Opinion I As Election Approaches, Before We Go To The Polls

By Comrade Fred Nwaozor



The last time I checked, even a dummy across Nigeria – Imo in particular – could attest to the conspicuous fact that the long awaited general elections are already by the corner.
The aforementioned situation is obvious that any living creature can easily take note of the circumstance as well as the intrigues and intricacies surrounding it. It could arguably be noticed by not just a dummy but an epileptic patient.
It suffices to assert that every right thinking Nigerian – particularly Imolite – is at the moment filled with mixed feelings as regards what the outcome or endpoint of the impending exercise would entail.
Since prediction is not unconnected with mankind, in various quarters, many have already predicted who becomes the next Executive Governor of the Eastern Heartland or the President of the country as the case may be. The predictions have continued unabated that it has in some cases resulted in arguments.
Whatever the case might be, what matters most is the need for Imolites and Nigerians in general to fully prepare their mindsets for the fast approaching events; the need for the electorate to acknowledge that the anticipated output of the elections can only come into reality if the expected input is duly tendered.
The ‘input’ as stated above is the voting aspect expected to be carried out by the prospective voters. It is only through voting the country or state can boast of an election results. In other words, results cannot be manufactured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Results, which would determine the output or outcome of the civic exercise, can only be gotten and counted if the electorate do the needful.
The needful as stated in the last paragraph is to ensure that they cast their votes aptly and equally ensure that the votes are duly counted by the electoral officers or collation officials assigned to the various polling booths.
As the elections are fast approaching, I want to in my capacity as an analyst and activist deeply advise the three key actors of the political outing namely: the political parties alongside the aspirants, the electoral umpire and the electorate.
The various political parties and their respective flag bearers must endeavour to stick to the rules at all times as they undergo the ongoing campaign process as well as at the polls come February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.
The parties need to genuinely conscientize their teeming followers to eschew violence at all cost as they collectively throw their support for them. They need to be meant to note that they are not expected to go about posing muscles and fists to their perceived opponents. They are rather required to comport themselves in any occasion they find each other in regard to the ongoing political era.
The parties cum aspirants in their own accord are equally expected to remain civil and disciplined. They shouldn’t see the incoming contest as a ‘do or die affair’. A good and decent politician who truly means well for the people is ready to contest for a particular position as many times as possible provided the election is free and fair. But one who doesn’t mean well for the people would want to acquire the post by all means; this practice is unequivocally an aberration.
The aspirants, therefore, must distance their mindsets from any thought concerning rigging or allied matters. They ought to solely concentrate on how to gain the people’s votes at the polls, and nothing more. Hence, they shouldn’t indulge themselves in any form of thought or action targeted to go contrary to the accepted norms or electoral rules.
The electoral umpire, INEC, on their part, must be willing to carry out their statutory obligations without violating the extant laws or Acts. Thus, its officials shouldn’t intend involving themselves in anything that has undertones of pranks or misdeed. They must take into cognizance that the people at large coupled with various concerned entities are keenly looking up to them, hence wouldn’t welcome any excuses from them.
The INEC is required to be neutral, patriotic and unbiased no matter whose ox is gored. ‘Neutral’, in the sense that, they are required to be at the centre stage. One who is at the centre stage is the person who ensures that the activity in question is carried out peacefully and successfully. Among all, he mediates between competing or disagreeing parties, hence is expected to ensure that the contest doesn’t result in any form of crisis.
‘Patriotic’, in the sense that, they must have the interest of the country or state at heart. A patriotic citizen is one who loves his or her country/state and strongly supports the progress of such society. If you really love a certain locality, you must do everything humanly possible to encourage or promote its activities and dreams. So, the INEC is required to be patriotic at all cost.
‘Unbiased’, in the sense that, they are meant to remain fair and truthful at all times, thus mustn’t show any act of prejudice or favouritism. The INEC is expected to be objective in its judgement over the polls. Its officials are, therefore, required to free themselves from all emotions and one-sided calculations irrespective of the circumstance.
Inter alia, the electorate must be sure of what they actually want. It is only by acknowledging what they want, they can ascertain the candidate that has what it takes to do the needful. They shouldn’t allow uncalled issues to becloud their sense of reasoning. They are the only ones that can determine the outcome of the polls.
If any aspirant informed them that he is damn determine to fix the economy of the state or nation, as might be the case, they should ask the person to show them the processes through which he/she intends fixing the economy or system. They shouldn’t depend on mere pledges; rather, they ought to rely on the practical-oriented avowal that accompanies the promises.
Above all, those who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), should do so without further ado. Like I stated earlier, only the electorate are expected to tender the input that would determine the output of the awaited elections. So, they must note that without their PVCs, no input would be recorded at the polls, and this smacks of danger for the entire system. It’s appalling to acknowledge that over 650,000 PVCs are reportedly yet to be collected in Imo alone.
All in all, every party involved, either institution or individual, shouldn’t allow frivolities to override priorities. Think about it!

Tech I Release Of N100bn For Road Construction

By Fred Doc Nwaozor



In any given clime across the global community, capital projects are invariably what well meaning citizens clamour for whenever a call to usher in good governance is raised in the public sphere.

This is so, because, it is only by establishment of such projects as good road network, creation of portable water, sound health and education systems, that the governed could feel the impact of the government.

This is the sole reason the ratio between the capital and recurrent expenditures of the annual budget of a particular nation for a certain fiscal year often tends to favour the former to the detriment of the latter. It suffices to enthuse that it has become unarguable that capital expenditures usually benefit virtually the entire occupants of the concerned clime compared to recurrent expenditures.

In view of these facts, successive governments all over the world that truly mean well for the governed have overtime made frantic and genuine efforts to initiate capital projects that would stand the test of time. Those who actualize this quest invariably succeed in writing their names in bold and gold.

In this part of the world, particularly Nigeria, issues pertaining to governance seem to be given a different attention and interpretation by the relevant authorities. We have hitherto observed a prevalent situation whereby a certain prospective government would rigorously embark on election campaigns with the mantra to treat capital projects as priority, but would abruptly sound differently the moment it assumed duty.

This uncalled nonchalant attitude of governments at all levels has continued unabated under our nose as if the people are a set of imbeciles. Sometimes when asked for clarification by the affected citizens, the enquiry would be regarded as unimportant by the failing government.

The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is perhaps poised to address these anomalies. This assertion is not unconnected with the gesture made by the government penultimate month, precisely Thursday, 10th January 2019.

The Federal Government (FG), on the aforesaid date, approved the sum of N100 billion for the Federal Ministry of Works, out of the proceeds of the Sovereign Sukuk fund, to finance critical road infrastructure across the country. The fund would reportedly be for the construction and rehabilitation of twenty-eight (28) key economic road networks as earlier captured in the 2018 budget.

The FG disclosed that the road projects are located in the six geo-political zones of the country with each zone having a total allocation of N16.67bn. This signifies that the capital projects are evenly distributed among the entire regions.

Speaking at the presentation of symbolic cheque to the concerned ministry, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed noted that “the funds will be released to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing based on the framework agreed with the Trustees in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of proceeds.”

She added that “the Sukuk funding option is part of the initiatives of the government to diversify government funding sources, while also deepening the Nigerian capital market, mobilizing more savings and promoting financial inclusion.” The roads to be funded “will ease commuting, spur economic activities across the country and further close our infrastructural gap.”

In his response, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola stated thus, “roads are coming, those are assets that would enable business that would enable transport, movement of goods and services and assets that will last 25, 30 to 40 years. “This is a good investment to make. So, for those who asked why are we borrowing, we are borrowing to build at today’s prices assets that will last us for another 30 years.”

He further stated “it will be more expensive to build but more importantly where is the money going. As soon as I collect this cheque, I am going to give it to the contractors. But even, they can’t keep it; they have to give it to their suppliers because they need aggregates, they need materials and labourers but they first need suppliers.”

This administration he said “is committed to follow the part of greatness, build the foundation for tomorrow by investing in infrastructure. It means that for example, we have to raise money and I am very happy to learn that over 1,876 investors are already doing business because Buhari government decides to build. That is how to build an economy.”

As Nigerians rejoice over this development, it’s imperative to bring some pertinent factors to the knowledge of the Works Ministry. Considering that initiating a certain project is quite different from completing it, the said authority needs to take into cognizance the key steps needed to be followed towards arriving at the anticipated destination.

The contracts are required to be awarded to corporate bodies of proven background and antecedents. Hence, no compromise should be reached for whatever reason. The contracts ought to be implemented in line with the country’s Public Procurement Act, thus a levelling playing ground should be provided among the prospective construction companies. The memo for the proposed contracts should be made public to enable any interested firm apply for the job.

When eventually awarded, the benefitting residents or communities should be properly made to comprehend the profile of the firms handling the respective projects with a view to making them able to alert/contact the relevant agencies whenever they observe any prank or foul play. The beneficiaries must be a stakeholder in the overall implementation of the projects.

As regards adequate monitoring, viable mobile teams comprising reliable personnel ought to be constituted by the concerned authority. This would enable a regular supervision as the work progresses. Similarly, the contractors must be mandated to complete the projects within a given time frame, else, should be made to face sanctions.

Inter alia, the ministry should endeavour to award virtually all the contracts to indigenous firms towards boosting our local content. So, they are expected to be awarded in accordance with the Executive Order 5 recently signed by President Buhari. This measure would equally enable us to ascertain the actual history of each of the companies involved.

We are meant to acknowledge that initiating a capital project by the government is the wish of the governed, but ensuring their completion remains their greatest desire. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, Tech Expert, Policy Analyst & Rights Activist
and National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement, writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com

Tech I Dissecting JAMB's Tech-Driven Innovations

By Fred Doc Nwaozor



I do not hesitate to tender an extensive and exclusive commentary each time I take note of any issue or policy pertaining to education. This feature of mine might not be unconnected with my explicit love for impaction of knowledge.

In various quarters, it is being opined and echoed that education is the key to any success room hence ought to be regarded as an inevitable pathway towards attaining one’s anticipated height. But I see it as the success itself, because anyone who acquires it is already ostensibly inside the said room.

The above assertions are the reason in advanced societies educational institutions are handled with absolute care, thus given every attention they deserve. In such part of the world, funding of the institution by the concerned authorities is never compromised. It suffices to say that such a gesture is invariably seen as a priority.

This is why developing countries like Nigeria that are apparently following the footsteps of these climes as mentioned above in regard to learning don’t seem to overlook establishments such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

JAMB, which remains a household name in the Nigerian polity as regards education, has in recent times been making great waves in terms of innovations and enhancement driven by technology. The rebranding mechanism has continued unabated till date.

Its introduction of the ongoing Computer-Based Test (CBT) four years ago under the watch of Prof. Dibu Ojerinde – the then Registrar – was not unlike a mere concept that would never be physically felt. It was to the onlookers’ utmost amazement when the initiative fully metamorphosed into obvious reality.

Initially, the CBT was meant to be optional or elective whereby the prospective candidates were permitted to freely choose between it and the then usual Paper-Based Test (PBT). In other words, the CBT mode was being test-run or put to the test during that era, precisely in 2015.

At the time, having commended the tech-driven innovation without much ado, I critically and extensively recommended therein the possible ways the JAMB could advance in the initiative. Other concerned Nigerians who were equally keen to educational matters, also followed suit.

I was so impressed when I realized that the newly introduced mode of testing had eventually become non-elective or compulsory among the admission seekers. Every well-meaning education stakeholder welcomed the idea which was aimed at ushering in a zero-malpractice and marking-with-ease era.

Since the full emergence of the CBT, all forms of examination malpractice have seemingly been a thing of the past. Similarly, contrary to the manual pattern of marking formerly in vogue, the activity is now done with great ease thereby making it a labour effective scheme. Among all, results could at the moment be released by the board as soon as possible, even within a few hours after the exams.

Several improvements regarding the CBT have hitherto been recorded under the current leadership of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede. In spite of a few technical hitches observed in the process, the e-mode testing has thus far made significant impacts to the delight of most Nigerians.

In the same vein, it’s equally worthy of note that an electronic registration method has fully been implemented by the JAMB. By this routine, e-mode materials are issued to the prospective candidates having purchased the e-form (e-PIN) as well as successfully registered.

For instance, only digital devices such as Compact Disc (CD) containing e-Syllabus and e-Brochure are given to the applicants, not manual booklets as done in the past. And, the payments can be made via various channels including banks, the Point of Sale (POS) machine, Automated Teller Machine (ATM), JAMB’s online portal, or the mobile phones.

In the ongoing e-registration for the 2018/2019 exams, that’s meant to last between 10th January and 21st February, 2019, all applicants would be entitled to electronic Personal Identification Numbers simply known as e-PINs the moment they made their payments. Each e-PIN, which is sent to the person’s personal phone number and grants him/her access to the registration portal, is reportedly tied to individual profile, hence not transferable.

This implies that any e-PIN is to be delivered electronically to the applicant, and not to be handwritten. Before going for the e-PIN, the applicant must have obtained his/her profile code via the cell phone number used for the preliminary exercise.

Prospective candidates are, therefore, warned to keep their respective e-PINs secret and safe toward averting any form of hacking by unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements who do not mean well for the exercise and the country at large. They are in this regard advised to see the e-PINs as strictly personal.

It’s noteworthy that only JAMB approved CBT centres nationwide are eligible to carry out the e-registration process. Each applicant is consequently required to proceed to any of these accredited centres. They have to present the e-PIN for completion of their respective registrations.

The full name of the prospective candidate as entered/typed towards acquiring the profile code, or during the preliminary stage of the e-registration, would automatically be displayed on the input of the e-PIN by the CBT centre staff.

It’s equally worth noting that anyone can also register in any of the eight JAMB recognized foreign countries, which include Ivory Coast, Ghana, Ethiopia, Benin Republic, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, England, and Beau in U.S.A.

The rigorous e-security processes to be undergone by the applicants will no doubt go a long way in curtailing different kinds of frauds and malpractices that have ab initio been in existence. It would ensure that only the persons who applied for the exams are granted the access to the e-mode question scripts.

The overall tech-driven innovations recently introduced by the JAMB will guarantee a high level of credibility and transparency in respect of the conduct of the entrance examination in its entirety. The institution is therefore encouraged to sustain the enhancements.

The JAMB, however, needs to be mindful of some key technical factors. The board must employ strict strategic approach with a view to ensuring that uninterrupted power supply is made available by the various approved CBT centres. They should also be directed to contract reliable and well experienced Information Technology (IT) experts to ensure deployment of standard and tested softwares on their computers.

Inter alia, adequate human security must be put in place to safeguard the electronic gadgets in the centres. The JAMB needs to equally inculcate these strategic measures in its headquarters towards averting any challenge either during the e-registration or the CBT.

It’s invariably great to make any innovation but far greater to painstakingly consider its apt sustenance afterwards. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, Tech Expert, Policy Analyst
& Rights Activist writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com