Opinion I Sergeant Attang Must Not Die!

SERGEANT ATTANG MUST NOT DIE!

       

The last time I checked, a good and patriotic Nigerian domiciled in Imo State was seriously down owing to a bravery posture he displayed recently. His name is Sergeant Otu Attang and he hails from Akwa-Ibom State. He was one of the police personnel that were on guard when armed robbers stormed the Zenith Bank situated at Wethedral road, Owerri four months ago, precisely on Wednesday February 22, 2017.

         

It would be recalled that on that fateful day, a group of gangsters followed a client of the said bank to the banking premises and reportedly made away with

2.5 million naira. On storming the banking arena, one of the policemen on duty in the person of Sergeant Chukwudi Iboko, now late, who hailed from Abia State displayed an uncommon gallantry by firing the armed robbers and in the process, succeeded in killing one of them at the spot.

        

The three police officers on duty namely, messers Chukwudi Iboko, Sunday Agbo and Otu Attang who individually performed as expected, unfortunately sustained various degrees of injury as a result of the bullets received during the physical combat. They were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri where they were treated till the early hours of the following day being Thursday 23^rd February 2017 when the two surviving officers were transferred to the Police Clinic, Shell Camp, still in Owerri; it’s noteworthy that Sergt. Iboko gave up the ghost at the FMC as at 4am.

        

When the remaining two officers were in the Police Clinic, Sergt. Agbo who hailed from Benue State equally passed away. According to Sergt. Attang whose right eye was shattered by bullets and had already undergone series of surgeries, when he was in the clinic, the Zenith bank donated #200,000 and #400,000 respectively – totaling #600,000 – on two different occasions. And after that, had ceased to continue catering for him. He disclosed that, he was compelled to leave the clinic for a private hospital named ‘Mercy Hospital’ located in Orji, Owerri North L.G.A because he could not further cater for the exorbitant bills that kept coming on a daily basis while in the former, and only his family was reportedly left to foot the bills.   

        

It’s worthy of note that most surgeries conducted thus far were all carried out during his admission at the Mercy Hospital, and the poor family was mainly the financier of these. In order not to go into much details, which could be inconsequential, this piece was informed by the compelling need to notify the general public on the pressing need of the said surviving officer, though critically ill. As recommended by a well-experienced consultant neuro-surgeon, Sergt. Attang who now wears prosthetic eye still needs to undergo some urgent surgeries.

        

It was gathered that there were bullets still lodged in his skull and jaw, and needs the recommended medical operations to have them removed. The life-saving surgeries are expected to cost about 3 million naira. Since the Police as well as the bank in question had declined from further financial supports, he is left with no other option than to plead with the public, particularly well-spirited individuals, to come to his rescue before he becomes a dead man.

         

Personally, I would have love not to raise any provocative issue, or sound too emotional, on this platform but yet posterity wouldn’t forgive my person if I fail to appraise a few facts herein. Then if I must air my view outrightly, I would like to verify at this juncture why the affected bank, and of course the Police, would refuse to duly cater for the wellbeing of a man who sustained injuries while in active service.

          

I learnt that only after a threat was issued by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch, disclosing its intent to sue the bank and the Police on the ground that the families of the deceased police personnel had been abandoned by the aforementioned institutions, that the latter (Zenith bank) announced its interest to grant scholarship to the their children. But, it’s not about putting up an announcement or telling the entire world that you have accepted to do this or that; rather, it’s all about doing only the needful thereafter. God is indeed watching, and the law of Karma will surely prevail.

        

Worse still, it’s mind-boggling to learn that the critically-ill Sergt. Attang has alongside his family been residing in a batcher, even prior to the incident. Acknowledging this fact, one would begin to wonder why a well-decorated police sergeant in Nigeria could not rent at least a one-bedroom apartment, let alone a single flat. It’s really surprising and pathetic. No wonder why some junior police officers now resort to conniving with miscreants towards carrying out an intended crime, or collecting gratifications on our various major roads, thereby defacing the outlook of the revered institution. However, nothing ought to serve as a tangible excuse for indulging in any form of criminal act.

         

Before I drop my pen, I want to call on the government, that of Imo State in particular, to join hands in coming to the rescue of this fine gentleman – Sergeant Otu Attang – so that he would be proud of being a police officer posted to serve in the state. On the other hand, we should as well immortalize the two that are already dead because they died as heroes. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

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ShortStory I A Dream Indeed!

A DREAM INDEED!

      “I told you, one day you must be my wife.” The just wedded Dabo cheerily ‘reminded’ the bride as he stepped forward to kiss her as instructed by the officiating priest, immediately after the exchange of marital vows by the partners at the altar of St. Martins’ Catholic Church, Ibadan situated in Oyo State, Nigeria, and eventually grabbed her lips by his.

       “One day I must be your wife?” the bride Sandra thought, starring the groom in silent awe as she reciprocated to the warmth kiss, managed to grin while trying to recall the occasion in which the dude made such a statement that wasn’t just optimistic but authoritative.

        She kept recalling the remark as they departed the altar for their seats right in the church. As she continued to make frantic effort to recollect a bit of the moment when he tendered the above utterance that could best be described as ‘weird’, she remained moody, seemed lifeless but pretended to be observant as she keenly fixed her gaze, albeit perturbed dazzling smile, on a procession comprising the congregants that were headed for offertory. As she thought over and over again, but couldn’t come up with something reasonable, she glanced at Dabo who was seated right beside her, turned to the procession once more and proceeded with her fake smiling countenance.

        Dabo, on his part, never knew he had made an expensive remark while at the altar, thus little did he know how thoughtful Sandra was at the moment. To him, the utterance was meant to serve as a reminder, unknowingly that there was never an event he issued such words to anybody in his life.

        Sandra was a schoolmate of Bisi whose parents lived about five yards away from Dabo in one of the prominent streets in the city of Ibadan, Oyo State. Bisi only came to the street to spend some time with her parents when she had a semester break or any other holiday that worth spending outside her school premises. In one of her breaks, she thought it wise to spend the holidays with her beloved friend and course mate, Sandra, thus she decided to take her home having sought her parents’ consent.

        It was exactly the break that succeeded their third year’s second semester; in other words, they just rounded off their three hundred level, and couldn’t wait to embrace the last lap of their academic pursuit that was meant to commence precisely in seven weeks time.

        It would interest you to note that Bisi had long been a secret admirer to Dabo’s personality. The latter was a practising journalist who had rightly carved a niche for himself as well as written his name in gold in the profession. As a promising and successful bachelor, he had told himself that he need not make mistake when it called for settling down, thus he had decided to remain very careful in relating with individuals of opposite gender. He never knew Bisi admired his person despite the numerous passes she had made to lure him into her net, probably because he was a very serious-minded human being who didn’t pay much attention to side attractions.

         The first day Dabo caught the sight of Sandra when he was driving home on one fateful day after office time, he instantly developed a soft spot for her. On that day, which was the very first day she came to Bisi’s place, both ladies were taking a walk along the ever-busy street to pick some food items from a certain shop situated towards the extreme. When he saw her, having developed an abrupt interest in her person, he didn’t know how best he could approach her, knowing fully that she was apparently the best friend of a lady whom he hardly noticed her presence in the street.

        It wasn’t that Bisi possessed indecent attitudes, or lived a wayward life; the truth remained that Dabo was not in any way attracted to her, perhaps owing to the instructions of his spirit he invariably listened to.

       “Hi dear!” Dabo exclaimed as he walked up to Bisi, the following day after he sighted her alongside Sandra.

        Bisi was standing alone at one of the shops in the street trying to purchase some stuffs. She felt so elated receiving a pleasantry from a man she had longed to be under his arms.

        “Helloo..” She responded in a jiffy, smiling.

        “Please, can I have a word with you?” Dabo requested as he stepped further.

        “Why not?” she cleared, ignoring her initial mission in order to pay him an undivided attention, hoping to receive good news in the process.

        “I saw you with a lady yesterday,” he hinted. “Please, who’s she?” He frankly inquired, though cheerily.

        Bisi instantly felt disappointed over the unexpected question, changed her mood. “Was that why you called me?” she said, sighed and turned her back on him.

        Little did he know that that was the least of the question the lady expected to hear from him, thus he was put totally off-balance by her sudden reactions. He had only saw as well as treated Bisi as his fellow dweller, but this very response of hers had sent a strong but contrary message to his senses. “I am so sorry if I have hurt you.” He tendered as she backed him.

        She hastily turned to him again. “Please…,” she urged, gesticulating. “Leave me alone!”

        At that juncture, he needn’t be told that all wasn’t well, thus ought not to wait for anyone to interpret the scenario. In view of this, he majestically took his leave, hoping for a better day.

        Days passed, Dabo tried to utilize other avenues to disclose his good intention to Sandra but all efforts proved abortive as a result of the barrier set in by Bisi, the aggrieved party. Bisi had vowed he would never get the attention of her friend; hence, she employed every means to actualize her motive. One of the mechanisms she used was that she misinformed Sandra that Dabo was a womanizer.

        In the process of hoping to receive positive reply from Sandra having eventually tendered an unalloyed proposal, Dabo had a very memorable and pleasant dream. He had dreamt of an occasion where he had a date with Sandra and in the outing, he told her, ‘one day, you must be my wife’. Luckily for him, his dream finally came to past as God would have it.

        So, right there at the altar, he was actually reciting the contents of that lofty dream he experienced many months back, unknowingly to the bride, Sandra.

        After the church service, they left for the reception hall. Therein as they were seated in their separate wedding seats, Sandra who couldn’t wait to verify the origin of the statement asked him when he once said she must be his wife someday.

        “Don’t mind me jari..,” Dabo responded hesitantly, though cheerfully. “I just recited a dream.” He informed, tenderly holding her left arm as he looked passionately into her moony eyes.

        On her part, she grinned, felt so elated and relaxed. Sure, she ostensibly needn’t the interpretation of the so-called dream.

FDN Nwaozor

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Opinion I Open Epistle to Gov. Okorocha

MY OPEN LETTER TO OKOROCHA

       

The last time I painstakingly checked, this would be the very first time I would tender an open epistle to the Imo State governor in the person of Chief Rochas Okorocha, though I have been advising the said leader in my own little way via various channels ab initio or since the commencement of my humble ministry.

        

Your Excellency, many people would be wondering why an open epistle is coming to your revered office from Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor, a man who prefers to stay alone or hide in his humble abode rather than airing a view that might eventually be swept under the carpet. But true Imolites would be deeply glad to come across this letter owing to various facts; because they are not unaware that it is timely; because they know I have invariably represented the interest of the state at large; because they are convinced that I have never derailed from the prime motives of this ministry, which graciously kicked off over a decade ago.

          

First, I wish to commence by congratulating you over the tremendous and remarkable feats you have recorded thus far since the inception of the Rescue Mission Administration, precisely on May 29, 2011. I cannot equally cease from appreciating the nature of charisma that is embodied in your person, because it takes only a charismatic person to successfully lead any existing society across the globe let alone Imo that is reckoned to be an entity made up of well informed, educated and widely travelled individuals.

         

I commend you immensely for having ensured that amid the outpouring criticisms that have been trending within the shores of the state and beyond, obvious landmark developments were accomplished. Most times in my lonely self, I candidly see you as an enigma; a person of many colours. It only takes someone who possesses suchlike idiosyncrasy to overcome several challenges, or to be able to thrive even when many attempt to pull him down.

         

Now, it is high time I disclosed what actually necessitated this critique which I candidly tagged an epistle. This letter is solely targeted towards making your person take cognizance of a foreseen seeming unpleasant scene that might spring up if your Excellency fails to aptly address some lingering issues pertaining to both politics and governance. Considering my stance in the Nigerian polity in general, I cannot possibly claim ignorance or overlook some political matters concerning the state I hail from, because I’m of the strong view that a healthy political scenario begets sound governance.

         

It’s no longer news that you have outrightly dissolved your cabinet in its entirety, a step which was long overdue. The affected arms included the State Executive Council (SEC), the Expanded Executive Council as well as the Transition Committee (TC) Chairmen of the existing twenty-seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. I must tell you that everyone is indeed jittery right now. ‘Jittery’ in the sense that they cannot predict who and who would ably make the awaited list; in the sense that they are unsure if less/more active individuals would be recruited subsequently to fill the vacant positions.

         

You must acknowledge that the greatest mistake you would make at the moment, both as a politician and a true leader, is to come up with bunch of mediocrists, sycophants and hypocrites in the name of cabinet members. It suffices to assert that you are expected to thoroughly examine and reexamine whosoever you intend to include in the list for the sole interest of the Eastern Heartland at large. In other words, you must not let anyone decide for you on this critical matter. Even if a recommendation comes to your desk, accept it but take your precious time to ascertain if the person in question has all it takes to occupy the concerned post.

         

One thing you must note is that, it is not everyone that’s clapping for you that actually loves you or means well for you. So, do not let people’s countenance deceive you or becloud your sense of judgement. You are unarguably a discerning individual, thus I humbly enjoin you to concentrate mainly on the needful; the needful remains understanding those who can truly deliver when assigned to carry out any challenging task.

         

Then, away from governance, I am compelled to equally discuss politics with your Excellency. We all, myself in particular, have been watching the political stage of Imo State with keen interest. In recent times, a lot of melodramas have really transpired on the stage, thereby making us the spectators become more thoughtful. Currently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is obviously in charge both in the state and at the federal level.

         

We have seen many supposed members of the said political platform trying to disorganize the activities of the party or the togetherness of the entire members. I’m not here for name calling; rather, my interest is only to let you comprehend that the APC is yearning for sincere harmony. You must use your capacity as the leader of the great party to without much ado address this state of unease that’s already overheating the polity, else, the party may live to regret it. You need to note that not all members in the party that claim to be loyal or behind you are really in support of you; hence, I urge you to shine your eyes.

         

The ongoing quagmire is not unconnected with the emerged political differences between the party members cum supporters. There’s no space and time to go into details, but we are not unaware that the aforementioned differences were occasioned by the individual choices of the members as regards who becomes your successor, or the next governor of the ancient state.  I have heard you say that the aggrieved ones would ‘come to their senses at the right time’. I do not know what you meant by the ‘right time’ but you must understand that time is really ticking.

         

It is on this premise that I wish to humbly remind your Excellency that the tension may not come down, or might linger indefinitely, if you don’t do the needful in earnest as the overall leader of the party as far as the state is concerned. And, to do the needful, you need to jettison your personal interest for that of the state in general. So, I implore you to act as a father while addressing this very critical matter.

         

Sure, anything that affects the APC will adversely affect Imo State both presently and in the future, because the party is in charge of the state and has succeeded in winning the heart of most Imolites. Needless to state that whatever that affects the party is liable to affect the welfare of the state’s citizenry. This is no doubt food for thought, thus I urge you to digest it wholly and adequately.

         

Above all, please ensure that the awaited LG elections are duly conducted before the end of this year (2017) as promised. This would enable you to balance the equation in regard to ushering in real democratic dividend, or the true picture of democracy. In the same vein, you need to also handle your differences with the retirees with proper attention and compassion, so that, they will all live to bless you and this administration too. If they have eventually accepted the proposal for fifty per cent (50%) cut in their pensions, please endeavour to regularize the payment so that it would go a long way in solving their respective plights; and equally endeavour to make the payment in full when the economy becomes juicy again.

         

At this juncture, permit me to drop my humble pen and allow you to painstakingly give the candid epistle the attention it truly deserves. But before I do that, on a lighter mood I want to ask your Excellency, who would you like to see as your successor come 2019? Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

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