Awaited Imo LG Polls

AWAITED IMO LG POLLS ON MY MIND

     
Greetings brethren. If a veteran hunter forgot his den gun while embarking on a hunt, I wonder how he would perform in the process. In the same vein; as a talented writer, if I intend to ignore my pen while carrying out an analytical task, I wonder how I would perform. Similarly, as an activist by calling, if my tongue is eventually sealed, what would be my fate?

      It would also interest you to know that I’m an engineer or a technologist by profession; so as a practicing engineer, if I misplaced the screwdriver in my workshop, how would I render my services? I humbly implore you to give it a deep thought and kindly get back to me with a tangible response. Please, I can’t wait to have the reply to any of these enquiries.

      
The summary of it all is that, in any thing you do or you are into, there must be something or an item you are not meant to joke with or take for granted. For instance, a politician who takes his/her team mates or party colleagues for granted is definitely headed for doom; there are no two ways about it. Any politician who truly wishes to excel or strive to the next level must always carry his or her associates along, else he would no doubt finds him/herself in an unforeseen sorry state.

      However, that is not my business for today’s edition. Today, my interest lies solely in the awaited Imo State Local Government election, which is apparently long overdue. The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended thereafter, clearly and frankly stipulates that the country shall be made up of the federal, state and local governments, and shall respectively be headed by an Executive President, Executive Governor as well as an Executive Chairman.

    
The aforesaid mandate implies that any state across the federation that is yet to have Executive Chairmen in its various Local Government Councils is not existing/acting in accordance to the rule of law, thus it’s expected to do everything possible toward ensuring that such anomaly is duly addressed.

      One major thing the former governor of Imo State – Chief Achike Udenwa did during his reign as the governor of the state from 1999 to 2007, which was applaudable and worthy of emulation though his administration never favoured the masses, was that he ensured that each of the twenty-seven (27) Local Government Areas in the state had an Executive Chairman. Subsequently, the man that succeeded him – Chief Ikedi Ohakim who seemed very smart managed to conduct what appeared like an election barely few months to the expiration of his tenure.

     
Now, His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha is on board and since his inception, Imo likewise few other states in Nigeria is yet to experience what is constitutionally referred to as “LG polls” although the teeming electorate have been coming across series of promises as regards the awaited polls. I tell you unequivocally that any rational being or anyone who thinks good of the state would say that one of the greatest things he expects the esteemed governor to do is to candidly conduct the long awaited LG election regardless of the political party he or she belongs/affiliated to.       

     Owing to the fact that many Nigerian politicians are sycophants and those of Imo state are not exceptional, most of the governor’s associates whom are aggrieved in respect to this ordeal wouldn’t intend to disclose their grievances to his hearing; rather, they would prefer to remain praise singers even when the governor is erring.

     
My colleagues of like minds who have the interest of the state at heart had been patient enough due to the fact that the Imo governor Chief Rochas Okorocha has been preoccupied with several developmental projects since he assumed duty ranging from the establishment of free education policy to infrastructure, road networks, among many others, with the hope that the said election would surely be conducted someday; but the last time I checked, it appeared the persons in question were fast losing their patience.

      The Local Government Council enables governance to be holistically felt by the ordinary people irrespective of the locality they are resident in. the local government is in a good position to duly x-ray the true need of the people at all levels especially the rural/remote areas of any given state. A local government chairman is invariably the only one that possesses the capacity to ascertain if any of the local markets or roads within his/her jurisdiction requires an urgent rehabilitation. Hence, the function of the Local Government Councils in any state cannot be overemphasized.

      And, “Transition Committee or Caretaker” Chairmen whose stay in office is obviously temporarily would not be able to render the needed services to the people because they may be asked to leave their various offices at any time; funny enough, sometimes they are even taken unawares in regard to termination of duty, and such practice is not wholesome for the growth of any state. A substantive or elected chairman who is regarded as an “Executive Chairman” has a stipulated period of time to spend in office, thus would have a tangible time to execute his/her agenda and most importantly, he/she would concentrate fully while carrying out the task before him/her.

     As one who is determined to render good governance to the entire Imolites as promised ab initio, maybe the governor is afraid of seeing unscrupulous elements occupying the positions of the Executive Chairmen or Councillors of the various LGs and Wards in the state. As a focused governor, he may be of the view that the various LGs may end up having men of underworlds as their Executive Chairmen if elections were conducted, and such scenario wouldn’t augur well with his Rescue Mission Agenda.

      If the aforementioned perception is the governor’s fear, I’ve a suggestion or candid advice for his Excellency. First and foremost; prior to the election, he should endeavour to involve the various concerned security outfits in the state towards ensuring that every aspirant is duly screened without any fear or favour; by so doing, any prospective LG Chairman or Ward Councillor with questionable character or with any trace of stained antecedents would be shown the way out.

      More so, rigorous seminars ought to be organized for the electorate in order to create a platform through which they would be thoroughly sensitized on the need for them to cast their votes for whom they have explicit confidence in or whomsoever that would bring nothing but good governance to them, without being biased. The electorate should be meant to realize that the awaited polls would determine their future/fate.

     
Lastly but not the least, the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) must be warned to take the election very seriously; they must be notified severely that whosoever violates any of the electoral Acts would be meant to face the wrath of the law without much ado. As an astute administrator, I strongly believe the impeccable governor has all it takes to make the polls in question yield nothing but unalloyed success.

     
Nevertheless, all I want the governor to acknowledge is that the people cannot wait to witness the said polls, thus he ought to do everything humanly possible and within his reach to ensure he complies with the yearning of the teeming Imolites especially the masses whom I’m aware remain his priority. Thus, he is expected to see the election in question as a tool synonymous with his targeted success just as a veteran hunter sees his den gun. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

Follow: @fred_nwaozor          

  

2015 World Diabetes Day

INTENSIFYING AWARENESS ON DIABETES AS THE WORLD DIABETES DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2015

        

Diabetes is a lifelong medical condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. It is often caused by the insufficiency or lack of the hormone known as insulin, which is produced by the pancreas – a gland found behind the stomach.

       

The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by insulin. When food is digested and enters the bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells where it’s broken down to produce the required energy.

       

However this implies that, if one has diabetes, his/her body is unable to break down glucose into energy; because there’s either not enough insulin to move the glucose or the insulin being produced doesn’t work properly.

        

There are two main types of diabetes namely: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The former is usually more delicate than the latter which is far more common.

        

In Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. As no insulin is produced, the victim’s glucose level increases, which can seriously damage his body’s organs. Type 1 diabetes is often regarded as Insulin-dependent diabetes; it is also sometimes recognized as Juvenile diabetes or Early-onset diabetes, because it mostly develops before the age of forty (40) or usually during the teenage years.

       

If one is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he would need insulin injections for the rest of his life. He would also need to pay very close attention to certain aspects of his lifestyle and health, to ensure that his blood glucose levels stay balanced at all times.

       

Type 2 diabetes takes place when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it cells don’t react to insulin. This type of diabetes is generally known as Insulin-resistant diabetes. Since Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, the patient may eventually need medication mainly in the form of tablets.

       

Type 2 diabetes is in most cases associated with obesity. Obesity-related diabetes is sometimes referred to as Maturity-onset diabetes owing to the fact that it is more common in older people.

       

During pregnancy, some women possess high levels of blood glucose, which makes their body unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. Such condition is known as Gestational diabetes and it affects up to 18 in 100 women during pregnancy. Pregnancy can as well make existing Type 1 diabetes worse.

       

Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of health problems developing in an unborn baby, therefore it’s very necessary for a pregnant woman to keep her blood glucose levels under control. In several cases, gestational diabetes develops during the second trimester of pregnancy, which is weeks 14 to 26, and disappears after the baby is born. But the truth remains that, women who suffer from gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

       

The general symptoms of diabetes, which often take place simultaneously, are as follows:

v Feeling very thirsty.

v Urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night.

v Feeling very tired.

v Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk.

v Cuts or wounds that heal slowly.

v Blurred vision, caused by the lens of the eye becoming dry.

v Itching around the private part or frequent episodes of thrush.

        

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days. Whilst, many people may have Type 2 diabetes for years without realizing it because the early symptoms tend to be friendly.

       Statistics, according to World Health Organization (WHO), show that about 347 million people worldwide are presently suffering from diabetes. In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high fasting blood sugar. The most devastating aspect of diabetes is that, almost half of the people suffering from it do not know that they have the disease. In view of this, WHO stipulates that diabetes would be the 7^th leading cause of death by the year 2030.

      
Many more people worldwide have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is referred to as Pre-diabetes. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased. Thus, it’s absolutely very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it would get progressively worse if left untreated.

        In general, diabetes carriers are advised to eat healthily, take regular exercise and carry out regular blood tests in order to ensure that their blood glucose levels remain balanced. Above all, they are also advised to maintain a very cordial relationship with their doctors or health experts.

        Today Saturday November 14, the world over is commemorating the 2015 World Diabetes Day. The World Diabetes Day, which is an annual and international commemoration, was instituted in the year 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to help in raising public awareness on the dangers and control of diabetes.

        World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations (UN) Day in 2007 through the passage of the UN Resolution. The day was chosen in honour of the birthday of Frederick Banting who along with Charles Best first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1921. The campaign attached to the World Diabetes Day draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes community and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.

        As the global community marks the World Diabetes Day today, I’m using this avenue to urge the general public to endeavour to live a life that would exonerate them from contracting this dreaded disease that has claimed hundreds of millions of souls as well as maimed several lives both in the past and present. They can achieve this by ensuring that they consume balance diets or by staying away from constant intake of starchy or sugary foods without supplementing them with other required classes of foods.

       
The sufferers of the disease ought to also note that they can live as long as possible if necessary precautions are always taken, or if they continually stick to the modus operandi surrounding the disease, such as eating healthily, indulging in regular exercise, carrying out blood tests regularly, and consistent intake of the prescribed drugs or frequent consultation of a physician, among others.

       
Yes diabetes has no absolute cure but it can be prevented, or managed if contracted; thus it is worthy to acknowledge that we have every opportunity to live without the disease or live healthily if being attacked by it. Think about it!

 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com         

Oru East APC and Tussle for Supremacy

ORU EAST APC AND TUSSLE FOR SUPREMACY


Greetings brethren. I wish to commence with a candid question; have you ever wondered why the creator created both day and night? Well, if you’ve been preoccupied with such thought, I want to use this avenue to clear the air. God added night having created day with a view to ensuring that mankind would embrace a tangible rest having worked relentlessly all through the day; needless to say that, rest was initiated by God as a statutory obligation.

Thus, we all are meant to rest during the night. And it is noteworthy that such act known as ‘Rest’ remains inevitable irrespective of your status. Maybe you should take a look at someone who skipped his/her night rest, and ascertain if he/she is coping with the day. Significantly, one who missed his night rest can never concentrate during the subsequent day. This fact implies that no one cheats on nature; yes, you can never cheat nature, rather the reverse would take place.

This piece is targeted to discuss Oru East Local Government Council in respect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) – the ruling political party in Nigeria. I tell you categorically that currently there are names that cannot be left out while discussing Oru East APC, and such names include Chief Nathan Udogwu, Chief Chime Nzeribe, Dr Emma Ogbenta, Chief Augustine Onyedebelu, Barr Obinna Amagwula, Hon Osita Nnewuihe, Barr Nelson Ezerioha, Chief Nicholas Nkemdeme, Hon Nkenna Nzeruo, Chief Abu Nnanna, Hon (Mrs) Nma Nzeribe, Chief Bernard Nwanana, Chief Donatus Ejifugha, Chief Romanus Egbuladike, Hon Chidi Opurum, Hon Alphonsus Onwumere, Chief Robert Okuego, Prince Lasbery Okoroaforanyanwu, Chief Calistus Ugoeze, among others.

And, as far as Imo State is concerned, the last time I checked the bearers of the aforementioned names were invariably at the forefront of the state’s political terrain that no one would attempt to take any of them for granted for any reason whatsoever; those who are part and parcel of the Imo Politics can testify to this fact. It is also worthy to note that Oru East remains one of the hottest and most proactive LGAs whenever politics is discussed in Imo and beyond; therefore anything that affects the area would definitely affects the Eastern Heartland profoundly.

From my humble observation, one of the most challenges being faced by the aforesaid LGA is the issue of tussle for supremacy that is often witnessed among the said leaders which usually lead to creation of factions among them. Well, it is not weird or absurd to hear that such act exists between them considering their respective statuses. Of course such practice is not uncommon in any area/locality made up of men of timber and caliber or people of powerful reputations.

When Barr Obinna Amagwula came on board as the Transition Committee Chairman of the council, the first thing he made effort to achieve was to bring the men together regardless of their differences; though he tried actualizing his prime aim but it was to an extent. The young man put up every possible effort towards restoring unity in the area, and he was applauded by people like us for such giant and bold stride.

Even though the elections that were long awaited have successfully come and gone and what the electorate expect at this moment is nothing but governance since after politics comes governance, there are still many more elections to come in future. And we all are aware that there’s no politician that does not plan ahead of future polls unless he is just learning or new in the system/game. What I’m saying in essence is that every experienced politician would thrive toward ensuring that his men remain united come rain come shine.

Presently in Oru East, the reverse seems to be the case; what I see is self-centeredness. No one cares any more about the fate that awaits the LGA in future contrary to what was the case prior to the just concluded polls. It is no longer news that one of them in the person of Dr Emmanuel Ogbenta has left the party for elsewhere probably the PDP and apparently others feel less concern over the incident; rather than been disturbed, I learnt some of them are even rejoicing over the ordeal. It’s really ridiculous.

The other day, on Monday 25th of October 2015 precisely, I saw a publication with a bold headline on the cover page of the Whitepaper Newspaper that reads “APC members in Oru East celebrate Ogbenta’s exit from the party.” Doesn’t it sound irrational and absurd?

Having worked in Oru East as well as with some men of the APC, I think I have the needed knowledge about the area; I served as the Special Adviser (SA) on Media and Publicity to the former TC-Chairman – Barr Amagwula till he left the office to pursue his political ambition; subsequently, I became the SA on Media and Public Affairs to the Commandant General of the Imo Civil Guard Corps – Chief Ejifugha who also hails from Oru East LGA. I tell you unequivocally that the said Dr Ogbenta is a name that rings bell or that can’t be overlooked whenever the Oru East political terrain is mentioned; thus, no one could say categorically that the exit of the man in question from the APC is not a big blow to the party if we must tell ourselves the gospel truth.

Besides, I know Dr Ogbenta to be a stronghold in the Rescue Mission. I can’t forget in a hurry the remark made by the Imo First Lady – Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha during one of her solidarity visits to Oru East; in the gathering while recognizing the leaders of the council, when her Excellency got to Dr Ogbenta, she described him as “the man who was with us when others thought it won’t work”; the rest is history. Suffice it to say that he had been with them (the Rescue Mission) from the onset right from when it was still inborn, even when the going was tough.

My paramount interest for coming up with this very piece is nothing but unity. I want the affected persons in Oru East to acknowledge that they are headed for nowhere if they are not together – united they would stand, divided they would surely fall. Thus I enjoin them to swallow their prides and grievances for the interest of oneness because that is the only way the council would remain great. As a bona-fide indigene of the area, I’m very much concerned over its future.

Everyone is supreme or a leader in his/her own capacity, thus it is preposterous and inconsequential to fight over whom becomes the ultimate leader or the most powerful in the area. Hence at this juncture, I urge the governor – Chief Rochas Okorocha who is the overall leader of the party in Imo State to candidly intervene in the matter as a matter of urgency with a view to closing ranks as well as making amends where necessary if he’s truly concerned over the future of the party.

I want to remind us once again that we can never cheat nature; instead the reverse would be the case. There are no two ways about it. Think about it!



COMR FRED NWAOZOR
Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
http://frednwaozor.blogspot.com
Twitter: @fdnnwaozor