Ndi Imo, Let's Forge Ahead!

NDI IMO, LET’S FORGE AHEAD!

        The last time I checked, Imo remained a specially and beautifully made state, that, everyone could testify to it. The fact, not assertion, is conspicuous, thus does not need to be refuted by anyone who truly comprehends what the state is made of. It has no doubt been a state to reckon with since its creation, and continued to thrive relentlessly to be the best among equals.

         Several factors make Imo a great and unique state amongst others. While discussing education, it would invariably be at the forefront; it is the only state in Nigeria that has, for the umpteenth time, recorded the highest number of candidates in external examinations such as the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

         Imo has obviously produced countless great men and women, and still producing more. Even a-day-old child in the state appears great. This is the reason anyone who leads the ancient province needn’t be told to be extremely careful and cautious of every step he takes at all times. On the other hand, there is far possibility of having a great man as the state’s governor at all times; and ab inito great men have really been leading the state, to the best of my knowledge.

        Owing to the exemplary idiosyncrasies of the Eastern Heartland, any person known to be its governor stands the chances of emerging as one of the most, if not the most, famous governor across the country. Going down the memory lane till date, you may want to concur with my theory. The truth is, Imo is synonymous with greatness, thus any individual who is a member or an affiliate of the state, is liable to have greatness attached to his/her person.

         Let’s I digress, it’s time I became succinct. Since I found myself in the public domain as an analyst cum activist, I have relentlessly tried to use both my pen and tongue, as the case may be, to let people comprehend that whenever I write or say anything pertaining to the state, I invariably take my precious time to carry out the assignment towards ensuring that I wouldn’t end up causing more harm than good. I do this because I’m aware, as a state made up of great people, a little lapse in any analysis would be misinterpreted. Hence, I often take my time before I write on anything; I don’t write because others are writing, neither do I talk because others are talking.

        Few weeks ago while I was away in Minna, the Niger State capital, someone called from the state, as usual, to give me the latest. Whilst on the phone, he told me that the governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha had instructed that every taxable adult in each community in the state ought to henceforth be paying three thousand naira (#3,000) to the state’s coffer as development levy. According to the governor, the tax would help in development thrive in the existing 637 autonomous communities in the state. Before he could finish, I told him that a fellow had already called from West Germany, Europe to intimate me on the news. He was deeply surprised that the news had already gone viral within that shortest interval.

        Penultimate week on this column, I did a work on diabetes in respect of the just commemorated World Diabetes Day. Consequently, most people who called to react to the column unequivocally told me that, though my topic for the week was fantastic, they were expecting I would do something on the proposed #3000 levy. According to them, I’m good in writing issues on matters arising from current political affairs, thus didn’t see reason I refused to maintain the tempo.

         I knew they were all sounding selfish. Because if they were not, there was no how they wouldn’t comprehend that the topic that surfaced in the last edition was far more important than a mere proposal to pay #3000 as a ‘development’ levy, which I have already described as laughable. Again, they were so impatient to realize that there was still enormous time to write on the subject matter in question, if truly I had a plan to do so.

        There was something I couldn’t tell them on phone, and I want to drop the message here. I have learnt to overlook some of the things coming from the state’s number one citizen ever since I observed that he enjoys adding humour to leadership, which to me, isn’t a bad idea or lifestyle. I’ve painstakingly understood that Governor Okorocha is humorous in nature, thus he often like to employ his sense of humour in whatever he does. He doesn’t really mean everything he says. Honestly. I enjoy his presence as well as speeches owing to this very quality possessed by him. He’s indeed a rare personality.

        If you don’t understand the governor, you would continue to have problem with him and his leadership style. That is why it is believed that, understanding is the major factor that can sustain any relationship irrespective of its type. If you are dealing with someone, endeavour to understand his/her real person; if you do, I bet you, you would hardly have issues with him/her. As a result of Gov. Okorocha’s humorous attribute, sometimes he sounds controversial, even when he doesn’t mean to create any controversy.

        Since I understood his person, unlike those days when I was yet to know him, I have decided to overlook some of his comments, so that, I wouldn’t end up constituting more trouble in the name of trying to let the governor see reason he should have a rethink on whatever unbearable issue he had raised. I’m equally appealing to Imolites to borrow a leaf from my person, so that, they wouldn’t suffer from hypertension. Rather than letting some of his policies affect your emotions negatively, try to laugh over it – just for your own good. The governor seems to mean well for the state, but due to misunderstanding, most of his moves are usually misinterpreted by his subjects.

         I would only advise the governor to know when to crack joke, and when not. Cracking such expensive joke amidst a recessionary era appears to be an act of insensitivity. You wouldn’t expect me to start advising the amiable governor to drop the idea of collecting #3000 from every taxable adult in the state, because to me, such agitation shouldn’t even be listened to let alone discussing it. Think about it!  

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador  

Marking 2016 World Diabetes Day

LET’S END DIABETES, NOW!

         Monday November 14, the world over commemorated the 2016 World Diabetes Day. The World Diabetes Day, which is an annual and international commemoration, was instituted in the year 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to help in raising public awareness on the dangers and control of diabetes.

         The day became an official United Nations (UN) Day in 2007 through the passage of the UN resolution. The day was chosen in honour of the birthday of Frederick Banting who along with Charles Best first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1921. The theme of the 2016 anniversary is ‘Eyes on Diabetes’. The year’s activities and materials are expected to focus on promoting the importance of screening towards ensuring early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications.

         Diabetes is a lifelong medical condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. It’s often caused by the insufficiency or lack of the hormone known as insulin, which is produced by the pancreas – a gland found behind the stomach. The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by the aforementioned hormone.

        When food is digested and enters the bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells where it’s broken down to produce the required energy. So, if one is diagnosed with diabetes, it implies that his/her body is unable to break down glucose into energy, because there’s either not enough insulin to move the glucose or the insulin being produced doesn’t work properly.

        There are two main types of diabetes namely: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The former is usually more delicate than the latter which is far more common. In Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. As no insulin is produced, the victim’s glucose level increases, which can seriously damage his body’s organs. Type 1 diabetes is often regarded as Insulin-dependent diabetes; it’s equally sometimes recognized as Juvenile diabetes or Early-onset diabetes, because it mostly develops before the age of forty or usually during the teenage years. If one is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he would need insulin injections for the rest of his life. He would also need to pay very close attention to certain aspects of his lifestyle and health, to ensure that his blood glucose levels stay balanced at all times.

        Type 2 diabetes takes place when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it cells don’t react to insulin. This type of diabetes is generally known as Insulin-resistant diabetes. Since Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, the patient may eventually need medication mainly in the form of tablets. Type 2 diabetes is in most cases associated with obesity. Obesity-related diabetes is sometimes referred to as ‘maturity-onset’ diabetes owing to the fact that it is more common in older people.

         During pregnancy, some women possess high levels of blood glucose, which makes their body unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. Such condition is known as gestational diabetes, and it affects up to 18 in 100 women during pregnancy. Pregnancy can as well make existing Type 1 diabetes worse. Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of health problems developing in an unborn baby, therefore it’s very necessary for a pregnant woman to keep her blood glucose levels under control. It often develops during the second trimester of pregnancy and disappears after the baby is born. Women who suffer from gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

        The general symptoms of diabetes, which usually take place simultaneously, include: feeling very thirsty; urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night; feeling very tired; weight loss and loss of muscle bulk; cuts or wounds that heal slowly; blurred vision, caused by the lens of the eye becoming dry; and, itching around the private parts or frequent episodes of thrush. Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days, whilst many people may have Type 2 diabetes for years without realizing it because the early symptoms tend to be friendly.

         Survey shows that about 347 million people worldwide are presently suffering from diabetes. Worse still, almost half of the carriers do not know that they have the disease. Many more people worldwide have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is referred to as pre-diabetes. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased. Thus, it’s absolutely very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it would get progressively worse if left untreated.

         In general, diabetes carriers are advised to eat healthily, drink enough water, participate in constant exercise, consistently take their routine drugs as well as carry out regular blood tests, in order to ensure that their blood glucose levels remain balanced. Among all, they are advised to maintain a very cordial relationship with their health experts.

         As the global community marks the 25^th anniversary of the World Diabetes Day, let’s endeavour to live a life that would exonerate us from contracting this dreaded disease that has claimed millions of souls. We can achieve this by ensuring that we consume balance diets, or by staying away from constant intake of starchy or sugary foods without supplementing them with other required classes of foods. It has no cure but it can be prevented, or duly controlled if contracted. Think about it!

Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador 

The Intriguing Side of Madumere

THE INTRIGUING FEATURES OF MADUMERE

       The last time I checked, Prince Eze Madumere remained the Deputy Governor of the famous Imo State. Since he took over from the embattled Jude Agbaso as the number two citizen of the state, I have been painstakingly observing his person with a keen interest, though from a distance.

       Lest I forget, this piece was informed solely by the compelling need to appraise facts as regards the aforementioned leader. Suffice it to say; there’s no hidden interest that occasioned the timely emergence of this critique. Yes, I addressed it as ‘timely’ because I’m deeply of the view that this is the ripe and best moment to present this picture, if not video. I would only enjoin you to employ adequate attention as you peruse through the candid analysis; this is the only debt you owe me as far as this presentation is concerned.

       If I’m not mistaken, this is the very first time I would present an analysis on the said politician. If I have done any in the past, maybe that was in my dream. I understand the language, or the literally meaning, of ‘There is time for everything under the Sun’ as stipulated in Ecclesiastes 3:1 in the Holy Book. Hence, I only do something when I think it is needed, and not otherwise. If you have been following me in this crusade, you would duly concur with this assertion.

       You may be of the notion that I’m employing suspense. On the contrary, I’m only trying to do the needful. Any work done, especially in the pen world, without a proper background, would seem meaningless and weird. So, I’m trying to present the consequential and required background for the awaited exegesis. Notwithstanding, lest I digress, I think it’s high time we began before it becomes too late. If not for anything, for the sake of space; I’m bound to utilize a limited space on this column.

       I wish to commence with a question. How much do you know Prince Madumere’s political lifestyle? If little is the answer, then relax because you would get to know more right now. Unlike my person that doesn’t pay much attention to Nigerian politicians because I see almost all of them as fake, I abruptly developed an indelible interest in the Imo deputy governor owing to the uniqueness attached to his personality. He has succeeded in disabusing me of the notion that every Nigerian politician is not real; he has proven that some are different. I know those who do something commendable just to be captured by paparazzi; and I and my likes equally know those who genuinely participate in suchlike activity. Prince Madumere belongs to the latter.

       Before I proceed, I wish to let us know that I know nothing about Prince Madumere’s family life. I don’t know about his wife, neither do I know how many children he is blessed with. If you ask me how often he goes to church, I would tell you I know absolutely nothing about him. If you also ask me about his childhood, I would say I know nothing regarding him. Similarly, if you succeed in asking me where his wife hails from, I would boldly respond that I don’t even know a bit about him. But if you inquire from me about his political lifestyle, I would categorically tell you that I know everything about him.

       His humility as a politician is unparalleled. He walks and talks unnoticed, unlike an average politician in Nigeria let alone a number two citizen of a highly revered state in the country. He’s a true humanitarian. Few months ago, he was allowed to alight first from a certain airline that landed in Abuja, in which he was one of the passengers. The moment he got down the steps, he casually turned back and observed an elderly man struggling with his luggage while alighting the steps; surprisingly, he stretched out his hand to assist the man, thus he personally carried his luggage into the waiting shuttle bus. A close friend of mine who intimated me on this happened to be one of the passengers; according to him, he, likewise other passengers, was filled with goose pimples on that fateful day on observing what transpired. This is just one out of the many he had graciously done.

       Have you watch him speak in a public domain? If you haven’t, then you are really missing. He speaks like a man who thinks deeply before he talks. He apparently comprehends the essence of thinking before a statement is made. If you have been with me ab initio, you would notice I often urge people to ‘think about it’ because I’m strongly of the opinion that thought begets good action. In other words, one who fails to think before acting is bound to encounter failure or crisis in the long run; read my lips. Believe me, I’ve not found him wanting, for once, since I’ve been following his public speeches. From my understanding, he’s a learned man to the core.

       Mind you; I don’t have any personal relationship with Prince Madumere, neither do I have any business with him or any of his relatives. And I’m not anticipating any. Like I earlier stated, I was only implored by my spirit to do this. What actually triggered my humble pen, aside the mentioned instigation, was his cordial and unalloyed relationship with the Imo governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha. Unlike most other politicians who got intoxicated as soon as they tasted power, Madumere’s case is exceptional. The Igbo people would invariably say that any fowl that forgets where it was first drenched by the rain would likely not get to its destination. This implies that one ought to never forget where he is coming from. Prince Madumere seems to be always cautious of this wise saying, hence, he is liable to be successful in his endeavours.

       He appears like one whose conscience is always awake. You and I are not unaware that the conscience of most prominent Nigerians, not just politicians, are ostensibly asleep at all times. But that of Prince Madumere looks not unlike one that is never asleep. I have gathered from reliable sources how he always tries to carry his followers along, particularly those who had contributed towards his success story in one way or the other. Though an average politician look forward to creating scenes so that his/her name would go to the press, Madumere apparently tries to avoid uproars. He prefers to keep to himself than to end up creating a scene. Sometimes I got baffled if he’s really a politician.

       He reminds me of Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho. The duo remain the two politicians from Imo State I have a soft spot for. I wish Imo electorate would acknowledge only those who have something to offer rather than laying emphasis on party affiliation. However, I pray he won’t change like a chameleon if he emerges the state’s governor someday. Think about it! 

FDN Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador  

       

              

         

What's Okorocha up to?

WHAT IS OKOROCHA UP TO?

       The last time I checked, the highly revered Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha had ordered that modalities should be worked out towards ensuring that three thousand (3,000) graduates from the state are recruited into the state’s civil service. He gave the instruction penultimate two weeks, precisely on Thursday 27^th October 2016, in Owerri, the state capital while swearing-in the new Chairman of the state’s Civil Service Commission in the person of Mr. Bonaventure Ibebuike.

       The number one citizen, however, directed that the prospective beneficiaries of the proposed exercise must be computer-literate, and fall between the age bracket of 20 and 30. It’s noteworthy that the directive was not unconnected with one of the key resolutions reached by the state’s Executive Council (SEC) during its meeting held on Friday 2^nd September 2016 at the Ndubuisi Kanu Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Owerri. In the said resolution, the SEC agreed that five graduates per ward, from the existing 305 political wards in the state, would be employed to beef up the state’s civil service.

       I still want to reiterate what I stated when the resolution was released two months ago. The state’s civil service is arguably not in need of more employees at the moment. We need to learn to handle issues one after the other. That’s what Economics recognizes as ‘Scale of Preference’; it begets the ability to acknowledge what ought to be placed as a priority. What the Imo civil service requires presently is to address the lingering predicaments such as payment of salaries, frauds among the public servants, and what have you.

       Making out plan to engage more employees is not unlike trying to overlook reality. The reality of the day, which isn’t peculiar to Imo State, remains that there’s no sufficient funds to pay workers. Then, if the above assertion holds water, why would we think about how to recruit more hands when those already in the system are crying foul? Doesn’t it seem like a paradox? Of course, I can’t reconcile the scenario, neither can any other person.

       Let’s get the analysis right. No one is saying that thousands of our young graduates among others, if not millions, are not jobless. No one is equally saying that this set of individuals doesn’t need job desperately. The factual point is that, there’s currently no iota of space for employment anywhere in Nigeria, if we must tell ourselves the gospel truth. Nigeria, likewise any state across the federation, is in shambles right now, thus yearning for rescue. Even if states like Lagos and Rivers try to pretend that they are not affected by the ongoing economic recession, realists like us are not unaware that they are just suffering smiling. The bitter truth is that, most states even wish to retrench many of their workers to ease burden, and Imo isn’t exceptional.

       I tell you unequivocally that, if we must overcome the present economic situation, everyone must try to be a realist, because it would take only realists to turn the sorrow into praises. Hence, governments at all levels are as well required to enroll in the famous school of thought known as ‘realism’. It’s true that virtually everyone, particularly Africans, shies away from the school in question because it takes only courageous person to be a member of the institution.

       It’s simply because Dr. Goodluck Jonathan ceased to face reality that made him not to be successful when he was the President of Nigeria. He publicly stated that corruption was never the major problem faced by the country; such belief alone was one of the prime reasons he failed. This is why I still believe in President Buhari-led administration, because the man at the helm of affairs seems to be a realist.

       Back to Imo State; I want Governor Okorocha to jettison this intent and concentrate on the priority. Pronouncing the intent alone, would raise the people’s expectations. And such high expectation is liable to generate more crisis or pandemonium if the government failed to fulfill the mandate. Government shouldn’t make pronouncement just to receive an overwhelming applause from the citizens; rather, it is expected to foresee the implications of any proclamation in the long run.

       Everyone is definitely bound to err, let alone a leader that is surrounded by several distractions as well as too many forces – both visible and invisible. What matters is not how much we erred, but the ability to realize that we have derailed in order to make amends. If engaging more workers into the state’s civil service has become so compelling, let the government first consider retiring those workers whom are due for retirement but had refused to go home owing to falsification of age. Flushing such persons out would create enormous employment opportunities.

        Besides, the Imo workers are not happy as regards their salaries. Currently, they receive 70% of their respective wages whilst 30% is being used to service the government’s concernments. What about the pensioners who are being owed for several months? If the government has all these issues to address, why is it planning to introduce more Imolites into the hot zone, all in the name of beefing up the civil service or rescuing the jobless youths?

        Before someone gets my analysis wrongly, let it be on record that I have never wished Gov. Okorocha bad since he became the governor of Imo State. Let it equally be on record that the said leader remains the first Nigerian politician to gain my support as an aspirant of a political position. I’m not pro-Okorocha neither am I anti-Okorocha; I’ve always stood on a neutral ground. As a gifted analyst cum activist, I truly comprehend the essence of clapping when necessary as well as criticizing if need be. In other words, I’ve always done my work to please my conscience.

        As a true stakeholder in the state, all I pray and seek for is, for the state to witness tremendous success in all her worthwhile endeavours, but it’s pertinent to note that such success cannot be holistically recorded if the governor’s policies and ideas are unhealthy, or not coherent. Think about it!

Comr. Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador