ShortStory I Irony of LIfe

IRONY OF LIFE

       “Hi!” Ikenna exclaimed in an adorable tone amidst an overwhelming crowd.

      “Hello!” Nkiru responded reluctantly.

       Ikenna quickly walked closer to her. “I must confess,” he said, smiling. “You are truly a pretty damsel.”

       “Thank you.” Nkiru appreciated.

       “Are you from this town?” He asked, looking into her sexy eyes.

       “Yes.”

        Both of them were in a dancing mood.

        It was during a traditional marriage ceremony between Chukwuma and Adaora. The former happened to be Ikenna’s cousin as well as childhood friend whilst the latter was Nkiru’s cousin sister. Chukwuma and Adaora hailed from neighbouring clans.

        Ikenna was a promising and handsome young man based in Germany, Europe. He was a renowned Casanova whom was enjoying his bachelorhood in his early forties. He actually came back to Nigeria for the said event.

        There was no one in Umuokirika – the town where Ikenna hailed from – that was yet to know about him due to his flamboyant lifestyle. He was a rascal to the core and never cared about what people say about his person. Prior to that marriage ceremony, during his numerous previous visits to Nigeria, he had succeeded in tendering marriage proposal to over fifteen ladies both in his home town and in the Diaspora. Surely, he was a notable play boy and a notorious personality.

         He came across Nkiru when both of them were dancing at the centre of the gathering alongside the couple. There is no need saying that he was what any lady would like to behold just for a second considering his costly appearance at the occasion, and Nkiru was not an exception. When other dignitaries who rushed to the dance floor to cheer with the couple were busy spraying Naira notes, he was obviously showering the couple with hard currencies including US dollars and Euros.

        “Please, can we see by the corner?” He urged Nkiru.

        “Alright,” she concurred. “Just give me few seconds, I will join you later.”

        On receiving the warmth response, Ikenna – a dark, plump and an about 5.5-foot tall man – dressed in a grey caftan and white leather slippers, quickly but stylishly walked out from the crowd to a tranquil arena where he could have a word with the incoming prey.

        Within a few seconds, the chocolate-coloured, slim and about 5.6 feet tall lady clad in a blue mini-skirt, pink top and a pair of pink shoes who seemed to be in her early thirties, joined him at the serene arena as she promised. She was really cute in her dress.

        “I’m Ikenna.” he said leaning on his black Lexus Jeep as soon as she stepped closer to him. “From Umuokirika, the neighbouring town.” He supplemented.

        “Are you Chukwuma’s brother?”

        “Yes,” he said. “He’s my cousin brother and childhood friend.”

         “Interesting.” Nkiru enthused, nodding.

         “So, what do I call you?”

         “Nkiru.” She replied.

         “That’s a lovely name.” He complimented.

          “Thanks.”

          “Like I said earlier,” Ikenna continued. “You’re a very beautiful lady.” He said, paused. “I will like to know more about you.

           Nkiru smiled, twisted her head. She apparently needed not a prophet to interpret what the dude was up to.

           “Can we meet tomorrow?” he requested. “At Hilltop Bar.”

            Hilltop Bar was one of the most exotic and expensive beer parlours at Umuofeka – the town where Nkiru hailed from – and its environs.

          “Okay.” she admitted. “What time?”

          “4pm.” he said. “Would that be okay by you?”

          “Yes.” she acknowledged, nodding.

          “So, we have a deal then?” Ikenna said.

           “Definitely.”       

         As soon as they departed, a lady Ojiugo who was spying at them from afar walked up to Nkiru and told her all she needed to know about Ikenna. The gossip hailed from the same clan with Ikenna, so she was in good position to know everything concerning Ikenna’s promiscuous lifestyle.

         Having gotten the clue from the God-sent, Nkiru thought it wise to be very careful with her relationship with Ikenna.

         After a few days having met at Hilltop as scheduled, Ikenna and Nkiru became best of friends to the envy of other ladies, though Nkiru was still skeptical over Ikenna’s purported commitment, thus she took the affair as a ‘spare tyre’.

         Amazingly, as days unfolded, the relationship became more serious that Ikenna decided to postpone his return trip to Germany. At a point, he willingly made up his mind to quit bachelorhood for the sake of the relationship coupled with the overwhelming pressure he was receiving from his parents. Against this backdrop, he concluded to shun promiscuity; a decision that made him to become a complete new person.

         On one fateful day, he tendered a marriage proposal to Nkiru who was unaware of his recent resolution, right in his sitting room; but she couldn’t believe the proposal was coming from a man who truly wanted to settle down having heard that he had proposed over fifteen ladies in the past. Rather, she saw it as one of his past numerous false and deceptive proposals, therefore she asked him to give her some time to think about it.

         Though Nkiru never caught Ikenna with any other lady but the information she had received on his lifestyle remained a reference point to her.  

        After some days, she tentatively concurred with the proposal.

        There was a chap known as Emeka whom Nkiru was lavishing Ikenna’s fortune on. Both of them were school mates, studying in a University. All the money Ikenna was giving to her was actually diverted to Emeka’s pulse unknowingly to the benefactor.

         The scenario continued till one fateful day when Ikenna paid her a surprising visit at where she lived on campus. He actually took her unawares.

        The moment Nkiru opened her room entrance having heard series of knock at the door, what the incoming groom (Ikenna) saw was tantamount to taking him to his early grave. He caught the sight of a guy who was putting on only boxers lying freely in his supposed fiancee’s bed.  On the other hand, Nkiru who never knew that Ikenna was the person at the door was clad only in a bedroom wrapper.

        Ikenna initially thought he was daydreaming until every bit of the drama became very obvious to him.  The entire picture was not unlike an irony of life.

       The rest is history, please.

 

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador 

         

                      

Opinion I Buhari's New Year Resolution As President

BUHARI’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTION AS PRESIDENT

       

It is not anymore news, in accordance with the words of the late famous philosopher Socrates, that ‘unexamined life is not worth living’. This is unarguably the reason everyone is invariably enjoined to embrace the first day of every year towards revisiting his or her resolution(s) with the aim of making amends where need be.

      

As the custom requested, penultimate week – precisely in the early morning of 1^st January 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari outrightly disclosed his New Year resolutions as the leader of the country via a nationwide broadcast. The message, which could best be described as an epistle, comprised over forty paragraphs.

        

In the second paragraph of the epistle, the president frowned over the ongoing scarcity of petrol otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). He said, ‘…some compatriots chose this period to inflict severe hardship on us all by creating unnecessary fuel scarcity across the country’. He thus assured Nigerians that such a menace, which he branded a ‘blackmail’, would not linger after the festive season as the needed measures had been put in place to end it. Meanwhile, till date, the scarcity still lingers.

        

It’s noteworthy that sane Nigerians expected Mr. President to begin with an apology for allowing such uncalled circumstance to befall them. The popular saying that ‘prevention is better than cure’ wasn’t mistakenly invented. It’s the responsibility of the government to ensure that its subjects aren’t faced with untold hardship, especially the ones that are avoidable.

        

The fuel scarcity that commenced prior to the 2017 Christmas period and is still taking place was not inevitable. It  suffices to assert that the Muhammadu Buhari – led administration possessed all the required muscles to ensure that such crisis did not occur let alone transcending to several weeks.

       

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) was not set up to function as a ceremonial body. Hence, I’m still pondering why it couldn’t reiterate the riot act to the petroleum marketers. There is no marketer that could afford to see his filling stations being sealed till further notice, thus it is disheartening that they were allowed to operate like emperors thereby relegating normalcy to the background. No rational mind in the country would cease to wonder if these tycoons have grown beyond the extant laws, that, they can never experience sanctions.

       

It’s not unusual that in every festive season in Nigeria likewise most other countries, the quantity demand for goods and services are expected to increase, hence that of PMS wouldn’t be an exception. This is usually so because at such period, the human population increases owing to the fact that most citizens residing abroad use it to once again visit their respective homes in order to celebrate with their family members and loved ones.

       

Down the line, President Buhari also disclosed his administration’s determination to revive the country’s moribund railway system as well as resuscitate 25 major highways across the federation. From the message, most of the proposed capital projects are likely to be completed by the year 2021. This implies that the implementation of the projects is expected to continue even after the termination of his tenure come 2019, peradventure he couldn’t make it for a second time.

       

The above message is an indication that most of these initiatives might end up being white elephant projects since successive governments are often fond of the habit of abandoning any ongoing project they met on board. In view of this, since the projects in question are already captioned in the 2017 and 2018 budgets, I would advise we aptly channel all the budgeted funds to these laudable projects with a view to ensure that they are completed within the remaining phase of the president’s reign. We are not unaware that government is a continuum but we are equally aware that most prospective leaders don’t apparently believe in continuity, hence the need for this administration to take all of its capital projects as priority.

       

The president further mentioned the lingering instability of electricity supply. He stated that Nigeria could presently boast of 7000MW. According to him, as at 8^th December 2017, 5155MW was realized. He further disclosed that 240MW would be added in 2018 via Private Investment Partnership.

       

It’s really appalling that a country that can boast of over 170 million persons is still anticipation 240MW in addition to the current 7000MW whilst a nation like Ghana that is not up to five states in Nigeria as regards both landmass and population could presently boast of over 70,000MW of electricity. This shows that what is required of the Nigeria’s power sector is total overhaul, and this must begin by getting a better hand to handle the concerned ministry. It’s therefore needless to state unequivocally that reshuffling the president’s cabinet is long overdue.

        

President Buhari equally talked about the ongoing debate on restructuring. He said, ‘our problems are more to do with process than structure’. With all due respect, I beg to disabuse his Excellency of this belief. There are various structural plights faced by Nigeria and Nigerians that are yearning for urgent attention. For instance, it would be deceitful for anyone to think that the dual-legislative system practised by the country is not bureaucracy, hence does not need to be reviewed. It’s also insensitive for one to say that the country’s geo-political (zonal) structure is balanced.

       

Lastly, Mr. President told us that the APC-led government had ‘since beaten Boko Haram’. It’s only a dummy that wouldn’t concur with the assertion that the dreaded terrorist sect had been combated significantly by the present administration. However, it would be ridiculous to inform Nigerians that the Boko Haram had been defeated completely. Recently, the Nigeria’s Council of State approved the FG’s proposal to withdraw a whopping sum of one billion dollars from the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) to tackle terrorism. So, how do we reconcile these?

       

The Niger-Delta menace alongside kidnapping was also captioned, but it was saddening that the president failed to inform us on his administration’s approach towards ending the lingering Fulani herdsmen conundrum that is ostensibly ravaging the entire country.  We can’t claim ignorance of the fact that the herdsmen quagmire remains the only ubiquitous security challenge in the country.

       

Though Mr. President may have given a well articulated New Year resolution, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that critical sectors such as, but not limited to, education, health, solid mineral and power are still lying fallow. Think about it!   

 

 Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador

 

             

Opinion I Essence Of New Year Resolution

ESSENCE OF NEW YEAR RESOLUTION

       

Never give up on something you really want; it’s difficult to wait but worse to regret. Mind you, as your urge or quest remains persistent towards actualizing your goal, courtesy demands that you take a second look of the goal in question and ascertain how worthy it would be to possess such thing because a worthless thing doesn’t worth waiting for.

        

In the same vein, as you wait to receive your heart desire, you are also expected to reconsider the kind of life you live and see if it’s worth living, or if such life can be of help towards attaining your desired height because most of the lives we live don’t deserve worthwhile goals.

       

Few weeks ago, I was privileged to be in the midst of a certain group in Calabar, Cross-River State that was debating the significance of being steadfast in one’s pursuit towards success. I was listening with keen interest. So, along the line, the members of the group got confused and derailed as regards their sense of judgement. I candidly used the avenue to educate them on the real essence of steadfastness or persistence and what is expected of someone who embraces it. And at the end of the discussion, they unanimously appreciated my concern.

       

Persistence, according to the context of this edition, simply means the act at which one continues to do something with determination in spite of difficulty or opposition. But we must note that, there are certain questions we’re required to ask ourselves whenever we persist to do or expect something.

        

First and foremost, you must ask yourself how useful and relevant would that thing be to your person and what impact would it bring on the people around you. Thus, in anything you do, you’re not meant to consider only yourself but others as well. This is so because, if people around you are down by anything, it would in one way or the other affect you negatively.

        

Secondly and most importantly, you’re meant to ensure that the life you live deserves what you are anticipating. This might sound a bit vague but the fact remains that, most lifestyles we possess do not deserve to behold the fruit of most of our aspirations. In other words, if you really want something good, bear it in mind that nature requires something good in return prior to the procurement of that which you expect or want; and don’t forget, no one has ever cheated nature. Therefore, you can never cheat nature; rather, the reverse would be the case. Let’s ride on!

       

Let’s I forget, we are discussing the prime essence of New Year resolution. To start with; abiding by the context of this very episode, a resolution in a concise term is a firm decision taken by someone to do, or not do, something. The decision is usually taken by someone at the beginning of any calendar year, precisely on the first day of January or just prior to the said moment. It suffices to say that it is expected to come up at the beginning of any odyssey.

       

Many people see the above phenomenon as a worthwhile scenario. On the contrary, several others despise it. But the most appalling and devastating aspect of the phenomenon is the situation whereby most persons merely take the decision without sticking to what the so-called decision requires from them in return.

        

To such set of individuals, their expectations can come without any input. I wonder why they would be of the notion that a certain farm can yield an output if the farmer fails to follow up the various crops cultivated in it. After cultivation, so many other farming activities invariably follow suit before harvest would set in.

         

Frankly speaking, New Year resolution is a worthwhile and wholesome gesture required by mankind regardless of age, status, background or religious affiliation. It is a point in our respective lives at which we are expected to make a U-turn or reconsider our lives so far with a view to discovering where that ought to be amended and where we are meant to sustain. This is the reason the great philosopher, Socrates of the blessed memory said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” And I strongly concur with the theory.

         

Having examined our lives, we are expected to take a very firm and tangible decision that would enable us sustain the worthy part, as well as amend the porous aspect of it. The decision in question is meant to be seen as an oath, hence the need for it to be kept sacred. No doubt, keeping the decision sacred would fortify us and enable us actualize our anticipated goals as planned.

      

Having acknowledged the essence of resolutions, at this juncture I enjoin us to sincerely embrace a genuine New Year resolution as we embrace another long awaited year (2018). I bet, you would be glad you did. If you stick to your resolutions as long as the journey lasts, you would surely live to testify how effective and efficient the tool is.

       

The truth is, as earlier stated, no one is exempted when it calls for New Year resolution. For instance, if you are a student, this the apt time for you to tell yourself the gospel truth; the moment to desist from cheating if you have been indulging in it; the period to tell yourself that your future lies right in your hands. Hence, it is the time to review all you have been into since you secured admission into the institution with a view to making adjustment where need be. This must be done diligently and genuinely.

       

I am sure we wouldn’t wish to wait till next century before abiding by it? It’s noteworthy that the ball is right in your court. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador  

 

 

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
________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador

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

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador

 

 

 

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

__________________________________

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

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com
Follow me: @mediambassador