Commemorating the 2016 World No-Tobacco Day

CHECKING THE DANGERS OF TOBACCO INTAKE AS THE 2016 WORLD NO-TOBACCO DAY IS COMMEMORATED TODAY TUESDAY MAY 31

         

    The BBC English Dictionary defines tobacco as ‘the dried leaves of a particular plant which people smoke in pipes, cigars, and cigarettes.’ The products of the tobacco leaves can also be referred to as ‘tobacco’. In the same vein, tobacco smoking is the act or habit of smoking tobacco leaves or any of its products to include cigarette, cigar, snuff, et cetera.

     Tobacco contains a stimulant known as alkaloid nicotine. Dried tobacco leaves are mainly smoked in cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and flavoured shisha tobacco. They are also consumed as snuff, chewing tobacco, and dipping tobacco. Tobacco use is a risk factor for many diseases, especially those affecting the essential organs in the body including the heart, liver and lungs as well as several other protracted illnesses such as cancer.

      In 2003, in response to growth of tobacco use in developing countries and its overwhelming deadly consequence, the World Health Organization (WHO) successfully rallied 168 countries to sign the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The convention was designed to push for effective legislation and its enforcement in all countries in order to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco. This led to the development of cessation of tobacco products.

      There are a number of types of tobacco including, but are not limited to, Aromatic fire-cured, Brighleaf tobacco, Burley tobacco, Cavendish criollo tobacco, Dokha, Turkish tobacco, Perique, Shade tobacco, White burley, Y1, and Wild tobacco. It is noteworthy that, any of the type involved contains unwholesome substances which cause untold harm to the body. In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) named tobacco as the world’s single greatest cause of preventable deaths.

      Tobacco smoke contains many chemicals that are harmful to both smokers and non-smokers. Research shows that inhaling even a little tobacco smoke can be harmful to the body. This is why among the various means of consuming tobacco leaves, which include sniffing, smoking, chewing and stuffing, smoking remains the most dangerous and delicate. Scientifically survey indicates that, of the more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, at least 250 including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide and ammonia are known to be harmful. Among the 250 known harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, at least 69 can cause cancer, especially in the lung, kidney, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, pancreas and cervix.

     Tobacco smokers are exposed to variety of risks or health complications namely: blood clots and aneurysms in the brain which can lead to stroke, coronary artery disease including angina and heart attacks, high blood pressure, poor blood supply to the legs, problems with erections due to decreased blood flow into the private part.

     Other health risks or problems are poor wound healing especially after surgery, asthma, problems during pregnancy such as babies born at low birth weight, premature labour, miscarriage and cleft lip; decreased ability to taste and smell, harm to sperm which contributes to infertility, loss of sight as a result of an increased risk of macular degeneration, tooth and gum diseases as well as wrinkling of the skin.

     Smokers who switch to smokeless tobacco instead of quitting tobacco intake completely still have a number of health risks to include increased risk of mouth or nasal cancer, gum problems, tooth wear, cavities, worsening high blood pressure, and angina. Those who do not smoke or take any form of tobacco but always stay around smokers are also exposed to some health issues such as heart attack and other heart related diseases, lung cancer and sudden reactions involving the eye, nose, throat, and lower respiratory tract.

     Infants and children who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are not left out. They can easily contract asthma, infections like virus-caused upper respiratory diseases, ear infections and pneumonia; lung damage or poor lung function, as well as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

     Obviously, the aforementioned consequences are good reasons to quit the intake of tobacco. Like any addiction, quitting tobacco is not an easy task, especially when the person involved is acting alone. If one intends to quit smoking or intake of tobacco, family members, friends and coworkers may be supportive. He can also talk to his health care provider concerning nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation medications. More so, if he or she joins smoking cessation programmes, which are often offered by hospitals, health departments, community centres and work sites, he would have a much better chance of success.

     Today the global community is commemorating the World No Tobacco Day. The day, which is marked on every 31^st of May, was instituted by the United Nations (UN) through the effort of the World Health Organization (WHO). Annually, WHO alongside its partners mark the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce its consumption.

    This year’s commemoration is calling on countries to work together towards ending the ongoing illicit trade of tobacco products. Frankly, from several angles such as social, health, legal, economy, and governance, the illicit trade of tobacco products has been a major global concern and Nigeria isn’t exceptional.

     The bitter fact is that the global tobacco epidemic kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing secondhand smoke. Unless we act, according to WHO, the epidemic is likely to kill more than eight million persons annually by the year 2030; and more than eighty percent (80%) of these preventable mortality rates will be among people living in low and middle income countries like Nigeria.

     As the world commemorates the annual World No Tobacco Day, it is the responsibility of every Nigerian to acknowledge that the dangers of tobacco intake can only be avoided if its addicts as well as illicit traffickers holistically desist from such uncalled act.

     No one or group is exempted in the crusade that is targeted to end this life-threatening menace, which has become the order of the day. Thus, the National Tobacco Control Bill that was recently passed into law by the 7th Assembly, which was a welcome development, ought to be encouraged by any concerned authority such as the NDLEA as well as anyone who mean well for Nigeria. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

 Twitter: @mediambassador            

Mediating Between Nigeria and 'Biafra'

MEDIATING BETWEEN NIGERIA AND ‘BIAFRA’

     The last time I painstakingly checked, the ongoing struggle for a sovereign state of Biafra by most aggrieved personalities in the Southern part of Nigeria, particularly the Igbos, remained a cause that required the attention of anyone who truly means well for this country. Suffice it to say that it isn’t something to be played with or laughed over, considering its socio-economic cum political implications.

     Biafra was a secessionist state in Eastern part of Nigeria that existed from the 30^th of May, 1967 to 8^th of January 1970. The name was extracted from the Bight of Biafra otherwise known as ‘Bight of Bonny’, the Atlantic bay situated at the Southern pole of the region. The inhabitants were mostly the Igbo people who led the secession due to economic, cultural, ethnic as well as religious tensions among the various peoples of Nigeria. Other ethnic groups that constituted the republic were the Ijaw, Ibibio, Efik, Ibeno, Eket, Annang, and the Ejagham, among others.

     It would be recalled that the emergence of the Nigerian Civil War popularly recognized as the ‘Biafran War’ in 1967 was occasioned by the secession of the Biafra region by its major leaders, especially the Late Lt Col Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu who was then the Governor General of the Nigeria’s Eastern Protectorate. After the said war that lasted for almost three years, Biafran forces under the slogan ‘No victor, No vanquished’ surrendered to the Nigerian federal military government and therein Biafra was reintegrated into Nigeria, which was its original territory.

     Thereafter, peace was duly restored in every nook and cranny across the federation, thus Nigerians in their entirety became ostensibly united again. Though the colossal injury incurred during the duel remains an indelible experience, the Igbos, et al, who were the prime Biafran agitators had over the years been strongly mingling with people from the other part of the country, just as in the case of the ever famous Alaba and Ladipo markets as well as the International Trade Fair, all in Lagos State..

     Owing to their enterprising and promising nature, the Igbos can make anywhere look like paradise overnight, provided the place is business-oriented. This is one quality that makes the world attracted to them, thereby making them gain a renowned respect from all and sundry across the global community. The Igbos, to say the least, have really carved a niche for themselves and their generations yet unborn when it calls for commerce and industry.

     In spite of this overwhelming feature, one may boldly assert that, in the socio-political terrain, they have not really gotten a fair share of the ‘national cake’, mostly in the area of appointments or recognitions. For instance, since the emergence of the ongoing democratic era which kicked off in 1999, no Igbo man had been in Aso Rock as the President of Nigeria, neither had any individual of Igbo extraction emerged as the substantive National Chairman of any of the domineering political parties, if not Prince Vincent Ogbulafor of the PDP whose tenure was yet truncated. That of the Vice-Presidency isn’t left out.

     In most cases, they end up receiving mere pledges whose fulfillment often eventually become far-fetched, as if they were destined to blow the air while others do the dancing. This pitiable physiognomy of the Igbo nation that has been a thing of tremendous concern to many genuine stakeholders could be one of the reasons that reignited the renewed vehement agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra, which was seemingly forgotten over the past decades.

     This very uncontrollable agitation has claimed several lives, maimed many, as well as rendered hundreds of persons homeless mainly occasioned by physical combats between security agents and the agitators during series of riots staged by the latter. This, coupled with the ongoing security threats from other groups including the Fulani Herdsmen, Boko Haram sect, and the reemerged Niger-Delta militants, has contributed enormously in overheating the polity.

     At this point, the government alongside other concerned groups is expected to be deeply concerned about how to tackle these unbearable issues once and for all, taking into cognizance that no existing society can strive effectively and efficiently if its security is threatened. I’m of the view that the best way to holistically confront any anomaly is by ascertaining its prime origin, and the Biafran agitation isn’t an exception.

     I have often times categorically stated that the Boko Haram is a terrorist sect having understood its origin, thus have instructed Nigerians and the security agencies to always go by the name ‘terrorism’ whenever they are addressing or referring to the group; such approach alone would enable us to get the ongoing fight right. On the contrary, the Biafran agitation likewise the Niger-Delta militancy is an insurgent group, thus ought to be treated as such. Insurgency has to do with when one or a group is fighting a just cause, contrary to terrorism that’s about an uncalled inconsequential and irrational violent rebellious act.

     Unlike a terrorist group, an insurgent set that’s crying foul over a sensed maltreatment deserves a dialogue. The United Nations’ (UN) law likewise that of Nigeria painstakingly highlights the fundamental human rights which include the right to fairness and the right to freedom, hence the Biafran agitators deserve a fair hearing since their fight was apparently informed by grievance. In other words, the government is required to have a rethink towards creating harmony which is the most required factor in this aspect.

     What the Igbos need is just a sense of belonging. The South-East zone, currently, can only boast of five states whilst each of the other zones can boast of at least six states. They ought to be brought closer to the helm of affairs. An average Igbo man wants to participate actively in anything he/she is part of, and they are naturally endowed to do wonders. I bet you; give an Igbo man a little space, he would make heavens before you realize what’s happening. Unequivocally, the Igbos, particularly those from the South-East, have over the decades been relegated to the background and this is the apt time for redress.

     On their part, I enjoin the Biafran agitators to be more logical; they must employ logic as they agitate. More so, they must redeem their oneness, which obviously has been lost; such can only be actualized if they desist from attaching politics to socio-cultural affairs. Only Ohanaeze Ndigbo is enough to bring formidable unity among the Igbos if its members concentrate only on the needful. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to say the least, isn’t supposed to take orders from the elected governors in the zone as it’s presently witnessed; rather, the reverse is meant to be the case.

     This piece however, as the title implies, is targeted at settling a lingering dispute, thus I’m more interested in harmonization in regard to the conflict in question. Hence, the Nnamdi Kanu’s case ought to be revisited or reviewed with a view to making a consequential adjustment. Leniency is invariably a welcome approach if necessary; in some cases, neither prosecution nor persecution is consequential. We are not unaware that no one or group is indispensable, but we must as well note that the Igbos, likewise others, aren’t expendable. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

      

      

2016 Cultural Diversity Day

2016 CULTURAL DIVERSITY DAY: NIGERIA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY ON MY MIND

    

     The last time I thoroughly checked, 21^st May each year, the global community celebrates the World Day for Cultural Diversity. This unarguably implies that, today, Nigeria is expected to join other members of the world to commemorate the 2016 edition of the remarkable event.

      In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity; hence in December 2002, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in its unanimous resolution, declared May 21 annually to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The Day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better.

     Indeed, cultures such as dancing, masquerading, dressing, sewing, hunting, fishing, singing, wrestling, moulding of sculptures, painting, and so on, are essential developmental tools in any country. Culture is strongly connected with identity; and identity expressed through culture is a necessity for all human developments. It creates the fundamental building blocks in our respective personalities and in the ties that link us to various communities as well as any nation we find ourselves.

     Culture plays a unique and crucial role in a development policy especially issues relating to human rights. A free and staunch cultural heritage has the tendency of promoting other rights and values to include freedom of expression, diversity and debate about needs in a society. In the same vein, culture is a key player in the link between freedom of expression and democratization.

     Culture can also encourage the economic growth of either a nation or an individual. For instance, a country that’s tremendously gifted with swimming, which is a globally recognized lucrative sporting activity, can substantially boost its Gross National Product (GNP) if a meaningful attention is given to such heritage. Creative areas including music, paintings, drawings and sewing, can equally serve as revenue sources. In fact, the encounter between culture, creativity, technology and economy embodies a great potential in creating work places and increasing exports, and also contributes to social inclusion.

    Culture can also assist in checking socio-political and religious crises or differences. It ensures unity during crisis, and influences identity, debate and dialogue; thus, it is needed for nation building, and for peace and reconciliation. Needless to say; it inspires change, which we all immensely anticipate. Survey indicates that cultural cooperation is one of the most equality-oriented form of co-operations in existence.

    The entertainment industry cannot be left out while discussing the impact of cultural heritage on nation building. Unarguably, the current unprecedented strive of the famous film-making community in Nigeria popularly known as ‘Nollywood’ is solely a product of the country’s cultural endowment, likewise that of the music industry. The creative ingenuity invariably found among Nigerian citizenry is the reason the country’s entertainment industry in its entirety is presently recognized as a sector to reckon with globally. 

    Similarly, the tourism of any country cannot be discussed without mentioning the country’s cultural diversity, because the former remains one of the products of the latter anywhere in the world. It is obvious that the cultural heritage of any society contributes over sixty-five percent (65%) of its tourist sector, which remains one of the paramount Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) sources of any developed society.  

     Surely, tourism is part of the backbone or engine room of any developed country across the globe, and suchlike phenomenon wouldn’t be possible without the impact of cultural diversity of the country in question. This implies that Nigeria, which is made up of over two hundred and fifty (250) ethnic groups in which each of the groups is endowed with different cultural resources, can as well consider harnessing her tourist sector as she is currently thinking of economic diversification or beyond oil and gas.

     As the world celebrates the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, there is a compelling need for the leadership of this country to acknowledge that our cultural diversity is a stimulator of creativity, and investing in the creativity can transform societies. Hence, it is our civic responsibility to develop education and intercultural skills in our young ones as well as learn to live together in the diversity of our cultures, languages and religions in order to bring the desired change.

     Against this backdrop, there’s no gain reiterating that reviewing the Nigeria’s cultural diversity by the apt quarters or authorities such as the Ministry of Information and Culture with a view to boosting her tourism industry that’s ostensibly incapacitated as well as encouraging human empowerment toward a greater nationhood, is long overdue.

     Presently, most of our viable cultures are conspicuously relegated to the background. We need to revisit these cultural endowments situated in every nook and cranny across the federation with a view to harnessing those that are of socio-economic value as well as abolishing the socially unacceptable ones. The infrastructural and transportation sectors must equally be addressed toward ensuring an effective to and fro movement of the tourists.

     In the same spirit, there’s a compelling need for Nigeria to harness as well as nurture a particular cultural event that would bring the entire ethnic groups together regardless of their respective languages. Such socio-cultural heritage is expected to be celebrated annually or quarterly like a carnival whereby every Nigerian, both home and in the diaspora, would be equally expected to participate or observe. Aside tourism, the proposed measure, if implemented, would help to encourage unalloyed unity and an egalitarian system among Nigerians.

     Take a tour to most of our zoos and museums across the country; you would barely see an animal or a cultural display, as the case may be. The aforementioned creatures or art works can be acquired in abundance in the country, but owing to apathy or lack of national interest, our teeming hunters and sculptors have gone to sleep. We ought to note that with education, any society can actualize any anticipated goal or development, thus the Culture ministries at all levels in collaboration with their Education counterparts need to inculcate the teaching of these cultures into our various schools’ learning curriculum, up to the tertiary level.

     Acknowledging that several religious institutions aren’t presently in support of most cultural heritages or festivals in their respective jurisdictions, it’s imperative to partner with the various churches and mosques across the country since it’s obvious that everyone is affiliated to a particular religious body. They should be meant to understand that these socio-cultural endowments cum practices aren’t diabolic or against the preaching of the Holy books as they presume.

     The entertainment sector cannot be totally encouraged or uplifted without tackling the monster called plagiarism that’s currently ravaging the industry, thus the government must combat such menace with the last drop of its blood if it’s truly ready to boost the tourism industry.  It’s imperative to established formidable and stiff policies that would make these issues work as planned.

     Though the recently held National Summit on Tourism coupled with the Culture and Tourism debate organized by the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly was a way forward, it’s high time we swung into action without further ado. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056