CCB/CCT Act Amendment Act: Whwn NASS Dances Makossa

CCB/CCT ACT AMENDMENT: WHEN NASS DANCES MAKOSSA

       The last time I checked, the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) was at it again. The said parliament on Thursday 27^th October 2016 amended the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (CCB/CCT Act). The amendment altered the Section 18(1) and (2) of the extant law by transferring the Presidency’s regulatory power over the bureau and tribunal to the NASS. This implies that, if assented to, henceforth the NASS as against the Presidency will have the power to determine the function of the CCB, and who should be exempted from asset declaration or not.

       The Senate equally reintroduced a clause in the Act as contained in Section 3(e) of the bill that mandates the CCB to invite anyone found culpable in asset declaration towards making necessary correction as against being charged to the CCT for trial. The provision states that ‘upon complaint(s) of any breach or where it appears to the Bureau that there is a breach of provisions of this Act, the person concerned shall be given particulars of such non-compliance or breaches to explain before any reference to the Tribunal’. It’s noteworthy that this very clause had earlier been expunged from the Act.

        More so, the Chamber amended Section 1(4) of the extant law, which stipulates that the chairman and members of the CCB shall vacate their seats upon attaining the retirement age of 70. The amended clause prescribes a renewable five-year tenure for both the chairman and members. According to the clause, the appointment shall be subject to renewal for one term only. Section 20(4) of the CCB/CCT Act authorizes the President to appoint the chairman of the CCT based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC); the new amendment makes such recommendation and appointment invalid unless it is approved by the Senate.

        However, the Section 20(2) of the Act, which states that members of the CCT shall consist of the chairman and two other members, has been amended to provide that ‘the tribunal shall consist of a chairman and four others, and three of the five shall form a quorum’. The passage of the bill, which was at concurrence with the House of Representatives’ bill that had earlier been passed, followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

        Shifting the regulatory power from the Presidency to the NASS is completely wrong, and has no logical representation. Authorizing the NASS to determine the power of the CCB, and who should be exempted from asset declaration or not, is a clear indication that our highly revered legislators are up to something. Doesn’t it sound ridiculous that the NASS was empowered by the amendment to determine the individual/officer that’s supposed to be tried by the CCT? From all indications, this is apparently a move to shield their dirty linens at the expense of the people’s wish.

       Another awkward and irritating aspect of the so-called amended Act is the idea of mandating the CCB to wear a human face. The amendment stipulates that anyone found culpable in asset declaration should be invited by the CCB to enable the individual/officer make amends where necessary. This is not just absurd, but laughable. The moment any extant law start portraying a human face, its docility outrightly sets in. The human-face part of any law/Act lasts only during the period when the concerned people or officers are expected to adhere to it; at this period, the people are given the opportunity to enjoy the privileges as provided by the law.

       But, as soon as anyone violates the stipulated privileges, s/he becomes culpable. And, no culpable or indicted individual is meant to be given a chance to express him/herself, or the reason the law was violated by him/her, except in a law court. It is only in the court a culpable individual is required to tender any expression, if need be. This is the reason whenever one is being arrested by the police or any law enforcement agency, he would be advised to remain silent, otherwise any statement made by him would be used against his person in the court.

       Mind you; ‘ignorantia juris non excusat’, meaning literally ignorance of the law is no excuse. It’s pathetic and painful that our lawmakers whom are meant to understand this very clause ended up abusing it. So, shall we tell our children that the set of persons we entrusted our laws to has failed us? Let’s not get it twisted; the truth is that, if the CCB begin to invite culpable individuals, or anyone suspected to have breached any provision of its Act, for explanation cum correction before any reference to the CCT, then no one would be arraigned consequently because such provision would create an avenue for people’s sins to be forgiven by the former.

        If I may ask; what are you to explain if found culpable? That you were not well intimated on the CCB Act; that you were on steering when responding to any questionnaire in the past; that you were bereaved, thus couldn’t concentrate while filling the assets’ declaration form; that you filled the form under duress; or that, you didn’t know the exact figure of the assets owned by you? I’m just wondering what kind of correction is expected to be made by someone who has been found culpable. This very clause doesn’t only seem weird and laughable but equally smacks of mischief, hence, ostensibly targeted to satisfy a selfish desire.

        As much as I compliment some of the amended clauses of the Act such as the stipulated renewable five-year tenure for any serving CCB chairman/member contrary to vacation of their seats upon attaining the retirement age of 70 as well as the newly stipulated five-man member of the CCT and forming of a three-man quorum, I equally wish to state categorically and unequivocally that the bad-side of the amendment is far greater than the good-side; thus totally unacceptable by anyone who means well for Nigeria and Nigerians at large.

        In view of this observation, it would be advisable for us to pretend that the said Act is yet to be amended, to enable the NASS revisit it towards making a change where necessary. It’s needless to reiterate that the work was haphazardly carried out by the 109 respected officers, probably owing to their inability to comprehend that the contemporary Nigerian society comprises intelligentsia that can sense a foul play without much ado. Hence, the said public servants need to take a closer study of the real content or constituents of the society in question.

       It’s either they review the controversial provisions or consider forfeiting their integrity, because well informed citizens are already boiling in respect of the amendment. Of course, they can’t fold their hands and watch inferno engulf their mansion. The development is arguably not unlike a situation where a dog ends up devouring the bone that was hung on its neck. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador

The Rusticated, Expelled UniLag Students

THE RUSTICATED, EXPELLED UNILAG UNDERGRADUATES

       The last time I checked, the highly revered University of Lagos (UNILAG) was wearing a new look owing to the recent sanction issued to some of its students in various departments. Penultimate two weeks, it was reported that the institution’s authorities rusticated as well as expelled, respectively 198 and 125 undergraduates of the citadel. Since the incident occurred, within and outside the shores of the campus could be best described as hot zone.

        I could recollect vividly; those days when we were in the university, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) precisely, as undergraduates, I used to crack an expensive joke amidst my friends. And the joke went like this: ‘If you wake up tomorrow morning and peradventure discovered that you have been expelled from this university, what would be your prayer or reaction consequently especially if you don’t deserve the expulsion?’ it was really a controversial question that usually kept my friends in an abrupt sober mood each time it surfaced. The people in question were all serious-minded and brilliant students, so they couldn’t fathom the reason for the so-called joke.

       However, it’s noteworthy that the students of UNILAG affected by the disciplinary measure were accused of examination malpractices among other social vices. According to the University’s Deputy Registrar on Information, Mr. Toyin Adebule who confirmed the expulsion and estimation to newsmen in Lagos on Sunday 16^th October 2016, the action was in accordance with the citadel’s zero tolerance on malpractices and other vices on the campus.

       He said ‘for those who were caught impersonating, writing examinations for others, they will face outright expulsion.’ Whilst the other categories, such as those caught with micro-sheets and those caught smoking weeds (Marijuana), would face suspension ranging from two to four semesters. Mr. Adebule further disclosed that the University would continue to do all it could toward sustaining set standards and best practices as obtained in other top universities around the world. He equally clarified that the development had nothing to do with those involved in the recent students’ riot that took place in the institution.

       Now, back to my joke; as a student of a higher institution, you woke up one morning and realized that your name had been delisted from the citadel’s studentship database. How would you feel, or what would be your reaction/prayer in consequence to the ordeal? One question too many, I guess. No doubt, it would be really painful and devastating for one whom didn’t deserve the sanction. But, could someone be erroneously rusticated or expelled from an institution of learning? Such approach, to me, is seemingly far-fetched. Hence, it’s beyond possibility for authorities of a university to sanction their students in error.

       In view of the above logic, I want to believe that the affected UNILAG undergraduates were apparently caught in the act. Besides, neither has any of them claimed that s/he was not responsible for the act for which he was accused of. Rather, they had only protested that the punishment assigned to them was too severe compared to the nature of the vices allegedly committed. Their protest is really funny and laughable. Expulsion or rustication never started today, nor recently; it has been an available mechanism ab initio, and often occasioned by exam malpractices as well as societal vices to include cultism, rebellion, and what have you, as the case may be.

        My sympathy goes to their parents and guardians. As much as I share their pains and fury, I equally want them to use this opportunity to address some lingering anomalies in their respective homes. It’s obvious that, for some time now, several uncalled attitudes of most of our young ones have been harboured by their various parents/guardians. It’s not anymore news that most students in secondary schools across the country no longer write the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (S.S.C.E) by themselves, rather they prefer to engage mercenaries. It’s even more worrisome to acknowledge that the schools are the prime advocate of the menace. Funnily enough, it would interest, perhaps shock you to observe that most of the impostors are virtually brainless individuals who parade themselves as kings just to defraud the unsuspecting candidates.

       Few months ago, the news of a certain undergraduate of the University of Ilorin who voluntarily withdrew his studentship owing to guilty conscience, went viral across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. It was gathered that, having embraced real repentance, the student thought it wise to withdraw his studentship to enable him rewrite his SSCE, which according to him was written on his behalf by a hired mercenary.

       His purpose was to start the journey afresh having realized that he had derailed. The moment I got the news, I was of the view that if other Nigerian youths of similar history could follow suit, probably about eighty-six per cent (86%) of the undergraduates in our various institutions of higher learning would be affected. I was trying to assert that virtually all the undergraduates in Nigeria’s institutions are fake. I enjoin a sceptic to carry out the research toward ascertaining the credibility of the hypothesis.

        Let’s not get it twisted. The fact remains that the country’s education sector is damn porous and pathetic. Only a genuine and drastic measure can redress the pitiable physiognomy of the said sector. And such approach must begin from the nursery cum primary level, which remains the foundation. It’s either we heal the injury now or allow it to deteriorate further. It’s more mind-boggling to realize that the people who are required to revive the sector are patronizing foreign education.

        Away from the students; the teachers must also be resuscitated, considering that most present days’ teachers are nothing to write home about. Aside the non-qualified ones, the existence of those that indulge themselves in all forms of vices is even more baffling. It’s no longer hidden that some of the teachers in all levels of learning end up molesting their students. In the higher institutions, some lecturers would persuade the female students to sleep with them or consider failing their courses. Payment, either in kind or cash, in exchange for grade popularly known as ‘sorting’, is now on the rampage.

       These are other critical areas the authorities of various higher institutions of learning need to look into towards doing the needful. The disciplinary measure must not be lopsided. Our education industry is yearning for a total turnaround, and not haphazard. Let’s do the much we can to ensure that the said industry does not go into extinction. I’m afraid, if we cease to act now, we’ll all live to regret it.

        To this end, the newly passed Sexual Harassment Bill, which prescribes five years imprisonment for any lecturer found guilty, ought to be assented to in earnest by the Presidency. Though, the five-year jail term would have been extended to twenty or thereabouts. However, people in some quarters have criticized the bill, saying it is one-sided; according to them, most times these lecturers are seduced into committing such atrocity. The truth is that, no amount of seduction or pressure is a good reason for a teacher to descend so low. Think about it!   

Comr. Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador

       

Aisha Buhari: When Best Friend Becomes 'Enemy'

AISHA BUHARI: WHEN BEST FRIEND BECOMES ‘ENEMY’

      The last time I checked, the Nigerian First Lady – Mrs. Aisha Buhari – who is reckoned to be the best friend to her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari was on the contrary perceived as his ‘enemy’. Such phenomenon is not unconnected with the political comment made by the woman in question during a recent interview granted to the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

       In the interview, which took place precisely on Thursday 13^th October, Mrs. Buhari had alleged that few people in President Buhari’s cabinet have hijacked power, while neglecting people that worked for his success. She unequivocally stated that out of fifty persons appointed by the president into various political offices, he barely knew five of them. When asked if the president was aware some people were subverting his government, she said ‘whether he knows or he does not, those that voted for him know’.

       When asked if she had tried to discuss such with him considering that she remained the closest person to him, she answered ‘there is nothing I can tell him, he is seeing things himself.’ The first lady went further to appeal to those who did not have voter’s card to give way to those that had, stating that the latter were the ones that struggled towards the emergence of this administration as well as knew the true agenda of the government. She concluded by saying that if things continued like this, she might not come out to support her husband’s re-election bid come 2019.

        In his reaction to his wife’s comment, President Buhari in an interview granted to a group of German journalists during his trip to Germany, said ‘I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs in my kitchen and my living room and the other room.’ The president further stated ‘I claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition, because in the end I have succeeded’.

        The statement attracted tremendous mixed feelings cum condemnations from the global community, particularly the German Chancellor – Mrs. Angela Merkel who happened to be his host as at the time he made the comment. Consequently, the president’s media aides described it as joke in order to calm most wailers down; the claim became contradictory and laughable when the president subsequently ordered the first lady in another media chat to steer clear of politics, and concentrate on taking care of him.

        One would wonder what warranted the first lady to make such sensitive utterance publicly. Being the seemingly best friend to the president, and one who should hold the key to his heart, everyone would have expected her to begin such crusade from ‘the other room’ before going public if need be, but she rather thought it wise to commence from the public sphere. This implies that she wasn’t having a good rapour with the president, in spite of the fact that she remains the only wife of the president and occupies a highly revered position in the State House.

        The president of any country is expected to maintain a sound relationship with his first lady in terms of communication. So, when such scenario is missing, it becomes a lapse. For the First Lady to have disclosed that she had never discussed the matter with the President is a clear indication that they are not having a sound rapour, and such is unhelpful to not just both of them but the country at large. Pronouncement of proposed leadership policies is supposed to start from ‘the other room’; you should first discuss the idea with your wife, and see how she would react to it.

        In view of the President’s reaction that the First Lady belongs in the kitchen and so on, I think there was a mix-up somewhere. Though his wife erred by going to the press to present such opinion, his reaction was equally an overstatement. Describing a first lady as house wife didn’t make any meaning to me. Even if it was a joke as they claimed, such joke made no meaning to me, too.

       The office of the First Lady is a very viable office in any nation, thus anyone occupying such position ought to be seen as an inevitable element while discussing governance. A first lady is not meant to be relegated to the background irrespective of the circumstance, because she’s not just a mother to her biological children but like a mother to every citizen of the country where she reigns, and that of Nigeria wouldn’t be an exception.

       Also, ordering a first lady to stay away from politics is, to me, an aberration. We can never finish discussing governance without mentioning the First Lady; her role when it calls for governance is very essential and unavoidable. Similarly, one cannot finish discussing governance without mentioning, or taking reference from, politics, because the latter begets the former. And, politics is like history whilst governance is like the future. You can’t talk about the future without taking a clue from the history. So, if the First Lady is meant to be deeply involved in issues pertaining to governance, she is equally required to know much about politics.

       Besides, Mr. President forgot so soon the role women play in politics. He simply forgot that without the participation of women, an aspirant of a certain political position would achieve nothing. He quickly forgot that women, either married or single, possess the highest number of voter’s cards in any society and they remain the most motivated class when it calls for election. He actually forgot that his wife contributed immensely towards his victory. Believe it or leave it, women are the key to any electoral victory.

        I expected President Buhari to attend to his wife’s comment with silence while in public domain, and try settling the issue with her indoors. Yes, she has erred, but that didn’t call for overreaction; obviously, he overreacted. At such circumstance, people – particularly those you call your friends – would push you to say what you wouldn’t want to say ordinarily. That’s why we must be extremely careful whenever we find ourselves in suchlike circumstance.

        She has spoken as a woman, but you still need to cuddle her as a man, probably having scolded her indoors. Women are too emotional and highly sensitive; so they can behave in an unexpected manner at any time if their emotions are hurt or trampled upon. This is the reason we are advised to be careful the way we handle them. A little hurt felt by a woman can make her act like an enemy.

        I equally enjoin Mr. President to try and address those issues raised by his wife. She wasn’t crazy to have said such thing; her comments were ostensibly informed by convincing reasons. Mrs. Buhari may have spoken the unspeakable, thereby making her appear like her husband’s enemy, but we must note that her comment was consequential and timely. Even if those comments were a mistake, let’s not forget that sometimes mistake is necessary. So, those calling for her arrest, or her head, should jettison the barbaric thought towards facing reality. Think about it!    

Comr. Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador 

Eradicating the Monster called Malnutrition

ERADICATING THE MONSTER CALLED MALNUTRITION

        Malnutrition can be defined as a physical weakness caused by not eating enough food of the right kind. It can also be described as a situation involving the state at which the human body lacks the required food components known as ‘balanced diet’. It simply means poor nutrition, and can be referred to as ‘under-nutrition’ when the carrier does not possess enough nutrients or ‘over-nutrition’ when s/he has more nutrients than requires.

        Malnutrition is caused by having an inadequate diet or a problem absorbing nutrients from food. There are several reasons either of these conditions might occur to include having reduced mobility, a long-term health condition such as a chronic disease, or a low income. Malnutrition could be in form of kwashiorkor, anaemia, obesity, xerophthalmia, pellagra, among others, as the case may be.

       Other medical conditions that can lead to malnutrition include: a condition that results to lack of appetite such as cancer, liver disease, persistent pain or nausea; a mental health condition including depression, dementia, or schizophrenia, which may affect one’s ability to look after him/herself; a condition that disrupts one’s body ability to digest food particles or absorb nutrients such as dyspepsia or ulcerative colitis; and, a condition that makes swallowing difficult or painful such as dysphagia as well as persistent vomiting or diarrhoea and eating disorder including anorexia nervosa.

        It’s worth noting that, some kinds of medication can increase one’s risk of developing malnutrition. Research indicates that over 250 types of medicine are known to disrupt the body’s ability to absorb as well as breakdown nutrients. One may also be at risk of becoming malnourished if his/her body has an increased demand for energy – for example, if it’s trying to heal itself after undergoing a major surgery or having sustained a serious injury such as a burn, or if the body is experiencing involuntary movements like tremor.

        Physical factors can also contribute to malnutrition. If one’s teeth are in a poor state, eating could be difficult or painful. One might also lose his appetite as a result of losing his sense of smell and taste. More so, one may be passing through a physical disability or other impairment that makes it difficult for him/her to cook or shop for food. Social factors that can contribute to malnutrition include: living alone and being socially isolated, having limited knowledge about nutrition or cooking, and alcohol/drug dependency.

         The most common symptom of under-nutrition is unintentional weight-loss. Other signs may include: weak muscles, low mood, constant fatigue and an increased chances of contracting various illnesses or infections. On the other hand, the main sign of over-nutrition is being overweight or obese. However, persons living with under-nutrition can also be overweight if they feed on a diet high in energy (calories) but low in other nutrient. Signs of malnutrition in children can include failure to grow at the expected rate coupled with behavioural changes such as appearing unusually irritable, sluggish and/or anxious.

         In the hospital or clinic, one can be diagnosed to be malnourished or not, by calculating his/her Body Mass Index (BMI). Someone with a BMI that falls within 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. Thus, one with BMI either less than or greater than the above stipulated range is considered malnourished.

         It’s noteworthy that malnutrition is a severe and deadly medical condition. Significantly, accordingly to the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), statistics show that about 10.9 million children under the age of five die in developing countries like Nigeria each year; survey indicates that malnutrition and other hunger-related diseases cause sixty percent (60%) of the said deaths. In addition, the cost of under-nutrition to national economic development in any of the affected countries is estimated at 20-30 billion US-dollars per annum.

        Treatment may be carried out at home or in the hospital. Dietary changes are the main treatment for malnutrition; if one is undernourished, he might need to increase the nutritional content of his/her foods or diet, with or without taking nutritional supplements. If the person is unable to eat enough to meet his/her nutritional needs, s/he might need a feeding tube to provide nutrients directly into the digestive system or a drip to provide nutrients and fluids directly into the vein.

         The best way to prevent malnutrition is to eat a healthy balanced diet. To stay healthy, one needs to eat a variety of foods from the four main food groups, namely: plenty of fruit and vegetables; plenty of bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods; some milk and dairy foods; and, some meat, fish, eggs, beans, among other non-dairy sources of protein.

         Malnutrition could be fundamentally attributed to illiteracy, ignorance or poverty. This implies that the ongoing crusade regarding the eradication of all forms of malnutrition in Nigeria requires the holistic effort of all and sundry including the governments, health experts, civil society, the media, non-governmental bodies as well as well-meaning individuals.

         The government at all levels ought to endeavour to establish primary health-care centres within the reach of the citizenry, especially the ordinary people. And must ensure that each of the health centres enjoys the services of at least a qualified resident dietician. In the same vein, people should be conscientized to visit the health centres situated at their respective localities from time-to-time, in order to acquire the needed counselling on dietary.

         The civil society and concerned NGOs are equally expected to intensify awareness on the possible causes of malnutrition. It is advisable for them to regularly embark on a door-to-door sensitization campaign, and at all times endeavour to organize seminars cum workshops with a view to bringing the less-privileged individuals closer to health/dietary issues. This proposed measure can effectively and efficiently be actualized by involving the mass media.

          It is obvious that most people, particularly those residing at the rural areas, are yet to understand the actual meaning of ‘balanced diet’ owing to lack of education. This is where the informed minds or well-meaning Nigerians are meant to come in; they should let their relatives, friends, well-wishers, neighbours, and what have you, who are less-privileged - information/education wise, to acknowledge the fact that balanced diet can be obtained within their places of residence such as their home gardens.

         It’s no longer news that most Nigerians are preoccupied with the notion that balanced diet comprises ‘expensive’ foods that can only be acquired by high-income earners. Hence, they should be meant to comprehend that they can produce essential foods at their houses without any tangible capital. Besides, it is estimated that 684,000 child deaths worldwide could be prevented by increasing access to vitamin A and zinc, which can be obtained from vegetables.

        The schools at all levels to include primary, secondary and tertiary, on their part, ought to ensure that teachings involving dietary are taken more seriously. In this regard, the various tertiary institutions should introduce a general course that would educate the undergraduates mainly on issues concerning dietary and agriculture in general. Such studies should be made to be mandatory and ubiquitous through legislation. Let’s promote this crusade now, towards actualizing a better Nigeria. Think about it! 

Comr. Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador