Opinion I No Voter's Card, No Salary, Admission Et al

NO VOTER’S CARD, NO SALARY, ADMISSION ET AL

        

The last time I checked, the Imo State government had presented a platform that would ensure that virtually every Imolite – who has attained the adulthood – could boast of his or her Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC)

        

Two weeks ago, the Rescue Mission Government disclosed its intention to stop any worker in the state from collecting his/her monthly salary if they failed to present their PVC. The initiative, which was declared by the state’s governor Chief Rochas Okorocha, equally stated that anyone seeking admission into the state-owned institutions would not be granted the opportunity if he/she is yet to obtain the PVC.

        

It’s noteworthy that the proposed measure was also extended to everyone who intends to have any business transaction with the government. This signifies that any business person nurturing interest to engage him/herself in any business with the government would never be contracted to do so if they can’t show their voter’s card.

       

Hence, no contract, trade or collaboration of any kind, between the government and any corporate body or individual if the latter does not have their PVC. To throw more light; if a corporate organization is involved, each of the persons that constitute its management or leadership would be expected to individually tender their voter’s cards.

      

This is a welcome development, to assert the least. It’s a highly welcome initiative because it is targeted to ensure that no one, particularly adult, exempt him/herself from possessing the ‘almighty’ PVC. The PVC is required to be collected or possessed by every living adult in Nigeria in its entirety, and Imo isn’t an exception. It is seemingly aimed at ensuring that no one runs away from such a constitutional task.

       

This, therefore, implies that it would be very crucial for other states across the country to borrow a leaf from the Imo Government with a view to ensure that each of the citizens domiciled in their respective territories does not exempt him/herself from taking a walk to the closest office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and obtain the PVC.

       

However, it’s worthy of note that overtime the Nigerian society has been bedevilled by the inability to implement a laudable and wholesome policy having made a pronouncement in that regard. Its’ not anymore news that most times when a certain policy is pronounced by the government, not just in Imo but at all levels, in the long run the intended policy or programme would not see the light of the day. This is needless to say that most government’s policies die on arrival.

        

It’s against this backdrop I candidly implore the Imo government to ensure that this measure doesn’t collapse on arrival. It is pertinent for the government to comprehend that the policy in question will surely die as it arrives if apt measures aren’t put in place. The government needs to acknowledge that the said initiative will hold no water in the long run if the needful isn’t done.

       

Hence, I would advise that a committee comprising well-trusted individuals is set-up in earnest to ensure compliance. The proposed committee would operate round-the-clock towards ensuring that no one, no matter how highly placed, violates the policy. And, for the committee to function as expected, every facet of the government’s authority must be willing to grant its members all the needed support. In other words, no iota of compromise should be displayed by anyone in a position of authority.

       

Similarly, it would be lofty to sell such a policy to the state legislators towards conscientizing them to deliberate on it with a view to domesticating it. The policy deserves to be given a fair hearing by the lawmakers, so that, it would be domesticated thereafter. Making the policy emerge as an extant law would ensure that successive governments uphold it without any contemplation.

        

I can’t concur less with the Imo government’s notion that the proposed measure, if duly implemented, would go a long way in ensuring that the fast-approaching 2019 general elections witness a massive turnout. We are not unaware that it is only the aforementioned anticipated response by the electorate that would guarantee an all-inclusive participation. And, we are aware that such manner of involvement by the people will usher in a successful outcome at the end.

       

Notwithstanding, regarding the part of the proposed policy that pertains to securing admission into the state owned tertiary citadels of learning, we need to acknowledge that not everyone is legible to obtain the PVC.

        

The card is constitutionally only meant for people that have attained the adulthood, or the age of eighteen. It’s no longer news that nowadays teenagers are part of those seeking admission in our various higher institutions, hence the need for the policy not to be applicable to all admission applicants.

       

So, inasmuch as the approach in question is a wonderful one and deserves  accolades, there’s equally need for the concerned authority to understand that it’s not required to affect every individual who belongs to the set of people it is meant for such as the workers, businessmen, admission seekers and what have you, as mentioned by the government.

       

However, whatever caution meant to be adhered to as stipulated above, the bone of contention surrounding this piece is that the approach in question is a welcome one that ought to be granted all the supports it requires towards ensuring its absolute success afterwards. Thus there’s a compelling need for the Okorocha-led administration, otherwise known as the Rescue Mission, to expedite move towards putting the policy into action.

        

The INEC, on its part, needs to ensure that the centres meant for the collection of the PVC are brought closer to the electorate rather than the current situation whereby they are required to go to their various Local Government headquarters for the exercise. Such a proposed measure would ensure that the people don’t spend much, financially, in the process.

         

As we all patiently await the 2019 elections, it’s needless to reiterate that the ‘no voter’s card, no salary, admission et al’ mantra ought to serve as one of the veritable tools to ensure undiluted success at the polls. Think about it!  

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers

__________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com
Follow me: @mediambassador              

     

Opinion I As Multitude Get Away With Murder

AS MULTITUDE GET AWAY WITH MURDER

        

The last time I checked, Nigeria was ostensibly synonymous with murder. The ubiquitous bad omen, which is usually occasioned by the activity of the so-called herdsmen, has made virtually every rational Nigerian resort to sleeping with one eye open.

       

The ugly scenario has lingered unabated that many have begun to insinuate that the Nigerian State is now a ‘Banana Republic’. In some quarters, most dwellers are endlessly of the notion that Nigerians as a people are facing a nemesis owing to the perceived mistake made in 2015 during the last electioneering era.

        

It wouldn’t be an overstatement if one opines that we have lost statistics of cases pertaining to massacre or homicide that transpired in recent times. The worst of all remains that no locality across the federation is exempted while discussing those that have suffered from such dastardly acts. Little wonder even a kid could with ease take to the social media just to write all sorts of trash against the President Muhammadu Buhari – led government.

        

The purported farmers, rather than acting as guests while breeding their livestock, end up constituting evitable nuisance in their various host communities. This domineering and nonchalant idiosyncrasy of the armed herders who parade themselves with unspeakable ammunition and weapons has overtime been arguably overlooked by the government and other concerned authorities.

       

Two years ago, precisely on Monday, 25^th April 2016, a certain group of herdsmen unleashed an astonishing and untold terror on the people of Nimbo Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State. The attack resulted in a massacre that could only be imagined. In the crisis, reportedly scores feared dead, countless persons maimed, about a hundred residents injured, several houses cum worship places razed, thereby rendering over two thousand dwellers homeless.

       

Though the above incident may have come and gone, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that the peril it inflicted on the living victims is unarguably an experience they will live to recall. Myself, each time I recollect that a certain community in Enugu in the history of this country woke one morning only to be brutally taken unawares by a group of total strangers who had supposedly been their beneficiaries, I only take solace in the perceived notion that it could be a mere dream. Yet till date, no one has been convicted in regard to the mayhem.

        

Subsequently, as if that wasn’t enough, such an ordeal transcended to other states. Currently, it seems states like Benue, Taraba and Zamfara have abruptly become the headquarters of the cruel herders. At the moment, no day that comes on board, we wouldn’t hear that a certain part of the said provinces – particularly Benue – had been attacked by the ‘herdsmen’. 

       

Penultimate week, on Tuesday, 24^th April 2018, the same set of individuals unleashed terror on the people of Ayar-Mbalom village of Gwer East LGA in Benue State during a requiem service in a Catholic Church identified as St. Ignatius. The incident, which claimed the lives of two priests – Reverend Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha – and seventeen worshippers, commenced at about 5:30am when gunmen who had been lurking in the bushes swooped on the villagers who had sorrowfully gathered to bury their dead.

        

It was gathered that the attackers first started the attack in a neighbouring community in the evening of the previous day being Monday, but were repelled by the locals. They subsequently made effort all through the night in some villages within the surroundings and further met with stiff resistance. The invaders, who were with both machetes and firearms, reportedly numbered about thirty.

        

It was further reported that aside the Catholic Church, the supposed herders burnt down various homes, destroying thousands of food items and properties. Some residents who tried to flee the scene were stopped dead in their tracks by a hail of bullets.   

        

President Buhari had described the incident as vile, evil and satanic. I wish someone could tell Mr. President that it isn’t about issuing a condolence message from the State House but swinging into action without much ado towards averting reprisal, which I have long foreseen.

        

It’s noteworthy that barely twenty-four hours later being Wednesday 25^th April 2018, a different set of attackers, or perhaps the same people, descended on another locality identified as the outskirts of Daudu still at about 5.00am. A cross-section of the villagers confirmed the attack and disclosed that people were killed, though the police couldn’t give the exact picture of what transpired. According to the report, the residents were awoken by gunshots and the cries of agony from victims.

        

It’s indeed mind-boggling to realize that while Nigerians are on a daily basis being eaten up by gunshots from these terrorists, some selfish politicians are busy endorsing Buhari to re-contest for a second term in office. Similarly, the only contribution most Nigerians could make was that they were ready to sack Pres. Buhari come 2019.

        

Isn’t it so disturbing to note that at a time when every sane mind is expected to be sober, we’re rather preoccupied with frivolities all in the name of 2019 elections? Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador            

 

 

  

ShortStory I Standing Alone

STANDING ALONE

        “Sergeant Okoro!” DSP Ahmed furiously called in a very high tone while standing in-between his office executive chair and table the moment the said sergeant hastily stepped into his office.

        “Yes sir!” Sergeant Okoro responded accordingly, facing the boss as the ethics demanded.

          He stood seriously right before the DSP, posing not unlike one of the soldiers that fought the Second World War.

         Both were in their uniforms.

         DSP Rasaq Ahmed who was in his early forties was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of one of the notable police stations situated in one of the South-Western states in Nigeria. He was widely and famously known for his unrelenting vibrant and dogged approach to issues pertaining to security of lives and property from the very day he joined the Police Force. To say the least, he was unarguably a no nonsense police personnel, that, he became the role model of any police officer that intended to discharge his/her duties or serve the country selflessly and efficiently without any iota of fear or favour, as might be the case.

         On that day, precisely 13^th August 2002, he had earlier sent for Sergeant Ekene Okoro within a twinkle of an eye he received a report on one local ‘champion’ in the neighbourhood named Femi who was accused of rape.

         The notorious Femi who hailed from the locality had been terrorizing the residents of the area and its environs, and his dastardly acts coupled with other misdeeds were condoned by the previous DPOs. He was popularly known by his accomplices as ‘Bale’, which literally implied the Monarch of the territory, based on their native language Yoruba.

         DSP Ahmed who was barely one month old in the Division had vowed to deal ruthlessly with anyone in the area of any questionable character having been intimated on the unwarranted anomalies that were on the rampage in the locality. He was actually posted to head the quarters owing to the ordeal.

         “Go and get me the so called Bale.” DSP Ahmed ordered. “Right now.” He supplemented, stood still, looking like one who just lost one of his own.

         “Yes sir!” replied the serious-looking sergeant who was already aware of the ugly incident.

        “Don’t keep me waiting.” He warned.

        “Yes sir!”

          He signalled the sergeant with his left hand as he frowned, urging him to leave immediately.

         The sergeant hurriedly tendered his last salute positioning his masculine chest forward and dashed out of the office like a breastfeeding monkey as requested.

         “Non….sense!” the DPO exclaimed as soon as the sergeant departed, quickly resumed his seat, looking pale and anxious.

          Considering his physiognomy, it was obvious he couldn’t wait to behold the accused person.

          Within three minutes, Sergeant Okoro organized a 5-man team comprising no nonsense and well experienced cops including him, and headed for the consignment with their black patrol vehicle.

       * * * * *

         “We have him, sir!” Sergeant Okoro disclosed in a high tempo the moment he dashed into the DPO’s office, posing as usual.

          This was taking place barely twenty minutes after his departure with the team having successfully apprehended the culprit as instructed by the boss.

          “Good job.” the DPO applauded, nodding his big skull. “Where is he?” He added while standing from his chair.

           He was instantly led by the seeming fearless sergeant to the room where the hooligan was kept in handcuffs.

           Femi who could not be confronted by anyone, not even his King, couldn’t believe he was in the police net.

         “So you are the Bale?” said the DPO in a mean tone within a second he found himself in the room.

          The boss stood directly in front of the suspect who was seated on an Iron back-chair. Among everyone in the room – including the DPO and his men, he was the only one who had a seat. As he felt relaxed in the chair, he calmly looked up to the DPO’s face and remained mute.

          The huge, dark-looking and about 5.5-foot tall Femi, who seemed to be in his mid-forties, was clad in black jeans, blue polo and dark-blue trainers. The stylishly carved beards on his chins and lower jaw were enough to form a forest within his skull. By merely taking a glance at his appearance, you needn’t be told that he was a kingpin.    

          That was the first time the DPO would set his eyes on him. Prior to that moment, the former was only familiar with the latter’s names especially his sobriquet.

          Aside DSP Ahmed, there were other three cops in the room, which was virtually empty. They included Sergeant Okoro and one female officer.

          The DPO, DSP Ahmed who was in his police uniform alongside his junior colleagues signalled the female cop who stood adjacent to him to uncuff Femi.

          She hastily complied with the instruction and returned to her initial position.

          She was standing by the left side of the detainee, Sergeant Okoro stood directly at his (Femi’s) back whilst the other male cop was by his right side. It suffices to say that the hoodlum was surrounded by the four cops present in the room.

         “I learnt you have been terrorizing the whole town?” the DPO proceeded. “And now, you have diverted to rape.”

          Femi remained speechless, looked mean.

        “Are you dumb?” DSP Ahmed shouted.

          Femi stylishly glanced at him. “I promise,” he said. “You will surely regret this.”

        “What …!” the DPO exclaimed in a high voice.

          The other male cop rushed to hit him but he was resisted from doing so by the DPO via a commanding sign.

          The cops including the DPO became preoccupied with extreme rage. They, excluding the boss, kept their pistols handy; the DPO’s was lying on his belted waist.

         “So,” quoth DSP Ahmed. “You are threatening me?”

           The other three cops simultaneously shook their heads in disappointment.

         “Even in my office?” the DPO added, looking bitter.

           To be continued, please.

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers

_____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador