2014 Int'l Day Against Nuclear Tests (Aired News Commentary)

A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE SUPPORT AS THE WORLD MARKS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS, TODAY FRIDAY AUGUST 29, 2014

       

There is no need reiterating the fact that, humanity in its entirety prays earnestly for a trouble-free society or atmosphere. Suffice to say; every sane being detest imagining the emergence of war or any war-related activity.

Today Friday August 29, the world over is commemorating the 2014 International Day Against Nuclear Tests. The Int’l Day against Nuclear Tests is aimed at capturing global attention and underscore the need for a unified attempt in preventing further nuclear weapons’ testing through educational events and messages.

On 2^nd December 2009, the 64^th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared August 29 of every year as the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. The resolution calls for increasing awareness and education on the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other explosions, and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of witnessing a nuclear-weapon-free world.

The resolution was initiated by the Republic of Kazakhstan, coupled with a large number of sponsors and co-sponsors with a view to commemorate the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test site, which had caused an enormous problem to mankind.

The International Day against Nuclear Tests is meant to sensitize the United Nations Member States alongside intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth networks and the media on the need to inform, educate as well as advocate the necessity of banning nuclear weapon tests as a valuable step towards achieving a safer global society.

The inaugural commemoration of the Day was marked in the year 2010. Since then, each year the day has been observed by coordinating various activities throughout the world, such as conferences, exhibitions, competitions, workshops, seminars, publication of periodicals/journals, media broadcasts, among others.

Since the establishment of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, several bilateral and multilateral governmental level developments as well as broad movements of various civil societies and personal efforts of the UN Secretary-General have helped to facilitate the ongoing crusade regarding banning of nuclear tests worldwide.

In May 2010, all the parties involved in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, committed themselves towards achieving the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons and other related instruments. In his candid speech, the current United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, stated with great clarity that, “A world free of nuclear weapons would be a global public good of the highest order.”

The International Day Against Nuclear Tests coupled with other related events or actions, has fostered a global society with more optimistic prospects towards a world free of nuclear weapons. The Day has enabled mankind to witness various visible signs of progress in respect to ending this global menace, though challenges remain inevitable in any endeavour.

Surely, it is the hope of the UN that one day all nuclear weapons would be totally eliminated from the entire world. In view of this anticipation, there is need to observe the International Day against Nuclear Tests as we work towards promoting peace and security all over the world.

As the world commemorates the Int’l Day against Nuclear Tests today August 29, there’s need for every sane and peace-loving individual to support the remarkable crusade, which is aimed at initiating a thorough trouble-free atmosphere thereby discouraging the emergence of war or crisis of any kind. And, this support is mostly needed from countries such as Nigeria, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Iran, Ukraine, just to mention but a few, that are presently savaged by colossal security challenges.

In this regard, I’m using this medium to urge the Nigerian law makers to pass a strict and grievous law that would ensure that anyone caught in this inhuman act is thoroughly penalized.  On its part, the executive arm of the government is also expected to protect the anticipated law by setting up a formidable corrupt-free monitoring Agency that would serve as an eye of the government towards the sustenance of the said law.

The religious bodies and other relevant non-governmental organizations can also help to promote this worthwhile cause embarked by the United Nations, by organizing seminars, workshops, conventions, conferences, and what have you, that would sensitize the minds of the general public on the dangers of any form of crisis or the use of any war explosive.

A decisive and sincere approach by the Nigerian government regarding the promotion of this annual Int’l Day against Nuclear Tests, would go a long way to eradicate the lingering barbaric actions of the Boko Haram sect and other terrorist groups that are presently on the rampage in the country.

Frankly, without mincing words, this is surely an avenue to prove to the international community that we are indeed, the ‘Giant of Africa’.    

 

      COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social activist

_______________________________

              +2348054719437   

The 2014 Imo Indelible August Meeting (Aired Newstalk)

THE FORTHCOMING VISIT OF THE IMO FIRST LADY TO IMO WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT (ORLU ZONE) FOR THE ONGOING INDELIBLE AUGUST MEETING, TOMORROW THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2014

Surely, it has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt that women are like bridges in a nation-building; this is why having a society without a woman is simply not unconnected to seeing a dicotyledonous crop with no tap root.

The month of August every year witnesses a massive homecoming of Igbo women groups residing in different towns and cities across the globe to their respective matrimonial rural hometowns where they unite with their rural-based counterparts for what is known as ‘Mothers’ Summit’.

This Mothers’ Congress popularly known as ‘August Meeting’ was initially geared towards self-help rural-community development, but has in recent times delved into conflict management, peace resolution, as well as human development in rural societies.

The August Meeting, which invariably takes place between August and September every year, has indeed brought absolute unity among women of various communities in South-Eastern Nigeria. This is why several well-meaning individuals in Igbo land have strive both in their individual and collective capacities to ensure that this worthwhile cause embarked by the women would continue to yield an enticing fruit.

In Imo State, the amazing effort of the wife of the governor – Her Excellency Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha towards ensuring that a formidable and impeccable August Meeting is witnessed in the state cannot be overemphasized. Since the inception of the ongoing Rescue Mission Agenda of her darling husband – Governor Rochas Okorocha, OON, the lovely and loving Imo First Lady has been working assiduously as regards the uplift of the amiable August Meeting.

In the previous years, the Imo State annual August Meeting ceremony which featured numerous cultural and formal activities, took place in each of the twenty-seven Local Government Areas in the state under the supervision of the distinguished First Lady, Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha.

This year’s August Meeting event is meant to be conducted separately in each of the three zones in Imo State – Owerri, Okigwe, and Orlu respectively, contrary to the initial pattern; and that of Owerri and Okigwe zones have already taken place. This year’s event, which is tagged by the Imo First Lady as an ‘Indelible August Meeting’, is featuring series of activities such as racing known as ‘Oso Mmiri’, Match pass, Cultural dance, Disco competition, Folk song, Beauty pageant, Getting to know husband and wife, Food exhibition, among others, in a grand style.

The most remarkable aspect of the ongoing 2014 Indelible August Meeting in Imo State with the theme ‘Imo women making a difference through commitment and involvement’ is that, the prizes to be won by the participants that emerged victorious in the first, second and third positions respectively, include Hummer buses and other household valuables, in addition to the usual prizes.

Tomorrow Thursday August 28, the Imo First Lady Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha – Eji Ulo Eme Ogo is expected to be in Imo West Senatorial District otherwise known as ‘Orlu Zone’ that consists of 259 Autonomous Communities as well as 137 Wards, for the August Meeting ceremony of the zone, which would take place at Orlu Township Stadium by 8am prompt.

As the amiable Imo First Lady visits Orlu Senatorial Zone, which encompasses twelve LGAs including Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru East, Oru West, Orsu, Orlu, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele, and Isu, tomorrow August 28, we humbly request the presence of all the well-meaning individuals and stakeholders such as the TC-Chairmen, government functionaries, traditional rulers, Ndi Nze na Ozo, Senior Citizens, Civil Servants, Captains of industries, the school children, traders, commercial drivers/motorcyclists, gentlemen of the Press, the youth, and most importantly – all the women societies, both within and outside the zone.

Nneoma Imo, Eji Ulo Eme Ogo, Ndi Orlu Zone na asi gi, Ibiala!!

 

         COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social activist

_______________________________

                 +2348054719437  

 

The Uncanny And Bilious Bickering Among Imo Politicians

THE ONGOING UNCANNY AND BILIOUS BICKERING AMONG IMO POLITICIANS

Greetings brethren! Frankly I would have forgotten to salute you in our usual pattern of salutation due to the nightmares I’ve been encountering. Honestly I feel uneasy each time I come across anything that seems like a nightmare especially when it has to do with the society I belong to.

Honestly, sometimes the emergence of something strange might make a certain person or society to forget the responsibility he/it is currently faced with. Take for instance: you will agree with me that the Nigerian government no longer pay much attention to the plan regarding the release of the abducted Chibok girls or the Nigeria’s security challenges at large, as a result of the emergence of the dreaded and deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). This is why sometimes one may even forget to greet his parent the moment he wakes up from sleep, if he spent his previous night with the parent in question. Yes, the emergence of a certain strange thing might erase your senses entirely.

Penultimate week, Wednesday to be precise, I was taking a walk along Wetherel road situated at Owerri metropolis, and I overheard a group of street (roadside) analysts discussing some vital issues taking place in the Nigerian polity. It happened that they came to peruse some national dailies and other local tabloids as usual, at one of the newspaper stands located on the aforementioned road. One of the issues of the moment they were discussing had to do with arrogance coupled with impunity of most Nigerian political leaders.

As a Public affairs analyst and Social activist, I’ve taken my precious time, both in the past and present, to tour round Nigeria with the aim of seeing things for myself. At the long-run, I realized there is one common phenomenon occurring in the country’s political sector; and it has to do with the inconsequential and uncalled heating of the polity by our practising politicians. It’s pathetic that my home-state, Imo precisely, has abruptly emerged as one of the states that are taking the lead in the absurdity. Let’s ride on!

For those Imolites whom haven’t spent much time in Imo State, I’m using this avenue to urge you to cough up some tangible time for the state; I’m referring to those who are residing in the diaspora. Sincerely, we all need to experience this anomaly by ourselves because it’s really telling on us, especially the masses.

How can one imagine seeing someone he/she sees as a role-model indulging in an exchange of words that isn’t called-for? Please I want you to answer me with all manner of sincerity; how would you feel if you eventually see your Pastor making passes at a certain pretty damsel along a street? Well, I don’t need to wait for the answer to that candid question because I know for sure that the church being ministers or led by the Pastor in question would be compelled to experience emergence of factions among the worshippers.

I would say that Imolites are really disappointed in most politicians from Imo State owing to the fact that they have embraced derailment profoundly. It is no longer news that the people or group of persons we look up to have derailed intensely. Presently every social or cultural gathering embraced by them would end-up being divided due to their vainglorious posturing. It is even more appalling that this uncalled behavior is mainly found among those in power.

How can those who call themselves our leaders be indulging in bilious bickering thereby attracting inconsequential uproar or pandemonium in any occasion they found themselves? Isn’t it ridiculous? My annoyance is that, at their levels or statuses, they have failed to understand that such attitude is liable to drastically reduce one’s popularity or fame. Sincerely, someone really needs to call them to order for posterity sake.        

Most pathetically, you would see some of them gossiping or raising propaganda that the present governor of the state never attended any tertiary institution. Come to think of it: If truly that the man in question never attended any higher citadel of learning as presumed by them, how does it affect the leadership of Imo State negatively? For crying out loud; if one with First School Leaving Certificate can lead Imo State effectively and efficiently, what stops him? In the same vein, if one at twenty can do more than what one at fifty does, what stops him?

Personally, I don’t pay much attention to ‘Paper qualifications’ or age as the case may be. My paramount interest lies in what one has upstairs. To be honest; if I happen to be in charge of a an interview crew of a certain firm/company, I will never pay any serious attention to the applicants’ certificates, rather I will concentrate on what the individual has in his/her medulla oblongata or what he/she can offer the company, professional wise.

In other words, my interest is to see that Imo State is being led adequately, and not who leads the state. If an ‘imbecile’ can grant the state what she really desires/needs, what stops him? We should all mind our utterances and face reality; else, we would be subjected to an unimaginable state of doom.

Let’s leave 2015 elections in the hands of God. If He says that he would give us somebody that would do better than the present governor, so be it. Who are you to query the Almighty when He says ‘Yes’ or ‘No’? After all, the emergence of the governor in question was by His (God’s) making.

Please let our interest lie in the well-being of Imo State in its entirety, not who becomes the leader of the state. Thus we ought to allow God to decide; we must surrender everything to Him. All we need is someone that would take the state to the promise-land. Q.E.D.   

At this juncture, I’m pleading with all the Imo politicians or all those involved in this ongoing uncanny and bilious bickering to desist from the ugly act, which is liable to diminish their fame thereby making them appear as nobody to their respective fans.

Therefore I’m urging them to indulge in activities that are interested in only the future of Imo State at large, and nothing less. If they fail to bury their individual interests, I’m afraid ‘Sorry’ is most likely to be their name in no distant time because Imo herself is really frowning at those idiosyncrasies that are uncalled-for. How can elections that we are not even sure that we would be privileged to witness, make us forget the present responsibilities that are facing our individual selves? Think about it!

 

FRED DOC NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com