The Controversy Trailing Eche's Appointment

THE CONTROVERSY TRAILING ECHE’S EMERGENCE AS IMO SSG

    The last time I painstakingly checked, Chief Jude Ejiogu was no longer the Secretary to the Imo State Government (SSG). The gentleman in question was reportedly disengaged from his duty unannounced last two weeks, on Friday 18^th of March 2016 precisely, for a reason best known to his employer – Chief Rochas Okorocha.

    Consequently, penultimate week, the governor brought in Sir George Eche into his cabinet to replace the erstwhile SSG. The new SSG, Sir George who had variously served in different top civil service positions as, but not limited to, the Permanent Secretary of Imo State Ministry of Finance as well as the Accountant General of the state respectively, hails from Ngor-Okpala LGA in Imo East Senatorial district of the ancient state.

     Several reactions followed by counter reactions have tremendously greeted the appointment of the astute public servant, which were no doubt occasioned by the fact that the appointee was a serving civil servant. The aggrieved persons, perhaps members of the opposition parties, are of the view that the appointee never deserved the resounding recognition since he had never handled any political post in the past or was, according to the wailers, yet to know the modus operandi surrounding such highly reputable position.

     Most times, in my lonely mood, I feel like crying over some certain ridiculous news marred by ignorance I invariably receive on my desk. It’s no longer news that in the contemporary Nigerian society, several individuals or groups often speak just for their voice to be heard and nothing more, especially when they feel their fans have really missed their voice or when they are of the opinion that the said fans would mistake their silence for a state of political oblivion. If not, how on earth would someone in his/her real senses be aggrieved over the appointment of a distinguished citizen of Imo State as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) just because the appointee or employee was a serving civil servant.

     And, it’s really amusing and amazing that the ongoing melodrama emanated barely few hours after I did a piece entitled “Appointment of a ‘layman’ as Commissioner for Health”. In that very piece, in my usual self, I unequivocally and categorically as a civil rights and constitution activist enjoined the general public to always acknowledge the difference between rights and privileges.

    For crying out very loud; that politicians had often been assigned to serve as SSG doesn’t in any way imply that the said political post is reserved or meant for only practising politicians. In other words, such lingered practice or norm that had unabatedly been enjoyed by the teeming Nigerian politicians was just a privilege, and not the right of the politicians as being presumed in most quarters. Read my lips.

    The only qualities or factors that are consequentially and constitutionally meant to be considered while recognizing someone that would serve in such position are competence and trustworthiness. And, you and I are very much aware that the new SSG in the person of Sir George Eche is conspicuously equal to the task as regards the aforementioned features or idiosyncrasies, considering his antecedents. Notwithstanding, I’m not here to tender eulogies, but to appraise facts just as the title of this column implies.

    Mind you; the recognition of Sir George never meant that the governor didn’t find anyone among his allies worthy to replace the former SSG, but it’s gratifying to acknowledge that sometimes change, which remains the only constant factor in life, is highly needed and consequential. Of course, there are several competent and trustworthy politicians that were qualified to wear the pleasant cap, but the candid point remains that change is necessary sometimes. I enjoin us to serious think about this clause.

    The bone of contention of this critique is that the appointment of Sir George was constitutional, rational and obviously logical, hence generally acceptable; thus, it ought to accepted by all and sundry. In view of this assertion, rather than negatively criticizing his emergence as SSG, we are expected to unanimously convey our felicitation to him, so that, he wouldn’t be deterred by anything while discharging his lawful obligations.

     Meanwhile, having congratulated the new sheriff, I want to seize this opportunity to extend my cheerful farewell to the erstwhile sheriff, Chief Ejiogu as I sincerely wish him nothing but success in all his future endeavours. Similarly, the new sheriff should please not hesitate to consult his immediate predecessor whenever he’s faced with any dilemma or quagmire owing to the challenges surrounding the position. The said predecessor, on his part, shouldn’t hesitate to respond to such call when the time comes.

     Most importantly, I want to equally appeal to the allies of the past SSG to desist from any unlawful or irrational act they intend to indulge in simply because their boss was relieved of his duty, rather they ought to join their boss in appreciating the governor for having granted him the golden opportunity to serve the ancient state in such well respected capacity since 2011. Service or stewardship is about ‘soldier go soldier come’, thus it’s nobody’s farmyard. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador 

   

  

2016 World Tuberculosis Day

CHECKING THE MENACE OF TUBERCULOSIS AS THE WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2016

      Tuberculosis popularly known as TB is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules or tubercles in the human respiratory organs, especially the lungs. It is a curable communicable infection that is transmitted by inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of a carrier or an infected person.

      Tuberculosis (TB) mainly affects the lungs, though it can affect any other part of the body, including the glands, bones, and nervous system. Typical symptoms of TB include a persistent cough that last more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm which may be bloody, loss of weight, high temperature or fever, night sweats, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite, overstayed swellings, among others.

      TB is generally caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which could be found in food, water or unsafe environment. The type that affects the lungs is the most contagious type, but it usually spreads after prolonged exposure to someone with the illness. Most times, it is transmitted within family members who live in the same house.

      In most healthy people the immune system, which is the body’s natural defence against infections or illnesses, kills the bacteria thereby making the patient free from any form of symptom. Sometimes the immune system cannot kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body of the carrier; this means the carrier in question would not have any symptoms but the bacteria will remain in his or her body. This mode of infection is known as Latent TB.

       If the immune system fails to kill or contain the infection, it can spread within the lungs or other parts of the body, and symptoms will develop within a few weeks or months. This is known as Active TB. Latent TB could develop into an active TB infection at a later date, particularly if the patient’s immune system becomes weakened. It is estimated that, about one-third of the world’s population is currently infected with latent TB; of these, up to ten percent (10%) is expected to become active at some point.

      It is important to note that someone suffering from HIV/AIDS or any immune-deficiency disease is at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, especially when the person is not placed on a proper diet. Thus, a HIV patient is expected to go for TB test from time to time.

      Pulmonary tuberculosis is the type that affects mainly the lungs, while extrapulmonary TB is used to describe the type that occurs outside the lungs. Any of the above types has the tendency of affecting the brain or spinal cord of the carrier.

      Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis disease. Many foreign-born persons have been BCG-vaccinated. BCG is used in many countries with a high prevalence of TB to prevent childhood TB meningitis and miliary disease. Though, the vaccine is meant only for selected individuals who have met specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert.

      It is noteworthy that, tuberculosis can be cured. In some cases, the carriers would need a course of antibiotics, usually for six months. Several different antibiotics are used; this is because some forms of TB are resistant to certain antibiotics. If one is infected with a drug-resistant form of TB, treatment can last as long as two years or thereabouts.

      Tuberculosis is a contagious air-borne disease. Someone suffering from the infection is not supposed to share household materials like spoon, fake, cup, and what have you, with anyone until he is totally cured. He is also required to always endeavour to cover his mouth with handkerchief whenever he coughs, to avoid spreading the bacteria to his immediate environment or transmitting it to anyone around him.

      Today Thursday March 24, the world over is commemorating the 2016 World Tuberculosis Day. The annual World Tuberculosis Day, which was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and duly adopted by the United Nations (UN), is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by WHO.

      The World Tuberculosis Day is aimed at building public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. According to UN, survey shows that in the year 2012, about 8.6 million people fell ill with TB and 1.3 million of the said carriers died of the disease, mostly in the Third World countries or developing nations such as Nigeria.

      As the global community marks the World Tuberculosis Day, there is an urgent need for every Nigerian, both at home and in the diaspora, to acknowledge that the societal menace of tuberculosis cannot be overemphasized and that, it is indeed a contagious and deadly disease. On this note, we ought to continually ensure that whatever we eat or drink is thoroughly boiled or washed as the case might be and also endeavour to keep our nostrils away from unwanted environmental particles such as dust and what have you.

     Also, we should bear in mind that intake of vaccine, if and when necessary, is a pathway towards embracing a TB-free society. Therefore, government and other health stakeholders should encourage the entire citizenry to ensure that they are vaccinated against TB by ensuring that the BCG vaccine is regularly made available within their reach. Think about it!   

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador  

2016 World Water Day

ACKNOWLEDGING THE ROLE OF SAFE WATER IN NATION BUILDING AS THE 2016 WORLD WATER DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY, TUESDAY MARCH 22

     

        Water is a clear, colourless and transparent liquid that has no taste or smell, and that is required for the survival of all plant and animal lives. In the same vein, a large amount or area of either natural or manmade water such as lake, pond, pool, river, sea, ocean, and so on, can be referred to as water or waters.

         Like the human body, water which is usually addressed as a ‘Universal liquid’, is made up of a skeleton of water molecules. The said molecules make up the water we make use of. Not unlike any other chemical compound in existence, a water molecule comprises one molecule of Hydrogen and one molecule of Oxygen. Thus, water as a substance is made up of two major elements; namely, hydrogen and oxygen.

        Water, which is as old as the world, is consumed as food by both animals and human beings, and it is also required in various fields of endeavour or human activities including, farming, cooking, manufacturing, sports, bath, hand washing, brushing of teeth, laundry, sanitation cum other forms of domestic and environmental activities, just to mention but a few.

         The functions of water in the body ranging from cell life, to chemical and metabolic reactions, transport of nutrients, body temperature regulation, elimination of waste or toxic substances, among others, are numerous and innumerable. Water is a carrier that distributes essential nutrients such as minerals, vitamins and glucose, to cells. Furthermore, it removes waste products including toxins rejected by the cells through urines, sweats and faeces. It also participates in the biochemical breakdown of whatever we consume.

          Inter alia, water has a large heat capacity which helps to limit changes in body temperature in a warm or a cold environment. It allows the body to release heat when ambient temperature is higher than body temperature. Most importantly, water is an effective lubricant around joints; it also acts as a shock absorber for eyes, brain, spinal cord, and even for the foetus through amniotic fluid.

        Water is indeed at the centre of life. This is why nobody can live more than three to five days without any water intake. Suffice to say that, its role in the body is not just important, but inevitable. It has succeeded in proving to mankind that it is the most important form of food among the six classes of food in existence.

          Considering the agricultural sector; the absence of water would simply cripple the entire activity in the aforementioned area thereby terminating the lives of crops or livestocks, as the case may be. Same is obtainable in the manufacturing industry, like the pharmaceutical firms, bakery and breweries, that requires water as one of the basic raw-materials for its day-to-day activities.

           The positive impact of water on cooking and other household cum industrial works, is another factor that cannot be taken for granted whenever the societal importance of water is discussed. It is noteworthy that without water, most other forms of food or diet would not be prepared or provided. On the other hand; swimming, which is one of the most lucrative kinds of sporting activities in recent times, wouldn’t have been founded if water is not obtainable.

           Of course, the overall importance of water in man’s daily thrive, was what prompted one of the popular songs entitled ‘Water no get enemy’ sang by the late legendary Nigerian musician, Fela Anikulapokuti. In reference to the said song, the late Afro-beat artiste extensively told his fans that water is required in virtually everything we do on earth.

          As it is widely noted that the significance of water to mankind cannot be overemphasized, it is also worthy to note that intake of dirty or impure water remains one of the primary causes of several diseases or infections such as, typhoid, diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, staphylococcus and other sexually transmitted diseases, experienced across the globe.

          Without mincing words, statistics show that over sixty percent (60%) of death rate recently is attributed to consumption of unclean water as well as residing in an unsafe environment. We shouldn’t forget that accommodating dirty stagnant water such as gutter, pool et cetera, in our environments or vicinities attracts mosquito which remains the sole cause of a killer disease known as malaria. According to the United Nations (UN) findings; 768 million people worldwide lack access to improved water sources while 2.5 billion persons have no improved sanitation.

          Today Tuesday March 22, the world over is marking the 2016 World Water Day. The international World Water Day is held annually across the globe on the 22^nd of March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Each year, the World Water Day is targeted to highlight a specific aspect of freshwater.

          The international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended on December 22, 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which took place in Riode Janeiro, Brazil. The UN General Assembly adopted the recommendation, therefore designated 22^nd March 1993 as the first celebration of World Water Day.

          As the global community commemorates the World Water Day, I call on all stakeholders and the civil society to pledge to develop the policies needed to ensure that sustainable water and energy are secured for the many and not just the few as it is presently the case. In this regard, we should ensure that our respective communities are provided with adequate and safe water sources.

        On their part; the various ministries of Water Resources and their Environment counterparts, ought to ensure that adequate boreholes are sunk in every community that is related to them and also endeavour to sponsor series of radio/television jingles to sensitize the populace on the unavoidable role of clean water as well as safe environment.

         The federal and states Water Corporations are also expected to monitor this proposed measure. More so, they should from time-to-time conscientize the public on the need to regularly sanitize their gutters and other damps surrounding their places of residence. 

        Among all, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) ought to, from time to time, endeavour to checkmate the activities of the various registered water companies. Also, it should not hesitate to sanction or closedown any one that is set up illicitly or without its consent.

        Also, on our individual capacities, we ought to endeavour to properly boil any water we intend to drink, and also adequately sanitize any stagnant pool of water within our surroundings as well as fumigate the said environments when necessary, in order to guarantee purity and thorough sanitary thereby boasting the safety and well-being of our bodies.

        Thus, we are expected to continually note that the basic measure, which is costless and reliable, required to ensure that pure or safe water is found on our tables or surroundings at all times lies in our hands. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador