Opinion II Imo Royal Fathers and the Governor's Directive on Indigenous Language

IMO ROYAL FATHERS AND THE GOVERNOR’S DIRECTIVE ON IGBO LANGUAGE

         

The last time I checked, the traditional custodians domiciled in Imo State – the Eastern Heartland – had been given a mandate to henceforth start making use of only Igbo language in any of their official gatherings or what have you.

        

The governor of the state in the person of Chief Rochas Okorocha gave the lofty directive recently, two weeks ago to be precise. According to the number-one citizen, that was the only way the royal fathers in their entirety could prove to their teeming subjects that they are indeed traditional custodians.

         

Reminding this revered group of leaders that they were supposed to speak only Igbo language during their official deliberations was, to assert the least, shameful and an ear-sore. I wonder why they would wait for someone let alone the governor to remind them the fundamental and statutory practices that are expected of their persons; such is unequivocally an aberration.

          

Isn’t it weird and mind-boggling to observe any royal father addressing the public or any social function in a foreign language? It becomes more troubling when realized that the reason they deliberate mainly in English language is that they see it as the only way they could prove to their subjects that they are enlightened and learned. They do so, thereby forgetting that it is obviously amusing and ridiculous to see a man who is well clad in an Igbo traditional regalia address his people in a foreign language; probably they aren’t aware of this fact, thus this is the high time they did.

         

Well, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that this humble critique was occasioned by the compelling need to notify the governor on the essence of ensuring that all his eminent directives and pledges, as the case may be, are duly implemented to the people’s delight. In other words, it is thus needless to reiterate the need to ensure that this very directive on Igbo language does not stop at mere pronouncement.

         

It suffices to say that every tool within the governor’s ambit ought to be utilized towards ensuring that such laudable instruction is strictly adhered to by its recipients. Our royal fathers must be meant to note in practical terms that they have really derailed as regards the modus operandi binding their sacred institution. Yes, ‘sacred’ in the sense that not everyone would be found worthy to be a member; in the sense that it remains an institution comprising individuals who are supposed to safeguard our customs at all cost. Of course, it is not anymore news that every custom is required to be treated as sacred and sacrosanct owing to its uniqueness.

         

Still on the need to ensure that every directive is duly implemented, I wish to use this medium to humbly remind His Excellency that on assumption of office in 2011 as the Executive Governor of the state, he outrightly without much ado directed the state’s royal fathers residing in the Diaspora to earnestly return to their respective autonomous communities. It’s no longer news that most of these traditional rulers are resident abroad; a scenario that could best be described as an eyesore.

           

It’s saddening to note that the governor’s directive on this was flouted or perhaps considered as frivolous or trivial. Till date, majority of these ‘traditional custodians’ are still enjoying their residences variously situated outside their communities. Such practice as this is completely out of context in regard to the laws binding any autonomous community in existence. The scenario is not in any way funny or laughable, thus remains a very serious matter yearning for apt attention.

         

As a result of this ugly trend, sometimes a certain case seeking for a royal father’s intervention would have to wait till the traditional ruler returns from the city where he is based. No doubt, we are not unaware of the inevitable implications of such obnoxious process, especially in a situation whereby the case in question requires an urgent attention, or needs to be addressed in earnest. I will not hesitate to say categorically that this manner of practice is really ridiculing the traditional institutions not just in Imo but across the Igbo nation.

         

I equally want to remind the governor that, sometime ago, he promised Imolites that elections would be conducted among these royal fathers toward producing those that would be in charge of their union’s leadership. Though the said union enjoys a viable leadership at the moment, it’s imperative to comprehend that such leaders were not drawn from any election; so, the governor’s pledge was not unconnected with this fact. The amiable governor ought to be reminded that Imolites in their totality are still awaiting that election.

         

At this juncture, having made my views known, I wish to re-appeal to the teeming royal fathers to please endeavour to acknowledge that thousands of Imolites, if not millions, are looking up to them, thus are required to invariably strive towards doing the needful. They are expected to be party to activities that would help to uplift the tradition which the Igbos are widely known for, and not otherwise.

         

Most importantly, they must be very close to their respective subjects, so that, they would at all times feel free to present their plights before them. It is very appalling to realize that most of our young ones are yet to know the names of their various traditional rulers let alone knowing their facial outlooks.

          

All in all, this recent directive of the governor, which I tagged a ‘wake-up call’, should not be swept under the carpet. Hence, let all the parties involved ensure that every commendable directive given thus far are holistically implemented, so that, we wouldn’t wake one morning and witness the unspeakable. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

____________________________________

Twitter: @mediambassador

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ShortStory I Rough Past

ROUGH PAST

        The entire arena was so moody and tranquil not unlike a graveyard that even the domestic birds within felt it. Though the 43-year-old Andrew was used to a quiet and lonely atmosphere, this very one that emerged unannounced was so intense for his liking.

        He just returned from Blazing Hospital in Ojota, Lagos State, Nigeria where he lost his third wife to the monstrous death. The deceased, Chidinma who tied the connubial knot with him barely a year back, gave up the ghost while in labour; she had pushed for the umpteenth time in the labour room as instructed by the nurses, yet all efforts proved abortive, perhaps the unborn baby had vowed never to behold the planet, Earth. It was an unspeakable disaster, to assert the least.

        As the poor Andrew lay in his magnificent bed, facing the ceiling, engulfed by thoughtful feelings, he abruptly recalled his second wife, Christy. He equally lost her to the cold hand of death – three years back – barely eight months after they got married. She was dastardly crushed by a fully loaded trailer along a federal highway in the city of Lagos when the driver derailed from his lane having lost his brake. Intriguingly, Christy also passed on in pregnancy; she was to put to bed in about six weeks time based on the result of the scan diagnosis she underwent.

        As he remembered with deep sorrow how the news of Christy’s sudden departure came to his hearing on that fateful day, he fiercely rose from the bed, gushed out fathomless tears uncontrollably and eventually sat on the room’s tiled floor, felt so rejected. What else could he think of as he furiously sat on the floor than to recall the beautiful face of Adanna, his beloved first wife? Adanna died in his hand six years back right in their house lounge when he was 37.

        “Oh, Adanna!” he roared at the top of his voice, still sitting on the floor.

        Adanna who was heavily pregnant of triplets, had fell ill a few days back owing to cold weather. The wicked pneumonia penetrated her sensitive hormones that she was left with no choice than to wave farewell to mother Earth despite the medication she was placed on by her gynaecologist. She passed away while lying on her hubby’s laps as they were seated in the parlour in that forsaken evening.

         Prior to her exit, she had complained of a sharp abdominal pain but when her hubby (Andrew) made move to take her to a near-by clinic, she declined, claiming that it wasn’t as serious as he presumed. Her claim was not unconnected with the fact that she had a strong phobia for injections, thus invariably avoided any incident that could make her caught the sight of a niddle let alone experiencing its pains.

        The helpless thought of all these ordeals kept pounding in his perplexed mind as he sat hopelessly on the tiled floor. The thorny hands of death had refused to free him, thus making the ongoing bondage seemed endless. First, it was Adanna followed by Christy, and now Chidinma. Who was next? That could be the most apt question to be tendered at that juncture. Notwithstanding, life must ride on.

        “God…!” Andrew exclaimed, stood up calmly. “Why me..?” he added hesitantly, went to his bed again and sat on it.

         It was almost night, at about 7:45pm to be precise. In the absence of Chidinma who left the world some hours ago, he was the only one who lived in the two-bedroom apartment equally situated in Ojota, thus he had all chances of embarking on a suicidal mission; and it appeared that was the only option he could think of at the moment as he got his eyes fixed towards the PVC ceiling hung on the house.

        Andrew was undoubtedly a well-to-do young man who worked with a multinational broadcasting firm as a marketing officer. Eight years back when he secured the promising job at 35 after several years of job-hunting, life became so nice and enticing to his person not until two years later when he thought it wise to tie the knot having successfully found Adanna who could be best described as an angel considering both her outward and inward idiosyncrasies; surely, little did he realize that he was on his way to a cursed land.

        How would he communicate to his parents, relatives, friends, and of course colleagues, that he was about to bury the third woman that willingly came into his life just twelve months ago, having entombed two in the past? Based on his feelings, the best thing that could happen to him at this point was nothing but death; he wished he could just lie in the bed and become lifeless rather than resorting to suicide, which had already occupied his thoughts.

       A few minutes later at about some seconds to eight O’clock, a knock was heard at his main entrance. He managed to walk to the metal door and let it open, never bothered to ascertain who was there.

       It was Dube, his childhood friend who equally resided in Lagos but in a different locality. He presumed he was the one at the door because he had earlier in the day called him on phone, asking him to endeavour to come to his place as soon as possible. When the invitee made effort to find out during the phone conversation what actually the problem was, Andrew declined.

        Prior to Dube’s arrival, all his neighbours who lived in the other neighbouring apartments that were built alongside his, had come to sympathize with his person on hearing the ugly news.

        Dube walked in majestically though preoccupied with fear of the unknown, and closed the door behind him.

        On sighting the guest, he only managed to offer him a handshake, and then gushed out tears again, indicating that all wasn’t at ease. He calmly walked to one of the single cushion chairs in the sitting room and confusedly sat down.

        Dube followed him but remained standing. “Andrew,” he called. “What is it?’

         There was no response.

          Dube stepped closer to him, and squatted right before him as he was seated. “Andrew, I said what is it?” he reiterated. “By the way, where is your wife?” He supplemented.

        “I lost her….!” He hinted noisily.

        “You did what..?” Dube roared, frantically stood up. “Did I hear you clearly?”

        Andrew nodded. “She died in labour.” He eventually cleared the air, sobbing.

        “Oh my Go…d; not again!” exclaimed Dube, stood still. “You mean, Chidinma is no more?”

         Andrew nodded again, took a deep breath and exhaled accordingly.

        Dube shook his head continuously, managed to sit on the other seat sited closely to Andrew’s, and abruptly became mute.

       To be continued, please!

FDN Nwaozor 

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

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#WisdomTablets (12)

Overcoming the Challenges in Your Relationship
___________________________________

The last time I checked, every relationship was
characterized by one challenge or the other. This
simply implies that challenges are natural; hence,
are bound to set into any form of relationship or
anything whatsoever that comprises a creature,
particularly a human.

For the fact that we are mortal, or imperfect,
challenges remain inevitable in our everyday life.
It suffices to say that they aren't meant to be seen
as plights; rather, consequential recipes required
to strengthen any ongoing cause, be it friendship,
marriage, learning, business, or what have you. In
this case, we are more concerned about those challenges
attributed to the shortcomings of the partners involved.

The best way partners, be it friends or spouses, can
tackle their challenges is by embracing understanding.
Understanding is the act of acknowledging your partner's
abilities, flaws and so on, with a view to realizing how to
adjust your lifestyle or temperament towards suiting that
of his or hers.

You can only achieve a tangible understanding if you both
cough up reasonable time for each other. Creating adequate
time and space for the relationship would definitely yield
absolute communication. Proper communication invariably
leads to the anticipated understanding. It's noteworthy that
understanding ushers in intimacy. It is only intimacy that
can result to undiluted love, which everyone yearns for.
Hence, INTIMACY supersedes LOVE; read my lips!

So, rather than being cantankerous, make possible effort
on how to inculcate those qualities or idiosyncrasies you
desire into your partner's lifestyle. Believe me, it really
pays to assist in bringing out the best in your friend or
spouse, as the case may be. #ThinkAboutIt 

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

Opinion II Today July 18 is, Nelson Mandela Int'l Day

SUING FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE AS THE 2017 NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY IS MARKED ON TUESDAY JULY 18

         

 

      Nelson Mandela

July 18 each year, the world over celebrates the Nelson Mandela International day, or simply the ‘Mandela Day’, in honour of the late icon Dr. Nelson Madiba Mandela who happened to be the first democratically elected President of South-Africa. The day, which is being celebrated annually and internationally, is an event organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI).

         

It was endorsed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in November 2009 to mark Mandela’s birthday, thereby creating awareness on the need for everyone to support selfless service to humanity which helps to uplift peace and justice and to free mankind from all sorts of bondages. The day isn’t a public holiday, but specifically a day to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela and his values, through volunteering and community services. The remarkable event was first celebrated by the UN in 2010. However, other groups began celebrating Mandela Day on 18^th July 2009.

        

The Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual, regardless of status or age, possesses the power to transform the world as well as the ability to make an impact on any society he/she finds him/herself. This implies that we are expected to strive relentlessly towards bringing a positive change wherever we find ourselves.  

         

In the world over, just as everyone constantly and persistently prays to have peace, so do we pray for justice in all our endeavours. In the same vein, whosoever that is faced with any kind of bondage, either spiritual or physical, shall never have rest of mind until he/she regains freedom. This is to say that, every man is consistently striving towards actualizing unalloyed peace, justice, or freedom, as the case may be.

         

The above assertion signifies that no man wishes to encounter any form of bitterness in any field of endeavour, on a daily basis. This is the reason the global community through the effort of the United Nations (UN), came up with the ongoing International Nelson Mandela Day to ensure that everyone considers peace as a priority towards societal and human-capital development.

         

It’s not anymore news that the late Nelson Mandela, while on earth, gave sixty-seven (67) years of his life to the struggle for human rights and social justice. As a founding member of the then ruling democratic party in South Africa known as the African National Congress (ANC), Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He spent twenty-seven (27) years in prison but remained unstoppable in leading strategic revolution against apartheid government.

          

Interestingly, when Nelson Mandela was elected the President of South Africa in 1994, he did not call for vengeance or retribution against the whites; rather, he led a sensitive reconciliation movement that amazed all the African as well as International politicians. Furthermore, he campaigned for peace, unity and love among South Africans irrespective of race or tribe. Because of the astonishing character of the late icon, the UN General Assembly in 2009 proclaimed the annual International Nelson Mandela Day.

         

So, as the world over commemorates the Nelson Mandela International Day, there’s need for collective support and solidarity by all and sundry from all walks of life irrespective of race, age, background or status. In view of this, the international community is urging us today to devote at least sixty-seven (67) minutes of our time to helping others. By devoting 67 minutes of our time – one minute for every year of Nelson Mandela’s public service, people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity and a step toward a global moment for good, which we all anticipate.

          

Hence, take action, inspire change, and mobilize the human race to do more in order to build a peaceful, sustainable and equitable world. This is the best tribute we can pay to an extraordinary man who embodied the highest values of humanity while on earth and ensured that we saw ourselves as one indivisible body.

          

Reportedly, UN staff around the world have made a difference through a variety of activities in the past, such as supplies to school children, preparing meals for the elderly ones, helping out in an orphanage, cleaning-up parks, delivering computer literacy seminars and workshops, and what have you. Also, in New York of the United States of America (USA) for instance, UN staff volunteered their time on 17 and 18 July 2013 to help rebuild homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

         

We can as well contribute our own quota to public service by individually or collectively indulging in any of the following humanitarian activities, but not limited to:

v Make a new friend; get to know someone from a different cultural background because it is only through mutual understanding we can rid our communities of intolerance and xenophobia.

v Read for someone who can’t; visit a local home for the orphans and the less-privileged.

v Help someone get a job; prepare a CV for them and help them acquire the required interview skills.

v Take a little time to have a chat with the terminally ill people and bring some sunshine into their respective lives.

v Get tested for HIV as well as other Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and encourage your partner, colleagues and friends to do so too.

v Donate blood, wheelchair, or cash to someone in need.

v Lastly, but not the least, buy a few blankets, or grab the ones you no longer use in your home and give them to someone in need.

         

Frankly, we all are expected to unanimously support this remarkable life-touching event globally recognized as Nelson Mandela International Day, because the life and times of the celebrity in question, Dr. Nelson Madiba Mandela were no doubt worthy of emulation. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

______________________________________

Twitter: @mediambassador

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Opinion I On Incessant Building Collapse in Imo

ON INCESSANT BUILDING COLLAPSE IN OWERRI

         

The last time I painstakingly checked, four uncompleted buildings had collapsed from their foundation levels within barely a week interval, all within the Owerri Capital Territory. The bad omens, which variously involved three 3-storey and a-storey buildings, transpired at different locations but mainly in Owerri West Local Government Area (LGA).

        

The precise affected areas were Obinze, Umuguma and Oforola, all in Owerri-West LGA as well as Ulakwo in Owerri-North LGA. It was unarguably very painful and devastating that that of Oforola brutally claimed about three human souls and equally injured many others. Till now, the shock that ensued therein still lives in the hearts of the bereaved and of course, those who were present at the scene of the incident.

         

To say that Imolites – especially those who reside under decking – now sleep with one eye open with the fear of not knowing what would happen next, is indeed to assert the least. Everyone including myself is at the moment conspicuously jittery; a feeling which no doubt is not unconnected with fear of the unknown. Notwithstanding, courtesy demands that we ought not to allow our emotions becloud our individual or collective sense of reasoning. It suffices to say that, in a situation like this, we are expected to strive towards ensuring that such unspeakable circumstance wouldn’t again see the light of the day.

         

It’s quite disheartening that building collapse, which used to be a phenomenon synonymous with Lagos State, Abuja and their environs, is now ostensibly the order of the day in the Eastern Heartland. Hence, we must not fold our arms and watch the ugly trend degenerate into a more troubling point. This implies that in our respective capacities, we are required to henceforth sit up or wake up from slumber.

         

The fact remains that we wouldn’t do the needful or what is exactly expected of us if we failed to acknowledge the rudimentary causes of the menace in question. It’s noteworthy that building collapse could be attributable to either natural or manmade factors, or both. The tragedy that recently befell Imo, Owerri precisely, could be blamed on both factors.

        

It’s not anymore news that heavy downpour is currently on the rampage, thereby resulting to uncontrollable flooding. Lately, flooding has remained an ubiquitous misfortune as far as Nigeria is concerned. A highly revered locality in the city of Lagos known as Lekki remains one of the areas that would live to tell the dangers constituted by the ongoing intense flooding witnessed across the federation.

        

We are not unaware that flooding alone has a strong effect on completed structures let alone the ones that are still under construction. However, there are criteria that can help buildings, be it completed or non, to withstand the ravaging effects of flooding; this is obviously where manmade/human factors come in. The use of standard building materials coupled with engagement of only qualified builders or engineers would go a long way in ensuring that the affected structures stand the test of time.

         

But, in recent times, the reverse has been the case. Developers now resort to engaging quacks – all in the name of engineers/builders – in various building constructions. And the so-called engineers would be left with no choice than to deploy substandard engineering materials for the awaited construction. Even if qualified builders are eventually engaged, owing to corruption, or greed to be precise, the builder would consciously opt for unwanted materials for the proposed structure. For instance, in various quarters you would observe that a bag of cement that’s meant to produce at most thirty-five 6-inch brick blocks are often used to mould up to sixty blocks.

         

It was reportedly gathered that the structure that fell at Oforola was initially a bungalow but was later converted to a-storey building. A foundation meant for a bungalow was allowed to carry decking thereafter; tell me why such structure wouldn’t fall in the long run?  In the same vein, I reportedly learnt that one of the collapsed buildings had an underground construction. Probably such provision wasn’t captured in the building plan; even if it was captured, we must take into cognizance that there are special corporate bodies that are licensed to construct underground, thus it isn’t an activity to be carried out by anybody. It’s worthy of note that constructions do not require frugality, because it is something that concerns lives and property.

        

Quackery, use of substandard materials, or greed, as the case might be, can be addressed by such relevant agencies as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIB). In this case, we are mostly concerned about the Imo State branch of the aforementioned bodies. Among all, the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) wouldn’t be left out if these trending anomalies must be holistically shown the way out.

         

It’s worth noting that architects are now parading themselves as builders or engineers, thus these professional organizations are required to collaborate towards producing the desired result. In her state-wide broadcast on the agency’s weekly radio (Orient FM) programme titled ‘OCDA Today’, the current General Manager (GM) of the OCDA and of course the first female boss of the authority, Dr. Chika Nnajiofor has stated that the body would embark on rigorous sensitization programmes including seminars, workshops, town-hall meetings and what have you, with a view to letting all the concerned stakeholders, such as land developers, prospective landlords and the general public, comprehend their various roles in ensuring that standard structures are erected across the state’s capital territory.

         

She further disclosed that her administration was damn prepared to partner with all the relevant agencies in the state in order to achieve a meaningful goal. Dr. Nnajiofor who frowned that developers do not seek for ‘stages permit’ while erecting their structures, stressed that such nonchalant attitudes would not be taken for granted henceforth.

         

For clarity’s sake, Stages Permit implies that, having issued Building Approval to any land developer, such personnel is statutorily expected to report to the OCDA as the construction progresses until the work is duly completed. In other words, at every stage attained, the OCDA is required by law to crosscheck if what was originally approved is actually what is being erected on the affected site.

          

Against this backdrop, I urge the said boss to borrow a leaf from her predecessor, Barr. Obinna Amagwula in the area of field inspection. During Barr. Amagwula’s reign as the GM of the OCDA, field inspections were taken as priority. According to the erstwhile GM, such practice would enable the authority to fish out the bad eggs amidst developers or engineers on various sites that are being developed. More so, the OCDA riot act ought to regularly be read to the authority’s taskforce leaders cum members so that they wouldn’t compromise the mandate guiding their operations.

         

The government, on its part, is equally required to adequately play its role by providing all the needed materials and vehicles toward enabling the OCDA, and its likes, perform effectively and efficiently at all times. When something like this happens, all blames – albeit ignorantly – are shifted to agencies like the OCDA without acknowledging the actual causes of the unfortunate situation. Such act or presumption is absolutely wrong.

         

Hence, as much as I deeply sympathize with the families of the deceased, I enjoin every concerned individual cum authority to henceforth jettison deceit or any form of prangs with the aim of doing only the needful. Think about it!  

        

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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Twitter: @mediambassador

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