Ember Months and Quest for Materialism

EMBER MONTHS AND QUEST FOR MATERIALISM

      The ember months are here again. The months that mark the end of Gregorian calendar, that invariably start from September and end with December, are generally referred to as ‘Ember months.’ The term ‘Ember’ might not be unconnected with the suffix that accompanies virtually all the months in question. On its part, quest is a long search for what one desires; it can also be described as an extreme passion attached to what someone wants or whatever he/she wishes to possess. In the same vein, materialism is an act in which one thinks that money and other material possessions are the most important things on earth.

       The last time I checked, the three basic needs of man remained food, clothing and textile. It’s equally worth noting that the three major desires of any sane being are wealth, fame and power. It’s pathetic that currently mankind has derailed profoundly as regards the avenue being embraced towards obtaining any of these three desires. Unequivocally, the manner in which most Nigerians parade themselves during the Ember months has become so worrisome to all concerned, that, if proper and drastic measure isn’t taken by the apt authorities, it might degenerate into an unimaginable state of doom in the nearest future.

       The uncalled and irrational quest for materialism among mankind, particularly the youth, especially during the ember months, remains one of the rudimentary causes of the various lingering social-vices taking place in all nooks and crannies. No doubt, the current astonishing increase of death rate is attributable to some of these vices, to include cultism, armed robbery, thuggery, prostitution, kidnapping, drug trafficking, assassination, and what have you.

       The astronomical prevalence of the listed vices during ember months has made the former to seem synonymous with the latter, thereby making people to perceive the season as forbidden. Aside the aforementioned vices, there are other countless anomalies associated with the period, such as over-speeding and cheating among sellers in various markets. This is the reason road carnage is invariably on the rampage at such a time.

       The truth is that, no one seems to be safe during the ember months, not just in Nigeria but across the globe. It is a period when an apprentice appears smarter than his master; a period when various law enforcement agents, whom are meant to control the menace, indulge themselves in all kinds of sabotage or unpatriotic acts; a period when an average seller sales food stuffs with a cup’s bottom; a time when a commercial driver wants to cover a 7-hour journey within three hours; and of course, a season when a secondary school student feels like dropping from school towards participating in any available ‘moneymaking’ activity.      

       Research indicates that the ongoing alarming quest for materialism or youth restiveness is mainly occasioned by inconsequential rivalry, greed and/or lack of contentment among the populace. This implies that the anomaly is a product of man’s inability to face reality at a given circumstance, even when the answer to the situation is very glaring.

       Inconsequential rivalries are those competitions that are not called for, or that seem unreasonable and barbaric. On the average, politicians or established business men often indulge in this practice. It’s usually observed among the aforementioned set of people during electioneering era or when battling over supremacy, as the case may be. Some youths also indulge in this act toward showcasing that they belong to the ruling or most powerful class, with a view to proving that they are ahead of their contemporaries. Some individuals often do all sorts of things to find themselves in such class.

       Greed or lack of contentment has also contributed immensely to man’s intolerable quest for materialism, thereby setting the period that leads to any festive season, such as the ember months, ablaze. Greed has arguably brought humanity to a state of mockery, and has succeeded in tearing several unions or societies apart. Against this backdrop, it’s needless to state that lack of contentment has remained a colossal nightmare to mankind.

       As we undergo another era of Ember months, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the commemoration of the forthcoming festive seasons, Christmas and New Year precisely, takes place in a peaceful atmosphere. Hence, I call on governments at all levels, schools, the civil society, religious institutions, the mass media, as well as all well-meaning individuals, to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the awaited Ember months would bring nothing but a blessing to the Nigerian society in its totality. This can be actualized by embarking on massive sensitization programme across the country via town-hall meetings, street awareness, and issuance of bulk SMSs, among others.

       More so, the various relevant law enforcement agencies shouldn’t hesitate to arrest any individual or group caught in any of the above listed acts, and must ensure that the suspect is brought to book at all cost. In view of this, the judicial custodians ought to endeavour to maintain speedy hearing of any case relating to youth restiveness among others; such step would definitely serve as a deterrent to all prospective criminals. The parents and guardians, on their part, should at all times equally be mindful of what their children/wards do, where they go to, as well as who they mingle with.  

       Those who are already party to any of these uncivilized and blasphemous acts, or intend joining the chorus, ought to acknowledge that it is only by the grace of God one can acquire laudable and everlasting wealth, power, or fame come rain come shine. To before warned is to before armed. 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

 

PDP, Judiciary and their Makossa Dance

PDP, JUDICIARY AND THEIR MAKOSSA DANCE

     The last time I checked, ever since the acclaimed Africa’s largest political party – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) relinquished power to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2015, it had remained unsteady, thereby making the onlookers be of the notion that it’s being manipulated by a certain cabal solely interested in the party’s extinction.

      The worst of all remains that, rather than being deeply concerned about how to make amends where necessary, the party has chosen to indulge itself in an endless ‘Makosa dance’ whose drumbeat is seemingly fabricated by the judiciary. Dancing to the tune of such uncalled music has ended up showcasing revelry of shame in the entire Nigerian polity.

      It would be recalled that the party in question was meant to have its elective National Convention, expected to produce its next substantive leadership, last two weeks, precisely on Wednesday 17^th August 2016. Pathetically, the venue for the said event scheduled to hold in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital was barricaded by a group of well-armed security personnel in accordance with the order issued to them by the Federal High Court of Abuja Division.

      It’s worth noting that Justice Ibrahim Watila of the Federal High Court of Port-Harcourt Division had earlier ruled that the proposed convention being organized by the Ahmed Makarfi – led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) should go on as planned, thus ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the police to provide legal backing as well as maximum security for the exercise. Subsequently, as if Nigerian courts of law are now rivals to each other, that of Abuja Division presided over by Justice Okon Abang barred the convention from holding as requested by the Modu Sheriff – led National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party that claims it remains the party’s leader till 2018. This obviously smacks of mischief. Owing to the contradictory ruling of the latter, all efforts put in place towards ensuring a successful convention proved abortive.

      Indeed, the PDP had become so polarized following the May 21, 2016 National Convention of the party held in Port-Harcourt, which sacked the Sheriff–led NEC and consequently replaced it with the 7-man Makarfi–led caretaker committee with a mandate to organize another convention within 90 days. But, both parallel camps thereafter instituted a litany of suits at the Federal High Court, hence creating the ongoing nauseous scenario that had ridiculed the judiciary.

      It’s unarguably mind-boggling that having ruled over a certain case, another law court of equal jurisdiction would accept to entertain the same subject matter brought before it. Suchlike attitude isn’t unlike, to say the least, a betrayal and sabotage not just to the judiciary but the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended. If any Federal High Court, irrespective of its division, rules over a case, the only thing the aggrieved party is expected to do is to take the case to an appellant court. Even if the case is yet to be ruled; provided it is lying on the desk of a certain law court, no other court of coordinate (equal) jurisdiction has the constitutional right to entertain same subject matter if eventually brought before it by a different plaintiff.

      The judicial custodians in the country are apparently taking the country’s judiciary to the mould, thus making its status seem laughable. The Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) need not be told that it’s time it woke from its slumber and act as expected, because it’s obvious that a lot is getting out of hand. It might interest, perhaps shock you to note that, currently, scores of suits filed by various members of the PDP are reportedly lying in several courts across the federation. The court cases instituted by the factional national leaders of the party could be described as minor, considering the enormity of cases filed by their counterparts at the various state levels.

      We can’t continue to make mockery of the judiciary that’s seen as the ‘last hope’ of the citizenry. The lingering Makosa dance abruptly embarked upon by the PDP alongside the judiciary has gotten to its climax that it requires the candid intervention of all concerned, particularly the overall founding members of the party. It’s even more pitiable and worrisome to acknowledge that some of these founding members have graciously taken their leave, or defected to the APC

      Anyone who truly loves Nigeria ought to come to the rescue of the PDP before it goes into extinction, because the country is seriously in need of a viable opposition and such cannot be guaranteed if the embattled party isn’t resuscitated. Initially, most analysts cum commentators were of the view that the ongoing disagreement among the PDP members was for the party’s good; but, it’s conspicuous that the ostensibly welcomed melodrama has suddenly metamorphosed into an unforeseen Makosa dance, which is an aberration.

      At this point, I suggest the PDP should go back to the drawing board. The most apt thing to do now is to retrace its steps to the genesis. No right thinking Nigerian, or anyone who understands the essence of a proactive opposition, especially at this critical moment, would love to see the party fade away like mere smoke, thus let’s in our respective capacities endeavour to call the warring factions to order in the best interest of the country at large.

      It’s time to say goodbye to retrogressive issues. The bone of contention remains that Nigeria is yearning for a healthy opposition, and the PDP, being one of the major political parties in the country, cannot afford to fail her. 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            

 

Before Blackout Becomes Our Trademark

BEFORE BLACKOUT BECOMES OUR TRADEMARK

     The Nigeria’s power sector is presently yearning for rescue that if drastic measure isn’t taken, soonest the country won’t only reckoned to be synonymous with blackout but a place invariably used as a case-study whenever non-electricity supply is being discussed.

     It’s indeed worrisome to acknowledge that in spite of the intimidating size of Nigeria, both in landmass and population of over 160 million individuals, she’s currently striving toward boasting of steady seven thousand megawatts (7,000MW) of electricity supply, whereas nations like Ghana, South-Africa, Iran, South-Korea, among others alike, that aren’t up to 60 million people on the average, presently boast of over fifty thousand megawatts (50,000MW). Such shocking phenomenon calls for thorough examination in the country’s power sector.

     During the past administration, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s particularly, the Power Reform Act was introduced, which was aimed at boosting electricity supply. In addition, the then existing National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was changed to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) owing to concession. National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) was equally initiated. Piqued by the epileptic power situation, Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, on assumption of office in 2007, lamented that the government under Chief Obasanjo squandered about $10 billion on the NIPP with little or no effect.

      On power sector alone, the administration of Chief Obasanjo reportedly spent $16 billion approximately equivalent to #3.52 trillion, his successor Late Yar’Adua expended $5.375 billion (#1.183 trillion), whilst immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration spent $8.26 billion (#1.817 trillion). In a nutshell, if comments of past Nigerian leaders are anything to go by, the country, in the last 16 years, spent about $29.635 billion amounting to #6.52 trillion on quest for steady power supply.

     It would be recalled that during Dr Jonathan’s reign, the distribution section/phase of the power sector was totally deregulated, thereby leading to Public-Private Partnership (PPP); a measure that Nigerians thought would salvage the power industry. It’s worth noting that the power sector comprises three major sections (phases) namely: the generation, transmission, and distribution sections. These three phases collectively contribute to the production of the two hundred and twenty Alternating-Current Voltage (AC220V) required by electricity consumers in Nigeria.

     Despite all these measures, rather than improving, the country’s power sector remains in a comatose state, or even deteriorates on a daily basis. The various distribution firms, instead of concentrating on how to serve the teeming consumers, end up compounding the already existing plight. At the moment, an electricity consumer in Nigeria, regardless of locality, would be faced with a utility bill even though he never enjoyed any power supply in the past; one might begin to wonder where such bill was fabricated.

     The problem with the Nigerian power sector remains lack of technical know-how cum initiative as well as decay in maintenance culture. Most times, the personnel at the generation phase would inform Nigerians that the supply of gasoline has depreciated owing to the ongoing pipeline vandalism caused by the various militant groups. Suchlike report is no doubt, to say the least, ridiculous and laughable in a country like ours that can boast of so many sources of electricity generation in abundance. Frankly, over-dependence on mono-source is really telling on the Nigerian economy at large, not just in the power sector.

     A few of the country’s mineral resources alone, such as coal and what have you, can generate enormous electricity required by the overall Nigerians. Similarly, biomass and wind-power, which are renewable and reliable energy sources, if properly harnessed, can generate electricity that can serve the entire Nigerian population. Biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat, or indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel. Its conversion to biofuel can be achieved by different methods broadly classified into chemical, thermal, and biochemical methods.

     Besides, why is solar energy in abeyance? Most western countries like Germany that cannot boast of a steady fifteen degree Celsius (15*C) depends mainly on solar energy as regards power supply let alone Nigeria that can steadily boast of over 30*C. The country is abound with the four energy sources mentioned so far; the resources are there lying fallow. Our duty is to harness them; all the government needs to do is to create an industry that would produce the required facilities, and such approach cannot be actualized without lifting embargo on PPP.

     Above all, considering the ongoing power generation via turbine or hydro-plants, there’s compelling need for the government to decentralize the transmission grid. Rather than sustaining the national grid, since it’s obvious that such sustenance is cumbersome, each region or zone ought to be entitled to a transmission grid, thereby easing the maintenance cost. Such approach won’t only reduce cost, but would equally boost adequate and steady power supply across the federation. The private sector must also be given a room to key in; the various established private transmission grids such as the Power Geometrics situated in Aba, Abia State invented by Prof Bart Nnaji needs to be encouraged effectively.

     Summarily, before blackout becomes our trademark, the Ministry of Power must be mindful of the needful. Think about it!

 

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)
-ICT/Engineering Consultant, Researcher, Blogger, Analyst & Activist-
Founder/CEO, Docfred (Nig.) Ent. - Owerri
____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
http://frednwaozor.blogspot.com
Twitter: @mediambassador