Opinion I Political Leaders And Their 'Culpable' Utterances

POLITICAL LEADERS AND THEIR ‘CULPABLE’ UTTERANCES

         

I was barely fourteen or thereabouts when a tutor of mine taught me, among my contemporaries, that power or leadership was synonymous with intoxication. In the real sense, he actually meant that anyone in a position of authority was invariably under the influence of a certain spirit that makes him or her act sometimes not unlike a drunk.

         

The above lesson was informed by a certain question I raised in the class. I could recall vividly that I wanted to ascertain the reason most political leaders, particularly Nigeria’s, would in some occasions utter unwise words as if they are leading mere bunch of animals, or beyond the extant laws.

        

While reacting to questions thrown to him by newsmen in Abuja, recently, the erstwhile governor of Plateau State who is currently a member of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS), Senator Jonah Jang said unequivocally “Senate is not for young people”. He disclosed that he would not hand over to younger person after expiration of his tenure. The actual enquiry that prompted the rude response was occasioned by a particular youth’s aspiration to represent the Plateau North senatorial district, with the belief that the said senator who is presently above 70 years will not seek for re-election come 2019.

         

I was, to assert the least, shocked to my bone marrow the very moment the news got to my desk. I couldn’t help but kept pondering the reason a serving senator would in his right senses publicly utter that lawmaking was only meant for the old, or those who have gathered wrinkles in their faces.

         

It is more mind boggling when realized that suchlike utterance was tendered at a time the “not too young to run” bill is seriously seeking the unanimous nod of the legislators; at a period various civil rights groups are earnestly begging the revered lawmakers to change the impression that a given age bracket isn’t eligible to contest for certain political positions.

       

If your thought is as good as mine, then you would agree with me that if the likes of Sen. Jang constitute the majority of the Senate, or NASS in general, the aforementioned bill will never see the light of the day; you would wholly concur with my fear that such a bill will be regarded as a joke or a document that deserves no iota of attention from the distinguished legislators.

        

It’s noteworthy that aside the Sen. Jang’s avowal, several other political office holders across the globe, Nigeria in particular, on a daily basis openly utter speeches that were never given a second thought. Sometimes, the controversial ones deliberately do so just for the intent of awakening the temper of the opposition or those who have been known as critics to the government in which they pilot.

       

In a similar development, a few weeks ago while telling the press why all forms of drug abuse must be eradicated in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha in his usual outspoken prowess disclosed that “it is better to steal than to smoke marijuana”. Such an utterance resulted to tremendous mixed feelings among the teeming populace in the state and the Diaspora. In most quarters, it was opined that the governor had derailed for coming up with such uncalled analysis.

         

From my realistic point of view, the governor was apparently trying to lay emphasis on how grievous it was for anyone to indulge himself in drug abuse, thus thought it wise to communicate to his subjects that such an act was more dangerous and harmful than robbery since it could lead to all sorts of social-ills including stealing.

         

However, it is ideal for the Imo number one citizen to acknowledge that as much as my likes understood where he was coming from as regards the said public speech, thousands of other Imolites may not fathom what really informed it. Inter alia, the opposition and other disgruntled elements might want to capitalize on that to cause further distractions; hence, the need for proper cross-examination of words before they are tendered in the public sphere.

         

Of late, such ‘culpable’ utterances have seemingly become peculiar to the sitting Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Ayodele Fayose. In most cases, you would observe him lambasting the Nigeria’s President as if they are both enemies. Sometimes, one may be forced to believe that Gov. Fayose’s invariable controversial attitude is owing to personal hatred.

         

I’ve come to comprehend that most of these leaders are surrounded by countless aides and allies, yet they would never bother to seek an advice from any of them before going to the press. The “I know it all” syndrome, which is misleading this set of public servants, has caused more harm to the system as a whole than it does to their individual persons. This is the reason we must all stand up in unison to condemn and equally fight the scourge. We mustn’t inure ourselves to such kind of societal menace that deserves to be kept under lock and key for eternity.

       

If our political leaders would subscribe for bureaucracy but in the long run refuse to ask for the services of the bureaucrats, I wonder why we ought to sustain the excesses. Though power arguably intoxicates, our various leaders are invariably bound to note when, how and where to talk as well as when to seek the professional assistance of their employees.

        

The gospel truth is that, such manner of lifestyle always displayed by our various political leaders is in its entirety highly detrimental to the polity, hence must be urgently thrown to the waste bin where it truly belongs. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

 

Opinion I Leadership And The Monster Called Blarney (II)

LEADERSHIP AND THE MONSTER CALLED BLARNEY (II)

       

This endemic wave of sycophancy sweeping across the lengths and breadth of our political space with uncontrollable rage of inferno, prosecuting our god-sent democracy and fuelling several political movements, unarguably needs to be thoroughly considered as well as checkmated by any leader that bears ‘decency and transparency’ as his watchwords. It’s needless to state that, such way of life requires to be holistically thrown to the waste-bin, which is its rightful place, for eternity.  

        

Intriguingly, only but a few had openly condemned this monster that’s gradually, but steadily getting engraved in the psyche of most Nigerians, probably consciously or otherwise, while trading their sense of honour, candour and integrity on the platform of actualizing egotist gains.

        

We must note that, on the average, it’s sycophancy that breeds despotism in any democracy; this is why any leader who truly thinks good of the society or country he leads mustn’t in any way pamper its practice that’s flourishing unabatedly not just in Nigeria but across the globe.

       

The most worrisome, and perhaps amusing aspect of it is a situation where you would notice that those who never wanted Mohammadu Buhari to become the President of Nigeria are currently the prime ‘supporters’ of the present administration. How would you reconcile this? Of course, since their man had been defeated, they decided to take a U-turn to the other side of the road just to quench their selfish urge. Unequivocally, President Buhari needs to distance himself from this set of people who actually mean no good for his administration.

       

Similarly, on the part of the electorate; if we’re sincerely yearning for a positive change, then we must, individually or collectively, say no to all these partisan activities occurring daily across the federation. The youth that are widely reckoned to be the ‘leaders of tomorrow’ must steer clear from presentation of unmerited eulogy to any leader, so that, power would become theirs somebody as they earnestly anticipate; or like Esau, they ought to go ahead and sell their birthright just for a bowl of meats. If they don’t desist from such unwholesome attitude, the proposed town-hall meeting, if eventually observed by the Presidency, would as well be marred by sycophancy.

       

Another devastating phenomenon, which triggers the senses of anyone who understands the societal implications, is that most Nigerians have resorted to adopting it as a norm or their occupation having inured themselves to it, thereby relegating morality, modesty and integrity to the background. And pitiably, they have no iota of plan in the nearest future to abjure it, or even lose a bit of interest.

       

Against this backdrop, the President Mohammadu Buhari–led administration that’s anchored on a change mantra is expected to do everything within its reach towards ensuring that sycophants are not just shown the way out, but thoroughly prosecuted considering the fact that they are deadlier than highway robbers. Thus, as the said administration is strongly determined to wipe out corruption in the country in its entirety, sycophancy ought to be treated as one of its priorities.

        

It ought to be treated as a crime because it is highly criminal both before God and mankind. It doesn’t in any way deserve to be harboured within our various institutions cum communities. The damage it has caused thus far, if well estimated, is far more than the damage attributed to other vices to include corruption, graft particularly, kidnapping, robbery and what have you.

        

Sycophants not just in Nigeria, but the global community as a whole, have taken more than they could chew, hence shouldn’t be spared by any one or authority that truly intends to live up to the people’s expectations. We can’t fold our hands and watch a certain set of deceitful individuals hijack our common patrimony. It is our duty to safeguard our treasury for the good of all.   

        

This significantly implies that, there’s a compelling need to enact a strict law that would  adequately address the anomaly, which is observed in every such field of human endeavour as, but not limited to, trading, education, health, politics, governance, business, journalism, and what have you. Suffice it to say that, the cankerworm is found in our everyday social, economic, as well as political lives. Inter alia, our respective families aren’t exempted from the lingering can of worms.

        

Indeed, blarney, which remains a deceptive and fake gesture in any setting, is wicked, inhumane and deadly; hence, needs to be considered as such. Like cancer, it has conspicuously eaten up the soul and conscience of this country. While ending the lifespan of this dreaded monster, no one should be seen as being above the law or above mankind.

         

It has taken us aback, hence the need to truncate its unannounced and unlicensed existence. And, to actualize this, we must be truthful to ourselves at all cost. Think about it! 

 

Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador            

 

 

Opinion I Okorocha, Imo Pensioners and The Prolonged Wait

OKOROCHA, IMO PENSIONERS AND THE PROLONGED WAIT

        

The last time I checked, the teeming Imo pensioners who were looking hungry and weary were earnestly looking up to the governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha to do the needful. This set of individuals otherwise known as ‘senior citizens’ could not at the moment fathom what actually their fate entails.

        

During the last festive season, they were asked by the government to tender their particulars to enable the latter verify their eligibility. It’s noteworthy that the said verification had before the period in review taken place for the umpteenth time. Even at that, the hungry-seeming retirees never hesitated to do as requested, perhaps towards averting any iota of room to deny them of their individual rights.

       

Within the same era, the governor announced to the pensioners during their courtesy call on him at his country home, Ogboko that three months of their pension arrears had already been endorsed by his person, hence informed that the approved payment would soonest be received by them. They were consoled by his seeming fatherly words since they say a “hopeful hunger does not kill the bearer”.

         

Just two weeks ago, they were reassured by the government that the approved three months arrears would be outrightly paid to them as soon as the “ongoing verification” was over. The notice implied that the verification that commenced in December, 2017 was yet to be concluded as at February 2018, two months after.

       

What else did one expects from the retirees on hearing suchlike assurance than to remain calm, speechless and hopeful? It is obvious that only their optimism has hitherto remained their prime succour ever since the bitter odyssey began. If they have despaired at any time all these while, I’m afraid, the unspeakable would have occurred in their respective lives.

       

This is happening after they were promised in strong terms that their pensions would be paid regularly in full, starting from January 2017. Funnily enough, throughout last year, only three months were paid to these senior citizens who have sacrificed enormously for the Rescue Mission Government. Yet, they remain faithful to the government, probably owing to the perceived notion that only the number one citizen could determine their fate.

         

Acknowledging that those who meritoriously retired from service over five years ago till date are yet to receive their gratuities is enough reason to extend fathomless pity or sympathy to the people in question. It is apparent that they are not anymore bothered about their gratuity; rather, are only concerned over their monthly pension. It suffices to assert that they have inadvertently started seeing any of the above as privileges, and not rights; perhaps as a result of lack of immunity to fight for the latter.

        

Notwithstanding, this piece is coming from a different angle. It is informed by the compelling need to notify the governor that if adequate and drastic measure isn’t taken, these retirees might be dropping dead considering how hungry and devastated they appear at the moment. The piece is occasioned by the need to inform the number one citizen that these pensioners have been placed in an unnecessary prolonged wait, hence the need to expedite action with a view to averting doom.

        

Most times, some of these pensioners come to, or call, me to enquire the way forward or what the Rescue Mission has for them, believing I’m part and parcel of the government. Each time they did, I kept telling them that the government meant well for them, thus urging them to exercise more patience. I have been doing so only for the sole purpose of maintain peace and tranquility in the polity. But it seems they have started misunderstanding my stance or where I’m coming from; needless to say that they now see me as one who is against their welfare, or doesn’t care about their plights.

        

I want to use this medium to disabuse them of that notion. The least I would do or ever think of is to claim ignorance of their predicament. For crying out loud; their problem is glaring that only the blind could be pardoned if he claims ignorance of it. I have for the umpteenth time mediated between them and the government; such gesture of mine is enough indication that I sincerely care so much about their welfare. But as much as I truly feel their pains, as a stakeholder in Imo, I equally want peace to reign in the state.

       

I’ve in most cases made effort not to be emotional whenever I’m writing or speaking about the retirees’ lingering plight. This is the reason I’m immensely appealing to the concerned authorities not to push my humble pen or tongue to the wall; because if they do, the foreseen consequence won’t augur well for the entire Eastern Heartland, I in particular.

         

In view of the above, I enjoin Gov. Okorocha to please cuddle these pensioners toward giving them a sense of belonging. We ought not to allow them to feel abandoned or neglected irrespective of the circumstance. They should at all times be told, in practical terms, that they are truly senior citizens. Their patience has proven beyond doubts how much they love the government in spite of all odds, hence the need to sincerely cherish and adore them. 

        

The ongoing scenario becomes so confusing when realized that the Rescue Mission Administration was seemingly so keen to make the pensioners its beloved friends the moment it came on board in 2011. It would be recalled that the government outrightly cleared arrears of pensions accruable to the retirees within the said year.

       

But, thereafter till date, the reverse has been the case. How can we reconcile this? Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador