Opinion I Still on 2017 World Press Freedom Day

PROMOTING THE PRESS’ IMPACT ON NATION-BUILDING AS THE 2017 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY IS MARKED ON WEDNESDAY MAY 3

        

          

May 3 each year is observed as the World Press Freedom Day. The World Press Freedom Day was approved by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in December 1993 following the recommendation of the General Assembly of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and among all, pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

          

The Press can be described as the news media and agencies collectively, especially newspapers and magazines. In the same vein, freedom of the Press or the Press freedom is the freedom the press workers or personnel have to communicate and express their views through the media including print and electronic. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections.

          

With respect to government information, any government may distinguish the materials that are meant to be public from the ones to be protected based on classification of the information as sensitive, secret, and being otherwise protected from disclosure due to its relevance to protecting the national interest. Many governments are also subject to sunshine laws or freedom of information legislation that are used to define the ambit of national interest.

          

The United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference as well as impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers”. This philosophy is usually accompanied by legislation ensuring various degrees of freedom such as freedom of scientific research known as ‘scientific freedom’, publishing, press and printing. The concept of freedom of speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press thereby giving equal treatment to both spoken and published expressions.

          

Undoubtedly, the impact of the press on nation building cannot be overemphasized. It is noteworthy that, the current socio-political, ethnic and religious intolerance in Nigeria can best be addressed by giving the press a free role not only in presentation of reportage but educating the entire citizenry on the need to embrace absolute tolerance irrespective of their respective affiliations.

         

The ongoing Boko-Haram terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East region of the country, coupled with the current crisis occasioned by herdsmen cannot be properly approached or tackled without involving the press. In this aspect, the press would enable the citizens and other concerned or affected groups to know what is at stake as well as what is expected of them at any given time.

          

Of course, it is the press that would enable the general public to acknowledge the anticipated dimension of the said anomalies. Creating awareness and awakening the consciousness of the populace in this regard or in a situation of such cannot be compromised, and suchlike measure cannot be achieved without the effort of the press.

        

Considering the just concluded elections in Nigeria, we would agree to the obvious fact that the role of the press throughout the exercise was not just enormous, but unquantifiable. It was the press that enabled both the security operatives and the general public to know where and when there was any form of pandemonium or security threat as the case might be as well as the nature of the incident. Among all, the press created an avenue for transparency as long as the polls lasted which led to a credible, peaceful and successful exercise.

          

Inter alia, as regards the activities of the political office holders or public officers at large, the press has helped tremendously to fight bribery and corruption that is often exhibited by the said personnel. It is the press that enables the people to be fully aware of the steps being taken by the government towards addressing any issue or anomaly alongside the respective efforts of each of the government functionaries. Similarly, the contribution of critics in national development or good governance through presentation of constructive criticism cannot be effective without the press.

          

As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day, there is need for all concerned authorities and groups in the country to safeguard the Freedom of Information (FOI) law that is aimed towards restructuring the Nigerian democratic system. On the other hand, there’s equally an urgent need for the release of all the journalists and media personnel across the globe that are being detained unjustly by the police or any law enforcement agency.

           

More so, the governments at all levels ought to stop further arrest and intimidation of activists whom they perceive as critics of their negative political agenda or mission. Suffice it to say; the press ought to be given a thorough free role in reporting and seeking solution to issues that may threaten the peace and unity of our great country Nigeria.

         

On their part, the members of the media must at all times concentrate on objective or unbiased reportage; hence, they are expected to think beyond their individual interest in any circumstance they find themselves. In view of this, no member of the press should in any occasion or on any ground publish any news/story without embarking on thorough and adequate investigation. In other words, investigative reporting is expected to be the watchword of every pressman. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

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Still on World Malaria Day

COMMEMORATING THE 2017 WORLD MALARIA DAY

          

The last time I checked, April 25 of each year remained the World malaria Day. This implies that tomorrow being Tuesday, Imolites will join the global community to mark the 2017 edition of the commemoration. Owing to the widespread of malaria infection and its deadly consequence, the World Health Organization thought it wise to proclaim World Malaria Day. In view of this, in May 2007 during the sixtieth (60^th) session of the World Health Assembly, April 25 of every year was unanimously adopted as the World Malaria Day. The day was established to provide education and thorough understanding of malaria disease across the globe, especially in countries where the disease seems to be endemic.

          

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by a group of single-celled parasitic micro-organisms known as protozoa belonging to the genus plasmodium. The disease is mainly transmitted by mosquito bites, and the symptoms often commence few days after the bite. Malaria is transmitted most commonly by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The mosquito bite introduces the parasite called plasmodium from the mosquito’s saliva into a person’s bloodstream. The parasites then travel to the liver where they mature and reproduce.

         

The signs and symptoms of malaria typically begin eight to twenty-five days following infection; however, symptoms may occur later in those who have taken anti-malarial medications in the past as prevention. Initial manifestations of the disease, which is common to all malaria species, are similar to flu-like symptoms and can resemble other conditions such as septicemia, gastroenteritis and viral diseases.

          

The presentation may include headache, fever, shivering, joint pain, vomiting, haemolytic anaemia, jaundice, haemoglobin in the urine, retinal damage, and convulsions. The classic symptom of malaria is paroxysm – a cyclical occurrence of sudden coldness followed by shivering and then fever and sweating; occurring every two days in P. Vivax and P. Malariae infection.

           

Severe malaria, which might lead to death, is usually caused by P. Falciparum – often referred to as ‘Falciparum Malaria’. Its symptoms arise nine to thirty days after contracting the infection. Individuals with cerebral malaria frequently exhibit neurological symptoms including abnormal posturing, nystagmus, conjugate gaze palsy i.e. failure of the eyes to turn together in the same direction, opisthotonus, seizure, or coma.

           

There are several serious complications of malaria. Among these is the development of respiratory distress, which occurs in up to twenty-five percent (25%) of adults and forty percent (40%) of children with severe P. Falciparum malaria. Possible causes include respiratory compensation of metabolic acidosis, non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, concomitant pneumonia and severe anaemia. It is worthy to note that, concurrent infection of HIV with malaria increases mortality rate. Malaria in pregnant women is the major cause of stillbirths, infant mortality, abortion and low birth weight, particularly in P. Falciparum infection.

           

Symptoms of malaria can recur after varying symptom-free periods.  Depending upon the cause, recurrence can be classified as either recrudescence or relapse. Recrudescence is when symptoms return after a symptom-free period; it is caused by parasites living in the blood as a result of inadequate or ineffective treatment. Whilst, relapse is when symptoms reappear after the parasites have been eliminated from blood but persist as dormant hyponozoites in liver cells; relapse commonly occurs between eight to twenty-four weeks and is common among P. Vivax and P. Ovale infections.

           

Malaria infection develops via two major phases namely, one involving the liver known as exoerythrocytic phase, and one that involves the red blood cells referred to as erythrocytic phase. When an infected mosquito pierces a person’s skin to take a blood meal, sporozoites in the mosquito’s saliva enter the bloodstream and migrate to the liver where they infect hepatocytes, multiplying asexually and asymptomatically for a period of eight to thirty days. After a potential dormant period in the liver, these organisms differentiate to yield thousands of merozoites, which following rupture of their host cells, escape into the blood and infect the red blood cells to begin the erythrocytic stage of their life cycle.

          

The primary sources of mosquitoes include sewage, refuse, dirty stagnant water, and untidy environment. In most cases, mosquitoes are peculiar to damp and dirty environments or substances such as gutter, pool, faeces, urine, among other solid and liquid waste materials. This is why residents of untidy localities are at a high risk of contracting malaria.   

          

Methods used to prevent malaria include medications, mosquito elimination through fumigation coupled with regular environmental sanitation, as well as prevention of mosquito bites via regular cum proper use of the mosquito nets, among others. Prevention of malaria, which is yet to have a vaccine, may be more cost-effective than treatment of the disease in the long run; though the initial costs required are out of reach of many of the world’s poorest people.

         

Owing to the non-specific nature of presentation of symptoms, diagnosis of malaria in non-endemic areas requires a high degree of suspicion. Malaria is invariably confirmed by the microscopic examination of blood films or by antigen-based Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT). Microscopy is the most commonly used method to detect the malaria parasite in the body. In spite of its widespread usage, diagnosis by microscopy suffers from two main drawbacks: many settings especially rural are not equipped to perform the test, and the accuracy of the results depends on both the skill of the lab technician and the levels of the parasite in the blood.

          

Malaria is widely treated with anti-malarial medications; the ones to be used solely depend on the type and severity of the disease. While medications against fever are commonly used, their effects on outcomes are not clear. Uncomplicated malaria may be treated with oral medications; the most effective treatment for P. Falciparum infection is the use of artemisinins in combination with other anti-malarial drugs known as Artemisinin-Combination Therapy (ACT), which decreases resistance to any single drug component.

           

It is obvious that malaria is a killer disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2010, there were about two hundred and ninety (219) million cases of malaria outbreak resulting to six hundred and sixty thousand (660,000) deaths. The majority of cases, about sixty-five percent (65%), occur in children under fifteen years. Survey also indicates that about one hundred and twenty-five (125) million pregnant women are at risk of infection each year; in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Nigeria, Angola, Chad, Congo, Benin, Ghana and several others, maternal malaria is associated with up to two hundred thousand (200,000) estimated infant deaths yearly. In a nutshell; globally, about 3.3 billion individuals in 106 countries are at risk of malaria, mostly among African children.

           

As Imolites, and Nigerians in general, join the rest of the world to commemorate the annual World Malaria Day, I enjoin each of everyone of us regardless of age or status, to be extremely conscious of the outlook of his/her surroundings since malaria is mainly attributed to unhealthy vicinity. Thus, we should always endeavour to properly dispose any form of waste found within our place of residence as well as thoroughly sanitize our gutters and toilets at all times. In addition, we should ensure that our beds are always covered with treated mosquito net whenever we lie in it.

         

We should equally endeavour to see our physician from time-to-time or whenever we notice any abnormality in our body system, for onward review of our health status. Similarly, the various health workers/personnel across the state and beyond are expected to contribute meaningfully in creation of awareness regarding the causes and possible effects of malaria disease as well as its epidemic. We ought to always bear in mind that prevention is invariably better than cure. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

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ShortStory I Worthwhile Suspense

WORTHWHILE SUSPENSE

       

       Gbenga was undoubtedly an industrious and serious-minded staff. Though barely new in the job, he worked like one who had gained enormous experience in it. He could strive from entry to closure time, which was usually 6:00am – 2:00pm, 2:00pm – 8:00pm, and 8:00pm – 6:00am for morning, afternoon and night duties respectively, without even bothered to go for a break as the tradition of the work demanded.

       The most intriguing part of his dogged approach towards his duty post that triggered the attention of the company’s Management Board was that he worked passionately and vigorously without tendering an iota of complaint even when there was an obvious reason to do so. Among all, he considered punctuality as a priority in his day-to-day activity; he invariably arrived at least thirty minutes before the scheduled time.

        More interestingly, no day would pass without seeing the 34-year-old Gbenga Adeniyi dressed in decent and gorgeous wears that he often won the attention of not just the management but virtually every staff that worked in the ancient and revered establishment. He was indeed a man of the moment and a gentleman to the core that you would in most cases observe his fellow workers gathered in different quarters in their numbers discussing his unique lifestyle. He was, to say the least, a staff everyone wished to behold.

        FranCok Brewerey Plc, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria where he worked, was a firm that did not take workers’ welfare for granted let alone that of a fellow that took his duty-post very seriously as if he was the Managing Director of the company, thus co-workers cum onlookers were strongly of the view that Gbenga could attain to any level if he continued with such attitude and vigour. He was just about eight months old in the job, so they believed he would eventually derail in the long run or when the journey became tougher. Notwithstanding, his well-wishers watched him with keen interest, hoping his working style would surely attract tremendous favour to his person in due course.

       “You sent for me, sir?” said Gbenga as he walked into the office of the Human Resources Manager (HRM) Mr. Sule Ibrahim.

        “Yes I did.” responded Mr. Ibrahim. “Please, sit down.”

        “Thank you, sir.” quoth the workaholic Gbenga as he sat in one of the backseats sited opposite the manager.

        “Mr. Adeniyi,” the boss called as he leaned on his executive chair.

        “Yes sir.”

        “Please, can you remember when you came into this company?”

        “You mean, as a staff?”

        “Yes.” He said, nodding.

        “That was August last year.”

        “Which means, this month being April would mark your eight months stay here?’

        “Yes sir,” Ggenga concurred. “By 21^st of this month.” He supplemented.

        “Alright.”

        “Hope no problem, sir?” he inquired, perplexed as he sat in his corporate attire.

         He had learnt that staff could be dismissed from the firm owing to a mere slight mistake, thus his question wasn’t mistaken. But the fact remained that he could not recall any misbehaviour displayed by his person since he joined the multinational firm.

       “Not at all.” replied Mr. Ibrahim. “Just that…” he added, paused.

         Gbenga listened attentively, couldn’t wait to receive the next message as the boss employed the suspense.   

        “Since you came into the Marketing Department,” he continued. “A lot has changed.”

         Mr. Adeniyi, a graduate of Economics, was yet to fathom if the said change was for good or on the contrary, thus he remained bemused.

        “You appear to be something else.” The boss asserted, folded his arms. “I was yet to see someone like you.”

        “Sir,” Gbenga called, became jitterier. “I still don’t understand.”

         Even though he knew himself as a workaholic, he was still absorbing the boss’ statements as sarcasm since there was no how he could be the only hardworking staff in a company that could boast of over five hundred (500) workers.

         “Mr. Adeniyi..” He tenderly called, paused.

        “Yes sir.” Gbenga answered, couldn’t wait to digest the entire gist.

          Mr. Ibrahim was silent.

        “Sir, I am listening.” Gbenga reawakened his consciousness which seemed asleep.

        “I know you would be wondering what this man is up to?” Mr. Ibrahim observed, supporting his lower jaw with his fisted hands. “But I assure you,” he proceeded, paused. “By the time I am through with you, your life would never be the same again.” He landed cheerily.

        This time, the young man who appeared not unlike one who came for a job interview was intensely stranded, though was consoled by the fact that since he assumed duty in the firm he had never been found wanting.

        Mr. Ibrahim glanced at his wrist watch, smiling; it was about 11:26am. “I tell you,” he said. “In a few minutes time, your identity will surely change.”

        Gbenga looked at him in utter awe, couldn’t comprehend nor foresee the kind of change the huge, chocolate and pleasantly-looking man was referring to; but had thought it wise to remain patient as long as the suspense lasts.

       “Mr. Gbenga Adeniyi,” the boss called, maintaining his calm voice.

       “Yes sir.”

       “Do you really love this company?” He teased, leaned on the seat again while folding his arms.

        The question struck the junior colleague just like a dagger would. “Sir, how do you mean?” He enquired, calmly placing his arms on the table, head bent.

       “The question is self-explanatory,” the boss responded. “Or, isn’t it?’

       “Sir, since I came into this reputable company,” Gbenga said, ignoring the last rhetorical question. “I have always told myself that I would continue to do my best,” he informed, paused. “Towards ensuring that it doesn’t only attain to enviable heights but becomes the best among its contemporaries.”

       “Really..?” Mr. Ibrahim exclaimed, stood up in his corporate white native attire. “Please, let’s take a walk.” He urged as he stepped toward the exit point of his office.

       Gbenga looked up to him, managed to be on his feet as requested, and eventually joined him in the unforeseen walk in a lukewarm manner.

        In few seconds time, they found themselves on the premises of the firm. Before they could get to the company’s garage, which was the destination of the ‘endurance trek’, Mr. Ibrahim’s driver had already started his car’s ignition as if he was expecting the boss.

        “Please, have a ride with me?” Mr. Ibrahim asked Gbenga as they stood very closely to the grey Honda SUV Jeep.

        “Sorry to ask sir,” quoth Gbenga. “Please, where are we up to?”

        “When we get there, you will know.”

        “Okay, if you say so.” He assented sceptically, gesticulating.

         On hearing the last words, Mr. Ibrahim majestically hopped into the owner’s side of the car that had already been kept open by the driver as his duty requested. Gbenga followed suit, attempted to sit at the front-side but was enjoined by the boss to join him at the back.

         Therein, the humbly-seeming and well-dressed driver drove off without bothered to ascertain their destination. From the look of things, the journey was scheduled, hence, it was needless for him to be reminded on the proposed destination.

         To be continued, please!

FDN Nwaozor

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