ShortStory I Derailed Homosapien

DERAILED HOMOSAPIEN

        “Good morning students,” Mr. Adesokan tendered after the unanimous warmth greeting received from the overall students as the tradition demanded. “How was your weekend?” He added in a jiffy.

        “Fine sir,” The students chorused. “Thank you.” They added, stood still.

        “Please have your seats.” He urged while standing.

         The students who were dressed in sky-blue checks immediately assumed their respective seats simultaneously, anxiously waited for a formal introduction from the strange being.

         It was on Monday morning at about some minutes past nine O’clock after the students’ usual morning assembly. It marked the beginning of the sixth week of the second term’s segment.

         Mr. Adesokan was a new teacher in the institution, Comprehensive Secondary School, Ojagidi, Ogun State. He assumed duty on that very day. He had just replaced Mr. Tunde whom was transferred two weeks back to one of the neighbouring public schools in the state; Mr. Tunde was one of the school’s Mathematics teachers in charge of the senior session but his duty posts were particularly S.S.S-1 and S.S.S-2 classes.

       “Hope this is SS1?” Mr. Adesokan verified.

       “Yes sir!” The learners chorused on the top of their voices.

       “Alright,” he said. “What arm is this?”

       “SS1A.” They responded.

         It’s noteworthy that each of the senior classes was made up of four different arms ranging from A to D.

       “Good.” he uttered, paused. “Do you know why I’m here?”

       “No sir!” The class of about forty students exclaimed, became jittery and curious.

        Apparently, the suspense was telling on them, hence they couldn’t wait for additional time.

       “Okay,” he said. “I am Mister Ola Adesokan.”

          The entire students became more impatient, could not wait to hear the next word, phrase or clause that would be dished out by the yet unknown dude who seemed to be in his early forties.

        Mr. Adesokan who was slim, dark and average in height was clad in tactically ironed black trousers and grey plain shirt coupled with a pair of black sandals. The shirt was neatly tucked into the trousers.

      “Henceforth,” he continued. “I will be taking you on Mathematics.”

        This time, the students in their entirety became relieved. They had been longing to see who would replace Mr. Tunde. The former Mathematics tutor was indeed a good and refined teacher who had all it required to make even a dummy understand the said subject to the fullness. His abrupt transfer from the school raised a tremendous pandemonium among the affected students.

        And, looking at Mr. Adesokan, going by his dress as well as countenance, the class seemed convinced that Mr. Tunde’s replica had eventually come to replace him. It became absolutely tranquil while excitedly waited to hear more impressive words from a man who appeared not unlike a god-sent.

        After all the needed instructions accompanied with consequential enquiries, Mr. Adesokan hurriedly introduced the topic for the day, which was overwhelmingly welcomed by the students.

        Something abnormal transpired in the process; while Mr. Adesokan was enthusiastically teaching the class, he was distracted by a female student who was lousily seated on her desk. The girl in question who was ignorant of the scene she had created felt relaxed and was attentively and passionately listening to the lesson, unknowingly to her that she was making her corrupt-minded tutor lose his concentration.

         Having managed to exhaust his period that lasted for about eighty minutes amidst the inevitable temptation, Mr. Adesokan signalled to the teen, asking her to come out. The moment she stepped out, he whispered to her to see him in his office during the school break time.

        The poor girl who couldn’t wait to embrace the awaited break time because she was anxious to ascertain or fathom what actually prompted the unexpected invitation, began her journey to Mr. Adesokan’s office at exactly half past eleven O’clock in the morning (11:30 am) the moment the school bell rang for the break. Her class was about a hundred metre (100m) away from the office. “Good morning sir..s!” She greeted as soon as she walked into the staff room.

         It was a complex room compromising four male teachers including Mr. Adesokan. Interestingly, all of them were Mathematics teachers; two were for the junior section whilst others taught the senior segment. Their respective tables coupled with chairs were separately positioned at the four corners of the room.

       “Good morning, dear.” They responded. “How are you?” one of them tendered.

       “Fine sir.” she replied, walked straight to where her intended host was seated.

       “Good day, sir.” She greeted the moment she got to her destination, stood directly opposite him.

       “Good day, my dear.” Mr. Adesokan responded. “How are you?”

       “Fine sir.”

       “Sit down.” He tenderly urged, pointing his right arm at the seat permanently cited opposite his likewise those of his colleagues.

       “Thank you, sir.” She appreciated, quickly sat on the seat.

       “I called you here to know more about you,” said Mr. Adesokan. “Because when I was teaching your class this morning, you appeared very serious-minded.” He added in false pretence.

       “Thank you, sir.” She joyfully dished out.

       “You are welcome.”

          At this point, she remained calm and relaxed.

       “So, what’s your beautiful name?”

          The pretty-looking teenager smiled at the tone of the question especially the ‘beautiful’ that was inclusive. “Yetunde.” She replied amid the grin.

        The seemingly harmless discussion lasted for several minutes. At the long run, phone numbers were exchanged though she wasn’t with her phone because they were severely warned not to come to school with their cell phones. In view of this, they agreed on how they would be reaching each other.

         Only God knew what the proposed intimacy, which seemed to Yetunde like that of a father and his daughter owing to the tune or mode of the proposal, would lead to.

        At the fifteenth minute on the dot when the discussion ended, she hurriedly left for her classroom filled with fantasy and ecstasy like one who had just won a lottery.

        To be continued, Please. 

 

Fred Doc Nwaozor

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

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

 

 

 

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