Opinion I Buhari's New Year Resolution As President

BUHARI’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTION AS PRESIDENT

       

It is not anymore news, in accordance with the words of the late famous philosopher Socrates, that ‘unexamined life is not worth living’. This is unarguably the reason everyone is invariably enjoined to embrace the first day of every year towards revisiting his or her resolution(s) with the aim of making amends where need be.

      

As the custom requested, penultimate week – precisely in the early morning of 1^st January 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari outrightly disclosed his New Year resolutions as the leader of the country via a nationwide broadcast. The message, which could best be described as an epistle, comprised over forty paragraphs.

        

In the second paragraph of the epistle, the president frowned over the ongoing scarcity of petrol otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). He said, ‘…some compatriots chose this period to inflict severe hardship on us all by creating unnecessary fuel scarcity across the country’. He thus assured Nigerians that such a menace, which he branded a ‘blackmail’, would not linger after the festive season as the needed measures had been put in place to end it. Meanwhile, till date, the scarcity still lingers.

        

It’s noteworthy that sane Nigerians expected Mr. President to begin with an apology for allowing such uncalled circumstance to befall them. The popular saying that ‘prevention is better than cure’ wasn’t mistakenly invented. It’s the responsibility of the government to ensure that its subjects aren’t faced with untold hardship, especially the ones that are avoidable.

        

The fuel scarcity that commenced prior to the 2017 Christmas period and is still taking place was not inevitable. It  suffices to assert that the Muhammadu Buhari – led administration possessed all the required muscles to ensure that such crisis did not occur let alone transcending to several weeks.

       

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) was not set up to function as a ceremonial body. Hence, I’m still pondering why it couldn’t reiterate the riot act to the petroleum marketers. There is no marketer that could afford to see his filling stations being sealed till further notice, thus it is disheartening that they were allowed to operate like emperors thereby relegating normalcy to the background. No rational mind in the country would cease to wonder if these tycoons have grown beyond the extant laws, that, they can never experience sanctions.

       

It’s not unusual that in every festive season in Nigeria likewise most other countries, the quantity demand for goods and services are expected to increase, hence that of PMS wouldn’t be an exception. This is usually so because at such period, the human population increases owing to the fact that most citizens residing abroad use it to once again visit their respective homes in order to celebrate with their family members and loved ones.

       

Down the line, President Buhari also disclosed his administration’s determination to revive the country’s moribund railway system as well as resuscitate 25 major highways across the federation. From the message, most of the proposed capital projects are likely to be completed by the year 2021. This implies that the implementation of the projects is expected to continue even after the termination of his tenure come 2019, peradventure he couldn’t make it for a second time.

       

The above message is an indication that most of these initiatives might end up being white elephant projects since successive governments are often fond of the habit of abandoning any ongoing project they met on board. In view of this, since the projects in question are already captioned in the 2017 and 2018 budgets, I would advise we aptly channel all the budgeted funds to these laudable projects with a view to ensure that they are completed within the remaining phase of the president’s reign. We are not unaware that government is a continuum but we are equally aware that most prospective leaders don’t apparently believe in continuity, hence the need for this administration to take all of its capital projects as priority.

       

The president further mentioned the lingering instability of electricity supply. He stated that Nigeria could presently boast of 7000MW. According to him, as at 8^th December 2017, 5155MW was realized. He further disclosed that 240MW would be added in 2018 via Private Investment Partnership.

       

It’s really appalling that a country that can boast of over 170 million persons is still anticipation 240MW in addition to the current 7000MW whilst a nation like Ghana that is not up to five states in Nigeria as regards both landmass and population could presently boast of over 70,000MW of electricity. This shows that what is required of the Nigeria’s power sector is total overhaul, and this must begin by getting a better hand to handle the concerned ministry. It’s therefore needless to state unequivocally that reshuffling the president’s cabinet is long overdue.

        

President Buhari equally talked about the ongoing debate on restructuring. He said, ‘our problems are more to do with process than structure’. With all due respect, I beg to disabuse his Excellency of this belief. There are various structural plights faced by Nigeria and Nigerians that are yearning for urgent attention. For instance, it would be deceitful for anyone to think that the dual-legislative system practised by the country is not bureaucracy, hence does not need to be reviewed. It’s also insensitive for one to say that the country’s geo-political (zonal) structure is balanced.

       

Lastly, Mr. President told us that the APC-led government had ‘since beaten Boko Haram’. It’s only a dummy that wouldn’t concur with the assertion that the dreaded terrorist sect had been combated significantly by the present administration. However, it would be ridiculous to inform Nigerians that the Boko Haram had been defeated completely. Recently, the Nigeria’s Council of State approved the FG’s proposal to withdraw a whopping sum of one billion dollars from the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) to tackle terrorism. So, how do we reconcile these?

       

The Niger-Delta menace alongside kidnapping was also captioned, but it was saddening that the president failed to inform us on his administration’s approach towards ending the lingering Fulani herdsmen conundrum that is ostensibly ravaging the entire country.  We can’t claim ignorance of the fact that the herdsmen quagmire remains the only ubiquitous security challenge in the country.

       

Though Mr. President may have given a well articulated New Year resolution, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that critical sectors such as, but not limited to, education, health, solid mineral and power are still lying fallow. Think about it!   

 

 Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador

 

             

Opinion I Essence Of New Year Resolution

ESSENCE OF NEW YEAR RESOLUTION

       

Never give up on something you really want; it’s difficult to wait but worse to regret. Mind you, as your urge or quest remains persistent towards actualizing your goal, courtesy demands that you take a second look of the goal in question and ascertain how worthy it would be to possess such thing because a worthless thing doesn’t worth waiting for.

        

In the same vein, as you wait to receive your heart desire, you are also expected to reconsider the kind of life you live and see if it’s worth living, or if such life can be of help towards attaining your desired height because most of the lives we live don’t deserve worthwhile goals.

       

Few weeks ago, I was privileged to be in the midst of a certain group in Calabar, Cross-River State that was debating the significance of being steadfast in one’s pursuit towards success. I was listening with keen interest. So, along the line, the members of the group got confused and derailed as regards their sense of judgement. I candidly used the avenue to educate them on the real essence of steadfastness or persistence and what is expected of someone who embraces it. And at the end of the discussion, they unanimously appreciated my concern.

       

Persistence, according to the context of this edition, simply means the act at which one continues to do something with determination in spite of difficulty or opposition. But we must note that, there are certain questions we’re required to ask ourselves whenever we persist to do or expect something.

        

First and foremost, you must ask yourself how useful and relevant would that thing be to your person and what impact would it bring on the people around you. Thus, in anything you do, you’re not meant to consider only yourself but others as well. This is so because, if people around you are down by anything, it would in one way or the other affect you negatively.

        

Secondly and most importantly, you’re meant to ensure that the life you live deserves what you are anticipating. This might sound a bit vague but the fact remains that, most lifestyles we possess do not deserve to behold the fruit of most of our aspirations. In other words, if you really want something good, bear it in mind that nature requires something good in return prior to the procurement of that which you expect or want; and don’t forget, no one has ever cheated nature. Therefore, you can never cheat nature; rather, the reverse would be the case. Let’s ride on!

       

Let’s I forget, we are discussing the prime essence of New Year resolution. To start with; abiding by the context of this very episode, a resolution in a concise term is a firm decision taken by someone to do, or not do, something. The decision is usually taken by someone at the beginning of any calendar year, precisely on the first day of January or just prior to the said moment. It suffices to say that it is expected to come up at the beginning of any odyssey.

       

Many people see the above phenomenon as a worthwhile scenario. On the contrary, several others despise it. But the most appalling and devastating aspect of the phenomenon is the situation whereby most persons merely take the decision without sticking to what the so-called decision requires from them in return.

        

To such set of individuals, their expectations can come without any input. I wonder why they would be of the notion that a certain farm can yield an output if the farmer fails to follow up the various crops cultivated in it. After cultivation, so many other farming activities invariably follow suit before harvest would set in.

         

Frankly speaking, New Year resolution is a worthwhile and wholesome gesture required by mankind regardless of age, status, background or religious affiliation. It is a point in our respective lives at which we are expected to make a U-turn or reconsider our lives so far with a view to discovering where that ought to be amended and where we are meant to sustain. This is the reason the great philosopher, Socrates of the blessed memory said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” And I strongly concur with the theory.

         

Having examined our lives, we are expected to take a very firm and tangible decision that would enable us sustain the worthy part, as well as amend the porous aspect of it. The decision in question is meant to be seen as an oath, hence the need for it to be kept sacred. No doubt, keeping the decision sacred would fortify us and enable us actualize our anticipated goals as planned.

      

Having acknowledged the essence of resolutions, at this juncture I enjoin us to sincerely embrace a genuine New Year resolution as we embrace another long awaited year (2018). I bet, you would be glad you did. If you stick to your resolutions as long as the journey lasts, you would surely live to testify how effective and efficient the tool is.

       

The truth is, as earlier stated, no one is exempted when it calls for New Year resolution. For instance, if you are a student, this the apt time for you to tell yourself the gospel truth; the moment to desist from cheating if you have been indulging in it; the period to tell yourself that your future lies right in your hands. Hence, it is the time to review all you have been into since you secured admission into the institution with a view to making adjustment where need be. This must be done diligently and genuinely.

       

I am sure we wouldn’t wish to wait till next century before abiding by it? It’s noteworthy that the ball is right in your court. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador  

 

 

Opinion I Bizarre Extortions By Banks, Telecom Firms

BIZARRE EXTORTIONS BY BANKS, TELECOM FIRMS

        

I grew up to learn that customers or clients are at all times treated like kings as if they are in charge of various empires. However, in recent times, most service providers in this part of the world, particularly Nigeria, had disabused their clients of that ancient belief. 

      

Aside my personal experiences, I had in several occasions been reliably informed that for quite some time now, millions of Nigerians have been subjected to an untold hardship in the hands of the various commercial banks as well as telecommunication companies situated across the federation, via instigation of unending bilious charges.

       

The last time I thoroughly checked, the nauseous practice almost got out of hand that it required only a stiff measure for it to be bade an eternal farewell by its innumerable victims. It suffices to assert that it has already eaten deep into the sufferers’ bone marrow.

       

I would have considered this critique as frivolous, if I were to give a listening ear to a casual and spontaneous utterance tendered by a childhood friend resident in Texas, USA. The buddy unequivocally asked me, albeit carelessly, to ignore the said phenomenon since Nigerians are used to suchlike experiences.

       

The point the dude was frantically trying to make was that the ongoing anomaly, among other related ones, is synonymous with Nigeria thus not unlike a norm. Though I assented to the assertion, he was ignorant that not all traditions are meant to be upheld, hence the need to acknowledge that some trending lifestyles arguably deserve to be holistically abolished without contemplation.

       

Come to think of it, why would Nigeria be invariably reckoned to be a place where such uncalled and unwarranted practices are ostensibly acceptable or a step in the right direction? Rather than protecting the interests of their clients, these banks and telecom firms prefer to unleash on them villainy, as if they are mere slaves.

       

Incessant deductions often reportedly attributed to VAT, SMS alerts charge, ATM service/maintenance interest, monthly card fee, stamp duty charge, and what have you, constantly and consistently made by the commercial banks on their clients’ accounts have become so worrisome that if left unchecked, one may wake up one morning to observe that about 95% of the total money deposited in his or her bank account(s) had been debited from it. We were told that ‘stamp duty charge’ becomes necessary only when one’s account receives a deposit, but currently such charges are being deducted incessantly.

       

Before an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card is issued to a client on demand, a sum of N1200 or above – depending on the bank – would be deducted from the recipient’s account, yet such a whooping sum of money wouldn’t be enough to cater for the servicing rendered by the card as long as its use lasts. It’s even mind-boggling to realize that the duration of the card does not exceed between two to three years, or thereabouts.

       

On their part, the telecom companies would always make use of imposition mechanism to actualize their dubious motive. In most cases, their customers would be taken unawares as regards subscribing to a certain tariff or promo as if the airtime on their SIM cards weren’t purchased by them. A situation where someone would buy a #100 airtime and all the money would instantly vanish into thin air, really and absolutely calls for a public outcry. Among all, unsolicited text messages and phone calls – especially the ones on advert – continually received from these service providers are another thing of great worry to the concerned public.

       

The aforementioned callous and villainous attitudes of most firms operating in Nigeria, which are to say the least very appalling and thought-provoking, have become a case study to hundreds of thousands of researchers in the country. It’s indeed pertinent to acknowledge that Nigerians at large are seriously suffering in the hands of those they patronize or whom are required to treat them like kings. How would you reconcile this?

       

This lingering impunity has made many concerned stakeholders in Nigeria to insinuate that the country lacks competent and reliable regulatory bodies. Of course, in a situation like this, embracing such speculation wouldn’t be far-fetched. We are all aware that each commercial bank and telecom firm in this nation is answerable to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), respectively, as well as the Consumers’ Protection Council (CPC). But what the people aren’t aware is if the said relationship is really being upheld.

       

The other day I overheard an official of the CPC who played guest on a particular radio programme, saying that the major problem with Nigerians was inability to report to appropriate authorities whenever they are aggrieved or witch-hunted. Consequently, via a phone call, I retaliated by asking her (the official) why they would always wait for the public or consumers to lay a complaint before they take action, even in a situation where the commission or any of its members happened to be one of the victims/sufferers of the ordeal, or when the unbearable circumstance is very glaring.

       

So, if a police officer, for instance, happens to be in a commercial bus and therein one of the passengers is accused of theft or was caught stealing, the said security personnel instead of arresting the accused person or doing the needful headlong would expect other passengers in the bus to come over to the police station to lay a complaint before he would take the action expected of him? I’m just thinking aloud, but every sane individual needs to be deeply thoughtful over it.

       

It’s high time we awoke from our respective slumbers with a view to living up to the expectations. Any firm or person accused of any foul play or punishable offence ought to be brought to book by collective efforts of the apt authorities having acquired the needed evidence for the prosecution.

       

For crying out very loud, the consumers or clients, as the case may be, cannot continue to be treated like nobody by these legitimate consortiums. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador