Opinion I Okorocha, Madumere, Nwosu And Their Ongoing Political Antics

OKOROCHA, MADUMERE, NWOSU AND THEIR ONGOING POLITICAL ANTICS

         
The last time I checked, the heat was conspicuously on in the Imo Political setting that even the deaf coupled with the blind could respectively hear and see it. This is currently the case in the state even though the campaign era is yet to be declared open by the electoral umpire.

         
I was duly taught in the past by one of my mentors that politics as a profession was survival of the fittest. According to the patriotic Nigerian, only those who had proven to be strong enough could compete fervently and favourably in any political tussle. I have fully come to realize where the fellow was actually coming from, thus seen tangible reason to concur with his theory.

         
Such an assertion could be aligned with the popular saying “politics is a dirty game”. Of course, for one to belong to the clique of the fittest, he must in one way or the other indulge himself in a seemingly nasty game that might deprive him/her the chances of earning a good name. Such a scenario isn’t fat-fetched in any political terrain across the globe.

          
Lest I digress; it’s noteworthy that this piece is solely informed by the ongoing trending in the Imo State political sphere as it concerns the state’s number one citizen, his amiable deputy as well as the leader’s Chief of Staff in the persons of Governor Rochas Okorocha, Prince Eze Madumere and Chief Uche Nwosu, respectively.

          
It’s not anymore news that the governor had publicly indicated his interest to support Chief Nwosu over his apparent ambition to run for the governorship position in the state come 2019. This implies that the latter whose aspiration is officially yet unborn, had ostensibly proven to the former that he possess all it takes to succeed him during the awaited interregnum.

         
In view of the above, some Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state under the auspices of the purported leadership of the affected councils had boldly and proudly taken a walk to the Imo Government House otherwise known as the ‘Douglas House’ with a view to informing the sitting governor that they had unanimously endorsed the said aspirant.

        
In the aforementioned outings, the Ogboko born leader appreciated the guests, and therein concurred with them that Chief Nwosu truly had all it required to move the state forward when he eventually bows out of the leadership saddle. He further opined that the aide in question had proven beyond doubts that he had no rival at the election ground.

       

It is worthy of note that Prince Madumere is equally apparently aspiring to succeed Gov. Okorocha. But, as it stands, it seems the governor is not in support of his second-in-command who had hitherto proven to be a true loyalist since the commencement of the Rescue Mission Administration. This difference between the duo has thus far succeeded in raising tremendous dust cum mixed feelings amid the overall faithful of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Eastern Heartland, thereby seemingly creating factions among them.

       

Just recently, a certain group gathered the members of the APC in Mbaitolu LGA, the area where the Deputy Governor hails from without disclosing the actual agendum that necessitated the call. When they were in the hall situated at the council headquarters Nwaorubi, which was the venue of the abrupt meeting, a notice filtered in that the aim of the gathering was mainly to endorse Chief Nwosu as the gubernatorial aspirant of the revered party, contrary to their perception that they were gathered to discuss some critical issues concerning the party. Against this backdrop, severe pandemonium reportedly ensued among the attendees.

         

As if that wasn’t enough, penultimate week, some groups from Ohaji/Egbema and Oru-West LGAs called on the governor at the Douglas House, stating that they had thrown their weight behind Chief Nwosu to vie for the number one seat in the state come 2019. In his response, the Ogboko born renowned politician having commended the august visit, disclosed to the guests that he would be vying for the Imo West Senatorial District seat in the Senate during the forthcoming general elections. In the same vein, he went further to inform that he would as well conscientize his deputy to consider running for that of Imo East Senatorial district.

        

By the governor’s avowal, it’s obvious that he is seeing Prince Madumere as a threat to Chief Nwosu’s ambition. In other words, he had made it clear that he wasn’t in support of the governorship aspiration of the Mbieri-born politician. This no doubt calls for serious concern when critically examined how the number-two citizen has ab initio remained explicitly loyal and reliable to the boss.

        

On his part, Prince Madumere who is ostensibly aggrieved over the unfortunate trending has reportedly insisted that he isn’t deterred by the governor’s persistent melodramas. This has made the game appear more nasty but comic in the sight of the teeming viewers of the scene. Sure, Prince Madumere’s determination to passionately continue with his ambition is enough indication that he has decided to be an independent thinker rather than allowing his principal think for him, which his countless fans and allies had apparently longed to witness.

        

At this juncture, considering the antics that have thus far been displayed, one would then wonder what the fate of the APC entails in the nearest future. The party’s loyalists may at this point be perturbed with the notion that the ongoing intrigues are likely to break the existing unity of the platform. Hence, it is pertinent for anyone who cherishes the governor as well as the party to advise the former the compelling need to embrace the drawing board towards averting any scene that would mar the integrity of the latter.

        

In my capacity as a stakeholder in Imo, I want to candidly enjoin the governor to pilot the affairs of the APC as a leader and father, and not like a mere floor member for his good, that of his teeming followers and the state at large. He is indisputably in charge of the ruling party in the state, thus expected by all to handle the family’s issues as such.  

        

Gov. Okorocha ought to note that if God has destined Prince Madumere to succeed him, there’s absolutely nothing anyone could do about it, hence the urgent need for the former not to treat the latter’s aspiration or feelings as that of nobody. Think about it!  

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador              

   

 

               

Opinion I Tambuwal And His Poultry Adviser

TAMBUWAL AND HIS POULTRY ADVISER

         

I could recall vividly with passion that during my secondary school days in Lagos State, I and my fellow classmates were asked by our Agricultural Science teacher to individually write an essay between livestock farming and crop farming. I’m filled with nostalgia as I remember that fateful day.

         

In my analysis, as a teenager, I chose to pay greater attention to the former since it had to do with animals. At the time, I enjoyed discussing the animal kingdom because of a particular animal documentary I was invariably viewing on a certain television channel. So, I was of the view that livestock farming, particularly poultry which my family then had at our backyard, could be successfully practised with ease by any person or group. And I grew up with that perception.

         

But penultimate week, precisely on Monday 26^th February 2018, my candid opinion was proven wrong by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State who on the said date appointed an Adviser on “Poultry Development” in the person of Dr. Rabiu Alkali among four other appointees.

         

For coming up with such an appointment, the former lawmaker may have considered poultry as one of the key sectors that require adequate attention by his administration. He had apparently thought it wise to see that aspect of livestock farming as special, hence the need to treat it as such. He had perhaps considered the compelling need for Nigeria as a people to desist from the unending importation of frozen foods; an act that has thus far bedeviled our health and remained unwholesome to the country’s economy at large.

         

Nevertheless, inasmuch as the content of the portfolio is so glaring or self-explanatory, one might want to know what the actual role of the appointee entails. A concerned citizen may wish to enquire if the new intake is expected to advise the governor on how poultry ought to be reared by the government, or the areas that would be conducive for the creatures in question or would be suitable for the proposed practice.

         

Personally, I’m interested in ascertaining if the state’s government under the watch of Gov. Tambuwal is keen to invest on poultry. If ‘Yes’ becomes the answer to this sincere enquiry, then I would equally wish to know the reason the governor had chosen to pay attention to only the aforementioned area. But if the response is ‘No’, I would then wonder if Dr. Alkali’s consignment is to advise the governor on how to tax the poultry keepers domiciled in the state.

       

If the reality must be squarely faced, as the name of the portfolio implies, it is obvious that the Sokoto number one citizen is willing to enhance poultry farming, or key into it via the use of the modern methodology. If this is his true intention, it is a good step that deserves encouragement from any patriotic citizen in not just Sokoto but the entire Nigeria that acknowledges the essence for the governments at all levels to invest meaningfully in agriculture.

       

However, in my usual inquisitive nature, I’m still interested in comprehending why a given administration would choose to concentrate only on ‘poultry development’ as if other aspects of agriculture do not matter in the Nigeria’s present quest to resuscitate her economy.

       

On the other hand, it could be that the governor already has an adviser on agriculture but still went ahead to appoint someone else strictly for poultry. I’ve come to acknowledge that our political leaders enjoy the term ‘bureaucracy’ just as I mentioned in my previous piece on this platform. It’s pathetic and mind-boggling to note that bureaucratic system of government, which has hitherto remained a blood-sucking canker, is still pampered as well as celebrated by our various public servants.

        

It becomes more annoying when realized that in the long run, the supposed services of these bureaucrats are never sought by their employers thereby making mockery of the reason they were engaged. It’s noteworthy that in some quarters, most of these political recognitions are merely to place the appointees’ name on the payroll towards appreciating them for whatever role they played during the electioneering era that begot the administration, and not necessarily to involve him or her in any official consignment.

         

The above assertion is the reason our various political leaders would continue to manufacture all sorts of portfolio in the name of appointment. Just recently, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha in his known creative ingenuity, appointed a Commissioner for Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment among his cabinet members.

        

By creation of such a ministry, one wouldn’t cease to wonder what kind of happiness would be gotten from it by the teeming Imolites. If all the already existing ministries concentrate on doing the needful, what do we need a happiness ministry for? It’s more appalling that this is happening at a time the various governors are enjoined to endeavour to cut excesses in the course of running their respective governments.

        

Though Gov. Tambuwal – who inaugurated N1.56bn Fadama III Agric Scheme in Sokoto penultimate year – may have meant well for his subjects by appointing an adviser on poultry, it’s imperative for his Excellency to understand that the state might on the contrary be doomed if priorities are misplaced. Hence, I candidly urge him to ensure that by that appointment poultry rearing is duly developed so that in no distant time, people from all walks of life would be trouping in the state for the purpose of acquiring thorough coaching and mentoring from Dr. Alkali.

        

So, as I strongly join the good people of Sokoto to welcome the new poultry adviser, it would be ideal and wise to remind the appointee that we expect wonders to begin to happen soonest in the aspect of domestic birds rearing. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

 Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

         

          

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