Fire Outbreaks

HARMATTAN SEASON AND FIRE OUTBREAKS


Brethren, a good poet or a librettist would prefer to express a whole life story in a few words to compiling thousands of pages that would suit same expression/narration. On the other hand, a novelist would stop at nothing in using his/her prolific initiative/talent while putting up a certain ordeal or experience whenever he/she is being asked to do so. Whichever amongst the aforementioned styles/systems is invoked, the fact remains that creative ingenuity is being utilized.

Let’s put it this way; if a certain wrestler strongly believes in the work of consistent practice if he must remain a victor. And on the other hand, a full flesh boxer always goes for drugs to ascertain his victory. The fact behind the two distinct ideologies is that, both professionals/personnel acknowledge the efficacy of physical strength if victory must be ascertained. Thus, physical power is always utilized while struggling for victory, or if one wishes to be victorious. Summarily, two experts operating under the aegis of two similar professions respectively are definitely made up of two distinct talents or ideologies. Let’s ride on!

Wednesday penultimate week, 9th of January 2013 precisely, as soon as I woke up from sleep, one of my closest relatives in Awo-Omamma, my home town called to inform me that one of our family houses in the town in question had burned to ashes. Firstly, I urged her to be reasonable and speak like a decent lady she had always being with the extreme impression that she was clowning. Rather, regardless of my persuasion, she stood her ground and hurriedly asked me to be attentive and all ears to the notice she had for me. At this juncture, I needed not a prophet to interpret the fear I perceived from her voice, thus I suddenly felt like one who was electrocuted. The spirit of ebullience that was known to be my sole motivation varnished instantly. Without dishing out any word to express my dismay because I became a living corpse in subsequent to what I sensed from her voice, she proceeded by telling me that the incident took place in the previous night owing to what was suspected as a grievous carelessness exhibited by one of the tenants. I furiously tried to find out the actual cause of the disaster, and also, the tenant in question, but the informant dropped her call without adding any other word. Without taking my bath, I quickly got ready and began my journey to Awo-Omamma to see things for myself.

On reaching the scene of the incident, brethren, I cried like a baby and suddenly became dizzy due to what I saw from my panoramic view/sight. Even if one was yet to witness the scene, the echo of the pandemonium being produced by the victims and the spectators obviously signified that Rome was on fire, or has been brought down. To be precise, I found a huge outburst of emotion. The scenario was extremely disastrous; no pin was recovered. A 16-room bungalow coupled with two shops and other residential facilities was completely burned to ashes; even, metals were destroyed. I was yet to witness such fire outbreak since my mother begot me. But thank God, no live was lost.

Same day, similar incident took place at Apapa in Lagos State, and several lives and properties were maimed / destroyed. Also, few weeks ago penultimate month to be precise, one of the houses at Owerri belonging to a prominent personality and one of the traditional rulers in the State (Imo State) got burnt. Hundreds of similar incidence had occurred across the federation within the harmattan period.

The charred bits of burnt house at Awo-Omamma, Imo State - Nigeria


We’re discussing harmattan season and fire outbreaks. Harmattan season is a period of time in most tropical countries in which the soil becomes sandy and dusty, and the weather becomes cold accompanied with unusual breeze/air. On the other hand, fire outbreak is a sudden occurrence of fire in a certain place or arena. Most experts believe that harmattan is often accompanied with various human disasters, while some persons strongly believe that it’s a very favourable and human friendly season. These two distinct ideologies have constituted two different factions or groups among mankind. Respective of the existing ideologies, the fact remains that lives and property are in question.

Brethren frankly speaking, the demerit attached to harmattan season supersedes the merit. Even the fire outbreaks in question become more rampant and severe during the season due to the enormous breeze experience in it. Many theories have been discovered and several reactions were subsequently developed in respect to the above critique. But notwithstanding, the gospel truth is that harmattan season requires adequate and extreme carefulness from the concerned individuals because most of the ordeals experienced during the season are often due to carelessness of the immediate victim(s).

On the above note, we must try to apply absolute carefulness in whatever we do irrespective of the season we are into because carefulness is the only tool that ascertains healthy living and long life. Take for instance, most times you see people storing petrol or any other inflammable petroleum product(s) in their respective bedrooms. Some even go a long way keeping it directly under their bed. What ignorance! In fact, I don’t think this should be referred to as ignorance. It’s stupidity because there’s no a-day old child who is yet to know that inflammable materials/products are human unfriendly. On the other hand, there’s no child in this part of the world who is yet to be informed that most petroleum products are highly inflammable.

Apart from considering the circumstances that provoke fire outbreaks, we must also consider the actual origin/cause of the fire. In most cities or developed towns, landlords prohibit the use of candle light by the tenants. In the same vein, in most homes, the heads prohibit the use of gas-cooking device. Same is applicable in most hostels established in various institutions of higher learning in Nigeria; the students/occupants are often warned by their landlords to desist from the use of the above equipment. From my humble perspective which signifies my distinct opinion/ideology as an individual, I think it’s inconsequential to prohibit the use of any decent household material such as the ones mentioned above. The bone of contention is carefulness. Yes, instead of citing such warning or law, the concerned persons should be warned to be extremely careful while using any of the above devices else they stand to pay for any damage(s) that may possibly occur. Above all, we should also realize that life has no duplicate or spare part. While using a candle light, you should endeavour to quench it before going to bed or as soon as you’re through with what you lit for. Similar measures should also be applied while using other similar devices. Apart from using a gas-cooker, someone who is cooking or who’s into cookery is not expected to stay away from the kitchen, or the kitchen arena. Stove or other heating utensils can also cause a fire outbreak if a careful measure is not adhered to. “To be forewarned is to be forearmed”.

Above all, the government has a very vital role to play here. The various governments should establish a formidable and reliable Fire Service Commission. Such Commission/Agency shall have well equipped and functional quarters in any existing town. And every occupant of the town must have access to their contact(s) in case of any emergency or eventuality. Also, a well equipped aircraft/jet should be made available to take care of any fire outbreak in any affected State or zone. The vehicle would be operating above the point of the incident and such measure would hasten the approach and as well ascertain absolute result.

Having mentioned the above measure, the concerned government in any fire outbreak should endeavour to compensate the casualties, including the landlord. The government is expected to ensure that any of its affected subjects is duly catered for, so that he/she would continue to announce to delirious applause that the Lord is good. We must continue to think in the right direction for our society to be better.

My candid advice to the landlords and other valuable property owners; please endeavour to insure your properties with any recognized insurance company in your area. This would enable you to receive compensation from the company if the insured property is damaged or stolen.

Brethren at this juncture, I put up this note; fire maims. It kills. It has maimed and killed millions of souls, and it’s still ready to consume more. So be warned.

Honestly, if adequate measure is taken, we must surely find out that several deaths that occurred in the past were due to carelessness of the affected individuals. Some of us refer it as mystery which they tag as inexplicable event, but the fact remains that the devil was duly invited. Think about it!



COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Fear of the Unknown

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN: A WORTHLESS SYNDROME


A good friend of mine once shared one of his terrible ordeals with me on one fateful evening. Before he commenced, he let me realized that the story was strictly personal, therefore, I shouldn’t let a third party know about it. Apparently, he confided in me. But brethren, at this juncture I wish to break out of my normal reticence and tell you the whole story. Though, I won’t let him down. Thus, his identity will not be disclosed. Moreover, I sought for his consent. And, he asked me to proceed provided his identity won’t be disclosed. So, I’ve the ticket. The passport. The visa. The authority. The power of attorney. Above all, the license to proceed. Since the story can convert or redirect one of two souls, why should I let it die with me? The story shouldn’t remain in bondage. It’s forbidden. It’s sacrilegious. It’s not encouraging. Of course, it lacks ethics or tradition. Tradition demands that, you tell others what shall make them live long. It’s a fact. Yes, a fancy fact.

The story goes like this; he solemnly disclosed to me that he made ‘third class’ in his bachelor’s degree, Bachelor of Science to be precise. A personal issue he never thought of sharing with any friend. Only the members of his immediate family were aware of it. He kept on influencing the grade each time he had a chat or an encounter with anyone who cared to know what he graduated with. Due to the possession of a low grade, he was so lackadaisical towards applying for any job even when he was asked/mandated to do so. To him, he was a total failure. He never thought of anything right. All he could think of was nothing but the end of the road. Failure. Vulnerability. Hallucination indeed! But who told him he was vulnerable? Brethren, fear of the unknown. I warned him to desist his mental status from such myopic and deadly feeling. That was not even the end of the story. I tried to find out from him why he graduated with a low grade because I used to know him as a brilliant chap during our secondary schools days in Lagos State. And, he was still showcasing same brilliant idiosyncrasy after graduation as I could testify. I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to respond to my question since he had made up his mind to share the story of his life with me. And, he wasn’t disingenuous at all. According to him, while in the university, his father was suffering from a severe ailment; kidney failure precisely. Being the first child of the family, he was psychologically disturbed due tohis father’s illness. There was no time he could find himself reading or listening to lecture comfortably. In fact, he was a quarter baked student throughout his undergraduate programme. His optimum fear was that, if he loses his father, definitely he was finished. Fear of the unknown! His father was a successful civil servant and the breadwinner of the troubled family. His marriage was blessed with five children; three males and two females. Luckily for him, some of his colleagues and club associates volunteered to take him to oversea for a medical operation. And, the operation was successful. Then, my friend was on his project. He had already rounded off his degree exams out of his usual mental instability, Today, his beloved father still lives. What a story!

I shouldn’t blame my friend for his psychological imbalance or uncertainty because being human, the circumstance called for it. But, he should have acknowledged the fact that, God still liveth. He would had looked unto Him and face his studies. I repeat, he was not mistaken with his unwanted feelings because he was afraid of losing everything. No man born of a woman would like to lose everything he has. Not even me. But let’s ask ourselves; if we eventually lose everything or all our treasures, have we lost God? Brethren, if anyone could be occupied with the feeling of losing his/her creator, then, that is absolute madness. Yes, he/she must be definitely insane. Come to think of it; why should my dear friend nurture the feeling of being a failure because he possesses a third-class honour or a ‘low grade’? What does grade has to do with one’s potential? If truly you have a certain potential or talent, your grade or CGPA should not in any way be seen as a barrier. Check the list of all the professors in the world. Find out if up to seventy percent (70%) can boast of a second-class honour.

The fact remains determination/focus. And, that is the key. Yes, the only key to that success room. If you had thoroughly checked yourself and find out that you have the brain, talent/potential, and above all, a dream. Then, where comes or lies the barrier/limitation. If truly you can see any barrier in this case, then you’re the barrier. You shouldn’t be weighed down simply because you incidentally or accidentally graduated with a low grade. Such cases or similar issues are attributable to myopic thinking and not a low grade or whatever you may call it. Mark my words adequately. Of course, you shouldn’t be afraid of something you have not seen or are yet to see. To me, it’s crazy. It’s insanity. It’s irritating and disgusting. Wake up brethren! Be brave and smart at all time.

But mind you, I’m not advocating for lousiness while in school or on campus. Your primary aim of being there is nothing but your studies. So, it should be taken seriously. I don’t think there’s anyone who would like to graduate with a low grade even if he’s an imbecile. “A word is enough for the wise”.

Brethren, be reasonable, serious, determined, and alert at every given time. Don’t let any of your past destabilized or destruct your present. Your past should remain your reference point and not your guidance. Above all, be the panacea to your predicament(s). Think about it!

Meanwhile, kindly send your reaction/opinion and it would be welcomed.



COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Nigerian Post Graduate Schools

THE LONG DURATION OF SCIENCE ORIENTED PROGRAMMES IN NIGERIA'S POST GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Brethren, as usual I stand on the pulpit once more to preach nothing but the gospel truth. I reassure and sincerely promise you that as long as you remain a member of the congregation of my humble ministry, you shall no doubt be very close to realism. Thank God I’ve often time given a hint on the aforementioned school of thought, realism; thus, it’s no longer a new term to us. Please as you follow or cherish any preacher, try to be mindful of impostors because imitations are everywhere. Let’s ride on!

“Please obey the church order!” That was an exclamation that was dished out by a church warden presiding in one of the Catholic churches situated in Imo State during a certain requiem mass I attended. The said instruction was as a result of the anomaly the warden noticed among some members of the congregation. From my observation, I understood that some of the presentees were sitting while they were meant to kneel down. In spite of the instruction which also served as a reminder to most of them who were members of the Catholic dominion, some remained adamant in an issue relating to the modus operandi of a church. What impunity in a place of worship! I was extremely disgusted over the ugly scene. You needed to view my sympathetic mood.

It’s no longer news that many have been parading with the popularly cited chorus which’s of the view that education is the backbone or rudiments of any nation’s developmental stride. But how prepared are we to stand by any educational crusade/cause? Yes, since most of the learned individuals has started behaving like mere bunch of ignoramuses, everyone has suddenly become skeptical over any proposed positive transition as regards education. If not, how can a country like Nigeria still be debating or romancing over infrastructural decay in her various citadel of higher learning. Even our secondary/primary schools are not left out in the ongoing matter.

Lately I’ve come to realize that the above stated anomaly, infrastructural decay, occurring in our various higher institutions is one of the paramount causes of the long duration of most science oriented disciplines in our post graduate schools. It beats my psyche each time I look around and see most of our post graduate students spending over four years or thereabouts in a discipline that’s expected to last for just eighteen (18) calendar months as regards master degree (MSc/MA) programmes; or spending over six years in one that’s bound to last for three years or thereabouts in respect to doctorate degree programmes. This syndrome is common among the pure/advanced science students.

I’ve also come to acknowledge the fact that the plight of the students in question does not lie only on the infrastructural decay; I’m of the view that the University teachers are also the problem. Most of our lecturers has borrowed the habit of being self-centered or attending to issues that are of their personal interests. Whosoever that lent the habit to them is what I don’t know or can’t explain. For instance, most of them dodge their respective lecture classes with the aim of issuing series of handouts to the students, whilst some don’t even provide time to discuss the project works embarked on by the students assigned/allocated to them thereby prolonging the usual/stipulated duration of the project work as well as the programme in general. Even, some of the lecturers demands huge amount of cash from the students before their project would be considered or attended to.

For crying out loud, reasonable amount of time is required in science oriented courses because these are disciplines that are practically intensive. When I mention “time”, I’m actually referring to the time the concerned lecturers are expected to cough up for the students. Handouts can never address the issue of learning as regards science-oriented fields, rather, thorough teaching coupled with sound laboratory/workshop coaching. If the required time is not being provided by the lecturers, it goes a long way tarnishing the academic image of the learners and as well lingers the stipulated duration of their programmes.

At this juncture, I urge the concerned societies/groups such as Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) and other related bodies to put more effort towards ascertaining the bad eggs and to ensure that the required facilities in our various Universities are provided by the appropriate authorities/quarters.

Enough of today’s preaching because we’ve gotten the message; therefore I hereby draw my curtail. Meanwhile before I leave, I must let us know that it’s high time we quitted the outrageous occurrence of impunity being displayed on a daily basis even in a place of worship. Think about it!



COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com