Opinion I Imo Government, The Church And Imolites

IMO GOVERNMENT, THE CHURCH AND IMOLITES

        

The last time I checked, there was a perceived rift between the Imo State Government led by Governor Rochas Okorocha and the Catholic communion in the state’s capital under the leadership of Archbishop Anthony Obinna.

       

The difference seemed to have emanated penultimate month from a certain burial ceremony that held in the state, precisely Owerri North LGA. In the said event, Archbishop Obinna was reportedly spotted in the church lamenting over all the perceived ill activities being carried out by the Gov. Okorocha-led government otherwise known as the ‘Rescue Mission’ Administration.

         

In a swift reaction to the lamentations, the governor’s allies therein allegedly assaulted the clergy. It’s noteworthy that the Archbishop had afterwards publicly refuted the rumour that his person received an assault from the aides of the state’s number one citizen. Notwithstanding, the spokesman of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese in the person of Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu, on his own accord, insisted that his principal was actually assaulted.

         

I could not reconcile the two distinct public speeches separately given by the religious leader and his subject. The two different press statements were obvious indication that someone somewhere was trying to play prangs on the people. Please, don’t get my assertion twisted, because the truth of the matter remains that something is definitely missing somewhere.

        

However, some concerned Imolites have opined that the archbishop’s press release was not unconnected with the clergy’s intent to forestall likely societal upheaval or chaos. In other words, he might have foresaw that an uproar would ensue if he aligned with the report that he was assaulted, or even insulted, by the protégés of the Imo Governor.

        

At this point, I wish to candidly ask; who is really misinforming who? How could the archbishop clarify the people that he was never assaulted and his ally would on the other hand disqualify his boss’ notice? I’m still trying to fathom what exactly went wrong.

       

Be it as it may, I want to sincerely analyze what transpired in the church during the aforementioned burial ceremony. It was gathered that the archbishop, having aired his view, handed the microphone over to a certain politician believed to be of the extraction of the opposition political platform, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). And the political juggernaut therein began to pour out series of criticisms targeted to the APC-led government right before the congregation as well as the lying corpse.

        

When I got the news, I didn’t hesitate to ascertain if a requiem Mass was in the long run converted to a political gathering. How could a place designated for last respect to be paid to a deceased person be eventually used for political jamboree? Honestly, if I were the person in the casket, I would have without much ado become a living being just for the purpose of descending on whosoever that derailed in the process, because such a gesture was a slap on the soul  of the deceased.

         

I won’t hesitate to declare that the governor’s supporters equally derailed on that fateful day. How could an individual in his/her right senses think of insulting an ordained man of God let alone making it public? Such attitude of theirs was an eyesore, to assert the least. Even if the archbishop wasn’t assaulted as claimed, the fact remains that there was an attempt to abuse his priesthood.

         

No matter the provocation, a conspicuous attempt to humiliate an anointed individual is enough reason to scold whosoever that thought of such an act talk less of displaying it. Anyone who fails to condemn such manner of retaliation in its entirety is actually concealing evil, hence deserves to be scolded too. The best thing they could have done at that point was to leave the scene if they were really hurt. After all, two wrongs do not make a right.

        

Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that this piece was not informed by some persons’ quest to aggravate the perceived existing rift between the church and the state’s government; rather, was necessitated by the need to mediate between the ‘warring’ parties with a view to bringing an everlasting end to the ongoing uncalled melodrama.

        

I’ve chosen to remain mute all these while because I don’t like to speak or react when many are still talking. No matter how long it took my pensive pen to react, the fact is that I cannot claim ignorance of such serious issue trending in a state in which I’m a stakeholder. It suffices to say that I’m bound to do the needful whenever such a matter comes into play; and the needful is to play the role of a mediator come rain come shine.

         

Hence, at this juncture, I’m earnestly appealing to all concerned to endeavour to sheath their sword. What Imo need right now is to face a subject matter that would usher in nothing but absolute oneness. The people of the state are already divided owing to political interests, thus we shouldn’t harbour anything that could bring further division among us. The Eastern heartland is at the moment seriously in search of harmony and peaceful coexistence among her people.

        

Everyone or any human creature is arguably an affiliate of the church. This is the reason anything that affects the church, in one way or the other, equally affects the human race. So, we wouldn’t want the church to be aggrieved with the government because we cannot cope with her ‘venom’ which she may vomit when pushed to the wall.

       

All in all, not minding who had wronged who at the burial ceremony, or so far, I enjoin the governor to swallow his pride towards ensuring that an unalloyed apology is tendered on behalf of his allies or the government in general. This is the best way a formidable harmony can be actualized among every party involved. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

                 

Opinion I Death Sentence For Hate Speech?

DEATH SENTENCE FOR HATE SPEECH?

         

As days unfold, it seems every political leader in Nigeria is deeply concerned about how all sorts of deviant acts would be tactically flushed out of the country’s system in its entirety. This is perhaps the reason different forms of bills pertaining to criminality or social deviance won’t cease to flood our various lawmaking chambers, both at the federal and state levels.

         

Presently, in the National Assembly (NASS), there is a certain bill lying on the floor of the hallowed chamber that’s targeted at ending every kind of ‘hate speech’, which is at the moment the order of the day mainly on the new media platform otherwise referred to as the social media. It’s being sponsored by the Spokesman of the Red Chamber, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi.

         

The bill, which seeks establishment of an ‘Independent National Commission for Hate Speech’ that would enforce hate speech laws across the country as well as advise the federal government in that regard, if passed into law, shall grant a ‘not less than five-year jail term or a fine of not less than N10 million, or both, for offences such as harassment on the grounds of ethnicity or racial contempt.

          

Among other prescriptions captured in the amazing bill, it’s further advocating that upon conviction, hate speech offenders ought to face the hangman’s noose; meaning literally that a convicted culprit shall be facing a death sentence via hanging. The particular clause that’s seeks capital punishment actually concerns hate speech that resulted in the death of someone.

        

This bill if eventually signed into law, will unequivocally be in disagreement with Section 39 (1) of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, that allows freedom of expression. The said section empowers Nigerians to freely hold opinions as well as receive and impart ideas cum information without interference. Hence, the NASS probably is equally thinking of how to amend this very section.

         

Criminalizing an activity – free speech – that showcases the true mark of any democratic terrain is enough indication that the people we elected to represent us have abruptly turned against our collective existence. The truth is that, the so-called hate speech does not in any way deserves to be tagged a criminal act let alone warranting a death sentence.

         

It’s mind boggling that this is happening at a time every bloc across the globe, particularly the United Nations (UN), is seriously condemning prescription of capital punishment as a penalty for any kind of conviction whatsoever; at an era when rational thinkers consider such type of sentence as barbaric and archaic; at a period various civil societies are advocating life imprisonment as the greatest punishment to be served by any court of law irrespective of the nature of the offence.

        

The reason life sentence should be preferred to that of death has overtime been made clear. One might be erroneously sentenced, thus if such person is serving a life imprisonment, the judgement could be revisited in the long run when an authentic alibi, or as may be the case, is eventually tendered to the court that convicted him/her. Hence, it’s retrogressive for any legislature to advocate capital penalty at this 21^st century.

         

Besides, it’s baffling to acknowledge that till date, our revered legislators are yet to sponsor a bill that would prescribe the hangman’s noose upon conviction as regards a case involving looting. It’s indeed amusing, to assert the least, that this set of elected officers we look up to is still finding it difficult to align with our notion that looters ostensibly deserve capital punishment if convicted.

         

Why would someone who indulge in an act (looting) that could render thousands of Nigerians jobless and equally results in untimely death of several others be allowed to walk freely and boldly on the streets, but one who expresses his/her feelings or opinions toward the country’s leaders, or public servants in general, would be meant to serve a death sentence? How do we reconcile this? If your thought is as good as mine, then you will agree with me that the bill in question is simply controversial, hence doesn’t merit a second hearing let alone passing it.

        

Time has obviously arrived for us to start placing priorities in all our doings concerning governance. Our continuous misplacement of ‘scale of preference’ virtually in our everyday activity remains one of the basic reasons we often times move aback when expected to drive ahead. The collective yearnings of the people shouldn’t be shortchanged for our individual interests.

       

I’m as well using this medium to urge Nigerians as a people to be much focused whenever they are seeking governance. We ought not to allow our personal hatred for a certain public servant override our collective quest for good leadership. It’s more disturbing when realized that even the leaders seemingly don’t like themselves, thus on a daily basis, display speeches that bear hatred in the name of acting in opposition.

        

As much as I’m in support of the NASS’ dogged move to eradicate the so-called hate speech among Nigerians, it’s also worth noting that such movement isn’t meant to erode the fundamental rights of the people. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador            

      

            

Opinion I JAMB, Ongoing Melodrama And The EFCC

JAMB, ONGOING MELODRAMA AND THE EFCC

         

In the first Nollywood play pertaining to crime titled ‘Rattle snake’, it was one of the characters named Peter that referred the protagonist, Ahanna who happened to be his bosom friend to as ‘snake’ when the latter indulged himself in a certain criminal act.

       

The sobriquet was informed by a weird behaviour displayed by Ahanna in order not to be apprehended. The play, which was reportedly based on true life story, is reckoned to be a product of one of the best scripts ever written in the Nigeria’s movie industry.

         

This arguably implies that in some occasions, a human being could act not unlike a living snake. I can’t concur less with the assertion that emanated from the movie because I’ve personally come to realize that in our respective individual endeavours, we sometimes prefer to conceal our real features; an attitude which is similar to that of a snake.

         

As I dispassionately write on the above subject matter that mentions snake, I can’t help but deeply recall the aforementioned play that was produced over twenty decades ago. In the second week of February 2018, precisely on the 10^th, the news went viral that some proceeds amounting to about N36 million were allegedly swallowed by a ‘snake’ in the office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) situated in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

         

It would be recalled that in the past, applicants had to purchase scratch cards from JAMB state offices and other designated centres across Nigeria, to enable them gain access to the Board’s website for either registration or to check their admission status. But the reforms newly introduced by the current JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede put an outright end to the use of scratch cards.

        

Hence, a team of auditors was recently dispatched to different state offices of the JAMB to take inventory of the sold and unsold scratch cards as well as recover whatever money that might have either been generated or squandered during the period of the sale of scratch cards. Intriguingly, on their visit to the Makurdi office, the sales clerk Mrs. Philomina Chieshe disclosed that she could not account for the aforesaid amount, which she made in previous years before the abolition of scratch cards in 2016.

         

The clerk claimed that her housemaid connived with another JAMB officer called Mrs. Joan Asen to ‘spiritually’ steal the proceeds from the vault in the accounts office. According to her, Mrs. Asen and her accomplices had confessed that they had been stealing from the proceeds through a mysterious snake that usually sneaked into the vault to swallow the money.

       

The bilious and actionable confession angered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) just as it did to other well-meaning Nigerians, hence the agency swiftly swing into action. Just  penultimate week – on Tuesday 6^th March 2018, which marked three weeks after the incident, the same Mrs. Chiesha upon the EFCC’s interrogations, eventually made a u-turn, revealing that the missing money was collected piecemeal by her coordinator Mr. Samuel Umoru.

        

She further tendered painstaking statistics, with dates, on how the withdrawals were made by her in line with the directives of the superior staff. The EFCC had reportedly verified the alleged withdrawals and afterwards arrested Mr. Umoru. At this point, it’s needless to state that every concerned Nigeria cannot wait to see how this intriguing melodrama would end, especially as it is under the control of the revered EFCC.

         

Whether the proceeds were mysteriously swallowed by a snake or embezzled by a human being, the fact remains that some snakes made away with the money. And in this case, Mrs. Chiesha ought to be regarded as a first-class ‘snake’. Of course, for her to have initially cooked up the story of a mysterious creature – be it in a sober mood or under the influence of anything whatsoever – makes her the most culpable individual in the ongoing melodrama.

         

This indicted theatre involving the JAMB does not deserve any pity in any way if the needful must be done. A holistic scrutiny needs to be conducted towards ascertaining why in the first place a ‘feat’ allegedly recorded by a human was credited to an animal. The opaque scenario must be unravelled headlong by the anti-graft agency or anybody involved. I still strongly believe that there’s more to the story than we can presently see.

         

It’s now conspicuous that corruption is seriously fighting back as was earlier alleged by the present government led by President Muhammadu Buhari. If not, how on earth could a public servant in his/her right senses anywhere in Nigeria think of squandering a whooping sum of N36m or thereabouts and when interrogated, would summon the courage to get the whole story twisted in spite of the ongoing war against graft?

         

It’s noteworthy that barely a few days after the Benue saga, yet another N26m was discovered missing in the JAMB office situated in Nasarawa State. It was gathered that the former Coordinator of the jurisdiction was responsible for the alleged embezzlement. The indicted officer whose name was simply given as Tanko, having confessed to the crime, claimed that the unsold scratch cards in his custody were burnt when he was involved in an auto crash.

        

All these, which reportedly transpired prior to the emergence of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, are strong indications that the said financial measure fully implemented by the President Buhari’s administration in the country’s public service is a welcome development thus ought to be sustained at all cost.

        

As Prof. Oloyede’s audit team uncovers these mysterious snakes that had long been hidden in various JAMB offices, there’s a compelling need for each of them to be tactically caught with a red-hot cage by the EFCC with a view to extracting their venoms without much ado. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

               

Opinion I As Bishop Okpaleke Bows Out In Grand Style

AS BISHOP OKPALEKE BOWS OUT IN GRAND STYLE

        

The last time I checked, Bishop Peter Okpaleke had graciously tendered his resignation, which implies that he’s not anymore meant to be regarded as the Head of the Ahiara Catholic Diocese situated in the ancient Mbaise nation. It’s noteworthy that the abrupt action was not unconnected with the series of endless controversies experienced by the said clergy since inception of office.

        

The Papacy under the watch of Pope Benedict XVI had upon the demise of Bishop Victor Chikwe – the immediate past and pioneer bishop of the Ahiara Diocese – approved the nomination of a Catholic priest, Rev. Peter Okpalaeke who hails from Awka in Anambra State to serve as the bishop of the diocese. Amazingly, the named clergy was outrightly rejected by virtually all the Catholic faithful in the diocese, stating that the favoured priest did not possess the required qualities to super-head the communion.

        

One of their reasons was that Rev. Okpalaeke does not hail from Mbaise. According to them, it was a grievous blunder for the Pope not to find anyone among over seven hundred (700) Catholic priests of Mbaise origin worthy to serve as the bishop of the Ahiara Diocese. They equally lamented that Rev. Okpalaeke does not speak a dialect that could be comprehended by the members of the diocese, thus could not be ordained to lead them.

          

Notwithstanding, the appointed clergy was eventually ordained amidst the protest. Owing to the unwelcoming attitude of the aggrieved worshippers, the ordination took place outside the Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral of the Ahiara Diocese – Agbala in Owerri North LGA precisely – amid tight security. It was the first time in the history of the Catholic communion a prospective bishop would be ordained at a venue situated outside the diocese he was supposed to oversee.

        

It’s worth noting that after the ordination, the rebellion became more intense. Since then, the seat has been apparently hot for the innocent Bishop Peter Okpaleke who has mostly been operating from the Diaspora. In spite of the order from the Pope, instructing the Catholic faithful in the diocese to unanimously sheathe their swords, the people remain hell-bent towards ensuring that their own becomes the bishop of the diocese.

        

In a recent communiqué from the Papacy under the reign of Pope Francis I, precisely on 8^th June 2017, having received a delegation from the Ahiara Diocese, all members of the diocesan clergy – including the priests and deacons – were given 30 days ultimatum to personally write the Vatican pledging their unflinching obedience to the Pope and unconditionally accepting Bishop Okpalaeke.

        

Based on the directive, those who failed to write would be suspended a ‘divinis’, which would prohibit such priest or deacon from administering any of the sacraments save for a clergy hearing the confession of a person in danger of death, and would equally be removed from their posts.

        

It’s mind-boggling and indeed ridiculous to realize that the religious extremism, which could best be described as amusing and irrational, wasn’t only ignited and fueled by the laity council in the diocese but rather has the full support of most of the Catholic priests from the area who are expected to be more informed regarding the Catholic extant custom.

        

Ever since the melodrama began, I chose to be mindful of my utterances in the public domain thereby making my person seemed not unlike a mere onlooker, knowing fully well that issues pertaining to religion are highly sensitive and delicate, hence ought to be handled as such. My muteness continued unabated not until penultimate year when I thought it wise to wake from the slumber having keenly observed that the incidence was liable to degenerate into an untold crisis if it failed to receive an apt attention. In view of that decision, I objectively wrote a piece titled ‘the trending intriguing politics in Ahiara Diocese’.

        

Lest I forget, two factors ab initio made me not to be too surprised or shocked over the lingered altercation in Ahiara Diocese. One of them was that I grew up to understand that religion harbours politics. Since the world came into existence, the former has ceased to dissociate itself from the latter. Prior to the emergence of Pope Benedict XI (rtd.), what transpired therein made me draw a holistic conclusion that politics is arguably ubiquitous. If the above hypothesis as regards politics and religion holds water, then the Ahiara Diocese ought not to be an exception.

         

Another pertinent factor is the fact that the people of the Mbaise nation have been known for their unison. Mbaise as a people are so apparently united that they invariably, or do not hesitate to, act as a body whenever it calls for action. This remains a core feature outsiders envy about them. It’s then needless to assert that the ensued saga in Ahiara Diocese was an epitome of what the Mbaise nation represents. However, it’s worthy of note that sometimes a cause pursued vigorously in unison could be misleading and preposterous.

          

Though the apology letters were tendered by the concerned priests and members of the laity council as directed by the Papacy, the apparent war ceased to end afterwards. Among all, in spite of the countless reactions of the public coupled with various authorities cum stakeholders, the religious extremists remained hell bent towards actualizing their uncalled and weird quest.  

          

Hence, three weeks ago, the much-criticized Bishop Opkaleke who was consecrated in 2012 resigned, triggering mixed feelings among the Christendom in various quarters. The letter of resignation reads in part “I am convinced that my remaining the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese is no longer beneficial to the Church. I do not think that my apostolate in a diocese, where some of the priests and lay faithful are ill-disposed to have me in their midst, would be effective”. In response, an epistle said to have emanated from the Pontiff on 19^th February 2018, accepted the resignation in good faith.

          

In consequence to the latest development, the Pope appointed the Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Dr. Luciuos Ugorji as the Apostolic Administrator of the Ahiara diocese, pending when another substantive bishop would be consecrated to lead the Catholic communion.

         

As Bishop Okpaleke resigns in style, it would be needless to notify the Mbaise congregants that the Pope may decide not to deploy any other clergy as the Bishop of the diocese, and they are aware the implications of such decision if eventually taken by the Papacy. More so, the Supreme Pontiff might as well decide to merge the diocese with the Owerri Archdiocese where the affected worshippers initially belonged.

        

This among others is the reason they must be willing to accept any other appointee of the Papacy irrespective of his origin, because based on the doctrine of the Catholic Church, the latter may not succumb to the frivolous request of the former.

        

So inasmuch as I commend Bishop Okpaleke for taking such a bold step for the interest of the Church of Christ, there’s a compelling need for the congregants to tread with caution and equally acknowledge that the church belongs to nobody. Think about it!   

      

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

 

 

ShortStory I Derailed Homosapien (II)

 

DERAILED HOMOSAPIEN (II)

       On their part, Mr. Adesokan’s colleagues who were seated at distant locations weren’t aware of what really went on or what was discussed between them, though they weren’t interested either since such meeting wasn’t unusual among teachers and students or mentors and mentees, as the case may be.

        Besides, being a new teacher, they were of the opinion that Mr. Adesokan needed to meet privately with some of his students, especially the serious-minded ones, to intimate him on the journey so far.

        The close relationship between Yetunde and Mr. Adesokan who was happily married with four kids – three males and a female – commenced as planned. It successfully metamorphosed into an intimate one, and continued unabated for several weeks to the extent that her fellow students became envious. She was obviously enjoying the togetherness.

        None of his colleagues, or any member of the school management, fathomed the actual motive that informed the closeness. When any of them decided to think otherwise, he or she would be beclouded or lobbied by a notion that the tutor in question was a very decent and respectable man.

        Subsequently, the intimacy became juicier to Yetunde that her innocent mindset never foresaw any pranks. It proceeded until one fateful day when her fantasies yielded a rude reality. On that fateful day, the awful but hidden truth dawned upon her person.

        On the aforesaid day, Yetunde paid a scheduled visit to Mr. Adesokan at a lodging spot. He had during the weekdays asked her to pay him a visit by the weekend, Saturday precisely, and she obliged. But he lied to her that she was coming to his family house; she was told that he wanted her to meet with his family especially his wife towards ensuring that she became a friend to not only him but his entire family.

        The moment the vulnerable creature arrived at the proposed venue for the meeting at about 3:15pm on Saturday, 11^th June 2011, she needed not an interpreter to notify her that she was within a hotel arena. Though she was initially nervous but was later consoled by a perceived presumption that the hotel could be just a place where her intended host wanted to receive her before proceeding to his family house to enable her locate the address with ease.

        The curiosity and perturbation continued till Mr. Adesokan majestically walked out of the bar where he was relaxing having received an alert from the august visitor via phone call, and signalled her to come over. As soon as she got to the point where he was standing, which was the main entrance to the bar, he ushered her into the building and took her to the position he was chilling with a bottle of stout beer.

       “My little angel.” he cheerily tendered. “You are really looking pretty and gorgeous.”

        She apprehensively replied with a smile.

      “Now I know,” he said. “The uniform I have been seeing you in has been hiding your real beauty.”

        His dubious compliment was not unlike pouring water on gravel. She wasn’t moved by it not even a bit.

      “Please have your seat.” He urged, smiling.

        The 14-year-old teen sluggishly sat on one of the seats sited at the corner, looking pale. “Have I been deceived?” She thought.

        Other guests, who were equally catching funs at the bar, were seated at strategic locations.

       “Pretty,” Mr. Adesokan who was putting on a pair of black jeans, blue T-shirt and brown lather slippers tenderly called. “You are not looking happy.” He observed.

         Yetunde who was clad in a pink skirt, white polo and ash sandals, slightly adjusted herself, still sceptical and quiet. She was chocolate, plump and tall, and unarguably a very pretty girl that her beauty could be felt by the blind.

        “What is wrong?” The predatory creature calmly enquired in false pretence.

        “Sir,” she called in a low tone. “I thought you said I was coming to meet your family?”

        “Yes, my dear,” he answered. “But…”

        “But what?” she curiously interrupted.

        “They travelled to the village yesterday.” he lied. “Something urgent came up.”

        “Okay ooh!” She grunted sceptically.

        “I’m sorry I didn’t inform you earlier.”

         After some minutes coupled with persuasion, she agreed to take a soft drink. In the long run, her host poured some of his drink into her glass and both drinks mixed instantly. He convinced her that the mixture was more appetizing and nourishing, although his sole intention was to drug her. Therein, she was cajoled into taking drink.

        When she became dizzy as a result of the concoction, he hastily took her to one of the hotel rooms, took off her wears and defiled her. Every action perhaps took place in accordance with his evil plan.

        One month later and incidentally the third term of their academic session, Yetunde took in. Prior to this phase, she never disclosed what transpired between her and Mr. Adesokan at the hotel to anyone. He had promised to shower her with gift items if she remained mute about the outing.

        When her parents noticed the abrupt weird idiosyncrasies she was displaying, her mother took her to a medical laboratory to confirm what was actually wrong with her. She consequently tested positive to pregnancy. The physician rightly informed the mother that her beloved daughter was four weeks pregnant.

        Thereafter, the parents exhorted her to tell them the truth about the unforeseen pregnancy, and she confessed. The young couple, who became devastated by the unthinkable revelation, trembled with rage.

        The moment the news got to her school, the derailed homosapien was outrightly suspended by the school authority, hence was issued with a query. He eventually received a sack letter from his employer, the government.

         Later on, the culprit was arrested by the police, and was charged to court for paedophilia, bestiality and attempted murder. He afterwards got a jail term.

        The rest is history, please.

         

Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

Opinion I As Dapchi Refreshes Chibok Memories

AS DAPCHI REFRESHES CHIBOK MEMORIES

        

For almost a decade now, insecurity – particularly insurgency – has remained a great challenge in the Nigeria’s polity. This is the reason the change agenda of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari is ostensibly anchored on three different sectors, security inclusive.

       

In spite of the thus far dogged effort of this government toward ending the ravaging effect of the world’s third dreaded terrorist sect, Boko Haram, it seems to the sight of the onlookers that a lot still needs to be done in the aspect of not just insurgency but security challenges at large.

       

It’s not anymore news that two weeks ago, precisely on Monday 19^th February 2018, a certain set of the Boko Haram members who were clad in military uniform, invaded the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College (GGSTC) situated in Dapchi village, Busari LGA, Yobe State around six O’clock in the evening and abducted 110 of the schoolgirls. It’s noteworthy that some of the students cum staff, who narrowly escaped from the boarding school before the mayhem, sustained various degrees of injuries.

         

Dapchi is about 100km North of Damaturu, the state’s capital territory, and until the incident, remained one major town that was yet to be attacked by the terrorists since the commencement of insurgency in the troubled region. This implies that a seemingly virgin locality was eventually located by the sect.

         

A convoy of fighters in pickup trucks labeled ‘Allahu Akbar’ reportedly descended on the area within the said time, targeting only the school. According to the report, when the troop stormed the village, they began shooting sporadically and setting off explosives. By so doing, residents were perhaps warned to steer clear of the targeted arena.

       

The attack on the school came four years after the Boko Haram’s audacious abduction of about 276 schoolgirls in Chibok town, Borno State – the state believed to be the headquarters of the sect. It was gathered that 57 of the abducted teenagers managed to escape over the next few months after the ordeal. The unpredictable event, which occurred in the midnight of 14^th April 2014, has hitherto remained a nightmare to all concerned – particularly parents of the abductees.

       

Though the Federal Government (FG) under the watch of President Buhari had through its organized effort enabled some of the kidnapped Chibok girls to regain their freedom, the fact that most of them are still held captive in the hands of the captors is enough reason to panic over the fate that recently befell the 110 Dapchi girls.

       

It’s imperative to take into cognizance that since 2009 till date, the Boko Haram group has left at least 20,000 Nigerians dead and equally rendered over 2.6 million homeless. The given statistics have overtime kept the teeming Nigerian citizens – both home and in the Diaspora – in disarray that many had been forced to sleep with one eye open.

        

It is more saddening that the Dapchi omen took place barely a few weeks after the Nigerian Army bragged publicly that the Boko Haram had been ‘completely defeated’. One might then wonder whether the sect was provoked by the army’s avowal. Of course, taking a critical study of the circumstance, every rational mind wouldn’t hesitate to insinuate that the abduction wasn’t unconnected with the boast.

        

The United Nations (UN) has swiftly condemned the disaster. Having reiterated the bloc’s solidarity and support to the Nigerian Government, the UN’s Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres who tendered the reaction via his Spokesperson Mr. Stephane Dujarric, described the operation as ‘another horrific incident’. I can’t concur less with the description.

         

Although the Presidency has in strong terms expressed shock as well as frowned over the abduction, the fact that Mr. President is yet to visit the scene of the incident does not portray a good image for the country’s seat of power. This could be linked to that of the Chibok that took the then president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan two weeks to extend a phone call to the Borno State government as was disclosed by the state’s governor, Kashim Shettima, let alone visiting the affected arena.

         

Our leaders must learn how to show a practical and drastic concern over unfortunate happenings within the jurisdiction they govern especially the ones directly connected with the people’s lives and/or property.

        

In a different development; it is uncalled for that while the citizenry – the opposition in particular – ought to be more concerned about how to tender advice or tactics towards rescuing the captives, they are rather busy trying to create a suitable adjective that could be used to qualify the incident just for the sole purpose of discrediting the current administration.

       

As the Dapchi omen refreshes memories of that of the Chibok, it’s needless to notify us that what transpired in either saga unleashed a colossal injury on us all, hence the need for any patriotic Nigerian to treat it as such instead of playing politics with it.

       

Thus, we must desist from looking for a way to actualize our cheap political motives in a situation that requires our collective sympathy and contribution. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador            

 

Opinion I Okorocha, Madumere, Nwosu And Their Ongoing Political Antics

OKOROCHA, MADUMERE, NWOSU AND THEIR ONGOING POLITICAL ANTICS

         
The last time I checked, the heat was conspicuously on in the Imo Political setting that even the deaf coupled with the blind could respectively hear and see it. This is currently the case in the state even though the campaign era is yet to be declared open by the electoral umpire.

         
I was duly taught in the past by one of my mentors that politics as a profession was survival of the fittest. According to the patriotic Nigerian, only those who had proven to be strong enough could compete fervently and favourably in any political tussle. I have fully come to realize where the fellow was actually coming from, thus seen tangible reason to concur with his theory.

         
Such an assertion could be aligned with the popular saying “politics is a dirty game”. Of course, for one to belong to the clique of the fittest, he must in one way or the other indulge himself in a seemingly nasty game that might deprive him/her the chances of earning a good name. Such a scenario isn’t fat-fetched in any political terrain across the globe.

          
Lest I digress; it’s noteworthy that this piece is solely informed by the ongoing trending in the Imo State political sphere as it concerns the state’s number one citizen, his amiable deputy as well as the leader’s Chief of Staff in the persons of Governor Rochas Okorocha, Prince Eze Madumere and Chief Uche Nwosu, respectively.

          
It’s not anymore news that the governor had publicly indicated his interest to support Chief Nwosu over his apparent ambition to run for the governorship position in the state come 2019. This implies that the latter whose aspiration is officially yet unborn, had ostensibly proven to the former that he possess all it takes to succeed him during the awaited interregnum.

         
In view of the above, some Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state under the auspices of the purported leadership of the affected councils had boldly and proudly taken a walk to the Imo Government House otherwise known as the ‘Douglas House’ with a view to informing the sitting governor that they had unanimously endorsed the said aspirant.

        
In the aforementioned outings, the Ogboko born leader appreciated the guests, and therein concurred with them that Chief Nwosu truly had all it required to move the state forward when he eventually bows out of the leadership saddle. He further opined that the aide in question had proven beyond doubts that he had no rival at the election ground.

       

It is worthy of note that Prince Madumere is equally apparently aspiring to succeed Gov. Okorocha. But, as it stands, it seems the governor is not in support of his second-in-command who had hitherto proven to be a true loyalist since the commencement of the Rescue Mission Administration. This difference between the duo has thus far succeeded in raising tremendous dust cum mixed feelings amid the overall faithful of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Eastern Heartland, thereby seemingly creating factions among them.

       

Just recently, a certain group gathered the members of the APC in Mbaitolu LGA, the area where the Deputy Governor hails from without disclosing the actual agendum that necessitated the call. When they were in the hall situated at the council headquarters Nwaorubi, which was the venue of the abrupt meeting, a notice filtered in that the aim of the gathering was mainly to endorse Chief Nwosu as the gubernatorial aspirant of the revered party, contrary to their perception that they were gathered to discuss some critical issues concerning the party. Against this backdrop, severe pandemonium reportedly ensued among the attendees.

         

As if that wasn’t enough, penultimate week, some groups from Ohaji/Egbema and Oru-West LGAs called on the governor at the Douglas House, stating that they had thrown their weight behind Chief Nwosu to vie for the number one seat in the state come 2019. In his response, the Ogboko born renowned politician having commended the august visit, disclosed to the guests that he would be vying for the Imo West Senatorial District seat in the Senate during the forthcoming general elections. In the same vein, he went further to inform that he would as well conscientize his deputy to consider running for that of Imo East Senatorial district.

        

By the governor’s avowal, it’s obvious that he is seeing Prince Madumere as a threat to Chief Nwosu’s ambition. In other words, he had made it clear that he wasn’t in support of the governorship aspiration of the Mbieri-born politician. This no doubt calls for serious concern when critically examined how the number-two citizen has ab initio remained explicitly loyal and reliable to the boss.

        

On his part, Prince Madumere who is ostensibly aggrieved over the unfortunate trending has reportedly insisted that he isn’t deterred by the governor’s persistent melodramas. This has made the game appear more nasty but comic in the sight of the teeming viewers of the scene. Sure, Prince Madumere’s determination to passionately continue with his ambition is enough indication that he has decided to be an independent thinker rather than allowing his principal think for him, which his countless fans and allies had apparently longed to witness.

        

At this juncture, considering the antics that have thus far been displayed, one would then wonder what the fate of the APC entails in the nearest future. The party’s loyalists may at this point be perturbed with the notion that the ongoing intrigues are likely to break the existing unity of the platform. Hence, it is pertinent for anyone who cherishes the governor as well as the party to advise the former the compelling need to embrace the drawing board towards averting any scene that would mar the integrity of the latter.

        

In my capacity as a stakeholder in Imo, I want to candidly enjoin the governor to pilot the affairs of the APC as a leader and father, and not like a mere floor member for his good, that of his teeming followers and the state at large. He is indisputably in charge of the ruling party in the state, thus expected by all to handle the family’s issues as such.  

        

Gov. Okorocha ought to note that if God has destined Prince Madumere to succeed him, there’s absolutely nothing anyone could do about it, hence the urgent need for the former not to treat the latter’s aspiration or feelings as that of nobody. Think about it!  

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador