Opinion I Imo Legislators And Their Makosa Dance

IMO LEGISLATORS AND THEIR MAKOSA DANCE

        

The last time I checked, the members of the Imo House of Assembly were showcasing a parade I could best describe as Makosa dance. Such an intriguing action, which is ostensibly not unconnected with politics, has been trending in the public domain for some weeks now.

       

It would be recalled that the state’s Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha initially proposed to present the 2018 Appropriation bill of the state to the lawmakers on Tuesday 28^th November 2017 but the outing could not unfortunately hold as scheduled, perhaps owing to contingencies, though the said bill was eventually tendered two weeks after – precisely on Wednesday December 13, 2017.

         

We were rightly notified that why the governor couldn’t present the bill as planned was owing to the gross discrepancies noticed in the speech meant to be read by the number one citizen, although on that fateful day some lawmakers alleged that they were being owed some arrears of salaries cum sitting allowances.

       

Just two days after the failed outing being Thursday 30^th November 2017, the then Majority Leader of the House Lugard Osuji moved a motion for outright suspension of the Assembly’s Clerk, Chris Duru over alleged misconduct which was tagged ‘gross under-performance’. Therein, his motion scaled through, thus the accused official was suspended with immediate effect by the plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Ugonna Ozuruigbo via the support of other 21 out of the 27 lawmakers of the Assembly.

        

It was rumoured in some quarters that the suspension of the clerk was not unconnected with the belief of the lawmakers that the affected officer was working for the state’s governor and the Assembly’s Speaker Acho Ihim. Meanwhile, some of the lawmakers who spoke after the sitting on strict condition of anonymity opined that the suspended clerk ‘was growing wings’, hence saw himself as a more important official than the legislators.

       

The lawmakers further alleged that the suspended clerk usually opposed their directives and thought he was ‘untouchable’. One of them who described the clerk simply as a ‘liaison officer to the governor, said the embattled officer was of the view he could work against the interest of the lawmakers and get away with it.

       

Intriguingly, in the subsequent sitting of the House just a few days after the melodrama, the Speaker Acho Ihim read a memo from the state’s chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the communiqué, the member representing Owerri Mucipal, Lugard Osuji who then doubled as the Majority Leader was accused by the party of gross-misconduct, thus directed the Assembly to outrightly suspend the said lawmaker.

       

The speaker who read the August memo immediately set up an ad-hoc committee to aptly investigate the allegations leveled against the principal officer by the APC having suspended him for two legislative weeks. More fascinatingly, thereof, the embattled legislator Chief Osuji hurriedly before his colleagues announced his outright resignation as the Majority Leader of the House. As if that wasn’t enough, the resignation of two other principal officers – the Deputy Majority Leader and the Chief Whip – was also announced.

       

In order to fill the gaps created without much ado, as if it was an acted movie, three other legislators – namely Uche Oguwike of Ikeduru, Chinedu Offor of Onuimo and Arthur Egwim of Ideato North – were pronounced at the plenary as the new Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader and Chief Whip of the Assembly, respectively. After the show, some of the legislators I interacted with attributed the entire brouhahas to ‘executive interference’ in the Assembly’s activities.

       

Furthermore, away from suspension, resignation, counter-allegations, or what have you, barely a week on, the legislator representing Oguta State Constituency, Henry Ezediaro publicly threw his weight behind the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Uche Nwosu, stating the said young man was the only suitable person that could succeed Gov. Okorocha come 2019. He didn’t stop there; he equally claimed that the overall 27 lawmakers in the Imo Assembly, including himself, were all behind the chief of staff.

       

Chief Ezediaro further disclosed that the recent disagreement or uproar in the House was as a result of the legislators’ eager quest to see the governor declaring Chief Nwosu as the person he would love to hand over to at the expiration of his tenure. Please, how do we reconcile this? Going by his claim; if the lawmakers were divided, as we witnessed recently, owing to who succeeds the sitting governor, it simply signifies that they are not in support of a particular guber aspirant. Hence, it’s worth noting that the aforementioned lawmaker ended up contradicting the scenario.

       

However, consequently, the Speaker of the House, Chief Ihim debunked the claim, saying the Assembly members as a people or group had never supported any governorship faithful thus asked Imoltes to overlook such an ‘unfounded’ statement.

       

It’s even amusing that someone would publicly throw his weight behind a politician who has never told his people that he would be running for the Imo guber seat come 2019. To the best of my knowledge, Chief Nwosu had never announced to anyone, not even his ward members, that he is eyeing the governorship seat. So, I wonder why his so-called allies are raising all these dusts. Those ‘supporters’ ought to note that they are on the contrary causing problem for the gentleman.

        

Notwithstanding, it’s noteworthy that I’m not here to analyze or narrate the story of what had transpired in the House in the recent times; rather, to enjoin our revered legislators to desist from this makosa dance which is seriously over-heating the polity and not wholesome to the anticipated governance.

       

Our revered lawmakers are expected to be more concerned in passing motions and bills as well as carrying out their oversight functions diligently. And, it’s noteworthy that such obligatory duties are required to be done independently at all times no matter whose ox is gored. We must not wash our dirty lilies in the public. Let’s not overlook the needful for the sake of frivolities.

         

I’ve for the umpteenth time conscientized our politicians to always consult a strategist before taking any action, so that, their initiatives or pronouncements wouldn’t be dead on arrival. Don’t forget that your respective constituents are watching you; needless to state that you need to endeavour to consider your dignity whenever you think or act.

       

There’s time for every dance, hence the need to suspend this very one. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador    

Opinion I When Governors Become Emperors

WHEN GOVERNORS BECOME EMPERORS

       

I had almost gone to bed on the eve of 2016 Christmas when a phone call filtered in from Germany, to engage me in an informal chat as usual. The caller, who happened to be my old-time friend, actually called to express his bitterness over what he observed on the television regarding one of the Nigeria’s governors.

       

According to the buddy, Kunle, he had on that very day watched a governor of one of the states in the Southern Nigeria commissioning a Christmas tree worth over half a billion naira whilst the leader in question was reportedly owing workers and pensioners in the state for several months. I laughed in French and therein told him that such show of shame had become common among most serving governors, hence the need for him to get use to the aberration.

        

I wish Mr. Kunle would someday meet with my dad whom I often refer to as a political philosopher. The old man – a well experienced octogenarian – one day informed me unequivocally that some states across the country were suffering from economic epilepsy, thus needed to undergo holistic lobotomy. His seeming candid view was informed by the way and manner in which some sitting governors invariably act as if they are not accountable to anyone.

        

To assert that currently some governors operate not unlike an emperor isn’t in any way an overstatement, and such weird custom is not peculiar to a particular state or region in the country. It suffices to say that virtually all the governors have, in one way or the other, been found guilty of such bilious and nonchalant lifestyle.

        

For clarity’s sake, an emperor is a man who solely rules a certain empire. An empire, on its part, could be described as a society of people that is being controlled by only one person. In summary, an emperor is a person, male individual precisely, who singlehanded controls the day-to-day activity of a particular society and stands not to be questioned by anyone whenever he errs.

      

With the above definitions, it has become clearer that truly most of our so-called leaders are presently operating like emperors in their respective jurisdictions. Take for instance, a situation where a governor would refuse to conduct the Local Government (LG) election in his state and such scenario would linger till he leaves office. In most cases, he would put up a façade in the name of an election towards the expiration of his tenure, perhaps to prove to people that LG polls were eventually conducted under his watch.

        

Why wouldn’t such governor be rated as an emperor when every other official in the affected state such as the legislators cum judicial custodians would remain a rubber stamp as the unfortunate scene prevails? Funnily enough, when a court orders the governor to without much ado conduct the long awaited LG polls, he would rather regard such legal directive as baseless.

        

On a monthly basis, the Federal Government (FG) would release funds accruable to the third tier governments via the various states. In the process, the said allocation would be hijacked by the governors and such funds would never be utilized on the projects for which they are meant. Instead, they would be channeled toward the implementation of non-feasible projects.

       

The judicial system in the states suffering from such unruly behaviour is vulnerable, to assert the least. I have often times witnessed a situation whereby an injunction is issued by a court of competent jurisdiction to stop a governor from taking a certain intended action, yet the latter would overlook the order with the notion that he alone is in charge of the state.

       

The vulnerability of the lawmakers in such states cannot be left out. Rather than act as independent elected officials, the legislators would be reduced to mere aides of the governor thus would be left with no choice than to operate as they were instructed by the latter. It’s indeed a pathetic circumstance. What is left for this set of governors is to fence their states in order to possess it as their personal asset.

       

As the uncalled ill lingers unabated, it’s noteworthy that the FG has a very vital role to play with a view to addressing it. There is a compelling need to, by law, scrap the various states’ electoral commissions. By so doing, the conduct of the LG elections would become the sole duty of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This signifies that it would no longer be the responsibility of the governors to determine when and how the said polls would be held in their respective states.

        

In the same vein, it’s high time the electorate woke up from slumber. They need to fully acknowledge that they possess the constitutional immunity to recall any lawmaker who is not living up to the expectations. Similarly, they needn’t be reminded that it’s equally their right to say enough is enough whenever the impunity of their governor goes to extreme point.

       

All in all, we must bear in mind at all times that he is an elected governor, not an emperor. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador
http://facebook.com/theMediaAmbassador

   

       

ShortStory I Golden Chance (II)

GOLDEN CHANCE (II)

       “You have not still answered my question.” Jessy hesitantly uttered as she fixed her gaze on Dan’s.

         Dan was rather speechless, seemed lifeless as he sat directly opposite her not unlike a job seeker.

         At this juncture, they were still the only guests at the bar, Dragon-Top. It was moment of confession; it was the ripe time for him to disclose his prime intention; the period to state clearly in strong terms the reason he left his initial position for hers. And, she conspicuously could not wait to grab the note. Though she had already read the atmosphere, courtesy unarguably demanded that when you walked up to someone – especially a stranger – you ought not to hesitate in disclosing the mission for your abrupt visit. Since there was no practical invite, his presence before her at the moment remained embarrassing till the object of the August visit was revealed.

        “I am all ears, Mister Dan.” Jessy reminded.

        “My dear,” he stated. “It’s a long story.”

          Sure, the dude did not belong to the bracket of men who knew too well how to approach ladies let alone a cutely looking and classy one like Lady Jessy.

         “Long story?” she verified. “You mean, you have come to tell me a long story?”

         “On the contrary,” quoth Dan. “I have come to tell you that, that…” he stammered, paused.

         She was silent, became attentive as she got fascinated over the mode of approach deployed by him. Sure, she needn’t be told that he was naïve. Such attitude of his triggered her interest more.

        “… That I have been your secret admirer for three weeks now.”

          Jessy smiled stylishly. “Congratulations, Mister Dan.” She enthused, clapping.

          He was amazed, though became confused over the unforeseen gesture.

         “So, Mister Dan,” she continued, sipped her drink via the straw. “Why are you admiring Missus Jessy?”

        “Missus Jessy..?” he echoed, became flabbergasted. “Did I hear you right?”

        “I am sure you did.” quoth Jessy. “Or, didn’t you?”

        “Do you mean, you are married?” he verified, pointing at her with his right hand.

         She dished out a dazzling smile. “Would you like to see my husband?”

        “So, how come you are not putting on your ring?”

        “Is that necessary?” she said. “Does it really matter?”

        “Of course,” he replied. “Or isn’t it?’

        “I don’t think it is, my dear.” she argued. “Faithfulness is a thing of the heart.”

         On hearing the last clause, Dan felt like strangulating himself right before her as he tightly fixed his gaze on hers. To him, he had all along wasted a whole three weeks, thinking he was up to something beneficial, forgetting that ‘not all that glitters is gold’. His mind was at the time preoccupied with mixed feelings, all sorts of weird thoughts, or what have you. He was apparently trapped to the ground.

         What could he do now? Since it seemed he had ab initio embarked on a fruitless mission, he had no other choice than to manage lifting his ‘useless’ body towards returning to his original position there in Dragon-Top, or better still consider leaving the bar for else locality where he would be more sober.

          Right now, which was almost 6:00 pm, more guests had arrived Dragon-Top, hence the arena was gradually becoming rowdy and hot as usual. Against this backdrop, another person had occupied Dan’s initial position.

          Few seconds later, the 36-year-old Dan stood up and attempted to take his leave. “Well, thank you for your time.” he managed to utter.

        “You are welcome.” Jessy replied frankly, sipped her drink for the umpteenth time.

         He turned and sluggishly took a step forward, fixing his gaze on the exit point of the bar, or probably where his white Honda Accord car was parked.

         His intention was to leave the joint for home, or somewhere else he could reexamine himself with a view to knowing what to do with his ostensible miserable life.

       “Mister Dan.” Jessy called tenderly as he left her table.

         He quickly but majestically applied his brakes, calmly twisted his neck but never uttered a word.

        “Please, come.” She urged politely.

         Dan calmly walked back to her, but didn’t bother to resume his seat as he stared at her in silent awe.     

        “Please, can you sit down?” She enjoined, gesticulating.

          He complied like one who was being controlled with a remote, remained mute.

         “I can see, you are hurt.” Jessy observed. “Please, I didn’t mean to.” she added, paused. “I am sorry.”

          Dan became more bemused, couldn’t fathom the scenario as he sat loosely on the chair.

         “I want to make a confession.”

         “Confession..?” he eventually uttered.

         “Yes.” She said, nodding.

         “For what?”

         “I have also been attracted to you.” She revealed hesitantly.

           The dude was surprised to receive such strong and mind-blowing words from a woman he had all along seen as a goddess that deserved to be worshipped. “How?” he verified in a jiffy.

          “I have been your secret admirer from the first day I sighted you.” Jessy categorically clarified. “I noticed you the very first time I walked in here.” she supplemented. “I actually came to chill myself on that day but the acknowledgement of you made me kept coming afterwards.”

          “Serious?”

          “The truth was that, Jessy had from the outset been watching Dan’s back. Though she didn’t come to Dragon-Top for the first time because of Dan, her first visit to the famous outlet disclosed the dude’s existence. From that moment, she became a secret admirer. What actually prompted the admiration was owing to the fact that the dude happened to be seated alone throughout that fateful Saturday she patronized the bar. Being a lonely lady, she thought getting acquainted with him would go a long way in addressing the dreaded disease known as ‘loneliness’, which she was currently suffering from.

          She made enquiries and got to know that he usually came to the joint on weekends. So, being a banker, Saturday evenings cum Sundays were often her free time, thus she chose to always visit Dragon-Top every Saturday with the purpose of working out strategy on how to get him attracted to her, not knowing that he equally got attracted to her on that first day.

         “But you said, you are married?’ Dan inquired. “Or, could it be I didn’t hear you well?”

        “Never mind.” responded Jessy. “I was just pulling your legs.”

          He smiled, though still engulfed in the overwhelming astonishment occasioned by the unimagined confession.

          Therein, they became friends. Weeks on, the friendship metamorphosed into intimacy. Barely five months on, Dan led the pretty Jessy down the aisle.

         The rest is history, please.

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador  

  

              

Opinion I As They Assume Duties, What Next?

AS THEY ASSUME DUTIES, WHAT NEXT?

        

The last time I checked, the  twenty-eight Commissioner nominees that were successfully screened by the Imo legislators recently as tradition demanded had been sworn in by the state’s governor Chief Rochas Okorocha and therein assigned to various ministries to super-head their affairs. It’s noteworthy that the appointed twenty-seven Transition Committee (TC) chairmen of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state were equally inaugurated.

        

It would be recalled that in June this year, the governor relieved virtually all his cabinet members of their duties; an action that affected the then serving commissioners in each of the existing ministries in the Eastern Heartland. It suffices to say that since the aforementioned month till Monday, 4^th December 2017 when the swearing-in ceremony took place, the various ministries had been lacking commissioners to pilot their respective day-to-day activities.

        

Considering the above paragraph, it’s needless to reiterate that the event that eventually ushered in the new commissioners was conspicuously long overdue. In other words, every rational and sane Imolite or a true friend of the state could not wait to embrace such an epochal moment.

       

Before discussing what truly informed this piece, I would like to take a slight look at some fascinating things that happened at the said occasion, which held at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC). At the venue, before the distinguished guests, Governor Okorocha rightly disclosed that some of the ministries would be relocated to other parts of the state. This is arguably a welcome development to the best of my knowledge.

        

I was, to say the least, so delighted when the governor made the pronouncement. I had prior to the ceremony, for the umpteenth time, analyzed on the need to decentralize some of the existing ministries in the state just as it is seen in states like Lagos among others. Among several benefits that await such remarkable measure, decentralization of various ministries leads to drastic societal uplift as well as tremendously helps to cushion the ongoing excruciating effects of rural-urban migration.

       

This implies that I cannot wait to see the governor implementing such lofty initiative, even though the affected workers wouldn’t be pleased with the idea. After actualizing the relocation through the use of the executive immunity, I employ the governor to ensure that the approach is sold to the lawmakers to enable them deliberate on it via a bill towards making it a project that would stand the test of time.

         

However, another intriguing factor that emerged on that fateful day was the assignment of a portfolio to a former aide of the governor who never participated in the screening exercise conducted by the revered legislators. A woman whose name was never mentioned as one of the commissioner nominees was decorated as the ‘Supervisory’ Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment, which later was rebranded ‘Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment’.

        

One may even ask; what is really the essence of such portfolio? What other happiness or fulfillment does Imolites require if the commissioners assigned to the already existing ministries carry out their duties effectively and efficiently, or are not found wanting in the long run? The funniest part was that the newest ministry was renamed just a few hours after the inauguration ceremony.

       

Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that this critique is mainly necessitated by the need for the newly inaugurated commissioners, TC-chairmen cum members coupled with the concerned expanded EXCO officials to comprehend what next is expected of their persons as they assume duties.

         

As they have eventually climbed the mantle of leadership, they need not to be told that this is simply a clarion call; a call to serve; a call for stewardship; a call to assist in building the state. It is obvious that some of these appointees aren’t just assuming duties but resuming; needless to state that they have been in the system from the outset. Whether you are assuming or resuming, the consignment is designed for you to see yourself as a steward and not an emperor.

        

Similarly, these appointees shouldn’t be reminded that completion of the numerous projects across the state initiated by the Rescue Mission Administration now lies in their court. The governor made it clear on the day of the swearing-in that the reason he ensured that each LGA in the state got a commissioner slot was the need for the said appointees to see that the ongoing projects in their respective councils are duly completed. Hence, there is no need reiterating that we shall hold them responsible if the projects in their various LGAs failed. Most importantly, they must note that to actualize this, team work mustn’t be taken for granted.

       

Inter alia, the appointees must take into cognizance the indisputable role of time management. They need to be ready to manage their time aptly. Some of them may decide to be in the office at 11:00 am or even anytime beyond; such a mentality is very bad and unethical. A good leader ought to be the first to be present at his/her working place or venue for a proposed meeting.

       

They must also be conscious of how they entertain their guests while in the office. Some guests may want to spend several hours in the office of a commissioner or TC-chairman, as the case may be; such way of life is uncalled for in a formal setting, thus unacceptable. The bosses are required to make their respective guests understand that they are working with time and that other visitors are waiting, hence the need to be brief and succinct.

         

I can’t round off this piece without letting the appointees acknowledge that they represent the governor in their respective jurisdictions, thus mustn’t relent to advise, inform the number-one citizen on what should be done in the areas they are super-heading.

       

All in all, the TC-chairmen ought to in their capacities remind the governor the compelling need to conduct the long awaited LG polls. In view of this, they must see themselves as apostles of truth. Think about it!   

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

 

ShortStory I Golden Chance

GOLDEN CHANCE

        Could it be that she didn’t notice him, or was it pretence? He had sat patiently all alone in the virtually empty bar on a Saturday awaiting her arrival, only for her to eventually walked in and never even bothered to take a glance at his presence let alone tendering a casual salutation as courtesy demanded.

 

 

        Dan who resided in the city of Asaba, Delta State, was a secret admirer. He had observed her with keen interest for three weeks now, although the lady in question was yet to take note of his existence. The bar popularly known as Dragon-Top, in which he was seated, had remained his usual joint whenever it called for relaxation since three years back he relocated to the city.

         She came into the picture barely about twenty-one days back when both of them coincidentally arrived at Dragon-Top at the same time. On that fateful day, she was gorgeously clad in a red-carpet dress as if it was her birthday and needed to rock the day in a bar. Though she didn’t notice him as he stepped in alongside her, he did notice her magnificent look and countenance. Surprisingly, it seemed she came to catch fun all alone as throughout almost an hour she relaxed in there with just a bottle of Smirnoff, no one was by her side. Such rare display kept Dan in a deep thoughtful mood all-through the day even after her gracious departure.

         The following Saturday evening being exactly a week after the first encounter, Dan equally caught the sight of same lady dressed in different charming attire. On that day, she was also seated all alone throughout her stay at the outlet. Smirnoff was as well her company on this very day; but this time, she took two bottles contrary to the first outing when she managed to consume just one.

         Since it appeared her patronage was on a Saturday-Saturday basis, Dan thought it wise to always make out time to be present at Dragon-Top every Saturday, precisely during the evening time, even amid tight schedules. On the third Saturday being two weeks after the first encounter, she also came along as expected and in another elegant wear. On this day, he decided to lose his patience and walk up to her for a chat but later jettisoned his idea, reason best known to him, or perhaps owing to lack of courage.

        Maybe all those while, she never acknowledged that one particular young man had been admiring every bit of her. Or, did she know and decided to play along? Only the gods could tender the apt answer to the question. Well, whatever the case could be, time would surely tell as usual.

        Today, being the fourth Saturday, the 36-year-old Dan was at the moment the only guest in the ‘almighty’ and ever bubbling Dragon-Top. It was about 4:30 pm; some minutes earlier than the previous outings. He was advertently more punctual, probably to enable him properly strategize on how best to approach that seeming unique bird that had been perching on a dwarf tree situated very close to his abode. About twenty minutes after his arrival, there she came clad in her usual way and thereof requested for her normal drink; she wanted it very cold this time.

        It’s noteworthy that as she walked into the bar, Dan’s gaze was firmly fixed on her but she never cared to even wave at him nor showcase any element of reciprocation; rather, she hurriedly looked elsewhere on observing the rare stare and acted as if the dude didn’t worth her attention.

        “Was it a pretence?” Dan thought as she passed by, ignoring him. “Or could it be she was outside minded.” He added just to console himself.

         She was seated adjacent to him but about ten metres away. Dragon-Top was large enough to accommodate over three hundred individuals while seated. Excluding the attendants, only both of them were found at the bar at the time, thus she had no reason to say that she could not see Dan as well as how good he equally dressed. As she sipped her drink with a white straw, she intermittently glanced at him in style. The pink gown coupled with silver-coated sandals she wore looked like what was specially designed for a palace princess. From all indications, she couldn’t be more than 28.

         On his part, Dan who put on black jeans trousers, red-check shirt, black baseball cap and a pair of red trainers spotted with white, was occupied with a bottle of stout beer. He was also staring at her at intervals though stylishly. “Hello pretty!” he eventually broke the silence as he eventually walked to where she sat.

         It seemed she didn’t see him leave his initial position let alone move towards her point as she was seemingly startled on hearing the salutation. “Hi.” She managed to reply, waving her right hand.

         “Did I frighten you?” he verified, still standing.

         “I didn’t know when you got here.” She responded.

         “Oh,” he said. “So sorry about that.”

         “No problem.” she uttered. “So..?” she supplemented, trying to ascertain his mission.

         “Please, can I sit with you?”

         “Suit yourself.”

         “Thanks.” He tendered as he sat opposite her on one of the three empty chairs at the table.

         “You are welcome.”

         “I am Dan.” He disclosed in a jiffy.

         “Are you through with your drink?” she enquired, pointing at his table, ignoring the introductory note.

         “Oh, yes.” he replied. “Thanks.”

         “Well, I am Jessy.”

         “It is my pleasure to meet you, Jessy.”

         “How?’ she queried. “Did you know me before now?”

         “I have known you for over three weeks now.”

         “Three weeks..?”

         “Yes.”

         “How?” quoth Jessy. “Where?”

         “Right here in dragon top.”

         “Really..?”

         “Yea.”

         “So, you have been spying me all along?”

         “Spy..?” he said. “On the contrary, I have been observing you.”

         “Observing me?” she echoed, placing her left hand on her chest. “Interesting.”

       “This is the fourth time you would be here within this month,” quoth the lover boy. “Am I right?”

       “Hmm…,” she muttered. “This is getting more interesting.”

       “You can say that again.”

       “So, how may I help you?” she said frankly.

       “It is obvious.” responded Dan. “Or, isn’t it?”

         She smiled, calmly folded her arms, and never uttered a word.

         To be continued, please.

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador  

 

           

 

   

         

 

           

Opinion I Okorocha, Lawmakers' Drama Over Proposed Budget Presentation

OKOROCHA, LAWMAKERS' DRAMA OVER PROPOSED BUDGET PRESENTATION

        

Penultimate week precisely on 28^th November 2017, the Imo House of Assembly was in what could be described as a rowdy and confused mood. The unforeseen quagmire was not unconnected with the setback suffered by the proposed presentation of the state’s 2018 Appropriation Bill by Governor Rochas Okorocha.

        

The governor had on Monday, November 27, 2017 rightly informed the public – particularly the Imo people – that he would be presenting the said bill the following day being Tuesday at ten O’clock in the morning before the state’s legislators, at the Hallowed Chambers to be precise.

       

After absorbing the announcement, I made up my mind that I wouldn’t miss the occasion; the first time I told myself that I needed to observe the governor’s appropriation bill presentation. In view of this, as a man who does not joke with time management, at exactly 9:30 am on the stipulated day, I found myself on the premises of the revered Imo House of Assembly. In the same vein, other well-meaning Imolites from all walks of life sacrificed their respective engagements scheduled for that day for the proposed presentation.

         

Hours later, embracing the governor’s presence remained far-fetched. Nevertheless, I and my likes waited patiently since the outing in question was a remarkable one, yet to no avail. The patient wait lingered till a point when an information filtered in, stating the proposed Appropriation Bill submission had been postponed indefinitely.

       

Therein, I hurriedly looked at myself and saw a bitter being standing right inside the Assembly building complex. I was left with no choice than to gather my shattered self and return to where I was earlier meant to be. On the way to my office, I kept pondering over what could have prompted such embarrassing scene which I personally referred to as an eyesore and earsore too.

       

It’s noteworthy that the Imo government has blamed the terrible setback on ‘large discrepancies discovered in the proposed budget speech’. That is to say; anomalies noticed in the speech that was required to be presented by the governor before the lawmakers and other concerned Imolites. Having gotten the excuse, I laughed in Latin and began to ask myself which devil was really behind the uncalled melodrama.

       

The excuse was truly laughable and ridiculous, to assert the least. How could a state’s event scheduled to take place at a given time on a certain date be marred by discrepancies discovered in the speech intended to be delivered by the special guest as being claimed? Does it imply that the said discrepancies weren’t discovered many weeks or months ago before the stipulated date of the supposed epochal outing? Or, are they trying to tell us that the awaited event wasn’t a planned one? These and many more questions or verifications need to be attended to for the sake of way-forward.

        

Such an excuse, rather than helping to address the situation at hand, would only end up questioning the government’s competence as well as sincerity. In other words, in subsequent times, I advise that before they come up with any excuse to cushion the excruciating effects of an inconvenience caused by the government, there’s need to adequately consult a strategist for proper counselling. Such a measure is for the interest of the government, the governed and the state at large.

         

However, it’s worth noting that on that fateful, some of the Imo legislators had alleged non-payment of salaries cum sitting allowances accruable to them, thus were not prepared to receive the 2018 Appropriation Bill from the Executive Arm ably led by Gov. Okorocha until the alleged debts are cleared. Hence, they boycotted the sitting. Suffice it to say that the setback witnessed by the proposed presentation was reportedly informed by the allegation levelled by the lawmakers.

         

I equally learned that on that very day, within the period meant for the presentation, the legislators were at the Imo Government House otherwise known as the Douglas House upon the governor’s request. One may then ask; what could have necessitated such invitation by the number-one citizen?  

        

At this point, any rational and sane individual would want to reconcile between the excuse tendered by the Executive Arm and the allegation of non-payment of salaries and allowances levelled by the Legislative Arm. If your thought is as good as mine, then it’s needless to insinuate that there’s something fishy we are yet to know.

        

Funnily enough, still on that fateful day, I even heard from a lawmaker that he wasn’t aware the Appropriation bill was scheduled to be presented on that very day by the governor, claiming he only got the information from the electronic media, precisely the state’s radio station. Similarly, I put a call across to another legislator and he unequivocally told me he was in Abuja, equally claiming he wasn’t informed of any ‘budget presentation’. Their claims signify that the required notice was not duly conveyed to the concerned legislators officially as courtesy demanded.

        

Though the governor has via his media aide regretted the inconveniences caused by the setback, it’s worthy to note that that isn’t enough and my concern. My concern is simply to make the Rescue Mission government acknowledge that such a lapse was a colossal error and blunder, thus ought not to repeat itself again for its interest and that of the state in general; and also to ensure that the new date for the awaited exercise does not linger till next year for time’s sake.

       

Above all, we must continue to take into cognizance that misinformation has the tendency of causing mistrust. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador