Memo to Govt Functionaries

MEMO TO NIGERIA’S GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES

    Last time I thoroughly checked, various unguided and ungracious lifestyles were peculiar to most Nigerian government functionaries that it required only realists towards its holistic eradication. Of course, it’s only a realist that would unequivocally tell a fellow that what he or she did was uncalled for.

    It’s obvious that in several quarters across the federation, you would easily notice a government public office holder showcasing a lifestyle related to ego, deceit, hypocrisy, sycophancy, and what have you. If those we look up to invariably hide under the aforementioned nauseous idiosyncrasies, then it significantly implies that ushering in the awaited good governance would remain far-fetched.

    Give me one tangible reason someone who seems not to possess a conscience wouldn’t make attainment to governance seem not unlike a mere mirage, rather than reality. Frankly, it’s high time we started acknowledging that some factors remain a hindrance towards attaining a certain anticipated height.

    Taking a painstaking study of the contemporary Nigeria’s political arena, one needn’t be told that some, if not most, of our so-called government functionaries aren’t living up to the expectation, both socially and otherwise. For instance, one would invite you over for a meeting and consequently on the scheduled meeting day, you being the invitee would spend the whole day in the intended host’s office without enjoying even a second attention from him/her.

     And subsequently, the supposed host wouldn’t even care to tender an unalloyed apology for the inconvenience caused you, let alone making out time to reschedule the appointment for a future date with a view to making it up to you. Isn’t it humiliating? Most worrisomely, it could be that you left a different state for that very state where the proposed meeting was meant to take place, all to no avail; suffice it to say that, in spite of the enormous sacrifice put in place toward the said appointment, everything ended up a shambles.

    This, among other pertinent issues, is a common feature observed in several public officers, particularly government functionaries, in Nigeria. We are not unaware of contingencies; we’re also aware of ‘man proposes, God disposes’, but what we need to note is that there’s need for us to be extremely conscious and mindful of our actions towards others.

    I keep reiterating that ‘I’m sorry’ doesn’t mean that you were wrong; rather, it simply means you cherish or adore the relationship far more than your ego. It’s very amusing to observe that most persons are of the opinion that if one says ‘I’m sorry’, it automatically ridicules or diminishes his/her status. That’s indeed a fallacious notion.

    People ought to learn to lead well. We’re no doubt deeply expected to lead by example. Never you take your subjects, followers, relatives, friends, or fans, as the case may be, for granted. It isn’t all about being an institutional leader or occupying a leadership position; if you are a public figure or a well respected individual in the society, definitely thousands of people are following or looking up to you, hence you are automatically a leader.

    Let’s endeavour to do the right thing at all times even when we are sleeping or deeply snoring. Don’t promise people ‘A’ but at the long run you end up doing ‘B’. Mind you; if you dare renege on your promise or pledge, the consequences await your person come rain come shine. There are no two ways about it. Thus, the choice is yours.

    I’ve noticed that some of these officers act out of influence. The moment they secure the position either via appointment or election, they would allow themselves to be negatively influenced by their colleagues who come from mediocre backgrounds. It’s really quite appalling and pathetic. We should learn to be ourselves; don’t change because you noticed that others have changed. It’s indisputable that change is constant or that human beings are naturally dynamic, but that doesn’t imply we ought to change to anything.

    Inter alia, don’t deceive yourself. I’ve equally observed that we often deceive ourselves, perhaps owing to ignorance, lack of courage, fear of the unknown, and myopia, among others. Yes, many of us are myopic in nature; we’re unable to see beyond the crossed line or our immediate surroundings. To this end, I implore us to always employ a panoramic view in whatever we do or anywhere we find ourselves. Self-deceit has been proven to be one of the greatest shortcomings any man would possess or parade.

    In other words, we must endeavour to tell ourselves nothing but the truth at all times and at all cost. Detest ego because it destroys one so easily just as an earthquake would. Desist from deceit because it maims, and kills too. Above all, kick against hypocrisy and sycophancy with the last drop of your blood because they remain unthinkable societal monsters regardless of the circumstance.

    Beloved, be wise. Do not allow power, affluence, or a certain position you find yourself to becloud your sense of reasoning. One day, the position will surely depart leaving you behind; and at that stage or moment, you may not be able to cope with what life entails. Think about it!  

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador 

  

Quit Politics, Face Governance

QUIT POLITICS, FACE GOVERNANCE

     Last time I checked, it was the chapter three of the Ecclesiastes’s book in the Holy Bible that said “There’s time for everything under the Sun.” needless to reiterate that whatever one intends to do or embark on here on earth, he or she must acknowledge that there is a specific time such intending action is meant to be taken.

    The above assertion implies that every activity, either proposed or ongoing, is highly and strictly depended on time. In other words, every thought, action or inaction abides by the supremacy of time. Just as there’s an apt time for cultivation, propagation as well as harvest of a crop, so do we have time for birth, growth and death of a human being or any creator.

     I have come to realize that the reason we often fail in so many projects we embarked on is simply because we usually do the right thing at the wrong time; and that is the basis or rudiments of this piece. Unequivocally, we invariably tend to fail in our various endeavours owing to the fact that we take the aforementioned biblical or divine assertion for granted.

    It’s not anymore news that in several facets across the federation, various politicians have already commenced politicking against the next Nigeria’s interregnum come 2019, thereby making the entire polity seem nauseous and unreasonable when it is meant to be loveable. How do you reconcile this? Frankly, it’s really pathetic that most Nigerian politicians are still yet to contrast between politics and governance.

    In Imo State, for instance, in several quarters, people including government functionaries have started debating or agitating for who would emerge as the next governor of the ancient state. It’s even more pitiable to observe that the electorate who are expected to be the main solicitors of governance happen to be the major actors in the said ongoing melodrama.

     To say the least, we seriously need to reexamine ourselves, both mentally and otherwise. Undoubtedly, there’s an urgent need for proper diagnosis toward ascertaining our actual plight. We need to ascertain what prompted the proclivity for such lifestyle; we need to find out if it is an inborn anomaly or self-indulgence, because we can’t continue like this. Honestly, failure to diagnose this lingering societal endemic might cause us a monumental self-inflicted injury.

     Right now, rather than constituting uncalled political agitations, what’s required in every quarter, be it a state or national issue, is a viable and proactive opposition. A viable opposition would strongly help to ensure that the ruling party maintains a participatory democracy in all ramifications irrespective of the circumstance. It’s only a participatory democratic setting that can yield a wholesome administration.

     On the contrary; instead of working assiduously towards forming a formidable opposition, the politicians are only concerned with how and when to defect to the ruling party with a view to ensuring that the ‘national cake’ does not pass them by. On a daily basis, what we hear among the political class remains nothing but outright defection. It’s no doubt an ignominy that an average Nigerian politician invariably wants to be a member of the ruling party.

     A certain political party cannot rule at all times or forever; leadership is about ‘soldier go, soldier come’. Besides, if everyone rules, who would serve or stand in as the opposition? We really need to note that without a sound and firm opposition trailing a certain leadership, the administration of the leaders in question would definitely be porous. There are no two ways about it. It’s indeed needles to state that we seriously need to learn more about leadership prospects, challenges and crisis.

     It’s the opposition and other concerned bodies that are meant to motivate the followers toward ushering in the desired change. Suffice it to say that good governance is a product of adequate cum reliable opposition and genuine followership. The followers would continue to be docile or marred by apathy unless they are thoroughly informed, educated as well as duly activated; and such role is the function of the opposition, analysts, civil society, religious groups and what have you.

    Due to lack of active participation by the citizenry, presently you would notice that implementation of good governance is usually a mirage. The citizens need to fully comprehend that the leaders are answerable to them; they must note that leadership and followership are inevitably interwoven. We can’t sit on the fence and expect miracles or wonders to take place; the leaders are human, so there’s need for reminder, criticism, and so on, when necessary. Thus, we must be ready and willing to call them to order whenever they err or go astray.

    The church or mosque, or as the case may be, isn’t supposed to participate in politics, but governance. It’s obvious that the former begets the latter; but we need to comprehend that both factors, which are conspicuously two needed societal recipes, are just like two parallel lines that have no meeting point. Politics ends at the polls, whilst governance begins at the polls; hence, where politics ends, governance takes over. But it’s apparent that in the contemporary Nigerian society, we tend to mix both tools, thus not unlike an aberration.

     Nigerians must understand that this is the time for governance, and not politics as it’s being observed in most quarters. Thus, everyone ought to live up to the expectation towards ushering in the awaited change if we are truly ready to see a changed Nigeria in its entirety. Surely, this is the right time for the change mantra to be practicalized. Think about it!

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

Setting Agenda for the Incoming FUTO VC

SETTING AGENDA FOR THE INCOMING FUTO VC, PROF F.C. EZE

     The prestigious Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) situated in Imo State, Nigeria was reportedly agog on Thursday March 17, 2016. The reason was the expected enthronement of a ‘saint’ as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the ancient citadel of higher learning in the person of Professor Francis Chukwuemeka Eze. It was argued that the said academic didn’t just deserve the honour, but was hyper qualified for the position. All of these triggered this write-up.

     The last time I painstakingly checked, Prof F.C. Eze, the Imo-born eloquent and astute academic remained the next substantive VC of the aforementioned university. This obvious fact was informed by the pronouncement made on Thursday March 17, 2016 by the governing council of the institution ably led by Dr Emmanuel Enemuo, stating that the academic in question was the winner of the election that was conducted among all the academics that were vying for the highly respected seat.

     Let me quickly intimate us that there’s a rigorous outstanding proceeding comprising different phases toward the election of a university’s Vice-Chancellor. This proceeding ranges from various screening exercises to aptitude tests and the election proper which may last for several months. Along the line, most of the aspirants made up of well celebrated professors would be dropped or shown the way out prior to the election phase which invariably marks the last phase of the uncompromising ritual. This, no doubt, implies that Prof Eze just successfully returned from an inevitable holistic academic odyssey having been declared the overall winner of that rigorous exercise.

    It’s noteworthy that Prof Eze’s emergence as the FUTO VC is long overdue owing to how much he had longed to sit on that hot seat. It would be recalled that the incoming VC was one of the top aspirants for the said position in 2011, in which the outgoing VC Prof C.C Asiabaka emerged victorious. In spite of the fathomless challenges trailing suchlike ambition, he remained resolute and resilient till this moment when fortune thought it wise to smile at his person.

    Prof Eze, a native of Ideato-South LGA of Imo State, who is a Professor of Experimental Solid State Physics and Material Science had his first, Master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), University of Dundee – Scotland, and also UNN, respectively. After his Bachelor of Science, he worked as a banker before proceeding to his subsequent academic pursuits. Immediately after his PhD, he became a teacher in FUTO. As a veteran academic, he has authored and co-authored numerous academic journals, text books and articles among other innumerable publications in Industrial Physics.

    He is a two-time Head of the Department (HOD) of Physics, FUTO. In 2008 when he was serving for the second time in the aforesaid capacity, as a result of his exemplary prowess, he doubled as the Dean of the School of Sciences (SOSC) which was recently split into two separate autonomous faculties namely – School of Physical Sciences (SOPS) and School of Biological Sciences (SOBS) by the university’s Senate. Then, he concurrently served as HOD and Dean until someone succeeded him in the former.

    Thereafter, he was recognized as the Director of the Nuclear Energy and Research Centre of the university; a position, in which he relentlessly and doggedly showcased the best in him to the envy of his colleagues, both far and near. Consequently, in 2013, he was expectedly appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor on Administration under the able leadership of the outing VC Prof Chigozie C. Asiabaka; a post which he holds till date.

    As an indisputable scholar and intellect-driven experimental physicist, in addition to the Fellowship he presently enjoys in countless reputable local and international professional societies, he is a Fellow to the famous Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP). He’s a Christian to the core to the glory of God; as a well grounded practising Catholic, he was inducted into the Knighthood of Saint John International (KSJI) many years ago. By His grace, he’s currently happily married with four children.

     He’s a passion-driven, strict and very serious-minded individual. In 2008 when FUTO hosted the NIP conference, I was privileged to be among the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and that was when he was serving as the HOD of Physics Department for the second time. Aside his zealous and brilliant nature, then I realized he’s not just humble, but down to earth despite his gigantic posture. And, that very conference became nothing but extremely a success because he was at the helm of affairs.

     He understands the essence of open-door administration, and also grants anyone a listening ear regardless of the circumstance. This singular attribute alone makes hundreds of thousands of people attracted to him. As an experienced teacher and administrator, he acknowledges when to mix lecture or administration, as the case may be, with humour. His sense of humour can keep one’s brain busy for a whole day. Even when one’s medulla oblongata seems incapacitated or dull, he knows how to reactivate it.

     To this end, as this elegant gentleman and seasoned academic is well determined and prepared to take on the mantle of FUTO Senate’s leadership supposedly on 19^th of June 2016, all and sundry, particularly myself, is very optimistic that he would unarguably take the distinguished university not just to enviable heights but to the long-awaited promised land. In view of this assertion, everyone who truly believes in competence and trustworthiness is seriously yearning to embrace the awaited epoch-making event that’s expected to usher in a new era.

     The young and ever vibrant professor who’s truly ready to assume duty as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUTO needn’t to be told that henceforth, everyone who really thinks good of the institution looks up to him. Needless to say that he’s bound to strive unrelentingly towards bringing out the best in him the moment he mounts the throne. His predecessors have indeed done their best, but he can do better.

     FUTO, as a widely recognized institution of higher learning, has surely improved tremendously in recent times, but it’s worthy to note that many establishments on the campus are yearning for urgent uplift or resuscitation, as the case may be, while many other lacking sectors urgently need to be inculcated into the system. For instance; today, by the effort of the outgoing VC, FUTO enjoys the services of a Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies; the incoming VC is expected to look inwards toward introducing other worthwhile vocational studies to the remarkable centre, especially at this moment the country is deeply in need of citizens with proficiency in various skills towards actualizing a society filled with self-reliant individuals.

    Also by the effort of the outgoing VC, currently FUTO is reckoned to be the first university in Nigeria to develop a Research and Technological Park (RTP). The paramount essence of the unit is to enable the commercialization of patents and researches of the university. Suchlike section, which would no doubt help to create a society where science and technology is immensely adored, needs to be harnessed by the incoming leadership of the university without much ado.

     Inter alia, I’m equally appealing to Prof Eze’s yet unborn leadership to endeavour to create as well as sustain a cordial and undiluted relationship with the university’s entire Alumni body. This set of people, which I’m inclusive, involves in a lot of commendable activities that directly affect the day-to-day developmental strides of the university positively. Verily, the awaited VC is required to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the university is placed ahead of others not just within Nigeria but beyond.

     Now that we have all met this quintessential don and erudite scholar - Professor Francis C. Eze that’s loaded with enormous rare ingenuity, it would be very nice for us to, individually or collectively, extend our unalloyed congratulatory felicitations to his noble desk because undoubtedly he’s the man of the moment. Unarguably, he whom the cap fits, let him wear it. Think about it!

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

 

Twitter: @mediambassador