Capt Iheanacho: Another Refined Politician

CAPT IHEANACHO: ANOTHER REFINED POLITICIAN

                   

It is no longer news that the mindset of an average Nigerian politician is preoccupied with deceit, insensitivity, and arrogance. But this does not imply that there are no exemplary ones in their midst. Suffice to say; amid the gangsters, lies a Saint.

         

As a citizen of Imo State and one who is resident in the state, I’ve taken my precious time to study most of the politicians in the state in question and lately I came up with a conclusion that, Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho is one of the few politicians who are truly exemplary or worthy of emulation. You would recall that Capt Iheanacho was one of the governorship contestants in the just concluded gubernatorial polls in Imo State, in which he emerged as the third best, following Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha – the seating governor and Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha – the present Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Reps who occupied the first and second positions respectively.

         

Capt Iheanacho is one of the few politicians that have succeeded in proving to my person that Nigeria still have leaders with integrity or leaders that think more of the people than their personal interest. Throughout his electioneering activity in Imo State – the Eastern Heartland, to the best of my knowledge, there was no time he displayed any form of insensitivity, calumny, antagonism, or inconsequential bickering. As long as the said era lasted, he was only mindful of his manifesto or his proposed agenda if he eventually become the governor of the state, unlike the other politicians who were busy condemning the accomplishments of the past and present leadership of the state.

        

Above all, Capt Iheanacho was at no time involved in any indecent or unguided conduct. He was extremely conscious of every bit of his utterances. Even during the election, he conducted himself like a statesman and seasoned politician. Suffice to say; in him, lies a true, genuine and sensitive leader.

        

This singular fact has made me to develop an unalloyed passion for his person. I pray one day, he would be at the helm of affairs in Imo State; but for this to be actualized, he ought to endeavour to support governor Okorocha’s administration, so that, at the long run the governor will willingly and wholeheartedly handover to him.

        

I’m using this avenue to appeal to other politicians in Imo State, and Nigeria at large to emulate such idiosyncrasy. Anyone who truly intends to lead any society must be prepared to showcase characters that his/her prospective subjects would be pleased with. You cannot tell people in your dirty appearance that you intend to make their wears look stainless. It’s a paradox. In other words, we must endeavour to be conscious of what we say or do at all times regardless of the circumstance.

         

It is high time our teeming politicians started thinking differently. They ought to note that presently, the electorate are both socially and politically aware of whatever that is happening around them unlike before. Prior to this moment, on the average, an ordinary Nigerian citizen pays less concern over issues relating to politics or political events.

         

Thus, I challenge every Nigerian politician to wake up from his or her respective slumber. They shouldn’t be informed that politics in Nigeria is no longer what it used to be. Apparently, it is no longer business as usual. Right now, for an aspirant to win the heart of the electorate, he/she must distinguish him/herself as well as live up to the expectation. Currently, even a ‘moron’ in the country acknowledges the real meaning of ‘good governance’ or ‘dividend of democracy’

         

It is needless to state that, this is exactly the time for rethink or total turnaround as the case might be. For some of us whose consciences seem dead, this time you must embrace remorse for your own good. There are no two ways about it. The choice is yours. So, as we await another four precious years, I put it up to you that you have enough time frame to become a better as well as a vision-oriented politician.  

          

Based on the topic before us, I candidly suggest to the amiable Captain who I have seen as a great leader, to form an alliance with Gov Rochas Okorocha if he truly intend to lead Imo State someday. Please Sir, think about it!

 

 

 COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Admission Challenges In Nigeria's Schools

ADDRESSING ADMISSION CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA’S TERTIARY SCHOOLS

                

Admission into a place, organization or institution can be defined as the act of allowing someone to enter it or join it as the case may be. Similarly, admission into an institution of learning is the situation whereby one is being allowed to study in the institution or to become a bona-fide student or trainee of the school.

        

Considering the above definition, it is apparent that it is only through admission exercise that one could gain access to study in any citadel of learning of his or her choice. Thus, admission could be referred to as a pathway towards acquiring any academic qualification.

          

It is no longer news that in recent times seeking of admission into various Nigeria’s tertiary citadels of learning, which is considered as a prerequisite towards any educational pursuit, has been a thing of worry to the concerned citizenry. Indeed, currently it has become a mirage for one to secure an admission space in most of the country’s institutions of higher learning ranging from schools of Nursing, to Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities. Most of the model modern secondary schools owned and managed by the government are not left out in this anomaly.

         

The said educational morass is attributed to many factors to include examination malpractice or impersonation, bribery, admission racketeering, nepotism, finance, as well as insufficient facilities. These among other factors too numerous to mention are the reasons so many Nigerians have remained on queue for several years in the name of ‘seeking for an admission space’.

          

Examination malpractice, which has eaten deep in the nation’s educational sector, is one of the major factors that have made many of our brilliant young ones to continue roaming on the street while those who cannot even spell their names are found in the classrooms. Examination malpractice or impersonation as the case may be, has succeeded in making the dummies to come out with flying colours or greater performances at the end of the day thereby placing their chances of securing admission higher than those who truly deserve the access.

         

Bribery also, is a factor that has created room for what is notoriously known as ‘Sorting’. Sorting – a socio economic virus on our campuses, can be described as an avenue through which the tertiary schools’ students or candidates give what they have, either financially or otherwise, in exchange for what they want or desire. This method enables any admission seeker to gain access to any institution of his or her choice since the Aptitude Test grade/score of the candidate in question can be influenced by the authorities involved.

        

In the same vein, admission racketeering is not left out. Admission racketeering is the sale of admission spaces to interested candidates or members of the public thereby endangering admission by merit. In some quarters, the institutions involved would prefer to involve intermediaries during the racketeering procedure in order to ease congestion. The truth of the matter is that admission racketeering has succeeded in depriving admission access from millions of candidates who actually merit it but are financially handicapped.

          

More so, the issue of finances is another factor that cannot be taken for granted. In most cases the charges attached to the Aptitude Test forms/cards are unbearable, which often make many admission seekers to lose their chances of sitting for the Aptitude Test thereby making them forfeit their respective admission opportunities. It is appalling that, having paid for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, the candidates would be subsequently subjected to high payment in order to sit for the Aptitude test of the institutions of their choices.

         

Apart from the aptitude test charges, the ongoing high payment or arbitrary increment of tuition fees is another financial issue that has discouraged many less-privileged ones who intend to secure admission in the universities or polytechnics, or as the case might be.

        

Another critical and sensitive factor which has been one of the major challenges faced by prospective students of most citadels of higher learning in the country is nepotism. Nepotism is the situation in which one uses his/her power or authority to secure opportunities or other benefits for members of their family, friends or associates. Due to nepotism, even an imbecile has the ability to secure an admission space provided he is a relative to a member of the management of the institution in question.

          

Above all, the plight of insufficient facilities in our schools cannot be overemphasized. Lack of adequate facilities such as lecture rooms/halls, laboratories, libraries, workshops and what have you, has hampered the admission quotas of most institutions as approved by the appropriate authorities like the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Polytechnics Commission (NPC), et cetera thereby making the affected schools to admit fewer number of candidates per academic session.

         

The government should do something drastic to ensure that this aberration that has endangered the growth of our educational sector is duly restored. In this regard, the law makers ought to enact a law that would assign capital punishment to anyone found guilty of exam malpractice, bribery, admission racketeering, to mention but a few.

         

The concerned authorities such as NUC, NPC, among others, as the case might be, should endeavour to assist the government in checkmating the proposed law by setting up a monitoring team that would from time to time oversee the activities of the institutions. In this regard, the proposed team is expected to ensure that arbitrary increment of exam charges, or tuition fees are put to stop.

         

Most importantly, the schools ought to be mandated to introduce as well as make use of the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode during their aptitude test exercise, which would help to eradicate all forms of malpractice or sitting for exams by proxy. In line with this measure, sufficient computer equipment must be made available by the schools through the intervention of the government.

         

Inter alia, the members of the civil society should ensure that the problem faced by admission seekers owing to nepotism is completely eradicated. On this note, they are expected to diligently, relentlessly and selflessly carry out crusade as regards the ordeal, with the aim of restoring equity and fairness among the affected individuals.

        

However, the government must do everything humanly possible to ensure that the required facilities in any citadel of higher learning in the country are duly and thoroughly provided which would go a long way in influencing the admission quotas of the institution. The private owned ones should also be mandated to follow suit. On the other hand, the government in its capacity ought to not hesitate to sanction or closedown any school found guilty of any questionable character by any court of competent jurisdiction.

         

On their part, the parents or guardians should be very mindful of how they train or handle their children/wards; thus, should on no account nurture the interest of patronizing any fraudulent academic act to include examination malpractice, sorting, admission racketeering, or what have you, on their behalf. Needless to state that, they ought to endeavour at all times to report any individual, group or purported authority that is suspected to be party to any of the above mentioned unacceptable acts.

         

In view of the aforementioned anomalies, there is no gain saying that all hands are expected to be on deck towards the restoration of normalcy in our demeaning educational sector. Think about it!

 

COMR FDN NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
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frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056

I Salute You, Owelle Ndigbo

I SALUTE YOU, OWELLE NDI IGBO!

        

       

Indeed, antagonism, envy, enmity, and of course inconsequential bickering have bewildered mankind’s thrive towards attainment of success since the world began. If you take reference from the holy Bible or Quran as the case may be, you would concur with this perception. This singular fact has succeeded in deterring most men from embarking on their respective desired odysseys.

         

Having witnessed enormous antagonism lately or for the past six months now, if I’m not mistaken, Imo State alongside other states in the federation that are advocates of good governance recorded another epoch-making event few days ago. Of course, it was all about the just concluded gubernatorial polls that saw the re-emergence of the people’s governor, Chief Owelle Rochas Okorocha – OON for a second term in office. 

        

Lest I forget; I want to let us know that this very topic “I salute you, Owelle Ndi Igbo” was successfully manufactured some weeks ago prior to the main election that took place on Saturday April 11, owing to my panoramic view. Yes, I foresaw the outcome of the said historic outing; and I couldn’t imagine seeing my candid vision failing my person because such scenario has never transpired in my lifetime. No doubt, it was a vision accompanied with a severe mission just as it had invariably been.

        

Frankly speaking, Gov Okorocha’s re-election as the governor of Imo State – the Eastern Heartland is not unlike placing a round peg in a round hole, because the man in question, who I often address as “Imo Lion”, came, saw, and finally conquered while at the helm of affairs.

        

Chief Rochas Okorocha whose victory in 2011 became tangible or apparent after the supplementary election that took place in five of the LGAs in the state, precisely Ngor-Okpala, Owerri-North, Mbaitolu, Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta, has been recognized as a people-oriented governor since he assumed duty in May 29, 2011.  His accomplishments so far ranging from the education sector to health, security, agriculture, road network, infrastructure, prompt payment of workers’ salary, payment of pension arrears, youth empowerment, and what have you, are unequivocally unprecedented.

         

If time as well as space would permit me, I would like to put up a painstaking analysis as regards the aforementioned area he has strived relentlessly. Notwithstanding, I must do justice to it for posterity sake. The moment Gov Okorocha assumed duty as the number one citizen of Imo State, he thought it wise to proclaim “free education” from nursery to tertiary level, in which that of the tertiary level was meant for only Imo indigenes; a mandate he has kept till date. Coupled with the renovation of all the primary and secondary schools in the state. This was what fetched him the renowned name “the Commander of Free Education”. As if that was not enough, he proceeded to massive construction cum rehabilitation of all the urban and rural roads in the state. Surely, a trip to Imo State will convince any visitor, if he/she was there prior to 2011.

         

Furthermore, Gov Okorocha’s timely acknowledgement of the role of good health system has succeeded in salvaging Imolites in their entirety. He began with the simultaneous construction of new modern model Health Centres in each of the twenty-seven (27) LGAs in the state, which are nearing completion. In addition, he transcended to the construction of “Ochiedike Diagnostic Centre” situated in New-Owerri meant solely for the treatment of protracted illnesses like cancer, liver or kidney failure, among other similar diseases, which is currently in use. Among all, the immense contribution of the Imo Foundation, which was instituted by the governor, in the area of health uplift remains unquantifiable. Let’s ride on!

         

Today, in Imo State, every worker goes home or smiles to the bank with his/her monthly salary as and when due. Payment of arrears of pension incurred by past administrators since the year 1992 to all the affected persons, are not left out; the Senior Citizens in the state can attest to this fact. Inter alia, the present level of infrastructural development in the Eastern Heartland cannot be overemphasized, that, even the blind could see it. Imo International Conference Centre (IICC), the New Government House, new Imo Library, Government House Chapel, Heroes Square, Freedom Square, Deputy Governor’s quarters, Odenigbo Guest House, and many others too numerous to mention, are a few of them.

         

I can’t round off this analysis without pinpointing job creation. Several Imo youths have secured meaningful employment under Gov Okorocha’s administration in various ministries and parastatals, particularly in the education sector. Above all, thousands of youths in the state have been engaged in several jobs under the aegis of some of the state establishments such as the Imo Civil Guard Corps, Imo Security Network, among others.

         

Even though most of these employees are being paid stipend, at least the government has succeeded in keeping them away from idleness which is the most grievous societal cankerworm in existence. And such practice has severely helped in fighting insecurity and other social-vices in the state. Of course, it is only a dummy that is yet to acknowledge that insecurity has become a thing of the past in Imo State.

         

Time might not permit me to comment on agriculture. But let me briefly inform us that one of the ancient and outdated agricultural firms in the state known as “Adapalm” has been profoundly rebranded by Gov Okorocha to an enviable standard; and the said farm is currently producing thousands of eggs as well as chicks on a daily basis coupled with other numerous agricultural produce thereby boasting the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The Imo Microfinance Bank built by the Rescue Mission administration is another accomplishment to reckon with as regards IGR.

         

Chief Okorocha’s overall performance in Imo has attracted a costly fortune to his name including “the Senior Advocate of the Masses”, which he is widely referred to as by the entire Imolites, due to his keen interest and passion in the uplift of the general well-being of the masses having noted that they are the people that are truly in need of good governance.

          

Against this backdrop, there is no need reiterating the fact that Gov Okorocha’s reemergence as the governor of Imo State for a second term is not unconnected to his fathomless and innumerable achievements so far. Suffice to say; the victory recorded in the state on Saturday April 11, which I tag “the Imo Triumph”, is mainly attributed to Chief Okorocha’s genuine vision for the state. He had rightly stated during the electioneering era that he was returning to consolidate all his good works; according to him, his second term would be focused on “Industrialization and massive creation of job opportunities.” I wish him good luck. Please I’m using this avenue to appeal to the opposition to concede defeat and join the governor in building Imo State for the interest of the state at large.

         

Before I drop my pen, I want to quickly let my amiable governor understand that he had succeeded in rescuing Imolites from shackles of abject poverty, therefore I humbly suggest it is time he changed his administration slogan “Rescue Mission Agenda”, which has gained a global recognition, to a totally different slogan relating to his incoming proposed mission. I’ve some ideas in mind regarding this suggestion, but I wouldn’t know if it will please your Excellency.

        

All the same, I want to seize this golden opportunity to say once more: I salute you, Owelle Ndi Igbo gburu gburu. In addition, I salute your darling wife Mama Imo – Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha. I also extend my unalloyed salute to your indefatigable deputy – Prince Eze Madumere, MFR. You all have really overcome the envy, antagonism, enmity and unnecessary bickering that suddenly became the order of the day in our dear state. Indeed you have fought fiercely and conquered, thus you deserve a classic award. Believe me, I’ve never been happier than this moment because this is a time I have longed for. My proactive governor, without mincing words, you deserve a third term if the law permits. Accept my heartfelt congratulations.

        

Don’t forget Sir, we can’t wait to behold the manifestation of your manifesto. You have done it before to the extent of proving many critics wrong as well as convincing several sceptics; so I strongly believe Imo would be greater this time. Nevertheless, I sincerely want you to tell me how soon because I personally cannot wait. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056