Opinion II When Governors Become Emperors

WHEN GOVERNORS BECOME EMPERORS

         

I had almost gone to bed on the eve of 2016 Christmas when a phone call filtered in from Germany to engage me in an informal chat as usual. The caller, who happened to be my old-time friend, actually called to express his bitterness over what he observed on the television regarding one of the Nigeria’s governors.

        

According to the buddy, he had on that very day watched a governor of one of the states in the Southern Nigeria commissioning a Christmas tree worth over half a billion naira whilst the leader in question was reportedly owing workers and pensioners in the state for several months.

         

I wish Mr. Kunle would someday meet with my dad whom I often refer to as a political philosopher. The old man – a well experienced octogenarian – one day informed me unequivocally that some states across the country were suffering from economic epilepsy, thus needed to undergo holistic lobotomy. His seeming candid view was informed by the way and manner in which some sitting governors invariably act as if they are not accountable to anyone.

        

To assert that currently some governors operate not unlike an emperor isn’t in any way an overstatement, and such weird custom is not peculiar to a particular state or region in the country. It suffices to say that virtually all the governors have been indicted of such bilious and nonchalant lifestyle.

        

Take for instance, a situation where a governor would refuse to conduct the Local Government (LG) council elections in his state and such scenario would linger till he leaves office. In most cases, he would put up a façade in the name of an election towards the expiration of his tenure, perhaps to prove to people that LG polls were eventually conducted under his watch.

        

Why wouldn’t such governor be rated as an emperor when every other official in the affected state such as the legislators cum judicial custodians would remain a rubber stamp as the unfortunate scene prevails? Funnily enough, when a court orders the governor to without much ado conduct the long awaited LG polls, he would rather regard such legal directive as baseless.

        

On a monthly basis, the Federal Government (FG) would release funds entitled by the third tier governments via the various states. In the process, the said allocation would be hijacked by the governors and such funds would never be utilized on the projects for which they were meant. Instead, they would be channeled toward the implementation of non-feasible projects.

        

The judicial system in the states suffering from such unruly behaviour is vulnerable, to assert the least. I have often times witnessed a situation whereby an injunction is issued by a court of competent jurisdiction to stop a governor from taking a certain intended action, yet the latter would overlook the order with the notion that he alone has the final say in the state.

          

The vulnerability of the lawmakers in such states cannot be left out. Rather than act as independent elected officials, the legislators would be reduced to mere aides of the governor thus would invariably be left with no choice than to operate as they were instructed by him. Similarly, the deputy governor would be subjected to function as the governor’s appointee. What is left for this set of governors is to fence their states in order to possess it as their birthright or personal asset.

         

As the uncalled ill lingers unabated, it’s noteworthy that the FG has a very vital role to play with a view to addressing it. There is a compelling need to, by law, scrap the various states’ electoral commissions.

         

By so doing, the conduct of the LG elections would become the prerogative of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or its like that may be set up by the FG. This signifies that it would no longer be the responsibility of the governors to determine when and how the said polls would be held in their respective states.

         

The anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) need to also shift their tentacles to the various states, to serve as a deterrent to all the public officers in the area. They must ensure that they could boast of well equipped branches in all the states across the federation, and such extensions must be manned by competent and trustworthy individuals who cannot compromise their statutory obligations irrespective of whose ox is gored.

        

The Fourth Alteration Bill that grants financial autonomy to State Judiciaries and State Houses of Assembly recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari is equally a way forward. Similarly, granting a financial autonomy to the third tier government is long overdue.

         

Inter alia, it’s high time the electorate woke up from slumber. They need to fully acknowledge that they possess the constitutional immunity to recall any lawmaker who is not living up to the expectations. Also, they needn’t be reminded that it’s equally their right to say enough is enough whenever the impunity of their governor goes to extreme point.

        

We must bear in mind at all times that he is an elected official, not an emperor, hence the need to question him when need be. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

   

       

TechDeck I Computer-Based Testing And Its Prospects

COMPUTER-BASED TESTING AND ITS PROSPECTS

         

Computer-Based Testing (CBT), otherwise known as e-assessment, can be defined as a pattern of administering tests in which the responses are electronically recorded and/or assessed.

         

It is conducted by the examiners by the use of various Information Technology (IT) equipment or mechanisms to include computer, the internet, networking, with the aid of special softwares.

         

The candidates, on their part, can sit for the test with the use of personal computer (PC) or an apt computerized gadget such as cell phone, particularly Smartphone, either at a testing hall or in their respective homes, as the case may be.

        

CBT is currently used for different purposes by various educational institutions. Many deploy it for entrance aptitude tests, some others for Continuous Assessment (CA), whilst few use it for their semester examinations.

         

It’s noteworthy that it is mainly in the case of CA or quiz that candidates are allowed to attend to the questions from any locality of their choice, thus the questions would be answered under no supervision.

         

In recent times, several academic institutions in Nigeria have adopted the CBT as an alternative assessment mode in contrast to the manual method that involves the use of paper and pen/pencil.

         

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) now deploys it for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) that tests the ability of candidates seeking admission in various citadels of higher learning in the country. JAMB fully commenced the use of CBT in the 2015/2016 UTME; prior to the said era, it was an elective mode.

          

Similarly, many professional bodies across the federation are making use of the CBT. It is equally used for promotional tests by some federal cum state’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

          

There are two major types of CBT namely: linear and adaptive. A linear test is a full-length exam in which the computer selects different questions for the candidates without consideration of their performance level. This method is scored in the same way as a Paper-Based Test (PBT).

           

On the other hand, an adaptive test is one in which the computer selects the range of questions based on each of the candidate’s performance level. This means that different test takers – even in the same exam room/hall – would receive different questions.

         

The CBT mode of assessment is arguably crucial and helpful, because it can measure different skills or sets of knowledge in order to provide new and better information about the candidate’s abilities. Moreover, the concerned institutions receive CBT results more quickly than those from the PBT, thereby enabling them to make their admission or promotion decisions, as might be the case, as fast as possible.

           

Furthermore, testing environments are more comfortable and individualized; hence, candidates can write the test/exam with ease, or without much constraint. For instance, in some such standardized tests as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE), a word processor may be employed for writing essays more quickly contrary to the manual pattern.

           

In most CBT, a candidate might have access to immediate viewing of his or her scores on the computer screen, except in the case of essay-writing whose answers cannot be possibly programmed.

           

It’s worthy of note that one can sit for a CBT even if he/she has minimal or no previous computer experience. Instructions provided in a basic computer tutorial before the scheduled date of the test would give the candidate the required guidelines. This implies that any prospective candidate may have nothing to worry regarding an awaited CBT.  
           

However, it’s imperative to acknowledge that there are numerous challenges attached to the CBT pattern required to be tackled, that if not duly addressed, both the candidates and the examiners would continue to groan while making use of it.

          

For the use of the CBT mode to be thoroughly successful in Nigeria, issues pertaining to power supply, software maintenance cum protection, and internet speed must be considered seriously. Also, cases concerning physical security, manpower, and what have you, ought not to be swept under the carpet.

           

Unsteady power supply can lead to many crises while the test is ongoing. Use of outdated softwares as well as lack of foolproof websites can warrant hacking among other dubious acts, which could make the test questions to be leaked to the public domain prior to the exam date. In the same vein, use of unreliable internet service provider or web browser invariably leads to poor internet speed, and can as well make the site to hang, freeze, or crash. Even bad hardwares such as mouse, keyboard and connectors, can cause several distortions.

           

Inadequate security personnel would enable criminals to invade the venue of the examination where valuables are kept with the purpose of causing obstruction or making away with the gadgets. Above all, the use of inexperienced manpower coupled with unavailability of IT experts cannot be undermined if we are truly determined to sustain this feat.

           

Aside institutions that subscribe to the use of the CBT or e-assessment mode for entrance and promotional exams, which are usually annual or quarterly exercises, those who make use of it for CA are expected to be more vigilant and proactive.

          

The sites and gadgets being utilized ought to from time to time be upgraded, and a close monitoring and evaluation approach must be employed. CBT is good and viable, but the users must endeavour to do the needful. Think about it!

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Chief Consultant, Docfred Technologies

_____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056 

Twitter: @mediambassador                  

ShortStory I Unceremonious Step

UNCEREMONIOUS STEP

       Walking lonely along the lonely street situated in the city of Umuahia, South-Eastern part of Nigeria at about 06:13pm on Saturday, 10^th March 2007 was all Chukwuebuka cared for at the moment.

       The 36-year-old slim, dark complexioned and about 5-foot tall young man dressed in casual attire thought it wise to take a walk having embarked on his not unusual thinking section all through the day in his humble abode otherwise known as boys’ quarters.

        Mr. Chukwuebuka Okere who was definitely headed for an undefined destination was a graduate of English Linguistics from the revered University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria popularly known and addressed as ‘UniCal’.

        He obtained his Bachelor of Arts (B.A) eight years back, 1999 precisely, and since he rounded off his compulsory National Youth Service programme in February 2001, the dude who was actually reckoned as one of the best brains in his department during his school days was still endlessly roaming in all the streets and major roads of Umuahia – the capital city of Abia State – in search of a white-collar job, which was seemingly not forthcoming. Owing to his unending joblessness, he almost hanged himself few months back in the name of ‘frustration’.

       As he strolled calmly along the apparently endless street where he resided, so many terrible thoughts dawned on his miserable mind as he was subconsciously observing his fellow passers-by in their to-and-fro movements, though in about five minutes intervals which made the street appeared sparingly lonely.

      “Ebuka!” a feminine voice called from behind to no avail. “Ebuka Okere!!” She reiterated in a higher tone.

       He stopped and turned back on hearing the second call, and surprisingly he sighted a female being that seemed a bit familiar standing about half kilometer away from him with car keys in her left hand. He hastily took a few steps backward to meet her.

       It was Ogechi. Ogechi Okafor who was a graduate of Marketing happened to be Chukwuebuka’s schoolmate as well as girlfriend way back in the university but he graduated ahead of her because she was two years lower than him in level.

       Pathetically, Chukwuebuka dumped her in April 2000 during her third year (300 Level) when he was undergoing his National Youth Service programme. The unexpected and unspeakable estrangement from a man she cared so much about, which caused her a severe heartbreak, almost claimed her precious life if not the intervention of her close female friends on campus.

       Ogechi who was light-skinned, slim and about 1.5 metres tall was putting on blue trousers, pink top and pink high-heeled foot wears; the shoes made her appeared taller than the dude at the moment. Ab initio she was unarguably a pretty damsel; and at this moment, she seemed extremely prettier to Chukwuebuka’s greatest amazement.

       “Ogechi…Okafor!” He exclaimed, folding his arms while standing about a metre away from her.

       “Surprised?” She enquired, smiling.

       “Oh my God,” he said. “You are completely different now!”

         She smiled.

       “What’s the secret?”

       “Well, na God oh.”

       “So, what are you doing here?” he inquired. “What brought you to Umuahia?” He added.

       “I live here.”

       “You mean,” he uttered. “You are a resident of Umuahia?”

       “Of course.”

       “It’s a lie.”

       “Honestly.”

       “You don’t mean it,” he said. “Since when?”

       “Since I finished my NYSC in 2003.”

       “Oh my God!” he dished out. “This is getting more interesting.”

       “Actually, I live around here.” she chipped in. “In the neighbouring street, Ekpoma Crescent to be precise.”

       “Ekpoma Crescent?”

       “Ya.”

         The said crescent was a reserved residential corner peculiar to notable personalities.

        “And you,” she said. “You live around?”

        “Ya,” he replied. “This is my street.”

        “Are you serious?’

        “Yes,” responded Chukwuebuka amidst a nod. “I reside at the beginning of the street, number 3 precisely.”

       “Since when have you been in Umuahia?”

       “Ever since I concluded my youth service.’

       “So what have been happening since then?” she curiously enquired.

        There was no response.

       “Look at you, Ebuka,” she observed, frowning. “You used to be plump.”

       “My dear,” he broke the silence. “It’s a long story.”

        Since after his NYSC, he had only been occupied with one menial job or the other just to make ends meet.

       “Well, I am actually catching fun here with some of my colleagues,” she abruptly changed the topic. “One of us is marking her birthday.”

        There was a relaxation outlet behind her. The sound coming from the joint was obviously felt by the passersby. That was where she was seated among her friends before she caught sight of Chukwuebuka in the distance the moment he passed.

       “Would you mind joining us?” She urged.

       “Joining you?” he said. “Like this?” He added, pointing at his dress.

        The casual wears he was clad in comprised black three-quarter jeans, green polo and brown leather slippers.

       “You are okay,” she admitted. “After all, you are a man.”

       “Sure..?”

       “Of course,” she said. “Besides, this is your street.” she added, paused. “So, you are equally the landlord or the host.” She declared cheerfully.

        He smiled. “Okay, if you say so.” He said opening his hands, indicating he had surrendered.

       “So, shall we?” She landed pointing towards the joint with her left arm.

        They majestically walked hand in hand to the joint.

        She introduced him to the gathering that was made up of various sophisticated ladies and gentlemen as soon as they got to the point before they assumed their seats. They were seated opposite each other at one of the free white plastic tables in the arena.

        Initially, he refused to take anything when he was asked to name what he cared for owing to the enormous guilt his mindset was preoccupied with, until he was profoundly persuaded by Ogechi to do so. Finally having succumbed, he ordered for a plate of pepper soup to be accompanied with a bottle of chilled malt.

       The fun lasted till about eight O’clock at night when everyone departed for their respective residences. Ogechi who was the Marketing Manager of one of the renowned firms in the city gave a copy of her complimentary card to Chukwuebuka prior to her departure; she asked him to see her in the office first thing the following Monday.

       On the said Monday being March 12, 2007, Chukwuebuka arrived at Ogechi’s office as instructed. The moment he walked into her magnificent office, he knelt down to seek for unconditional forgiveness with tears on his eyes.

       She made him understand right in the office that she had forgiven him long ago; if not, she wouldn’t have asked him to join her at the relaxation outlet let alone inviting him to her place of work. The unexpected pronouncement made the guilty poor man to develop an abrupt high fever.

        Two weeks later, she helped him secure an employment in the company. When her friends and colleagues confronted her for the seemingly silly and unceremonious step she had taken having learnt what the man in question did to her years back, she categorically disclosed to them that she bore no grudge for him again, stating that a known devil was far better than an unknown angel.

        Ogechi who was still a spinster at 33, unequivocally went further to notify them that she was damn willing and ready to settle down with Chukwuebuka if he eventually proposed her. Apparently, she couldn’t forget in a hurry the juicy and remarkable moment they shared together years back and was of the view that he could not forget either; thus, the nostalgia remained her motivator.

        Amazingly, in about three months later, Chukwuebuka and Ogechi who were now colleagues re-established another intimate emotional affair to the envy of all and sundry that were within. Subsequently, six months on, Saturday September 8, 2007 to be precise, they tied the knot. Their ostensibly divine union remained an interesting story headline to their teeming friends, relatives and well-wishers.

       Thereafter, they were happily married with three kids – two males and a female.   

       The rest is history, please.

Comrade FDN Nwaozor 

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador