Opinion I One Mistake Okorocha Mustn't Make

ONE MISTAKE OKOROCHA MUST NOT MAKE

        

The last time I checked, an average Imolite had abruptly become more observant and attentive than ever, that, he/she could not spent a whole day without making frantic effort to spy on the Imo Government House otherwise known as the ‘Douglas House’ towards ascertaining what the political strategy of the governor, Chief  Rochas Okorocha entails.

         

Sometimes when they peep, they would take time to comprehend what the body language of the leader in question truly represents. I would assert that they have emerged good observers unannounced. A good observer is one who is very sound in listening; one who listens more and talks less; one who takes his/her precious time to study what every circumstance is made up of; one who can go extra mile to discover facts, either weird or usual, surrounding any given situation.

          

Acknowledging this very scenario, it’s imperative for everyone that’s involved in the famous Rescue Mission Administration, particularly the governor, to fasten his/her seat-belt. The current season could be best described as critical and most challenging, which could be linked to the ongoing Lenten period observed by the Christendom. Notwithstanding, it’s pertinent to note that the said season is actually referring to the political state of Imo.

         

Lest I forget, this critique could be tagged the continuation of the one tendered penultimate week, precisely in the previous edition of this very column entitled ‘Imo, 2019 and Okorocha’s apparent confidence in the youth’. In that very piece, I categorically made the governor who was of the notion that one at above the age of 50 didn’t mean well for the state, understood that age shouldn’t be a requisite for a gubernatorial aspiration. In that analysis, I unequivocally told the revered Imo number one citizen that Imo as a people was only keenly interested in having someone of reputable antecedents and genuine intention as her governor.

         

It is only a-day-old child in the Nigerian political terrain that would think that 2019 is still very far to be discussed by anyone whatsoever. To everyone who really understands the real rudiments of politics, 2019 is already by the corner; in other words, it’s just like a period that would be embraced within a twinkle of an eye. Hence, it’s not unlike a day after today. This is the reason, at the moment, a staunch politician hardly goes to bed owing to 2019.

        

The above premise implies that the heat as regards the awaited Imo governorship race among others is really on and would continue to be intensified as the days unfold. For those whom are yet to be informed, the recently released time-table by the electoral umpire (INEC) in regard to the 2019 political dispensation disclosed that every primary election must end at worst in the second quarter of next year being 2018. Needless to say that only this year (2017) is left for every political party to put its house in order. Thus any party that fails to put its acts together before the end of the third quarter of this year would indeed have itself to be blamed.

        

Sure, any party that refuses to arrange its house this year towards maintaining the needed decorum and decency is liable to misfire come 2018 when the awaited primaries would take place. It is on this backdrop that I thought it wise to advise Governor Okorocha on what he ought to do with a view to avoiding a mistake that he is bound not to make if he truly wishes to remain popular having relinquished power come 2019.

        

The mistake in question is avoidable, thus no excuses is supposed to be given if the governor eventually makes it. The consequences of the mistake, if made, would be very grievous and untold; hence, can cause Chief Okorocha something very costly in the nearest future. Without mincing words, anointing a wrong person as the state’s gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would definitely cost the governor a treasure he would live to recall; it would cost him something that is deeply cherished by his person; in fact, it might cost him his eternal joy, political wise.

         

It’s therefore needless to reiterate that pouring the anointing oil on a wrong individual would be an indelible mistake made by the governor. It could be tagged a blunder because Chief Okorocha who strongly comprehends the basis of politics has no iota of reason to indulge himself in such an anticipated mistake. This implies that he currently has every opportunity to avert the mistake. This is why he must not work alone in regard to preparing someone for the governorship position, or to succeed him.

         

At this point, I expect Gov. Okorocha to be involved in wide consultations. Everyone must be given a listening ear, thus every view should be considered crucial and needed. He must not let his personal interest override that of the party (APC). Hence, he mustn’t be faster than the party; let the party take the lead while he follows, although he undoubtedly remains one of the leaders of the party. The APC must be seen as a family for this to work.

         

What we must acknowledge is that any slightest error made by the party leadership might make the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to become a more useful party, because such error would possess the tendency of disintegrating the former (APC) into various factions; it might even take the state chapter of the party into extinction.

         

In view of the above, the governor must jettison the idea of ensuring that whosoever that would succeed him must not be over 50 years of age; rather, he ought to concentrate on how to produce a credible flag bearer regardless of age or physical stature; a candidate that would be loved by the majority of the members of the party, and Imolites in general. It suffices to state that he mustn’t play politics with such factor, even though this is conspicuously an era of politicking.    
        

However, do not forget in haste that my interest remains Imo, and not APC. It is no longer news that whatever that affects the party would definitely and negatively affect the wellbeing of the state, because the political platform is obviously in charge. Think about it!        

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Opinion I Today is World Tuberculosis Day!

CONFRONTING THE SCOURGE OF TUBERCULOSIS AS THE 2017 WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY IS COMMEMORATED ON FRIDAY MARCH 24

           

Today, Friday March 24, the world over is commemorating the 2017 World Tuberculosis Day. The annual World Tuberculosis Day, which was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and duly adopted by the United Nations (UN), is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by WHO. March 24 was chosen to commemorate the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing to a small group of scientists at the University of Berlin’s Institute of Hygiene that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis known as the TB bacillus.

        

Tuberculosis popularly known as TB is an infectious bacterial disease characterized by the growth of nodules or tubercles in the human respiratory organs, especially the lungs. It is a curable communicable infection that is transmitted by inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of a carrier or an infected person.

         

Tuberculosis (TB) mainly affects the lungs, though it can affect any other part of the body, including the glands, bones, and nervous system. Typical symptoms of TB include a persistent cough that last more than three weeks and usually brings up phlegm which may be bloody, loss of weight, high temperature or fever, night sweats, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite, overstayed swellings, among others.

         

TB is generally caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which could be found in food, water or unsafe environment. The type that affects the lungs is the most contagious type, but it usually spreads after prolonged exposure to someone with the illness. Most times, it is transmitted within family members who live in the same house.

           

In most healthy people the immune system, which is the body’s natural defence against infections or illnesses, kills the bacteria thereby making the patient free from any form of symptom. Sometimes the immune system cannot kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body of the carrier; this means the carrier in question would not have any symptoms but the bacteria will remain in his or her body. This mode of infection is known as Latent TB.

           

If the immune system fails to kill or contain the infection, it can spread within the lungs or other parts of the body, and symptoms will develop within a few weeks or months. This is known as Active TB. Latent TB could develop into an active TB infection at a later date, particularly if the patient’s immune system becomes weakened. It is estimated that, about one-third of the world’s population is currently infected with latent TB; of these, up to ten percent (10%) is expected to become active at some point.

         

It is important to note that someone suffering from HIV/AIDS or any immune-deficiency disease is at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, especially when the person is not placed on a proper diet. Thus, a HIV patient is expected to go for TB test from time to time.

          

Several tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis, depending on the type suspected. The most common types include, chest X-ray, Mantoux test, urine and blood tests, biopsy, Computerized Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan; and in some cases, lumbar puncture may be recommended. Some of the diagnoses are implored in a case of Pulmonary TB, some are applied in cases of Extrapulmonary TB, whilst lumbar puncture is specifically used to ascertain if the TB has infected the central nervous system i.e. the brain and spinal cord, of the patient.  

          

Pulmonary tuberculosis is the type that affects mainly the lungs, while extrapulmonary TB is used to describe the type that occurs outside the lungs. Any of the above types has the tendency of affecting the brain or spinal cord of the carrier.

          

Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis disease. Many foreign-born persons have been BCG-vaccinated. BCG is used in many countries with a high prevalence of TB to prevent childhood TB meningitis and miliary disease. Though, the vaccine is meant only for selected individuals who have met specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert. For instance, BCG vaccination ought not to be administered to persons who are immuno-suppressed such as HIV patients or persons who are likely to become immuno-compromised like someone who is a candidate for organ transplant.

          

In the same vein, BCG vaccination is not meant to be taken during pregnancy. Even though no harmful effects of BCG vaccination on the fetus have been observed or detected, further studies are needed to prove its safety in the body of a pregnant woman.

          

It is noteworthy that, tuberculosis can be cured. In some cases, the carriers would need a course of antibiotics, usually for six months. Several different antibiotics are used; this is because some forms of TB are resistant to certain antibiotics. If one is infected with a drug-resistant form of TB, treatment can last as long as two years or thereabouts.

         

Tuberculosis is a contagious air-borne disease. Someone suffering from the infection is not supposed to share household materials like spoon, fake, cup, and what have you, with anyone until he is totally cured. He is also required to always endeavour to cover his mouth with handkerchief whenever he coughs, to avoid spreading the bacteria to his immediate environment or transmitting it to anyone around him.

         

If one is in close contact with a carrier of tuberculosis, it is recommendable to carry out tests on him or her to see if he/she has also been infected with the disease. These can include a chest x-ray, blood tests, as well as a skin test called the Mantoux screening test. This measure is often significant, so that if necessary, the person can receive treatment alongside the original carrier of the disease.

         

The World Tuberculosis Day is aimed toward building public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. According to UN, survey shows that in the year 2012, about 8.6 million people fell ill with TB and 1.3 million of the said carriers died of the disease, mostly in the Third World countries or developing nations such as Nigeria.

          

As the global community marks the World Tuberculosis Day, there is an urgent need for every Nigerian, both home and in the Diaspora, to acknowledge that the societal menace of tuberculosis cannot be overemphasized and that, it is indeed a contagious and deadly disease. On this note, we ought to continually ensure that whatever we eat or drink is thoroughly boiled or washed as the case might be and also endeavour to keep our nostrils away from unwanted environmental particles such as dust and what have you.

         

Also, we should bear in mind that intake of vaccine, if and when necessary, is a pathway towards embracing a TB-free society. Therefore, government and other health stakeholders should encourage the entire citizenry to ensure that they are vaccinated against TB by ensuring that the BCG vaccine is regularly made available within their reach in line with the Millennium Sustainable Goals.

         

Above all, we should not forget that this ongoing crusade is a civic responsibility of every sane individual irrespective of his/her affiliation. Think about it!    

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Opinion I Today is World Water Day!

PROMOTING REGULAR INTAKE OF CLEAN WATER AS THE 2017 WORLD WATER DAY IS COMMEMORATED ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 22

     

         

Today Wednesday March 22, the world over is marking the 2017 World Water Day. The international World Water Day is held annually across the globe as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. This year’s theme is ‘Why waste water?’.

       

Water is a clear, colourless and transparent liquid that has no taste or smell, and that is required for the survival of all plant and animal lives. In the same vein, a large amount or area of either natural or manmade water such as lake, pond, pool, river, sea, ocean, and so on, can be referred to as water or waters.

        

Water, which is as old as the world, is consumed as food by both animals and human beings, and it is also required in various fields of endeavour or human activities including, farming, cooking, manufacturing, sports, bath, hand washing, brushing of teeth, laundry, sanitation cum other forms of domestic and environmental activities, just to mention but a few.

        

The functions of water in the body ranging from cell life, to chemical and metabolic reactions, transport of nutrients, body temperature regulation, elimination of waste or toxic substances, among others, are numerous and innumerable. Water is a carrier that distributes essential nutrients such as minerals, vitamins and glucose, to cells. Furthermore, it removes waste products including toxins rejected by the cells through urines, sweats and faeces. It also participates in the biochemical breakdown of whatever we consume.

        

Inter alia, water has a large heat capacity which helps to limit changes in body temperature in a warm or a cold environment. It allows the body to release heat when ambient temperature is higher than body temperature. Most importantly, water is an effective lubricant around joints; it also acts as a shock absorber for eyes, brain, spinal cord, and even for the foetus through amniotic fluid.

       

Water is indeed at the centre of life. This is why nobody can live more than three to five days without any water intake. Suffice to say that, its role in the body is not just important, but inevitable. It has succeeded in proving to mankind that it is the most important form of food among the six classes of food in existence.

       

Considering the agricultural sector; the absence of water would simply cripple the entire activity in the aforementioned area thereby terminating the lives of crops or livestock, as the case may be. Same is obtainable in the manufacturing industry, like the pharmaceutical firms, bakery and breweries, that requires water as one of the basic raw-materials for its day-to-day activities.

       

The positive impact of water on cooking and other household cum industrial works, is another factor that cannot be taken for granted whenever the societal importance of water is discussed. It is noteworthy that without water, most other forms of food or diet would not be prepared or provided. On the other hand; swimming, which is one of the most lucrative kinds of sporting activities in recent times, wouldn’t have been founded if water is not obtainable.

       

As it is widely noted that the significance of water to mankind cannot be overemphasized, it is also worthy to note that intake of dirty or impure water remains one of the primary causes of several diseases or infections such as, typhoid, diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, staphylococcus and other sexually transmitted diseases, experienced across the globe.

       

Without mincing words, statistics show that over sixty percent (60%) of death rate recently is attributed to consumption of unclean water as well as residing in an unsafe environment. We shouldn’t forget that accommodating dirty stagnant water such as gutter, pool et cetera, in our environments or vicinity attracts mosquito which remains the sole cause of a killer disease known as malaria. According to the United Nations (UN) findings; 768 million people worldwide lack access to improved water sources while 2.5 billion persons have no improved sanitation.

         

As the global community commemorates the World Water Day, I call on all stakeholders and the civil society to pledge to develop the policies needed to ensure that sustainable water and energy are secured for the many and not just the few as it is presently the case. In this regard, we should ensure that our respective communities are provided with adequate and safe water sources.

        

On their part; the various ministries of Water Resources and their Environment counterparts, ought to ensure that adequate and reliable boreholes are sunk in every community that is related to them and also endeavour to sponsor series of radio/television jingles to sensitize the populace on the unavoidable role of clean water as well as safe environment. The various Water Corporations are also expected to live up to the expectations. 

         

Among all, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) ought to, from time to time, endeavour to checkmate the activities of the various registered water companies. Also, it should not hesitate to sanction or closedown any one that is set up illicitly.

        

Most importantly, in our individual capacities, we ought to endeavour to properly boil any water we intend to drink, and also adequately sanitize any stagnant pool of water within our surroundings as well as fumigate the said environments when necessary, in order to guarantee purity and thorough sanitary thereby boasting the safety and well-being of our bodies. To before warned is to before armed. Think about it!

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