ShortStory I Bloody Encounter

 

BLOODY ENCOUNTER

      “Hello!” Buchi exclaimed, standing at a bus stop situated in one of the notorious localities in Lagos State, Oshodi to be precise. The dark skin-coloured young man was clad in blue jeans, green T-shirt, and a pair of black shoes.  

      “Who am I seeing?” Ikem shouted at the top of his voice on sighting Buchi as he was about entering a commercial bus that was headed for Festac town.

        The fair-skinned dude was putting on black three-quarter jeans, multiple coloured polo, and brown leather slippers coupled with a brownish face cap.

         He then ignored the bus. “Buchi na you be this?” He further exclaimed in vernacular, walked closer to him.

        They hugged each other passionately.

         The two were old time friends who attended the same secondary school in Enugu State many years back, and happened to hail from same state. Both buddies were in their early thirties.

       “So you are in this state?” Buchi inquired.

       “Yes,” quoth Ikem. “Since I finished my degree course.”

          Both of them lost contact after their secondary education days due to lack of mobile communication system as at then.

        “Are you serious?” Buchi amazingly exclaimed. “So, which university did you attend?” He added hesitantly.

        “UNN,” Ikem replied, meaning University of Nigeria Nsukka. “But I did my youth service in Niger state.”

        “Interesting.” Buchi said, nodding.

        “And you?”

        “Well, I studied in Uniport.”

         “University of Port-Harcourt?” Ikem verified.

         “Yes,” Buchi answered. “But I served in Ekiti State”

         “So, how long have you been in Lagos?” Ikem hurriedly asked.

          “About three years now.”

          “Wow..!” Ikem exclaimed, amazed. “Same here.”

           “You mean, you have been here for three years too?” Buchi asked, surprised.

         “Of course.’

         “Where do you stay?” Buchi enquired.

          “Festac town,” Ikem responded. “With one of my uncles who works in a bank.”

         “Wow, what a coincidence” Buchi said excitedly. “I reside at Maza-Maza”

          Maza-Maza is situated in the same district with Festac.

        “That makes it more interesting.” Ikem said, smiling.

        “Yes ooh!” concurred Buchi. “You can say that again.”   

        “Are you alone?”

        “No.” replied Buchi. “I am with my married sister.”

        “Any job yet?” Ikem anxiously enquired.

        “For where..?” Buchi replied in vernacular. “Where did you see job in Nigeria?”

         “Na wow oh!” Ikem exclaimed disappointedly. “Only God would save us in this Naija.” He added.

         “So which bank does your uncle work with?” Buchi hesitantly tendered.

         “Platonic.”

         “That’s a nice bank.” Buchi applauded. “So you haven’t gotten a job too?”

         “Hmm,” Ikem sighed. “My brother, leave matter for Matthias.”

         “So what’s your plan now?” Buchi curiously inquired.

         “Well, there’s a friend of mine who asked me to see him tomorrow at Ikeja.” Ikem replied. “He’s into business.”

         “What kind of business?”

         “I don’t know yet, but he often travels abroad.” Ikem said. “And he is densely loaded.”

         “Okay.” Buchi dished out in a low tone, paused “Please, I would like to go with you oh. Man don suffer.” He requested submissively.

         “No wahala,” Ikem agreed. “What are friends for?”

         “Thanks a lot buddy.”

           After some minutes, they boarded a bus that was headed for their respective destinations. They exchanged contacts while in the vehicle.

 

                * * * * * *

         Buchi and Ikem agreed on a meeting point on phone. The following day, they met at the stipulated venue and took off from there to their anticipated destination.

        Ikem had already informed his proposed host via phone that he would be coming with his friend, and the man in question approved the request.

        When they got to the place, surprisingly the man who invited them seemed to be an armed robber. The guests needed not a prophet to interpret the scene to them because all various kinds of weapon and ammunition were displayed right before the gangsters.

          The chief host who was seated amidst his partners in crime didn’t hesitate to disclose the nitty-gritty of the show to them. After the necessary introduction, Ikem and Buchi whom were gripped by fathomless panic were left with no other choice than to join the deadly chorus.

         The gang had earlier planned to rob a bank the following day being 24^th February 1999, and the affected firm was Moonlight Bank; one of the most respected banks in the country. The new intakes were meant to be part of the adventurous outing. 

         On the D-day, they successfully arrived at the bank and were about to commence operation as usual until something tragic transpired. Unfortunately Ikem’s uncle, Mr. Cyprian Okoro – the one he lived with – happened to be present at the said bank. He was scheduled to meet with the Bank Manager on that fateful day for a proposed business transaction.

         Ikem sighted his uncle the moment he walked into the Manager’s office as he was instructed.

        Mr. Okoro stood up immediately on catching the sight of his nephew, profoundly shocked. He couldn’t believe his eyes. “Could this be my own Ikem?” He thought, stood still.

         Both relatives were steadily and astonishing looking at each other, which led the Bank Manager into a more confused state.

         Ikem who was well armed, quickly and nervously gushed out tears as he was left with no options than to pull his virgin trigger on a man he had always seen as not just a father but source of his inspirations. It was indeed a horrific and bloody encounter for the first-time robber. He felt like the world had finally come to an end as he thought over the poignant state of dilemma.

         Immediately, Mr. Cyprian Okoro was shot dead alongside his senior colleague by Ikem.

        The tiled floor was instantly covered with pool of blood.

         It was no doubt the most dreaded experience in the life of Ikem who instantly flew with his accomplices without beholding their prime target, which ten billion naira, let alone making away with it.

        The rest is history, please.

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

Opinion I On EFCC's Immunity To Probe States

ON EFCC’s IMMUNITY TO PROBE STATES

         

I ran into an old time friend, Musa recently during a professional conference that held in Jos, Plateau State. Amid our numerous conversations pertaining to politics and governance, he said he had learnt that at the moment various states’ legislators in Nigeria were merely aides to their respective governors.

       

Consequently, the fellow who resides abroad opined that the various law enforcement agencies in the country needn’t wait till a whistle is blown by such set of politicians before scrutinizing a sitting governor’s activities. In my candid response, I told him that my only fear and worry remained the fact that even the said enforcement agents could be pocketed by the states’ number one citizens, especially in situations where their statutory services are mostly needed.

       

It seems as if we foresaw what would be ruled soonest by a judicial council domiciled in the country. It’s not anymore news that penultimate week, precisely on Tuesday 30^th January 2018, a Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could not probe states’ finances without a report of indictment from states’ Houses of Assembly.

       

The ruling was informed by a suit filed by the Ekiti State Government via its Attorney General against the EFCC, Inspector General of Police, the state’s Assembly Speaker and Clerk, Chairman of the state’s Universal Basic Education Board, as well as its Auditor General and Accountant General. Various financial institutions in the state were equally among the defendants.

        

The aforesaid suit was filed in reaction to invitation letters sent by the anti-graft commission to a few government officials in the state, seeking details of some of the state’s financial transactions. It’s also of note that the EFCC reportedly extended the gesture to the affected banks, requesting financial books of the state in their custody. It’s noteworthy that the government in question had earlier written the banks, urging them not to oblige the commission with the requested information.

       

The court presided over by Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo added that the banks weren’t entitled to adhere to such instruction. It further held that the EFCC lacked the immunity to usurp the oversight functions vested in states’ legislatures under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to initiate a probe or criminal proceedings against a state official when need be. It thus stated that only states’ Assembly was immune with oversight and investigation roles over state finances, appropriation and implementation.

         

Justice Taiwo’s order was a clear way of telling Nigerians that the EFCC, among other similar law enforcement agencies, lack jurisdiction at the state level. It suffices to say that, by his declaration, the commission had been told to restrict its activities to only within the federal ambit, which signifies that only institutions or parastatals owned and managed by the Federal Government (FG) could be probed by the anti-graft body.

         

If such a declaration holds water or anything to go by, I’m afraid, it’s high time we scrapped the EFCC and its likes. Of course, I see no reason the existence of the commission ought to continue if it cannot extend its tentacles to the various states and local councils across the federation as the ongoing anti-corruption war progresses, because graft is undoubtedly ubiquitous.

        

It’s then needless to reiterate that by the judgement of the court, the judge had not just ridiculed the jurisdiction of the ‘almighty’ EFCC but had as well questioned the legality behind its establishment let alone day-to-day activity.

       

A curious person may then ask or would want to know if the Acts binding the commission are in conflict with the country’s constitution, because everyone is arguably not unaware that the body was primarily instituted to tackle financial crimes across the nooks and crannies of the federation irrespective of where the culpable individual is coming from. The cases of late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and James Ibori, former governors of Bayelsa and Delta states respectively, were obvious proof to this affirmation.

       

Waiting until a nod is received from, or whistle blown by, the state lawmakers simply implies that the revered EFCC is no longer a watchdog over public servants in the country as regards corruption. Similarly, opining that the legislators’ oversight function is enough to probe the state’s accounts was a colossal error and an overstatement. I wonder what else is expected of members of a legislature, in a state where the governor has abruptly become an emperor, than to continually act as instructed by the number one citizen.

          

However, I wouldn’t stop pondering over the reason the EFCC and other related agencies would think it wise to focus only on a few states whereas the country is currently made up of thirty six distinct states. Does it imply that graft, or corruption in general, is peculiar to a certain set of Nigerians or localities? For the sake of way forward, such a question doesn’t deserve to be ignored.

        

So, as the EFCC is headed for the Appeal Court to counter the judgement of the lower one having understood that the ruling was bizarre, unfounded and laughable, it must acknowledge that corruption is an ubiquitous societal cankerworm, hence the need to extend its proboscis to other territories that are more evil than its current preys. Think about it!    

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

 Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

 

 

Opinion I Reviewing OBJ's Epistle To PMB

REVIEWING OBJ’S EPISTLE TO PMB

        

I grew up to learn from my darling mum that the best way and manner to express your feelings towards someone was to write him or her. The amazon would invariably back-up the theory by saying, ‘if you intend to make your words seem stronger, present the letter in a hand-written form’. It appears, nowadays, open letters have inadvertently replaced the hand-written mode.

        

I woke up in the early morning of Wednesday, 24^th January 2018 to see an open epistle to President Muhammadu Buhari painstakingly written by erstwhile president, Olusegun obasanjo. It’s noteworthy that such an attitude has ostensibly become synonymous with the latter who perhaps comprehends that writing a sitting president is more powerful than engaging him on a one-on-one meeting.

        

I didn’t waste time to digest the 23-paragraph letter, which bore a matter of deep concern. The epistle was in summary mainly targeted to advise Mr. President not to seek re-election come 2019, having in a lengthy statement expressed that the Buhari-led administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed Nigerians.

        

The second paragraph of the epistle captioned that ‘lack of national cohesion and poor management of internal political dynamics and widening inequality are very much with us today’. I could explicitly agree that there’s an element of fact in this clause even though it appears a bit contradictory.

        

Of course, proscribing the existence of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) but harbouring the activities of the so-called herdsmen across the lengths and breadth of the federation is arguably enough reason for anyone to assert that this administration is an advocate of inequality; read my lips.

        

What could better be described as an inequality than a situation where some people were being massacred on a daily basis by their fellow citizens, yet the Presidency never considered it consequential to address the state of the nation; than a situation whereby the North-East rehabilitation is ongoing whilst that of Ogoni land, or Nimbo of Enugu, is yet to know its fate?

      

The fourth paragraph wholly stated that ‘our situation in the last decade or so had shown that we are not good enough at home’. This is equally true. Over the years, particularly in recent times, Nigeria has proven to the global community that she is always good in playing a leading role toward settling any socio-political crisis occurring in the Diaspora. But pathetically, she seems usually weak when it calls for handling issues happening within her territory. This is unequivocally an aberration.

       

The sixth paragraph of the letter opined that ‘the situation that made Nigerians to vote massively to get my brother Jonathan off the horse is playing itself out again’. I partly disagree with this perception. To the best of my knowledge, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was whisked out as the president of Nigeria mainly owing to his seeming weak approach towards tackling some prevailing societal issues like terrorism and corruption that were then the order of the day in the country.

       

I thus beg to disabuse Chief Obasanjo of the notion that terrorism and corruption had not been fought headlong since President Buhari assumed duty. The aforementioned cankerworms may have not been completely defeated by the present administration, it’s worth noting that a lot has really been achieved thus far.

       

For instance, initiation cum sustenance of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Bank Verification Number (BVN), to check excesses among public servants as well as the lingered impunity of money lauders and fraudsters, respectively, are good reasons to fete cap for Buhari in the area of fighting corruption.

      

The open epistle also accused President Buhari of patronizing nepotism. I wholeheartedly concur. Mr. President’s appointments so far were clear indications of his excess love for a certain set of individuals or groups in the country, which is contrary to what is expected of a man meant to be a true nationalist.

       

Chief Obasanjo rounded off by appealing to the president to consider ‘a deserved rest at this point in time and at this age’ having reminded him of his current health status. Without mincing words, it is only a sycophant or selfish-minded individual that would encourage Buhari to seek for re-election. He needn’t be reminded that he truly deserves a holistic rest after May 29, 2019 to enable him function aptly as a statesman and patriotic Nigerian.

       

However, Nigerians – I in particular – expected the writer to commence such an epistle with an apology over his failure to tactically address the country’s economy while he was riding the horse. It’s only an insane person that would believe that power inability, substandard education and poor health services aren’t Nigeria’s major economic plight, yet the Obasanjo-led government never solved any of these despite the whooping funds expended on the menace. Isn’t it then ideal to tell Chief Obasanjo that the porous foundation he laid remains the prime reason the structure has refused to be solid?

       

Funnily enough, the Federal Government (FG) has reacted to the letter via the Information Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed, saying the former president may not have noticed the ‘numerous achievements’ of the current administration as a result of his tight schedule. One may wonder what kind of busy time would make a rational being not realize when his country is progressing socio-economically. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

 Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

 

           

 

ShortStory I Shocking U-Turn (II)

SHOCKING  U-TURN (II)

       As days unfolded, the 28-year-old engineer, Dubem who was his parents’ only male child alongside his 25-year-old fiancée Ebere – a psychologist – who was at the time serving her fatherland as the country’s academic custom requested, kept pondering over what could have informed the abrupt U-turn displayed by his father, Mr. Ike Ubochi.

        On his part, the maiden’s dad, Mr. Elu Okoro who had vowed never to approach the purportedly aggrieved man towards ascertaining the actual cause of his grievance, was ostensibly the bitterest creature on the mother Earth as the uncalled malice continued unabated.

        “Oh my God!” Mr. Ubochi’s wife, Nneka soliloquized as she was seated lonely on her matrimonial bed in the evening on a Friday. “Who has bewitched my husband?” She supplemented.

         “Nobody has bewitched your husband.” Mr. Ubochi who just returned from his private office responded as he walked into the room.

          He had aptly presumed what was troubling her mind, thus needn’t a soothsayer to expatiate her moment of anguish.

          Mrs. Nneka who was startled by the interruption, hurriedly looked up only to observe her hubby’s presence; it was about 5:00pm. “You are welcome.” She managed to utter, still seated on the bed.

         “Why are you eating up yourself over nothing?” Mr. Ubochi queried as he calmly dropped his briefcase on the bed.

           The mother of three looked up to him, surprised. “Over nothing..?” She argued.

        “Of course,” he said, stood still. “Is there any cause for alarm?”

        “Why are you saying this?” she roared. “A man who loves and adores a girl suddenly turned around and began behaving strangely.” she asserted, paused. “And you are here telling me there is no cause for alarm.”

         Mr. Ubochi tenderly sat closely to her. “So,” he uttered. “Do you want to know what prompted the sudden change?”

         Nneka fixed her gaze on his. “My dear husband,” she said. “I absolutely deserve to know why that innocent girl deserves such treatment.” She passionately opined.

       “Okay, if you must know,” quoth Mr. Ubochi. “That girl cannot marry my son because she is Osu.” He frankly notified, paused. “None of my children will settle down with an Osu.”

         An Osu in some parts of Igboland and its environs is one who is traditionally regarded as an outcast, thus does not deserve to associate with other members of his/her immediate or wider society let alone getting married to them.

         “Osu?” echoed Mrs. Nneka who had been a pious woman as regards Christianity.

         “Yes, if you must know.”

           She abruptly felt disappointed. “So this is all about Osu, right?”

         “You don’t believe in Osu?’ He verified, became marvelled.

         “If you were not my husband, I would have walked out on you right now.” she informed with alacrity. “How can someone like you who always sit at the front of the church be talking about Osu at this twenty first century?”

          “Will you shut up, woman!” he ranted. “What do you know about tradition?”

          “It is even more appalling that you are a member of the knighthood.”

          “And so?” he argued. “What does the knighthood got to do with this?”

          Mrs. Nneka shook her head. “You amuse me, my dear husband.”

         “Me, amuse you?” he said, placing his right hand on his chest. “Woman, you better watch your tongue.”

          “Isn’t it clear that…” Nneka continued.

            Before she could land, Dubem who had been eavesdropping the conversation fiercely stepped into the room whose door was widely open except the curtain. “So dad, this is it right?” He roared as soon as he dashed in.

           The couple was startled. “This is what?’ Mr. Ike Ubochi managed to respond.

        “So, this is all about Osu?” Dubem supplemented.

          The couple, particularly the man of the house became mute, though Mrs. Nneka was apparently gladdened that the issue was no longer concealed.

        “So because of Osu,” Dubem proceeded. “You have been witch-hunting that poor girl?” he said, gesticulating. “That innocent girl, Ebere?” he added, still standing right before them.

          Mr. Ubochi remained speechless as he stylishly glanced at his wife who was still seated closely to him.

         “You have forgotten that you have two daughters who are yet to get married.” he furiously reminded. “So if you continue with this kind of belief, who would marry them?’

         “Will you shut up, Dubem?’ Mr. Ubochi interrupted fiercely. “How dare you put up such question before your father?” he said, paused. “So you have grown so wild, right?”

          “You caused it, dad,” replied the distressed dude. “You caused it.” He added in a jiffy.

          “Dubem, is okay.” his mum urged calmly. “You can excuse us.” She supplemented, looking strongly into his eyes.

           On hearing the motherly voice, he submissively looked at her, quickly turned his back on the couple and dashed out.

          “You see what you have caused?” Nneka reaffirmed, stylishly glancing at the man of the house.

          “Enough of this, please..!” Mr. Ubochi said frowning, stood up from the bed and dashed out too.

           Days later, Mr. Ike Ubochi was invited by his church’s priest on the subject matter. The clergy had been informed by Dubem who ran to him the following day after the altercation between him and his dad.

          “Sir Ike Ubochi,” the priest called as they were seated in his office.

          “Yes, pastor.” The knight responded.

          “It is annoying that after all we have preached in this church concerning the so-called Osu,” the Anglican priest rode on. “People like you are still talking about it.”

         “So pastor,” quoth the guest, surprised. “My son reported me to you?”

        “That is not the issue,” the priest countered. “If you were in his shoes, you would do the same.” he said, paused. “This is a very serious matter, sir Ike.”

         The guest became dumbfounded at this point, looking at the tiled floor.

        “Please, I don’t want to hear this again.” The clergy proceeded. “Go and reconcile with that innocent girl.” He enjoined succinctly.

          Weeks on as God would have it, Engr. Dubem Ubochi successfully led Miss Ebere Okoro down the aisle. Before this period, the father of the former had peacefully jettisoned all his charges against the latter having heeded the church’s counsel. It was conspicuously a moment of jubilation for both families.

         Years down the line, the couple remained happily married with promising kids.

         The rest is history, please.    

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

 

          

          

                    

Opinion I Ending Drug Abuse In Imo

THE QUEST TO END DRUG ABUSE IN IMO

       

The last time I painstakingly checked, intake of hard drugs and other related substances had been formally recognized as an illicit act in Imo State, the Eastern Heartland. Hence, there was apparently a strong and impassionate move to end the behaviour which was described as societal menace.   

       

The Executive Governor of the state in the person of Chief Rochas Okorocha made this known on Tuesday, 16^th January 2018 during his New Year meeting with the stakeholders of the ruling party – the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the number-one citizen, drug abuse which is now found among the greater percentage of productive youths in the state and Nigeria in general, had become a great concern to the Rescue Mission government, hence the need for him and his team to act fast towards eradicating the cankerworm.

        

In view of the aforementioned worry, the governor therein – precisely at the Imo International Conference Centre (IICC), the venue of the event – outrightly set up an ad-hoc committee to handle the situation. The team, which is headed by a woman, has a Deputy Chairman in charge of each senatorial zone in the state. Aside inaugurating the committee, which was described as long overdue, the people present at the occasion applauded the governor for finding a lady worthy to super head its activities.

        

Consequently, the state’s House of Assembly led by Acho Ihim disclosed its readiness to back the governor on his seeming candid quest to clamp down on the derailed homosapiens. The legislators in their view opined that such manner of attitude deserved no pity or mercy, hence the need to decisively end it before it ends the state’s existence. Owing to their understanding, they unanimously agreed to tender a bill in that regard with a view to passing the said social crusade and the penalties accruable to defaulters into law.

       

The least I would say over the government’s intent to initiate a war against all forms of drug abuse in the state is that, it is a welcome development. I was told by my beloved dad that the best and fastest way to terminate the future of an upcoming young man is to expose him to hard drugs. In my father’s opinion, intake or consumption of illicit drugs “does absolutely nothing good to the body of any man than to keep him/her busy doing nothing”. The octogenarian may not be a philosopher by profession but I grew up to see him as one.

      

However, each time I perceive such pronouncement as was made by Chief Okorocha, the first thing I invariably try to ascertain is the sincerity and determination that accompanies it. It’s not anymore news that overtime several governments at all levels had come up with such mantra but eventually ended up doing virtually nothing.

      

Even as the Assembly has drummed its support for the cause, the question remains; how prepared are the lawmakers to treat the forthcoming bill as a priority? You never can tell if the bill would take over a calendar year to be passed into law let alone assenting to it by the executive arm. In other words, the House must be willing to consider its scale of preference for such an anticipated laudable law to see the light of the day.

      

So, if the Okorocha–led administration is truly desirous to kick against drug abuse, the political will must be worn like a clothe. And mind you; you cannot aptly end the consumption of any substance if there’s no action taken to stop the dealers or distributors from doing so. It suffices to say that, firstly, the government needs to checkmate how those unwanted substances enter into the state on a daily basis.

        

Also, if there’s anywhere they are produced in the state, there must be measure to ensure that they are distributed only to the quarters where their need is not illegal. It’s noteworthy that most of the substances in question are essential raw materials needed in the day-to-day manufacturing of some vital products required for our everyday use; but when taken raw, it becomes a problem to the human system.

       

It is needless to state that they were not originally provided to be consumed raw by any individual regardless of his or her physical ability. The primary intent of coming up with such substances was to make use of them in various production firms such as breweries, distilleries, and pharmaceutical companies, among others.  

      

On the other hand, my dad equally told me that the best thing that would happen to a man is to have a good job; and to a woman, a good husband. This analogy implies that a young man occupied with a good job would always be mentally busy doing something meaningful, thus wouldn’t have the time to indulge in other uncalled activities or mingle with bad companies. I concur explicitly with this theory.

       

Against this backdrop, successive governments are requested to endeavour to ensure that their teeming subjects are meaningfully occupied, job wise. All over the globe, there is nowhere it is the responsibility of any government to create jobs for the overall citizens. But it is the statutory duty of every government to create enabling environment that would spur the citizenry to become useful to themselves, and that of Imo wouldn’t be an exception.

       

Creation of enabling environment simply means providing those necessary facilities or social amenities that would encourage people to invest their hard earned monies as well as enable talented individuals to commercialize their respective patents with ease. When prospective private investors invest in the state, several Imolites cum residents would be greatly opportune to be gainfully employed.

       

It is therefore needless to assert that the Imo government must, in addition to ensuring that drug abuse is drastically alleviated within the four corners of the state, endeavour to wholly do the needful in respect of governance. Think about it!

 

 Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador      

 

Opinion I Averting Reprisals Over Herdsmen Massacres

AVERTING REPRISALS OVER HERDSMEN MASSACRES

       

The popular saying that warns ‘make hay while the Sun shines’ would only be considered reasonable and rational when there’s still hay left in the bushes as well as every arena where it’s usually found. Of course, you can only be conscientized to grab something on time when the stuff in question is still available.

        

For years now, several communities across Nigeria had been subjected to an untold hardship and seemingly perpetual torture by the so-called Fulani herdsmen. I can’t forget in a hurry that virtually all the states in Nigeria have tasted at least a bit of this venom at one time or the other. The aforesaid set of farmers, rather than acting as guests while breeding their livestock, end up constituting evitable nuisance in their various host communities.

       

This domineering and nonchalant idiosyncrasy of these armed herdsmen who parade themselves with unspeakable ammunitions and weapons has overtime been arguably overlooked by the government and other concerned authorities. Two years ago, precisely on Monday 25^th April 2016, a certain group of herdsmen unleashed an astonishing terror on the people of Nimbo Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State; an attack that ushered in an unimagined massacre. In the said crisis, reportedly scores feared dead, countless persons maimed, about a hundred residents injured, several houses cum churches razed, thereby rendering over two thousand dwellers homeless.

        

Though the incident may have come and gone, it’s imperative to acknowledge that the peril it inflicted on the living victims is unarguably an experience they will all live to recall. Myself, each time I recollect that a certain community in Enugu State sometime in the history of this country woke one morning only to be brutally taken unawares by a group of total strangers, I invariably take solace in the ‘notion’ that it could be a mere dream.

       

As if that wasn’t enough, that of Nimbo never marked the end of the crisis as we anticipated; rather, it transcended to other states. Recently, it seemed Benue State had abruptly become the headquarters of the cruel herdsmen. Before now, no week that came on board we wouldn’t hear that a certain part of the state had been attacked by them.

         

The last time I checked, the herdsmen imbroglio was occurring ubiquitously in the country that it required only a severe and drastic measure towards addressing it. Relocating the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to Benue State might be a step in solving the menace but can never be the complete remedy to it. First, the Federal Government (FG) must be very sincere about how it goes about this. If the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) could be proscribed by the government, I wonder why this set of militias operating in disguise as herdsmen should be spared.

        

It is also appalling that till date, the Presidency is yet to address the Nigerian state concerning a situation that has eaten deep into our bone marrow. It’s worth noting that the continuous silence of Mr. President signals a great danger to the teeming Nigerians that are looking up to his person.

      

However, it’s noteworthy that it isn’t all the herdsmen that are brutal. The vandals are some of them who unnecessarily intend to unleash terror on their host communities, probably owing to one or two frivolous reasons. To this end, the bad eggs must be fished out via the effort of the leadership of the herdsmen’s coalition, and thereafter brought to book. The relevant law enforcement agents ought to take this step very seriously. Nigerians aren’t just yearning for mere arrest but to adequately prosecute these suspected terrors in our midst.

         

I’m strongly of the view that the best way to holistically solve any existing anomaly is to duly ascertain its fundamental cause(s), and this very one isn’t exceptional. Hence, I enjoin the apt authorities such as the Police, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, to embark on a rigorous finding with a view to ensuring that they ascertain the prime origin of the ongoing state of unrest. In addition, governments at all levels should variously set up committees to look into this aspect.

       

Town hall meetings equally ought to be randomly scheduled to sensitize the general public on their civic responsibilities in this regard as well as to give the affected host communities a sense of belonging. We must note that we can’t completely unravel this state of quagmire without employing Community Policing, which would be thoroughly effective and efficient only if the entire dwellers are carried along. We mustn’t take any action without involving the potential victims of the mayhem.

       

There’s also need for us, especially the security agents, to headlong stop inserting ‘Fulani’ whenever we intend to speak or write on anything pertaining to the herdsmen; we must take into cognizance that anyone could be a herdsman regardless of his/her place of origin. Besides, anyone who intends to hurt you might come in disguise as anything; needless to reiterate that someone or a group that had been longing to terrorize you, may decide to hide under the guise of herdsmen. Thus, we must be thoroughly guided on how we go about the so called Fulani herdsmen.

       

Among all, henceforth Cattle owners need to be mandated to own ranches within their respective jurisdictions, so that, their herdsmen would desist from defacing the outlook of our various major roads cum farms as it is invariably found whenever they migrate with their cattle. In other words, grazing or colony cannot remedy the plight.

        

I can’t round off this critique without reminding the various governments on the need to embark on a massive compensation programme that would touch the lives of all the families affected from the onset across the federation. Let’s make hay while the Sun shines now it (hay) is still available in the various bushes. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

        

 

Opinion I Aftermath of the Imo Royal Fathers' Election

AFTERMATH OF THE IMO ROYAL FATHERS’ ELECTION

      

The last time I checked, the long awaited election among the overall royal fathers in Imo State had eventually been conducted. It took place on Thursday, 17^th January 2018. Prior to the exercise, Imolites couldn’t wait to embrace the scheduled date, and were equally filled with mixed feelings as regards what the outcome would be.

      

The election was meant to usher in the substantive leadership of the revered Imo Traditional Rulers’ Council, an umbrella body of all the royal fathers in the state. It suffices to say that, since the election had already taken place, the substantive Chairman of the association alongside its other officials had emerged.

        

Let’s quickly go back to history. It would be recalled that before the election, the Chairman of the body in the person of Eze Samuel Ohiri became the leader via appointment. The moment the Executive Governor of the state Chief Rochas Okorocha came on board in 2011, he outrightly dissolved the then Executive Council (EXCO) of the union, stating that their tenure had elapsed.

        

At the time, the union was led by Eze Cletus Ilomuanya who is now dethroned by the Okorocha-led government. Upon the dissolution, the governor appointed Eze Ohiri to man the affairs of the body. Since that gesture occurred till last Thursday, it’s noteworthy that that very leadership selected by Governor Okorocha – that could best be described as interim – had been in charge of the union’s day-to-day activity.

        

From the moment the drama happened, Imo as a people were clamouring for an election to be conducted among the traditional custodians towards ensuring that a substantive leader was produced. According to them, the anticipated exercise would enable the association to duly function as an independent body compared to when its leadership emerged through mere appointment.

      

We were promised the election would take place sometime last year being 2017. We patiently waited, hoping the election would be conducted based on the promise but at the end, nothing that looks like election was witnessed. Probably, the proposed exercise was marred by contingencies. Owing to the lapse, Imolites began to mutter once again that it was unfair for an apolitical union like the Imo Council of Traditional Rulers to share similar fate with the state’s Local Government Areas (LGAs) that were yet to enjoy elections since the emergence of the Rescue Mission Administration.

       

Based on their argument, the lacuna experienced by the LGAs could be overlook as a result of the fact that it had to do with political matters. But for a socio-cultural body to suffer from same condition was uncalled for and unacceptable, to assert the least. Such a scenario made the concerned citizens to inadvertently become lachrymose.

        

Perhaps in the spirit of 2018, or in the spirit of a new odyssey, or in the spirit of a New Year resolution, the long awaited election was finally conducted. When we were notified of the new date, everyone remained jittery and sceptical, thinking it might still be a mirage just like the previous ones, though we were consoled by the fact that a stronger plan was outlined for the awaited exercise. It’s therefore needless to state that Imolites are at the moment deeply elated that the body eventually witnessed an election as its constitution stipulates.

       

It’s worth noting that the election had three contestants for the chairmanship position namely, Eze Oliver Ohanwe, Eze Samuel Ohiri and Eze Chidume Okoro. Among these three, courtesy demanded that one person would emerge the winner of the race. After all said and done, Eze Ohiri, who had been the interim chairman of the body for over six years, still emerged victorious. This implies that constitutionally, he would continue to lead the union for the next five years.

        

However, I’m not here to occasion an argument or criticism but to let the entire royal fathers understand what is expected of them at this time the election had been successfully conducted as planned. If I failed to tell them what I feel, my conscience shall remain restless unabated.

       

Before the election, I told them that issues related to it must not be treated as political. In other words, I made them realized that the election was expected to usher in the leadership of a socio-cultural group, and not socio-political platform. My candid words meant that since culture and politics are like two parallel lines that have no meeting point, they needed to tread with caution before and during the election.

       

Now that the election had truly come and gone, and a winner produced, we ought to be more concerned about way forward. It’s not anymore news that after any election irrespective of its nature, grievances must be harboured in some quarters whilst some would be seen jubilating; hence, that of the Imo royal fathers wouldn’t be an exception. I’m trying to say that I can’t be explicitly convinced that every member of that union is currently pleased over the conduct cum outcome of the election.

       

Against this backdrop, I want to use this medium to sincerely appeal to the aggrieved ones to sheath their sword with a view to coming together as an indivisible family. We cannot fold our arms and watch them argue or quarrel over electoral issues because certainly such an altercation would bring a division among them. And acknowledging that division would negatively affect the state either directly or indirectly, we forbid such occurrence.

       

These traditional custodians must comprehend that everyone is keenly watching them at such a critical time like this, hence the need for them to respect their grey hairs. If there is any dirty lily they have within them, it must be buried therein, thus shouldn’t be exposed to the public. The state cannot afford to see anyone of them go to court over an electoral case or any other matter whatsoever. The new leaders on their part must equally extend an olive branch to everyone, particularly their co-contestants.

       

Inter alia, as the new leadership assumes duty, I enjoin them to passionately look into one particular anomaly I have observed among the royal fathers. A situation whereby a traditional ruler would reside abroad thereby allowing his palace to be manned by his Prime Minister or Secretary is really an aberration that must be put to stop in earnest. It’s no longer news that most of our royal fathers only go home when there is a serious case to settle among his warring kinsmen. Funnily enough, sometimes the dwellers in dispute would be invited to the city where the ruler resides towards settling the case in question.

       

So as I congratulate the newly emerged leadership of the union, I equally want them to know that it’s high time they understood the reason they are called traditional rulers with a view to saving their respective autonomous communities from any form of collapse or crisis. Think about it!

 

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador