Checking Youth Restiveness

CHECKING THE UNCALLED QUEST FOR MATERIALISM AMONG THE YOUTH AS WE UNDERGO ANOTHER ERA OF EMBER MONTHS

The three basic needs of man remain food, clothing and textile. It is also worthy to note that the three major desires of any sane being are wealth, fame and power. It is pathetic that presently mankind has derailed profoundly as regards the avenue being embraced towards obtaining any of these three desires.

Quest is a long search for what one desires; it can also be described as an extreme passion attached to what someone wants or whatever he/she wishes to possess. In the same vein, materialism is an act in which one thinks that money and other material possessions are the most important things on earth.

On the other hand, those months that mark the end of any annual calendar, which invariably start from September and end with December, are referred to as ‘Ember months.’ The term ‘Ember’ is not unconnected to the suffix that accompanies virtually all the months in question.

Unequivocally, the manner in which most people, Nigerians in particular, parade themselves during the Ember months has become worrying and devastating to all concerned that if proper and drastic measure is not taken by the appropriate authorities or institutions, it might degenerate into an unimaginable state of doom.

The uncalled and irrational quest for materialism among mankind, particularly the youth, especially toward the Ember months, is one of the major causes of the various lingering social vices taking place in all nooks and crannies across the globe. No doubt, the current astonishing increase of death rate is attributed to some of these vices, to include cultism, armed robbery, thuggery, prostitution, kidnapping, drug trafficking, assassination, and what have you.

The ongoing alarming quest for materialism or youth restiveness, which is quite appalling and disgusting, is mainly attributable to inconsequential rivalry, greed and/or lack of contentment. This implies that the anomaly is a product of man’s inability to face reality in any circumstance he finds himself.

Inconsequential rivalries are those competitions that are not called-for or that might seem unreasonable and barbaric. On the average, politicians or established business men often indulge in this practice. It is usually observed among the aforementioned set of people during electioneering era or when battling over supremacy as the case may be. Some youths also indulge in this act in order to showcase to the world that they belong to the ruling or most powerful class in order to prove that they are ahead of their contemporaries.

On its part, greed or lack of contentment has also contributed negatively to man’s intolerable quest for materialism, which often sets the period that leads to any festive season such as the Ember months, ablaze. Greed has indeed brought humanity to a state of mockery, and has succeeded in tearing several unions or societies apart. Considering this fact, it is needless to say that, for decades now, greed or lack of contentment has remained a menace to the world in its entirety.

As we undergo another era of Ember months, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the commemoration of the forthcoming festive seasons, Christmas and New-Year precisely, takes place in a peaceful atmosphere so that every one of us would be filled with unquantifiable ecstasy.

Thus, I call on various governments, the civil society organizations, religious institutions, the media, and all well-meaning individuals to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the awaited Ember months will bring nothing but a blessing to all Nigerians and the world in general.

On their part, the various law enforcement agencies should not hesitate to arrest any individual/group caught in the act or that happens to be a suspect irrespective of his/her status, and must ensure that the suspect in question is brought to book at all cost. In view of this, the judicial custodians should endeavour to maintain speedy hearing of any case relating to youth restiveness, which is expected to serve as a deterrent to all prospective criminals. 

Above all, those who are already part of any of these uncivilized and blasphemous acts as well as those who intend joining the chorus, ought to exonerate themselves from the ungodly behaviour and seek for the face of the Almighty, because it is only the fear of God that can guarantee a remarkable wealth, power or fame. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri
_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056    

Role of Women in a Society

PROMOTING THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN A SOCIETY

The BBC English Dictionary defines a woman as ‘an adult female human being’. On the other hand, a society is an organization of people who have the same or similar interest/aim. The overall people in a particular area or locality can also be referred to as a society. Thus, a society is simply a union of people in a given area.

Undoubtedly, no society in existence can be said to be complete if a woman is yet to be found in it, regardless of its nature or size. We can testify to this fact by considering how a woman came into the world. Of course it is no longer news that having created man, God the creator thought it wise to form a woman from the rib of a man; this was so because God realized of what benefit a woman would be to a man in any society/arena he finds himself.

A family for instance – a nuclear family precisely, which remains the smallest society on earth, can never strive successfully or attain to its anticipated height if a woman is missing. Realistically, a family cannot be formed in the first place if a woman is nowhere to be found.

And along the line having created or formed a family with the help of a woman, if she eventually dies, the affected family will live to suffer the vacuum her eternal demise has created. This implies that, psychologically, no widower can boast of being a happy man, especially a situation where the late wife left some kids behind.

Sometimes even when the widower has gotten married to another woman, provided the late wife left some indelible footprints behind such as the kids or that she was made up of some irreplaceable features, he shall remain in an unending emotional trauma until he is being compensated with one thing or the other by the Almighty.

Ab initio, the womenfolk has been considered to constitute the integral part of the wider society. It is obvious that a social gathering or union cannot achieve an effective and efficient goal if the women are not carried along.

It might sound a bit controversial but the truth remains that nature had ordained woman to be the most attractive being in any society she happens to be a member or a part of; this is the reason whenever a social group of people intends to pay a courtesy visit to a certain office holder, if they fail to include at least a woman among the delegate, the said outing might end up being fruitless. Why? Simply because the presence of a woman has a natural tendency of arresting the heart of any man irrespective of what the man in question is made up of.

The political terrain is not left out. Surely, any man occupying a political position can boldly testify to the fact that his beloved wife is the reason he is striving assiduously and successfully. Suffice it to say that, a woman is indeed in charge of any leadership position even when her impact seems invisible.

The   advisory role, both morally and otherwise, a woman plays in the life of a political office holder who happens to be her spouse supersedes whatever advice or counsel he receives from his employees/appointees, or friends and well-wishers, as the case may be.

Considering the church, which is an institution as well as one of the oldest societies across the globe, there is no need reiterating the fact that its sustainability from the onset has been possible owing to the effort of the womenfolk. A woman has been proven to be more religious than a man; this is why she remains the engine room towards the uplift of our children’s spiritual lives. And we are all aware that someone or a family whose spiritual life is porous is apparently living like a tree without a single root.

Due to the fact that a woman is closer to the church than a man, the easiest way to conscientize a married man toward the uplift of a church is by winning the heart of his wife, since it is obvious that a woman has the key to a man’s heart.

Frankly, the role of a woman both in her immediate and wider society cannot be overemphasized. From the aforementioned facts, it can be pinpointed that without a woman, the children cannot be properly raised, be it morally, academically, religiously and what have you. Similarly, without a woman, a man’s social, political and emotional life shall remain incapacitated and in shambles.

But it is noteworthy that, it is only a virtuous woman that can impact positively on her family or any society she belongs. Needless to say; it takes a virtuous woman to bring the desired change in any society. A virtuous woman, in a nutshell, is that woman who is morally correct; that woman who possesses an acceptable lifestyle; that woman whose interior idiosyncrasies are welcoming or near-perfect.

Thus, at this juncture, I challenge the womenfolk to endeavour to possess welcoming attributes. To say the least, a woman’s lifestyle can be said to be acceptable if she is homely, humble, sensitive, sensible, and above all, god-fearing.

And, it is only the church that has all it takes to inculcate such qualities in a woman; this is why there’s a compelling need for us to support the church in its relentless stride toward uplifting humanity in its entirety.

In view of the aforementioned facts, we are convinced that the role of women in any society, regardless of the circumstance, is invariably inevitable. To this end, we are required at all times to contribute our individual efforts toward the promotion of the womenfolk in its entirety in our respective communities or societies as well as preach against any form of violence against women. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056    
  

Youth Involvement in Nation-Building

PROMOTING YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN NATION BUILDING      

         

It is generally noted that the youth is the main productive class of any nation. In the same vein, anyone in a youthful stage sees himself as one of the major parts of the engine room of any society he belongs.

         

Suffice to say; any existing society that cannot boast of at least a youth is not unlike a tree that is being deprived of its major root. This is why any country that has lost its youths to social vices lives like a blind man as well as sleeps with both eyes open.

         

Though the definition of the youth regarding the age bracket varies from one school of thought to another; but in a nutshell, it could be defined as a group of young people who are in their adulthood stage. Thus, a youth is simply an adult or a fully grown person that is young.

        

Considering the above definition, you would agree to the fact that the youth is indeed the engine room of any nation. To this end, it is pathetic and devastating to see a society comprising irrational youths. It is no longer news that presently, about ninety percent (90%) of the overall youths in most countries in the world, particularly developing nations, have intensely derailed thereby constituting series of inconsequential cacophonies as well as societal menace.

         

In Nigeria for instance; during the post-colonial era and thereabouts, virtually all the political positions in the country were occupied by the youth who were mostly in their twenties such as the likes of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Chief Tafawa Balewa, Gen Murtala Mohammed, Gen Theophilus Danjuma, Gen Ibrahim Babagida, Gen Sani Abacha, Gen Shehu Musa Yar’adua, Gen Aguiyi Ironsi, Gen Chukwuemeka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen Mohammadu Buhari, and many others too numerous to mention.

        

But today, the reverse is totally the case; you would hardly see a youth in his thirties becoming a commissioner in his/her home state, let alone occupying a ministerial position. Unequivocally, the ongoing profound apathy coupled with complete loss of vision among most of the new generational youths who occupy about one-third of the country’s population, calls for an outcry.

         

Wednesday August 12, the world over commemorated the 2015 International Youth Day. The International Youth Day is annually held on August 12 to celebrate the achievements of the world’s youth and to encourage their participation in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions in their respective communities.

        

The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by young people who were gathered in Vienna – Austria for the first session of the United Nations (UN) World Youth Forum. The forum recommended that an International Youth Day should be declared, especially for fund-raising and promotional purposes to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with various youth organizations.     

         

In 1998, a resolution proclaiming August 12 as International Youth Day was adopted during the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth Affairs. That recommendation was later endorsed in 1999 by the UN General Assembly. The International Youth Day was first observed in the year 2000; one of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the United Nations’ World Youth Awards to the eight Latin American and Caribbean youth and youth-related organizations in Panama City.

        

As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the International Youth Day, I’m soliciting for awareness-raising campaigns to ensure that all the youths are fully sensitized in order to revive the ongoing alarming rate of moral decadence, docility, laxity, and mediocrity found among them.

         

Against this backdrop, I call on the governments, non-governmental bodies, religious institutions, the civil society, the media, and what have you, to join hands in this enticing crusade so that in no distant time Nigeria can boast of a country filled with only resourceful and conscience-driven youths.

        

We can contribute our respective quotas by initiating or sponsoring both social and academic activities such as youth seminars cum conferences on education and empowerment, concerts promoting the Nigerian youth as well as various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that will showcase young people’s accomplishments with a view to thoroughly sensitize the mindset of the said group on their civic responsibility, rights and privileges. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine. Think about it!

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @fdnnwaozor   

Eradicating Hepatitis

ERADICATING HEPATITIS IN NIGERIA       

No rational man boasts of anything if his health condition is at stake. Suffice to say; a healthy life remains the most precious possession that ever comes to a man regardless of his/her status or age.

In the world today, there are millions of illnesses or diseases in existence coupled with the ones that seem to have no specific cause or cure. Among these diseases, some are often referred to be stubborn regarding their mode of cure while some are seen to be deadly. No doubt, hepatitis is one of those stubborn or deadly illnesses in existence. 

Hepatitis is a medical condition which is defined as an inflammation of one of the most vital organs in the human body known as the liver. It is usually characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. The inflammatory condition can be self-limiting or can heal on its own; but on the contrary, it can progress to fibrosis or cirrhosis.

Hepatitis may occur with limited or no symptoms, but often leads to jaundice, poor appetite, and a feeling of unease. It is referred to as acute when it lasts less than six months, and chronic when it persists longer. Globally, hepatitis viruses are the most common causes of the condition, but hepatitis can as well be caused by other infections, autoimmune diseases, or toxic substances such as alcohol, certain medications, and some industrial organic solvents and plants.

Initial features of acute hepatitis are of non-specific flu-like symptoms, which are invariably common to almost all acute viral infections, and may include fatigue, muscle and joint aches, fever, nausea diarrhoea, vomiting, and headache. More specific symptoms which could be present in acute hepatitis from any cause are profound loss of appetite, aversion to smoking among smokers, excretion of dark urine, and abdominal discomfort.

A small proportion of people with acute hepatitis usually progress to acute liver failure, in which the liver would be unable to remove harmful substances from the blood thereby leading to confusion and coma due to hepatic encephalopathy. The acute liver failure may also result to the production of blood proteins which often leads to peripheral edema and bleeding.

More so, a chronic hepatitis, which is commonly identified through blood test, is usually characterized with no symptoms at all. It often leads to the presence of jaundice which indicates advanced liver damage. On physical examination, there may be enlargement of the liver. In the same vein, women with autoimmune hepatitis mostly experience abnormal menstruation, lung scarring, inflammation of the thyroid gland and kidneys.

Apart from the aforementioned two major classes of hepatitis, it is invariably grouped and recognized by medical experts based on its common causes. On this note, the different types of hepatitis in existence that are widely recognized include, Viral hepatitis, Alcoholic hepatitis, Toxic and drug-induced hepatitis, Ischemic hepatitis, Giant cell hepatitis, just to mention but a few. The most common causes of viral hepatitis are the five unrelated hepatotropic viruses known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses.

Tuesday 28^th July, the world over commemorated the 2015 World Hepatitis Day. The event, which is observed annually on July 28, was inaugurated by World Health Organization (WHO) under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) to raise global awareness on hepatitis or a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and to encourage the prevention, diagnosis, as well as the treatment of the disease.

The first global World Hepatitis Day was marked on May 19, 2008 through the effort of the World Hepatitis Alliance in collaboration with various patient groups. The commemoration received an international endorsement following the adoption of a resolution during the 63^rd World Health Assembly held in May 2010. The date of the event was later changed to July 28 of every year by the Assembly, in honour of the birthday of Nobel Laureate Baruch Samuel Blumberg – the man who discovered the hepatitis B virus.

There is an estimate that hepatitis affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide thereby causing acute or chronic disease and killing close to 1.4 million people every year. Currently, approximately five hundred (500) million people worldwide are suffering from either hepatitis B or hepatitis C. If left untreated or unmanaged, hepatitis B or C can lead to advanced liver scarring known as cirrhosis and other complications including liver cancer or liver failure.

While many people worry more about contracting diseases like HIV than hepatitis, the reality is that every year, at least 1.3 million people worldwide die as a result of either hepatitis B or C faster than they would in the case of HIV/AIDS. Needless to say that, hepatitis is indeed a deadly disease. Considering this fact, it is pathetic and devastating to note that many hepatitis carriers are yet to realize that they are living with the disease.

Hepatitis groups, patients as well as advocates worldwide, take part in series of events on every July 28 to mark the World Hepatitis Day. The World Hepatitis Day is one of the eight official global public health campaigns being marked by the WHO.

As Nigeria joins the international community to commemorate the event, there’s need for collective support as regards creation of awareness on this silent killer known as Hepatitis. The World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to focus on actions such as:

v Raising awareness on the different forms of hepatitis, their common causes and how they are transmitted.

v Strengthening prevention, screening, and control of viral hepatitis and other related diseases.

v Increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage cum integration into national immunization programmes.

v And lastly, though not the least, coordinating a global response to hepatitis.

At this juncture, it is of no need saying that, all hands are expected to be on deck towards ensuring that this killer disease that has been a colossal societal menace for decades now is duly eradicated. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056 
Twitter: @fdnnwaozor  

 

Teaching: Respected but Vulnerable Profession

TEACHING: RESPECTED BUT VULNERABLE PROFESSION

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

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

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

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

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

In view of the outstanding impact of the teaching profession in any society, there is no gain reiterating the fact that it is no doubt a respected profession, but it is appalling to observe that the members of the said profession in most countries across the globe are seemingly vulnerable regarding their financial worth.

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

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

The civil society and other stakeholders are expected to encourage the teaching profession by ensuring that the following conditions are reached by any employer:

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

v Conducive and charming work environment.

v High quality pre- and in-service training.

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

The law makers in their oversight function are expected to play a very vital role in respect to this proposal. A strict law regarding teachers’ wellbeing could be enacted with a view to boosting the effectiveness and efficiency of the said professionals in Nigeria.

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

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

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

 

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: fdnnwaozor   

Bad Governance: Who's to Blame?

BAD GOVERNANCE: WHO’S TO BLAME?

Governance is the process in which the leaders or the public office holders of a given society make and implement decisions with the prime motive of affecting the lives of the citizenry positively. Governance is said to be ‘Bad’ when the outcome is not favourable to the people.  

Good governance is accountable; it is transparent; it follows the rule of law; it is responsive; it is equitable; good governance is effective and efficient; above all, it’s participatory. Any democratic process that bears the reverse of the aforementioned qualities or features is referred to as ‘Bad governance’. 

It is apparent that governance is interwoven with democracy owing to the fact that it is only in a thorough and holistic democratic setting it (governance) can be observed. Surely, democracy begets politics and in the same vein, governance is begotten by politics; there are no two ways about it.

To say that governance has been profoundly abused in the contemporary Nigerian society is merely an understatement. Suffice is to say; the level of decadence in governance in the various developing nations across the globe, particularly Nigeria, cannot be overemphasized.

To say the least; since the emergence of democracy in ‘the Giant of Africa’ sixteen years ago, governance has been perceived by our leaders as an inconsequential tool thereby making the said society seem not unlike a mockery ground. It is no doubt a thing of worry for the concerned elite as well as the patriotic individuals amidst the overwhelming populace.

One may ask; who is actually to be blamed in a nation or society where governance is not taken seriously or where bad governance is generally absorbed as a norm? Indeed, such inquiry could be tagged as a ‘critical and very sensitive’ one, which requires only but an unequivocal response.

In some quarters, bad governance is solely attributed to the corrupt nature of the leaders involved coupled with impunity. Whilst, some are of the opinion that it is a product of extreme insincerity and mediocrity mainly on the side of the members of the legislature. On the other hand, another school of thought is of the view that good governance would remain far-fetched in a country like Nigeria until the country’s electoral umpire becomes thoroughly independent.

Without mincing words; from my perspective, bad governance, which is peculiar to the African society in its entirety, is mostly not unconnected to the uncalled and unwarranted attitude of the followers. Someone who’s interested in further clarification may want to know who ‘the followers’ are. The followers are the electorate or the general public, or those who are not occupying any leadership position. In other words, if you are not a leader, you are definitely a follower.

At this juncture, I put it up to you that the citizens have been the singular cause of their predicament as regards governance. Yes, until the citizenry realize that leadership and followership are interdependent, they will continue to get it wrong. It is high time we understood that without the followers, the leaders cannot perform. Needless to say that, the leaders cannot function without the presence or effort of the followers.

This implies that, much as we presume that power only belongs to the leaders, we ought to also comprehend the fact that the teeming followers have some elements of power, albeit seemly intangible, attached to their personalities. The dichotomy is that; the leaders have the power or immunity to lead while on their part, the followers have the power to sack any leader if the need arises. Of course, the followers rightly possess the power to move ‘Vote of No-confidence’ on any executive office holder or recall any legislator, as the case may be.

It is so pathetic that the followers’ power has been bewildered by various factors such as sycophancy, apathy, vulnerability, and ignorance. It is obvious to the sight of those who are not mentally blind that the aforementioned factors, among others, have been militating against the functionality of the people’s power/immunity.

Most of those who are fully informed have chosen to be sycophants; they go about singing praises or citing eulogies come rain come shine. Some other informed ones are invariably marred by apathy with a silly presumption that the said political cankerworm is indelible. Similarly, another fairly informed class seems defenceless; this set of persons who appear vulnerable could be very powerful if they apply ‘synergy’ but their myopic mindset ostensibly beclouds their sense of reasoning. On the other hand, a certain group among the followers is not in any way aware that power also lies in their hands; unarguably, their ignorant mentality has caused them a tremendous fortune.

The most annoying part is that most of the followers in question don’t know when to tender criticism. They prefer to remain mere spectators over their so called leaders’ derailment. Even, some of them who call themselves ‘activists’ have in one occasion or the other soiled their reputations.

Perhaps, it is needless to reiterate the fact that good governance will remain a mirage in the contemporary African society till the electorate acknowledge fully that leadership and followership are wholly interwoven. Frankly, the followers have been the architect of their recurrent misfortune. In view of this singular fact, the civil society organizations, the media, religious bodies, and what have you, need to intensify awareness on letting the people realize their responsibility towards actualizing good governance. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)
_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @fdnnwaozor   

  

Alarming Pace of Protracted Diseases

CHECKING THE ALARMING PACE OF PROTRACTED DISEASES

Protracted diseases are diseases or infections that last for a very long time in the body of the carrier, which usually last as long as the patient lives. They include cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, hepatitis, ulcer, asthma, obesity, pile, brain turmoil, fibroid, tuberculosis, hypertension, stroke, arthritis, rheumatism, cardiovascular diseases, failure of an essential organ such as the liver, kidney, heart, lung, just to mention but a few.

Undoubtedly, in recent times, protracted diseases or chronic infections have been the order of the day that if adequate and drastic measure is not taken towards curbing the menace, it is liable to render the entire labour force of the Nigeria’s population vulnerable in no distant time.

Though, currently the number of patients coping with chronic conditions, particularly for cases involving HIV infection and some malignancies, seems to be growing due to improvements in treatments, but it is worthy to note that the medical morass really constitutes a severe and colossal societal nuisance among mankind.

To say the least; patients with chronic medical conditions may provoke feelings of anxiety and professional inadequacy. The condition in question may also become an emotional burden on the clinician or physician who is exposed to the cumulative suffering and losses experienced by the patients as well as their families and well-wishers.

The psychological trauma attached to the life of anyone suffering from a protracted disease cannot be overemphasized especially when the carrier is not adhering to the appropriate routine as regards treatment. For instance, a study of women with breast cancer discovered that those who sought alternative treatments had higher levels of psychological morbidity; the pursuit of such treatments might thus indicate the patient’s distress rather than their well-being.

More so, recognizing that the condition has progressed and that the patient is approaching the terminal phase of their disease may be distressing for staff who have known the patient well. In this case, the staff or health personnel may be reluctant to relinquish more aggressive treatments. This is more worrisome in a situation involving an elderly or aged person.

Sometimes the side effects of some treatments might lead to anger and frustration. These feelings may be mediated by an emotional reaction to changes in the patient’s body as well as symptoms, but may also be the direct result of the effect of the treatment on the patient’s mood. Similarly, patients who are angry, demanding or resentful may engender powerful feelings of rage in their physicians.

Although adherence to prescribed treatments may improve the course of a protracted disease, the physician cannot confidently promise the patient a greater success. In some diseases such as diabetes, impairment may still occur. Compliance to treatment may be poor even in patients who had undergone an organ transplant. Whichever treatment measure a patient is passing through, there is need to acknowledge that adequate rest, constant physical exercise, or regular intake of clean water, as the case may be, could be helpful.

The worst of all is that, if proper care is not taken, a protracted illness might result to a more delicate situation to include, a more severe impairment, an acute mental disorder, total paralysis, or even the death of the patient, based on the nature of the disease in question. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), survey indicates that protracted disease like cancer caused about 8.2 million deaths or 14.6% of all human deaths in the year 2012: this implies that in near future if a drastic approach is not taken, cancer cases alone might be responsible to over twenty percent (20%) of death rate in the world.

Since most protracted diseases are obviously incurable, it is worth noting that the best approach required towards addressing the anomalies is by avoiding their possible causes, which are mostly behavioural risk factors. Medical analysts are of the view that chronic infections are mainly not unconnected to stress, bad weather condition, poor environment, tobacco intake, alcohol, unprotected sex, consumption of unclean water, inadequate physical exercise, unwholesome diets, untreated infection, lack of regular medical checkup, or drug abuse, as the case may be.

Against this backdrop, there is no gain saying that we are meant to, at all times and at all cost, be extremely mindful of our lifestyle, or whatever we eat or drink. Among all, there is a pressing need for us to see our doctor whenever we notice any abnormality in our body as well as check the expiring date or validity of any drug or food we intend to take. No doubt, this is the only way we can boast of a life free from any health complication. As the saying goes, ‘Prevention is better than cure.’

On the other hand, all the medical experts taking care of patients living with protracted/chronic diseases ought to endeavour to inculcate hopeful mindset in them. They are expected to make the patients understand that they can live as long as they want provided they stick to the rules given to them.

And in our respective capacities, we should let anyone around us that is suffering from such illness or any related predicament to see despair as the worst sin ever. By so doing, we will live to experience a society filled with contented individuals regardless of the circumstance. Think about it!   

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056    
Follow: @fred_nwaozor / @fdnnwaozor

World Youth Skills Day

INTENSIFYING SKILLS ACQUISITION AMONG THE YOUTH AS THE WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY IS MARKED TODAY WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2015

A skill can simply be defined as the ability to do something well. It can also be referred to as ability and capacity acquired through deliberate, systematic, and sustained effort in order to smoothly and adaptively carryout complex activities or job functions involving ideas, things, and/or people.

Similarly, skill acquisition is the process of acquiring a certain skill by an individual through a thorough intensive training over a given period of time. Skill acquisition involves both theoretical and practical training regardless of its duration.

Skill can be classified into three major parts including cognitive skills, technical skills and interpersonal skills. A cognitive skill deals with ideas; technical skill is the ability to handle things or a certain human endeavour effectively and efficiency. Whilst, interpersonal skill is the ability to relate with people around you usually in business or work places. There are hundreds of thousands of skills in existence such as sporting skill, cultural skill, installation skill, maintenance skill, manufacturing skill, management skill and what have you.

Skill is required in every area of human endeavour and it enables the entrepreneurship drive of any nation to be actualized. The most important aspect of skill acquisition is that it benefits all classes in any society involved especially the masses.

A small or medium scale entrepreneur is expected to hire many skilled people to take on tasks that are outside of his/her skill set. However, every individual either a prospective leader or business personnel, must relentlessly strive to acquire the skills that will make him/her a great leader or a successful businessperson as the case may be.

Someone who has commenced a business or trade venture owing to his specialized skills and knowledge related to a particular service or product is required to expand his skills to be a successful entrepreneur. Such measure is referred to as ‘Skill enhancement’. No doubt, improving skills related to acquiring money or raising capital for a business boost represents the difference between success and failure of the venture in question.

Unequivocally, being good at starting a business does not automatically make one good at planning for growth. He/she must acquire planning skills that tie his/her vision to practical steps, which the business can take to realize that vision. The acquisition of the aforementioned skill is important because without it, your firm or business venture can stagnate and lose out to the competition.

One may have envisioned a smooth rise to the top when he commenced his business, but the truth is that he will surely encounter crisis or challenging situations. Whether it has to do with shortage of money or the loss of his facilities to a fire disaster, he must acquire the skills that would enable him to remain calm in times of turmoil and maintain his ability to make adequate decisions. This step is very vital because the affected person can learn to triumph when it looks like he could be defeated. Needless to say that skill acquisition in decision making remains an inevitable tool while carrying out a business strategy.

On the other hand, the importance of acquiring strong communication skills will be evident in all of one’s entrepreneurial activities. From networking to leadership, one needs to constantly and consistently update his communication skills to enable him form alliances and encourage consensus.

Taking Nigeria as a case study, you would noticed that most of our young ones or the youth are potentially preoccupied with variety of skills in various areas of human endeavour ranging from culture to sports, engineering/sciences, art works, and leadership, that need to be develop with a view to strengthening their respective entrepreneurship prowess towards nation-building.

To this end, there is need to encourage our young ones to be acquainted as well as acquire proficiency in one skill or the other within their reach. The schools can help in this regard by ensuring that the pupils or students regularly create time for guidance and counselling during their school hours. A good counselling would enable each of them to discover their potential skills or abilities thereby making them develop an interest in that area. The parents and guardians on their part should not hesitate to boost the morale of their children or wards in any skill they are fit in by providing all the needed materials or facilities for them to excel.

Inter alia, there is an urgent need to revive the various technical colleges and commercial schools situated across the federation that are currently moribund. And at the tertiary level, the Entrepreneurship Studies, which are usually done by the undergraduates as General studies, ought to be taken more seriously by the various school managements. More so, the ongoing Industrial Training (IT) and Teaching Practice (TP) schemes being observed by the Universities/Polytechnics and Colleges of Education respectively must be intensified by the concerned authorities. Above all, the various cultural heritages across the country need to be revisited with the aim of harnessing the required ones; this will go a long way to discover and reawaken thousands of skills among the youth.

On Wednesday July 15, the world over celebrated the maiden edition of the World Youth Skills Day. The Day, which is aimed at enhancing the youth’s ability in order to make informed life and work choices, was established by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on November 11, 2014. World Youth Skills Day was initiated in the UN by the effort of the Sri Lanka Representative. The UN General Assembly calls on member states to observe the Day in an appropriate manner.

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the annual World Youth Skills Day, I call on the governments at all levels, the civil society, religious bodies, corporate organizations, and well-meaning individuals to intensify awareness on the importance of skills acquisition as well as look for a way they can contribute their respective quotas in the crusade with a view to eradicating the ongoing socio-economic crisis ravaging the country. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
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frednwaozor@gmail.com

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