As NBA Makes Fantastic U-turn

AS NBA MAKES FANTASTIC U-TURN

        It’s indeed mind-blowing to realize that after all the brouhahas made by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) alongside its allies, following the recent clampdown on some judges by the State Security Service (SSS), it has thought it wise to brace up to the reality.    
         Speaking on Thursday 20^th October 2016 during the valedictory court session held in honour of Justice Sotonye Denton-West of the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal, the association’s President Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) noted that towards safeguarding the sanctity of the judiciary, it had become imperative for the arrested judges to excuse themselves from further judicial functions.

        He equally suggested that they may proceed on compulsory leave until their innocence is fully established. The NBA boss went further to state that the bar has set up a task force after its meeting with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation as well as past and serving leaders of the association, to urgently review the recent developments and come up with clear specific recommendations on how best to clean up the nation’s judiciary toward rebuilding confidence of the citizenry. He concluded with the anticipation that the report is expected to be available in two weeks time, having called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to suspend the judges if they fail to comply to the directive.

        It’s noteworthy that four of the judges arrested between October 7 and 8, 2016 are still serving whilst the rest of the three had been recommended for compulsory retirement and dismissal by the NJC prior to the clampdown. Suffice it to say that the NBA boss was actually referring to the four.

        Personally, I was not surprise regarding the abrupt U-turn made by the NBA. I knew as acclaimed learned professionals, they would surely agree with the content of the constitution. The drama earlier performed by them was what is known as ‘self defence’ when discussing crime and security. Self-defence is a legal measure required by one to save himself when his life is in danger, or someone else is making physical attempt to claim it. If one commits murder while employing self-defence, the law is liable to forgive him for such crime committed if proven beyond doubts that his actions weren’t informed by any criminal tendency.

        So, the NBA alongside the NJC was trying to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary that was ostensibly under ‘attack’ as was staged by the SSS. They were taken unawares and they were of the view that their lives were in danger, thus they decided to employ the self-defence tactics. Little did they know that the DSS was only trying to protect their lives, and not the other way round. Remember, they hadn’t experience such before. Hence, making such a U-turn was something I saw coming. I wasn’t taken unawares, that’s why I only smiled the moment I got the news on my desk. I am sure the NJC has also jettisoned its sword, even though the Chairman has disclosed that none of the indicted judges would be suspended.

       Now, I’m deeply perturbed. Some of the arrested justices, such as John Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta, have alleged that some of the serving ministers respectively made attempt to bribe them over a few of the court cases they handled recently. They made the shocking allegations via separate epistles they sent to the NJC. Should we fold our arms and allow such striking accusations to be buried? No, something must be done. Doing otherwise would be the biggest mistake to be made by the relevant law enforcement agencies. Thus, investigations in that regard ought to commence without much ado. This is when the FG needs to practically prove to the people that it is not biased.

        I’m equally baffled over the way and manner most of these anti-graft agencies handle cases in recent times. Sometimes, we would observe that investigation commences after an accused person had been arrested; this is absurd and totally unconstitutional.  Arrest is meant to be preceded by investigations, and not otherwise. An arrest marks the end of any ongoing investigation in respect to the case in question. As soon as an allegation or petition is tendered, investigation commences, then followed by an arrest. An arrest is constitutionally succeeded by arraignment; meaning literally that the moment an indicted person is arrested, you are expected to file a suit against him/her in relevant court of competent jurisdiction.

        My second concern is the duration of court proceedings in Nigeria. Some prosecutions linger for many years. The legislature really needs to address this lapse if we must get it right. Let’s amend the constitution and other relevant Acts toward creating a stipulated duration a certain prosecution is bound to last. Civil, criminal, and electoral cases ought to have a particular period of time they are meant to last in any court of law they are being entertained, irrespective of its jurisdiction.

        However, now that our judges have been found culpable, and they are required to be tried by a law court soonest, the question is: who is going to try them? It’s obvious that they would be prosecuted as well as convicted, if need be, by their colleagues. So, what’s the guarantee that the proposed prosecution, and the awaited justice, would be done dispassionately by these judicial custodians? Think about it!

Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador

   

Has ICT Replaced Human Brain?

HAS ICT REPLACED THE HUMAN BRAIN?

        If you take a close look, you would notice it seems the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has abruptly taken over from the human brain in recent times. If such observation holds water, one would begin to wonder how an artificial possession can overtake the natural one.

        Considering the ongoing trend whereby, for instance, an average student would in most cases prefer to make use of a calculator rather than his/her brain, you might subtly concur that the human brain is gradually going into extinction. Of course, one may not hesitate to insinuate that the human brain is not anymore needed, since ICT has proven beyond doubts to be the ‘messiah’ when it calls for information sourcing or data storage.

        Indeed, the impact of ICT on man’s daily activity cannot be overemphasized, especially when considered that it can carry out a certain work expressly - and at anytime, without causing much stress for any of the beneficiaries of the work done. Unlike the brain that might not be very active at a given time; for example, you cannot wake someone from sleep and therein ask him/her to help you with a certain information or task. An ICT equipment/system is invariably ready to perform its work, unless when faulty.

         Little wonder, in various Mathematics classes, you would hardly see pupils or students making use of their brain. They are now quick in using their calculators - or handset when the former is not at their reach - even in cases concerning elementary arithmetic, let alone basic algebra or geometry. Those days, candidates who enrolled for external examinations like the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) could not attempt to enter the exam hall with any ICT gadget including calculator, cell phone, or what have you. But nowadays, the exam board (JAMB) itself provides the candidates with such equipment, particularly calculator.

        This implies that even the teachers as well as examiners encourage the students to overlook the use of their brains. This is why most students often laugh at others who try to employ their brain while in classroom, or at their respective homes. Parents/guardians too would stop at nothing to ensure that their wards do not ‘stress’ their brain by providing them with any requested learning material. ICT has apparently dominated the modern generation otherwise known as the ‘digital age’, and perhaps replaced the human brain.

        Lest we celebrate that we need not bother our brain any longer in issues pertaining to learning, routine office works, or as the case may be, let’s not forget in haste that the human brain remains the only endowment that does the thinking – which ICT can never do, not even for a second. The brain can engage in an extensive and rigorous thinking towards proffering the required remedy to any given plight, or providing sound and reliable ideas that can stand the test of time.

        The human brain can store as much information as possible. Your brain might have only a few gigabytes of storage space, similar to the one in your iPod, USB flash drive, or computer hard-disk. But neurons, also known as nerve cells, combine so that each one helps with many memories at a time, exponentially increasing the brain’s memory storage capacity to something closer to around 2.5petabytes – equivalent to a million gigabytes. Similarly, research indicates that the human brain is thirty times faster than the best supercomputer in existence. Moreover, knowledge acquired wholly with the use of the brain gives self-confidence, and such is invariably reliable irrespective of the circumstance.

        It’s pertinent to acknowledge that ICT itself was invented solely by the brain, and any existing IT gadget - such as computer - is programmed mainly by the effort of same human brain. IT equipment such as any computerized gadget provides information on a daily basis, based on what it receives from the human brain; it is called ‘garbage in, garbage out’ in the computer world. Above all, whenever an IT gadget/network gets infested or ceased to perform, it is the human brain that would fix the anomaly. Needless to say that the day-to-day thrive of ICT cannot be adequately effective and efficient without involving the brain.

        The truth is, ICT which remains manmade, can fade at anytime whereas human brain will never. This is the reason we must not make attempt to relegate our brains to the background; else, we shall all live to regret it. Believe it or not, ICT can never be compared to the ‘almighty’ human brain, because the latter is arguably yet to have a rival. Survey shows that no computer can compete with the brain of the dullest human on earth. Hence, we are advised to believe so much in ourselves by finding reasonable time to work on our brains, proudly use it always, as well as endeavour to handle it with absolute care.

        Though the functions of ICT cannot be overemphasized as earlier stated, the role of the human brain remains limitless. The former was invented to serve as an aid to mankind’s daily activity, and not to replace the latter. Think about it!

 
Fred Doc Nwaozor

Twitter: @mediambassador        

      

Let's Salvage Nigeria's Epileptic Economy Via Tech

SALVAGING NIGERIA’S EPILEPTIC ECONOMY VIA TECH

       Epilepsy is a medical term, meaning literally a severe neurological disorder marked by abrupt recurrent episodes of sensory disturbances, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with unusual tremor in the brain. This medical vice can be addressed through the application of lobotomy - a surgical operation in which some of the nerves in the human brain are cut.

       The current Nigeria’s economy - likewise that of other African nations - is arguably epileptic, thus requires such major surgery as lobotomy. However, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that the recommended approach cannot be successfully applied if we fail to employ technology. This implies that technology remains inevitable towards salvaging the country’s economic posture that bears a pathetic physiognomy.

        Development at any phase is always linked with technology, and technology takes place when there’s advancement in science. In other words, science, technology and development are all proportional to each other. Development is required in every individual as well as nation, in all aspects. And for development to occur, science and technology must go hand-in-hand. Science is known as the study of knowledge which is made into a system, and depends on analyzing and comprehending facts. Technology is the application of this scientific knowledge.

        For any successful economy, particularly in present times, science and technology are the rudimentary requisites. If any nation fails to utilize these, then the chances of getting itself developed becomes minimal. Technology is associated in all means with modernity and it’s an essential tool for rapid development. Hence, any country that’s not able to prosper in this regard would never be able to sustain the lives within its jurisdiction, and may have to solely depend on other countries for survival.

        It’s estimated by the World Bank that seven of the ten largest economies of the world by 2020 would be in Asia – including Japan, China, India, Indonesia, South-Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan. A few decades ago, these countries were known to have poor policies, low discipline and no advancement. But with an effective introduction of technology, they have succeeded in making waves all over the world. Nigeria obviously needs to emulate them. Rather than begging them to come over and help us develop Nigeria, let’s ascertain how they made it to the top, so we can apply same techniques without seeking for their assistance since we have all it takes to perform independently.

        The truth is that, the required manpower and resources are abound in this country. What the government needs to do is to recognize the needed labour-force, and the available resources. Secondly, we must be prepared to devote reasonable commitment, which is a product of time; this is where political will comes in. You must be willing to sacrifice your time and energy to a cause you believe in, if you really want it to become an absolute success.

        Ab initio, Nigeria is being taken aback by her leaders. If not, this country would have gone several steps ahead of where it is today. If the government must do the right thing as expected, it has to revive all moribund technical colleges across the country, resuscitate the ongoing Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), adequately equip all the science-oriented departments in institutions of higher learning, as well as take teachers’ wages very seriously. These are the fundamental ways the country’s education sector can be strengthened. The health sector, which is awash with outdated facilities, must equally be liberated by providing befitting structures and equipment that can stand the test of time. 

        Moreover, Nigeria lacks an industry where science and technology can thrive, thus she needs to create one by setting up an enabling environment that can accommodate every professional irrespective of their field. Owing to lack of such environment, the country loses hundreds of talents on a daily basis via brain drain. The government must be willing to assist anyone who has an idea, and not to abandon him/her to rot. A reliable agency that can listen to people’s ideas and channel them to apt quarters ought to be set up by the governments at all levels.

        For urgency’s sake, we must embrace the agric sector through implementation of mechanized farming instead of the ongoing crude pattern. As regards the mining sector, the concerned authority must extend hand of fellowship to the cognoscenti whom must be indigenous, towards acquiring efficient output. The power sector cannot be addressed if we fail to supplement the existing hydro pattern with other available generation sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and coal. The Tourism industry can also be made more viable by inculcating tech measures in the system. Security, on its part, cannot be left out while discussing technology. Lastly, tax evasion can only be properly tackled if we employ adequate forensic techniques.

       There’s no how we can solve Nigeria’s numerous economic crises without engaging technology. Even corruption, which remains the bane of our distress, can’t be duly fought if we overlook technology. If you are still sceptical that tech can fix the country’s epileptic economy, then you’re still asleep and need to be awake. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador