The Imo Guber Poll: Epitome of Masterminded Quagmire

THE IMO GUBER POLL: EPITOME OF MASTERMINDED QUAGMIRE

        

It was in 2007, February 12 to be precise, that I was almost drowned by Njaba River situated in my lovely home town, Awo-Omamma when the construction of the bridge biding the said river was in progress. At the night to the day of that misfortune that befell on my person, I had a terrifying dream. None of my dreams had failed me since my childhood. Suffice to say; I wouldn’t had gone to that river due to that dream I had, talk more of indulging in a swimming exercise. In other words, I was extremely stubborn that I couldn’t listen to my dream unlike me. The incident was indeed a quagmire.

In the same vein; the night to the day of the gubernatorial election – Saturday April 11, 2015 that took place in my beloved home state, Imo alongside other twenty eight states in the federation that needed to have/witness the said election, I encountered a horrible dream. In the dream, someone heckled the amiable seating governor of Imo State, Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha in a public gathering that took place in the state Capital Territory – Owerri.; and when the governor’s aides wanted to take care of the person who displayed such an intolerable antics, the governor asked them to remain calm.

Similar incident was what transpired on that very day the election was conducted. Denying the seating governor’s victory at the polls, which was obvious, is no doubt not unlike heckling him while addressing a public gathering or attempting to slap the ‘number one’ citizen of the state. Yet, when Imolites wanted to react to such cruel maltreatment, the governor instructed them to remain calm.

I’ve been observing Chief Rochas Okorocha with keen interest since he assumed duty as the governor of Imo State – the Eastern Heartland. And so far, what I’ve enjoyed mostly from his person remains his high level of tolerance. Surely, the man in question is too tolerant that, even a tree can testify to the fact.

Let’s delve into history. In the first place, it was between the governor and Cletus Ilomuanya – the dethroned Traditional Ruler of Obinugu Autonomous Community in Orlu. Gov Okorocha remained resilient until he was pushed to the wall by the traditional custodian. The one I cannot forget in a hurry was the one that had to do with him and some youths of Oguta extraction; on that fateful day, the governor’s entourage was assaulted, but the governor resisted the venom of his aides when they made effort to retaliate. Another one was between him and the former interim state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Marshal Okoroaforanya – a promising young man the governor brought to political limelight but along the line he became a rebel. Let’s ride on!

As if we have forgotten, the one that happened between the governor and Mr. Charles Oputa (Charlie Boy) during the burial of the late father of the latter at Oguta clan. The governor was heckled when he wanted to make his speech at the church; and he exhibited his usual tolerant posture. As if that was not enough; the current Minister of State for Education, Prof Viola Onwuliri of Mbaise extraction came up with hers, to the extent that the governor was almost treated like a ‘house boy’ in a state where he is the ‘number one’ citizen. Yes it sounds paradoxical, but it occurred. Honestly, tolerance is a distinguished quality I have observed in Gov Okorocha’s person; without mincing words, I’m yet to see a leader who possesses such high level of maturity. Apparently, he is leading by a good example.

Please let’s discuss what we have for today. Surely, the just conducted Imo gubernatorial poll, which I tagged an ‘epitome of masterminded quagmire’, is a scenario that I shall live to remember. It would be recalled that the said election was declared inconclusive by the INEC Returning Officer, Prof Oye Ibidapo Obe on Sunday April 12. An election that was duly conducted in the twenty-seven (27) Local Government Areas in the state, and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Rochas Okorocha who happens to be the seating governor, won in twenty (20) LGAs against his closest rival Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who recorded victory in the remaining seven (7) LGAs.

An election in which the APC candidate is leading with almost eighty thousand (80,000) votes coupled with the fact that he emerged victorious in more than two-third (2/3) of the total number of LGAs in the state. What additional prerequisite is required to declare him the winner or to return him as the governor of the state? even if the PDP candidate is leading with the highest number of votes but only recorded victory in just seven LGAs, which is less than one-third (1/3) of the total number of LGAs in the state, will he be qualified to be declared the winner of the poll? Who is deceiving who? I’m just thinking aloud.

Please the electoral umpire should do what is right and justifiable. They ought to note that Imo State is too old to be treated like a kid. How can irregularities that transpired in a few polling units result to inconclusiveness of an election that took place in all the 27 LGAs in the state? If such principle holds water, or if the electoral act permits such, then the just concluded Presidential polls would have been declared inconclusive by the INEC boss, Prof Attahiru Jega because election never took place in all the polling units or even all the LGAs in the country during the said election. For instance, there was no election in my beautiful Local Government, Oru-East during the Presidential poll.

Even, going by what the Returning Officer said, that, the margin with which the APC candidate is leading is lower than the number of cancelled votes; if such inconsequential logic was to be applied to that of the Presidential election, then the latter would had as well been declared inconclusive, or Mohammadu Buhari wouldn’t have been returned as the President-Elect. Because, going by the statistics or the logic; if painstakingly considered, we would notice that the number of votes the President-Elect had ahead of his closest opponent, Dr Goodluck Jonathan was lower than the number of votes cancelled across the federation. But the man in question was declared the winner of the poll because he fulfilled other major requirements as stipulated by the electoral act.

They can’t continue to sing the same chorus every four years simply because some persons are of the view that the state belongs to them. Enough of this cock and bull story. Whosoever that is involved ought to acknowledge the fact that Imolites cannot be taken for a ride because they are socially, politically, academically, and of course intellectually on ground. While we await the so-called supplementary poll, I will not cease to pray for Imo because the state is in a comatose state.

When the World Trade Centre was bombed on September 11, 2001 via a suicide mission, the former President of the United States of America (U.S.A), Mr. George W. Bush who was then the seating President of the country said ‘Our great country has been tested again; but I tell you, we shall prove to the world that we’ll pass this test.’ And they passed the test just as the President assured. Similarly, Gov Okorocha’s level of tolerance has been tested again; thank God he passed this one. But that he has passed it doesn’t imply that he is a fool. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED NWAOZOR

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

         

2015 International Day of Sport

PROMOTING NATIONAL UNITY THROUGH SPORTS AS THE 2015 INT'L DAY OF SPORT IS MARKED TODAY, MONDAY APRIL 6

        

Sport can be defined as any form of usually competitive activity that requires physical effort and skill, which through casual or organized participation, tends to maintain or improve the said ability and skill; and also provides entertainment for the participants as well as the spectators.

Indeed, sport has been confirmed as the only common language spoken by mankind in their entirety irrespective of age, background, race, status, or social affiliation, due to its universality, entertaining nature and unique economic value. This is why it is being referred to by most people as one of the backbones of the socio-economic state of any nation.

Generally, there are thousands of sporting activities in existence, from the one requiring only two participations, to those with hundreds of simultaneous participants, either as a team or competing as individuals. Sport is basically recognized as an activity that is based on physical athleticism or physical dexterity. However, a number of competitive but non-physical activities claim recognition as mind sports.

Sports are usually governed by a set of rules or customs, which serve to ensure fair competition and allow consistent adjudication of the winner. Winning or victory can be determined by physical events such as scoring goals or crossing a line first; it can also be determined by judges who are scoring elements of the sporting performance using either objective or subjective measures including technical performance or artistic impression.

In organized sport, records of performance are often kept; but for popular sports, the information might be widely announced or reported in sport news. Suffice to say; sport is also a major source of entertainment for non-participants. Thus sport which often draws overwhelming crowd at its venue, also reaches wider audiences via broadcasting.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the application of the term ‘Sport’ to a wider set of non-physical challenging activities to include electronic games owing to the large scale of participation and organized competition witnessed in the sector. But the truth of the matter remains that this set of sports are not widely recognized by mainstream sport organizations.

Against this backdrop, there are opposing views on the necessity of competition as a defining element of a sport, with almost all professional sports involving competition and governing bodies requiring competition as a prerequisite for the recognition of any sporting activity by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or SportAccord. Other bodies advocate widening the definition of sport to include all physical activities. For instance, the Council of Europe recognizes all forms of physical exercise or calisthenics including those done just for fun, as sports.

Considering the overall impact of sport in both individual and national developments, there is no gain reiterating that sports have contributed immensely in the uplift of the socio-economic state of most individuals, communities or nations across the globe through various avenues such as rejuvenation of physical fitness, human capital growth, provision of entertainment, and most importantly promotion of unity, just to mention but a few.

It is noteworthy that, the physical fitness and thorough entertainment derive from, either participation in or observation of, sporting activities have continually helped tremendously in sustaining as well as uplifting the healthy living status of the individual in question thereby helping to intensify the number of available manpower in the affected country.

Also, the recent total commercialization of sports has enabled the activity to be universally recognized as a lucrative profession. No doubt, most human capital developments witnessed among several youths or young ones are mainly attributed to sports or the entertainment industry at large. Taking the Nigerian football league as a case study; on the average, a player on a monthly basis smiles to the bank with not less than half a million naira (#500,000).

In addition, sports have succeeded in booming the global broadcasting industry due to its lucrative nature, which has made many potential investors to venture into broadcasting business. It is worthy to note that most media firms, regarding both the print and electronic, were established for the sole purpose of transmitting or publishing sporting activities having acknowledged by the prospective investors the financial implication of such investment.

Among all, the level of unity that is being derived from sports cannot be overemphasized. Several sport participants or organizers can attest to the fact that, sport has been the major engine room behind international unity among most countries. Survey shows that presently sport remains the only tool that truly unites the gathering or meeting involving millions of individuals from diverse backgrounds, races, or affiliations. Surely, it is only a dummy that is yet to know that it is only absolute unity that guarantees thorough peace and development among any group of persons, which is one of the paramount desires of any society.

Today Monday April 6, the world over is commemorating the 2015 International Day of Sport. On 23^rd August 2013, the Sixty-Seventh (67^th) session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly decided to proclaim April 6 of every year as the Int’l Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Previously, the Fifty-eighth (58^th) session of the said Assembly proclaimed 2005 as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education to promote education, health, development and peace.   

In regard to the aforementioned resolution, the UN General Assembly also recognizes the role the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) plays in showcasing the achievements of athletes with impairment to a global audience and in acting as a primary vehicle to change societal perceptions of disability sports.

As the global community marks the annual International Day of Sport, we are expected to embrace sport as a major tool for cordial unity/relationship among individuals or nations, thus ought to be taken seriously by any individual, government, or authority, as the case may be. Therefore, its teachings in every citadel of learning at all levels should be considered paramount and sacrosanct. More so, every parent or guardian is expected to encourage his/her child or ward in sports participation regardless of age considering the social, cultural, health and economic consequence of the said participation.

Above all, the governments at all levels such as local, state and federal ought to in their various capacities not hesitate to finance any sport activity or competition taking place at their respective areas. Also, the various schools ranging from primary to secondary and tertiary, should intensify efforts on the usual annual hosting or organization of sport competitions in their respective schools, and should endeavour to intimate or reach out to the entire public whenever such event is being organized.

It is obvious that in Nigeria recently, sport has been politicized by most concerned stakeholders. In view of this pathetic anomaly, the law makers should enact a strict law that would sanction or severely penalized a member of any sport governing body in the country such as the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) that is found guilty of any fraudulent or selfish act while discharging his or her official duty.

On the other hand, the civil society should endeavour to consistently condemn or criticize the ongoing fanaticism witnessed among sport lovers. They should be meant to understand that fanaticism, which invariably leads to extremism, is a cankerworm that might end up eradicating the prime essence of sports which is unity, peace and development. Statistics indicate that sport fanaticism has succeeded in killing thousands of people as well as maiming millions of them across the globe.

It is needless to state that we all, either individually or collectively, have a role to play in sustaining the overwhelming impact of sport in human development. Think about it!     

 

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

My Candid Letter to All Imolites

MY CANDID LETTER TO IMOLITES: A CLARION CALL TO VOTE WISELY

        

Dear Imolites, I sincerely bring you greetings from the powerful name of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no need withholding some facts since the majority of us belong to the same religious faith; I’m referring to the “Jesus Christ” I mentioned above. Of course it was used because it is no longer news that the generality of Imolites comprised of Christians or members of the Christendom.

Fellow Compatriots, frankly life is all about learning from yesterday, living for today and hoping for tomorrow. In the same vein, there comes a point in our lives when we realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will. That is to say; as we learn from our past, live for today as well as hope for or be optimistic over the incoming days, we ought to endeavour to stick mainly to those who will always matter in our precious lives. I sincerely tender my unalloyed apology for the digression, though the prelude was consequential. Meanwhile, let’s hit the nail on the head.

The caption of this open letter bears “A clarion call to vote wisely.” This implies that the letter, which is designated for my fellow beloved Imolites, has to do with the fast approaching gubernatorial cum State Houses of Assembly election. Apparently, it is only a dummy that is yet to acknowledge that the said polls are already by the corner or at our doorsteps.

I’m not here to preach a ponderous sermon; rather I came here to tender only but a gospel truth. Thus I promise to summarize the overall content of the epistle. You would recall that in my last edition on this very platform, I did a work concerning the ongoing “Church interference in electoral matters”, which I also tagged as an epistle. In respect to that critique, I must tell you that this is exactly the right and ripe time our noble society requires the paramount and sacrosanct services of the church.

Taking Imo State as a case study, the church is expected to preach to entire Imolites the gospel truth. And the gospel truth is nothing but to let them know that they are meant to vote wisely and judiciously. Surely, the church is supposed to tell Imolites the basic criteria they ought to concentrate on regarding the idiosyncrasy of the various aspirants, while casting their votes. And the time to do so is now.

In my individual capacity, I thought it wise that as a Public Affairs analyst and Civil Rights activist, I’ve a very vital and cogent role to play as regards the aforementioned forthcoming political exercise. And my role is to tell Imolites that they are meant to vote wisely. But I can’t just ask them to vote wisely without letting them know the prerequisite that guarantees a wise vote, or what they are required to do to ensure that they wisely participate in the said election. And that is the prime essence of this letter. Let’s ride on!

My dear people of Imo State - the Eastern Heartland, as we are prepared to vote come April 11, 2015, I urge us to consider four basic factors critically while assessing the various candidates stipulated to participate in the polls. The factors are antecedent, vision, tolerance, and party affiliation.    

One’s antecedent is his/her background. Your background is your past. And your past includes, parental background, qualifications, accomplishments, and of course your previous public conducts. It is obvious that each of the candidates has a distinct background; therefore we must squarely assess theirs, one after the other. For those among them who have served in one public/political position or the other, we must thoroughly ascertain what they were able to accomplish or achieve while serving in such positions. Antecedents, I repeat is very, very necessary and paramount in a situation like this, thus must not be taken for granted.

Secondly, anyone who intends to serve us either as a governor or legislator as the case may be is expected to have a vision. Rather than concentrating on their so-called manifestoes that seem far-fetched, we should ask them to present to us how they intend to actualize their intentions; and that where mission comes in. I extensively wrote on ‘Vision and Mission’ in one of my previous pieces, which I tagged as “Interwoven veritable tools”. Believe me; a vision without an intended or proposed mission is simply worthless. So we must be extremely careful while assessing their visions.  

Most importantly, let’s discuss tolerance. Take it or leave it, a leader that lacks tolerance doesn’t worth being addressed as one. In other words, a prospective leader who lacks tolerance doesn’t worth giving an iota of space or chance to lead. Tolerance is the quality of letting other people say or do as it pleases them, even though you do not agree or approve of it. Suffice to say; tolerance is the ability to accommodate offensive opinion or action from anyone. I put it up to you that a leader must be tolerant irrespective of the nature of the leadership position.

Let me take you back to what transpired few days ago at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja during the collation of the results of the just concluded Presidential election from the various states of the federation as they were being presented by the respective returning officers on Tuesday March 31. On that fateful day, having granted the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe the privilege to observe as requested by him, he derailed profoundly while enjoying the privilege. In his observation, he called the INEC boss, Prof Attahiru Jega names, stating that the man in question was partial, biased, tribalistic, and illogical. Surely Prof Jega was tolerant enough over the opprobrium constituted by the unscrupulous politico, which was condemned by every rational person present at the occasion. I commend the high level of maturity exhibited by the Chairman of the electoral umpire; that is one of the most fundamental qualities of a good leader. This is why I personally dedicate the peaceful outcome of the said polls to Prof Jega having dedicated it to God Almighty.

Inter alia, I enjoin us to think beyond party affiliation while assessing the candidates because if we concentrate on their political parties, we would stand to make an indelible mistake; let’s concentrate on the individuality or eligibility of the candidates. This aspect was made clear in one of my past works captioned “Thinking beyond party politicking”. Please let’s be concerned with what the aspirant would offer if he eventually emerged victorious; and this could be seen from his past or present conducts, not the political party he belongs as we presume.

My people, we can’t afford to fail Imo State, therefore we must endeavour to do it rightly just as we are known for. A typical Igbo man would say: Eku cha kwa la’m, onye nwere nti nuru. Meaning; I’ve said it all, he who has ears should hear.  At this juncture I say; let’s stick to those who will always matter in our precious lives. Think about it!

 

 

FRED DOC NWAOZOR

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

 

Church Interference in Electoral Matters

CHURCH INTERFERENCE IN ELECTORAL MATTERS

 

The hilarious nature of a certain circumstance might make one to behave childishly; thus, hilarity could be misleading. Notwithstanding, it pays to appear differently sometimes.

I must be unequivocal while tendering my critique in this piece if I sincerely wish to actualize the primary object of the aforementioned theme. In other words; for posterity sake, I’m expected to be candid. I pray no witch or wizard would make me truncate the anticipated whole content of this epistle.

Yes I call it an ‘Epistle’ because it is a sort of open letter I was directed by the holy ghost to send to the leaders of the Christendom in its entirety, which I am a bona-fide member. I write as a concerned individual being a member of the above mentioned global community.

Surely if I truly cherish the said family, I’m expected to do anything humanly possible to ensure that normalcy is restored whenever I see the leaders whom we address as ‘spiritual and ordained men’ derail or act outrageously. Believe me, no single member of this holy entity can afford to witness our cherished and God-sent spiritual overseers dancing Hi-life music when we expect them to dance to the tune of Country song. Well, that’s by the way. Let’s go straightly to the point.

Electoral matters, in a concise term, are issues relating to political pursuits or strides. It is obvious that politics as a profession is definitely as old as the world, if not older. This implies that there is an element of politics in any living individual regardless of his or her affiliation. On the other hand, we ought not to forget that politics is a distinct profession meant for or being practised by a group of persons.

Suffice to say; everyone belongs or is affiliated to a certain profession irrespective of age. And every profession is strictly designed for a given purpose, all for the betterment of mankind. But the annoying part is the situation whereby someone would interfere to other people’s profession or transcend to one that doesn’t match his/hers, or one that is totally contrary to his/her calling. Let’s ride on!

To commence with; the church is a holistic institution meant for the liberation of mankind from all forms of bondage or to strengthen or uplift one’s faith as well as bring him nearer to his salvation. Considering the current political situation in Nigeria, you would notice that most church leaders or clergy men have either stylishly or wholly ventured into the situation in question thereby generating strident sounds or series of unwarranted cacophony.

The duty of the church in a scenario like this is to pray vehemently and vigorously for the various persons involved and the nation at large; but on the contrary, you would observe that most of the so-called men of God have gotten it wrongly. Some have completely delved into politics, unknowingly or deliberately, all in the name of ‘Monitoring the politicos in order to create a conducive environment for the ordinary people.’ This is exactly the hilarious nature of the ongoing scenario, which had succeeded in making my person laugh childishly.

If I may ask; when did the church abruptly turned to a civil society? If the church is never a civil society organization, then how can their leaders be acting like frontiers of a civil group? I’m just thinking aloud. For crying out loudly, the role of the church in any given society is plain and boldly written; it is meant to sanctify, pray, advise, and above all, liberate the members of the concerned society.

In this regard, personally I’m of the view that the idea of a church organizing debate for political aspirants is totally out of play. Rather, a church could be invited over to observe or better still sanctify a certain political debate or gathering, but not standing in as the organizer or the chief host. Every institution or organization has a calling, or is called for a particular purpose; and as its pursuit progresses, it is expected to adhere strictly to the motive of the said calling, so that it won’t be abused.

I want to disabuse us of the notion or intuition that the President of a country has the right to preach gospel to the congregation in any church he worships since he is the ‘Number one’ citizen of his country. Being the number one in that country doesn’t make him a clergy man, or vice-versa; therefore mustn’t be seen as one who can fit in such position unless he is as well qualified. There are no two ways about it. 

Without mincing words, the recent interference of the church in political/electoral matters has really succeeded in constituting nuisance to our noble nation, thus such unwarranted and appalling attitude must be put on hold to avoid an astonishing catastrophe. I’m quite sure you wouldn’t need an exegesis for this critique. Think about it!    

 

COMR FRED D.N NWAOZOR

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

2015 World Tuberculosis Day

CHECKING THE MENACE OF TUBERCULOSIS AS THE WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2015

Tuberculosis popularly known as TB is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules or tubercles in the human respiratory organs, especially the lungs. It is a curable communicable infection that is transmitted by inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of a carrier or an infected person.

Tuberculosis (TB) mainly affects the lungs, though it can affect any other part of the body, including the glands, bones, and nervous system. Typical symptoms of TB include a persistent cough that last more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm which may be bloody, loss of weight, high temperature or fever, night sweats, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite, overstayed swellings, among others.

TB is generally caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which could be found in food, water or unsafe environment. The type that affects the lungs is the most contagious type, but it usually spreads after prolonged exposure to someone with the illness. Most times, it is transmitted within family members who live in the same house.

In most healthy people the immune system, which is the body’s natural defence against infections or illnesses, kills the bacteria thereby making the patient free from any form of symptom. Sometimes the immune system cannot kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body of the carrier; this means the carrier in question would not have any symptoms but the bacteria will remain in his or her body. This mode of infection is known as Latent TB.

If the immune system fails to kill or contain the infection, it can spread within the lungs or other parts of the body, and symptoms will develop within a few weeks or months. This is known as Active TB. Latent TB could develop into an active TB infection at a later date, particularly if the patient’s immune system becomes weakened. It is estimated that, about one-third of the world’s population is currently infected with latent TB; of these, up to ten percent (10%) is expected to become active at some point.

It is important to note that someone suffering from HIV/AIDS or any immune-deficiency disease is at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, especially when the person is not placed on a proper diet. Thus, a HIV patient is expected to go for TB test from time to time.

Several tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis, depending on the type suspected. The most common types include, chest X-ray, Mantoux test, urine and blood tests, biopsy, Computerized Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan; and in some cases, lumbar puncture may be recommended. Some of the diagnoses are implored in a case of Pulmonary TB, some are applied in cases of Extrapulmonary TB, whilst lumbar puncture is specifically used to ascertain if the TB has infected the central nervous system i.e. the brain and spinal cord, of the patient.  

Pulmonary tuberculosis is the type that affects mainly the lungs, while extrapulmonary TB is used to describe the type that occurs outside the lungs. Any of the above types has the tendency of affecting the brain or spinal cord of the carrier.

Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis disease. Many foreign-born persons have been BCG-vaccinated. BCG is used in many countries with a high prevalence of TB to prevent childhood TB meningitis and miliary disease. Though, the vaccine is meant only for selected individuals who have met specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert. For instance, BCG vaccination ought not to be administered to persons who are immuno-suppressed such as HIV patients or persons who are likely to become immuno-compromised like someone who is a candidate for organ transplant.

In the same vein, BCG vaccination is not meant to be taken during pregnancy. Even though no harmful effects of BCG vaccination on the fetus have been observed or detected, further studies are needed to prove its safety in the body of a pregnant woman.

It is noteworthy that, tuberculosis can be cured. In some cases, the carriers would need a course of antibiotics, usually for six months. Several different antibiotics are used; this is because some forms of TB are resistant to certain antibiotics. If one is infected with a drug-resistant form of TB, treatment can last as long as two years or thereabouts.

Tuberculosis is a contagious air-borne disease. Someone suffering from the infection is not supposed to share household materials like spoon, fake, cup, and what have you, with anyone until he is totally cured. He is also required to always endeavour to cover his mouth with handkerchief whenever he coughs, to avoid spreading the bacteria to his immediate environment or transmitting it to anyone around him.

If one is in close contact with a carrier of tuberculosis, it is recommendable to carry out tests on him or her to see if he/she has also been infected with the disease. These can include a chest x-ray, blood tests, as well as a skin test called the Mantoux screening test. This measure is often significant, so that if necessary, the person can receive treatment alongside the original carrier of the disease.

Today Tuesday March 24, the world over is commemorating the 2015 World Tuberculosis Day. The annual World Tuberculosis Day, which was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and duly adopted by the United Nations (UN), is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by WHO. March 24 was chosen to commemorate the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing to a small group of scientists at the University of Berlin’s Institute of Hygiene that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis known as the TB bacillus.

The World Tuberculosis Day is aimed at building public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. According to UN, survey shows that in the year 2012, about 8.6 million people fell ill with TB and 1.3 million of the said carriers died of the disease, mostly in the Third World countries or developing nations such as Nigeria.

As the global community marks the World Tuberculosis Day, there is an urgent need for every Nigerian, both home and in the Diaspora, to acknowledge that the societal menace of tuberculosis cannot be overemphasized and that, it is indeed a contagious and deadly disease. On this note, we ought to continually ensure that whatever we eat or drink is thoroughly boiled or washed as the case might be and also endeavour to keep our nostrils away from unwanted environmental particles such as dust and what have you.

Also, we should bear in mind that intake of vaccine, if and when necessary, is a pathway towards embracing a TB-free society. Therefore, government and other health stakeholders should encourage the entire citizenry to ensure that they are vaccinated against TB by ensuring that the BCG vaccine is regularly made available within their reach in line with the Millennium Development Goals.

Above all, we should not forget that this ongoing crusade is a civic responsibility of every sane individual irrespective of his/her affiliation. Think about it!    

 

FRED Doc Ndu NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

 

Vision & Mission: Interwoven Veritable Tools

VISION AND MISSION: INTERWOVEN VERITABLE TOOLS

Brethren, it is true or a fact that everyone was born to win. But we must also acknowledge the fact that for one to be a victor, or a winner, he or she must plan to win, prepare to win and above all, expect victory at all times. It is obvious that most of us are yet to embrace this candid analogy; that’s why we often fail in our respective endeavours.

He was damn scared of hurting his subjects or stepping on someone’s toes; but amazingly, unknowingly to him, he ended up hurting virtually everyone. This is the summary of a true-life story that is not unconnected to one of my friends who happened to be the overall leader of one of the local government councils in my home state, Imo. That’s the irony of life. 

The theme of today’s crusade bears “Vision and Mission”, which I tagged as “Interwoven veritable tools”. This simply implies that vision and mission are two obvious facts that are closely related, and can never be taken for granted. In other words, they are tools that are not meant to be overlooked by anyone provided he or she is sane or in a state of sanity.

Vision, according to the context of this piece, can be described as the mental picture of a certain possible situation that is yet to occur. Thus, if one sees a vision, he/she is imagining or picturing how things might be different from their current states. On the other hand; a mission, based on the context of this crusade, is a crucial task that one willingly or mandatorily embarks on.

The bone of contention is that, both vision and mission are worthwhile, interdependent and inevitable factors that are expected to be embraced by every living soul. Of course it is needless to reiterate that life is all about “Task”. Therefore a life without a task is simply meaningless, because it is only a task that can guarantee victory, which everyone looks forward to.

At this juncture, we sincerely need to take reference from the first paragraph of this piece. Then I ask; how do you intend to grab victory or success if you do not have any task ahead of you? And eventually if you are faced with a task, how do you intend to maneuver it? It is already boldly stated that, for one to win or to become victorious, he must plan towards it as well as prepare for it. Above all, having planned and gotten thoroughly prepared, he must anticipate victory; and this is where prayer and faith come in. Let’s ride on!

Mind you; the intention to win or to grab victory is your vision. Whilst, the plan or onward preparation towards the anticipated victory remains your mission. Suffice to say; a mission begets a vision. Thus, there is no vision without a mission. In the same vein, any mission without a vision is useless therefore doesn’t worth embarking on. There are no two ways about it. This signifies that Mission and Vision are interwoven or interdependent. Summarily, your life journey or odyssey is your mission while your target or foreseen destination remains your vision.

At this point; let’s take reference from the second paragraph of this piece. Beware; whenever you embark on a mission, don’t ever be scared of hurting someone, because for a mission to beget success or to be fruitful, you must surely hurt one or two persons at the long run either intentionally or unintentionally.

The aforementioned phenomenon is not by our making; it is natural. That is where nature comes in; and it is clear that no one can cheat it (nature). Thus, whenever you are on any mission, what you ought to concentrate on is to ensure that you do the right thing; this is where your conscience comes in. Mind you; most times if you are afraid of hurting someone, you would end up hurting everyone.

Frankly, it pisses my person off each time I see someone living without any tangible mission. Funny enough; the mindsets of some of these persons without a single mission are often preoccupied with one or two visions. Then in such situation, you would be forced or tempted to ask; how does he or she intends to actualize the vision in question, or if he/she is really sane. It is absolutely ridiculous for one to be nurturing a certain vision in his psyche without thinking of how to embark on a mission that would instigate the said vision.

It is also shameful to notice that most of our so-called politicians lack vision; this is the reason they invariably embark on meaningless missions in the name of “Life changing projects” all to no avail, whenever they assume any political position. Rather than embarking on politics of vision accompanied by a mission, they would prefer to do otherwise.

In most cases, you would ascertain that the mentality of the said set of persons is sound and high, but their consciences seem to be dead. Needless to say that, their respective visionless attributes while serving in a certain political position is attributable to lack of conscience.

Surely, lack of vision or the nurture of a vision without a mission has really endangered humanity in its entirety, that, if adequate and drastic measure is not taken to reverse the anomaly or aberration, we might wake up one morning to see ourselves dancing to the tune of Makosa music when we are meant to dance Rug & Blues. Think about it!

 

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

 

Nigerian Politicians: Wild & Weird

NIGERIAN POLITICIANS: WILD AND WEIRD

Brethren, believe me; you aren’t wealthy until you possess something money cannot purchase. It is Matthew 5:6 that says, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” I want you to note that that ‘Light’ mentioned in the above biblical quote can never be purchased with any amount of money; thus, it is priceless.

Each time I look up, I only remember just one fact; and that thing is that, there is a supremacy that oversees whatever we do here on earth. Therefore that supremacy remains omnipresent as well as omniscient. This singular fact enables my person to beware of anything I do, say or any action or reaction I exhibit every now and then.

I put it up to you that you can never give what you don’t have; apparently, there are no two ways about it. Of course, one only gives what he or she possesses. For instance, if one dashes fifty naira (#50) to a beggar he meets on the street, it simply implies that he had either only #50 or more than that on him, before showcasing such magnanimous gesture.

Without taking much of our precious time, let’s promptly delve into the business of the day. I’m sincerely sorry for the introductory digression, though it was consequential and logical.

Our today’s case study is on Nigerian politicians. Going back to the holistic topic, or taking a second look at it, you would see that I personally tagged the said set of people as “Wild and weird.” Considering the perspective of this edition, a wild person can be described as one who is too enthusiastic and uncontrollable. In the same vein; a weird individual is strange and peculiar, and often comes up with unusual and embarrassing ideas. This implies that someone’s strange nature might yield either a positive or negative change. Let’s ride on!

If you would bear me a candid witness, you would agree with me that it is no longer news that in recent times, virtually all Nigerian politicians have been acting strangely and uncontrollably while discharging their respective political prowess, which make them seem extremely opaque. Those of them who possess such unacceptable idiosyncrasy are whom we invariably address as “Politicos”.

In various quarters, having campaigned vigorously for a certain political position with a juicy, attractive and human-friendly manifesto, if he or she eventually emerges victorious, the drumbeat changes. Yes, as soon as the politician in question assumes duty, the chorus would automatically change. Such scenario has abruptly become a tradition in the Nigerian political terrain, and it is really telling on the citizenry or the electorates in their entirety. This is the weird aspect of their attitude.

Let’s talk about the wild aspect of it. You would hear severally, especially in this era of campaigns and presentation of the so-called manifestoes, that someone, probably a guerilla affiliated to a certain political party, was brutally molested or even murdered by a gang of unidentified individuals. Such absurd, barbaric and inhuman behavior, which is often carried out by fanatics, is invariably engineered or instigated by a politico who is earnestly seeking for a political position and intends to grab it by all means.

Among all, sometimes the verbal antagonisms or the manufacture of blackmails among the politicos end up constituting series of societal menaces thereby making life unbearable for the residents of the affected locality.

This wild and weird attribute of most Nigerian politicians makes them appear childish and irrational. We all know that it is only a child that does not know the value of life. Also, it is only a child that is yet to know the essence of sincerity and transparency; and more so, it is a child or a toddler that is yet to acquire a conscience.

On the side of the electorates; this is the reason we must concentrate on the individuality of anyone we intend to vote for, and also acknowledge fully the significance of “One man, one vote” as well as the real essence of ensuring that our votes are duly counted at the end of the polls. In this regard, we ought to comprehend that we have the immunity to sack anyone serving in any political position that intends to vie for a second term or a different political office if he or she had failed us in the past. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be fooled twice.

On its part, the electoral umpire, otherwise known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should endeavour or not hesitate to suspend or sanction any aspirant or flag-bearer who exhibits any ruthless and preposterous act, or whosoever that possesses any questionable character. The officers and the entire management of the “tested and trusted” institute – INEC, must be ready at all times to protect the interest of the teeming electorates.

Frankly, it is high time we came together to send this set of self-centered and illogical persons packing from our entire political arena; enough of these dastardly and humiliating attitudes of them. Let’s collectively teach their persons that, one can never be counted wealthy unless he/she has what money cannot buy, so that, they would live to let their lights shine before men. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED D.N NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)

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

frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

2015 World Water Day (Aired News Commentary)

THE NEED FOR REGULAR CONSUMPTION OF CLEAN WATER AS THE 2015 WORLD WATER DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY, SUNDAY MARCH 22

     

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

Like the human body, water which is usually addressed as a ‘Universal liquid’, is made up of a skeleton of water molecules. The said molecules make up the water we make use of. Not unlike any other chemical compound in existence, a water molecule comprises one molecule of Hydrogen and one molecule of Oxygen. Thus, water as a substance is made up of two major elements; namely, hydrogen and oxygen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 
Of course, the overall importance of water in man’s daily thrive, was what prompted one of the popular songs entitled ‘Water no get enemy’ sang by the late legendary Nigerian musician, Fela Anikulapokuti. In reference to the said song, the late Afro-beat artiste extensively told his fans that water is required in virtually everything we do on earth.

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

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

Today Sunday March 22, the world over is marking the 2015 World Water Day. The international World Water Day is held annually across the globe on the 22^nd of March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Each year, the World Water Day is targeted to highlight a specific aspect of freshwater.

The international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended on December 22, 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which took place in Riode Janeiro, Brazil. The UN General Assembly adopted the recommendation, therefore designated 22^nd March 1993 as the first celebration of World Water Day.

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

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

The federal and states Water Corporations are also expected to monitor this proposed measure. More so, they should from time-to-time conscientize the public on the need to regularly sanitize their gutters and other damps surrounding their places of residence. 

Among all, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) ought to, from time to time, endeavour to checkmate the activities of the various registered water companies. Also, it should not hesitate to sanction or closedown any one that is set up illicitly or without its consent.

Also, on our individual capacities, we ought to endeavour to properly boil any water we intend to drink, and also adequately sanitize any stagnant pool of water within our surroundings as well as fumigate the said environments when necessary, in order to guarantee purity and thorough sanitary thereby boasting the safety and well-being of our bodies.

Thus, we are expected to continually note that the basic measure, which is costless and reliable, required to ensure that pure or safe water is found on our tables or surroundings at all times lies in our hands. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED D.N NWAOZOR

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

 

  

              

                                 

2015 World Poetry Day (Aired News Analysis)

ACKNOWLEDGING THE UNIQUE ESSENCE OF POEMS IN LITERATURE AS THE 2015 WORLD POETRY DAY IS MARKED TODAY, SATURDAY MARCH 21

        

Poetry – a genre of literature, which is a collection of series of poems, can be defined as a literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.

Poetry is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre, to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, the prosaic ostensible meaning.

Poetry has a long history or lineage, dating back to the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. Early poems evolved from folk songs such as the Chinese Shijing, or from a need to retell oral epics. Ancient attempts to define Poetry focused on the uses of speech in rhetoric, drama, song and comedy. Later attempts concentrated mainly on features not unlike repetition, verse form and rhyme, as well as emphasized the aesthetics which distinguish poetry from more objectively informative, prosaic forms of writing.

From the middle of twentieth (20^th) century, poetry has sometimes been more generally regarded as a fundamental creative act that employs language. Poetry uses forms and conventions to suggest differential interpretation to words, or to evoke emotive responses.

In poetic presentation, devices including assonance, alliteration, onomatopoeia and rhythm are sometimes used to achieve musical or incantatory effects. The use of ambiguity, symbolism, irony or sarcasm, and other stylistic elements of poetic diction invariably leaves a poem open to multiple interpretations. Similarly, figures of speech to include metaphor, simile and metonym create a resonance between otherwise disparate images – a layering of meanings, forming connections previously not perceived.

Some poetry types are not unconnected to particular cultures and genres, and respond to features of the language in which the poet writes. Most modern poetry reflect a critique of poetic tradition, playing with and testing among other things, the principle of euphony, sometimes altogether forgoing rhyme or set rhythm. Perhaps, in today’s increasingly globalized world, poets often adapt forms, styles and techniques from diverse cultures and languages.

Because of its nature of emphasizing linguistic form rather than using language purely for its content, poetry is notoriously difficult to translate from one language into another. A possible example of this is the Hebrew Psalms, where the beauty is found more in the balance of ideas than in specific vocabulary.

In most poetry, it is the connotations and the weight of words that are majorly important. Such attribute can be difficult to interpret thereby causing different readers to hear or understand a particular piece of poetry differently. While there are logical interpretations, the truth of the matter is that, there can never be a definitive or specific interpretation attached to a particular poem.

So far, by painstakingly considering the use of poetry in various artistic areas or fictional works such as folk tales, advertisement, music, short stories, children’s literature, drama or play, prose, and what have you, anyone can easily assert that its significance in both human and societal development cannot be overemphasized. Poetry has indeed created an enormous positive impact on literature, and has contributed immensely in the promotion of languages, cultures and education in general.

No doubt, poetry has succeeded in awakening man’s quest for learning or discovery as well as his interest to educate, entertain or inform his immediate society through the use of any language within his reach. Apparently, the use of sarcasm or irony in poetic presentations is one of the yardsticks that signify how far poetry can go while conveying messages irrespective of its content.

Today Saturday March 21, the world over is commemorating the 2015 World Poetry Day. A decision to proclaim 21^st of March as an annual World Poetry Day was adopted during the 30^th session of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conference, held in Paris, France in the year 1999.

One of the main objectives of the Day is to support linguistic diversity through poetic expressions, and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their respective communities. In celebrating World Poetry Day, UNESCO recognizes the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind.

As the global community marks the World Poetry Day, I enjoin every individual across the globe, especially Nigerians, to acknowledge the unique essence of poems in literature by understanding the fact that poetry reaffirms our common humanity by revealing to us that individuals, anywhere in the world, share the same questions and feelings. Thus, we ought to comprehend that poetry is the mainstay of oral tradition; and over centuries, can communicate or convey the innermost values of diverse cultures. Above all, we should always note that poetry is the only genre of literature that saves time, space as well as energy.

On this background, I urge every concerned sector and stakeholder such as the parents, guardians, counsellors, teachers and various citadels of learning, to vigorously contribute their respective quotas to ensure that the unique art of poetry will no longer be considered as an outdated form of literature, but one which enables any society to regain and assert its real identity. It is better late than never, considering the anticipated impact of this crusade. Think about it!

 

FDN NWAOZOR

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