OPINION II How Realistic are the Awaited LG Polls in Imo?

HOW REALISTIC ARE THE AWAITED LG POLLS IN IMO?

       

The last time I checked, Imolites in their entirety were earnestly awaiting the conduct of local government elections in the state, expected to be carried out by the state’s electoral commission (ISIEC). It isn’t anymore news that few months ago the governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha disclosed that the said election would unfailingly be conducted in January 2017, a decision reportedly informed by the unanimous resolution reached by the State Executive Council (SEC).

       

The Nigeria’s political system is being perceived as one that does not reverence the constitution. This is the reason a state like Imo could stay for over nine consecutive years without boasting of substantive local government chairmen; it is the reason a budget would be approved by the legislature for a certain fiscal year and throughout the affected year, over sixty per cent (60%) of the budget would not be implemented; it is why a vice-chancellor of a given university would exhaust his/her five-year tenure or thereabouts without executing at least a tangible project on the campus, yet he/she wouldn’t be probed by the concerned government.

      

Though Imolites have been promised that the conduct of the polls is actualizable come January 2017, they are still sceptical over the pledge. The scepticism was occasioned by the obvious fact that that wasn’t the first time such promise would be made, yet absolutely nothing was done afterwards. Sure, Imolites likewise citizens of other states passing through similar fate, have endured enough that they deserve an award. But, would they continue to persevere?

      

The way and manner most state governors handle LG matters have made me to see the awaited Imo LG polls as a mirage. It sounds non-realistic to my person, and of course to any other concerned fellow, because such an issue has never been taken seriously since the reign of the immediate past governor – Chief Ikedi Ohakim – till date, let alone this recessionary era. Hence, awaiting January 2017 towards witnessing the elections, is unequivocally not unlike building castle in the air.

       

However, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that all hope is not lost, thus needless to despair. Conduct of the polls come next month wouldn’t be far-fetched provided we are committed. It is just a matter of being transparent as well as standing by nothing but the truth. The electorate need to comprehend the real state of things, and they can’t if the picture is not presented to them in an elaborate form. Let’s give them that sense of belonging, so that, they can even help the government to do the thinking.

      

I might be sounding abstract but the truth is, we need to hold the bull by the horn. Beating about the bush would cause more harm than the anticipated good. All the aggrieved parties ought to be brought to a roundtable, so we can address this once and for all. We can’t continue to put the blame on a certain individual or group while the state continues to suffer. We shouldn’t continue deceiving ourselves and allow Imo wallow in pains. It is high time the deceit stopped for the sake of the state at large.

      

The above instruction became consequential because if truly the LG polls would be held by the aforementioned period, or anytime within the first quarter of 2017,  by now, primary elections ought to have been conducted by the various political parties involved; series of electioneering campaigns should be in the air; electoral debates ought to be the order of the day. I stand to be corrected if I have goofed.

      

Funnily enough, new Transition Committee (TC) chairmen were recently installed by the governor, and probably more would still be replaced in the nearest future. Or maybe, the new chairmen are the ones to conduct the awaited elections. Whatever the case might be, time is conspicuously two short for reshuffling if really we are determine to get it right come January next year.

      

Let’s not indulge in a practice that would make the governed overlook the government. The government is meant to be taken seriously by the people but in a situation whereby the former continually displays nonchalant attitudes, I’m afraid, the latter would be forced to start taking it (the former) for granted. Governance requires a two-way participation where the leaders and the followers are expected to engage in serious cooperation; but if any side is being sidelined, it becomes a problem to the society.

       

Come to think of it, are Imolites really prepared to witness the polls in question? Everyone appeared so docile and less-concerned. Is it an indication that they have forgotten about it, or have lost hope in the government? It would interest, perhaps shock you to note that only few states across the federation have conducted their LG elections, but if you visit any of the states that are yet to conduct theirs, the electorate seem relaxed and lackadaisical. This should be one of the prime reasons the concerned governments don’t take the issue seriously. It pisses my psyche profoundly each time I realize that I belong to one of the affected states.

       

Nevertheless, I’m using this medium to humbly appeal to the amiable governor of the ‘Eastern Heartland’ to please, understand that the conduct of these polls is long overdue. The prolonged suspense is indeed deeply telling on me alongside Imolites of like minds. I wouldn’t like to continue sounding personal in regard to this anomaly, as it is making me appear more sensitive. Think about it! 

 

Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor

-Political/Public Affairs Analyst & Civil Rights Activist-
@mediambassador  
http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor            

 

 

      

Nigeria, Fast Becoming Synonymous with ills

NIGERIA, FAST BECOMING SYNONYMOUS WITH ILLS

        

In my church, Catholic precisely, a prayer for ‘Nigeria in distress’ is being said for decades now. I grew up to join the chorus; suffice it to say that the prayer had been existing since I was born, or prior to my existence if I’m not mistaken. Hence, I kept wondering if Nigeria would remain in distress unabated. The religious devotion is already overriding the country’s national anthem, which implies that the distress in question is getting out of hand.

       

If your thought is as good as mine, why would anyone be doubtful of the relevance of such prayer? All forms of social ills to include student cultism, exam practices, kidnapping, robbery, pick pocketing, rape, incest, drug addiction, cheating, and even household lies, have abruptly overtaken the wellbeing of Nigeria’s polity. The value system has arguably fast deteriorated. Hence, asserting that the country is uncontrollably suffering from distress isn’t an overstatement, rather understatement.

       

What is more baffling as regards the pitiable situation is that most parents, perhaps vulnerable ones, claim ignorance of their wards’ dirty lifestyles. For instance, those whom their children are ostensibly progressive and keep showering with ‘tainted’ love wouldn’t hesitate to tell you, when asked, that their son is doing very well in his business – even when they are unsure. A non-vulnerable or more informed parent could go extra mile to ascertain what his/her child does for a living.

 

However, when you look inwards, you would comprehend that presenting vulnerability as an excuse is a product of ills. There’s no caring and sane parent that wouldn’t be concerned about their child’s safety. In other words, any rational human progenitor would stop at nothing towards ensuring that their offspring are all into occupation or activity that wouldn’t attract rot to their persons in the long run.

       

So, it’s only a corrupt and weird parent that would prefer to display a nonchalant attitude in issues regarding their child’s wellbeing. Such parents wouldn’t bother to find out what exactly that’s yielding their son’s wealth. All they care about is for the money to keep flowing, so he would continue showering them with ‘love’. And if the chap in question is a cultist, someday he would be probably asked to offer his either parents’ head for ritual renewal. If he is an armed robber, he might equally consider robbing his parental home.

        

The type occurring in the education sector is unspeakable, to assert the least. Our young ones, now, no longer sit for their examinations without concealing microchips in their private parts, or the assistance of mercenary, as the case may be. In most secondary schools across the federation, mainly privately owned ones, questions from external examiners like WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or what have you, are not anymore attended to by the candidates they are meant for, rather the teachers of the affected schools.

        

In some quarters where the schools do not want the practice to appear obvious or intend to apply a little decency, they would turn the examination format to teacher-student cooperation whereby the candidate would be apparently seated on the exam desk while his/her tutor would be functioning like a standby generator. Funnily enough, this disgusting melodrama does not take place without the approval of the exam’s supervisor; needless to reiterate that it’s a two-way thing. Sure, things are no longer at ease.

        

Have you taken a walk to most universities lately? They currently parade themselves with countless ‘First Class’ products as if Nigeria has more good brains now than before. Of course, it isn’t longer news that a primary school-leaver during the days of my father can compete confidently, or even supersede, most present days’ university graduates. Besides, during my university days, I was told by an astute teacher that no department in any Nigerian institution has the capacity to produce first class graduates.

        

According to the professor, it wasn’t that the country didn’t have good brains but considering that its universities lacked the required facilities, it could not boast of first class products that could compete with the world. I personally concurred, but recently I came to realize that Nigerian universities were producing first class materials in accordance with the available facilities and manpower, and not products that could fit anywhere beyond the country. Even at that, are they supposed to be making it seem as if they are competing among themselves with regard to the number of first class graduates to be produced per session? The scenario indeed calls for a deep thought.

       

I can’t but continue to wonder where exactly we are headed. I’m right now pouting seriously. Someone would relentlessly lament that our politicians are densely corrupt, but when one looks inwardly, he would acknowledge that the level of corruption among the followers is overwhelming. Even household corruption has overridden others. Go to the market places, and you would observe countless antics transpiring on a daily basis; it’s a place where a seller wouldn’t mind using his/her customer for ritual, and albeit ignorantly the latter would yet presume he/she is being pampered. An average seller would consistently cheats his customer, still, addresses him as his loved one.

       

Every moment we complain profusely over graft, forgetting that the prevalence of corruption by non-public servants is fast dominating the system. The awaited change, surely, must begin with each of us. Think about it! 

 

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Technical Intricacy of Modern Education

TECHNICAL INTRICACY OF MODERN EDUCATION

        

Education can be described as the imparting and acquiring of knowledge via teaching and learning, especially at a school or similar institution. In the words of G. K. Chesterton ‘Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.’ No wonder every sane and rational society treats it as the fundamental factor required toward any meaningful development.

      

The earliest educational processes involved sharing information about gathering food and providing shelter; making weapons and other tools; learning language; and acquiring the values, behaviour, as well as religious rites or practices of a given culture. Prior to the invention of writing and reading, people lived in an environment in which they struggled to survive against natural forces, animals, and other humans. At the time, to survive, preliterate individuals developed skills that grew into cultural and educational patterns.

        

Education emanated from the human struggle for survival and enlightenment. It might be formal or informal. The latter refers to the general social process by which human beings acquire the knowledge and skills needed to function in their culture. Whilst, formal education refers to the process through which teachers instruct pupils or students, as might be the case, in subjects of study within institutions.

      

The modern day education makes one feel proud that s/he is truly educated, though formally or informally, everyone is educated. The real education, which is the overall development of mind, body and soul, can be acquired via any means. According to Carter Woodson, ‘Education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better.’

        

It’s noteworthy that modern education is aided with a variety of technology comprising computers, projectors, internet, and calculators, among others; this fact forms the basis of this discussion. Everything that can be simplified has been made simpler by introduction of the aforementioned gadgets into the modern day education. Science has obviously explored every aspect of human life; it suffices to say that there is now much to learn as well as more to assimilate. Internet alone provides abysmal knowledge, meaning literally that there’s no end to it.

        

Skill development and vocational education has added a new feather to the modern system of education. There is something to learn for everyone. Even an infant these days goes to a kindergarten. And a little grown – mentally and physically – is promoted to a nursery. The most fascinating part is that everything is being categorized ranging from kindergarten, nursery, primary, secondary, to tertiary; and each of these stages has a certain set of technical acquaintances. The truth is, modern pattern of education is a never-ending process. Aristotle Nicomachus stated that ‘Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refugee in adversity.’ This is exactly what modern education represents.       

        

However, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that the existing technical intricacy of modern education has caused colossal harm to the present days children. For instance, before now, devices such as abacus were used during Mathematics classes. Such an approach helped tremendously to educate the kids – ranging from ages 6 to 14 – on mental arithmetic, a knowledge that enables them to face any form of Mathematics problem in the future. But now, except in countries like India, Russia, China, Ghana, and what have you that still use counting frame or abacus, calculator has suddenly overtaken its use in Nigeria. Worse still, even primary school pupils are now exposed to scientific calculators.

         

Modern education has deprived most learners the opportunity of seeing the real events or scenes. Engineering students, for example, only see pictures of what is being taught, or what is expected to be produced by them. Final year undergraduates, and perhaps postgraduate students, presently do their projects or theses by merely downloading the required materials from the net. Most students don’t even know where the fabric they are wearing came from. The word ‘how’ is currently missing in our world, which causes ignorance.

         

Modern education has succeeded in spreading more ignorance than knowledge. It has produced a vast population able to read but unable to distinguish what is worth reading. Learners do more of cramming rather than memorizing, which can only be achieved by getting close to facts or the actual pictures. Albert Einstein once said ‘Education is that which remains if one has forgotten everything learned in school.’

        

For the technical intricacies involved in modern education to be advantageous to the learners, they must serve as supplements. They ought to be used for reference purposes. The pupils/students must get used to the real pictures or sites before introducing the use of tech gadgets to them. Their brains shouldn’t be complicated with those stuffs at early stage. These brains are still fragile, thus ought not to be juxtaposed with tech intricacies. More so, endeavour to let the practical segment be preceded by theory.

       

We must note that every invention was made for a purpose, and to be applied at a particular time. So if we end up misusing them, it becomes a problem when they are meant to serve as blessing. Think about it!  

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