Capt Iheanacho: Another Refined Politician

CAPT IHEANACHO: ANOTHER REFINED POLITICIAN

                   

It is no longer news that the mindset of an average Nigerian politician is preoccupied with deceit, insensitivity, and arrogance. But this does not imply that there are no exemplary ones in their midst. Suffice to say; amid the gangsters, lies a Saint.

         

As a citizen of Imo State and one who is resident in the state, I’ve taken my precious time to study most of the politicians in the state in question and lately I came up with a conclusion that, Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho is one of the few politicians who are truly exemplary or worthy of emulation. You would recall that Capt Iheanacho was one of the governorship contestants in the just concluded gubernatorial polls in Imo State, in which he emerged as the third best, following Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha – the seating governor and Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha – the present Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Reps who occupied the first and second positions respectively.

         

Capt Iheanacho is one of the few politicians that have succeeded in proving to my person that Nigeria still have leaders with integrity or leaders that think more of the people than their personal interest. Throughout his electioneering activity in Imo State – the Eastern Heartland, to the best of my knowledge, there was no time he displayed any form of insensitivity, calumny, antagonism, or inconsequential bickering. As long as the said era lasted, he was only mindful of his manifesto or his proposed agenda if he eventually become the governor of the state, unlike the other politicians who were busy condemning the accomplishments of the past and present leadership of the state.

        

Above all, Capt Iheanacho was at no time involved in any indecent or unguided conduct. He was extremely conscious of every bit of his utterances. Even during the election, he conducted himself like a statesman and seasoned politician. Suffice to say; in him, lies a true, genuine and sensitive leader.

        

This singular fact has made me to develop an unalloyed passion for his person. I pray one day, he would be at the helm of affairs in Imo State; but for this to be actualized, he ought to endeavour to support governor Okorocha’s administration, so that, at the long run the governor will willingly and wholeheartedly handover to him.

        

I’m using this avenue to appeal to other politicians in Imo State, and Nigeria at large to emulate such idiosyncrasy. Anyone who truly intends to lead any society must be prepared to showcase characters that his/her prospective subjects would be pleased with. You cannot tell people in your dirty appearance that you intend to make their wears look stainless. It’s a paradox. In other words, we must endeavour to be conscious of what we say or do at all times regardless of the circumstance.

         

It is high time our teeming politicians started thinking differently. They ought to note that presently, the electorate are both socially and politically aware of whatever that is happening around them unlike before. Prior to this moment, on the average, an ordinary Nigerian citizen pays less concern over issues relating to politics or political events.

         

Thus, I challenge every Nigerian politician to wake up from his or her respective slumber. They shouldn’t be informed that politics in Nigeria is no longer what it used to be. Apparently, it is no longer business as usual. Right now, for an aspirant to win the heart of the electorate, he/she must distinguish him/herself as well as live up to the expectation. Currently, even a ‘moron’ in the country acknowledges the real meaning of ‘good governance’ or ‘dividend of democracy’

         

It is needless to state that, this is exactly the time for rethink or total turnaround as the case might be. For some of us whose consciences seem dead, this time you must embrace remorse for your own good. There are no two ways about it. The choice is yours. So, as we await another four precious years, I put it up to you that you have enough time frame to become a better as well as a vision-oriented politician.  

          

Based on the topic before us, I candidly suggest to the amiable Captain who I have seen as a great leader, to form an alliance with Gov Rochas Okorocha if he truly intend to lead Imo State someday. Please Sir, think about it!

 

 

 COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Admission Challenges In Nigeria's Schools

ADDRESSING ADMISSION CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA’S TERTIARY SCHOOLS

                

Admission into a place, organization or institution can be defined as the act of allowing someone to enter it or join it as the case may be. Similarly, admission into an institution of learning is the situation whereby one is being allowed to study in the institution or to become a bona-fide student or trainee of the school.

        

Considering the above definition, it is apparent that it is only through admission exercise that one could gain access to study in any citadel of learning of his or her choice. Thus, admission could be referred to as a pathway towards acquiring any academic qualification.

          

It is no longer news that in recent times seeking of admission into various Nigeria’s tertiary citadels of learning, which is considered as a prerequisite towards any educational pursuit, has been a thing of worry to the concerned citizenry. Indeed, currently it has become a mirage for one to secure an admission space in most of the country’s institutions of higher learning ranging from schools of Nursing, to Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities. Most of the model modern secondary schools owned and managed by the government are not left out in this anomaly.

         

The said educational morass is attributed to many factors to include examination malpractice or impersonation, bribery, admission racketeering, nepotism, finance, as well as insufficient facilities. These among other factors too numerous to mention are the reasons so many Nigerians have remained on queue for several years in the name of ‘seeking for an admission space’.

          

Examination malpractice, which has eaten deep in the nation’s educational sector, is one of the major factors that have made many of our brilliant young ones to continue roaming on the street while those who cannot even spell their names are found in the classrooms. Examination malpractice or impersonation as the case may be, has succeeded in making the dummies to come out with flying colours or greater performances at the end of the day thereby placing their chances of securing admission higher than those who truly deserve the access.

         

Bribery also, is a factor that has created room for what is notoriously known as ‘Sorting’. Sorting – a socio economic virus on our campuses, can be described as an avenue through which the tertiary schools’ students or candidates give what they have, either financially or otherwise, in exchange for what they want or desire. This method enables any admission seeker to gain access to any institution of his or her choice since the Aptitude Test grade/score of the candidate in question can be influenced by the authorities involved.

        

In the same vein, admission racketeering is not left out. Admission racketeering is the sale of admission spaces to interested candidates or members of the public thereby endangering admission by merit. In some quarters, the institutions involved would prefer to involve intermediaries during the racketeering procedure in order to ease congestion. The truth of the matter is that admission racketeering has succeeded in depriving admission access from millions of candidates who actually merit it but are financially handicapped.

          

More so, the issue of finances is another factor that cannot be taken for granted. In most cases the charges attached to the Aptitude Test forms/cards are unbearable, which often make many admission seekers to lose their chances of sitting for the Aptitude Test thereby making them forfeit their respective admission opportunities. It is appalling that, having paid for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, the candidates would be subsequently subjected to high payment in order to sit for the Aptitude test of the institutions of their choices.

         

Apart from the aptitude test charges, the ongoing high payment or arbitrary increment of tuition fees is another financial issue that has discouraged many less-privileged ones who intend to secure admission in the universities or polytechnics, or as the case might be.

        

Another critical and sensitive factor which has been one of the major challenges faced by prospective students of most citadels of higher learning in the country is nepotism. Nepotism is the situation in which one uses his/her power or authority to secure opportunities or other benefits for members of their family, friends or associates. Due to nepotism, even an imbecile has the ability to secure an admission space provided he is a relative to a member of the management of the institution in question.

          

Above all, the plight of insufficient facilities in our schools cannot be overemphasized. Lack of adequate facilities such as lecture rooms/halls, laboratories, libraries, workshops and what have you, has hampered the admission quotas of most institutions as approved by the appropriate authorities like the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Polytechnics Commission (NPC), et cetera thereby making the affected schools to admit fewer number of candidates per academic session.

         

The government should do something drastic to ensure that this aberration that has endangered the growth of our educational sector is duly restored. In this regard, the law makers ought to enact a law that would assign capital punishment to anyone found guilty of exam malpractice, bribery, admission racketeering, to mention but a few.

         

The concerned authorities such as NUC, NPC, among others, as the case might be, should endeavour to assist the government in checkmating the proposed law by setting up a monitoring team that would from time to time oversee the activities of the institutions. In this regard, the proposed team is expected to ensure that arbitrary increment of exam charges, or tuition fees are put to stop.

         

Most importantly, the schools ought to be mandated to introduce as well as make use of the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode during their aptitude test exercise, which would help to eradicate all forms of malpractice or sitting for exams by proxy. In line with this measure, sufficient computer equipment must be made available by the schools through the intervention of the government.

         

Inter alia, the members of the civil society should ensure that the problem faced by admission seekers owing to nepotism is completely eradicated. On this note, they are expected to diligently, relentlessly and selflessly carry out crusade as regards the ordeal, with the aim of restoring equity and fairness among the affected individuals.

        

However, the government must do everything humanly possible to ensure that the required facilities in any citadel of higher learning in the country are duly and thoroughly provided which would go a long way in influencing the admission quotas of the institution. The private owned ones should also be mandated to follow suit. On the other hand, the government in its capacity ought to not hesitate to sanction or closedown any school found guilty of any questionable character by any court of competent jurisdiction.

         

On their part, the parents or guardians should be very mindful of how they train or handle their children/wards; thus, should on no account nurture the interest of patronizing any fraudulent academic act to include examination malpractice, sorting, admission racketeering, or what have you, on their behalf. Needless to state that, they ought to endeavour at all times to report any individual, group or purported authority that is suspected to be party to any of the above mentioned unacceptable acts.

         

In view of the aforementioned anomalies, there is no gain saying that all hands are expected to be on deck towards the restoration of normalcy in our demeaning educational sector. Think about it!

 

COMR FDN NWAOZOR

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

I Salute You, Owelle Ndigbo

I SALUTE YOU, OWELLE NDI IGBO!

        

       

Indeed, antagonism, envy, enmity, and of course inconsequential bickering have bewildered mankind’s thrive towards attainment of success since the world began. If you take reference from the holy Bible or Quran as the case may be, you would concur with this perception. This singular fact has succeeded in deterring most men from embarking on their respective desired odysseys.

         

Having witnessed enormous antagonism lately or for the past six months now, if I’m not mistaken, Imo State alongside other states in the federation that are advocates of good governance recorded another epoch-making event few days ago. Of course, it was all about the just concluded gubernatorial polls that saw the re-emergence of the people’s governor, Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha – OON for a second term in office. 

        

Lest I forget; I want to let us know that this very topic “I salute you, Owelle Ndi Igbo” was successfully manufactured some weeks ago prior to the main election that took place on Saturday April 11, owing to my panoramic view. Yes, I foresaw the outcome of the said historic outing; and I couldn’t imagine seeing my candid vision failing my person because such scenario has never transpired in my lifetime. No doubt, it was a vision accompanied with a severe mission just as it had invariably been.

        

Frankly speaking, Gov Okorocha’s re-election as the governor of Imo State – the Eastern Heartland is not unlike placing a round peg in a round hole, because the man in question, who I often address as “Imo Lion”, came, saw, and finally conquered while at the helm of affairs.

        

Chief Rochas Okorocha whose victory in 2011 became tangible or apparent after the supplementary election that took place in five of the LGAs in the state, precisely Ngor-Okpala, Owerri-North, Mbaitolu, Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta, has been recognized as a people-oriented governor since he assumed duty in May 29, 2011.  His accomplishments so far ranging from the education sector to health, security, agriculture, road network, infrastructure, prompt payment of workers’ salary, payment of pension arrears, youth empowerment, and what have you, are unequivocally unprecedented.

         

If time as well as space would permit me, I would like to put up a painstaking analysis as regards the aforementioned area he has strived relentlessly. Notwithstanding, I must do justice to it for posterity sake. The moment Gov Okorocha assumed duty as the number one citizen of Imo State, he thought it wise to proclaim “free education” from nursery to tertiary level, in which that of the tertiary level was meant for only Imo indigenes; a mandate he has kept till date. Coupled with the renovation of all the primary and secondary schools in the state. This was what fetched him the renowned name “the Commander of Free Education”. As if that was not enough, he proceeded to massive construction cum rehabilitation of all the urban and rural roads in the state. Surely, a trip to Imo State will convince any visitor, if he/she was there prior to 2011.

         

Furthermore, Gov Okorocha’s timely acknowledgement of the role of good health system has succeeded in salvaging Imolites in their entirety. He began with the simultaneous construction of new modern model Health Centres in each of the twenty-seven (27) LGAs in the state, which are nearing completion. In addition, he transcended to the construction of “Ochiedike Diagnostic Centre” situated in New-Owerri meant solely for the treatment of protracted illnesses like cancer, liver or kidney failure, among other similar diseases, which is currently in use. Among all, the immense contribution of the Imo Foundation, which was instituted by the governor, in the area of health uplift remains unquantifiable. Let’s ride on!

         

Today, in Imo State, every worker goes home or smiles to the bank with his/her monthly salary as and when due. Payment of arrears of pension incurred by past administrators since the year 1992 to all the affected persons, are not left out; the Senior Citizens in the state can attest to this fact. Inter alia, the present level of infrastructural development in the Eastern Heartland cannot be overemphasized, that, even the blind could see it. Imo International Conference Centre (IICC), the New Government House, new Imo Library, Government House Chapel, Heroes Square, Freedom Square, Deputy Governor’s quarters, Odenigbo Guest House, and many others too numerous to mention, are a few of them.

         

I can’t round off this analysis without pinpointing job creation. Several Imo youths have secured meaningful employment under Gov Okorocha’s administration in various ministries and parastatals, particularly in the education sector. Above all, thousands of youths in the state have been engaged in several jobs under the aegis of some of the state establishments such as the Imo Civil Guard Corps, Imo Security Network, among others.

         

Even though most of these employees are being paid stipend, at least the government has succeeded in keeping them away from idleness which is the most grievous societal cankerworm in existence. And such practice has severely helped in fighting insecurity and other social-vices in the state. Of course, it is only a dummy that is yet to acknowledge that insecurity has become a thing of the past in Imo State.

         

Time might not permit me to comment on agriculture. But let me briefly inform us that one of the ancient and outdated agricultural firms in the state known as “Adapalm” has been profoundly rebranded by Gov Okorocha to an enviable standard; and the said farm is currently producing thousands of eggs as well as chicks on a daily basis coupled with other numerous agricultural produce thereby boasting the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The Imo Microfinance Bank built by the Rescue Mission administration is another accomplishment to reckon with as regards IGR.

         

Chief Okorocha’s overall performance in Imo has attracted a costly fortune to his name including “the Senior Advocate of the Masses”, which he is widely referred to as by the entire Imolites, due to his keen interest and passion in the uplift of the general well-being of the masses having noted that they are the people that are truly in need of good governance.

          

Against this backdrop, there is no need reiterating the fact that Gov Okorocha’s reemergence as the governor of Imo State for a second term is not unconnected to his fathomless and innumerable achievements so far. Suffice to say; the victory recorded in the state on Saturday April 11, which I tag “the Imo Triumph”, is mainly attributed to Chief Okorocha’s genuine vision for the state. He had rightly stated during the electioneering era that he was returning to consolidate all his good works; according to him, his second term would be focused on “Industrialization and massive creation of job opportunities.” I wish him good luck. Please I’m using this avenue to appeal to the opposition to concede defeat and join the governor in building Imo State for the interest of the state at large.

         

Before I drop my pen, I want to quickly let my amiable governor understand that he had succeeded in rescuing Imolites from shackles of abject poverty, therefore I humbly suggest it is time he changed his administration slogan “Rescue Mission Agenda”, which has gained a global recognition, to a totally different slogan relating to his incoming proposed mission. I’ve some ideas in mind regarding this suggestion, but I wouldn’t know if it will please your Excellency.

        

All the same, I want to seize this golden opportunity to say once more: I salute you, Owelle Ndi Igbo gburu gburu. In addition, I salute your darling wife Mama Imo – Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha. I also extend my unalloyed salute to your indefatigable deputy – Prince Eze Madumere, MFR. You all have really overcome the envy, antagonism, enmity and unnecessary bickering that suddenly became the order of the day in our dear state. Indeed you have fought fiercely and conquered, thus you deserve a classic award. Believe me, I’ve never been happier than this moment because this is a time I have longed for. My proactive governor, without mincing words, you deserve a third term if the law permits. Accept my heartfelt congratulations.

        

Don’t forget Sir, we can’t wait to behold the manifestation of your manifesto. You have done it before to the extent of proving many critics wrong as well as convincing several sceptics; so I strongly believe Imo would be greater this time. Nevertheless, I sincerely want you to tell me how soon because I personally cannot wait. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

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

 

                                 

The Untold Consequence of Cross Carpeting

THE UNTOLD CONSEQUENCE OF CROSS CARPETING

        

         

Prof S.O.E Ogbogu – a Professor of Power Electronics, is a good and funny teacher. He taught me Digital Control System (EEE 307) and Applied Electronics (ECE 316) respectively during my university days, FUTO precisely. He knows how to accompany lecture with humours. At times, his humorous utterances made us missed his lectures greatly when we didn’t have him. Though it is often stated that it is not healthy to mix business with pleasure, but lately I realized that sometimes such practice could be consequential.

         

One who is of the view that Nigeria is tremendously blessed is never in any way mistaken, because Nigeria which is the most populous and popular black nation is no doubt richly blessed. But just as anything under the sun is comprised of merits and demerits, Nigeria is not exceptional. The demerit side of Nigeria remains that, virtually all her subjects are opaque in nature.

        

Let me throw more light regarding the opaque nature of a typical Nigeria. If you take a painstaking study, you will notice that, on the average, a Nigerian is not transparent. Even one, who seems not unlike a Saint, must possess a bit passion for secrecy or insincerity as the case may be. This is the reason, the more you try to study an average Nigerian, the more you get confused. It’s a fact.

        

Few days ago I was opportune to be present in a wedding ceremony that was organized in Port-Harcourt – the Garden City, Rivers State. the moment I arrived at the venue of the event, I was reminded by the Master of the Ceremony (MC) that I had earlier been called to the High Table, probably in absentia; but I didn’t make it to the High Table as requested owing to a fishy attitude I observed as soon as I walked into the arena, thus I gave an excuse that I was comfortable where I was seated. Though, at a point I made up my mind to ignore the dishonest act, which was exhibited by one of the female ushers, since it was a usual idiosyncrasy of a typical Nigerian alongside other densely corrupt African nations.

        

Barely few weeks ago, most Nigerians both home and in the Diaspora, were apprehensive prior to the just concluded polls, mainly Presidential, that took place in the country. During the said era, most concerned Nigerians would tell you that the polls were likely to result to another Civil war. Taking reference from the prediction of the United States’ Security department – CIA, virtually everyone resident in Nigeria almost concurred with the aforementioned mixed feelings.

        

Today, the election, which has made the All Progressives Congress (APC) to become the order of the day, has successfully come and gone. As regards the scenario, it is no longer news that Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR would become the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come Friday May 29, 2015. Suffice to say; the man in question has succeeded in proving to millions of critics as well as convincing several sceptics, that, he is indeed a great man for having defeated the incumbent President. Since he emerged victorious at the polls, thousands of congratulatory messages have been coming to his desk; but the worrisome aspect of such gesture is that, most of those ‘goodwill’ messages are not sincere or transparent, which is not unconnected to the tradition or mentality of an average Nigerian politician, or Nigerians in general.

          

It is obvious that currently almost every politician on the Nigerian political platform wishes to become a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has degenerated to the alarming pace of defections witnessed recently. Concerning this anomaly, a concerned and patriotic Nigerian may ask if this set of defectors are really in their sane state. Yes such manner of question may not be out of place, because if all the Nigerian politicians in the opposition eventually defected to the APC, how would the polity of the country function, or what would be the fate of the respective political parties they have dumped?

         

From my perspective; cross carpeting, which is widely known as ‘Defection’, is not just self-centred, childish and immoral, but dastardly, criminal and barbaric. In other words, a defected politician deserves to be tried by a court of competent jurisdiction for a criminal offence. Cross carpeting is an act of betrayal; not just to the affected political party but to Nigeria at large, because its implication tells profoundly on the wellbeing of the nation.

         

Apparently, in a system where there is no opposition, there won’t be criticism. And I put it up to you that, constructive criticism is invariably needed for the growth and development of any nation or individual. For instance; if one did something wrong or evil but never faced any iota of criticism, definitely he or she would assume that the act is acceptable. Needless to say; a strong and uncompromising opposition is healthy for any political system irrespective of the country involved. So those who are planning to introduce ‘One-party’ system in the country should desist from such irrational and disgusting act.

        

Thus, those law makers, either elected or incumbent, that are defecting to the incoming ruling party – APC, ought to note that they are indirectly betraying this nation as well as their respective electorates. And those defecting for the sake of one anticipated political appointment or the other, I ask you; do you really have a vision or are you just embracing self-deceit?  Let me seize this opportunity to notify us that, Nigerians have become knowledgeable enough, that, they cannot be deceived again. I thank God right now, most Nigerians can contrast between the right and the wrong.

        

Of course, going by the outcome of the last elections, we need not to be told that the majority of Nigerian citizens, regardless of age or status, are now politically and socially aware of the happenings around them unlike what it used to be. Surely, before now or in the past, an average Nigerian pays less attention to issues relating to politics or socio-political events. Presently, everyone seems to have keyed into the system wholeheartedly. Indeed, it is a way forward.

          

I cannot conclude this piece without reminding the potential defectors that they were not part of the structure that founded or built the party they intend to move into, therefore they shouldn’t expect to be treated like ‘first-class citizens’. This implies that, they may be kept behind those whom they have mentored or nurtured in politics; that is the irony of life. In other words, humiliation must surely set in.

        

Besides; taking a glance at the current or ongoing political situation in Nigeria, we will comprehend the fact that it is high time any right thinking politician in the country started looking beyond personal aggrandizement, else he/she would live to cite ‘Had I known’. Frankly, these humorous gestures being mixed with business by our politicians are totally inconsequential and preposterous. Think about it!

 

COMR FDN NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
Founder, Docfred Continental Social Clinic (DCSC) - Owerri
_________________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

          

  

Reviewing the Monthly Allowance of the Youth Corps Members

THE NEED TO REVIEW THE MONTHLY ALLOWANCE OF THE YOUTH CORPS MEMBERS

       

Youth corps members can be defined as a group of Nigerian youths that are being mobilized to serve the country in their respective capacities having successfully completed their degree or diploma programmes in any recognized higher citadel of learning across the globe.

       

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a paramilitary scheme established by law on 22^nd May 1973 after the Nigerian Civil War with the sole motive of strengthening and restructuring the Nigerian state as well as creating a greater solidarity among the members of the country. The scheme is compulsory for every Nigerian graduate whose age falls between eighteen (18) to thirty (30) years irrespective of the country in which the university or polytechnic he/she attended is situated, provided it is a recognized institution.

        

The National Youth Service Programme is divided into three major segments namely; the Orientation Camping, the Place of Primary Assignment (PPA), and the Community Development Service (CDS) respectively. The Orientation Camping, which is a core paramilitary training, enables the corps members to be physically and mentally prepared to face their subsequent endeavours. The PPA segment, which creates a platform for them to be posted to various establishments in respect to their respective qualifications, is an avenue for them to practice whatever they have learnt during their school days.

         

Whilst, the CDS section is designed to ensure that each of the corps members, either individually or collectively, contribute his or her quota towards the development of their host communities.

         

In recent years, many pressing issues have been raised regarding the real essence of mobilizing fresh Nigerian graduates under the aegis of the NYSC. The outpouring enquiries or questions from the general public are not unconnected to their quest towards ascertaining the actual socio-economic significance of the scheme.

       

Indeed, the most distinct feature of the NYSC scheme, which has to do with deploying the fresh graduates or the prospective corps members to states or zones they may have not been before, remains the major recipe that has enabled the scheme to genuinely contribute its quota to the Nigeria’s economic platform.   

         

For instance, considering electoral matters, a corps member who hails from Sokoto State and is being deployed to serve in Anambra State stands to be neutral if being assigned to function as an ad-hoc Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official in any locality in Anambra State because he/she would barely know any of the aspirants or contestants or would in no way be a relative to any of them. This would no doubt create an avenue for transparent voting system at the polls since the corps member would have no personal interest in regard to the election(s) in question.

         

Furthermore, the recent introduction of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training in the NYSC scheme is simply not unlike placing a round peg in a round hole. The SAED programme was founded to enable the corps members to be well informed and orientated on the importance of entrepreneurship as well as equip them with the required skills towards the establishment of vocational outfits of their choices. And since the invention of the platform, most Nigerian graduates who have successfully completed their NYSC programmes have been opportune to become self-employed or better still employers of labour in various fields of endeavour.

          

On the other hand, the role of the NYSC scheme in job creation cannot be overemphasized. Apparently, the scheme has enabled thousands of unemployed Nigerians to be gainfully employed thereby making them financially independent or useful in their various families. Suffice to say; the scheme has not only helped in creating a greater solidarity among the Nigerian youth as its aim implies, but has also succeeded in uplifting the socio-economic and political platform of the country.

         

Since the NYSC scheme has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that it is indeed a worthwhile scenario, there is need for the crusade regarding its sustenance to be intensified. Against this backdrop, it is worthy to note that reviewing some of its prime challenges such as the monthly allowance of the youth corps members is long overdue.

         

Currently, the corps members are being paid the sum of nineteen thousand eight hundred naira (#19,800). Considering the present economic situation in the country coupled with the fact that most of these corps members are not provided with accommodation spaces by their places of primary assignment, there is an urgent need for the government to review the said allowance with a view of increasing the amount in question for the interest of the corps members, their various families, and Nigeria at large.

         

It is so pathetic to observe that most of these corps members are still being catered for by their respective parents or guardians due to the inability of their monthly allowances to properly take care of them, especially the female ones that are considered to be more demanding owing to their natural needs.

         

Against this backdrop, the government should not hesitate to embark on an onward review of the said stipend that is presently causing several of our learned youths more harm than good, which could make them to constitute nuisance to their various societies. Also, the members of the legislature ought to as a matter of urgency endeavour to sign the anticipated new allowance into law as soon as the bill is made available to them by the executive arm.

         

On their part, the civil society groups must help to ensure that the suggested measure is considered seriously by the various arms of government. Most importantly, every concerned stakeholder ought to acknowledge the fact that the proposed or anticipated reform is long overdue, therefore should not be taken for granted. Think about it!

 

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

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

Proposed May 28 Handover, Unconstitutional

PROPOSED MAY 28 HANDOVER, UNCONSTITUTIONAL

      

        

In the Nigerian political terrain, Sen David Mark made a remarkable history, precisely in June 2011, as the first Nigerian to become the President of the Senate for two consecutive terms. Indeed everyone look forward to making history including an ‘imbecile’, though not all histories are appropriate or acceptable.

        

On Wednesday April 1, 2015, as soon as the electoral umpire (INEC) announced the winner of the Presidential polls, virtually everyone rushed to the media, including social, electronic and print, to express his or her personal feelings. In view of this, one of the paramount opinions that were raised was that, at last democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. According to the public, for an incumbent President in an African country to be unseated, speaks volumes in the democratic development of the affected country. Suffice to say; a remarkable history was recorded in Nigeria on the aforementioned date.

        

Yes a history was made on April 1, 2015, but the overwhelming and astonishing one remains the concession of defeat that was wholeheartedly expressed or registered by President Goodluck Jonathan. In other words, some historic events or records could be far more extraordinary than others.

        

During my last trip to Asaba, Delta State, a bosom friend of mine who resides in the city told me unequivocally that he was yet to see a man or a leader loaded with absolute integrity than the present Nigerian President, Dr Jonathan. From my perspective, I told him, though President Jonathan tried in saving the nation from a possible state of anarchy or chaos, but sometimes we might not really explain how things transpire in our lives. I made effort to let him acknowledge the spiritual aspect of the step taken by the leader in question.

        

Of course there is no need reiterating the fact that the peaceful outcome of the Presidential polls was as a result of the Almighty’s timely intervention and not by any human effort as being presumed. Needless to say that, if God wasn’t by our side, Mr President would have reacted differently contrary to the exemplary gesture he showcased. Acknowledging this singular fact would enable us to give God the deserved glory each time we discuss the said epoch-making occasion.

        

Right now, almost every Nigerian is anxious or cannot wait to embrace the forthcoming handover ceremony, which is constitutionally expected to take place on Friday May 29, 2015. Regarding the handover, several concerned Nigerians, likewise myself, are currently apprehensive or filled with mixed feelings which is not unconnected to the news making the rounds that the incumbent administration intends to hand over Power to the incoming one on Thursday May 28, contrary to the date stipulated in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is May 29.

         

I grew up to comprehend the fact that the content of the constitution, bye-law or the Act as the case may be, of any organization/society remains sacrosanct and must be treated as such unless until any of its section or subsection is duly altered or amended by the concerned authority or apt quarters. If such mandate still holds water, I wonder why the Presidency would want to act otherwise, or propose to hand over the helm of affairs on May 28 which is wholly unconstitutional. 

         

I’m of the view that an action or intended plan that is candid and genuine may awaken a state of imbroglio if wrongly expressed or implemented. Sure, the Presidency might not have any skeleton in their cupboard or any sinister motive, but for the fact that the proposed exercise is against the directive of our law as well as the expectation of the people, I suggest they have a rethink.

        

This is not a matter of reaching an agreement; even if the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the incoming administration concurs with the proposal, I still don’t believe it would be fair and legitimate for such intended practice to take place; it won’t be healthy to the nation at all. This is about Nigeria; it is about the entire citizenry; it is about the electorate; it is about the nation’s nobility; it’s about the impression we are about to create in the sight of the international community; it’s about the anticipated implication of the intended illegitimate act.

         

If I’m to air my view, I would say without mincing words that the proposed May 28 handover is not just an innuendo but a misconceived plan that is liable to create a mischievous circumstance. No gain saying that; it is not unlike placing a round peg in a square hole. Even seemingly innocuous plans or intentions, in certain contexts, are taken to be offensive, not to talk of when our constitution which its content is bound to be kept sacred is about to be abused.

        

The judiciary, which remains the law custodian, must come in at this juncture; they shouldn’t be silent at a time their services are needed most. They ought not to await our reminder before they do what is expected of them, or before they take up their due responsibility. Or, are they on sabbatical? I’m just thinking aloud.

         

Since I was ten, I was taught that no one is mightier than the law, not even the makers. Thus, a different impression must not be cited before our young ones, for posterity sake. We should note that as we lead, some other persons are rightly watching our footsteps; so we must endeavour to showcase exemplary ideas at all times in order not to mislead our teeming followers. Mind you; he who thinks he is leading but has no one following him, is only taking a walk.

         

I know Nigeria is in a hurry to embrace ‘a change’, but on the contrary, she can’t afford to encounter a comatose state. To be frank; the history the Presidency intends to make is completely unacceptable. Besides, the difference between Thursday May 28 and Friday May 29 is barely twenty-four (24) hours; so why the rush? Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
Founder, Docfred Continental Social Clinic (DCSC) - Owerri
_________________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

     

Incoming National Assembly Leadership: The Way Forward for Ndigbo

INCOMING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP: THE WAY FORWARD FOR NDIGBO

              

One of my childhood friends, as well as my university mate, Engr. Chuka Esonini resident in Holland, called penultimate week to congratulate me personally as a staunch member of the civil society, for the recent peaceful and successful political history recorded in the Nigerian polity. ‘Chukas’ as he’s fondly called is a vibrant young man who strongly believes in appreciation; those days on campus, precisely Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), both of us were into school activism. He thought it wise to congratulate/salute my humble self because he was of the view that I and many others who are into this crusade contributed immensely towards the sensitization of the electorates and the citizenry at large on the need to accept the results of the said polls in good faith or with a spirit of sportsmanship.

        

In response to the aforementioned commendation registered by my old time buddy and fellow technologist, I told him unequivocally that the peaceful outcome of the Presidential polls was owing to God’s timely intervention, and not by the making of any individual or statesman as being presumed or circulated in some quarters. On the long run after exchange of series of ideas and experiences, he saw reason with my perspective thereby at a juncture he willingly concurred with my person.

         

Thank God the long awaited Presidential cum National Assembly elections have successfully came and gone. Presently, Nigeria in her entirety is looking forward to witnessing a totally different political transition and dispensation since her birth. No doubt, Friday May 29, 2015 shall usher us into a dawn of a completely new era as far as Nigerian democracy is concerned.

         

As millions of Nigerians are presently filled with anxiety coupled with high level of curiosity in regard to the forthcoming democratic dispensation, on the contrary several others are preoccupied with challenging political talks as well as tussle. In view of the latter, the incoming legislators of both the upper and lower Chambers of the National Assembly are not left out.

         

Of course, it is only a dummy that is yet to acknowledge the fact that as soon as Chief Mohammadu Buhari is being sworn in or assumes duty, what next would be the leadership of the National Assembly, as stipulated or mandated by the Nigerian constitution. Please pardon me; I prefer to go by “Chief” rather than “General” in order to free the entire Nigerians from biased mindset. On this note, I humbly suggest to the President-Elect to urge the media and Nigerians in general to stop addressing him as a “General” since he is now a full-fledged ‘converted’ democrat. Sorry for the digression anyway. Let’s ride on!

         

Like I was saying prior to the break in transmission; after May 29, Nigerians would be discussing the legislators that will lead the Senate as well as the Federal House of Representatives as the Senate President and the Speaker respectively. As it stands, the Igbos or the members of the South-Eastern geopolitical zone are of the view that the leadership of the apex legislature is their prerogative.

          

Before I air my view, let’s briefly go back to history. During the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration which commenced in 1999, the South-West having occupied the Presidency position, which is the “number one” position in the country, and the North being in the position of Vice-Presidency, a South-Eastern legislator in the person of Late Senator Evan Enwerem was unanimously elected by the members of the Senate as the Senate President in order to balance the equation. Subsequently, the Late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’dua became the President of the Federal Republic in 2007, and the South-South had their share in the position of the Vice-Presidency thereby making the North-Central to stand in as the Senate President in the person of Senator David Mark.

         

And finally as fate would have it, in 2011 the South-South in the person of Dr Goodluck Jonathan emerged as the President and he is currently deputized by a Northerner. At the commencement of the ongoing dispensation ably led by Dr Jonathan, the position of the Senate Presidency, by virtue, was due for either the South-West or South-East, but unfortunately as a result of some political mechanisms, the North still occupied the said position leaving the South-West empty-handed and compensating the South-East with the position of the deputy leadership of the Senate; a mechanism that made Sen. David Mark to make a history as the first Nigerian to serve as a Senate President for two consecutive terms.

          

Due to the anomaly, the leaders of the South-Western region cried foul, claiming that they were treated unfairly; a scenario that almost constituted a chaos. Let’s not delve into the detail of what prompted the foul play. Though afterwards, the South-West appeared to have been compensated by having the privilege to serve in other positions of high hierarchy; meanwhile, we’re all aware that it won’t function exactly like analgesic if it is an adulterated one.

         

Going by the current look of things, it is obvious that by equity sake, it is the prerogative of the Igbos to occupy the position of the Senate Presidency as regards the incoming transition. But pathetically, there is a major political loophole that might make the South-East to lose the said leadership bid.

         

Considering the just concluded National Assembly election, it occurred that virtually all the positions of the National Assembly in the South-East were won by the opposition, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). Few of the contestants who emerged victorious under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are not legitimately qualified to lead any of the Chambers of the National Assembly; courtesy demands that any law maker to be elected as either the Senate President or the Speaker must had served for at least a term in the Senate or the House of Reps as the case may be. And by political tradition, it is far-fetched for a member of any opposition party to be at the helm of affairs in the National Assembly; besides, PDP would constitute the minority come the 8^th Senate. Therefore, having APC in the position of the Presidency, courtesy demands that, in order to sustain a stable political system, APC ought to lead both the upper and lower Chambers of the legislative arm.

         

However, to ensure that Ndigbo wouldn’t forfeit the anticipated position, there is only one way out and must be considered imperatively and seriously. The totality of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East is expected, as a matter of urgency, to look beyond their respective individual interests and adopt someone or better still a trusted and eligible person among the incoming legislators in the opposition party - the PDP. For this vision to be actualized, the persons involved must place the interest of Ndigbo at large ahead of their personal interest.

        

To this end, the political leaders in South-East under the auspices of Ohaneze Ndigbo should rally round and discuss collectively as one united and indisputable family with the sole aim of adopting a worthy son of Igbo extraction that will represent the zone irrespective of his political affiliation.

        

Suffice to say; this critical and sensitive circumstance can only be unraveled by embracing consensus. In other words, Ndigbo as a family ought to reach a consensus now or never. They shouldn’t allow mere sentiments to becloud their sense of logic. Think about it!

 

COMR FDN NWAOZOR

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