Imo, Okorocha and the Propagandists

IMO, OKOROCHA AND THE PROPAGANDISTS

     The last time I checked, Imo remained a specially and beautifully created state that every right thinking Nigerian wished to be part of. Tell me; why wouldn’t you wish to be a part of a state whose teeming subjects are ubiquitously reckoned to be doing very well in every facet of human endeavour across the globe?

     Imo is a great state, and her children are as well doing greatly in all nooks and crannies; no doubt about that. This is the reason every average Imolite is well respected not just in Nigeria but the global community at large. Owing to this obvious fact, Imo citizens who truly know their onions vehemently pray to find themselves as members of the state if given the opportunity to embrace the world once again after their eternal departure.

     One remarkable feature of an Imolite, on the average, is education. Needless to say that Imo indigenes naturally nurture an unalloyed quest for education. And they are indeed well educated and informed, to say the least. This is why, each year, candidates from the state usually make the best results in various external examinations such as the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), among others. This could be what informed Governor Rochas Okorocha’s determination to take education very seriously the moment he assumed duty in 2011.

     Lest I digress; the bone of contention remains that Imo people in their entirety are known as fully knowledgeable individuals, thus no one expects them to act as less-privileged set of people, knowledge wise, regardless of the circumstance. They are known to be highly cultured and guided individuals come rain come shine. But pathetically, recently, some unscrupulous elements in the state made up their minds to disabuse me alongside persons of like minds, of the notion that Imolites are deeply ‘cultured and knowledgeable’.

     Few weeks ago, the state’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Rochas Okorocha left the state for abroad. It would be recollected that the governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Mr. Sam Onwuemedo informed the people of the state, as courtesy demanded, that the governor was leaving the state for a business trip. We were rightly told that the number-one citizen was going to woo foreign investors to the state, the Eastern heartland, as he had always done in the past.

     Surprisingly, few days after, the governor’s tour reportedly turned to something else. In various quarters, it was rumoured the governor had been flown to India owing to his alleged encounter with a ghost in ‘his office’. They further alleged that the governor was slapped by the ghost. According to the anonymous propagandists, the governor wasn’t just hospitalized in India; rather, he was receiving treatment from an unorthodox centre. Subsequently, the rumour transcended that the governor was ‘dead’.

      Therein, having forbidden the rumour, every phone call I put across to verify the genuineness of the misleading information disclosed that Chief Okorocha was hale and hearty. I didn’t stop at that; I had to use other reasonable channels within my reach to ascertain the trueness of the clarification. As an analyst and activist, I needed not to rely on mere speculations; suchlike act wouldn’t only ridicule my person, but might end up taking my precious career into extinction. And, such won’t augur well for me and my fans in general. Furthermore, on Tuesday August 23, the governor proved the propagandists wrong by arriving in the country safely and in sound condition.

      By virtue of our tradition as an Igbo nation, we were taught that wishing someone dead isn’t just barbaric, dastardly and outrageous but evil and so forbidden. And, to those of us whom are Christians, we were equally told by the Holy writ that you dare not wish your fellow human being dead or ill, not even your enemy. Rather than nurturing such absurd thought, you are required to pray for his/her repentance if you feel they are not doing or living as expected. Even if the governor was truly ill, why would we gloat over such ordeal? The truth is that: the set of Imolites behind that ugly propaganda had really derailed to have concocted such evil news let alone making it public. It’s even more disheartening and alarming that the affected person is the executive governor of the state. Honestly, we must sincerely retrace our footsteps in earnest before we encounter our doom unannounced.

     Lest I forget, I however equally wish to use this medium to address some anomalies. Tradition demands that if the governor or president of a state or country, respectively, is embarking on a trip for any purpose whatsoever, his subjects deserve to know where exactly he’s headed for, as well as what actually he’s leaving for; if it’s a business/economic tour, what kind of business talks would be involved and which country or province specifically would it take place. The people also deserve to know when precisely their governor would return to the state; in other words, they need to be intimated on how long, or how many days/weeks the trip would last.

     If the governor initially proposed to return after five days or thereabouts, and along the line something came up or another official engagement transpired, his subjects must be duly notified on the elongation. As the state’s governor, it’s worth noting that he’s leaving on behalf of the state, and not in his personal capacity; hence, the citizens must realize where their governor is, at any moment, even if he has left for a personal commitment. We must learn to keep the general public abreast of happenings from time to time. Do not conceal any activity pertaining to the state.

     We must acknowledge that misinformation could warrant anything; I’ve come to understand that, most times, speculations among the general public are often attributable to inappropriate information. A number one citizen of a state isn’t anybody that could travel unnoticed, thus any of his proposed tour must be well publicized. Don’t attempt to keep his teeming fans and subjects in the dark.   

      Now we are all interested in redress. To this end, I appeal to Gov Okorocha to forgive the propagandists and forge ahead since he wasn’t the first leader to suffer such mayhem. The best revenge is always to just gladly move on and let Karma do the rest. 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
Twitter: @mediambassador 

         

Imo SEC and Its Recent Intriguing Resolutions

IMO SEC AND ITS RECENT INTRIGUING RESOLUTIONS

     The last time I checked, the State Executive Council (SEC) of Imo ably led by Governor Rochas Okorocha just released some fascinating and mind-blowing resolutions made during its last meeting held on Friday 2^nd September 2016 at the Ndubuisi Kanu Executive Council Chambers – Government House Owerri, which were disclosed to the general public penultimate week by the state’s Commissioner for Information in the person of Chief Vitalis Ajumbe.

     The highlights of the resolutions were as follows: That,

v The state’s Local Government Council election will hold in January, 2017.

v Every pensioner in the state would be paid for the month of August 2016, while Government continues its negotiations with the Pension Union on how to clear the rest of the pension arrears.

v Five graduates per ward, from the 305 INEC wards in the state, would be employed to beef up the state’s civil service; and that the graduates must be computer literate.

v Eke-ukwu market as well as Ama-awusa, situated in Owerri metropolis, would be relocated to their respective proposed permanent sites, on/before 30^th September 2016.

      Since ‘it’s better late than never’, it’s good news that the pending LG elections in the ancient state would eventually take place in January 2017. Of course, only an imbecile would assert that such long awaited resolution was inconsequential. But, the question is: how prepared is the government to ensure that the prolonged polls would surely hold at the stipulated period or thereabouts? This is equally how we were told that the Imo Council of Traditional Rulers would conduct its election towards producing its next substantive leadership; but till date, we are still looking forward to witnessing the materialization of such crucial and sensitive pronouncement.

      If I’m not mistaken, this is the umpteenth time the state would schedule the LG election. I can’t recollect vividly how many times I have written on this subject matter, all to no avail. Hence, let it be that this laudable resolution, that couldn’t have come at a better time than now, was emanated by a genuine political will. Imolites are hopeful.

      Why would pensioners be paid for only the month of August; does it imply that pension is now a privilege? After all those months of suffering and anguish, the SEC thought it wise to pay the senior citizens only for a month. How could someone think of such idea let alone making it public? Well, if the one month pension is given to them right now, it would heal a reasonable percentage of the injuries they have incurred so far; but, is the proposed ‘one month’ payment forthcoming?

      It’s even more appalling that no one remembered gratuity. Nevertheless, I’m not surprised; how would they discuss gratuities involving millions when pensions that involved just a token are swept under the carpet? It’s really saddening that, at the moment, non-payment of pensions and gratuities is blamed on the ongoing recession. Even if salaries cannot be paid owing to economic meltdown, pensions aren’t meant to be affected, because pension is simply the result of the overall contributions/savings made by the pensioner while in service.

      Funnily enough, the government is considering employing more job seekers from across the state when those already employed are not entitled to their wages. How do you reconcile this? Currently, the least I expect from any government is to discuss employment. We are talking of how to strengthen the economy, so that, lucrative job opportunities would be ubiquitously available, and not how to further suffocate the epileptic economy. It’s obvious that there’s no sufficient fund to pay workers. So, what’s the essence of engaging more hands? Even if the government doesn’t truly mean it, such intent ought not to be made public.

      The last but not the least; relocation of Eke-ukwu Owerri and Ama-awusa. I wonder why it has taken the government so much time and energy to relocate the Ama-awusa, which has constituted an enormous nuisance in the Owerri metropolis. Is the place, or its occupants, more important than other several shanties and structures already demolished by the government; so, why the much ado? Suchlike delay isn’t unlike making a landlord look foolish while his tenant is being adored. Read my lips.

      The proposed relocation of Eke-ukwu Owerri might be a very commendable move, but it’s pertinent to acknowledge that such action shouldn’t be taken in haste. I’m personally strongly in support of relocation of the said market because its locality is apparently causing more harm than good. But, I’m afraid; it’s the market that made the people of Owerri Nchi-Ise (metropolis) to be entitled to an autonomous community. According to the law binding Autonomous Communities in the state, any prospective autonomous community must boast of, at least, a befitting market, church, school, hospital, and what have you. Suffice it to say that the market in question, if it must be relocated, it should be taken to a locality that’s under the Owerri Autonomous Community.

      All I’m soliciting for is that, the government ought to look inwards to ensure that every of its proposed actions, is fair and neutral. Only a just action can guarantee a unified society, thus fairness is bound to be our keyword in every action we intend to take. Similarly, let’s not relegate other stakeholders to the background while taking any sensitive decision. Everyone’s contribution is immensely needed toward building a formidable society we all yearn for, especially at this point we are deeply concerned about economic diversification.

       I’ve come to realize that the major plight faced by government at all levels in Nigeria, is not inability to propound a sound policy; rather, inability to uphold sincerity. If any government strives to have a sincere intent or political will, I bet you, there won’t be any barrier towards good governance. 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
Twitter: @mediambassador 

            

Ohakim Quits Politics?

OHAKIM QUITS ACTIVE POLITICS?

     The last time I checked, the immediate past governor of Imo State in the person of Chief Ikedi Ohakim had reportedly quit active partisan politics, ‘temporarily’ though. Chief Ohakim who announced the decision to scores of his supporters at his Okohia, Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area (LGA) country home on Sunday 14^th August 2016, stated that he was too intelligent to be involved in the ongoing ‘brigandage’ taking place in his political party – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

     Having disclosed that he wanted to go on ‘sabbatical’ and focus on mentoring young people coupled with his Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the staunch Imo politician equally stated that he was not asking any of his supporters/followers to follow him, but if anyone chose to do otherwise, he was welcome. The PDP stalwart went further to express regret that the PDP leaders had been taking deliberate steps to destabilize it, and the party faithful had as well watched helplessly as the leaders undermine each other in pursuit of ‘self-serving interests’.

      It is obvious that the reason behind the unceremonious vacation of the former Imo boss from active politics isn’t unconnected with the lingering crisis befalling his party – the PDP; it isn’t anymore news that, for quite some time now, the PDP has been in a parlous state. This was exactly how the former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, also of the PDP, publicly declared his intent to retire from active politics few months ago, precisely on 6^th February 2016; till now, his followers are earnestly awaiting his next line of action since he equally mentioned he was leaving in the interim. However, few weeks ago, the news went viral that Chief Nnamani had concluded all plans to join the ruling party – the All Progressives Congress (APC).

      Unequivocally, the news that Chief Ikedi Ohakim had quit active partisan politics is, to say the least, laughable and ridiculous, just as I perceived that of Chief Nnamani. Suchlike unpredicted move has succeeded in convincing my person that most Nigerian politicians have acquired a new style of leaving their various political parties for another; antics that aren’t only absurd but nauseous.

     It is indeed a wake-up call to their respective teeming fans or guerillas. Such ongoing scenario beats my psyche intensely because, at the end, or in the long run, their followers stand to suffer the injury incurred in the process, thereby negatively affecting the polity in its totality. This is conspicuously the ripe time to intimate the electorate on what they need to realize regarding leadership and followership, else failure to do so, the Nigerian society stands to lose. There are no two ways about it.

     Since we aren’t unaware that Chief Ohakim can only genuinely exit from active politics over his dead body, considering how talented and gifted he is in the game of politics or whenever the said game is mentioned, it’s needless to reiterate that the politician in question is only trying to exercise his notable smart nature by putting up the so-called French-leave. Our politicians must learn to comprehend that, defection isn’t in any way wholesome to any socio-political terrain, let alone doing so albeit deceitfully.

     There’s power in opposition. Hence, it’s not only the ruling party that’s in power as being presumed. We often tend to misunderstand the fact, thereby making us misinterpret the prime essence of opposition in a democratic reign. Read my lips; there will never be good governance in any society whatsoever without viable and sound opposition. Opposition was originally designed to engineer the implementation of the policies that would usher in the anticipated governance. But it’s unarguably pathetic that in this part of the world, particularly Nigeria, our politicians usually tend to confuse the actual impact of opposition on nation-building.

     Besides, why would a party stalwart resigns his membership owing to an ongoing internal crisis? To me, such uncalled act isn’t unlike a situation where you are fighting or chasing the devil with a relative, and the relation in question ends up addressing you as the devil. We must learn to fight to the end regardless of the enormity of the circumstance; I want to strongly disabuse us of the notion that, in a given organization, some are expected to cultivate while others are meant to reap thereafter.

     In a union of two or more persons, misunderstanding or challenges are bound to set in; it’s a natural phenomenon. It’s not about the challenge; it’s about how the overall members unanimously try to overcome it. In other words, we shouldn’t absorb any challenge as the end of the road. Challenges, which mainly lead to fortification, are arguably consequential if we are interested in moving ahead or unalloyed progression. So, I candidly put it up to you that Chief Ohakim, among others of like minds, has derailed. I said so because, they left when the party they have enjoyed its membership for years needed them most.

      As the founding members of the PDP, this is the time they are required to employ their expertise or fatherly experience towards resolving the ostensibly unquenchable inferno that is currently bedeviling the family. We can’t take a leave at a time our services are needed most. We are aware that dynamism is required of every politician but when betrayal is involved, it becomes a social deviance. Smartness is undoubtedly consequential but when it is targeted towards the downfall of your immediate family, it becomes preposterous and irrational. 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
Twitter: @mediambassador