon that is as old as the world. It has indeed rendered several homes and communities useless or incapacitated both in the past and present.

Considering the possible origins of holocaust, which include ethnicity, fanaticism, carelessness, envy, greed, hatred, tyranny, mutiny, and treason, there is no part of the world that is yet to experience tragedy. Needless to say that, the ugly incidence has brought mankind in its entirety to a state of unending torture and unthinkable anguish.

War, which is usually a manmade crisis, subjects humanity to an untold hardship and subsequently creates parallel lines among the ethnic bodies that constitute the affected country. In consequence to the emergence of war in any nation, distrust invariably becomes the order of the day amidst the populace or citizenry which often results to eternal enmity or lack of unity.

There is no gain reiterating the fact that disasters not unlike earthquake or plane crash which could be natural or manmade as the case might be, have ended up making the mindset of every concerned individual to be preoccupied with a psychological cankerworm known as ‘fear of the unknown’. Inferno or fire outbreak for instance, which mainly takes place as a result of man’s carelessness or lackadaisical attitude, has succeeded in rendering many families homeless and stranded thereby making them constitute severe menace to the society they belong.      

Taking Nigeria that is currently salvaged by insurgency as a case study, you will agree with me that every right thinking individual in the country has been sleeping with one-eye open since the emergence of the terror, even though the incidence is peculiar to the people residing in the Northern part of the country – particularly North Eastern region, because nobody knows whose turn it would be the next day.

Suffice to say; insurgency which often leads to high level of massacre or wanton destruction of lives and property, does not only affect the victims or the group of people directly involved but as well members of the surrounding or neighbouring communities/countries.  

The economic mayhem caused by holocaust cannot be overemphasized. For instance, after the Biafran civil war in 1970 under the reign of General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria whom used to be one of the major exporters of petroleum products prior to the era of the said war abruptly became dependent on other countries for the aforementioned resources including oil, gas and fuel thereby ushering the economic status of the nation to a state of mockery.

Owing to the damaging effect of holocaust, on 1^st November 2005, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly unanimously adopted January 27 of every year as International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. The UN Outreach Programme seeks to remind the world of the lessons to be learnt from the Holocaust in order to help prevent future acts of genocide or any form of massacre.

The first commemoration of the Day took place in 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters situated in New York, U.S.A alongside all the UN offices across the globe. The ceremony which occurred in the General Assembly Hall drew over two thousand two hundred (2200) people and was viewed by countless others globally via webcast and live television broadcast. During the commemoration, the then UN Secretary General Mr Kofi A. Annan unequivocally stated that, holocaust will forever warn all people across the globe of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism, and prejudice.

As the world over marks the 2014 annual Int’l Day for the Victims of the Holocaust, there is need for everyone to acknowledge that the occurrence of holocaust can be avoidable regardless of the locality in question. And there is also need for the bereaved/affected families to be duly compensated in order to erase any form of agony from their minds.

On their part, the civil society, activists, and the religious bodies are expected to bring succour to the victims or their relatives by conducting seminars, crusades, and disseminating radio cum television jingles, and what have you, as well as soliciting for appropriate compensation on behalf of the said victims or their families, as the case may be.

They are also meant to educate the entire public on the dangers of holocaust by painstakingly condemning all the possible manmade causes of the mayhem such as ethnicity, racism, fanaticism, carelessness, hatred, envy, apathy, mutiny, treason, tyranny, among others.

At this juncture, I enjoin everyone to live with the consciousness of holocaust with the aim of avoiding any irrational attitude or thought that could lead to the emergence of the forsaken and thought-provoking incident. A word, they say, is enough for the wise. Think about it!

 

 COMR FRED NWAOZOR

 (The Media Ambassador)
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 +2348028608056
Twitter: fdnnwaozor