Opinion I On Cancellation of Imo Free Working Days

ON CANCELLATION OF IMO FREE WORKING DAYS

         

The last time I checked, the two free working days currently enjoyed by the workers in Imo State – the Eastern Heartland – would soonest be put to stop. This was disclosed on Monday, 5^th February 2018 by Governor Rochas Okorocha during an interactive session held between the number-one citizen and practicing journalists in the state at the Douglas House, Owerri, in the spirit of Imo at 42.

        

According to the governor, as from 1^st March 2018, every worker domiciled in the state would be expected to participate actively in his or her office in all working days, ranging from Monday to Friday. He stressed that any civil servant found wanting as from the stipulated date would be shown the way out without much ado.

         

It would be recalled that in about two years ago, precisely on Friday, 29^th July 2016, Gov. Okorocha graciously announced the outright reduction of the globally recognized five existing working days of the workers to three, from Monday to Wednesday to be precise, thereby allowing them to be off between Thursdays and Fridays. The governor who granted the grace during his meeting with the delegation of Imo Royal Fathers in Agriculture, stated that the two days off were mapped out strictly for the sake of farming.

         

He explained that the declaration was informed by the urgent need to engage the teeming workers in the state’s new agricultural programme branded ‘back to land for agriculture’, which was scheduled to commence on August 1, 2016. The governor who then categorically made it clear that workers on essential duties to include those in the information, health, security, teaching and IGR-based sectors coupled with political appointees were exempted from the free working days, further notified that a bill for the initiative would be sent to the state’s legislature for legal backing.

         

I could recall vividly that in a swift reaction to that declaration on this very column, one of my major lines read “…if Gov. Okorocha isn’t a famous leader, I will insinuate he’s just trying to attract popularity to his name”. In that piece, I made it unequivocally clear that as a constitution and rights activist, it was pertinent to let the governor comprehend fully that he had derailed by even thinking of such an idea let alone making it public.

        

In my words, I further informed that announcing suchlike policy was simply unconstitutional and lawless, citing the International Labour Organization (ILO) that constitutionally prescribed that at least 40 hours per week must be spent by any public servant anywhere in the world. I equally reminded that the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, abides by the ILO’s directive, which implied that the issue of workers’ working days wasn’t even an affair to be deliberated by a group of state legislators talk less of an individual in a position of authority. It’s therefore needless to reiterate that I personally frowned over the declaration in its totality.

         

However, it’s noteworthy that almost two years on, that very grace granted to Imo workers is yet to yield the fruit for which it was initiated. At the moment, farming is yet to be taken as a priority by an average Imolite, particularly among the direct beneficiaries of the free working days’ initiative; all to the detriment of the state’s public service and her economy in general.

        

I said it earlier that His Excellency never told us how he intended to monitor the workers towards ensuring that the free days in question were judiciously utilized as expected. Unfortunately, that constructive and candid criticism of mine was absorbed by many allies of the governor as a sign of hatred for the leader, and the Rescue Mission Government at large. But today, I have been vindicated from the guilt which was wrongly placed on my innocent person for tendering the statement.

         

Presently, there’s honestly no how a sane and rational individual wouldn’t cry for the public service if he/she took time to visit any of the state’s ministries on a Thursday or Friday. When you take a walk to the place on the aforementioned days, you would be told by the security personnel on duty that the workers had gone to farm; yet, on a daily basis, our children cry of severe hunger in our various homes. How do you then reconcile the scenario?

         

I sincerely thank God that the governor had realized the mistake he inadvertently made two years ago. By publicly putting up that directive penultimate Monday, he had eventually concurred with my candid analysis that such an initiative wasn’t the required way forward for economic emancipation, or the anticipated boom in the agric sector. In other words, I congratulate him for retracing his steps. We never needed a seer to tell us that the free working days’ initiative had caused, and still causing, the state more harm than good.

         

Now that the affected workers have been mandated to return from their ‘farms’ to their respective offices, it is needless to inform the governor that a tangible measure needs to be implemented in order to ensure compliance. Proactive approach must be put in place towards ensuring that those so-called farms are left by the workers for their various offices. And for such to be actualized, it would be ideal and wise to set up a standing committee – comprising competent and reliable individuals – that would checkmate the day-to-day activity of the affected civil servants.

        

Among all, as these workers have been asked to return to their offices, the government ought to equally ensure that prompt payment of salaries cum allowances is sustained come rain come shine. Thus far, I must candidly appreciate the governor for maintaining the tempo as regards payment as and when due, but it would be more commendable if all that is accruable to the workers are duly given to them without any form of deduction. It suffices to say that I’m using this medium to advocate for a regular hundred percent (100%) salaries and allowances for the working class in the state.

       

So, as the free working days in the Eastern Heartland have been graciously scrapped by the initiator, it would be ideal for both the government and the workers to be invariably mindful of the needful for the sake of Imo at large. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador              

         

Opinion I Boko Haram and The Military's Avowal

BOKO HARAM AND THE MILITARY’s AVOWAL

        

Sometime ago, an uncle of mine told me among my siblings during a casual family gathering that one of the prime idiosyncrasies of any security outfit anywhere in the world was over-confidence coupled with pride. He stressed that the aforementioned features invariably “make them to exaggerate as well as embrace victory in advance”, which according to him was a good step if one really means a battle he is involved.

       

In a bid to throw more light, he further said “over-confidence, which is often begotten by pride, has a very strong way of subduing your opponents and could make them surrender even before the battle commences”. In other words, he was actually opining that security agencies strive successfully with the help of the said tools.

         

I was yet to concur with the perspective which he tendered over a decade now, not until barely two weeks ago. It isn’t anymore news that on Saturday, 3^rd February 2018, the Nigeria’s military, precisely the Army, boasted publicly that the world’s third dreaded terrorist group – Boko Haram – had been ‘completely defeated’ by them.

       

The disclosure, which came up during the inauguration of the Nigeria – Cameroon Military Joint mission in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was presented by the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in the person of Major General Rogers Nicholas. He said “troops under the operation Deep Punch II on Friday dislodged the terrorists at their factional ground, Camp Zero”.

         

In an effort to throw more light, the commander disclosed “my soldiers are in the heart of the Boko Haram enclave. The gallant troops have broken the heart and soul of Shekau’s group, taking over the camp and its environs”. He went further to say “they are on the run and we are pursuing them to wherever they go”.

        

Maj. Gen. Nicholas who urged the fleeing terrorists and abducted persons in the bush to come out and surrender to the troops, promising they would not be harmed or killed, informed that “this time around, there is no place for escape anywhere” as he equally revealed that hundreds of them had already surrendered and about 100 civilians rescued in the process.

        

Intriguingly, just the following day after the announcement, on Sunday 4^th February 2018 to be precise, the ‘completely defeated’ Boko Haram unleashed an attack on Kala village situated in Dalori, Borno State. In the mayhem, a person was reportedly murdered and several houses set ablaze. I couldn’t reconcile that barely 24 hours after we were notified that the Boko Haram had been totally crushed, the extremist sect practically disabused the army of its claim.

         

It’s noteworthy that the avowal came up barely a few weeks after the leader of the jihadist group, Mr. Abubakar Shekau appeared in a latest video. In the 31-minute display, the elusive leader having boasted that his men were in good health, threatened that the battle wasn’t yet over. This is the same man who had for the umpteenth time been reportedly killed by the army.

        

Come to think of it. It’s worth noting that the army’s declaration came just a few weeks after the National Economic Council (NEC) approved the withdrawal of one billion dollars from the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) towards tackling the ongoing battle against the extremists; an approval that had raised tremendous dust and ripples among millions of Nigerians.    

        

Although I never expected the army to sound like defeatists, which they aren’t, it’s noteworthy that that boast was contradictory. We aren’t unaware how the people – particularly those from the North-Eastern part – longed to hear the military announce to the global community that the dreaded sect had been totally crushed, but it’s imperative to comprehend that such report wouldn’t be consequential if any area across the federation is still unsafe as regards terrorism.

          

I personally understand that such information by the army might be a strategy targeted toward provoking the enemy group in order to fish their members out from their various hidden places, but it’s understandable that several other Nigerians wouldn’t be able to interpret the message as such owing to their level of understanding, hence the need for the revered security outfit to acknowledge the reality of individual differences whenever we are bound to take any action or tender any utterance, as the case may be.

        

In line with his campaign pledges, the President Muhammadu Buhari – led administration has thus far since assumption of power convincingly strived to tactically end the ugly existence of the Boko Haram. The Nigerian Army (NA) among other Armed Forces, on its part, has apparently proven its determination to fight doggedly in regard to the ongoing terrorism war. 

         

However, it’s pertinent for both parties leading the war in question – the Federal Government and the military – to comprehend that the extremists can only be said to have been ‘completely defeated’ when every nook and cranny of not just the North-East but the entire Nigeria obviously becomes inhabitable, and our various borders duly safeguarded at all times.

         

In view of the above assertion, I’m strongly of the view that exaggeration might be helpful in winning the war but could on the contrary, do more harm than good. So, it’s therefore high time every stakeholder involved squarely faced the battle as required, so that, our success thus far wouldn’t turn into fiasco. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

 Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

  

ShortStory I Naughty He-Goat

 

NAUGHTY HE-GOAT

       “Hi, sweet sis!” Emeka greeted as he walked into Nkem’s bed room.

       “Hello big bros!” She cheerfully responded.

       “I never knew you have a very pretty-looking girl friend.” He observed, still standing.

       “How do you mean?” She verified, lying in her bed.

       “I’m referring to Ada, of course.”

       “Oh,” Nkem exclaimed. “That’s my darling friend.”

       “Interesting.” He added, nodding his head.

        Ada had been Nkem’s best friend right from their childhood. They both graduated from same secondary school some months back, and recently sat for JAMB examination. That very day, Wednesday 17th of April 2013 to be precise, Ada visited Nkem at her home as usual but that was the first time Emeka set his eyes on her.  

         Emeka, a twenty-one year old chap whom was a 200 Level student of Civil Engineering in the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State and on his first semester holiday break, was Nkem’s immediate elder brother. He was about three years older than her.

        “I like her.” He continued.

        “Hmm.” Nkem murmured.

        “I think she’s my dream girl.”

        “Dream girl?” She surprisingly asked. “But you hardly know her?”

        “That’s not an excuse, my dearest sister.” He quickly chipped in.

        “Besides, I don’t think my friend would like a rascal like you.” She teased him.

        “Don’t bother about that,” he said. “Let that be my worry.”

         “I’m exhausted.” Nkem said. “I want to go to bed.” She requested, frowning.

         “Ok, suit yourself.” the lover boy replied, walked to the door and stepped out.

         “This boy must be crazy,” Nkem soliloquized in her bed. “I pray he wouldn’t do anything silly towards my friend.”

      * * * * *         

        “Nkem..!” Her mum whom was seated at the sitting room, called as soon as the door bell rang.

       “Yes mum.” She answered in a high tone from her bed room.

       “Please, come and check who is at the door.”

         Nkem hurriedly stepped out of her room, walked towards the entrance to the lounge and quickly let the door open. She perhaps needed not to verify who was at the door since the guest must have passed through a scrutiny at the gate.

         It was Ada, her best friend. She stepped into the parlour the moment the door was let open. The slim and dark-skinned girl who was average in height, was clad in black trousers, white round-neck polo and brown sandals. That was exactly six days after her last visit.

        “Oh, is you!” Nkem excitedly uttered, closed the door.

          There was no notice about her coming. She probably intended to take Nkem unawares.

          They hugged each other affectionately.

          On her part, her mum whom was still seated on one of the upholstery chairs, looked at them and shook her head in excitement.

          Taking a close study at the teens as they hugged themselves, it’s only a man suffering from acute glaucoma that wouldn’t observe that they were really best of friends.

          “Good afternoon, mum!” Ada greeted, stylishly bowing her head as a mark of respect the moment she walked closer to Nkem’s mum.

          “Good afternoon, my dear.” she responded, smiling. “You are welcome.”

          “Thank you, ma.” Ada appreciated.

          “How are your parents?”

           “They are fine, ma.”

           “And your siblings?”

           “They are all doing great, ma.”

           “Please, make yourselves comfortable.” She urged the duo, stood up and walked straight to her matrimonial room holding a magazine in her right hand. 

           “Thank you, mum.” Nkem happily dished out as her mum walked out of the parlour.

            Immediately, they sat very close to each other on one of the two-in-one upholstery seats in the sitting room.

           “I learnt our JAMB results are out?” Nkem anxiously enquired.

           “Yes, you are right.” Ada replied. “I read it on Facebook yesterday.”

           “Interesting.” Nkem enthused. “Just barely few days ago we sat for the exam.”

           “JAMB is really improving.” Ada added.

           “So,” Nkem said. “When will you check yours?”

           “I don’t know yet.” Ada responded. “I am scared.”

           “Me too.”

           “Maybe we should go together.” Ada suggested.

           “I think you are right.” Nkem concurred. “Let’s go tomorrow then?”

           “Okay, no problem.” Ada consented, paused. “What of your big bros?” She supplemented, referring to Emeka.

            Emeka was Nkem’s only brother, and the first child of their parents. They were only three in number including one other girl, Ndidi who was still in secondary school, Class four precisely.

          “Oh, that one?” Nkem said. “He went to see one of his childhood friends in the neighbourhood.”

         “Okay.” Ada chipped in, nodding her head.

         “I think he would soon be back.” Nkem foresaw.

         “That your brother is lively and accommodating.” 

         “Wow!” Nkem exclaimed in a low tone. “All these for him?”

         “Yes, he is.” Ada reiterated. “The little time I had with him the last time I was here is enough evidence to prove that.”

         “Hmmm.” Nkem murmured. “Don’t tell me you are falling for my brother?” She teased cheerily.

          Ada smiled. “Not what you think.”

           She was opportune to have a good and lengthen chat with Emeka during her previous visit, and that was the first encounter she had had with him.

          After few minutes, at about 4:17pm, Emeka walked into the lounge clad in black baggy jeans, red and green shirt, black canvasses coupled with a red face cap.

         “I told you, he would soon be back.” Nkem reminded.

         “Oh, pretty!” Emeka exclaimed from afar having sighted Ada. “You are here?” He said, gladly stepped closer to them.

         “Yes,” Ada replied. “I’ve spent over thirty minutes here.”

         “Are you serious?” He amazingly tendered, sat adjacent to them.

         “And as a matter of fact,” Nkem interrupted. “We were just discussing you before you arrived.”

         “And what were you guys saying about me?” He curiously inquired.

         “That you are a naughty boy.” Nkem pulled his legs.

           Ada smiled, tapped Nkem on her left lap.

          “Is that true?” He asked Ada.

          “It is a lie.” Ada cleared the air. “Don’t mind her.”

          “Nkem, so you haven’t offered her anything?” Emeka observed after a brief silence, frowned.

         “Oh, I almost forgot.” Nkem said. “I am so sorry dear.” She told Ada, stood up immediately.

         “No qualms.” Ada said, smiling. “Apology accepted.”

          Nkem quickly walked away to gather some drinks for herself and her guest.

          That was a great and golden opportunity for Emeka to accomplish his intended mission.

          “Baby, you are indeed a very beautiful girl.” He complimented her the moment his kid sister walked out.

         “Really?” Ada exclaimed. Amazed.

           It seemed Ada had already developed a soft spot for him, because the compliment was apparently highly welcomed by her person.

         “Of course, you are.” he reiterated. “Honestly since the last time we met, my thoughts have been occupied with you.”

         “Oh, my God!” She voiced out. “Are you serious?”

          The last question was like a challenge to Emeka. He then stood up and quietly relocated to Ada’s seat, exactly where Nkem was seated. This time, his face was deeply focused on hers. “Baby, honestly I am in love with you.” He thought aloud.

         Ada was deeply moved by the statement, which she had never received before in her whole life. Abruptly, she was completely enslaved by lust. She was ostensibly speechless and vulnerable. Her emotions couldn’t withstand Emeka’s deceptive countenance as her innermost system was filled with tremendous sensation. No doubt, her poor self was already in a romantic mood. 

         On his part, he appeared not unlike a predator that had gotten a prey for the day, thus felt like he was already on her.

         Emeka who seemed drunk, hurriedly took her right hand and held it tenderly. “If you give me the chance, I will prove to you how much I love you.” He promised.

         She remained speechless and loosed just like a dummy displayed in a showcase in a certain supermarket.

         Therein, he shifted closer, calmly held her head with his two hands and began to kiss her repeatedly. The moment he removed her stainless white top as the silly journey progressed, Nkem walked in with a tray in her hands containing bottles of drinks and some glasses.

        “What..!” She exclaimed on top of her voice on sighting the ugly and disgusting drama.

         The tray fell on the tiled floor and its contents thoroughly got broke.     

         On their part, Emeka and Ada who abruptly got back to their senses, felt like the world had come to an end; their legs remained gripped on the floor. Ada particularly, couldn’t withstand the unimaginable shame.    

         Their mother, who ran to the sitting room to verify the essence of the alarm, got fainted on sighting the eyesore.

         The rest is history, please.

 

Fred Doc Nwaozor 

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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