As NASS Resumes: Whither Nigeria?

AS NASS RESUMES: WHITHER NIGERIA?

       It’s, no doubt, a thing of joy that the National Assembly (NASS) resumed penultimate week, precisely on Tuesday 20^th September 2016, having observed eight-week-long recess. The NASS had on July 20, 2016 adjourned plenary to September 13, but was forced to postpone its proposed resumption date by one week owing to the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

      The last time I checked, the legislature of any country remained its integral part when it calls for politics and governance among other issues pertaining to polity, thus the Nigeria’s NASS isn’t an exception. This is the reason, whenever all hopes seem to have been lost, everyone tends to beckon to the legislators, which is not unconnected with the oversight functions invariably enjoys by the said group. Indeed, an oversight function, which is constitutionally recognized, is good enough to bring a total turnaround when the anticipated destination linked with an odyssey becomes a mirage.

       In other words, as the NASS resumes, the mindset of every rational being in the country is bound to be occupied with the above phrase - ‘whither Nigeria?’. It’s not anymore news that the acclaimed giant of Africa is currently ongoing recession, simply defined as a period of time when production rate declines and more people become unemployed, thereby causing extreme hunger. In a layman’s understanding, famine is another suitable term for recession.

      Right now, anyone who means well for Nigeria is deeply concerned about the route needed to be taken by the country’s economic drivers towards arriving at the desired destination. Since, currently, the destination in question is seemingly a mirage, it’s needless to state that everyone sees the NASS as a messiah. The ongoing predicament is glaring, so are the remedies; hence, the NASS need not seek a consultant toward doing the needful. Inviting Mr. President to the Senate isn’t the remedy; rather, let’s invite each of the ministers to tender account of their stewardship so far.

      According to the Consumer Expectation Survey (CES) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) released on Thursday 15^th September 2016, the deteriorating economic condition is having a toll on the teeming Nigerian consumers as overall confidence outlook in third quarter (Q3) 2016 remained downbeat, as it has been since Q3, 2011. It further disclosed that ‘at 28.2 index points, consumers’ confidence dipped further by 26.3 points below the level achieved in the corresponding quarter of 2015’.

       The scenario is apparently occasioned by the ongoing soaring inflation in our various markets coupled with the decreased income rate among the citizenry. This implies that the country yearns for improved income of an average Nigeria. At the moment, the government needs to capture the heart of an ordinary Nigerian, else, crime rate is liable to excalate in the nearest future; and, depression might also set in. We can only achieve this by reviving the labour market, encouraging self-reliance, as well as rescuing the money market.

       The labour market can only be improved by pumping money into circulation. It’s obvious that there’s no money in circulation, perhaps because the 2016 budget is yet to be implemented. Obviously, the FG lacks the required funds to do so. This is why the government intends to auction/sell the national assets. ‘Auctioning’ the assets wouldn’t be the remedy to the plight. Rather than doing this, the government should consider borrowing internally and ensure that the borrowed funds are channeled aptly. There are several genuine prospective indigenous donors and/or lenders; let’s partner with them.

       The FG can encourage self-reliance or entrepreneurship by taking the power sector seriously. The said sector, alongside the education sector, needs to be treated as priority. The proposed borrowed funds ought to be channeled to these sectors, among others, that could yield a complete turnaround. Towards boosting the power sector, let’s harness all the available energy sources to include solar, wind, coal, biomass, in addition to the ongoing hydro-power generation. Hence, we must involve the cognoscenti.

      Among all, the CBN must as well reduce the interest rates to the barest minimum to enable every intending SME investor assess loans at ease. Also, for the time being, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) can be suspended, so that, the various commercial banks can boast of sufficient funds to service their activities. The banks are presently in bondage; they need to be liberated. This would equally help to pump more money in circulation. We must do everything humanly possible to avoid emergence of the foreseen depression.

       As regards rescuing the money market, if we adhere to the above, the naira will definitely bounce back in the long run. Once there’s sufficient production, we would have enough to export, thereby reducing the current alarming demand for our foreign reserve. And, the parallel market should be meant to be answerable to the CBN at all times, no matter whose ox is gored. I’m fully not unaware that some rent-seekers are controlling the unofficial market, thus it’s high time the government displeased them in order to please Nigeria. If the present administration is really out to tackle corruption headlong, then this mustn’t be overlooked.

       It’s equally obvious that a few rent-seekers are interested in the quest to sell our hard earned treasure. We can’t allow them to succeed in such act of insensitivity. The NASS must not fail us in this regard. In respect to the ongoing budget padding scandal in the NASS’ lower chamber, Mr. Speaker must step aside to aid the awaited investigation. Above all, isn’t it time we merged the two NASS chambers toward curtailing excesses, especially now we earnestly seek for frugal expenditure? 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

 Twitter: @mediambassador            

         

Celebrating 2016 World Tourism Day

RESUSCITATING NIGERIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY AS THE WORLD CELEBRATES THE 2016 WORLD TOURISM DAY ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 27

       Today, Tuesday September 27, the world over is celebrating the 2016 World Tourism Day. At its third session held in Torremolinos, Spain in 1979, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly mandated its Member States to observe September 27 each year as the World Tourism Day having reached a unanimous resolution.

       The day was chosen to coincide with an important historic milestone in the world’s tourism sector, which is the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Tourism Statutes on 27^th September 1970. The first commemoration of the World Tourism Day took place in 1980; suffice it to say that this year’s anniversary marks the 37^th edition of the laudable annual event.

       The theme of the 2016 celebration is ‘Tourism for all: promoting universal accessibility.’ Accessible tourism for all is about the creation of environments that can cater for the needs of all of us, whether we are travelling or staying at home. There’s a compelling need for everyone, irrespective of age or status, to boast of an accessible tourism. Hence, this commemoration is an avenue to call upon the right for all of the world’s citizens to experience the incredible diversity of our planet earth and the beauty of the world we live in. This year’s World Tourism Day is a golden opportunity for us to spread the word of both the importance and immense benefits universal accessibility has, and can bring to the society at large. 

       The last time I checked, observing a beautifully-looking environment remained one of the prime desires of every sane being. This is the reason every able-bodied man works assiduously to ensure that his/her immediate surroundings appear enticingly. Tourism as an area of life or human endeavour is a sector that has over the decades pays an optimum attention to how attractive our surroundings look; this makes the sector to be globally recognized.

        Concisely, tourism is the business activity connected with provision of accommodation, entertainment, and other hospitable services for people who are visiting a place for pleasure. In other words, a tourist can be described as a person who is travelling or visiting a certain locality for the sake of pleasure. Tourism has been proven to be an outstanding industry that can guarantee absolute relaxation for mankind irrespective of background.

       In the past, our various heritages were being used by our ancestors as a means of entertaining themselves, and their guests. Presently, the tourism industry has shown that these endowments can equally be utilized as business venture by upgrading them to international standard. Noting the positive impact of the tourism industry the world over, it is of no need reiterating that it has contributed massively to the socio-economic development of most nations. Analysts are of the view that the industry represents about nine percent (9%) of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and that it is a key revenue sector for developing and emerging economies.

       Indeed, tourism plays a very vital role in building blocks of a more sustainable future for all, which is community development. Above all, it is widely acknowledged for its capacity to respond to global challenges. In view of this, there is an urgent need for Nigeria to follow suit to ensure that the world tourism industry, that helps to foster global unity and complete rest of mind, is granted a preferential treatment at all cost.

        Nigeria can encourage the commendable crusade by ensuring that her countless socio-cultural resources are optimally rejuvenated. This proposed measure would not only help to encourage the world tourism industry, but would go a long way to elevate the country’s Gross National Product (GNP), thus strengthening her ongoing sagging economy. Nigeria as an independent state is made up of over two hundred and fifty ethnic groups, and each of these groups is tremendously blessed with various socio-cultural endowments. These cultural resources including dancing, masquerading, dressing, hunting, fishing, wrestling, and molding of sculptures, just to mention but a few, if well harnessed, would definitely help to revive the nation’s tourism sector, thereby boosting her socio-economic and political ego.

        The timing of the World Tourism Day is appropriate, because it comes at the end of the high season in the Northern hemisphere and at the beginning of the season in the Southern hemisphere, when tourism is of topical interest to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. The UN Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) held in 2012 emphasized that well-designed and appropriately managed tourism can make a significant contribution to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon further highlighted that, tourism which remains one of the world’s largest economic sectors, is specially well-placed to promote environmental sustainability, green-growth, and human struggle against climate change through its relationship with energy.

        Ever since its inception, the World Tourism Day is celebrated to foster awareness among the global community on the essence of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The celebration seeks to highlight tourism potential as regards promotion of the SDGs, as well as how it addresses some of the most pressing challenges the global society is currently faced with.

       So, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the remarkable day, we are all expected to contribute our quota toward ensuring that our respective environments or surroundings become globally recognized as attractive and human friendly localities, so that, generations yet unborn would  live to remember that an attractive environment is a society we all yearn for.

       The truth remains that everywhere in Nigeria bears tourism potentials, thus all that is required of the government among other concerned stakeholders is to swing into action headlong with the sole aim of doing the needful. Hence, it’s high time we quit retrogressive debates and discussions regarding tourism. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(The Media Ambassador)

-Public Affairs Analyst & Civil Rights Activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

http://frednwaozor.blogspot.com 

Twitter: @mediambassador          

Okorocha's Friends, and Enemies Within

OKOROCHA’S FRIENDS, AND ENEMIES WITHIN

       The last time I painstakingly checked, the Imo Chief Executive Officer, Governor Rochas Okorocha was yet to realize those whom are truly his friends as well as those that earnestly look forward to witnessing his downfall. Suchlike mindset isn’t peculiar to the said leader; suffice it to say that virtually every leader not just in Nigeria, but across the globe, often fall victim of such circumstance.

       I wouldn’t be doubtful that the governor would strongly assert that Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor tops the list of his greatest enemies in the state. I won’t equally be surprised if I hear, or overhear, that the governor sees the said analyst and activist in his nightmares. Of course, everyone is liable to experience numerous nightmares, thus the governor wouldn’t be an exception. It’s worth noting that nightmares are often attributed to what one’s, the victim’s, mindset is preoccupied with. In other words, the content of your mindset mainly determines the nature of nightmare you would, or liable to, experience.

       The point is: Fred Doc Nwaozor, likewise other constructive critics cum activists, cannot gladly watch the governor derail or indulge himself in acts that could tarnish his highly revered image. Such idiosyncrasy is arguably an attribute of a good friend or well-wisher, as might be the case. But, owing to misconception, which isn’t unusual, the critic may be misunderstood. It’s only someone who truly cares about your person that would always tell you what you need to hear, not what you want/intend to hear.

       We need to comprehend the difference between need and want. The latter is that thing you earnestly wish to embrace or possess; that thing/quality which you pray vehemently for. Whilst, the former is that thing you are supposed to have or possess; that thing/quality your entire system requires or deserves, particularly regarding health issues. It’s high time we started acknowledging that it is not everything one desires he/she is actually meant to have/possess. Sometimes, if not most times, we are prone to asking for something that won’t augur well for our persons.

       Hence, a good and genuine critic/activist is expected to tell you what you need to hear, contrary to a false one who would invariably wish to tender eulogies. A genuine activist won’t only criticize constructively, but would go extra mile to proffer remedy to what is being criticized. It’s appalling that leaders at all levels usually tend to mistake a genuine critic/activist for an enemy. This is the reason such leaders end up fighting mere cloud of dusts whenever they declare war against such kind of critic, or each time they see them as their enemies.

       It’s painful to acknowledge that in most cases, those ones you see as your friend are among those who can’t wait to see you dead. It’s even more devastating to note that that person you entrusted your major portfolios to remains the only one, or one of the major individuals, who frantically look forward to embracing your downfall. In one of Shakespeare’s series entitled ‘Julius Caesar’, which was named after the protagonist in the play, it was King Julius Caesar who exclaimed “Et tu Brute” meaning literally “Even you Brutus” when he realized that one of his trusted allies in the person of Brutus wanted him dead.

       It was Simone Schwarz-Bart that stated, “Men are strong, women are smart; but no matter how smart, their bellies are always there to betray them, and that’s their downfall.” On a similar note, in his words, Oscar Wilde unequivocally said, “Yet each man kills the thing he loves… Some do it with a bitter look, some with a flattery word, the coward does it with a kiss, the brave man with a sword.” No wonder G. K. Chesterten stated thus, “The Bible tells us to love our neighbours, and  also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.”

        I thought it wise to come up with this critique towards telling Gov. Okorocha what he needs to know, so that, he won’t attempt to chase shadows in the name of ‘fighting enemies’. I wanted his Excellency to understand fully the best way to describe an enemy as well as a friend when the need arises. I wanted him to comprehend that friendship lies in the heart; it is an action/product of one’s heart. It isn’t defined by one’s countenance as it is widely presumed. Those, in the past, who succeeded in defining people based on their physiognomies, failed woefully in the long run. This is what I candidly wanted the amiable governor to acknowledge.

       Your friends are not those persons in your household, while the people who are seemingly outside the house are seen as your enemies. Most times, your enemies are within while your real friends remain those who are ostensibly outsiders. So, we shouldn’t get it twisted. Your friend is not that person that shares your bed/room with you; rather, that person that sincerely shares your feelings. He is that person who understands that you are erring and take appropriate steps towards calling you to order. Mind you: he/she could employ any means to call you to order; he could involve unfriendly approach with a view to achieving such motive. In such situation, what matters most to him/her is to ensure that you didn’t derail.

        At this point, I urge the governor not to contradict the above definitions cum descriptions, so that, Imo wouldn’t be held hostage by the so-called friends. A word, they say, is enough for the wise. 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 

Towards Actualizing Hazard-Free Atmosphere

TOWARDS ACTUALIZING A HAZARD-FREE ATMOSPHERE

       

      The last time I checked, every September 16 remained the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. In other words, yesterday, the global community commemorated the 2016 anniversary of the laudable event. In respect to the sustenance of the widely observed Montreal Protocol, on 19^th of December 1994, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed September 16 of every year as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The day focuses on the importance of protecting human health and the environment in general.

     The ozone layer is a fragile shield of gases that protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation or rays of the sun as well as helps to keep it (the earth) warm, thereby helping to preserve lives on the planet. The ozone layer is composed of ozone, a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms bonded together by a covalent bond – ozone has the chemical formula O3. The ozone layer is essential because it filters harmful ultraviolet radiation as it travels from the sun to the surface of the earth. These ultraviolet rays can harm both plant and animal lives.

      The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, a region of the atmosphere that is about 10 to 50 kilometres above the earth. The stratosphere comprises approximately 90 per cent ozone. The ozone layer, which is part of the stratosphere, is comprised of the major atmospheric gases nitrogen, oxygen and argon, but also contains a significantly higher concentration of the trace gas ozone than the other layers of the atmosphere. The trace gases include carbon dioxide, neon, helium, methane, and the manmade chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The CFCs reaching the stratosphere from the earth’s surface have become a cause for global concern because of the role they play in the chemical reaction that removes ozone from the atmosphere.  

      Mankind have, over the decades, been bewildered by so many environmental hazards and challenges. Currently, the worst of all is mainly attributable to depletion of the ozone layer. A number of commonly used chemicals like halocarbons and/or organic compounds have been found to be extremely damaging to the ozone layer. Halocarbons are chemicals in which one or more carbon atoms are linked to one or more halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine. The halocarbons containing bromine usually have much higher Ozone-Depleting Potential (ODP) than those that consist of chlorine or others.

      The manmade chemicals that have provided most of the chlorine and bromine for ozone depletion are methyl-bromide, methyl-chloroform, carbon-tetrachloride, and families of chemicals known as halons, chlorofluorocarbons and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons. Also, the damaging impact of organic compounds like carbon-monoxide on the ozone layer cannot be overemphasized. Some of the human activities that result to this environmental menace are bush-burning and industrial combustion.

      The scientific confirmation of the depletion of the ozone layer prompted the international community to establish a mechanism for cooperation to take drastic action to protect the ozone layer. This was formalized in the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which was adopted by twenty-eight (28) countries on 22^nd March 1985. In September 1987, this led to the drafting of the Treaty on The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which was duly signed by all the UN Member States.

      The fundamental aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking severe measures to control total global production and consumption of substances that deplete it, with the ultimate target toward their elimination from the basis of developments in scientific knowledge and technological information.

       In view of the steady progress made under the Montreal Protocol, in 2003, the former UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan stated thus, ‘Perhaps the single most successful international agreement till date has been the Montreal Protocol.’ Similarly, during the 2013 commemoration of the Day, which was marked with the theme ‘A healthy Atmosphere: the Future we want’, in his message to the world, the current UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon commended all who had made the Montreal Protocol such an outstanding example of international cooperation. He went further to urge governments, industries, civil societies, and other partners to apply the same spirit to the other great environmental and developmental challenges of our time.

     The phase-out of controlled uses of ozone depleting substances has not only helped to protect the ozone layer, but has contributed immensely and significantly to global efforts of addressing climate change. This year’s commemoration of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is calling for greater awareness regarding the Ozone Layer’s preservation in order to fully actualize the aim of this remarkable globally recognized crusade that requires the effort of all and sundry.

      As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 2016 as well as the 22^nd anniversary, we are expected to contribute our quota with a view to ensuring that we actualize an atmosphere or environment that is totally free from any harmful substance. We can achieve this by embarking on or sponsoring, as the case may be, all forms of awareness campaigns targeted toward thorough sensitization of the general public on the dangers inherent in the uncalled domestic cum industrial acts.  

      Nigeria as a country can encourage this annual event by implementing severe policies that would help to eradicate all the activities opposing the preservation of the ozone layer such as bush burning, inapt use of generators and other household mechanical devices, coupled with other industrial practices that exhibit carbon-monoxide (smoke) alongside other substances that negatively affect the ozone layer. A strict and formidable law, to be enacted by the legislators, would help to rigorously address the aforementioned anomalies, if duly implemented.

      It’s noteworthy that only a sound value system can guarantee a viable environmental condition, and such cannot be actualized without adequate policies and reorientation. People need to fully comprehend that, excessive amounts of ultraviolet penetration pose both health and safety risks for all organisms, including humans; that, without a protective layer of cloud cover, organisms are vulnerable to the sun’s rays, which can cause skin cancer and contribute to the development of cataracts.

      These rays equally reduce the ability of organisms such as plants and phytoplankton, to reproduce. It may also disrupt the reproductive cycles of fish, shrimp and other shellfishes. On the other hand, air pollution prevents the ozone layer from blocking excessive heat emitted by the sun, which in turn warms surrounding environments, thereby resulting to glacier melt and ice thaws. These, among others, are some vital and basic facts people need to be sensitized on. The Information ministry in collaboration with its Environment counterpart, via the effort of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), would be of immense help in this regard.      

      Considering the social and economic implications of the ozone-layer’s depletion, it’s needless to reiterate that stringent measures and regulations are required with a view to ensuring that the ongoing environmental degradation becomes a thing of the past, towards actualizing a complete hazard-free atmosphere. 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
Twitter: @mediambassador