Imo Traditional Rulers' Council and Its Proposed Election

IMO COUNCIL OF ROYAL FATHERS AND ITS PROPOSED ELECTION

     Penultimate week, I reportedly learnt that, henceforth, the leadership of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers would be produced via an election process to be conducted among the overall members of the body, contrary to the ongoing scenario whereby its leaders are being selected or appointed by the state’s governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

     The last time I checked, according to the report, the said resolution was occasioned by the joint meeting that recently took place at the Imo Government House between the governor and the entire members of the union in question. During the meeting, the number-one citizen equivocally disclosed to the traditional rulers that the era of appointment or imposition as regards leadership of the body had gone, stating that everyone needed to be carried along.

     It would be recalled that the moment Governor Okorocha came on board in 2011 as the Imo State governor, he unequivocally appointed Eze Samuel Ohiri, the present Chairman of the council, to pilot the affairs of the body in order to end the unrest that was occurring among its members. He further appointed other traditional rulers to fill other vacant executive positions in the union owing to the outright dissolution of the entire executive council.

     Though such action was rebelled against by the then Chairman of the union in the person of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who sought justice in the court on the ground that, according to the constitution of the union, an executive member shall only cease to be recognized as a member of the executive council if he dies or voluntarily resigns from the position.

     The aforementioned resolution initiated by Governor Okorocha, which was long overdue, is undoubtedly a way forward and a step in the right direction. I, as a Constitution activist, had in various occasions pleaded with the governor to find a way of settling the leadership crisis between these traditional custodians, which is liable to degenerate into an unspeakable circumstance if adequate measure isn’t taken towards addressing it.

    There’s no need repeating the past since a genuine remedy has been found, thus this piece is quite more interested in the way forward. To this end, since the governor had succeeded in getting to this point regarding conflict resolution among the royal fathers, without further ado, to prove that his intention is truly sincere, he’s required to mandate the said rulers to fix a date for the proposed election.

     Another remarkable step taken by the Imo governor was the lifting of the ban he placed on one of the traditional custodians, Eze Desmond Oguguo of Ezi-Udo Autonomous Community in Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA. The recalled Eze was some time ago dethroned by the governor as well as banned from any activity taking place among the royal fathers due to an act of rebellion he indulged in.

     It would also be recalled that aside sacking the former Chairman of the Imo Traditional Rulers’ Council, Eze Ilomuanya, the governor went further to dethrone him as a result of the unending misunderstanding that existed between them. Having been dethroned, the man in question, out of neglect, hosted the former Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Jonathan at the official office-complex of the council situated in Owerri in the company of other royal fathers of like minds including Eze Desmond Oguguo, Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, Eze E.S. Okoro, and Eze Edward Njoku, among others, having broken into the complex with the effort of some security personnel. The rest is history.

    This was the reason the governor dethroned the recalled Royal father alongside the other alleged accomplices, in line with the Sections 11 and 14 of the 2006 Imo State Traditional Rulers’ Autonomous Communities Law. Notwithstanding, I thank God normalcy is gradually retracing its steps. As much as I wholeheartedly commend the governor for this giant stride taken by his person, I also wish he could try as much as possible to extend similar hands of fellowship to other aggrieved royal fathers. Reconciliation is a two-way thing because it takes two to tango; hence, the aggrieved persons are equally expected to reciprocate accordingly. 

     One of the good qualities of a good leader is ensuring that he makes a path for others to follow. Just like in the words of Jim Rohn, “The challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude; be kind but not weak; be bold but not bully; be thoughtful but not lazy; be humble but not timid; be proud but not arrogant; have humour but without folly”. More so, Henry Ford also stated in his leadership quote, “Don’t find fault, find a remedy”.

     However, the royal fathers must as well do me a favour; they ought to refrain from indulging in politics. It’s not anymore news that most of these traditional custodians, rather than doing the needful, end up participating in institutional politics, which is highly prohibited in their profession. This is why their activities often conflict with that of the politicians. Pathetically, most of them aren’t residing at their respective autonomous communities.

     They are only meant to issue blessing to anyone found worthy to contest for any political post, and not to pilot his/her electioneering campaign thereafter. More pitiably, some of them are card-carrying members of one political party or the other. We keep compounding problems for ourselves.
      Notwithstanding, all I seek right now is maximum peace in Imo State and nothing more. Hence I urge all concerned to swallow their differences towards ushering in the anticipated peace; enough of these altercations. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador 

  

 

The Ekiti Seven and Fate of Nigerian Roads

PROMOTING THE PRESS’ IMPACT ON NATION-BUILDING AS THE 2016 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY IS MARKED TODAY TUESDAY MAY 3

        

     The last time I checked, the Press could be described as the news media and agencies collectively, especially newspapers and magazines. In the same vein, freedom of the Press or the Press freedom is the freedom the press workers or personnel have to communicate and express their views through the media including print and electronic. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections.

      With respect to government information, any government may distinguish the materials that are meant to be public from the ones to be protected based on classification of the information as sensitive, secret, and being otherwise protected from disclosure due to its relevance to protecting the national interest. Many governments are also subject to sunshine laws or freedom of information legislation that are used to define the ambit of national interest.

      The United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference as well as impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers”. This philosophy is usually accompanied by legislation ensuring various degrees of freedom such as freedom of scientific research known as ‘scientific freedom’, publishing, press and printing. The concept of freedom of speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press thereby giving equal treatment to both spoken and published expressions.

       Undoubtedly, the impact of the press on nation building cannot be overemphasized. It is noteworthy that, the current socio-political, ethnic and religious intolerance in Nigeria can best be addressed by giving the press a free role not only in presentation of reportage but educating the entire citizenry on the need to embrace absolute tolerance irrespective of their respective affiliations.

      The ongoing Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East region of the country, coupled with the current crisis occasioned by herdsmen cannot be properly approached or tackled without involving the press. In this aspect, the press would enable the citizens and other concerned or affected groups to know what is at stake as well as what is expected of them at any given time.

     Of course, it is the press that would enable the general public to acknowledge the anticipated dimension of the said anomalies. Creating awareness and awakening the consciousness of the populace in this regard or in a situation of such cannot be compromised, and suchlike measure cannot be achieved without the effort of the press.

      Considering the just concluded elections in Nigeria, we would agree to the obvious fact that the role of the press throughout the exercise was not just enormous, but unquantifiable. It was the press that enabled both the security operatives and the general public to know where and when there was any form of pandemonium or security threat as the case might be as well as the nature of the incident. Among all, the press created an avenue for transparency as long as the polls lasted which led to a credible, peaceful and successful exercise.

      Inter alia, as regards the activities of the political office holders or public officers at large, the press has helped tremendously to fight bribery and corruption that is often exhibited by the said personnel. It is the press that enables the people to be fully aware of the steps being taken by the government towards addressing any issue or anomaly alongside the respective efforts of each of the government functionaries. Similarly, the contribution of critics in national development or good governance through presentation of constructive criticism cannot be effective without the press.

      Against this backdrop, the United Nations (UN) thought it wise to proclaim May 3 of every year as the World Press Freedom Day. The World Press Freedom Day was approved by the UN General Assembly in December 1993 following the recommendation of the General Assembly of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and among all pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

      As the world commemorates the World Press Freedom Day, there is need for all concerned authorities and groups in Nigeria to safeguard the Freedom of Information (FOI) law that is aimed at restructuring the Nigerian democratic system. On the other hand, there’s also an urgent need for the release of all the journalists and media personnel across the globe that are being detained unjustly by the police or any law enforcement agency.

      More so, the governments at all levels ought to stop further arrest and intimidation of activists whom they perceive as critics of their negative political agenda or mission. Suffice it to say; the press ought to be given a thorough free role in reporting and seeking solution to issues that may threaten the peace and unity of our great country, Nigeria.

      On their part, the members of the media must at all times concentrate on objective or unbiased reportage; hence, they are expected to think beyond their individual interest in any circumstance they find themselves. In view of this, no member of the press should in any occasion or on any ground publish any news/story without embarking on thorough and adequate investigation. In other words, investigative reporting ought to be the watchword of every pressman. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

                 

2016 World Press Freedom Day

PROMOTING THE PRESS’ IMPACT ON NATION-BUILDING AS THE 2016 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY IS MARKED TODAY TUESDAY MAY 3

        

     The last time I checked, the Press could be described as the news media and agencies collectively, especially newspapers and magazines. In the same vein, freedom of the Press or the Press freedom is the freedom the press workers or personnel have to communicate and express their views through the media including print and electronic. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections.

      With respect to government information, any government may distinguish the materials that are meant to be public from the ones to be protected based on classification of the information as sensitive, secret, and being otherwise protected from disclosure due to its relevance to protecting the national interest. Many governments are also subject to sunshine laws or freedom of information legislation that are used to define the ambit of national interest.

      The United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference as well as impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers”. This philosophy is usually accompanied by legislation ensuring various degrees of freedom such as freedom of scientific research known as ‘scientific freedom’, publishing, press and printing. The concept of freedom of speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press thereby giving equal treatment to both spoken and published expressions.

       Undoubtedly, the impact of the press on nation building cannot be overemphasized. It is noteworthy that, the current socio-political, ethnic and religious intolerance in Nigeria can best be addressed by giving the press a free role not only in presentation of reportage but educating the entire citizenry on the need to embrace absolute tolerance irrespective of their respective affiliations.

      The ongoing Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East region of the country, coupled with the current crisis occasioned by herdsmen cannot be properly approached or tackled without involving the press. In this aspect, the press would enable the citizens and other concerned or affected groups to know what is at stake as well as what is expected of them at any given time.

     Of course, it is the press that would enable the general public to acknowledge the anticipated dimension of the said anomalies. Creating awareness and awakening the consciousness of the populace in this regard or in a situation of such cannot be compromised, and suchlike measure cannot be achieved without the effort of the press.

      Considering the just concluded elections in Nigeria, we would agree to the obvious fact that the role of the press throughout the exercise was not just enormous, but unquantifiable. It was the press that enabled both the security operatives and the general public to know where and when there was any form of pandemonium or security threat as the case might be as well as the nature of the incident. Among all, the press created an avenue for transparency as long as the polls lasted which led to a credible, peaceful and successful exercise.

      Inter alia, as regards the activities of the political office holders or public officers at large, the press has helped tremendously to fight bribery and corruption that is often exhibited by the said personnel. It is the press that enables the people to be fully aware of the steps being taken by the government towards addressing any issue or anomaly alongside the respective efforts of each of the government functionaries. Similarly, the contribution of critics in national development or good governance through presentation of constructive criticism cannot be effective without the press.

      Against this backdrop, the United Nations (UN) thought it wise to proclaim May 3 of every year as the World Press Freedom Day. The World Press Freedom Day was approved by the UN General Assembly in December 1993 following the recommendation of the General Assembly of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and among all pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

      As the world commemorates the World Press Freedom Day, there is need for all concerned authorities and groups in Nigeria to safeguard the Freedom of Information (FOI) law that is aimed at restructuring the Nigerian democratic system. On the other hand, there’s also an urgent need for the release of all the journalists and media personnel across the globe that are being detained unjustly by the police or any law enforcement agency.

      More so, the governments at all levels ought to stop further arrest and intimidation of activists whom they perceive as critics of their negative political agenda or mission. Suffice it to say; the press ought to be given a thorough free role in reporting and seeking solution to issues that may threaten the peace and unity of our great country, Nigeria.

      On their part, the members of the media must at all times concentrate on objective or unbiased reportage; hence, they are expected to think beyond their individual interest in any circumstance they find themselves. In view of this, no member of the press should in any occasion or on any ground publish any news/story without embarking on thorough and adequate investigation. In other words, investigative reporting ought to be the watchword of every pressman. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

                 

The Long Awaited Imo-North Rerun Election

THE LONG AWAITED IMO-NORTH RERUN ELECTION, ET AL

    Last time I painstakingly checked, the conduct of the awaited rerun election concerning the Imo-North senatorial district in Imo State coupled with a few state assembly polls in the state was long overdue that even those who fully understand the language of patience had become pessimistic. It’s pertinent to acknowledge that some other states across the federation like Anambra among others are currently passing through similar fate.

    It’s more worrisome to note that the 90-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria’s apex court otherwise known as the Supreme Court regarding the said senatorial election likewise that issued against the awaited state assembly polls by the Appeal Court has elapsed. And pathetically, the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as the electoral Acts seems to be silent on the appropriate action needed to be taken in a situation like this. This indicates that the said constitution is earnestly calling for amendment in this regard.

    The aforementioned elections were scheduled to hold on Saturday 20^th of February 2016 but were outrightly cancelled by the electoral umpire, the INEC, barely twenty-four hours to the polls owing to a sensed act of criminality or electoral violence. I, personally, among other concerned citizens took umbrage as a result of that abrupt cancellation that seemed not unlike a mere mirage. And till this very moment, I’m still finding it very difficult to reawaken my precious nerves which were ostensibly paralysed due to the ordeal.

    My greatest worry remains that the polls were postponed indefinitely and till now, a fresh date is yet to be fixed for its conduct that is long overdue. This is what exactly informed the emergence of this critique having remained silent for awhile like a mere onlooker. It’s not anymore news that many of the affected citizens have reacted vocally towards this anomaly in various quarters, hence I thought it wise to reexamine as well as throw more light on the nauseous scenario.

    It’s to say the least, a thing of worry that the affected legislative seats are presently vacant in the concerned jurisdictions which include the Red Chamber of the National Assembly otherwise recognized as the Senate as well as the Imo State House of Assembly. This significantly implies that the overall people of Imo-North Senatorial Zone alongside those of Oru-East State Constituency among others – which is one of the constituencies affected at the state level, don’t currently have a representative at the Senate and the Imo House of Assembly respectively.

    We are not unaware of the socio-political and economic implications of the aforementioned lapse. However, let’s assume we have forgotten the consequence; hence such loophole indicates that, presently, the electorate of the affected senatorial district or state constituencies, as the case may be, do not have someone who is meant to speak on their behalf in the aforesaid legislative councils. This undoubtedly means that this set of persons is at the moment being shortchanged as regards the dividend of democracy due to them.

    Universally, democracy is for all concerned, thus no one or group of people is meant to be kept in the dark. Some persons cannot be enjoying the good side of governance while a few others would be asked to act like observers. Such phenomenon, which is an act of humiliation, is constitutionally wrong, hence unacceptable. Obviously, everyone or group deserves a fair treatment in any democratic setting; they must be treated equally.

    The above assertion remains the reason it is generally believed that no matter how bad a democracy is, it can never be compared to an autocracy, because freedom remains the greatest thing that would happen to mankind come rain come shine. Now, the Nigeria’s democratic setting is characterized by a change mantra initiated by its leaders; suffice it to say that every citizen of the country is clamouring for change. Such clamour requires the effort of all Nigerians towards its actualization, thus a situation where some groups are yet to boast of a federal/state legislator or representative does not augur well with the anticipation.

     I’m baffled that the individuals who are negatively affected by this scenario are seemingly docile; if not, why am I yet to hear that an organized peaceful protest has been taken to the INEC as well as the National Assembly or Imo Assembly as the case may be. Though we have heard that the Senate had mandated the electoral umpire to fill the vacant positions in the said chamber, but more vehement effort is still needed. You can’t be subjected to agony and choose to remain silent while the trauma lasts rather than speaking at the top of your voice. One of the most paramount moments in one’s life is acknowledging when he/she is being shortchanged.

    Notwithstanding, two respected personalities in the country in the persons of Chief Athan Achonu of the PDP and Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu of the APC happen to be the most influential contenders in the long awaited polls, in that of Imo-North senatorial district precisely. The latter who has served as a Speaker of the reputable Imo House of Assembly understands what a day off in the legislative business is liable to cause or lead to, thus needn’t to be told to do the needful towards ensuring that the people of his district could boast of a representative in the Senate in no distant time.        

    The people of Oru East LGA of Imo State coupled with other state constituencies in the state whose absence are currently felt in the Imo Assembly are also not left out regarding doing the needful with a view to ensuring that the ongoing humiliation becomes a thing of the past in a few days time. Oru East indisputably remains one of the frontiers among all the 27 LGAs in the state, hence isn’t supposed to be relegated to the background like a benchwarmer.

     The electoral umpire (INEC) must do something very fast toward fixing a tangible and reliable date for the awaited polls, not just in Imo State but in other affected state across the federation. They are expected to remain independent as their name implies, patriotic, resolute, genuine and most importantly unbiased, regardless of the circumstance. Someone ought to tell them that this unsolicited delay is seriously getting out of hand. Or, if I may ask; what are they really up to? Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Researcher, Blogger, Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador