The monster called Politics

THE MONSTER CALLED POLITICS
I’ve taken my precious time to read the world; and I’ve also taken time to undergo a research in respect to what most people of the world indulge in or enjoy doing. On the other hand based on my recent investigation and thorough study, I’ve come to realize that Africa in particular as a continent is quite different from others with regard to politics.
Surely, the content of today’s edition won’t be just a fancy fact, but a pro-active and challenging fancy fact. In spite of the challenging nature of the edition, I’m optimistic that it would be a very fruitful one.
Mind you, anything that comes up in this very edition has to do with my individual observation and research, therefore shouldn’t be tagged as a collective effort. Thus, you’re expected to come up with any reaction, be it individual or collective, in regard to this; that is, any subsequent opinion as regards this topic would be welcomed. For those of you on social media, you can channel your reactions through our official facebook page “Fancy Facts” or you can follow us on twitter @fdnnwaozor. You can also join us on my official blog http://frednwaozor.blogspot.com, and you would be glad you did.
Penultimate week, Wednesday to be precise, a bosom friend of mine who has been residing in Germany for three years now called me on phone at exactly 6:32 a.m to share a certain view with me. After exchange of pleasantries, before he began he first and foremost commended my Google blog by stating that it’s a very educative and informative institute. He started by telling me that the African Union (AU) as a bloc has been parading itself as a united body with only one language despite the fact that even a-day old child could see from afar that it’s a union where series of factions can be found. He further stated that with his thirty six (36) months experience in Europe, he had arrived at a conclusion that the AU can never withstand or be of any comparison with the European Union (EU) in terms of oneness/unity. According to him, in respect to unity the two aforementioned unions have a great dichotomy between them whenever the issue of bloc is being mentioned. At this juncture, I urged him to throw more light or lay more emphasis on his observation. He finally said that if it were in Europe, what transpired in Egypt recently wouldn’t had taken place with the view that the members of the EU would have done something to prove to the world that they are not just together but one family. The discussion lasted for several minutes after which I asked him to always feel free and register more views/opinions in subsequent times, and he gladly obliged and promised to do exactly as I said.
Well, that was a digression. Maybe I ought to be apologizing for digressing. Notwithstanding, our topic remains “The monster called politics.”
A monster is a large imaginary creature that is very frightening. Most of us may see it as a harsh critique for tagging politics as a monster. But far from it, I’ve a very cogent and realistic reason for doing that. I would advise you to go with only the fact that accompanies the critique and never mind the individualism in order to embrace peace among us.
Yes, it’s no longer news that politics is as old as the world, if not older. I also wish to use this avenue to inform you that without politics as an institution, there wouldn’t have been leadership. Thank God we all are aware that a society would never develop if leadership is not invoked. Summarily, politics remains the threshold of any existing society.
On the contrary, I’m of the view that politics which has done novel in our respective noble societies has as well put same societies in a state of jeopardy. One of my previous works which reads “Politics and Society: Interwoven heritage” had already said it all that, politics is not just a developmental instrument but also a menace to the society.
Take a good look at most of the ongoing societal bickering in all sectors or areas of life across the globe; you would find out that they are all due to politics. More so, all the wars, crises, massacres or wanton cruelty that have taken place in the past were as results of political instability.
Brethren, that politics as a profession or institution has been very helpful to our well-being shouldn’t make us myopic to embrace the fact that same useful instrument has been constituting these monstrous events. Truly without mincing words, politics is a monster; therefore remains a societal nightmare.
Above all, politics in Africa is more deadly than what’s happening in other parts of the universe because here is more of self-centredness, betrayal, sabotage, bullying, antagonism and above all bloodshed. Think about it!

COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
Social analyst & activist
_________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348099250401

Abuse of Power

ABUSE OF POWER IN AFRICA
Brethren, even if I lack the locus standi (legal right) to prosecute some persons/officials in our midst, I still strongly believe that I’ve some amount of immunity to justify any scenario taking place within my territory. In other words, most of us are naturally gifted with the initiative and prowess of putting up a judgement over any occurring drama or observation.
You will agree with me that in August 18, 2011; Justice Isa Ayo Salami was suspended as the President of the Court of Appeal by the National Judicial Council (NJC) when the body (NJC) found him guilty of gross misconduct following his refusal to apologize to former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu whom he accused of victimizing him for refusing to compromise a gubernatorial election dispute in Sokoto State. Subsequently, the Judicial body (NJC) immediately turned round to recall the principal judicial officer and recommended him to the presidency for reinstatement without stating any reason for the urgent recall. In its remark, the NJC said that it’s within its constitutional powers to recall and reinstate any justice of the court of appeal and does not require the President’s consent. Come to think of it; if truly the presidential immunity was not required or that they don’t owe the presidency any reason whatsoever for the recall, why should they find it difficult to understand that the public opinion/view is of high importance in any action that is meant to be taken by the body.
More so; few weeks ago, the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan granted a presidential pardon to the convicted former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alsmieyeseigha and the ex-Managing Director of the Bank of the North, Mr. Shettima Bulama among others based on the decision taken by the Council of State. The bitter and controversial side of the story is that such decision was taken without minding or considering the anticipatory reactions of the congress/public. This means that the action was taken out of personal interest. The funniest part was that, the former was extricated while the United Kingdom (UK) was still seeking for his extradition to the country (UK) to be tried for a crime he allegedly committed.
On the other hand; some days ago, Monday March 25 to be precise, one of the banner headlines of The Punch newspaper reads, “Akpabio admits rigging primary election”. The inside of the page 8 of the paper stated that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio confessed that he manipulated the result of the 2007 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial primary election in the State by single-handedly replacing the winner with the name of his preferred candidate. Based on what the said paper wrote; the governor said that the manipulation was necessary in order to give the people of Ikono and Ini LGAs a sense of belonging. According to him, the people of the aforementioned LGAs, the area where the present serving senator, Sen. Aloysius Etok comes from, had not produced a senator since 1960 till 2007. Notwithstanding, even if the group in question was yet to produce a senator, does it call for rigging; and if truly that rigging was imposed as published, must it be confessed to the public hearing? What impunity begotten by extreme immunity!
Apart from the above anomalies, many similar phenomena have been lingering on the socio-political rostrum of most countries in the African continent. Such phenomenon has become a recurring decimal that one cannot just fathom the number of times it takes place on a weekly basis. In recent time, it seems as if Nigeria has suddenly become the engine room of such non-social act.
The public office holders or the political leaders in Nigeria should endeavour to live up to the expectations of their subjects. They ought to learn how to carry the entire public along in their respective scheme of works or obligations. For sanity or effective and efficient democratic system to be actualized in the Nigerian state and that of other African nations, the rule of law or due process must be properly adhered to; and the congress/public opinion must as well not be left out.
Nigeria as a country is of age; thus, she’s old enough to know her right from her left. She ought not to be deceived herself. Therefore, she and her children which Fred Nwaozor is inclusive must endeavour to tell themselves nothing but the truth. Fifty three (53) years as an independent nation and hundred (100) years as an entity is enough numerals that can ascertain a concrete/critical evolution. Think about it!

COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
Social analyst & activist
_________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348099250401

The Venture called Marriage

     THE VENTURE CALLED MARRIAGE

         Even the aroma of faeces might appear pleasant to a pregnant woman, likewise that of mud. On the contrary, we’re of the view that such scents are offensive to mankind. Nevertheless, the aforementioned phenomenon is natural and circumstantial too.

        In a more similar note; a member of a certain elite confroternity may at a given circumstance act crazy or abnormal which ought to be considered as an aberration going by the modus operandi of the group. Notwithstanding, such state of abnormality exhibited by a member of the group cannot change the name or seize the existence of such group since we all are aware that change remains the only constant factor in existence. After all, a similar incidence just took place at the Rivers State House of Assembly on the July 9 to be precise. And many alike events have also transpired at the Apex parliamentary group in the country, both in the lower and upper chambers.

       Take for instance; some days ago, I was suffering from migraine which resulted to a high level of apathy, and I decided to consult my doctor as usual. Having undergone the consequential diagnosis as recommended by the doctor, the result read malaria parasite two pluses. After all the prescription of the doctor, I was informed by him that I would be placed on drip but I declined the offer considering how long I presumed I was going to spend in the hospital in the name of being placed on a drip. Therefore I asked him to seek for an alternative. So funny indeed! Though the doctor understood my plight and on that note, he prescribed an alternative therapy. But on the following day, I told myself that I acted crazy for objecting the recommendation of a medical expert unlike me.

        Nevertheless the bone of contention is that, at a certain circumstance we might be subjected to a state of madness just like in the case of a pregnant woman that is likely to adore every malodorous aroma around her.

       Lest I forget, today’s edition reads, “The venture called marriage.” I ought to commence with the basic definition of a marriage.

       Marriage, in a concise term, is the formal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. In other words, it’s a combination or an amalgamation of two persons to form a couple.

       Brethren, if we must be sincere to ourselves then everyone would agree with me on the view that marriage as an institution is as old as the world. Without mincing words, it’s quite pathetic and disgusting to see that this very institution which I tagged as sacred has been greatly abused by mankind because we failed to understand the fact that, it’s a venture.

       If I may ask; what’s a venture? A venture is an activity or a project which is new, exciting but difficult; and which involves the risk of failure. Let’s ride on!

       Yes, as soon as one indulges in a marriage, he/she just initiated a new project/activity and such project is expected to be exciting to both parties because each of them has been longing to embark on the project therefore it should be tagged as a long awaited project. But it’s sympathetic to realize that the parties involved always fail to acknowledge the fact that such project is a very difficult one to deal with and ought to be expected to be risky.

       The most disheartening aspect of marriage is that, sometimes you see a certain couple competing with or posing as a rival to another couple all in the name of “We’re in a race.” For crying out loud, marriage is neither a competition nor a battle field. No trophy awaits any couple in regard to the successes recorded by it.

       Above all, you don’t get married because others or all / most of your mates have gotten married. You must be prepared for the venture. And, the stepping stone to such preparation is getting hold of a suitable partner.

        Because we’ve failed to understand that marriage is a difficult and risky project, that’s why we keep on encountering various predicaments in our respective homes. To be sincere and frank, marriage is all about successes and failures. And in most cases, the latter might supersede the former. I must tell you this; there’s no home that’s perfect, or there’s no home that encounters success all through. This is why we must learn to inculcate the needed ingredients in this venture; and they are perserverance, understanding, optimism/faith and above all, love.

        I categorically stated it in the previous edition which I tagged as “The mystery called love” that we were yet to comprehend the true meaning of love. And that wasn’t a mistaken critique. I repeat, there’s no two definitions of love; take it anywhere. And until we understand this very fact, we shall continue to encounter series of problems in our marriages.

        What I’m saying in essence is this; both parties involved must ensure they are in love with each other before embarking on such risky project. It’s only love that would fortify both of you whenever tribulation or temptation sets in.

        Please brethren, we should endeavour to embrace the above fact so we won’t display madness even when it’s not called for. Don’t forget, there’s no easy avenue to embrace heavens; even the saints would tell you this.

         Mind you, the validity of the venture in question remains the whole life-span of the participant. In other words, it’s regarded as an eternal institution, thus, must be handled with absolute carefulness. Think about it!

COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

 Social analyst & activist

_____________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

      +2348099250401