A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE SUPPORT AS THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IS BEING COMMEMORATED TODAY THURSDAY JUNE 26, 2014
No doubt, the dream or the prime desire of any society in sober state is to experience a serene and tranquil atmosphere. In other words, every man’s paramount desire is to embrace a trouble-free environment or atmosphere since every society is comprised of at least a man.
An abuse, in a nutshell, can be described as a misuse of anything; while drug is any substance used as a medicine or an illegal substance taken for its stimulating and other effects. In the same vein, drug abuse is simply the misuse of a substance used either as a medicine or stimulant. On the other hand, illicit drug trafficking is an act involving an illegal trading in drugs or other substances forbidden by law.
Considering the above definitions, apparently drug abuse is a social ill that involves two distinct dimensions. It could be the misuse of a substance used as a medicine or the improper intake of medicine by an individual. On the contrary, it could be the intake or misuse of a stimulant that is not supported by law such as cocaine, cannabis, marijuana, Indian helm, just to mention but a few. The former is often as a result of ignorance or negligence, while the latter is wholly a criminal and illegal act and as well more dangerous to both human and animal health.
Today June 26, 2014, the entire world is marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking. It is a day that is being observed annually by all the countries in the whole world to sensitize the general public on the dangers that await drug abuse and its illegal trafficking, and how the cankerworm could be eradicated.
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was established by law in the year 1987 by the United Nations (UN) following the unanimous resolution reached on 7th December 1987 by the UN’s General Assembly. The aforementioned Assembly decided to observe June 26 of every year as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation in order to achieve the goal of seeing an International Society that is totally free from Drug Abuse.
Prior to the Resolution in 1987, the United Nations General Assembly understood that in spite of the continual and increasing efforts by the international community, the global drug predicament continued to constitute a severe threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity especially the young people, and the national security and sovereignty of States thereby undermining the socio-economic and political stability of the affected nations.
Thereafter the resolution was reached, the Assembly encouraged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to continue its work on International Drug Control, and went further to urge all governments to provide the fullest possible financial cum political assistance to enable UNODC actualize its objectives.
Thus, as the world in its entirety marks the annual International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking today being Thursday 26th June, 2014, I call on governments, NGOs, religious bodies, civil societies, stakeholders, medical experts, all concerned agencies/commissions, the media, and all well-meaning individuals to do everything possible to raise awareness of the harm caused by drug abuse and its illicit trafficking.
Above all, the individuals or group of persons abusing the drugs should also help themselves. They ought to acknowledge the fact that, misuse of medicine such as self-medication, consumption of medicine without consulting a physician or an appropriate medical expert, and intake of over/under dose contrary to the doctor’s prescription, are all a death-trap that could kill anyone unannounced.
Also, those who take hard drugs or the ones the law forbids, which invariably lead to anxiety, panic, depression, brain fag or damage of brain cells, mental imbalance, protracted illnesses, death, and what have you, should note that the restrictions as mandated or stipulated by the governments or those in authority are solely for the sake of their well-being. More so, those involved in the illegal cultivation, production, or trafficking of the hard drugs ought to be aware that many have lost their precious lives in the process while many are presently rusting in jail.
It is true that most of these hard drugs are very useful raw-materials currently used in several industries to manufacture a quite number of worthwhile and remarkable products or finished goods; but the singular fact remains that, we’re not meant to consume them when they are still in their raw states.
There is also need for us to know that absolute decency is required while consuming those stimulants that are not forbidden by law such as snuff popularly known as ‘Utaba’, cigarette, cigar, whisky, dry gin otherwise referred to as ‘Kai-Kai’, et cetera. We are expected to comport ourselves in whatever actions we take, so that, our paramount desire of embracing a trouble-free and tranquil atmosphere would be duly actualized.
COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
Owerri-based Public affairs analyst & Social activist
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+2348054719437
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Monday, 23 June 2014
2014 International Widows' Day (Aired Newstalk)
COMBATING THE VULNERABILITY OF WIDOWHOOD AS THE WORLD MARKS THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY TODAY MONDAY JUNE 23
In a concise and precise term, a widow is a woman or a female human whose husband has died. In the same vein, Widowhood is the state of being a widow or a widower.
It is obvious that in any society in the world, anyone either a man or a woman found in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged, because definitely his/her partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. But in Africa, particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman is passing through the ordeal.
In Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow regardless of her class or status, is severely molested, intimidated, and as well humiliated, coupled with the deprivation of her late husband’s properties/possessions by her in-laws in their entirety. In most cases, the widow in question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through.
In some quarters, the poor widow would be mandated to drink the water used in washing her late husband's corpse to prove that she has no hand in the death. Most pathetically, she may be subjected to marry her late husband’s elder/younger brother which is often referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’.
Today being Monday June 23, 2014, the world over is marking the annual International Widows’ Day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN). The International Widows’ Day is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. The event invariably takes place on every 23rd day of June.
It is worthy to note that, The International Widows’ Day was established in 2005 by Lord Loomba under the aegis of The Loomba Foundation, to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on 21st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly under the leadership of the present UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon; the proposal for the approval was tendered by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.
After the official recognition of June 23 by the UN, the accompanying resolution called upon Member States, the United Nations system, and other international and regional organizations to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children.
A recent report reveals that there are an estimated two hundred and forty five (245) million widows worldwide, of which one hundred and fifteen (115) million live in abject poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation solely because, they have lost their husbands.
As the world over marks the famous International Widows’ Day today, it is our civic responsibility to support the worthwhile event as it is being commemorated by the United Nations. Suffice to say; in our respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that these ugly ubiquitous melodramas as regards humiliation of widows is totally silenced.
At this juncture, I urge all the Civil Rights Societies, religious institutions, stakeholders, the media, women organizations, and well-meaning individuals to embark on a holistic sensitization and as well contribute their respective quotas towards ensuring that this remarkable crusade becomes nothing but a success.
COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
Public Affairs analyst & Social activist
------------------------------------------------------
+2348054719437
In a concise and precise term, a widow is a woman or a female human whose husband has died. In the same vein, Widowhood is the state of being a widow or a widower.
It is obvious that in any society in the world, anyone either a man or a woman found in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged, because definitely his/her partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. But in Africa, particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman is passing through the ordeal.
In Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow regardless of her class or status, is severely molested, intimidated, and as well humiliated, coupled with the deprivation of her late husband’s properties/possessions by her in-laws in their entirety. In most cases, the widow in question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through.
In some quarters, the poor widow would be mandated to drink the water used in washing her late husband's corpse to prove that she has no hand in the death. Most pathetically, she may be subjected to marry her late husband’s elder/younger brother which is often referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’.
Today being Monday June 23, 2014, the world over is marking the annual International Widows’ Day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN). The International Widows’ Day is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. The event invariably takes place on every 23rd day of June.
It is worthy to note that, The International Widows’ Day was established in 2005 by Lord Loomba under the aegis of The Loomba Foundation, to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on 21st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly under the leadership of the present UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon; the proposal for the approval was tendered by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.
After the official recognition of June 23 by the UN, the accompanying resolution called upon Member States, the United Nations system, and other international and regional organizations to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children.
A recent report reveals that there are an estimated two hundred and forty five (245) million widows worldwide, of which one hundred and fifteen (115) million live in abject poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation solely because, they have lost their husbands.
As the world over marks the famous International Widows’ Day today, it is our civic responsibility to support the worthwhile event as it is being commemorated by the United Nations. Suffice to say; in our respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that these ugly ubiquitous melodramas as regards humiliation of widows is totally silenced.
At this juncture, I urge all the Civil Rights Societies, religious institutions, stakeholders, the media, women organizations, and well-meaning individuals to embark on a holistic sensitization and as well contribute their respective quotas towards ensuring that this remarkable crusade becomes nothing but a success.
COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
Public Affairs analyst & Social activist
------------------------------------------------------
+2348054719437
Admission Racketeering: Unending Societal Menace!
ADMISSION RACKETEERING: UNENDING SOCIETAL MENACE
Greetings brethren. Let me once again salute those faces that wake me up every morning, stay with me throughout the day, and invariably take me to bed at night. Frankly speaking; your enticing and ever charming faces remain my optimum impetus. I sincerely promise that I will never let you down.
Few weeks ago having woken up from my usual long-lasted night slumber that ushered me into a fantastic and memorable dream, a certain phone call instantly mesmerized the lovely mood which I found myself. A good friend of mine residing in Ghana called to enquire how the present Nigeria’s admission mode was faring. Believe me, the abrupt enquiry introduced an unforeseen ennui to my humble soul in its totality.
As regards the caller’s quest, unequivocally having heard from him about the nature of Ghana’s admission process (mode), I told him that that of Nigeria would remain a thing of mockery until she squarely addresses the ongoing education menace known as ‘Admission racketeering’ found on her various campuses. I went further to disclose to him that, if proper and adequate care is not taken, in the near future the current Nigeria’s admission scenario would end-up admitting ‘imbeciles’ into our campuses.
Racketeering is the act of making money by threatening people or by selling to them illegal, worthless, or immoral goods and/or services. In the same vein, Admission Racketeering based on the context of this edition, is the activity of making money by selling admission spaces to applicants of a certain institution of learning thereby silencing admission by merit.
The aforementioned criminal act could be found in either primary, secondary, or tertiary citadel of learning. Of course it’s no longer news that in Nigeria for instance, it has become the order of the day. In fact, most of our present days’ youths and as well teachers, have seen the activity as a ‘lucrative’ occupation or another means of survival.
The recent dimension of admission racketeering found in all the government tertiary academic institutions in Nigeria has really brought a nervous wreck to my person. It has grown out of hand to an extent that the racketeers or the miscreants in question now have official offices where they attend to their clients or the applicants. They even go a long way advertising their services as if it’s a legalized activity.
Barely few days ago, I allegedly learnt that a certain brilliant chap who scored above two hundred and sixty (260) in both UTME and Aptitude test having enrolled for Medical Laboratory Science in one of the state tertiary schools in Imo State was unable to secure an admission in the school in question due to admission racketeering. Afterwards, fortunately for the chap, he was admitted in the famous University of Ibadan, Oyo State to study Pharmacy with the same score he got in JAMB (UTME). Needless to say that, the degree of admission racketeering taking place in the existing institutions of higher learning in Nigeria varies from one to another. Let’s ride on!
The above anomaly, admission racketeering, is also taking place in our various government model secondary schools. In this case, the teachers or the head teachers as the case may be, are assumed to be the captains of the respective ships. Yes, the so-called educationists/teachers pilot the dirty affair known as admission racketeering. In most of the schools, the admission is no longer granted by merit; rather, it is being given to the highest bidders thereby depriving the less-privileged ones the chances of being admitted. So pathetic!
The type occurring in the existing private tertiary citadel of learning is not exempted. Though it may not be referred to as ‘admission racketeering’, but it is even more devastating. In this case, it’s obvious that admission is solely meant for the children/wards of the well-to-do parents/guardians. In other words, the only prerequisite to securing admission in such schools remains the amount of money in your pocket, provided the applicant has sat for UTME even if he/she scored zero or thereabouts, thereby throwing ‘admission by merit’ to the dustbin.
There’s only one way out as regards putting this menace to the history book. The Nigeria University Commission (NUC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and other relevant and concerned agencies and groups including the non-governmental organizations and religious bodies have very vital respective roles to play in this regard.
They must as a matter of urgency in their respective capacities tender bills bearing grievous/capital penalty regarding silencing the cankerworm, to the Nigeria’s Legislative Arm of government. Most importantly, the agencies or groups must ensure that the bill if passed into law is duly implemented by the various Executive Arms of government which inculcate federal and states.
With regard to the above, the Judiciary must also ensure that any case regarding admission racketeering/anomaly brought to any court is duly handled in earnest in order to ensure that the suspect(s) is/are brought to book without any delay.
More so, the parents who encourage or patronize those miscreants ought to know that they are endangering the educational image as well as the future of their children or wards. ‘To before warned is to before armed.’
Above all brethren, all hands are expected to be on deck as regards silencing this ugly and deadly ubiquitous cankerworm that is liable to cost the entire Nigerian state an eternal socio-economic mayhem in no distant time. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Greetings brethren. Let me once again salute those faces that wake me up every morning, stay with me throughout the day, and invariably take me to bed at night. Frankly speaking; your enticing and ever charming faces remain my optimum impetus. I sincerely promise that I will never let you down.
Few weeks ago having woken up from my usual long-lasted night slumber that ushered me into a fantastic and memorable dream, a certain phone call instantly mesmerized the lovely mood which I found myself. A good friend of mine residing in Ghana called to enquire how the present Nigeria’s admission mode was faring. Believe me, the abrupt enquiry introduced an unforeseen ennui to my humble soul in its totality.
As regards the caller’s quest, unequivocally having heard from him about the nature of Ghana’s admission process (mode), I told him that that of Nigeria would remain a thing of mockery until she squarely addresses the ongoing education menace known as ‘Admission racketeering’ found on her various campuses. I went further to disclose to him that, if proper and adequate care is not taken, in the near future the current Nigeria’s admission scenario would end-up admitting ‘imbeciles’ into our campuses.
Racketeering is the act of making money by threatening people or by selling to them illegal, worthless, or immoral goods and/or services. In the same vein, Admission Racketeering based on the context of this edition, is the activity of making money by selling admission spaces to applicants of a certain institution of learning thereby silencing admission by merit.
The aforementioned criminal act could be found in either primary, secondary, or tertiary citadel of learning. Of course it’s no longer news that in Nigeria for instance, it has become the order of the day. In fact, most of our present days’ youths and as well teachers, have seen the activity as a ‘lucrative’ occupation or another means of survival.
The recent dimension of admission racketeering found in all the government tertiary academic institutions in Nigeria has really brought a nervous wreck to my person. It has grown out of hand to an extent that the racketeers or the miscreants in question now have official offices where they attend to their clients or the applicants. They even go a long way advertising their services as if it’s a legalized activity.
Barely few days ago, I allegedly learnt that a certain brilliant chap who scored above two hundred and sixty (260) in both UTME and Aptitude test having enrolled for Medical Laboratory Science in one of the state tertiary schools in Imo State was unable to secure an admission in the school in question due to admission racketeering. Afterwards, fortunately for the chap, he was admitted in the famous University of Ibadan, Oyo State to study Pharmacy with the same score he got in JAMB (UTME). Needless to say that, the degree of admission racketeering taking place in the existing institutions of higher learning in Nigeria varies from one to another. Let’s ride on!
The above anomaly, admission racketeering, is also taking place in our various government model secondary schools. In this case, the teachers or the head teachers as the case may be, are assumed to be the captains of the respective ships. Yes, the so-called educationists/teachers pilot the dirty affair known as admission racketeering. In most of the schools, the admission is no longer granted by merit; rather, it is being given to the highest bidders thereby depriving the less-privileged ones the chances of being admitted. So pathetic!
The type occurring in the existing private tertiary citadel of learning is not exempted. Though it may not be referred to as ‘admission racketeering’, but it is even more devastating. In this case, it’s obvious that admission is solely meant for the children/wards of the well-to-do parents/guardians. In other words, the only prerequisite to securing admission in such schools remains the amount of money in your pocket, provided the applicant has sat for UTME even if he/she scored zero or thereabouts, thereby throwing ‘admission by merit’ to the dustbin.
There’s only one way out as regards putting this menace to the history book. The Nigeria University Commission (NUC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and other relevant and concerned agencies and groups including the non-governmental organizations and religious bodies have very vital respective roles to play in this regard.
They must as a matter of urgency in their respective capacities tender bills bearing grievous/capital penalty regarding silencing the cankerworm, to the Nigeria’s Legislative Arm of government. Most importantly, the agencies or groups must ensure that the bill if passed into law is duly implemented by the various Executive Arms of government which inculcate federal and states.
With regard to the above, the Judiciary must also ensure that any case regarding admission racketeering/anomaly brought to any court is duly handled in earnest in order to ensure that the suspect(s) is/are brought to book without any delay.
More so, the parents who encourage or patronize those miscreants ought to know that they are endangering the educational image as well as the future of their children or wards. ‘To before warned is to before armed.’
Above all brethren, all hands are expected to be on deck as regards silencing this ugly and deadly ubiquitous cankerworm that is liable to cost the entire Nigerian state an eternal socio-economic mayhem in no distant time. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
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