Nigeria, INEC And the Elections in Anticipation

NIGERIA, INEC AND THE ELECTIONS IN ANTICIPATION


Brethren, it’s popularly cited that ‘It’s better late than never’. Believe me, most of us are yet to know the prime essence of that citation. For some of us who knows the essence or significance of the famous quotation, how would you throw more light on it if you were asked to do so?

As for me; ‘it’s better late than never’ simply means that, it is better one comes late to an event than being marked absent. In other words, it means, it’s better you’re being known by your colleagues as a latecomer than being recognized as a regular absentee. You can tweet me at ‘fdnnwaozor’ for further clarification. Please, pardon my preamble; I just decided to commence with such analysis. But as we proceed, you will acknowledge its relevance.

Barely three nights ago, February 7 precisely – at exactly eleven O’clock, I was faced with a serious and thorough meditation as regards the present state of the Nigerian society in respect to her socio-political sector. At the end of the said meditation, I concluded that one thing was missing in Nigeria’s polity in its entirety, and that had been the root of our collective plight. And till date, that thing is still missing. Without mincing words, that “thing” remains sincerity coupled with transparency. Please I’m just thinking aloud; therefore, I’m humbly letting out my opinion which can be countered by any interested person. If you have any contrary view, kindly drop it on my official Facebook page, http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor.

For crying out loud, Nigeria is of age. Fifty three years is neither fifty-three days nor fifty-three weeks. It beats my psyche to realize that most Nigerians are yet to know that Nigeria is truly of age, going by the manner they treat the country in question. Most pathetically, they’ve turned the ‘giant of Africa’ to a thing of mockery. Isn’t it wickedness? Well, still thinking aloud; though sooner or later, I would be communicating loudly.

The fancy fact remains that, Nigeria has been abused greatly by her subjects. How can we be repeating just one issue, which is corruption, on a daily basis; does it implies that, we don’t know the actual remedy to put such cankerworm to stop? As far as I’m concerned, this is simply insincerity. Let’s ride on!

Just few days ago, the House of Representatives suspended the consideration of the national budget due to non compliance of the Fiscal Responsibility Acts. And my singular question is; how can such vital and critical aspect of the budget be missing or incomplete in spite of the fact that, budget approval by the National Assembly remains an annual ritual? Very soon the first quarter of this year (2014) would round off, still the budget for the said year is yet to be approved. Who is deceiving who? Still thinking aloud; or, if you wish to answer it, you can kindly forward your response to my innocent e-mail address.

Furthermore, the polity has been filled with enormous uproar in regard to the forthcoming elections. The funniest part is that, lately, even the ‘touts’ have been speaking as if they own this country. The aforementioned pandemonium has abruptly become ubiquitous, which implies that, no one is safe if we decide to remain mere onlookers as the days unfold.

It’s no longer news that, the national Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Atahiru Jega, has announced to the public recently that, he wouldn’t guarantee perfect elections in Nigeria come 2015. How can the boss of a committee in charge of a certain concernment be exercising skepticism as regards actualization of perfection? We universally know that no one has ever attained perfection, but still, we all struggle to attain the perfect line on a daily basis. On this note; even if one embraces some elements of doubt towards attaining perfection, courtesy demands that, such vision or feeling shouldn’t be disclosed to his/her fans or well wishers because such disclosure might warrant unquantifiable panic among the people in question. But on a second thought, why must one exercise doubt towards arriving at the peak; isn’t it despair?

At this juncture, I urge each of everyone of us to search our respective consciences because, I’m of the view that we’ve all derailed tremendously. Mind you, it’s better late than never.

I can’t see how someone born with silver spoon could be dinning with rotten one even as a grown-up. Isn’t it absurd? Think about it!

______________________

FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

The Dawn of a New Era in Oru East LGA

THE DAWN OF ANOTHER ERA IN ORU EAST LGA: MY CANDID NOTE TO THE TC-CHAIRMAN

Brethren, today is truly bright or would I say, it’s grinning at us. Having noted the worthwhile countenance of this day, apparently, throughout today would yield a thing of joy. Thus, we’re indeed convinced that, nature has once again ushered us into another joyous day.

Personally, each time I wake up from my long-lasted night slumber, I usually ask myself a certain question which may seem peculiar to you all. A question that remains constant and consistent to my entire person. And the question is, “How would my name sound to my people today?” When I say ‘my people’, I mean all those who have been by my side, which includes my friends, fans, relatives, well-wishers, colleagues (associates), and as well my kinsmen.

Penultimate month, January 2 to be precise, I was opportune to dine with my old time friends from different walks of life, at Owerri metropolis. In the midst of the pleasant conversation, one of us raised a point in respect to the present Nigerian political system. Conclusively, we unanimously agreed that, politics has abruptly become a “business venture” to most Nigerian politicians. But at last, I succeeded in convincing them that there’s a way forward to such ugly scenario; though time and space may not permit me to disclose the candid opinion I submitted to that assembly (forum) which was made-up of fully learned men and women from different parts of Imo State.

Please, kindly pardon the digression, though it was consequential and relevant because, any work or piece without a preamble (preface) or prologue as the case may be, might not be comprehensible to the entire audience or observers. My paramount desire in anything I say or do is to ensure that everyone understands my language or footstep respectively. Let’s ride on!

On Thursday January 23 - 2014, a remarkable history was recorded in Oru East Local Government Area (LGA). It was the day a new Transition Committee (TC) Chairman was inaugurated for the said LGA, alongside other LGAs in Imo State, by the Governor of the State, Chief Rochas Okorocha. An inauguration that was long awaited by the entire people of Oru East due to the implicit respect they have for the appointee, Barr. Obinna Augustus Amagwula.

No doubt, a tangible history was made on that fateful day the aforementioned Barrister was sworn in. This singular opinion was due to several conclusions I’ve arrived at; from my sole observation, Hon. Amagwula is a practicing Lawyer par Excellence, an exuberant and competent youth, a gentleman to the core, and one who hails from a parental background of no questionable character. As a bona-fide indigene of Oru-East, Awo-Omamma precisely which the person in question also hails from, I’m in a good and better position to observe every bit of his person or image.

                                   Hon. Amagwula Addressing His People After His Inauguration

Of course with no atom of skepticism, a young man who single-handedly cited the “Imo Anthem” to his people’s delight during the occasion of his assumption of office at the Council headquarters – Omuma on Monday 27th January – 2014, deserves to be addressed as an ‘exuberant and competent’ youth. I also want to bring to your notice that Hon. Amagwula who’s the Chairman of the Coalition of Imo State Lawyers based in Abuja, was a member of the Counsel that brought the recent victory to the eminent Governor of Imo State at the Apex Court, by the special grace of the Almighty. In the same vein, he has been crowned by his people as the youngest serving TC – Chairman in the whole of Imo State. And if properly checked, he ought to be one of the youngest Council Chairmen, if not the youngest, that has ever been produced in Imo State. These and more are some of the reasons the people of Oru East see him as the right person that can deliver the Council or that would lead the Council to its desired promise-land. Suffice to say that, they’ve tagged him as the “Moses” of their time. No wonder, the overall members of Oru Youths Platform (OYOPLA), an umbrella body for all the youths in Oru Ancient Kingdom - which comprises of Oru East/West LGAs, addressed the recognition as “Placing a round peg in a round hole”. Mind you, I’m not eulogizing anyone here; frankly I’m just earning my view based on my observation as a concerned social analyst.

At this juncture, I wish to unequivocally use this avenue to submit my candid note (advice) to my newly inaugurated TC – Chairman, Hon. Barr. Obinna Amagwula, if truly he wants his administration to yield the best so far. The proposed advice is also applicable to other TC – Chairmen in Imo State.

First and foremost, I urge him to be a forgiving leader. He should be willing to forgive people at all times; most especially, those whom must have wronged him at the long-run. Thus, he ought to endeavour to give everyone a sense of belonging.

Secondly, he should be very observant. He’s expected to know every bit of what’s happening in the Council in its entirety. Therefore, he must stretch out his tentacles to the lengths and breadths of all the six major towns comprising of ninety Autonomous Communities that make up the LGA. So, he’s expected to increase his level of sensitivity, but ought to pay less attention to inconsequential and trivial issues. Most importantly, he must beware of sycophants.

Thirdly, he ought to grant all his subjects a listening ear; most especially, members of his Transition Committee (TC). I urge him to carry everyone along, thus, must shun any iota of segregation. Listen to everything, but don’t utilize or make use of all.

Fourthly, I expect my Honourable Chairman to be tolerant at all occasions. Please Sir, welcome every advice or comment from the opposition, the elders, present and past leaders of the Council, your fellow youths; even the children or toddlers are not left out. Please keep your door widely open for criticisms because they must surely surface. Criticism, antagonism, sycophancy, rumour mongering and what have you, are natural; they’re as old as the world, if not older. Even Christ was criticized. Nevertheless, bear it in mind that constructive criticism is a worthwhile gesture; it enables any administration or government to grow adequately. Let’s proceed!

Fifthly, he should always be courageous. Never he embrace despair irrespective of the circumstance. Lately, I’ve come to realize that, despair is one of the grievous sins, if not the worst, in existence. So my dear brother and friend, do not allow any pressure or distraction becloud your reasoning faculty or sense of reasoning.

Inter alia, I sincerely urge him to be transparent. As a leader that is largely accepted by his people which is not unconnected to how the members of the Council turned out en masse on the day he assumed duty, he should invariably come closer to them, so that, they can easily access him. He ought to run an open door policy to enable his people know him too well. Be open to all; do not despise any person or group regardless of age, background or status. On this note, you should constantly and consistently call for an Assembly which must involved every member of the Council including the opposition. Such gesture would be an avenue where everybody would be expected to earn his/her view. You would also use the medium to inform them on what your administration has done so far, and the way forward.

Above all, he should often endeavour to wear a human face whenever he’s with his people or addressing any issue, no matter how sad or devastating the matter might be. Thus, I sincerely urge him to always control his emotions. In other words, let his emotions be under his control. I’m not a lawyer, but I wish to rest my case at this point. A word is enough for the wise.

My able and impeccable Chairman, I’m of the view that, if you wholly absorb the above note, Oru East LGA which has been known for years to be a byword for sycophancy and hypocrisy, would be an LGA to positively reckon with in near future. Honestly you require nothing but the best out of this concernment because this is just your stepping stone. Besides, you don’t deserve any honour such as “Second Best”; rather, what you deserve is “Second to None”.

Don’t forget; each time you wake up from sleep, endeavour to ask yourself, “how would my name sound to my people today?” Think about it, while I continue to pray for you, your administration and the entire Oru East!

_____________________

FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

African Leadership Tussle

NATURE OF LEADERSHIP TUSSLE IN AFRICAN SOCIETY


Brethren, I can’t seize to greet you or recognize your presence each time I stand on this podium; or, whenever I face this noble congregation. Because, no doubt without you, there wouldn’t be me. Needless to say that, I indeed love you all. Suffice to say; each time I remember you, I grin.

Last night, I unusually encountered a very horrible dream. I won’t disclose to you the real content of the said dream but the factual point remains that, the true nature of it was horrendous. Also, I won’t tell you whom the dream concerns or is related to. Maybe I’m trying to be discreet.

Lest I forget; whenever you have a nightmare, the first thing you must do as soon as you wake up is to search your conscience. Yes, at that point, you would be expected to ask yourself some certain vital questions. By thoroughly searching your conscience, you would ascertain if your person deserves the reality of the nightmare. Then having done that, the next thing you would do is to totally submit yourself to your creator. Only you knows whom you call or regard as your ‘creator’. Having submitted yourself to your creator, the last but not the least thing you must do is to ensure that you abstain completely from anything whatsoever that has the tendency of attracting the wrath of the nightmare. Thus, you must in subsequent time, be extremely careful and as well apply deep caution. But mind you; some nightmares are hallucinations. The treatment of such anomaly is related to psychotherapy rather than religious or physical means.

Few weeks ago, a friend who used to be my colleague called me on phone from Canada where he presently resides. Amazingly, instead of asking me of Nigeria in particular, he came up with the issue of Africa in its entirety. His first question after the usual exchange of pleasantry was, ‘How is Africa?’ To be frank, initially I expected him to commence with Imo State which I know he also hails from, but on the contrary, he derailed. Though I wouldn’t say he derailed because I’m of the view that, he was deeply touched and concerned over the issue of African polity in general. Honestly, if I were in his shoes, I would do same; or would I say, I would have ‘derailed’ too.

In respect to my friend’s enquiry, firstly I hurriedly informed him that the African society as a whole was still battling with her usual ‘bloody’ nature as regards leadership tussle. I further told him that, that of the recent time has been quite alarming and more bloodier, instead of being less due to the unfriendly experiences encountered in the past. Finally, I candidly disclosed to him that, we’re the cause of our plights because we’ve failed to embrace sincerity coupled with transparency. Let’s ride on!

Frankly, I unequivocally state that from my singular view, we Africans are the sole cause of the ongoing predicament that has been predominant in our polity. If not, how can someone in his/her ‘right senses’ continue to adore self-deceit, which I had earlier tagged as one of the most psychological problems being faced by mankind? Maybe you don’t seem to comprehend the above critique that might seem harsh; so, let me make the picture more clearer.

How can a person who rightly knows that ‘A’ is the sole answer to a given question continue ticking ‘B’ from the option provided regardless of the damages such lackadaisical attitude is bringing to his/her person? Isn’t it abnormal or sort of ‘mental disorder’? In other words, our problem is strictly psychological. Take it anywhere, and I shall prove it to you in a language you would understand easily.

It’s no longer news that, my parents hail from Africa, I was born in Africa, and presently I reside in Africa, Nigeria to be precise. Therefore, at my age and status, I’m in the right position to know fully the actual origin (genesis), features, and fate of the universal polity of the African society with regard to the nature of her ongoing leadership tussle.

Africa is a continent specially created and blessed with enormous human and natural resources. Inter alia, it’s blessed with various human and agricultural friendly atmospheric conditions. Still, it remains one of the most poorest continents across the globe, which is not unconnected to the manner in which the respective countries that constitute the continent elect their leaders. Though, I sincerely thank God that, in spite of the level of the decadence, her (African) subjects seem to remain hyper-exuberant and tireless.

Brethren, at this juncture I tell you, it’s high time for holistic deliverance. Yes we have collectively sinned greatly, thus, we must all rise for this long awaited thorough penance and psychological deliverance because this is the rightful and ripe time for it. Mind you, we might not be opportune to embrace a second chance. On this note, I say, Africa arise. Think about it!

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FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com