ShortStory II Complicated Odyssey

COMPLICATED ODYSSEY
(A True-Life Story)

       I was conspicuously a vibrant and outspoken but gentle chap as an undergraduate of the revered Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Imo State, Nigeria. Being a Lagos brought-up, I found it more convenient spending my school holidays in the ancient city of Lagos State where I had countless reliable friends as well as relatives.

       During one of my semester breaks, I had travelled to the said territory, as usual, to catch funs with my childhood contemporaries who could not apparently wait to have my presence. On my arrival to my destination by land, at about 6:30pm on a Thursday, I was sure penniless that I needed to visit the nearest available bank first thing the following day towards making a withdrawal from the account I maintained, via an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). I needn’t bother making the proposed transaction that same day since it was already late, and perhaps my chief host wouldn’t want me to further undergo stress after all the hurdles encountered on my way.

        First thing the following day being Friday, as planned, I got dressed and headed for one of the commercial banks in my vicinity. On reaching the area in question having stepped out from the cab I boarded, popularly known as ‘Keke’, I caught the sight of a very frightening queue whose members were expected to make use of the ATM; the queue was not unlike an Independence Parade that took place at Eagle’s Square in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) penultimate year during Nigeria’s Independence anniversary. Funnily enough, there were about five ATMs mounted at the arena but only one was seemingly functional.

        Beloved, I was therein bewildered as I contemplated on the next action to take. I took a deep breath and hastily exhaled the gas while I stood aloof from afar watching each member of the pathetically-looking queue moved like a millipede that was deeply drenched, as I was yet to make up my mind whether or not to follow suit, or consider going to another bank located about fifteen kilometres (15km) away. Each of the thoughts emanating from my smart mind amounted to fear of the unknown. First, I wasn’t sure and could not imagine how long I had to wait if I joined the sluggishly-moving train. Secondly, I was still unsure if the ATM of the next bank was functional at the moment since it was no longer news that most ATMs mounted at various banks across Nigeria were just for decoration’s sake. Thirdly, assumed that the bank’s ATM was functional, I was not in good position to foresee the length of the queue I would encounter over there. Hence, I was placed in dilemma.

        At last, having taken a well-thought conclusion, I joined the intimidating queue. Mind you; while I stood aloof watching the queue, about twenty persons had already walked in and queued up. In other words, I was now standing behind those who came after my arrival; acknowledgement of such fact alone widened the size of my perturbed mood and annoyance. Notwithstanding, I told myself I had to wait patiently till the end since ostensibly I had no other choice, coupled with the fact that I was desperately in need of cash because my humble pocket was damn wretched.

         Before I realized it, one hour had come and graciously passed, yet there were about fifteen individuals to make use of the machine before it gets to my turn. I quickly looked around and smiled inwards; rather than being more anxious, I was consoled that over forty persons were standing behind me. Minutes later, I was eventually the fifth person to transact with the machine; but at this point, the network became so slow that it took an individual over fifteen minutes to scale through his/her transaction. Thus, my temper increased unannounced.

        “What kind of country is this?” I murmured.

        “I am sorry.” said the young lady who stood directly behind me.

          I turned and looked at her. “You need not be, my dear,” I replied, got my eyes fixed on hers. “Because you are equally in the same shoes with me.” I added in a jiffy.

        “But I can see, you are more disturbed than me.” She observed.

          I smiled. “Really?” I exclaimed and turned completely to her as if I wasn’t in need of the ATM anymore.

         She was obviously pretty – tall, slim and dark – clad in a purplish gown designed specifically for a red-carpet occasion.

         “Of course,” she responded. “It’s obvious.”

         “How?” I enquired. “Why do you think so?”

         “It is written all over you.”

         “Hmm..” I murmured.

         “You don’t need to be surprised.” she urged. “Anyone around would notice that you can’t wait any longer.”

          Her outspokenness further attracted me to her person. By this moment, I was the third person to use the seeming god-forsaken machine that had kept me waiting impatiently for almost two hours.

         “You must be a student?” I thought aloud, still facing her but not wholly anymore. “I mean, an undergraduate?” I hurriedly supplemented.

         “Why did you say so?” inquired she.

         “While looking at your level of composure,” I said, twisted myself. “One would know you are not from the gutter.”

         “Really..?”

         “Yea.”

         “Well, sorry to disappoint you.” quoth she. “I graduated from the university three years ago.”

          I was immediately shocked over the information, though I was still of the view that she was merely pulling my leg.

         “I am currently on my P.H.D.” She added frankly.

          The last notice brought another shocker. I stared at her again and again as if I was yet to notice her presence. Going by her countenance and stature, she could not be more than 22-year-old. I was then 23 but in my fourth year in FUTO; my degree studies were meant to last for five years.

         “Are you sure about this?” I managed to utter, remained jittery.

         “Of course..” she frantically replied. “How could I lie with such thing?”

         I strongly looked at her in silent awe.

        “I studied Mass Communication in Convent University,” she rode on. “I did my Masters in California University.”

         I shook my head uncontrollably. “Please,” I uttered. “How old are you?”

        “I am 21.” She answered.

        “Oh my God..!” I exclaimed at the top of my voice as I marveled over the challenging revelation.

        All eyes were shifted to my side. I was the next person to use the ATM, so the crowd thought I was grateful that it eventually got to my turn. I hastily backed her, shifting my attention to the awaited machine as I pondered over the uncommon information.

        I felt like strangulating myself since at 23, I was still struggling to acquire a first degree; whilst at her 21, she was already undergoing her P.hD programme. However, I had to console myself with the fact that we all were created with different destinies.

        Beloved, worse still, few seconds later as I was damn ready to make use of the ATM, the fucking machine stopped working abruptly. The unimaginable mirage took my person to a slight state of coma.

        To be continued, please!

FDN Nwaozor 

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com 

Twitter: @mediambassador

http://facebook.com/fred4nwaozor 

              

              

Opinion II Today June 26 is, Int'l Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

COMMEMORATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

     

 June 26 annually, the global community commemorates the 2017 edition of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day is being observed by all the United Nations (UN) Member States towards sensitizing the general public on the evitable dangers inherent in drug abuse and its illegal trafficking, and how the societal cankerworm can be holistically crucified.

       

The day was established by law in the year 1987 by the United Nations (UN) following the unanimous resolution reached on 7^th December 1987 by its General Assembly. The said Assembly decided to observe June 26 of every year as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation in order to achieve the goal of seeing an International Society that is totally free from all forms of drug abuse.

                              

The last time I checked, one of the optimum desires of any society in a sober state was to experience a serene and tranquil atmosphere, and the Nigerian society isn’t exceptional. In other words, every man’s paramount desire is to embrace a trouble-free environment or atmosphere since every society is comprised at least a man. This significantly means that a Nigerian, on the average, looks forward to embracing a Nigerian society that can wholly boast of a trouble-free environment.

      

An abuse, in a nutshell, can be described as a misuse of anything whilst drug is any substance used as a medicine or an illegal substance taken for its stimulating and other effects. Thus, drug abuse is simply the misuse of a substance used either as a medicine or stimulant. On its part, illicit drug trafficking is an act involving an illegal trading in drugs or other related substances forbidden by law.

       

Considering the above definitions, apparently drug abuse is a social ill that involves two distinct dimensions. It could be the misuse of a substance used as a medicine or the improper intake of medicine by an individual. Secondly, it could be the intake or misuse of a stimulant that’s not supported by law such as cocaine, cannabis, marijuana, and Indian helm, just to mention but a few. The former is often as a result of ignorance or negligence, while the latter is wholly a criminal and illegal act, and appears to be more dangerous to both human and animal health compare to the former.

       

Prior to the resolution for an International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 1987, the UN General Assembly understood that in spite of the continual and increasing efforts by the international community, the global drug predicament continued to constitute a severe threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity especially the young people, and the national security and sovereignty of States thereby undermining the socio-economic and political stability of the affected nations.

       

Thereafter the resolution was reached, the Assembly encouraged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to continue its work on International Drug Control, and went further to urge all governments to provide the fullest possible financial cum political assistance to enable the organization (UNODC) actualize its objectives. The UNODC recognizes that the effort of every stakeholder and corporate body is required toward actualizing the prime motive of this commemoration.

       

To this end, as the world celebrates this remarkable day, I call on governments, NGOs, religious bodies, civil societies, medical experts, every concerned law enforcement agency, the media, and all well-meaning individuals across the globe, particularly Nigeria, to do everything humanly possible to raise awareness of the unquantifiable harm caused by drug abuse and its illicit trafficking.

      

We can contribute our respective quotas by ensuring that anyone caught in the act is reported to the apt quarter as soon as possible to enable the law act aptly as requested. Similarly, the Traditional Rulers can be of vital help by fishing out the bad eggs in their midst regarding drug abuse and thereafter drag them to the nearby police station for onward prosecution.

      

In regard to self-medication and other forms of drug abuse attributed to ignorance or lack of orientation, a thorough awareness campaign on the dangers of intake of drugs without the consent of a qualified physician ought to be embarked on by every relevant organization such as the civil society and religious institutions, and every avenue including the mass media should be used to reach out to the general public.

      

The plight occasioned by illicit trafficking cannot be adequately addressed without the candid and thorough involvement of such concerned authorities as the Nigerian Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). The former must ensure that their personnel are equally mounted on our various major roads toward ensuring that various vehicles as well as travellers are duly checked if necessary; the latter ought to equally endeavour to work hand-in-hand with the former at the various borders toward attaining accuracy and efficiency.

      

Both agencies shouldn’t hesitate, either individually or collectively, to prosecute any suspect no matter whose ox is gored to serve as a deterrent to other intending traffickers. Above all, the Ministry of Interior must ensure that all the relevant agencies or commissions are living up to the expectations, come rain come shine.    

      

On their part, the individuals or group of persons abusing the drugs should also help themselves. They ought to acknowledge the fact that misuse of medicine such as self-medication, consumption of medicine without consulting an apt medical expert, and intake of over/under dose contrary to the doctor’s prescription, are all a death-trap that could take one’s life unannounced.

      

Those who take hard drugs or the ones the law forbids, which invariably lead to anxiety, panic, depression, brain fag or damage of brain cells, mental imbalance, protracted illnesses, death, or what have you, should note that the ongoing restrictions as stipulated by law are solely for the sake of their well-being. On their part, those involved in the illegal cultivation, production, or trafficking of the hard drugs ought to be aware that many have lost their precious lives in the process while many are presently rotting in jail.

       

Though most of these hard drugs are very useful raw-materials often used in several firms to manufacture a quite number of useful products or finished goods, the obvious fact remains that we’re not meant to consume them when they are still in their raw states. Thus, we must be very conscious of this assertion irrespective of the circumstance we find ourselves.

       

There is also need for us to acknowledge that absolute decency is required while consuming those stimulants that are not forbidden by law such as snuff popularly known as ‘Utaba’, cigarette, cigar, whisky, dry gin otherwise referred to as ‘Kai-Kai’, et cetera. We are required to comport ourselves in whatever action we take or while exercising any lifestyle, so that, our paramount desire of embracing a trouble-free and tranquil society would be duly actualized. Think about it!

          

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

-----------------------------

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

Opinion I Today June 23 is, Int'l Widows' Day!!

CONFRONTING ONGOING VULNERABILITY OF WIDOWHOOD AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2017 INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY ON FRIDAY JUNE 23

        

Today, June 23, the world over is commemorating the annual International Widows’ Day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN). The International Widows’ Day is a UN ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. 

        

The day was established in 2005 by Raj Loomba. The establishment was made under the aegis of The Loomba Foundation to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on 21^st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly. The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Never alone’, which is targeted towards letting any widow realize that she is not standing alone regardless of the circumstance.

        

Though anywhere in the world, anyone found in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged because his/her partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. In Africa, particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman is passing through the ordeal.

         

In Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow irrespective of her status, is severely molested, intimidated as well as humiliated. The major plight faced by a widow in this part of the world is deprivation of her late husband’s properties or possessions by her teeming in-laws. In this case, she would be banned from making use of anything belonging to the deceased, thereby making her appear like a mere slave in her matrimonial home.

          

In most cases, the widow in question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through. In some quarters, to prove her innocence, the poor widow would be mandated by the accusers to drink the water used in washing her late husband’s corpse; a practice that obviously seems highly irrational and barbaric.

         

To worsen the matter, she might even be sent out of her matrimonial home as if she was not legitimately married to the deceased. Even if she begot a child for the deceased, she would be asked to leave with the child for her parental home. It’s worth noting that this aspect of intimidation can make the sufferer commit suicide unannounced owing to the gravity of ignominy attached to the ordeal. 

          

Most pathetically, based on the locality, a widow may be subjected to marry her late husband’s sibling, which is often referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’. Funnily enough, the so-called prospective husband of the widow may even be a married man or sometimes an imbecile.

          

As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the International Widows’ Day, we must acknowledge that in our respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that these ugly ubiquitous melodramas as regards humiliation of widows are totally eradicated. We can assist in the ongoing campaign by ensuring that in our respective jurisdictions, a widow is not treated unjustly.

         

Similarly, every widow should be conscientized on the need to fight for her right irrespective of the circumstance. Widowers should equally be supported in any possible way in order to keep them away from any form of emotional or psychological trauma.

         

The civil rights lawyers shouldn’t hesitate to pursue any legal case regarding widowhood that’s brought to their chambers even if the plaintiff lacks the financial muscle. In the same vein, the civil society as well as the religious bodies ought to put up a holistic sensitization toward making the general public understand the repercussion of treating a widow or widower, as the case may be, unjustly.

         

The widows on their part are required to form a formidable coalition in any locality they find themselves to enable them possess one voice towards tackling any form of maltreatment they are usually faced. By so doing, they can assist each other in solving any predicament.   
           

They, particularly the less privileged ones, should equally desist from exercising despair. It’s no doubt very painful for one’s marriage/life partner to depart eternally, but that shouldn’t make the victim of such circumstance see it as the end of the world. So, such circumstance shouldn’t make them resort to any act, such as prostitution and begging, that would ridicule their persons. Rather, they ought to absorb it as one of the inevitable challenges nature brings, thereby making them appear stronger both physically and psychologically. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador