My Candid Note To Nigerian Critics

 MY CANDID NOTE TO NIGERIAN CRITICS

Brethren, I want to let us know that we have the right and every opportunity to bring a positive change or revive any anomaly taking place around us. In other words, the change we anticipate or seek for lies in our bare hands. Honestly it is a fact.

It amuses me each time I see most of us who wish to embrace positive change without making any effort or contributing towards actualizing their anticipations. How could one intend to have something without doing anything in respect to the attainment of his/her goal? Doesn’t it sound crazy? Well, let’s leave the dead to bury the dead.

Some weeks ago during my stay in Lagos State, I was passing through one of the major streets situated in the state; and before I could get to my destination, I sighted at a certain vendor spot along the street in question. The gathering was really generating an enormous pandemonium. Out of curiosity, I decided to reduce my motion in order to ascertain the essence of the uproar. Summarily, it was all about the $9.3 million scandal which the current President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) – Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is allegedly involved.

Having gotten the headline from the roadside analysts, I didn’t bother absorbing the detail of their respective opinions because I was of the view that it would be all about condemnation all in the name of ‘Criticism’.

Most times our so called critics piss me off when I see them condemning a certain anomaly instead of criticizing it. Frankly, we still need to comprehend the difference between condemnation and criticism. And, this is our prime interest in today’s edition.

Criticism is simply an expression of disapproval of someone or something. It can also be described as a comment in which you say that something has a particular fault. From my individual perspective, criticism is a serious and thorough examination coupled with judgement on a certain scenario or an achievement made by someone. In the same vein, a critic ought to be referred to as a person or professional who publicly expresses his/her opinion about an accomplishment or a certain scenario with the aim of restoring normalcy. Let’s ride on!

There are so many things Nigerian critics need to know. There are basic factors that must be considered by a critic if he/her intends to put up a criticism on any occurrence. Thus, anyone who addresses him/herself as a ‘Critic’ is expected to note some crucial facts that surround the practice (criticism).

First, we must understand that criticism is a profession; and a worthwhile one. Therefore any critic is a professional. And, we must note that a society can never thrive successfully without the contribution of the aforementioned professionals – that’s the critics. Yes, every society requires critics to function adequately.

Secondly, any critic must always be willing and ready to proffer remedy to anything he criticizes. Of course the paramount interest of any critic must be to restore normality if he/she feels that aberration has taken place. You cannot just indicate a fault or flaw without rendering solution on how the flaw (anomaly) would be addressed.

Thirdly, we must understand fully that criticism without the aim of restoring normalcy is simply worthless. Such criticism is known as ‘destructive criticism’; therefore it is only targeted at constituting upheavals in the society in question. Rather than solving the alleged problem, destructive criticism invariably ends up heating the polity excessively.

We shouldn’t be fast in condemning anything we tagged ‘unacceptable’; we are expected to thoroughly think over something before setting up an antagonism. A critic’s opinion is highly needed in any area of life such as politics, economy, education, and what have you, but he must be ready to tender reasonable suggestions and ideas with the view of creating a better and more conducive atmosphere. Needless to say; only a constructive criticism is needed in any circumstance.

Definitely, we have the right and every opportunity to bring a positive change or revive anything we see as an abnormality taking place around us but we must be willing to contribute our quota towards actualizing such dream or goal. And mind you, such change can never take place by tendering condemnation or destructive criticism; rather, a constructive one. Think about it!

 

FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

2015 Elections: A Call For Sober Reflection

 2015 ELECTIONS: A CALL FOR SOBER REFLECTION

Brethren, please let your past make you a better person rather than making you bitter. I’m putting up this advice because the last time I checked, most of us often allowed our past to change us for bad instead of the other way round.

Your past is expected to be seen as a recipe required to create a better tomorrow in your life. But on the contrary, most people misuse their past thereby constituting series of pathetic moments for themselves. Believe me everybody has a past, either a good or bad one; but the way we manage or absorb it, is what matters most. Of course the manner in which one manages his/her past is what determines the kind of future he/she would encounter or have.

Penultimate week, one of my childhood friends called me as usual from Holland where he resides. Amidst our lovely discussions coupled with gossip, he decided to enquire some facts concerning the present state of things in Nigeria especially in the area of politics.

Firstly, he asked how were the electorates preparing towards the fast approaching 2015 general elections; and I quickly told him that the elections in question is a call for sober reflection for all Nigerians and lovers of the country.

Truly anyone who has Nigeria at heart irrespective of his place of residence would be deeply concerned about the awaiting elections. Yes any right thinking Nigerian who thinks good of this country, regardless of where he resides, is expected to be worried or filled with anxiety over the incoming elections. No doubt, some of us have embarked on a perpetual or have already concluded, their fasting and prayers in regard to the said forthcoming political tussle.

Notwithstanding, whatever the case might be, we ought to note that the proposed elections is simply a clarion call for sober reflection among the Nigerian citizenry as well as all the concerned fellows across the globe. Frankly the era we are passing through is a period that requires absolute pampering without using the baby ‘pampers’. If it is in football or sports generally, this is the right time to embrace the drawing board for the sole purpose of having a rethink.

Surely, as we earnestly await 2015, we need to cross-examine so many things, so that, we won’t end up dancing ‘Makosa’ when we are meant to dance Hip-hop or vice-versa. Without mincing words, if we fail to soberly reflect on some certain things at this point, we would have ourselves to be blamed. Let’s ride on!

When Nigeria got her Independence via the collective effort of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Tafawa Belewa, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, et al, little did the nationalists know that Nigeria would still be facing some of the challenges she is currently facing. Even in their grave, they still find it difficult to believe that Nigeria is still, at this point, a purported united nation, or still battling with election rigging. Thus for the fact that Nigeria as an independent country is yet to be totally united, there’s no need reiterating the fact that the forthcoming 2015 elections call for absolute sober reflection among the electorates.

Though, every nation or entity has its challenges, and ours is not exceptional. But what matters is the step we are taking to ensure that we overcome our challenges. We are expected to reflect on some certain factors or better still, ask ourselves a few questions as follows: Are we truly taking a sincere step? Do we really want to leave this country better than we met it just as our forefathers did? And lastly but not the least, do our leaders actually strive towards taking this country to the anticipated promised land, or are they only interested in their personal aggrandizement?

At this juncture, I sincerely challenge the Nigerian youths to form a formidable confraternity as regards rebranding the Nigerian society. It is high time we stopped being used or manipulated by the men in power, rather let’s stand firm and thoroughly independent.

I was informed that the Transformation Ambassador Nigeria (TAN) is a non-governmental body, but you would bear me witness that the so-called NGO has been organizing campaign rallies for Dr Goodluck Jonathan, and other political aspirants under the aegis of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). Who is deceiving who?

I’m not here to create faction or to side any party; rather I’m only calling for ‘Sober reflection’ because I’m of the view that we all have derailed profoundly regarding the forthcoming 2015 general elections. I bet you; if we continue like this, it would take us nowhere.

By now, we ought to have learnt from our past. I want us to note that one who takes reference from his or her past stands to have a better tomorrow. Therefore, challenge us to let our past make us better persons rather than giving it a chance to usher us into a bitter mood. The choice is yours. Think about it!

 

FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com          

+2348028608056       

Increasing Rate Of Road Accidents

INCREASING RATE OF ROAD ACCIDENTS

Brethren, doing what you like is freedom, whilst liking what you do is simply happiness. In other words, it is only total freedom that can make one to do whatever he/she likes; so if someone does whatever he wishes to do, it implies that he’s completely free.

Freedom is indeed an essential recipe deserves by everyone or, required by the human race in its entirety. But the rate at which it is being abused by most of us remains an alarming anomaly that requires an urgent and severe attention.

I’ve come to realize as well arrived at a conclusion that, freedom no doubts, intoxicates thereby constituting series of cacophonies among mankind. Yes most people often go crazy because they have all the rights to indulge in whatever that pleases them. These incessant anomalies produced due to freedom, invariably lead to aberration.

Today, our paramount concern is on the increasing rate of accidents on our roads. If you are a resident of Nigeria, you would bear me witness that the rate at which accident occurs on our major roads has become quite alarming in recent times. Of course it is longer news that every nook and cranny of the nation has lately been littered by fathomless road accident by the automobiles.

Considering the basic causes of the aforementioned plight, several concerned citizens have been tempted to presume that the acclaimed giant of Africa has no road safety personnel. Perhaps, it is not true that the nation has no personnel that oversee the management of our roads to ensure safety, because surely, they are found all over the country. If the assertion or insinuation of the people is not a fact, then the subsequent question would be: what actually causes these perilous occurrences on our major roads?

Apart from hundreds of thousands of them that took place several months ago, within these ongoing Ember months, there have been incidences of innumerable accidents recorded on various high ways across the country to include, Lagos-Ibadan express way, Owerri-Onitsha road, Benin-Ore road, Port/Harcourt-Aba road, Ekiti-Osun road, among so many others. The most devastating aspect of it is that, it takes place virtually on a daily basis simultaneously on the roads in question.

Frankly, something drastic needs to be done in earnest, so that, we won’t wake up one morning to see every part of the Nigeria’s society in shambles as a result of Road accident. Let’s ride on!

First and foremost, the governments must ensure that all the roads are put in appropriate and desirable shapes without any iota of delay. Due to bad road network, sometimes the commuters prefer to operate on ‘One-way’ which severally leads to collisions.

Secondly, the federal government as well as every state government ought to ensure that a special lane is constructed for the trucks or Lorries. Creating a well designed road for the big vehicles would automatically create an avenue for serenity on the already existing roads or high ways meant for the smaller ones.

Thirdly, a law should be passed by our legislators, stating that, before anyone would be issued a Driver’s License, he/she must had passed through a driving school instituted by the Nigerian Road Safety Corps or an institution duly approved or recognized by the said corps.  By so doing, only real drivers would be seen handling the steering, which would go a long way to curtail or restrict reckless driving often indulged-in, by the so called drivers.

Lastly but not the least, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should put up a holistic crusade that would ensure that no bad vehicle is found on any of the roads. Most times you would see vehicles that are meant to be thrown to the waste bin operating freely on the road thereby endangering people’s safety.

The above mentioned aberration is solely caused by the motorists or the car owners. Sometimes you would see a ‘driver’ who never cares to open his car bonnet before making use of it. The uncalled freedom assigned to drivers has made them to lousily forget that the fitness or readiness of any vehicle must be properly checked and crosschecked by its driver before it’s being used for the day.

Above all, mobile courts ought to be instituted by the apt authority in order to try any purported driver who goes contrary to the traffic modus operandi or the laws biding the drivers; and, a capital punishment must be allocated to anyone found guilty. To actualize the aim of this proposed measure, the officers of the Road Safety Corps or any personnel involved must endeavour to exonerate themselves from bribery or any form of extortion.

For crying out loud, it’s high time we stopped these bloody occurrences on our precious roads. And this can only be actualized if the governments successfully implement the above recommendations as well as withdraw the inconsequential freedom presently exercised by the motorists. Think about it!

 

FDN NWAOZOR

+2348028608056

frednwaozor@gmail.com

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