Opinion I Bizarre Extortions By Banks, Telecom Firms

BIZARRE EXTORTIONS BY BANKS, TELECOM FIRMS

        

I grew up to learn that customers or clients are at all times treated like kings as if they are in charge of various empires. However, in recent times, most service providers in this part of the world, particularly Nigeria, had disabused their clients of that ancient belief. 

      

Aside my personal experiences, I had in several occasions been reliably informed that for quite some time now, millions of Nigerians have been subjected to an untold hardship in the hands of the various commercial banks as well as telecommunication companies situated across the federation, via instigation of unending bilious charges.

       

The last time I thoroughly checked, the nauseous practice almost got out of hand that it required only a stiff measure for it to be bade an eternal farewell by its innumerable victims. It suffices to assert that it has already eaten deep into the sufferers’ bone marrow.

       

I would have considered this critique as frivolous, if I were to give a listening ear to a casual and spontaneous utterance tendered by a childhood friend resident in Texas, USA. The buddy unequivocally asked me, albeit carelessly, to ignore the said phenomenon since Nigerians are used to suchlike experiences.

       

The point the dude was frantically trying to make was that the ongoing anomaly, among other related ones, is synonymous with Nigeria thus not unlike a norm. Though I assented to the assertion, he was ignorant that not all traditions are meant to be upheld, hence the need to acknowledge that some trending lifestyles arguably deserve to be holistically abolished without contemplation.

       

Come to think of it, why would Nigeria be invariably reckoned to be a place where such uncalled and unwarranted practices are ostensibly acceptable or a step in the right direction? Rather than protecting the interests of their clients, these banks and telecom firms prefer to unleash on them villainy, as if they are mere slaves.

       

Incessant deductions often reportedly attributed to VAT, SMS alerts charge, ATM service/maintenance interest, monthly card fee, stamp duty charge, and what have you, constantly and consistently made by the commercial banks on their clients’ accounts have become so worrisome that if left unchecked, one may wake up one morning to observe that about 95% of the total money deposited in his or her bank account(s) had been debited from it. We were told that ‘stamp duty charge’ becomes necessary only when one’s account receives a deposit, but currently such charges are being deducted incessantly.

       

Before an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card is issued to a client on demand, a sum of N1200 or above – depending on the bank – would be deducted from the recipient’s account, yet such a whooping sum of money wouldn’t be enough to cater for the servicing rendered by the card as long as its use lasts. It’s even mind-boggling to realize that the duration of the card does not exceed between two to three years, or thereabouts.

       

On their part, the telecom companies would always make use of imposition mechanism to actualize their dubious motive. In most cases, their customers would be taken unawares as regards subscribing to a certain tariff or promo as if the airtime on their SIM cards weren’t purchased by them. A situation where someone would buy a #100 airtime and all the money would instantly vanish into thin air, really and absolutely calls for a public outcry. Among all, unsolicited text messages and phone calls – especially the ones on advert – continually received from these service providers are another thing of great worry to the concerned public.

       

The aforementioned callous and villainous attitudes of most firms operating in Nigeria, which are to say the least very appalling and thought-provoking, have become a case study to hundreds of thousands of researchers in the country. It’s indeed pertinent to acknowledge that Nigerians at large are seriously suffering in the hands of those they patronize or whom are required to treat them like kings. How would you reconcile this?

       

This lingering impunity has made many concerned stakeholders in Nigeria to insinuate that the country lacks competent and reliable regulatory bodies. Of course, in a situation like this, embracing such speculation wouldn’t be far-fetched. We are all aware that each commercial bank and telecom firm in this nation is answerable to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), respectively, as well as the Consumers’ Protection Council (CPC). But what the people aren’t aware is if the said relationship is really being upheld.

       

The other day I overheard an official of the CPC who played guest on a particular radio programme, saying that the major problem with Nigerians was inability to report to appropriate authorities whenever they are aggrieved or witch-hunted. Consequently, via a phone call, I retaliated by asking her (the official) why they would always wait for the public or consumers to lay a complaint before they take action, even in a situation where the commission or any of its members happened to be one of the victims/sufferers of the ordeal, or when the unbearable circumstance is very glaring.

       

So, if a police officer, for instance, happens to be in a commercial bus and therein one of the passengers is accused of theft or was caught stealing, the said security personnel instead of arresting the accused person or doing the needful headlong would expect other passengers in the bus to come over to the police station to lay a complaint before he would take the action expected of him? I’m just thinking aloud, but every sane individual needs to be deeply thoughtful over it.

       

It’s high time we awoke from our respective slumbers with a view to living up to the expectations. Any firm or person accused of any foul play or punishable offence ought to be brought to book by collective efforts of the apt authorities having acquired the needed evidence for the prosecution.

       

For crying out very loud, the consumers or clients, as the case may be, cannot continue to be treated like nobody by these legitimate consortiums. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
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Opinion I New Year Jubilee: The Genesis of a Unique Odyssey

NEW YEAR JUBILEE: THE GENESIS OF A UNIQUE ODYSSEY

                 

It has almost become a cliché to say that someone is redrawing the map of the world. Same is applicable to seeing actors in their dramatic moods. For many years, several cultural and historic monuments have been destroyed which has tremendously jeopardized the progress of various historical jubilees that would had constituted many historic remarks. Most of these remarks that have existed in the past successively were lately misunderstood by the present generation, therefore, being observe as mere clichés.

         

Saturday penultimate week, one of my bosom friends residing in Canada called to register his extreme anticipation in respect of the forth coming year, 2018 precisely. In his first sentence, he informed me that he couldn’t wait to see the New Year. I tried to ascertain the actual cause of the immeasurable anxiety, though which is most times usual amongst mankind. He further disclosed that he had already set aside a very tangible resolution that would commence as soon as the year in question begins.

           

Still on the phone conversation, I became more curious and my curiosity was accompanied with enthusiastic inquisition. Thus, I persuaded him to disclose the resolution to me even though he wasn’t ready to let the cat out of the bag. And, he gladly succumbed to my humble importunity. He told me that he had made a resolution that “in the coming year (2018)”, he would never taste beer or any alcoholic drink again. Honestly, I laughed because the fellow in question has been known by all and sundry as one of those who believe that beer ought to always be in one’s tummy irrespective of the weather condition.

           

That was the reason he was earlier mute to let out the inborn resolution to my person. He knew I would certainly consider it as a mere annual cliché being vomited (cited) by millions of youths scattered all over the globe. But, he further let me see the reason his case was a distinguished one by backing it up with some facts or experiences. I concluded by telling him “Bravo!” and he was so delighted to receive such gesture/exclamation from me.

         

In any perspective your observation or analysis might be standing on, the fact remains that any anniversary is consequential regardless of the nature or its area of interest. Sometimes the discrepancies between school records and examination results may not be considered necessary because both are found in academic environment.

       

Notwithstanding, in any two or more existing similar materials or facts, there must be a distinct dichotomy among them. In other words, if many anniversaries or jubilees have been in existed for donkey’s years, one or two of them must be definitely different. Let’s put it this way; if two babies are born simultaneously and they happen to be identical twins, there must be certain difference(s) lying between them.

        

We are discussing New Year anniversary. A ‘new year’ is a certain different year that has just been encountered by mankind which the beginning takes place in every 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be. In the world at large, the commencement of such year always calls for a jubilee among the entire mankind irrespective of religious or cultural affiliations.

        

The world over celebrates the 1^st of every New Year to mark a certain distinct journey that has just begun. Suffice to say; every New Year is regarded as a different odyssey that has just been embarked on, and each day that makes the year in question is seen as one of the steps that constitute the journey since any journey must begin with a step. Let’s ride on!

          

Most people come up with a series of resolutions at the beginning of every calendar year. A few ends up actualizing theirs while most of them often fail towards the end of the odyssey. And these – failures and successes – have been a point of attraction to many concerned souls in regard to New Year resolutions.

         

New Year jubilee is truly a welcome phenomenon that has resulted to many worthwhile histories or historic events. As we celebrate such day, courtesy demands for a certain useful individual resolution to be reached. And, the resolution ought to be seen as the essence of such jubilation.

         

Having reached a certain resolution, there is optimum need for such decision to be accompanied with adequate practical-intensive support to ensure that its outcome becomes a success. Having backed up your decision with an intensive support, then you shouldn’t relent to couple such journey with tremendous prayers and faith. Any of the above tools or measure should not be taken for granted if you truly want your goal to be actualized. There are no two ways about it.

         

Hence, for success to be attained there must be a certain target or dream. And such dream or aim must be accompanied with hard work alongside any necessary avoidance measure as well as adequate prayers and tremendous faith.

          

However, it’s noteworthy that sometimes failure(s) might be consequential regardless of the amount of effort put in any of your aims. And this is where nature comes in. Certainly, “man proposes but God disposes”.

          

Having stated the above facts, it’s therefore needless to reiterate that New Year jubilee or anniversary is surely the genesis of a certain worthwhile odyssey that truly calls for adequate sustenance by all and sundry. Think about it!

 

 Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

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Opinion I On Ayade's #1.3tn, Ambode's #1.046tn 2018 Budgets

ON AYADE’s #1.3tn, AMBODE’s #1.046tn BUDGETS

        

The optimum pleasure a kid derives from being beaten or scolded is wailing, which often follows suit, just exactly as an analyst or a critic feels while criticizing a certain ill-advised policy from any politician in a position of authority.

        

On Thursday, 30^th November 2017, the Executive Governor of Cross-River State, Prof. Ben Ayade categorically presented his administration’s 2018 appropriation bill to the state’s legislators. To the people’s utmost surprise, the execution of the proposed budget tagged ‘Kinetic crystallizations’ was estimated to cost 1.3 trillion naira. The budget had over 200% increment as against that of 2017 of 301 billion naira. 70% of the budget was estimated to be utilized on capital expenditure whilst 30% would go for recurrent expenditure.  

      

While I was trying to fathom how Cross-River got to this point, subsequently on Monday December 11, 2017, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode presented another budget proposal worth up to a trillion naira. The budget, which was branded ‘Budget of progress and development’, was estimated to be serviced with 1.046 trillion naira with about 28.67% increase compared to that of 2017 of 812 billion naira.

       

The ratio of the capital to recurrent of the Lagos historic budget was given as 67/33% amounting approximately to #699bn and #347bn, respectively. The governor revealed that the estimate for total revenue of the year 2018 was #897.423bn, whereby #720.123bn was to be generated internally and #148.699bn to be sourced through deficit financing within the state’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). Meanwhile, we were not notified how the remaining #28.601bn would be realized.  

       

Gov. Ambode equally disclosed that as at November 2017, the state’s revenue performed at #448.396bn at 76% compared to the full year’s performances in 2016 of #449.609bn at 83% as well as #399.382bn at 82% for 2015. These statistics indicate that the total revenue for 2017 may not be up to 83 per cent as against that of the previous year (2016) let alone outshining the worth of the said fiscal year. This implies that there’s a foreseen drop of revenue in the state, thus 2018 might not be exceptional.

      

To acknowledge that some states in Nigeria now compete with the country in terms of budgetary is arguably a thing of worry for any concerned sane mindset. The ongoing astronomical increase of the annual budgets of most states across the federation has become a scenario that requires an unbiased analysis and review by every relevant stakeholder.

        

For states like Lagos, whose major Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is usually derived from tax, to come up with a budget proposal of #1.046tn amidst a recessionary era is really ill-advised. As weeks unfold, the rate of redundancy all over Nigeria gets to a different alarming level, signalling possible liquidation of most existing firms in the nearest future; yet, a proposed annual budget that mainly depends on tax would be estimated to cost over a trillion naira.

        

The above assertion shows that in the long run, over fifty per cent of the budget might be financed by funds sourced via borrowing. Aside borrowing owing to contingencies, the budget is already a deficit budget because the estimated total revenue is less than the total fund budgeted. Such a measure, which has inadvertently become a norm in Nigeria, does not augur well for any entity or individual involved that truly wishes to emerge financially buoyant.

      

That of Cross-River – a state that is majorly dependent on oil and gas – is as well another mind-boggling compilation. It’s not anymore news that by the day, everyone lives in scepticism as regards what the fate of the oil industry entails in the contemporary global society, thus Nigeria isn’t an exception over the lingering fear of the unknown.   

        

I would say unequivocally that some of the clauses captioned in the Prof. Ayade’s 2018 budget proposal were mere frivolities. For instance, #2bn is budgeted for school feeding programme. The question here is; is the state really in need of such approach? Rather than discuss how to better the lives of the citizenry in their entirety so that they can take care of their homes, we are discussing how to feed their wards. Teach them how to fish, and not to feed them with fish.

      

Same is applicable to the #52bn mapped out for social welfare, to cater for the aged. If the children of the targeted beneficiaries are comfortable, they don’t need to be fed by the government. Similarly, the #7bn to be expended on the state’s job centre toward training unemployed youths with ‘marketable job skills’ is needless. The government is expected to rather concentrate on how to create an enabling environment that would enable the youth to explore or commercialize their respective patents. Among all, how long can these projects be sustained?

         

It’s equally noteworthy that some of the clauses mentioned in any of the aforementioned budgets might end up implementing white elephant projects that have remained a monster in our present days’ democracy, hence one of the prime needs for the two concerned legislative chambers to holistically examine the appropriation bills critically before passing them.   

        

However, since price of goods and services remain the main determinant of the cost of servicing any budget, as prices of commodities continue to skyrocket unabated in the Nigeria’s markets on a daily basis, the total estimated funds for these budgets have the tendency of emerging far higher during the concerned fiscal year. Think about it!    

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com
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Opinion I Xmas Commemoration: The Best Of Its Kind

XMAS COMMEMORATION: THE BEST OF ITS KIND

       

Many of us have taken to wearing visors and other similar devices to protect our eyes and visages from the possible effects of harmattan. Taking Nigeria as a case study, many would testify that the ongoing climatic phase causes virulent feelings, and may as well lead to various virulent diseases. While some would definitely testify that it is a welcome scene, therefore ought to continue for eternity. Honestly, these and more similar phenomena observe amongst mankind is not man-made but wholly natural.

         

Let’s put it this way; if brandy is good in bringing the real man or woman in you as a person at any given time. And, that fellow that appears to be intimate to you believes in the work of whisky in respect of similar purpose. Then conclusively, it signifies that you both are of different nature, or possess distinct idiosyncrasies. Thus significantly, no matter the level of intimacy in any relationship or affair, be it symbiotic or parasitic, the exact nature of the two or more parties involved can never be compromised or interchanged.

           
 

In geography, we were taught that about seventy percent (70%) of the earth crust is covered with water, while about thirty percent (30%) is covered with land. There’s a big problem or error attached to this geographic estimation coupled with approximation. The astronomers who carried out the research and rounded off with such conclusion were so myopic to understand the fact that, even the part of the earth crust covered with water is as well covered with land. It’s not a paradox. It’s a fact, and it is natural.

         

 

Of course the bedrock of any sea, ocean, river, pond, lake, et cetera, is land. In agriculture, we call it the soil. Suffice to say; every part of the earth crust is covered with the soil (land).  But this is not my optimum interest in this piece. My concern is; despite the level of intimacy between the land and the natural water, they still don’t mix together. This simply signifies that each of the compounds or substances in question is made up of a certain distinct nature. This is a fact.  

       

Each of the paragraphs above has proven to us that nature is indeed very powerful. Nature could be regarded as all the animals, plants and other things in the world that are not made by man; and all the events, features and processes that are not caused by mankind. In a nut shell, nature is anything that is not man-made.

        

In other words, it’s older than the world. Yes, nature has been in existence before the world was created. This is the reason most times anything caused by it seems to be mysterious. That is, beyond man’s imagination, creativity or creative ingenuity. Therefore, nature controls; it rules; inter alia, it finalizes.

         

Let’s I digress; this piece is solely focused on Christmas otherwise known as X-mas. We’re discussing its annual commemoration. First and foremost, what is X-mas celebration or commemoration? X-mas celebration is a religious festival or ritual being observed on every 25^th December by the Christendom to mark the birth of Christ.

        

Next question; who is Christ? Christ is one of the names of Jesus whom Christians believe to be the only begotten son of God and whose teachings are the basis of Christianity. According to the Christian writ, Christ was sent by God to sanctify the sinful world and He obliged. He came, saw, taught, healed and delivered the world. Most importantly, He died for our sins to be forgiven. Needless to assert that He eventually conquered.

        

As a devoted Christian, Catholic to be precise, I understand that Christ was not really born on the 25^th of December; but such date was selected by the ancient Christendom in order to mark the day such generous being came into the world since the actual date of His birth was not painstakingly recorded by the scribes or historians of His time. They considered it consequential for such date to be monumental or be remembered by mankind because the day in question marked the beginning of mankind’s sanctification, deliverance as well as total emancipation, which remains the most vital Christian tool in existence.

         

Truly Christ came or was born, saw and conquered. Above all, He accomplished His mission because mankind was freed from bondage by His death. After the death of Christ, He resurrected. Before His death, He resurrected many souls. And this remains the most mysterious act performed by Him. Thus, resurrection is nature. If truly we believe that such vital tool is nature, in other words, Christ is nature. He’s beyond man’s imagination. Starting from His birth down to His death, everything about Him was mysterious.

        

So, as we commemorate this season of love, let’s endeavour to recall the spiritual essence of its existence towards doing the needful as long as it lasts. Hence, I enjoin us to use the period to have a rethink in our respective endeavours with a view to making our immediate societies, and Nigeria at large, a better place for me and you.

 

It's indeed a season of love; a season of peace; a season of reconciliation; a season of sharing; a season of jubilation; a season of fellowship; a season of oneness; a season reexamination of our lives; a season for sober reflection; among all, a season of thanksgiving.

        

There is really a tremendous reason for this season. Such a moment set aside to mark the day Christ was born should not in any way be compromised because it is the birthday of our Messiah. Therefore, remains a worthwhile Christian virtue, which is arguably ‘the best of its kind’. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com
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Opinion I Still On Int'l Human Solidarity Day

CLARION CALL FOR UNDILUTED UNITY AS WE MARK THE 2017 INT’L HUMAN SOLIDARITY DAY 

         

Yesterday, December 20, the world over celebrated the 2017 International Human Solidarity Day. The annual International Human Solidarity Day was established on 22^nd December 2005, by the United Nations (UN). Having acknowledged the fact that solidarity is one of the basic and universal values that ought to underlie relations between peoples in the Twenty-First Century, on the aforementioned date, the UN General Assembly decided to proclaim December 20 each year as International Human Solidarity Day.

        

Prior to the adoption of the Day by the UN, by resolution on 20^th December 2002, the General Assembly established the World Solidarity Fund which was duly set up in February 2003 as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its motive is to eradicate poverty as well as promote social and human development in developing countries, particularly amongst the poorest segments of their populations.

         

Solidarity, in a precise term, can be defined as a complete unity and support among people of a certain group. It can also be addressed as an absolute togetherness showcased by members or occupants of a given society or locality, as the case might be.

         

Solidarity is identified in the Millennium Declaration as one of the fundamental values of international relations in the twenty-first (21^st) century, wherein those who either suffer or benefit least deserve help or support from those who benefit most. Consequently, in the context of globalization and the challenge of growing inequality, the uplift of international solidarity remains unavoidable.

       

Surely, the concept of solidarity has defined the work of the UN since the birth of the organization. The establishment of the UN drew the peoples and nations of the world together to promote peace, human rights, social and economic developments. The body was founded on a basic premise of unity and harmony among its Member States. It is indeed in the spirit of solidarity that the union relies on cooperation in resolving international plights or misunderstanding of socio-economic, cultural and/or humanitarian origin in order to maintain universal peace and security.

       

Frankly, solidarity is a very vital tool required to solve problems in our interconnected world. We can only reach our shared goals if people are able to participate in the formulation and implementation of plans, policies, programmes, or what have you, to shape our common future, since it is already noted that commitments without empowerment are merely words without meaning.

         

Having noticed that absolute unity is synonymous with solidarity, there is no need reiterating the fact that thorough brotherhood or unity can only be actualized through participation in solidarity-related activities or causes. Thus, adoption of human solidarity by any entity is no doubt a pathway towards actualizing absolute unity, which is no doubt an epitome of exemplary peace and harmony.

        

Since it is apparent that solidarity which guarantees absolute unity is as well a giant step toward alleviating the poverty level of any society, hence there is an urgent need for a right thinking citizen of any poverty-stricken nation such as Nigeria alongside other developing countries across the globe to support the ongoing human solidarity crusade as much as they can.

         

In addition, it is imperative for a country like Nigeria that is currently ravaged by insurgency and other forms of treason to do everything humanly possible to ensure that solidarity among the citizenry becomes the order of the day without much ado.

         

Nigeria can promote thorough brotherhood among her populace by closing the existing gaps including ethnicity, corruption, nepotism, favouritism, religious cum social discrimination, chauvinism, and personal aggrandizement that are invariably found on the country’s socio-political and economic platform.

        

To this end, as the present administration ably led by President Mohammadu Buhari is ostensibly willing and determined to sweep out corruption, which remains the fundamental bane to unity and societal development, we are cordially expected to rally round the administration with the spirit of solidarity rather than the reverse, with a view to making Nigeria become a country to reckon with in the nearest future.

       

We can contribute our respective quotas by regularly and relentlessly preaching unity in every field of human endeavour we find ourselves, most especially in the schools, markets, worship centres, motor parks, and our immediate communities. More so, parents and guardians ought to sensitize their wards, right from their childhood, on the fact that no one can thrive successfully if he/she chose to stand alone since it is obvious that ‘a tree can never make a forest’.   

       

So, as Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the annual International Human Solidarity Day, I call on everyone who thinks good of the country to borrow a leaf from the country’s fallen nationalists and heroes to include Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Tafawa Belewa, just to mention but a few, who believed in the inevitable role of human solidarity in nation building. This is arguably the only way we can actualize undiluted unity among ourselves, which remains the gateway to the long awaited change. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

      

 

 

Opinion I Aftermath Of The PDP Elective Convention

AFTERMATH OF THE PDP ELECTIVE CONVENTION

       

Years back, I was painstakingly taught by my mentor that politics – though interesting – was a game of warriors. In a bid to throw more light on the vague political theory, he said “Fred, politics is only meant for those who can compete vehemently with all their muscles just as in the case of a warfront or battlefield”. In order to round off the exegesis, he succinctly stated “above all, politics requires skills and intelligence”.

        

Since I received that out-of-class lecture, I’ve been rigorously making frantic effort to marry the aforementioned clauses. One; politics is like a warfront. Two; it requires intelligence and skills. I kept pondering over the connection between the three key factors – warriors, skills and intelligence – not until lately when I eventually fathomed the candid analysis to the fullness.

        

Lest I digress; it’s noteworthy that this critique is mainly dedicated to the Nigeria’s current main opposition platform in the country’s political terrain, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It’s not anymore news that the party had its national elective convention on Saturday, 9^th December 2017 at Eagle Square, Abuja after its protracted impasse was judiciously settled by the Supreme Court.

        

Prior to the eventual end of the internal crisis that ravaged the party’s progress, several concerned Nigerians both home and in the Diaspora – mainly political analysts – opined that the acclaimed Africa’s largest political group was liable to go into extinction. It suffices to assert that the apex court’s judgement was not unlike a messiah.

        

Before the convention, a series of allegations cum mixed feelings was trending among the members, particularly most of the chairmanship aspirants. According to the aggrieved persons, there was an underground mechanism by some of the party stalwarts, such as Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, to impose a particular candidate – precisely Uche Secondus, the former acting National Chairman of the party – on the party delegates.

       

Barely a few hours to the election, many of the chairmanship aspirants, including Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Rashed Ladoja, Bode George and Jimi Agbaje, unceremoniously pulled out of the race, citing the alleged circulation of ‘unity list’ as their reason for the action. Hence, the contest was left with only four aspirants namely Prof. Tahoed Adedoja, Raymond Dokpesi, Prof. Tunde Adeniran and Uche Secondus.

       

After the voting by the delegates, Mr. Secondus polled 2,000 votes out of the overall 2,296 votes, to emerge the winner of the race. It’s worth noting that the controversial emergence of Mr. Secondus as the new substantive National Chairman of the PDP outrightly divided the party members, although most of the aggrieved individuals including the defeated aspirants had reportedly congratulated the said victor.

       

It’s really intriguing despite all the promises made to Nigerians by the convention’s Organizing Committee led by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as well as the Electoral Committee headed by Gabriel Suswan that the party would have a convention devoid of pranks, the election was still characterized by anomalies as was alleged by some of the members. How then do we reconcile these?

        

If suchlike allegations hold water, it implies that the assertion by the officials of the PDP about restoration of internal democracy ahead of the awaited 2019 general elections could be interpreted to be misleading. It’s indeed hard to believe that the party, having gone through those odd times, could still lapsed into its old method of forging a consensus candidate in the enthronement of its leadership. Little wonder my mentor unequivocally opined that ‘politics is a game of warriors’.

         

It’s imperative to acknowledge that I’m not here to analyze or narrate the story of how the PDP apparently disappointed the expectations of the teeming Nigerians as regards the just concluded elective convention. My concern is solely informed by the need to let the members whom are still aggrieved to comprehend that ‘two wrongs do not make a right’. So, for the sake of way forward, they must sheath their swords and concentrate on how to take the party to the next level.

        

Similarly, the victorious members need to close ranks and extend an olive branch to the ‘defeated’ ones with a view to making the party become a formidable opposition, which every sane and rational citizen of the country yearns for. Nigeria and Nigerians need a party that could serve as a reliable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); a party that can compete favourably; most importantly, a party that would place the country’s interest ahead of any other one.

       

The members must note that whatever affects the PDP does not only destabilize the party’s wellbeing but that of the country as well. Needless to assert that, an injury to any major opposition in any nation across the globe stands the chance of negatively affecting the nation’s polity in general. In view of this, the PDP must henceforth wake up as a people and reconsider how to do only the needful for the good of all.

        

The newly inaugurated National Chairman, Mr. Secondus has in his acceptance speech pledged to move the party forward, hence the need for him alongside the entire leadership of the party to endeavour to consult the cognoscenti and strategists towards making amends where need be.

       

Summarily, the new leadership must take into cognizance that the party can’t afford to be in court again. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador

         

ShortStory II Black Thursday

BLACK THURSDAY

       The ancient narrow pathway had become so bad that they could not find their way to their destination as the three moved in a grey Honda Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) being piloted by Dayo who was very mindful of the steering. It was on a Thursday.

       The 35-year-old Misters Dayo, Emeka and Okon were old time friends who got reunited just a few days ago at Nsukka in Enugu State having lost contacts about eight years back or thereabouts after their graduation from one of the reputable higher citadels of learning in Nigeria situated in the Eastern part of the country, precisely University of Nigeria Nsukka popularly known by its acronym ‘U.N.N’. What occasioned the long awaited reunion was the convention of their alma-mater’s alumni body themed ‘The homecoming of UNN Alumni’, which usually held once in a blue moon.

       Though they never studied in the same department, they were conspicuously best of friends during their school days that people within began to wonder if they were of the same parental background or clan of origin. In spite of the fact that they hailed from different ethnic regions, the friendship remained solid and undiluted till their graduation time, not until when they departed for their respective national assignments in various states of the federation as programmed by the Federal Government (FG) under the auspices of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which was established in 1973 after the Nigerian civil war.

        Mr. Dayo who resided in the city of Enugu – the capital territory of the said state – drove to the designated venue of the epochal event in his personal car whilst the other two – Emeka and Okon – whom were resident of Uyo and Abuja, respectively, embarked on the trip via flight owing to distance. Hence, Dayo served as their executive driver throughout their 3-day stay at Nsukka.

        The three who were deeply filled with nostalgia, took time to drive around the aforementioned town and its environs during the limited period. On the third day of their stay being Thursday, which marked the last day of the convention, the three who lodged in the same hotel had agreed to visit Iche – a locality in the vicinity that harboured one small but renowned river called Ndegu – towards catching fun in the endowment in question.

        Ndegu, which was about ten kilometers away from the university, was a river they could not afford to steer clear of during their school days despite all the warnings by the university management in strong terms that students should stay away from it, obviously as a result of its infamous antecedents; records held that Ndegu kept drowning students of the institution each time they swam in it. Perhaps because none of the three – Emeka, Okon and Dayo – was a victim of circumstance, they remained in doubt of the sign of warning; to them, the university officials were just trying to deceive  them (the students), or keep them away from anything that could serve as a distraction to their academic pursuits.          This time, the narrow pathway that led to the ancient river was in dilapidated and pathetic state, to assert the least that the SUV Jeep ceased to transcend to the point beyond.

        “Let’s walk to the river.” suggested Okon whom was the only one seated at the back.

         Before this time, Dayo had already applied the brakes since it was apparent that there was no how the car could find its way to Ndegu, which was about two hundred metres (200m) apart from where they were at the moment.

        “I think you are right.” Emeka, who sat beside the driver, concurred.

       “Are you sure the car would be saved here?” Dayo thought aloud.

       “Why not?” said Okon. “After all, the road is not that lonely.” He observed.

       “I quite agree with Okon.” Emeka supplemented.

       “It’s alright,” Dayo surrendered. “If you said so.” he added, attempting to step out of the vehicle.

         Thereof, they all gladly stepped out and headed for Ndegu not unlike tourists. As they walked, passersby cum dwellers could observe that they were strangers who had come for a research work, though they couldn’t say for sure where exactly their final destination was.

        In about thirty minutes’ interval, they got to the long awaited point; it was 5:20pm prompt.

        In all ramifications, Ndegu had really changed to their delight. First, the arena was no longer bushy as it used to be during their school days. Secondly, more people now visited the place for all sorts of motives such as recreation, research, fishing, and what have you, unlike those days when you would hardly see more than five persons at a time. The only discouraging factor was that the only road leading to the arena had become virtually impassable, contrary to its previous state.

        As soon as they got there, Dayo couldn’t wait to swim, thus he dived into the river having taken off his gorgeous wears remaining only shorts. It seemed the ancient Ndegu had awaited his arrival as its colourless nature became brighter like snow the moment the dude lay on it.

        Okon and Emeka followed suit, equally in their shorts. The two smiled at each other immediately they joined the chorus, and then sighted Dayo who was already about four metres away from them.

        Although a few persons were already catching funs in the river before the three joined, the latter’s unique style of swimming got the spectators fascinated; hence, they became inadvertently attracted to them. They swam like individuals who had undergone special internship on swimming techniques.

         Some minutes on, therein, Dayo began to gasp for air as he was seen by the teeming observers struggling for survival. Could it be that he was being drowned? A crucial question deserved to be answered by all. Surprisingly, a few seconds later, the two others – Okon and Emeka – were also found in a similar mood.

         Having observed that things were not anymore at ease, a good number of divers among the spectators didn’t hesitate to dive into Ndegu toward saving the lives of the seeming strangers. Shockingly, all efforts proved abortive as the three had already taken their last breath before their bodies were held by the rescuers. This time, it was about twenty minutes to six O’clock in the evening.

         That was how Ndegu consumed the lives of the promising gentlemen unannounced. It was really a black Thursday.

       Truly, the car parked at the pathway wasn’t saved as earlier presumed by the owner, Mr. Dayo because its ownership would be now allocated to someone else.

       The rest is history, please.

 

Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador