ShortStory II Unbelievable!

UNBELIEVABLE!

       “This is awesome!” Mezie exclaimed aloud, kept moving as he spotted a white Hummer Jeep that drove by while he was headed for a friend’s place of residence. “What a world.” He added in a low tone, shook his seeming big skull that had been drilled in the prison.

        Catching the sight of the magnificent and irresistible car instantly brought the memory of his lost ‘glory’, thus he subconsciously found himself in a sober mood in spite of the fact that he was trekking along a very busy major road, situated in the ancient city of Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria.

         It’s pertinent, and perhaps shocking to acknowledge that the 42-year-old Mr. Mezie Alozie was an ex-convict. He reigned for several years in Lagos State and beyond as an armed robber before he was duly convicted by a court of law of competent jurisdiction. While in the crime, he was recognized as a kingpin of a dreaded confraternity that majors in highway robbery and other related offences, and was throughout the ugly reign rated as a very successful young man by friends, fans and relatives whom were yet to realize what he actually did for a living.

         According to the said well-wishers, prior to when he was captured by the police, Mezie was an importer of repute that toured across all shores of Europe and its environs, particularly Germany, Italy and France as they were falsely informed.

         He enjoyed the outpouring eulogies and applauses from all and sundry who thought his overwhelming wealth was genuine, for over five years, till one certain afternoon when luck ran against him and his accomplices along Ikorodu road in the city of Lagos when they were headed for a bank robbery. On that fateful day, the police whom had gotten reliable information based on the proposed operation, descended on them on reaching the locality of the ‘blacklisted’ financial institution, and thereafter charged them to court for onward prosecution. It was obviously the end of the road for each member of the gang of five bachelors and two spinsters. Their respective assets were confiscated by the court immediately after the verdict regarding their conviction was served.

        He relocated to Onitsha the moment he was released from prison – one month back – having successfully served a six-year jail term, with a view to starting life afresh. He was actually sentenced to twenty-one-year imprisonment but owing to amnesty granted to him and his allies by the government of the day, he was lucky to have the scheduled duration of the jail-term truncated.

        As he walked along the busy road of Onitsha having caught the sight of the white Hummer Jeep, he kept wondering what the world was really made of and why man was created in the first place. In respect of his presumption, the universe only comprised wicked men, thus there was no need ensuring that mankind was created since his mission on earth didn’t mean well for the aforementioned vessel. He was actually linking the owner of the Hummer Jeep to his person considering the time he was still living a dirty life; he was deeply of the notion that an average man could do anything to grab wealth with the sole purpose of showcasing to the world that he has arrived, thereby creating unnecessary tension particularly in his immediate polity.

         He was therein seriously regretting his past life. He reasoned that if he had known what he knew at the moment, he would had channeled the wealth he acquired from armed robbery into charity and what have you, rather than using it to intimidate those that had nothing or little by showcasing all sorts of exotic cars as well as indulging in debauchery lifestyle. He concluded by concurring that life was just vanity and nothing more.

        Truly, he had come of sense going by the look of things. Assessing his overall thoughts in recent times coupled with this very one, it seemed his personality had metamorphosed for good.

       “This world is so funny.” He landed aloud as he eventually got to his destination being the lodge of his old-time friend, Emeka.

        Mr. Emeka Okoro had been Mezie’s pal from childhood but the former had never been involved in any criminal activity ab initio and had remained a resident of Onitsha till date. When the later was based in Lagos prior to his imprisonment, both kept in touch and Emeka never knew that he was into robbery – probably owing to distance – not until the news of his arrest went viral. Hence, Emeka was one of those who earlier believed that the dude was into importation. Since he came out from the prison yard, they hadn’t met, so this was supposed to be their first meeting.

        Immediately Mezie walked into Emeka’s apartment, the latter’s wife named Chiamaka who was graciously seated at the sitting room waiting to receive the awaited guest, recognized the former from afar. When Mezie walked closer to her, it became a clearer picture, thus she became convinced that her sight wasn’t deceived. “What!” she exclaimed in a low tone, hurriedly stood up and walked into her matrimonial room without minding to say even ‘hi’ to the long awaited august visitor.

        Mezie was embarrassed over her unannounced reaction, thus became so perturbed. “Why did your wife act that way?” he said, preoccupied with several presumptions.

        “I wouldn’t know.” responded Emeka who equally felt unease. “Please, sit down.” he managed to utter.

        “Thank you.” Mezie appreciated, sat on one of the sofas, still jittery and depressed.

       “Please, give me a second.” Emeka asked, raising one of his right fingers.

       “Okay.” quoth Mezie. “No problem.”

        On receiving the response, Emeka hastily left the parlour for the matrimonial room to meet with his wife. “What was the meaning of that?” he inquired from Chiamaka as soon as he stepped into the room.

        Chiamaka who was seated on the bed, shunned the query, remained thoughtful and moody.

       “Didn’t you hear me?”

       “Please, who are you?” she eventually broke the silence.

       “How?” quoth Emeka, bemused. “What did you mean by that?” He added, still standing.  

       “So,” said Chiamaka. “I have been living under the same roof with an armed robber?” She thought aloud.

      “How do you mean, angel?” He enquired, walked closer to her.

      “Please, don’t angel me.” She ranted furiously, stood up. “Tell me you are not an armed robber?” she supplemented hesitantly.

       “What a hell are you talking about?”

        Chiamaka had been robbed by Mr. Mezie Alozie alongside his gang in one of the revered supermarkets in the city of Lagos prior to meeting their waterloo. And therein, she could strongly recall his picture as if the incident transpired just the previous day. Intriguingly, her hubby never informed her that he was expecting an ex-convict; rather, he only told her that Mezie was a childhood friend who lost contact with him in recent times. So, the misinformation created a huge room for doubts and complication.

        “That man out there was the person who robbed me years ago in a supermarket.” She frantically disclosed. “The incident I told you about.” She added in a jiffy, madly sat on the bed again.

        “What…?” Emeka shouted, equally sat on the bed, and seemed deeply shocked.

         What transpired afterwards ought to be a narration for another day, so stay tuned. But, if you were in Chiamaka’s shoes, how would you handle the state of quagmire? Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

-Novelist, Playwright & Poet- 

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

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Opinion II As Okorocha Dissolves Cabinet Members

AS OKOROCHA DISSOLVES THE SEC, EXPANDED EXCO, ET AL

        

The last time I checked, the governor of Imo State in the person of Chief Rochas Okorocha had outrightly approved the dissolution of the State’s Executive Council (SEC), the Expanded Executive Council including the Special Advisers (SAs), Executive Assistants (EAs), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Principal Officers (POs), Personal Assistants (PAs) as well as the various Transition Committee (TC) Chairmen of the twenty-seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, among others.

        

The officers whom were relieved of their duties on Tuesday 30^th May 2017 were instructed to immediately hand over documents in their respective possessions to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry or the Director of Administration and General Services (DAGS) of the LG, as the case may be. This obviously implies that at the moment, there is no serving Commissioner or TC Chairman in the Eastern Heartland, except the Commissioner for the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) whose office wasn’t inclusive in the dissolution coupled with the Commissioner of Police who is on a federal assignment.

         

It’s noteworthy that the offices of the Chief of Staff of the Imo Government House and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) were not affected by the action, thus the appointment of the personnel occupying the aforementioned positions remains valid till further notice. Till further notice signifies that the two offices might remain untouchable till 2019 when the Rescue Mission Administration is expected to come to conclusion. Hence, do not let anyone give you a misleading information in respect of this circumstance; if you are in doubt about anything whatsoever, please endeavour to verify from the apt quarters.

        

Well, this critique was occasioned by the way forward. As these men graciously take a bow, every sane and rational Imolite would be preoccupied with several thoughts. Someone would anxiously want to know if the affected posts would remain vacant till 2019; or how long it would take the governor to refill the vacancies. Some other schools of thought would wish to realize the kind cum caliber of individuals that would be appointed to fill the spaces; or if any of the affected politicians would be retained or asked to man another portfolio.

        

In other words, discerning Imolites are apparently jittery now. ‘Jittery’ in the sense that they are engulfed by fear of the unknown. ‘Fear of the unknown’ in the sense that they are unsure what the awaited action of the governor entails. Needless to assert that this set of people cannot predict if the politicians or technocrats that would be succeeding the relieved officers would perform better or lesser. Suchlike worry indeed calls for adequate attention.

         

Whatever thought any group is facing right now, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that the step taken by the governor was a welcome one; in fact, it was long overdue. Change remains the only constant factor in life, and it enables us to make amends where necessary. An odyssey deserves to be overhauled as it progresses with a view to attaining the required destination. It was the great philosopher, Socrates who said ‘an unexamined life is not worth living’. Let’s ride on!

         

Therefore, it is time for Governor Okorocha to reexamine the life of the revered Rescue Mission Government toward revamping some moribund systems possessed by it. It is high time he worked on some bad bloods in the system, because any bad blood is just like a bad tyre; it can never go anywhere unless it is changed. A medical scientist would call it ‘holistic diagnosis’. Among all, this is equally the time for those who have been sidelined by the administration to be brought closer to the corridors of power; such gesture is traditional or customary in any political setting.

         

Whichever reason that necessitated the change, I would like the governor to take cognizance of some facts. First, His Excellency needs to note that Imolites do not need a change that would cause harm to the system; rather, one that would do the system nothing but absolute good. The citizenry are looking forward to having a team that would finally take the state to the anticipated Promised Land.

         

Hence, knowing fully well that this government is observing an ‘injury’ time, the governor needn’t be reminded that this is the hour for finishing touches, thus the best team is highly required at this point. It suffices to say that it’s needless to give room for second best; rather, second to none. We are seriously in need of a set of brains that would ensure that none of the expected accolades is withheld at the end of the journey.

        

Similarly, let those that would be replacing the recalled TC chairmen be the persons that would ensure a successful conduct of the LG elections billed for September cum October this year. In view of this, individuals that have no interest in the said election ought to be appointed to pilot the various LGAs. The truth is that, the conduct of the awaited polls is long overdue, though it is better late than never. But it is worthy of note that Imolites wouldn’t like a die-minute election as it was witnessed in 2010 during the reign of the previous administration led by Chief Ikedi Ohakim.

        

At this juncture, I implore the amiable governor to employ adequate diligence while taking his decision toward filling the vacant positions. He must jettison sentiments, or any form of fear or favour as he takes the said decision. He must note that the interest of Imo supersedes any other one, be it that of individual, zone or any form of group.

         

So, as we anxiously awaits the next step to be taken sooner or later, all we seek for is nothing but a step that would help to actualize every laudable motive of this government as it concerns all aspects of human endeavour. We wouldn’t accept excuses of any kind as we enter the final phase of this odyssey, thus it is no doubt the moment to take decisions that would stand the taste of time.

       

To this end, I’m humbly of the candid view that it is time all the sycophants, hypocrites as well as the unproductive ones in the system go for a rest, or are shown the way out, while we deploy only the needed elements for the highly critical and last lap of this motion which commenced precisely on 29^th May 2011. We must whisk the bad eggs away for the good of all. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

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Opinion II Today is World Environment Day!!!

CHECKING THE ONGOING PROLIFERATION OF NOISE POLLUTION AS THE 2017 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY IS MARKED TODAY MONDAY JUNE 5

         

Today June 5, the global community commemorates the 2017 World Environment Day. The day was instituted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to raise awareness on the dangers attached to the various environmental abuses worldwide.

       

Of course, no society is bound to thrive in a polluted environment or an environment filled with any form of pollution. Several plights such as malaria, cholera, depletion of the Ozone layer, loss of hearing, and what have you, as the case may be, being currently faced by mankind are mainly attributed to environmental mishandling or abuses.

        

Pollution can be defined as the introduction of unwanted substances or contaminants into the natural environment such as air, water and land, which causes adverse effect on the lives of the occupants. In the same vein, noise pollution is the disturbing or excessive sound that has the tendency of harming the activity of human or animal life.

        

The sources of most outdoor noise worldwide are mainly machines to include musical instruments, power generators, transportation systems, motor vehicles, aircraft, and trains. Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential areas. Similarly, indoor noise can be caused by building activities or music performances, especially in some workplaces.

        

Though noise has been a thing of great concern to mankind for decades now due to its devastating effect, but the recent dimension it has taken has remained the most worrisome aspect of it, that, if drastic approach is not taken to curb the anomaly, it is likely to degenerate into a more horrible situation soonest.

         

One cannot conclude a discussion on the causes of the current proliferation of noise pollution, particularly in Nigeria, without mentioning the uncalled manner in which most individuals or corporate organizations make use of the sound producing instrument known as loudspeaker. For instance, in most cases you would see some of the new generational churches display their loudspeakers not even within their church premises but along the street where the church in question is situated, thereby generating series of cacophonies.

         

The pathetic one is a situation whereby an individual, especially a youth would not enjoy listening to music in a low or decent tone unless the volume of the sound system is at the maximum point. Without mincing words, deriving pleasure from a noisy environment is not just a ridiculous attitude but irrational and barbaric. The most annoying and worrying aspect of this silly behaviour is that the person who indulges in such act is not only causing harm to himself but to his/her entire neighbours.

         

Also, the noise being generated by the various domestic power generating sets cannot be overlooked while discussing noise pollution. It is obvious that currently virtually every family or bachelor in Nigeria could boast of at least one electricity generator owing to the alarming rate of power instability/failure in the country; in other words, some families have up to two or three in their possession. Statistics show that over sixty percent (60%) of the aforementioned persons/families live in one-room rented apartment; needless to say that the power generators in their possession are being ignited either at the balcony of their houses or directly behind their windows.

        

The adverse effect of noise pollution or noise disturbance cannot be overemphasized. High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans, a rise in blood pressure, an increase in stress and vasoconstriction, and an increased incidence of coronary artery diseases. In animals, noise can increase the risk of death by altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with reproduction and navigation as well as contribute to permanent hearing loss.

         

Noise pollution affects both health and behaviour. Unwanted sound can damage one’s psychological health status. In addition, noise pollution can cause hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, and sleep disturbances, among other harmful effects. Sound becomes unwanted when it either interferes with someone’s normal activities including sleeping and conversation or when it disrupts/diminishes one’s quality of life.

        

In human beings, chronic exposure to noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss. Older males exposed to significant occupational noise demonstrate more significantly reduced hearing sensitivity than their non-exposed peers, though differences in hearing sensitivity decrease with time and the two groups are indistinguishable by age 79. Noise pollution also contributes to annoyance.

        

As the world over commemorates the World Environment Day, we are expected to contribute our respective quotas, individually or collectively, towards curbing the ongoing various environmental abuses, especially misuse or mishandling of acoustics. Noise pollution can be alleviated in many ways. Roadway noise can be reduced by the use of noise barriers, limitation of vehicle speeds, alteration of roadway surface texture, restriction of heavy vehicles, use of traffic controls that smooth vehicle flow to reduce unnecessary braking and acceleration, and enhancement of tire designs. Similarly, aircraft noise can be reduced by using quieter jet engines as well as altering flight paths and time of day runway.

        

Inter alia, people ought to be advised to make use of an earpiece that has sound filter while listening to music or radio through an ear speaker. They should also be meant to understand the real beauty behind listening to music in a low tone or the health implications of high sound. More so, the churches should be sensitize on the appropriate way of channelling their sound systems during church service or worship hours. On the other hand, the ongoing incessant use of siren by various public office holders must be monitored by the appropriate quarters or authorities.

         

Most importantly, there is a compelling need to implement a legal backing regarding alleviation of noise pollution. Such measure would be targeted to mandate the owners of power generating sets to construct a mini-house for the said machines in order to profoundly reduce the sound being generated by them.

        

Generally, the proposed law would create an avenue whereby any one or organization found abusing the use of any sound equipment would be brought to book without much ado. It is indeed the duty of all to support this crusade. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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frednwaozor@gmail.com    

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