Opinion I As Imolites Await The Imo LG Polls

AS IMOLITES AWAIT THE IMO LG POLLS

         

The last time I checked, Imolites in their entirety were earnestly awaiting the conduct of local government elections in the state, expected to be carried out by the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC).

        

It isn’t anymore news that few months ago the governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha disclosed that the said election would unfailingly be conducted in June 2018, a decision reportedly informed by the unanimous resolution reached by the State Executive Council (SEC).

       

The Nigeria’s political system is being perceived as one that does not reverence the constitution. This is the reason a state like Imo could stay for over eleven consecutive years without boasting of substantive local government chairmen.

         

It is the reason a budget would be approved by the legislature for a certain fiscal year and throughout the affected year, over sixty per cent (60%) of the budget would not be implemented; it is why a vice-chancellor of a given university would exhaust his/her five-year tenure or thereabouts without executing at least a tangible project on the campus, yet he/she wouldn’t be probed by the concerned government.

        

Though Imolites have been promised that the conduct of the polls is actualizable come June this year, they are still sceptical over the pledge. The scepticism was occasioned by the obvious fact that that wasn’t the first time such promise would be made publicly, yet absolutely nothing was done afterwards. Sure, Imolites likewise citizens of other states passing through similar fate, have endured enough that they deserve an award. But, would they continue to persevere?

       

The way and manner most state governors handle LG matters have made me to see the awaited Imo LG polls as a mirage. It sounds non-realistic to my person, and of course to any other concerned fellow, because such an issue has never been taken seriously since the reign of the immediate past governor – Chief Ikedi Ohakim – till date, let alone this recessionary era. Hence, awaiting June 2018 towards witnessing the elections, is unequivocally not unlike building castle in the air.

       

However, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that all hope is not lost, thus needless to despair. Conduct of the polls come next two months as planned wouldn’t be far-fetched provided we are committed. It is just a matter of being transparent as well as standing by nothing but the truth. The electorate need to comprehend the real state of things, and they can’t if the picture is not presented to them in an elaborate form. Let’s give them that sense of belonging, so they can even help the government to do the thinking.

        

I might be sounding abstract but the truth is; we need to hold the bull by the horn. Beating about the bush would cause more harm than the anticipated good. All the aggrieved parties ought to be brought to a roundtable, so we can address this once and for all. We can’t continue to put the blame on a certain individual or group while the state continues to suffer. We shouldn’t continue deceiving ourselves and allow Imo wallow in pains. It is high time the lingering deceit stopped for the sake of the state at large.

        

The above instruction became consequential because if truly the LG polls would be held by the aforementioned period, or anytime within the second quarter of 2018, by now, primary elections ought to have been conducted by the various political parties involved; series of electioneering campaigns should be in the air; electoral debates ought to be the order of the day at the moment. I stand to be corrected if I have goofed.

        

Funnily enough, new Transition Committee (TC) chairmen were recently installed by the governor, and probably a different set would still be constituted in the nearest future. Or maybe, the new chairmen are the ones to conduct the awaited elections. Whatever the case might be, time is conspicuously no longer on our side.

        

Let’s not indulge in a practice that would make the governed overlook the government. The government is meant to be taken seriously by the people but in a situation whereby the former continually displays nonchalant attitudes, I’m afraid, the latter would be forced to start taking it (the former) for granted. Governance requires a two-way participation where the leaders and the followers are expected to engage in serious cooperation; but if any side is being sidelined, it becomes a problem to the society in general.

       

Come to think of it; are Imolites really prepared to witness the polls in question? Everyone appeared so docile and less-concerned. Is it an indication that they have forgotten about it, or have lost hope in the government? It would interest, perhaps shock you to note that only few states across the federation have conducted their LG elections, but if you visit any of the states that are yet to conduct theirs, the electorate seem relaxed and lackadaisical. This should be one of the prime reasons the concerned governments don’t take the issue seriously. It pisses my psyche profoundly each time I realize that I belong to one of the affected states.

        

Nevertheless, I’m using this medium to humbly appeal to the amiable governor of the Eastern Heartland to please, understand that the conduct of these polls is long overdue. The prolonged suspense is indeed deeply telling on me alongside Imolites of like minds. I wouldn’t like to continue sounding personal in regard to this anomaly, as it is making me appear so sensitive.

        

The ISIEC on its part is equally expected to do the needful towards ensuring that the polls in question become nothing but success. But I wonder why by now no pronouncement has been made by the said authority regarding the awaited elections. Or, is there anything they are not telling us? Think about it! 

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

 

 

     

ShortStory I Smart Genius (II)

SMART GENIUS (II)

         After Seun had been successfully interviewed, he waited behind all through the day till the team was done for the day so he could have a one-on-one conversation with Adamu.

         Though Adamu couldn’t graduate with him alongside his set but he (Seun) never had any intuition that he came into the company in disguise; rather, he was of the thought that he might had attended another higher institution after he left the University of Ibadan (U.I).

         He was preoccupied with the notion that if he familiarized himself with Adamu, it would serve as an aid towards his job hunt. Since he completed his National Youth Service programme in 1991, he had been managing with one of the small scale firms in the neighbourhood until he got an invitation on February 17, 1995 to come for an interview with Capricon Nigeria Limited where he had earlier applied for an employment.

        “Good day, sir!” Seun greeted the moment Mr. Adamu Danjuma eventually walked out of the complex room in the company of his co-interviewers.

          It was about some minutes past five in the afternoon. At the time, all the job seekers had already left the arena. Seun had been seated at the entrance to the room amidst some of the company’s staff; he had explained to them his motive.

          Prior to his greeting, he hurriedly stood up and stepped toward Adamu as soon as they walked out from the room.

         “Good day young man.” responded Adamu as his colleagues departed for their respective offices. “Were you not one of the applicants?”

         “Yes I am, sir.” replied Seun who was putting on corporate attire.

           Both of them were standing opposite to each other.

         “So, how may I help you?” Adamu enquired. “Mister Olatunji, right?” He recollected in a jiffy.

           He was able to remember Seun’s name because he performed marvelously when he was interviewed.

          “Yes sir, you are right.” quoth Seun. “Olatunji Seun.” He added.

         “I am all ears.” Adamu reminded, anxiously waiting for the response to his first question – ‘how may I help you?’

        “Please sir,” said Seun. “Don’t be offended, did you pass through UI?”

         It was unarguably a shocking question to Adamu. He couldn’t believe his ears.

        “UI…?” He asked under false pretence.

        “Yes, University of Ibadan.” responded Seun. “Public Administration  department to be precise.” He added, looking at his eyes submissively.

        “No.” he answered. “Are you mistaking me for someone else?”

        “Yes,” Seun replied. “Your face looks very familiar.”

        “I am sorry,” quoth Adamu. “I am not the one.” He added, quickly walked towards his office leaving Seun behind.

         Seun couldn’t believe it; it was not unlike a dream to him, though he never sensed any foul play. Consequently, he left the company’s premises within a couple of minutes disappointedly.

         As a result of the above scenario, Adamu being the leader of the assessment team ensured that Seun wasn’t employed by the company in order to avoid any future havoc. He foresaw that bringing Seun into the company would be at the detriment of his person.

         Adamu who was in his early forties and was happily married with three kids wouldn’t want any iota of saga to befall him especially at that point he had succeeded in proving his unalloyed competence and integrity to the company; hence, he saw Seun as a serpent.

        After the incident, Seun employed every tactics towards ascertaining the full detail about Adamu. In consequence to the quest, the former who hardly knew the latter’s name succeeded in coming up with his full name, position in the company as well as when he was employed.

         In the long run, Seun insinuated that Adamu must had forged his certificate for him to had gotten to the rank of Human Resources Manager (HRM). And, considering the time frame, there was no how he could have risen to that enviable height if he was not employed as a graduate or with a degree/HND certificate or any equivalent certificate.

         Two months on, the company’s Management received the unthinkable report on Mr. Adamu Danjuma via Seun who had patiently waited to receive his employment letter from the firm in regard to his remarkable performance during the interview to no avail.

         Two weeks after the report was received and it was confirmed that Adamu came into the company with the aid of a criminal mechanism having conducted all the needed investigations, the company’s Board of Directors (BOD) set up a 7-man panel to query Adamu.

     * * * * *

        “Mister Danjuma,” The leader of the panel called unfriendly after all the consequential introductions were made having read out the sole agendum for the gathering. “Give us one reason you shouldn’t be fired.”

         They were seated in a round table in the company’s conference room.

          It appeared such striking statement – ‘give one reason you shouldn’t be fired’ – was one of the standard and acceptable ways of querying any of the firm’s staff found wanting. That was exactly the language same Adamu used for Ken prior to his (Ken’s) dismissal.

          Adamu who was taken unawares hastily stood up confidently as if he anticipated the meeting as well as the question. “Greetings to you all” he said. “I shouldn’t be fired because…” the dark, plump and about 5.5-foot tall young man who was clad in ash suit and ash plain trousers proceeded in a meek but confident manner.

         All eyes were at this time on him. Every member of the panel was strongly looking up to his fierce-looking eye sockets.

         “One, I forged the certificate out of frustration and because I was financially handicapped, and not because I was a criminal.” he asserted, paused. “Two, I forged what I could defend…” He enthused frankly, looked around.

          They were all seated firmly at this point as the ‘culpable’ employee defended himself in strong terms.

         “Three, as I speak to you now,” he continued, took a breath. “I speak as a Masters’ degree holder in Public Administration…” He boasted eventually.

          Everyone was marvelled on hearing the revelation. They felt like clapping for him. Each of them wondered what kind of man he could be.

         It’s noteworthy that Mr. Adamu had enrolled for a part-time degree programme in a nearby university the moment he secured the employment. And he proceeded for his Masters’ Degree programme as soon as he obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc).

         “And finally,” he rode on. “Because I have given Capricon Nigeria Limited far more than what it expected from my person.” He concluded succinctly, though tentatively.

        “You may have your seat.” The panel chairman urged.

        “Thank you, sir.” Adamu replied, sat down.

          After all said and done within an hour’s time, the meeting rose without any tangible conclusion or decision taken against the seeming-guilty staff.

          Subsequently, Mr. Adamu Danjuma  was filled with mixed feelings accompanied with premonitory anxiety, not knowing what would become his fate soonest.

         One week later, rather than laying him off from the company or demoting him, surprisingly the smart genius was promoted to the rank of the General Manager (GM) of Capricon Limited owing to his academic accomplishments as revealed by him coupled with his outstanding qualities.

         The rest is history, please.

 

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

 

Opinion I 2019 Guber: If I Were Rochas Okorocha

2019 GUBER: IF I WERE ROCHAS OKOROCHA

      

The last time I checked, the 2019 general elections were fast approaching. In view of this fact, every political platform is seriously preparing or putting its house in order towards winning the attention of the electorate, and the ruling party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – isn’t exceptional.

       

It’s noteworthy that both at the federal and state levels, the APC is obviously in charge. And, considering that power is insatiable, the greatest pleasure of the said party come 2019 would be to remain at the helm of affairs. This is invariably the desire of every sane and rational individual or entity.

        

The subject matter is solely interested in the ‘2019 guber’; that is, the gubernatorial aspect – Imo precisely – of the awaited political race. And we are not unaware that presently, likewise in the past, several highly placed Imolites have directly or indirectly indicated interest in the race. The truth is that, every bona-fide Imolite is legible to aspire for the governorship position.

        

It’s equally worthy to note that an aspirant is completely different from a contestant. The former has to do with anyone within a certain political party that is nurturing interest to vie for any post; whilst, the latter is that person, among other aspirants, who has been eventually chosen by members of a particular party to represent them. A contestant is also known as the party’s flag bearer.

       

This piece is actually informed by the compelling need to discuss the APC in Imo State as regards the forthcoming 2019 guber. In the APC as a political family, currently, various stalwarts of the platform have disclosed their desire to vie for the number one seat in the state under the party’s auspices.

       

I have painstakingly earlier mentioned the names of the aspirants in question. However, their names remain: Prince Eze madumere, Chief Uche Nwosu, Sir Jude Ejiogu and Senator Ifenayi Araraume. In all ramifications, each of them is well qualified to acquire the party’s ticket or better still, emerge the state’s governor come 2019.

       

But the problem with the party at the moment is the obvious one-sidedness of its apex leader, Governor Rochas Okorocha. It’s not anymore news that the governor had publicly indicated interest to throw his weight behind one of the aspirants, Chief Nwosu. This open gesture of his person had tremendously raised dust and mixed feelings among onlookers and the party’s faithful in various quarters.

       

It would be recalled that Gov. Okorocha, upon his assumption of office in 2011 as the Imo number one citizen, disclosed his administration’s determination to end the lingered era of godfatherism in the state’s political terrain. In addition, he vowed that over his dead body would such syndrome resurface in Imo. The avowal of the governor implied that he detested godfatherism with passion.

       

Nevertheless, considering the present move by the governor, political spectators cum analysts are tempted to brand him a ‘chameleon’. In other words, they have found it difficult to believe that he could keep his words. Surely, the recent u-turn made by the Okpoko-born politician is enough reason for Imolites to become jittery or perturbed.

        

It might amaze you to note that the foreseen fate of the APC in the nearest future necessitated this critique. As a political analyst and rights activist, I have thought it wise to present what the true picture of the APC would look like soonest as well as to inform the need for every bona-fide member of the party to be treated as equal.

         

Believe it or not, no sane leader would like an association in which he leads to go into extinction or become moribund, and Gov. Okorocha is not an exception. Against this backdrop, it is highly consequential for the governor to do the needful towards averting any unfortunate fate that may befall the party’s structure. And, his Excellency mustn’t delay in doing this, because time is apparently no longer his friend.

         

The governor is required at this moment to handle the APC as a father. A true father is expected to treat all his children equally regardless of the circumstance. Even the prodigal son, as we were told by the Holy Bible, was eventually welcomed back home by his biological father having erred, and was fully reintegrated into the family. My candid advice to the father in question is that, he must be fair to all concerned for the family’s sake. Even if you love a certain son more than the other children, don’t make it open because it could spell doom for the family.

        

So, as an apex leader in the state, for the sake of the APC’s future, I urge Gov. Okorocha not to undermine the prowess of any member of the party. That individual who we think does not possess any political structure might be the major reason the party would reclaim power come 2019 as being eagerly anticipated by its overall members. When a group of persons are in a circle, they must acknowledge that everyone is important, though no one is indispensable.

       

At this juncture, if I were Rochas Okorocha, I will cuddle every dick and harry in the Imo APC with a view to giving each of them a sense of belonging. I must ensure that an all-inclusive administration is carried out henceforth toward gaining victory at the polls, which is the prime goal of every true affiliate of the party. No divided house has ever achieved anything tangible in the history of the human race. And, this is where my worry lies.

        

It troubles me because whatever affects any political party won’t augur well for the awaited general elections. We need all parties to remain healthy, to enable them compete vehemently and favourably for the good of the Eastern Heartland. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador