Celebrating 2016 Int'l Widows' day

CONFRONTING ONGOING VULNERABILITY OF WIDOWHOOD AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2016 INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY TODAY THURSDAY JUNE 23

      Today June 23, the world over is commemorating the annual International Widows’ Day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN). The International Widows’ Day is a UN ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. The event invariably takes place on every 23^rd day of June.

     The day was established in 2005 by Raj Loomba whose mother became a widow on June 23, 1954, and the bereaved woman experienced the social intolerance and financial adversity that can befall widows. The establishment was made under the aegis of The Loomba Foundation to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on 21^st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly under the leadership of the present UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon. The proposal for the approval was tendered by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.

      A widow is a woman whose husband is died, whilst a widower is a man who has lost his wife; thus, widowhood is a state in which a man or a woman, as the case may be, has lost his/her marriage partner. It is obvious that in any society in the world, anyone either a man or a woman found in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged, because his/her partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. But in Africa, particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman is passing through the ordeal.

      In Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow regardless of her status, is severely molested, intimidated as well as humiliated. The major plight faced by a widow in this part of the world is deprivation of her late husband’s properties or possessions by her teeming in-laws. In this case, she would be banned from making use of anything belonging to the deceased, thereby making her appear like a mere slave in her matrimonial home.

      In most cases, the widow in question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through. In some quarters, to prove her innocence, the poor widow would be mandated by the accusers to drink the water used in washing her late husband’s corpse; a practice that obviously seems highly irrational and barbaric.

     To worsen the matter, she might even be sent out of her matrimonial home as if she was not legitimately married to the deceased. Even if she begot a child for the deceased, she would be asked to leave with the child for her parental home. It’s worth noting that this aspect of intimidation can make the sufferer commit suicide unannounced owing to the gravity of ignominy attached to the ordeal. 

      Most pathetically and painfully, based on the locality, a widow may be subjected to marry her late husband’s sibling, which is often referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’. Funnily enough, the so-called prospective husband of the widow may even be a married man or sometimes an imbecile.

     After the official recognition of June 23 by the UN, the accompanying resolution called upon Member States, the United Nations system, and other international and regional organizations to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children. A recent report reveals that there are an estimated two hundred and forty-five (245) million widows worldwide, of which one hundred and fifteen (115) million live in abject poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation.

      As the world over marks the famous International Widows’ Day today, it is our civic responsibility to support the worthwhile event. In our respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that these ugly ubiquitous melodramas as regards humiliation of widows are totally eradicated. Poverty and injustice against widows is a worldwide plight addressed by the International Widows’ Day, thus we are expected to individually or collectively help to tackle the said anomalies.

     We can assist in the ongoing campaign by ensuring that in our respective jurisdictions, a widow is not treated unjustly. We can also help to prosecute anyone who attempts to intimidate or humiliate her. Similarly, every widow should be conscientized on the need to fight for her right regardless of the circumstance. Widowers should equally be supported in any possible way in order to keep them away from any form of emotional or psychological trauma.

     The civil rights lawyers shouldn’t hesitate to pursue any legal case regarding widowhood that’s brought to their chambers even if the plaintiff lacks the financial muscle. In the same vein, the civil society as well as the religious bodies ought to put up a holistic sensitization toward making the general public understand the repercussion of treating a widow or widower, as the case may be, unjustly.

     The widows on their part are required to form a formidable coalition in any locality they find themselves to enable them possess one voice towards tackling any form of maltreatment they are usually faced. By so doing, they can assist each other in solving any predicament. They, particularly the less privileged ones, should equally desist from exercising despair; it’s no doubt very painful for one’s marriage/life partner to depart eternally, but that shouldn’t make the victim of such circumstance see it as the end of the world.

      Most importantly, we must note that this campaign requires the support of all and sundry irrespective of social-cultural or religious affiliations. 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 New Police Boss and Tasks Ahead

THE NEW POLICE BOSS AND TASKS AHEAD

     The last time I checked, the workaholic Solomon Arase was no longer the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police (IGP). His timely and celebrated exit was informed by his retirement in service which was due on Tuesday 21^st June 2016. Following the retirement, President Muhammadu Buhari who constitutionally doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria Police Council graciously appointed Mr Ibrahim Kpotum Idris on the said date to henceforth fill the vacant position in an acting capacity. The acting IGP is expected to act in that capacity pending his confirmation by the apt quarters.

     Until his appointment, the new Police boss who hails from Kutigi Lavun, Niger State was the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) in charge of Operations at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. He was born on January 15, 1959, and was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1984 after graduating from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State with a Bachelor degree in Agriculture. He equally holds a degree in Law from the University of Maiduguri, Bornu State.

     Mr Ibrahim Idris has served in numerous commands and formations. He worked in the Police Mobile Force for seventeen years as Unit Commander, Squadron Commander, as well as Commandant respectively. Furthermore, he respectively served as the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Nasarawa and Kano states, and thereafter served as the CP in charge of Police Mobile Force at the Force Headquarters prior to his recent promotion as AIGP; a position he held till his current appointment.

     It’s worth noting that, the acting IGP was at the United Nations’ Mission in Liberia as well as East Timor, and was awarded ‘Medal of Merit’ by the President of the latter in recognition of his assiduous and selfless service to humanity, in addition to the countless awards he has bagged since he was enrolled in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). To say the least, he’s a man of repute and many colours; suffice it to say that the shoes he just put on are well deserved.

     However, the highly respected new police boss must acknowledge that a lot of inevitable tasks awaits him, thus there’s significantly no room for recess while his reign lasts. Obviously, it’s only a baby in the womb that’s yet to realize that Nigeria is currently ravaged by series of security challenges that require only a severe and drastic measure towards their holistic eradication.

     To this end, he shouldn’t be reminded that the herdsmen conundrum is still ongoing, thus must take a bold step toward ending the menace across the federation. He must also note that kidnapping and armed robbery are now on the rampage in every facet of the country. In view of this, he’s required to make Community Policing more viable to enable the police personnel fish out the bad eggs in any existing community.

     It’s as well preposterous to remind the new police boss that extrajudicial treatment otherwise known as jungle justice is presently the order of the day in the Nigerian society in its entirety. Hence, he can’t fold his hands and watch people seek for justice unlawfully owing to ignorance, wickedness, or what have you. He must let every Nigerian comprehend fully that no individual is greater than the law irrespective of his/her status. Similarly, a special mechanism ought to be set up to invariably try any trigger-happy police officer.

     In the same spirit, he must realize that Nigerians, both home and abroad, are longing to hear that justice had been served to those behind the recent brutal decapitation of the aged Igbo woman in Kano State. Having arrested the prime suspects as we were told, they must be thoroughly prosecuted till verdict is served. It’s no doubt the duty of the police to ensure that justice is done in the long run. Nigerians are equally eagerly looking forward to knowing the fate of the abductor of the 13-year-old Ese Oruru of Delta State origin as well as that of the alleged culprits involved in other related offences.

     On the other hand, I enjoin him to take the welfare of the entire police personnel more seriously to spur them to do more. The proposed motivator would serve as a panacea to the apathy that usually bedevils the activities of the men of the Police Force. We must note unabated that while the civilians in the country are fast asleep, these police officers are very much awake for the sake of national interest.

    The new police boss, Mr Ibrahim Idris has already stated in his speech made public on Wednesday June 22, 2016 that the NPF under his watch would henceforth be guided by the international core values of policing with integrity, ensuring that the rule of law prevails in our actions and activities. He also disclosed that his men would operate within the principles of Democratic Policing, which is an institution that’s responsive and accountable to its citizens at all times.

     He further vowed that any police commander serving at any command level must treat complaints with levity, and any complaint received from members of the public must be handled within a shortest possible period of time to the satisfaction of the complainant. He as well made it clear unequivocally that his leadership would further strengthen the existing Police X-Squad Units across the country towards boosting the ongoing fight against corruption by the present administration, as well as reorganize the famous Special Anti-Robbery Squad to tackle the lingering robbery activities in the country.

     Though he might have spoken very well in his inaugural speech, as much as I wish him good luck in his future endeavours, he ought to acknowledge that what Nigerians require from him is nothing but ensuring that he puts the auspicious and laudable speech into proactive action, so that soonest we’ll massively celebrate his person. 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 New Bailout Funds

THE NEW BAILOUT FUNDS AND ITS INTRIGUING PART

     Be it an individual or a corporate body, no doubt, at some points, borrowing becomes a consequential and inevitable gesture or approach. For the umpteenth time, I have categorically made it clear that borrowing becomes necessary if the funds to be assessed would be utilized judiciously. We must acknowledge that if a certain borrowed fund is utilized judiciously, it would enable the borrower to become financially independent in the nearest future, thereby making him/it to steer clear of borrowing in subsequent time.

     The last time I checked, unequivocally, the best way a borrowed fund could be utilized is by investing it, or using it for capital expenditure. This implies that recurrent expenditure shouldn’t in any way warrant borrowing. One of the basic examples of recurrent expenditure in any society or nation remains payment of salaries or pensions. You can’t borrow in order to pay others or to enable you service some debts; such step is ridiculous and illogical.

     If you borrow in order to settle a certain debt, how do you intend to refund? Obviously, indulging yourself in suchlike practice significantly means that you will constantly continue to borrow, come rain come shine. Aside the economic implication of borrowing, the social implications are enormous. If you are reckoned to be a borrower, your colleagues or counterparts, as the case may be, would invariably stigmatize you; you might be treated like one who has leprosy. Of course, we are not unaware of the consequences that await someone who suffers from stigma.

     Meanwhile, this critique was necessitated by the current federal government’s intention to lend more funds to the various states, in addition to the ones received previous year by the prospective beneficiaries. According to the said benefactor, the kind move is targeted to salvaging the state governments that have been colossally ravaged by the crisis occasioned by the economic turmoil the country is currently faced with.

     It would be recalled that barely last year, the state governments received a total of #713.7 billion bailout funds from the Federal Government (FG) to enable them pay the backlog of salaries owed their respective workers; a fund that was deducted from the nation’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) otherwise known as National Wealth Fund. Unfortunately, merely a few months after, the various state governments are still grappling with the same challenges owing to the poor monthly federal allocation they presently receive, which was informed by the country’s ongoing dwindling oil revenue.

     To this end, the FG has decided to release another #90 billion fund, which is believed would immensely assist the states in their bid to be less-dependent on the monthly handout from the federation account. It’s noteworthy that, the fund in question is a loan and it’s fully repayable, although it has a secured tie against future dividends, revenues, or what have you, the FG might owe the states. At this juncture, any rational being that means well for Nigeria wouldn’t hesitate to inquire if these states would continue to receive bailout funds in order to pay their workers and pensioners, because such step is not unlike robbing Peter to pay Paul.

      However, the fascinating side of the FG’s gesture is that, apart from the fact that the loan would be given over a period of one year, the states must agree on a good number of conditions before they could assess it. It might interest you to note that among the total of #90 billion, #50 billion would be shared across the 36 states, coupled with FCT, for the first three months, and then #40 billion for the remaining nine months, which is an average of about #1.4 billion per state for the former and #1.1 billion for the latter. The Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun disclosed that the idea is to tie states over for a year so that they can rebalance.

     Other uncompromising and laudable conditions to be reached by the states are, but not limited to, they are to individually: publish their audited annual financial statements within nine months of financial year end, comply with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), annually publish state budget alongside its implementation performance report online, set realistic and achievable targets to improve independently generated revenue and ratio of capital to recurrent expenditure, implement a centralized Treasury Single Account (TSA), as well as establish a biometric capture of all the state’s civil servants to eliminate payroll fraud.

     Additionally, the states are to comply with the existing Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) and reporting obligations of the country, to include: no commercial bank loans to be undertaken by them (the states) and routine submission of updated debt profile report to the Debt Management Office (DMO). Meanwhile, the FG has already barred all the commercial banks in the country from giving loans to any state government regardless of the circumstance; the decision was taken in accordance to the Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) of the former.

     Undoubtedly, if the above guidelines are to be strictly upheld by the government via the effort of the Ministry of Finance, Nigeria would be a better place to be soonest. Suffice it to say that the additional bailout funds will cause more good than harm in the long run contrary to the ongoing speculations from the members of the public. Ab initio, the plight with the Nigerian government has been the ability to proclaim a sound policy but failing to implement it as requested; hence, this very measure is as well liable to suffer same fate if the lingered political will the country is known for isn’t changed by the present administration.

     If the above conditions are fiercely safeguarded, it may deter most of the states from assessing the bailout funds, thereby persuading them to concentrate on the needful. In addition to the conditions, the various governors deserved to unequivocally be thoroughly investigated since it’s apparent that the previous bailout funds received by them weren’t judiciously utilized. It’s not anymore news that workers and pensioners in most of the states are still owed for several months.

     This is where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) needs to come in toward ascertaining if the funds were truly used for what they were meant for. We can’t continue to live in the past amid an administration reckoned to be anti-graft.   

     The most appropriate step the states are individually required to take at this point is embarking on a massive Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive. In most of the states, the policies guiding the traffic sector that is meant to serve as a major revenue source are so porous for anyone’s liking. Similarly, many of them are tourism-oriented, but the governments have refused to look inwards toward revamping the sector; rather, they chose to rely solely on the federal allocation, which is currently wearing a pitiable physiognomy.   

     So, rather than depending on bailout funds from the FG or keep seeking for loans from the banks, I enjoin them to generate the funds by themselves. Let’s always take into cognizance that it pays to be a creditor instead of the reverse. The truth is that, if the various governors concentrate only on the needful, they would in no distant time see the ongoing economic meltdown as a blessing in disguise. 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 Int'l Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

INT’L DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING: NIGERIAN SOCIETY ON MY MIND

     June 26 annually, the global community commemorates the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Hence, tomorrow Nigeria is required to join the rest of the world to celebrate the 2016 edition of the worthwhile and wholesome event that speaks volumes globally.

     The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a day being observed each year by all the United Nations (UN) Member States towards sensitizing the general public on the evitable dangers inherent in drug abuse and its illegal trafficking, and how the societal cankerworm can be holistically crucified.

      The day was established by law in the year 1987 by the United Nations (UN) following the unanimous resolution reached on 7^th December 1987 by its General Assembly. The said Assembly decided to observe June 26 of every year as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation in order to achieve the goal of seeing an International Society that is totally free from all forms of drug abuse.

                              The last time I checked, one of the optimum desires of any society in a sober state was to experience a serene and tranquil atmosphere, and the Nigerian society isn’t exceptional. In other words, every man’s paramount desire is to embrace a trouble-free environment or atmosphere since every society is comprised at least a man. This significantly means that a Nigerian, on the average, looks forward to embracing a Nigerian society that can wholly boast of a trouble-free environment.

      An abuse, in a nutshell, can be described as a misuse of anything whilst drug is any substance used as a medicine or an illegal substance taken for its stimulating and other effects. Thus, drug abuse is simply the misuse of a substance used either as a medicine or stimulant. On its part, illicit drug trafficking is an act involving an illegal trading in drugs or other related substances forbidden by law.

      Considering the above definitions, apparently drug abuse is a social ill that involves two distinct dimensions. It could be the misuse of a substance used as a medicine or the improper intake of medicine by an individual. Secondly, it could be the intake or misuse of a stimulant that’s not supported by law such as cocaine, cannabis, marijuana, and Indian helm, just to mention but a few. The former is often as a result of ignorance or negligence, while the latter is wholly a criminal and illegal act, and appears to be more dangerous to both human and animal health compare to the former.

      Prior to the resolution for an International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 1987, the UN General Assembly understood that in spite of the continual and increasing efforts by the international community, the global drug predicament continued to constitute a severe threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity especially the young people, and the national security and sovereignty of States thereby undermining the socio-economic and political stability of the affected nations.

      Thereafter the resolution was reached, the Assembly encouraged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to continue its work on International Drug Control, and went further to urge all governments to provide the fullest possible financial cum political assistance to enable the organization (UNODC) actualize its objectives. The UNODC recognizes that the effort of every stakeholder and corporate body is required toward actualizing the prime motive of this commemoration.

      To this end, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate this remarkable day, I call on governments, NGOs, religious bodies, civil societies, medical experts, every concerned law enforcement agency, the media, and all well-meaning individuals across the country to do everything humanly possible to raise awareness of the unquantifiable harm caused by drug abuse and its illicit trafficking.

     We can contribute our respective quotas by ensuring that anyone caught in the act is reported to the apt quarter as soon as possible to enable the law act aptly as requested. Similarly, the Traditional Rulers can be of vital help by fishing out the bad eggs in their midst regarding drug abuse and thereafter drag them to the nearby police station for onward prosecution.

      In regard to self-medication and other forms of drug abuse attributed to ignorance or lack of orientation, a thorough awareness campaign on the dangers of intake of drugs without the consent of a qualified physician ought to be embarked on by every relevant organization such as the civil society and religious institutions, and every avenue including the mass media should be used to reach out to the general public.

     The plight occasioned by illicit trafficking cannot be adequately addressed without the candid and thorough involvement of such concerned authorities as the Nigerian Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). The former must ensure that their personnel are equally mounted on our various major roads toward ensuring that various vehicles as well as travellers are duly checked if necessary; the latter ought to equally endeavour to work hand-in-hand with the former at the various borders toward attaining accuracy and efficiency.

      Both agencies shouldn’t hesitate, either individually or collectively, to prosecute any suspect no matter whose ox is gored to serve as a deterrent to other intending traffickers. Above all, the Ministry of Interior must ensure that all the relevant agencies or commissions are living up to the expectations, come rain come shine.    

      On their part, the individuals or group of persons abusing the drugs should also help themselves. They ought to acknowledge the fact that misuse of medicine such as self-medication, consumption of medicine without consulting an apt medical expert, and intake of over/under dose contrary to the doctor’s prescription, are all a death-trap that could take one’s life unannounced.

      Those who take hard drugs or the ones the law forbids, which invariably lead to anxiety, panic, depression, brain fag or damage of brain cells, mental imbalance, protracted illnesses, death, or what have you, should note that the ongoing restrictions as stipulated by law are solely for the sake of their well-being. On their part, those involved in the illegal cultivation, production, or trafficking of the hard drugs ought to be aware that many have lost their precious lives in the process while many are presently rotting in jail.

      Though most of these hard drugs are very useful raw-materials often used in several firms to manufacture a quite number of useful products or finished goods, the obvious fact remains that we’re not meant to consume them when they are still in their raw states. Thus, we must be very conscious of this assertion irrespective of the circumstance we find ourselves.

      There is also need for us to acknowledge that absolute decency is required while consuming those stimulants that are not forbidden by law such as snuff popularly known as ‘Utaba’, cigarette, cigar, whisky, dry gin otherwise referred to as ‘Kai-Kai’, et cetera. We are required to comport ourselves in whatever action we take or while exercising any lifestyle, so that, our paramount desire of embracing a trouble-free and tranquil Nigerian society would be duly actualized. 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