2014 International Day of Peace (Aired News Commentary)

A GLOBAL CALL FOR CONDEMNATION OF HOSTILITY AND CONFLICT AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE, TOMORROW SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21

 

Hostility is an unfriendly or aggressive behaviour/feelings towards people from other backgrounds. It can also be described as a strong opposition against an idea, a plan or a situation. In the same vein, conflict is a situation in which people, groups or countries are involved in a serious disagreement or argument which often results to violence; it can simply be defined as a state of complete confusion and disorder.

On the other hand, peace is a situation or a period of time in which there is no enmity, violence or war in a certain locality or country. More so, it is the state of being calm or quiet, or living in mutual friendship with others.

Hostility and conflict, or lack of peace, which has subjected mankind to a state of mockery, has indeed arrested the developmental thrives of most nations in the world thereby constituting a severe and uncontrollable poverty among the populace.

Conflict, which is as old as the world, has succeeded in rendering the socio-economic growth of many countries incapacitated due to its cruel and dastardly nature. Conflict or crisis through the emergence of terrorist activities such as assassination, kidnapping, massacre, genocide and what have you, has not only brought endless anxiety to the people, but has contributed immensely to the degradation of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the countries involved. Above all, the dangers of war or the level of the post-traumatic stress disorder attributed to it cannot be overemphasized.

Statistics show that the root cause of several conflicts are directly related to valuable natural resources such as gold, diamond, oil and gas, diesel, coal, kerosene, timber, water and so on. Needless to say; addressing the ownership, control and management of natural resources or endowments is crucial to maintaining peace and security thereby sustaining an ideal development.

Surely, peace and security are essential foundations for social progress and sustainable development. Thus, we must quench the fire of extremism among us in order to tackle the root causes of conflict, because peace is definitely a long journey that we are bound to collectively embark on. Suffice to say that, we are expected to hold peace in our hearts and minds, and tenderly nurture it so it would grow and blossom.

Regarding the effect of peace to humanity, in 1981, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly through a resolution established the International Day of Peace. The Assembly mandated the UN Member States to observe September 21 of every year as Int’l Day of Peace. The first International Peace Day was celebrated on Tuesday September 21, 1982; the first commemoration was meant to coincide with the anniversary of the United Nations’ opening session, which was held annually on the third Tuesday of September.

In addition to the commemoration, in 2001, the UN General Assembly by unanimous votes adopted resolution which established 21^st September of every year as an annual day of non-violence and ceasefire. By this resolution, the United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and raising of public awareness on issues related to peace.

It is no longer news that, armed conflict causes untold grief and hardship to families, communities and the entire countries involved. Indeed, too many are suffering today at the brutal hands of war-mongers and terrorists. This is why, from the onset, we must learn to teach our children and wards the essence of tolerance and mutual respect. Let’s invest in the schools and teachers that will build a fair and inclusive world that embraces diversity; fight for peace at all cost, and defend it with all our might.

Therefore, from time to time, we are meant to sensitize our children, relatives, friends, colleagues and associates towards emulating the habit of the UN Messengers of Peace, or the likes of Princess Haya, Daniel Barenboim, Paulo Coelho, Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall, Edward Norton, Steve Wonder, Charlie Theron, Elie Wiesel, just to mention but a few, whom remain distinguished individuals carefully selected from the fields of art, literature, science, entertainment, sports and other fields of public life, who have agreed to help focus worldwide attention on the work of the United Nations as regards promotion of peace. These prominent personalities or icons volunteer their times, resources, energies, talents and passions to raise awareness of United Nations’ tireless efforts to improve the lives of billions of people worldwide.

The International Day of Peace offers people globally a shared date to think about how they can contribute towards ensuring that natural resources are managed in a mature and sustainable manner, thus reducing potential for disputes as well as paving ways for a sustainable future, which is no doubt the future we want.

As the world over commemorates the Int’l Day of Peace tomorrow, I’m using this avenue to call for a global condemnation of hostility and conflict lingering all over the world in order to sustain a formidable peace needed for both individual and national developments.

 

      COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social Crusader

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              +2348028608056   

    

 

2014 Int'l Day For The Preservation Of The Ozone Layer (Aired Viewpoint)

COMMEMORATING THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER, TODAY TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16

       

Both in the past and present, mankind have been bewildered by so many environmental hazards and challenges. Presently the worst of these challenges is mainly attributable to depletion of the Ozone Layer.

      

The Ozone Layer is a fragile shield of gases that protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation or rays of the sun thereby helping to preserve lives on the planet in question.

       

A number of commonly used chemicals like halocarbons and/or organic compounds have been found to be extremely damaging to the Ozone layer. Halocarbons are chemicals in which one or more carbon atoms are linked to one or more halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine. The halocarbons containing bromine usually have much higher Ozone-Depleting Potential (ODP) than those that consist of chlorine.

       

The man-made chemicals that have provided most of the chlorine and bromine for Ozone depletion are methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and families of chemicals known as halons, chlorofluorocarbons and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons. In the same vein; the damaging impacts of organic compounds like carbon monoxide on the Ozone layer, cannot be overemphasized.

        

The scientific confirmation of the depletion of the Ozone layer prompted the international community to establish a mechanism for cooperation to take drastic action to protect the Ozone layer. This was formalized in the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which was adopted by twenty-eight (28) countries on 22^nd March 1985. In September 1987, this led to the drafting of the Treaty on The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which was duly signed by all the United Nations Member States.

        

The fundamental aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the Ozone layer by taking severe measures to control total global production and consumption of substances that deplete it, with the ultimate target towards their elimination from the basis of developments in scientific knowledge and technological information.

       

In view of the steady progress made under the Montreal Protocol, in 2003, the former United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan stated, “Perhaps the single most successful international agreement till date has been the Montreal Protocol.” His views were shared widely among the international community.

       

In respect to the sustenance of the widely observed Montreal Protocol, on 19^th of December 1994, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed September 16 of every year as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The UN annual Int’l Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer focuses on the importance of protecting human health and the environment in general.

         

The phase-out of controlled uses of Ozone depleting substances has not only helped to protect the Ozone layer, but has contributed immensely and significantly to global efforts of addressing climate change. This year’s commemoration of the Int’l Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is calling for greater awareness regarding the Ozone Layer’s preservation in order to fully actualize the aim of this remarkable globally recognized crusade.

       

During the 2013 commemoration of the Day, which was marked with the theme “A healthy Atmosphere: the Future we want,” in his message to the world, the current UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon commended all who had made the Montreal Protocol such an outstanding example of international cooperation. He went further to urge governments, industries, civil societies, and other partners to apply the same spirit to the other great environmental and developmental challenges of our time.

        

As the world over celebrates the 2014 Int’l Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, today Tuesday September 16, we are expected to contribute our quota towards actualizing an atmosphere or environment that is totally free from any harmful substance.

       

Nigeria as a country can encourage this annual event by implementing drastic and severe measures that would help to eradicate all the activities contrary to the preservation of the Ozone layer such as bush burning, use of generators and other household mechanical devices in open places, coupled with other industrial practices that exhibit Carbon Monoxide or smoke as well as other substances that negatively affect the Ozone layer.

       

It is worthy to note that all hands are equally expected to be on deck towards the actualization of a society completely free from any form of environmental hazard or degradation.

 

   

      COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social activist

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              +2348054719437    

    

Overheating Of The Polity By Political Aspirants

ADDRESSING THE UNBEARABLE OVERHEATING OF THE POLITY BY NIGERIAN POLITICAL ASPIRANTS

 

Greetings brethren! It’s preposterous to ask how was, or how you spent your weekend, because apparently, your countenances or physiognomies are a tangible proof that you had a splendid week break. Notwithstanding, there’s need to ask, even when we are aware of the answer to the question. In other words, there’s absolutely no harm in asking.

Honestly, little did I know that virtually everywhere in Nigeria is currently faced with same slogan until I recently embarked on a trip to Delta State, Isele-Ukwu to be precise. Few days ago, Saturday September 6 precisely, I alongside members of my household was in the said locality for a traditional wedding ceremony. On my way to the place, every nook and cranny was loaded with unquantifiable bill boards, posters, banners, wall stickers, and what have you; all in the name of ‘political aspiration’.

Having noticed the aforementioned scenario, I was compelled to ask myself some certain questions. One of the questions was: how could someone indicate the position he/she is aspiring-for on the bill board, prior to the anticipated lift or declaration of campaign era by the INEC? The most devastating aspect of the anomaly is that most of them, if not all, end up writing ‘Vote for Mr A for Governor’ or as the case may be. What impunity!

The case is similar in all the states in the federation that are awaiting elections come 2015 or thereabouts. Considering the ongoing abuse or violation of electoral laws, even a-day old child would be subjected to a mood of thorough and frank meditation. And unequivocally, the kid in question might end-up exclaiming that Nigeria is indeed suffering from ‘Paranoia’. But, God forbid!

The abnormality doesn’t even stop at mounting bill boards and other campaign materials; it has transcended to other crazy and ridiculous practices such as antagonism, enmity, inconsequential rivalry, social derailment during occasions, childish media utterances, just to mention but a few, thereby leading to overheating of our innocent and noble polity. It’s really absurd. Let’s ride on!

Frankly the last time I checked, Nigeria in her entirety was regarded by all and sundry as one of the funniest countries the world over. Why wouldn’t she be seen as a very funny nation when those tagged as role-models have started acting like ‘role-cowards’? It is really disheartening to see one to whom writing meant so much suddenly becomes blind. In the same vein, it’s quite appalling to see a musical giant becoming dumb or physically challenged.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) really need to do something drastic towards addressing this absurdity or madness before it leads to something cruel and inhumane. The INEC, which remains the only legitimate ‘Spy’ to all political aspirants in Nigeria, ought to as a matter of urgency wake up from its slumber in respect to these ongoing unacceptable melodramas taking place on our polity almost on a daily basis.

The INEC is expected to enact a strict and severe bye-law that would help to checkmate or contain this odd. If any bill board or poster is mounted/pasted on the roadside by any aspirant, the write-ups or the written words on it must be plain; therefore mustn’t contain any fowl or campaign language. Also, a formidable team comprising trustworthy and illustrious individuals should be set-up to monitor any gathering/occasion irrespective of its nature or the activity of all the aspirants, to ensure that utterances regarding campaign are not dished out during the occasion by any aspirant or his/her supporter. Thus, any social, cultural, political, or religious ceremony occurring anywhere is meant to be duly spied by the team.

In regard to the above suggestion or proposal, I’m using this medium to appeal to INEC to ensure that any one (aspirant) regardless of his/her political position, who by any means violates the stipulated regulation, is sanctioned as well as suspended from any future political aspiration/tussle till further notice.  

I’m also using this avenue to plead with these so-called aspirants to endeavour to play politics with absolute maturity. Politics is a game meant for mature minds, thus, shouldn’t be abused by those who are yet to comprehend the game. I’m of the view that, it’s the immature minds that invariably see it (politics) as a dirty game.

The truth of the matter is that, politics is never a ‘dirty game’; rather, it remains the sweetest game on earth because it is the only game that requires thorough meditation, consultation, planning coupled with proper implementation of ideas and strategies, if the person in question really wants to embrace victory at the polls. Think about it!

 

FRED DOC NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com