CONDEMNING HOSTILITY AND CONFLICT AMIDST PEACE COMMEMORATION

by Fred Nwaozor

The last time I checked, 21st September each year remained International Day of Peace. This signifies that yesterday, the global community commemorated the 2021 edition of the lofty event. The theme of this year’s theme is “Recovering a better and equitable world”, which is targeted to recover a society where everyone irrespective of status is equal. This is necessary, because only equality can result in a peaceful society. In respect of the effect of peace to humanity, in 1981, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly through a resolution, established the International Day of Peace. The day was first celebrated on Tuesday September 21, 1982. The maiden commemoration was meant to coincide with the anniversary of the UN’s opening session, which was held annually on the third Tuesday of September. Consequently, in 2001, the UN General Assembly by unanimous votes adopted resolution that established 21st September of every year as an annual day of non-violence and ceasefire. By the resolution, the UN invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities, and to otherwise commemorate the day through education and raising of public awareness on issues related to peace. Hostility is unfriendly or aggressive behavior or feelings towards people from other backgrounds. It can also be described as a strong opposition against an idea, a plan or a situation. Conflict is a situation in which individuals, groups or countries are involved in a serious disagreement or argument which often results in violence. It can simply be defined as a state of complete confusion and disorder. On the other hand, peace is a period of time when there is no enmity, violence or war in a certain locality. It is the state of being calm or quiet, or living in mutual friendship with others. Hostility and conflict that have over the decades subjected mankind to a state of mockery, have indeed arrested the developmental thrive of most nations across the globe, thereby constituting a severe and uncontrollable poverty among the populace. Conflict, which is as old as the world, has succeeded in rendering the socio-economic growth of many countries incapacitated due to its cruel and dastardly nature. Conflict through the emergence of terrorist activities such as assassination, kidnapping, massacre, armed robbery, genocide, or what have you, has not only brought endless anxiety to the people, but has contributed immensely to the degradation of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the affected country or region, as the case may be. Also, the dangers of war, or the level of the post-traumatic stress disorder attributed to it, cannot be overemphasized. Research indicates that the rudimentary attribute of several conflicts are directly related to leadership and/or valuable natural resources such as gold, diamond, petroleum, coal, timber, water and so on. This is needless to say that, addressing the ownership, control and management of available natural endowments is crucial to maintaining peace and security in any society, thereby sustaining an ideal development needed by all. Hence, in Nigeria for instance, it’s imperative for the governments at all levels to include the host communities of the country’s resources in the scheme of things, especially while implementing capital projects. Equitable distribution of leadership positions among the citizens cum regions would equally be a welcome idea. Surely, peace and security are essential foundations for social progress and sustainable development, thus we must quench the fire of extremism among us in order to tackle the root causes of conflict. We must bear in mind that peace is definitely a long journey that we are bound to collectively embark on. It suffices to say that everyone is expected to hold peace at heart and tenderly nurture it so it would grow and blossom. It is not anymore news that armed conflict causes untold grief and hardship to families, communities and the entire country involved. Indeed, too many persons are suffering today at the brutal hands of war-mongers and terrorists. This is why, from the outset, we must learn to teach our children and wards the essence of tolerance and mutual respect. Let’s invest in the schools and teachers toward building a fair and inclusive world that embraces diversity; fight for peace at all cost, as well as defend it with all our might. The various religious bodies have a very vital and inevitable role to play in this regard. They must, at all times, endeavour to preach peace among their congregants irrespective of the circumstance. Survey shows that, on the average, a worshipper sees their religious leader as the god on earth. In view of this, the various church or mosque leaders across the country are required to tender a sermon that would bring only peace in the society rather than the reverse. From time to time, we are meant to sensitize our children, relatives, friends, colleagues, associates, and what have you, to emulate the habit of the UN Messengers of Peace, or the likes of Princess Haya, Daniel Barenboim, Paulo Coelho, Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall, Edward Norton, Steve Wonder, Charlie Theron, and Elie Wiesel, just to mention but a few, whom remain distinguished individuals carefully selected from the fields of art, literature, science, entertainment, and sports, among other fields of public life. The aforementioned prominent icons agreed to help focus worldwide attention on the work of the UN in the area of peace promotion. They volunteer their times, resources, energies, talents and passions, to raise awareness of UN’s tireless efforts to improve the lives of billions of people worldwide. The International Day of Peace offers people globally a shared date to think about how they can contribute towards ensuring that natural resources and quest for leadership positions are handled in a mature and tactical manner, thus reducing potential for disputes as well as paving ways for a sustainable future, which is obviously the future we want. Furthermore, in our various homes, we need to see our spouses as best friend, to avoid likely cases of domestic violence that could jeopardize our peace. So, as Nigeria joins the rest of the globe to mark this laudable commemoration, there’s a compelling need for holistic condemnation of any act that could result to any form of hostility or conflict around us, in order to sustain a formidable peace needed for both individual and national developments. We – as a people – might have derailed in one way or the other, but if we start now to preach as well as practice equity and fairness, the nearest future will surely usher in the needed peaceful atmosphere. Think about it!

Fred Nwaozor, a tech expert, author, policy analyst, blogger, public speaker and rights activist, has been a columnist with different national dailies in Nigeria for almost two decades now. He equally writes for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). He's well known for his multi-tasking prowess. He’s an ace media strategist and voracious writer, and has thus far authored and published numerous articles, essays, papers and books. He’s a regular contributor and peer reviewer to various internationally-noted academic journals. He writes for Tekedia on issues bordering on Tech, Industry and Economy. He’s popularly known as TheMediaAmbassador, and has hitherto been a celebrity consultant in the media industry, image making and Information & Communications Technology (ICT) for several years. He’s currently a researcher & analyst with the revered Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria. He lectures in other citadels of higher learning within the shores of the country. He has degrees and certifications in various fields, including Industrial Physics, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, as well as Communication Engineering, and is an ardent researcher in Electronics & Telecommunications in many years standing. The enigma is presently resident in Nigeria, Owerri precisely, and hails from Awo-Omamma in Imo State, Nigeria. He passionately relaxes with reading, travelling, playing Table Tennis, Scrabble, Snooker, as well as listening to good music.

Analysis II My First Open Epistle To Hope Uzodinma

By Fred Nwaozor


The last time I checked, I needed to – in my usual way and pattern – cordially and candidly advise the current Executive Governor of Imo State in the person of Senator Hope Uzodinma, hence this epistle.
Towards fulfilling my obligation as a stakeholder in the State and one who truly means well for the growth and uplift of the Eastern Heartland, I needn’t shy away from doing this, which is targeted to ensure the presence of good governance amidst the good people of the revered State.
If I’m not mistaken, I’ve hitherto been keenly following the political trending in Imo for the past two decades now, thus in a very good and apt position to aptly counsel any sitting governor of the State in the sole interest of the people.
If any concerned fellow has from the outset been following my myriad of analyses, he or she could boldly attest to the fact that I’ve never for once been involved in any partisan cause or crusade. It suffices to assert that my involvement thus far has been strictly non-partisan. This is the reason every discerning mindset is invariably willing and ready to listen to, or read, my words as might be the case.
Your Excellency, it’s four months now since you graciously assumed office as the six democratically-elected Governor of Imo State via the wisdom displayed by the apex judicial body in Nigeria otherwise known as the Supreme Court.
It was on 15th January 2020 the wind of change conspicuously blew to Imo, thereby making the reality dawn on Imolites. The unannounced interregnum was to a great amazement to some, while to a great bitterness to a few others. It’s noteworthy that such kind of circumstance is natural among mankind.
So far, if I’m to rate you, I would unequivocally say that you have been dogget and brave, though wouldn’t hesitate to frown at your Excellency in a few areas I’ve observed lapses. Nevertheless, we all have our flaws no matter how much we claim to be perfect.
I, first and foremost, need to commend your effort thus far since the emergence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Your strides have obviously been giant, to the best of my knowledge. We thank the Almighty that no fatality has been recorded in the State yet.
I equally want to appreciate your ebullient effort toward ensuring that workers and pensioners in the State are paid as and when due. The ongoing electronic migration to a digital platform whereby they would aptly receive their respective salaries and pensions is highly commendable.
However, your Excellency, there’s a compelling need to let you comprehend that the said migration, as informed by the Imo Government, is being lingered, thereby posing untold hardship to the supposed beneficiaries.
Considering the fact that the State, likewise all others in the country, is presently facing a lockdown as occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, you needn’t be notified that the employees of the State are seriously in need of their wages – likewise the senior citizens. Hence, anything that lingers the receipt of their respective wages ought to be tagged unacceptable.
On the other hand, posterity will never forgive me if I fail to personally applaud you for the most recent feat recorded by the New Imo Government. To have boldly and genuinely sponsored an Executive Bill aimed at repealing the law making the past governors cum speakers and their deputies to be entitled to pensions is enough indication that you apparently mean well for the State. And, acknowledging that the said bill has already been assented to by your Excellency, creates room for even your enemies, or the thomases, to pour encomiums on your person.
Notwithstanding, there’s an anomaly I’ve observed with optimum dismay. A situation whereby we – for months now – can witness countless appointees of the government who could boast of no portfolio, is really saddening and unheard of. These gentlemen and ladies have, since their various appointments were announced, been parading themselves within the Government House like ‘walking corpses’.
It’s even baffling when realized that most of them have abandoned their respective businesses for the sake of the appointment, yet till date, they can’t boast of any portfolio. We are not unaware that a ‘portfolioless’ appointee is just not unlike an individual who has been offered a job or employment but cannot boast of any Employment Letter. It’s even more pathetic to note that they have been sworn in for the past two months now.
In view of the aforementioned eyesore, your Excellency, I plead that in your extreme wisdom, the needful ought to be done henceforth, so that, your enemies won’t laugh at you. You must take into cognizance that this kind of aberration is better heard than seen.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that this set of appointees without portfolios equally deserved to be paid in arrears, because we are reliably informed that their names aren’t yet captured in the payroll. This mustn’t be shortchanged for any reason if you’re interested in earning a good name amid your teeming aides.
As regards governance, I wouldn’t want your Excellency to forget in a hurry how you emerged as the Executive Governor of the Eastern Heartland. You are, therefore, expected to invariably recall that you came as a Godsent, hence the need not to overlook the prime needs of the overall Imolites.
Imo is conspicuously in need of good and afordable education; she needs standard healthcare sector; she’s seriously yearning for massive industrialization; she’s in damn need of accountable and transparent leadership; she’s really hungry for a well refined Imo. More so, apt payment of the working class coupled with the retirees is required to be seen as paramount and non-negotiable.
Above all, I enjoin you to keep the citizenry abreast of happenings in the State. They ought to from time-to-time be intimated on whatever that has transpired or occurred in the recent past. You must, through the available channels, be always ready to put them in the know of the government’s activities, with a view to averting inconsequential speculations.
All in all, your Excellency, for the core mandate of the New Imo Administration – which is centred on Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery (3Rs) – to yield the desired fruit, you must ceaselessly be willing to listen to genuine advices and shun sycophancy at all costs.
I can see you have come to change the narrative. But please, your Excellency, let it be for good in its entirety. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, Policy/Political Analyst & Rights Activist, is the
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
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frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador