ShortStory I Rough End

 

ROUGH END

      “Obiora my son,” Chief Okeke called in a low tone.

      “Yes daddy.”

      “It’s obvious that you are now an undergraduate.”

        Obiora who happened to be Chief Okeke’s only son just secured an admission into Spectrum University to study Petroleum Engineering. The said institution was one of the most respected tertiary citadels of learning across the East, Nigeria. That fateful day, which preceded the day he was meant to leave home for the campus, his beloved father was actually giving him the needed counselling for the odyssey that awaited him.

        They both alongside his mother were seated at the family’s sitting room at about ten minutes to six O’clock in the evening (05:50 pm).

        “As my first child and only son,” continued Chief Okeke who sat directly adjacent to the chap in one of the two-in-one upholstery chairs. “I want you to realize that a lot of responsibilities await you.”

         His wife Lolo Okeke who was seated beside him, nodded in agreement while Obiora listened attentively.

        Chief Okeke being a successful trader, who was precisely into motor spare parts, had all it took to cater for the boy’s education both financially and otherwise but his utmost worry remained the fear of the unknown.

        “Most importantly,” he proceeded. “You must acknowledge that studying an engineering course in a university is not an easy task.” he asserted, paused. “So, I expect you to be extremely careful as well as mindful of your studies, which is the only way you can reach your success room.”

         Everywhere was tranquil as he passionately tendered the words of wisdom.

        “My son,” his mum chipped in. “You’ve to adhere to every instruction your dad is giving you.” she said, took a breath. “You are lucky you have a very wonderful and caring father which every child ever prays for.”

        “I promise, I won’t disappoint you dad.” Obiora assured. “And you, mum.” He concluded, looking at his mother’s eye sockets.

        “I pray your wish would remain your motivation.” Chief Okeke thought aloud in a jiffy.

        “Amen…” His wife emphatically complimented.

        “My son,” he rode on. “All I want from you is to remain a good ambassador of this noble family.”

         Obiora quickly folded his arms tightly, became apprehensive.

       “Honestly, you have all it takes to excel.” Chief Okeke reminded. “Last time I checked, you had no reason to become a failure.”

         The wife concurred via a series of nods.

        “Before I conclude,” he proceeded tenderly. “I must let you know one fact.”

         Obiora changed his posture. This time, he leaned his head on his right arm, which was standing firm on his right thigh.

        “In my dialect which is Igbo language” quoth Chief Okeke. “University is referred to as Mahadum,” he informed, paused. “It means, know it all.”

         The wife nodded, became more interested in the class.

       “Therefore, you are meant to know everything about the world as well as all that is in it.” He said, took a breath.

         Obiora remained still in his sitting position, wasn’t distracted by anything around him not even the trespass of a snake.

        “But mind you,” his dad proceeded. “You are only expected to be part of those ones that are morally acceptable.”

         Obiora nodded continuously for several seconds.

       “A word, they say,” quoth Chief Okeke. “Is enough for the wise.” He concluded.

       “Thank you, dad.” Obiora applauded, returned to his previous posture.

       “My dear,” His mum followed suit.

        Obiora quickly fixed his gaze on hers.

       “I want you to take your prayers very seriously.” She instructed in strong terms, paused. “Endeavour to say your prayers at least twice in a day – in the morning and before you go to bed.”      

       “Okay mum.”

       “And,” she continued. “Don’t ever forget to go to church every Sunday and whenever necessary.”

         Obiora nodded.

       “Please my son,” she rode on. “You must note that your two sisters are looking up to you.”

         Chief Okeke nodded in appreciation.

       “So, you must always lead by example.” She landed.

       “Thank you, mum.” Obiora excitedly tendered. “Thank you, dad.” He supplemented, looking at them respectively.

       After Obiora’s first year on campus, he made excellent results in all his 100 Level courses, that, everyone in engineering faculty including his lecturers and fellow students became attracted to his person. This made him an envy of all, including dick and harry.

       When they got the news, his parents were immensely impressed over the remarkable performance of their only son, though the said outcome wasn’t too surprising to them because Obiora had obviously been a very brilliant chap ab initio. He had maintained the brilliance right from his primary school days.

        Owing to the fabulous results, his father Chief Okeke became more concerned over all the wants of the chap. In view of this, Obiora never lacked anything an undergraduate could boast of. Money was sent to him whenever he asked for it. All he needed was to ask, and it would be deposited in his bank account without much ado.

        More appallingly, thereafter, they never took visiting him on campus as a priority again as they used to, since the chap had proven to them he was really taking his studies seriously.

         One popular Igbo adage would say ‘Ana eji ututu ama njo ahia’, meaning literally ‘a trader will never know if there would be poor patronage in a certain day going by the pace of sales in the early hours session of the day’.

        To be continued, please.

 

Fred Doc Nwaozor

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

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

Opinion I Owelle, It's Time You Named Your Prospective Successor

OWELLE, IT’S TIME YOU NAMED YOUR PROSPECTIVE SUCCESSOR

       

The last time I checked, the sitting governor of Imo State – the Eastern Heartland – Chief Rochas Okorocha had been compelled to publicly announce who he would like to baptize to take over from him come 2019 when he would be graciously vacating the revered Douglas House.

        

The scenario has lingered that it has succeeded in making both the governor’s protégés and sycophants to take advantage of it. There is no day that passed, you wouldn’t hear them say to the governor’s hearing ‘Owelle, show us the man and go to sleep’.

        

Some of them would gather their friends and well-wishers and pay the number-one citizen a visit at the Government House, only for the sole purpose of asking the leader to quickly disclose who he has ordained to be his successor during the next interregnum that would take place in the state.

          

Some would even go extra mile to tell the governor that they have already selected someone for the position, thereby urging him to grant his fatherly approval to the nomination. At the end of the day, the governor would tell them that the time was not ripe for him to make such anticipated declaration, assuring at the right moment he would gladly do the needful as expected of him.

        

Each time I recall the existence of this set of allies, I can’t help but continue to smile in Latin. I invariably do so because I truly know that most of them are not for real; because I’m aware that many of them are up to something funny; because I strongly believe that they are only interested in their individual interests, and not that of the state; because I’m not unaware that virtually all is just being dramatic and sycophantic and nothing more.

         

Sometimes when I write or talk, people feel I am cracking mere jokes or just being comic, not knowing that whenever I appraise facts, I usually present it in form of jokes with a view to easing the tension that may follow suit. I always make effort not to be vulgar each time I write or communicate one-on-one with any fellow or group of persons.

       

This action of countless political elements in the state has intensely heated the polity. The waves it bears have the tendency of distracting the governor from concentrating on what is required of him, which is good governance. Such a circumstance could obstruct so many ongoing genuine activities of the Rescue Mission Administration. The atmosphere is so dense that it could make the governor to vacate the Douglas House and thereafter start operating from Ogboko, his home town.

         

Nevertheless, it’s imperative to acknowledge that the joy of every leader or ruler, as may be the case, is to produce a good successor. And it’s worth noting that every leader would stop at nothing to ensure that only the person he baptized becomes his successor when the time comes. It suffices to say that there’s no leader that does not want the anointed individual from his ‘lineage’ to take over from him. Sure, we all look forward to having a trustworthy, competent and loyal successor irrespective of the nature of the position.

        

If I must tell Gov. Okorocha the gospel truth, I would say it’s high time he named his prospective successor; it’s time he disclosed whom he would like to succeed his leadership as the governor of Imo State. There are various reasons the number-one citizen needs not observe any further delay towards naming his prospective successor.

        

One of the reasons is that it would tremendously help to ease the tension that has been mounted by his so-called allies. At least, such step would assist in lessening the alarming noises that have been generated so far as a result of the burning quest to realize who succeeds the governor come 2019. It would equally help to make these men, especially the appointees, to focus on their respective political consignments.

         

Secondly, naming the prospective successor at this point would enable the governor to thoroughly heal the wounds that would be incurred afterwards. It’s needless to assert that the moment the name of the awaited man of the moment is eventually disclosed, some persons would be pleased whereas some other members will definitely feel shortchanged or aggrieved.

         

So, if the governor could name the person on time, it would give him enormous opportunity to bring back those who would leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) owing to grievances; it would give him the chance to make some amends where need be; it would give him enough space to console the wounded hearts.

       

The factual point remains that, there’s no body Owelle would project that wouldn’t make some members to be aggrieved. In other words, the moment a name is mentioned by the Ogboko-born celebrity, factions will surely be created among the teeming members of the ruling party (APC). The APC is already reportedly divided in the state let alone when the pronouncement is finally made. This is the reason the man at the top needs to name the anointed person right now; the earlier, the better.

        

This is conspicuously the ripe time the number-one citizen needs to listen to strategists towards ensuring that the needful is carried out at the apt time. Against this backdrop, he must be ready to extend hand of fellowship to the cognoscenti if he truly wants to excel in his political mission with a view to ushering in his vision. So, at this point, he ought not to rely only on his political advisers, because there’s a tendency that they might be rendering their services for the sole aim of safeguarding their individual interests.

         

Hence, it’s needless to reiterate that as I call on the governor to ‘show us the man’ right now, he must be very mindful on the strategy he deploys toward fulfilling the request. Most importantly, if he truly intends to remain the overall leader of the APC in the Eastern Heartland, he must ensure that he doesn’t get carried away by his personal interest as regards pronouncing the anointed man. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor

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

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador              

   

Opinion I Before Blackout Becomes Bomb Blast

BEFORE BLACKOUT BECOMES BOMB BLAST

           

Recently, the Nigeria’s Power Minister – Mr. Babatunde Fashola – publicly uttered that the country’s economic plight could not be attributed to steady electricity outage. The utterance was arguably in conflict with the popular belief that power supply remains the backbone of any economic development.

        

The Nigeria’s power sector is presently yearning for rescue that if drastic measure isn’t taken, soonest the country won’t only reckoned to be synonymous with blackout but a place invariably used as a case-study whenever non-electricity supply is being discussed.

        

It’s indeed worrisome to acknowledge that in spite of the intimidating size of the acclaimed giant of Africa, both in landmass and population, she’s currently striving toward boasting of steady 7,000MW of electricity supply, whereas nations like Ghana, South-Africa, Iran, and South-Korea, among others alike, that aren’t up to 60 million people on the average, presently boast of over 50,000MW. Such a shocking phenomenon calls for thorough examination in the said sector.

        

During the past administration, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s particularly, the Power Reform Act was introduced, which was aimed at boosting electricity supply. In addition, the then existing National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was changed to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) owing to concession. National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) was equally initiated.

        

Piqued by the epileptic power situation, Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, on assumption of office in 2007, lamented that the government under Chief Obasanjo squandered about $10 billion on the NIPP with little or no effect.

        

On power sector alone, the administration of Chief Obasanjo reportedly spent $16 billion approximately equivalent to #3.52 trillion, his successor Late Yar’Adua expended $5.375 billion (#1.183 trillion), whilst immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration spent $8.26 billion (#1.817 trillion). In a nutshell, the country, within the years in review, spent about $29.635 billion amounting to #6.52 trillion only on quest for steady power supply.

        

It would be recalled that during Dr. Jonathan’s reign, the distribution section/phase of the power sector was totally deregulated, thereby leading to Public-Private Partnership (PPP); a measure that Nigerians thought would salvage the power industry. It’s worth noting that the power sector comprises three major sections (phases) namely: the generation, transmission, and distribution sections. These three phases collectively contribute to the production of the two hundred and twenty Alternating-Current Voltage (AC220V) required by electricity consumers in Nigeria.

         

Despite all these measures, rather than improving, the country’s power sector remains in a comatose state, or even deteriorates on a daily basis. The various distribution firms, instead of concentrating on how to serve the teeming consumers, end up compounding the already existing plight. At the moment, an electricity consumer in Nigeria, regardless of locality, would be faced with a utility bill even though he never enjoyed any power supply in the past; one might wonder where such bill was fabricated.

          

The problem with the Nigerian power sector remains lack of technical know-how cum initiative as well as decay in maintenance culture. Most times, the personnel at the generation phase would inform Nigerians that the supply of gasoline has depreciated due to pipeline vandalism. Suchlike report is ridiculous and laughable in a country like ours that can boast of so many sources of electricity generation in abundance. Frankly, over-dependence on mono-source is really telling on the Nigerian economy at large, not just in the power sector.

          

A few of the country’s mineral resources alone, such as coal and what have you can generate enormous electricity required by the overall Nigerians. Similarly, biomass and wind-power, which are renewable and reliable energy sources – if properly harnessed – can generate electricity that can serve the entire Nigerian population. Biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat, or indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel. Its conversion to biofuel can be achieved by different methods broadly classified into chemical, thermal, and biochemical methods.

          

Besides, why is solar energy in abeyance? Most western countries that cannot boast of a steady fifteen degree Celsius (15*C) depend mainly on solar energy as regards power supply let alone Nigeria that can steadily boast of over 30*C. The country is abound with the four energy sources mentioned so far; but pathetically, the resources are lying fallow. The government needs to create an industry that would produce the required facilities; the proposed approach cannot be actualized without lifting embargo on PPP.

          

Above all, considering the ongoing power generation via turbine or hydro-plants, there’s compelling need for the government to decentralize the transmission grid. Rather than sustaining the national grid, since it’s obvious that such sustenance is cumbersome, each region or zone ought to be entitled to a transmission grid, thereby easing the maintenance cost.

         

The aforementioned approach won’t only reduce cost, but will equally boost adequate and uninterruptible power supply across the federation. The private sector must also be given a room to key in. The various established private transmission grids such as the Power Geometrics in Aba, Abia State invented by Prof. Bart Nnaji and his team needs to be encouraged effectively.

          

Before this blackout becomes bomb blast, it’s consequential to notify Mr. Fashola that it’s time he had a rethink over such a misleading ideology. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador