The Alleged Ban On AIT, Undemocratic

THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AIT, UNDEMOCRATIC

        

        

No doubt, life is all about learning from yesterday, living for today, and hoping for tomorrow. But as we learn from our yesterday, we ought not to allow the fear of the past affect the outlook of our future; in other words, we are expected to live for what tomorrow has to bring, not what yesterday has taken away.

        

It is apparent that the long awaited 2015 general elections have successfully come and gone, but the fact remains that the injuries sustained by many during the said polls might linger for many months, if not years, before they get completely healed. Same phenomenon is observed in a situation whereby the scar of a certain wound sustained remained indelible on the victim’s skin after several years the wound got healed.

        

Though, retired General Mohammadu Buhari emerged victorious at the just concluded Presidential polls, which automatically places him as the incoming democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but some of the shocks he acquired prior to or during the aforementioned era can never be forgotten in a hurry. One of the primary causes of the said shocks is not unconnected to the campaign of calumny that was embarked upon by the various political parties, including his, during the electioneering phase.

         

Presently, the news making the rounds is that one of the foremost visual broadcasting outfits in the country, the African Independent Television (AIT) was barred by the President-Elect under the auspices of his political party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) from covering any of his future activities henceforth regardless of the nature of the activity. One may ask what could warrant the pronouncement of such undemocratic utterance.

         

It would be recalled that during the electioneering period, there was a certain documentary concerning Mohammadu Buhari that was televised on the media station in question, which obviously dented the image of the retired General alongside that of his family. As soon as the piece went on air for the first time, the national leadership of the APC cried foul, stating that such act was not just irrational and barbaric but totally dastardly and unacceptable. In the same vein, there was also a similar piece concerning another chieftain of the party who happens to be the past governor of Lagos State – Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu that was equally televised by AIT, in which the former hurriedly took the matter to court in protest of the inhumane act.

        

In reaction to the restriction imposed on the electronic media outfit by the incoming President, the founder cum Chairman of the DAAR Communications Plc, which is the umbrella body of the AIT, Chief Raymond Dokpesi has stated that the action or directive was purely unconstitutional, hence cannot be abide by or adhered to, by any licensed broadcasting company in Nigeria, talk more of AIT which is an international organization. Chief Dokpesi went further to state that the pronouncement was baseless and lacks any jurisdiction, citing some sections of the Nigerian constitution to that effect.

        

My stance in this scenario, as a concerned citizen, is nothing but for the fact that that utterance publicly made by the incoming President via his political party – the APC, was undemocratic. It is true and apparent that the President-Elect was severely hurt and humiliated by the media firm in question, but the recent step taken by the aggrieved party is unequivocally unwholesome to the Nigeria’s democracy, which many are saying has finally come to stay in the country.

        

 Without mincing words, such act has the tendency of biasing the mindset of millions of Nigerians who are already in an euphoric mood owing to the recent victory recorded with the opinion that the ‘awaited Messiah’ is about to take over the mantle of leadership or the helm of affairs of the ‘Giant of Africa’. Considering this singular fact, the people involved were supposed to have a thorough thought over their intended action and its likely consequence before unfolding it as they have rightly done.

         

 I’m of the view that a diplomatic measure would have been taken rather than this, which might tell on the democratic system of our great nation, Nigeria. Suffice it to say; dialogue would have been the most appropriate measure to be taken instead of a harsh treatment. But it is not yet late for the suggested approach to be utilized; hence there is still room to reverse the proclamation for the interest of the Nigerian citizenry at large.

        

 Someone may be fighting a just cause, but the manner he uses to approach the issue might worsen it or even make him be misunderstood by the affected individuals. Surely, Gen Buhari’s action in alliance with his political party is justifiable but there are so many peaceful and amicable ways they could use to actualize their motive instead of putting up a statement that might sound not unlike an ear-sore before the general public. Thus I appeal for a redress.

           

In view of the above suggestion, I enjoin our amiable incoming President to candidly bury his anger as well as overlook the injury he sustained while in the battle field for posterity sake and for the interest of our children yet unborn. He shouldn’t allow the fear of his past to affect the outlook of the country’s future, rather he is expected to learn a lesson from the said past.

           

Frankly speaking, every country needs the media for the sustenance of her democracy; though broadcasting involving calumny must not be condoled by any citizen who has the interest of this country at heart. Think about it!

COMR FRED NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador) 

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

         

         

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)

_______________________________________

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)
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056