Opinion I Ekeukwu Owerre, Imo Government And Imolites

EKEUKWU OWERRE, IMO GOVERNMENT AND IMOLITES

         

The last time I checked, the ever famous and revered daily market Ekeukwu Owerre otherwise known as ‘Ekeonunwa’ situated along the ancient Douglas road – reckoned to be the heartbeat of Imo State the Eastern Heartland – had eventually been relocated to more serene areas.

        

The above action was necessitated by the efforts of the state’s government led by Governor Rochas Okorocha toward ensuring that the previous locality of the market – Douglas road – was restructured for the good of all. It would be recalled that since the emergence of the Rescue Mission Administration, there had been a strong determination by the government to relocate the market.

        

And sometime last year being 2016, following deliberations with the concerned stakeholders, a directive was outrightly given by the government to the traders, asking them to relocate to the new sites, which included Egbeada and Avu, in Owerri West L.G.A and Naze in Owerri North L.G.A.

         

The directive was flaunted by the traders owing to many protests staged by the indigenes of the affected area being Douglas road. At the time, their women were seen in thorough black regalia carrying caskets all over the city of Owerri including the axis that leads to the Government House. Their grievance was that if finally relocated to a different locality, they would stand to lose what they described as their ‘birthright’. The occurrence of what could best be described as the reemergence of the ‘Aba women riot’ caused tremendous uproar within and outside the capital territory.

        

Due to the rigorous protests, the government thought it wise to withdraw its directive, thereby considered going back to the drawing board. Just two weeks ago, precisely on Thursday 24^th August 2017, the government further mandated the traders at Ekeukwu Owerre to relocate to the new sites, thus were given a 48-hour ultimatum – meant to expire on Saturday August 26 – to adhere to the instruction.

         

It’s noteworthy that the directive was swept under the carpet by the recipients, or the concerned individuals. Hence, as a result of the stubbornness, the government resorted to employing ‘non-human face’ towards achieving its lofty proposal by firstly ensuring that all the shanties built along the Douglas road were duly demolished without further ado. The action of the government transcended to other uncalled structures located at the aforementioned arena. The point is that, at the moment, the Ekeukwu Owerre has been successfully relocated, although amidst mixed feelings.

       

Why the government decided to take the bull by the horn may not be unconnected with the countless criminalities that were instituted along the Douglas road in recent times. It’s not anymore news that recently criminal activities such as armed robbery, cultism, and what have you, were obviously on the rampage along and within the Douglas axis, thereby making commuters and Imolites in general live in fear especially whenever they found themselves at the affected arena.

         

It’s worth noting that I’m not here to apportion blames or whatever. This piece is candidly informed by the need for us to acknowledge some facts surrounding governance as well as the compelling need to embrace the way forward at such a time like this, acknowledging that many are presently aggrieved over the government’s initiative. It’s pertinent to note that for government to actualize any intending laudable initiative, it must not depend solely on pleading with the concerned individuals to comply with its directive that is in line with its anticipated societal development.             

Sometime, action needs to be taken when the people poses inconsequential stubbornness, especially when the proposed initiative means well for every occupant of the concerned territory. This was exactly what prompted the scene witnessed along the Douglas road two weeks ago.   

        

Though properties were lost in the process, we need to take into cognizance that for a meaningful change to take place, sacrifices must be made. It suffices to say that people must be willing to sacrifice one thing or the other if they truly anticipate something good in their lives. I was in Lagos State penultimate week for a national Convention organized by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Alumni body of my alma-mater – the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) – in collaboration with the Lagos Chapter of the organization; the event took place precisely on Victoria Island (VI).

        

During my short stay in the said city, I observed that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode had brought several changes within the shores of the state. From the look, being someone who was bred in Lagos, and still frequents the state, I needn’t be told that a lot of structures were destroyed in the process. For instance, if you are in doubt, take a trip to Oshodi territory, a popular and highly populated market arena in the city of Lagos, you would comprehend the picture I am trying to paint here. 

         

A very good friend and brother of mine, Mr. Desmond Obi lost a befitting shop – where his beloved wife traded on phones and accessories – at the Douglas road while the action was taken by the government. But rather than complaining bitterly, he confidently told me that he was strongly in support of the government’s move towards changing the pitiable physiognomy of the said arena. According to the seeming patriotic Imolite, Douglas is the heartbeat of Owerri, thus anything that negatively affects it would definitely affect the entire Imo State coupled with its vicinity. Mr. Obi therefore opined that the government motive meant well for all Imolites.

          

Though a few individuals – particularly a ten-year-old boy - reportedly lost their precious lives in the process, I wouldn’t like to start joining issues on this platform since this critique is mainly occasioned by the need for every Imolite to embrace the way-forward. Hence, I sincerely share the pains of the bereaved families. We need to note that no rational and sane government would ever dream of shedding any blood let alone an innocent one, and the Rescue Mission wouldn’t be an exception.

         

Against this backdrop, I urge the government to desist from the act of denying that whatever life that was lost during the faceoff was not connected with the stray bullets fired by the security personnel that were assigned to repel the aggrieved party; rather, it ought to concentrate on how best to please the families of whosoever that lost his life during the period in review. This is time to make amends, and not the reverse.  

          

We must understand that, for peace to reign, we need not continue visiting the injuries incurred along the line, thus I plead with my fellow Imolites who are currently aggrieved to sheath their swords. Why has it abruptly turned to a ‘war’ between two distinct communities as if there’s something they are not telling us? How did we get to this point? Please, let’s not let this misunderstanding escalate to something else. 

          

I enjoin the government to engage on rigorous meetings with the various relevant stakeholders with a sole view to making amends where necessary. Yes, the government has met with the stakeholders after the incident, it must note that no amount of deliberations would be tagged an overdose. Every concerned party must be brought to a round-table discussion without much ado.

           

All in all, everyone must at this point jettison his/her ego towards doing the needful as I implore politicians in the opposition not to use the scenario to achieve their cheap political aims. Imo does not belong to anyone; rather, it remains our collective patrimony. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
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Twitter: @mediambassador

 

 

  

       

                       

ShortStory I Costly Blunder (II)

COSTLY BLUNDER (II)

       Funke who seemed not unlike soured yellow pap packed in an old dish, was speechless as she stood right before the dude, Kunle who just heard the unspeakable.

      “Did I hear you right?” Kunle inquired, still sitting in the three-in-one upholstery chair.

        Funke became mute as she stared unfriendly at him.

        Little did the television, which was being viewed by the lad, knew that it was now all alone; suffice it to assert that no one recognized its presence at the moment as it kept displaying the football match.

      “Funke,” he called calmly. “Did you just say you are pregnant for me?”

       “Of course nah.” she answered frankly, hastily folded her arms. “Didn’t you know when you did it?” she added in a jiffy, fixed her gaze on him.

       “Something I did just once..?”

       “Oh,” exclaimed Funke. “Just once?” she echoed.

       “Of course,” quoth Kunle, furiously stood up. “Wasn’t it once?”

       “I don’t care about how many times you did it.” she ranted. “All I know is that I am pregnant.” She supplemented, paused. “And the baby belongs to you.”

       “You are not serious.” he said. “Are you?”

       “Oh,” responded Funke. “You think I am joking?” she said, stood still. “Do I look like one who is cracking a joke?”

        The last clause came as a shocker, thus he became more bemused as he kept foreseeing the dire consequences having seemingly absorbed the reality. “Oh my God…!” he shouted, frantically resumed his seat.

        There was a brief silence.

       “So,” he broke the muteness. “What do we do now?” he uttered, looking up to her.

       “Now you have come back to your senses, right?” She rhetorically murmured.

        How on earth would she talk to him in that manner if not that he had already sold the unreserved respect she had for his person by allowing his libido to yearn for her seeming-succulent endowments? Notwithstanding, he had no other option than to ignore her rudeness.

       “You have not still answered my question.” He reminded her.

       “What kind of silly question is that?”

       “Silly question?”

       “Of course,” she said. “Doesn’t it sound silly?” she added, paused. “When you were doing it, did you ask how we were going to do it?”

       “You must abort that baby.” He pronounced with alacrity.

       “What..!” she roared. “Me, abortion?’ she uttered, placing her right hand on her chest.

       “That’s the only option.” He thought aloud.

       “I can see, you are joking.” quoth Funke. “How dare you suggest abortion for me?”

       “So, what’s your plan?”

       “I don’t know,” she replied, stood still. “But all I know is that I am not committing any abortion.”

       “So you want to keep the baby, right?’

       “I wouldn’t blame you.” she continued, ignoring the question. “Because you don’t have a baby yet, so you wouldn’t know what it means to kill one.” She said, faced the other side.

       “Funke…!” Kunle exclaimed at the top of his voice. “How dare you say such a thing?” he supplemented, stood up again.

       She was quiet, still standing.

      “Do you realize I am your sister’s husband…?”

      “Sister’s husband my foot.” She interrupted, hurriedly turned her back on him and walked away.

       “Funke, Funke!” he called as she walked out on him.

     * * * * *    

       “Your sister is pregnant.” Kunle notified Kemi, facing the ceiling as they lay in their matrimonial bed in the early hours of Saturday.

       This was coming after several failed persuasions targeted at making Funke terminate the baby she was carrying in her womb.

       Kemi who was equally facing the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) ceiling, hastily looked at Kunle on hearing the news that could best be described as a shocker. “What did you say?’ she verified hesitantly.

       “I said, your sister is pregnant.” He reiterated, still facing up.

       “Which of my sisters?” she enquired. “Bisi?” she supplemented, referring to her elder sister who got married recently, though marveled why her hubby should gather the news before her.

        “No,” he responded. “I mean, Funke.”

        “Funke what..?” she shouted, shocked, and slightly raised her head from the bed.

       “Yes.” he said, nodding. “She is pregnant.”

        Kemi couldn’t believe her ears. More confusedly, she could not fathom why her husband should be the one informing her on such development. “For who?” she managed to utter.

         He was silent.

        “I said,” quoth Kemi. “For who?”

        “I think I am responsible.” He eventually confessed, still lay in the bed.

        “You think you are what…? She roared, rose up.

        “I am sorry.” quoth Kunle. “I am really sorry.” he added, paused. “It was all devil’s handiwork.”

        “Enough,” Kemi urged fiercely, gesticulating. “Enough of this.” She warned, paused.

         There was maximum silence.

        “So, after all I did for you,” she broke the muteness. “You had the gut to cheat on me?” she said, paused. “And among all people, you chose Funke?”

          “It’s not what you think.”

          “Spare me that, please..”

          After all the hullabaloos, Kemi asked for a divorce, which was eventually granted by a court, thereby leaving Kunle and her younger sister to continue from where exactly they stopped. Prior to their divorce, when the news of the abominable act got to her parents, they felt like strangulating the parties involved, particularly Funke; Kunle’s aged parents equally felt same.

         Months later, Kemi got married to another lad and she took in immediately after their wedding. Years on, the couple was blessed with children and was happily married.

       On their part, Kunle and Funke who were forced to marry each other never had it so good. Funke had stillbirth in the pregnancy that prompted her elder sister’s departure; and after that, she never took in again. Kunle lost his job with the telecom firm and thereafter couldn’t secure any other meaningful job; needless to assert that his financial status was drastically reduced to zero.

 

Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri
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Twitter: @mediambassador            
http://facebook.com/TheMediaAmbassador

   

          

 

Opinion I Imolite, Where Is Your Voter's Card?

IMOLITE, WHERE IS YOUR VOTER’S CARD?

        

The last time I checked, the year being 2019 that is expected to usher in yet an interregnum in the Imo State’s Douglas House and the Nigeria’s Aso Rock, was arguably fast approaching on a speed light. Such candid observation needs to be noted by every patriot in the state.

      

Sure, Nigeria – Imo in particular – is currently practising democracy, which is reckoned to be ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people’. However, it’s noteworthy that election is peculiar to democracy. This assertion implies that any democratic society is characterized by elections and what have you. In fact, election begets democracy.

        

If the above analysis holds water, then it is not needful to reiterate the importance of voter’s card. Voter’s card, which is the only document that signifies one’s eligibility during elections, remains a tool that ought to be seen as inevitable by anyone who truly appreciates a democratic setting. This is so, because without a voter’s card, a so-called eligible elector is ostensibly useless at any polling unit while an election is being conducted.

        

It’s really disheartening and disgusting too, to acknowledge that the majority of electors in the contemporary Imo State are yet to regard voter’s card as the only instrument that guarantees one’s eligibility to partake in electioneering decision-making. Owing to this, this set of persons is often marred by apathy whenever voter’s card registration is ongoing, therefore would never bother to know when the registration begins as well as its deadline let alone heading for their respective polling booths to grab their copies.

        

This level of apathy or nonchalant attitude found amongst the electorate, particularly the young ones, has colossally endangered the success of various elections conducted thus far across the state and Nigeria at large. It is baffling to note that often times, most people only go to polling units to engage themselves in all sorts of gossips and frivolities rather than with the aim of casting their votes.

      

When confronted, some of them would proudly tell you that elections are of no use in any part of the country since at the end of the day, rigging would successfully mar the results. They say so, forgetting that rigging can never be possible if it is not aided by them. Of course, it’s not anymore news that election rigging is traceable to the uncalled and ridiculous acts graciously carried out by our able-bodied young ones. The unpatriotic politicians or aspirants would invariably hire these young people in order to snatch ballot boxes containing the ballot papers at various polling units, thereby succeed in rigging the affected election.

        

This, no doubt, signifies that election rigging is being aided by both the electorate and the electoral officials. Yes, the electoral umpire is usually a party to this aberration because in most quarters when reported that the ballot boxes were snatched by a group of thugs, the officials in-charge would still go ahead to declare the results of the election in question. It is saddening indeed to watch such unfortunate situation linger under our noses.

         

Acknowledging this ugly trend, there is a compelling need to aptly educate an average Imolite on the prime essence of possessing a voter’s card. He or she needs to be told, in a language he would comprehend, that it is only a voter’s card that empowers one to elect a candidate of his/her choice at the polls. They must be made to understand that if they failed to grab their voter’s card, there won’t be need to fix or conduct any election within their jurisdictions. They must equally be informed that a voter’s card is the constitutional right of everyone who has attains the age of eighteen (18).

         

Hence, as the revalidation of voter’s card is presently taking place across the country, let’s endeavour to conscientize our wards to go to their respective Local Government Councils and obtain a copy of their voter’s card. The ongoing exercise is solely for those who were yet to attain 18 years of age as at the time the last voter’s card registration was conducted, or those who had attained 18 during the said period but couldn’t register, or those who have already obtained but theirs are damaged in any way. In other words, individuals who fall within the stipulated bracket are expected to as a matter of urgency be in possession of their voter’s card at the moment. It is their right, not a privilege.

         

So, at this juncture, I asked an Imolite and anyone resident in the state, who falls between the age of 18 and above, have you acquired your voter’s card? If yes, is it intact? If you are yet to grab yours, you still have a golden opportunity to do so. Stop supporting a certain political aspirant, jettisoning the fact that it is only voter’s card that can guarantee his or her victory at the polls come 2019. We must understand that possessing a voter’s card is more important than publicly tendering eulogies to any aspirant.

        

The various aspirants on their part must equally do the needful. As a matter of fact, they must acknowledge that they are one of the major stakeholders required to assist in sensitizing the electors, particularly their followers, on the unavoidable need to ensure that they boast of their voter’s card as they eagerly await the year in question. In view of this, the aspirants and the political parties in general ought to play their cards aptly so that at the end, only a successful and credible election would be recorded in the state.

        

The electoral umpire (INEC) must as well be very helpful as long as the said exercise lasts. There is need to decentralize the ongoing revalidation of voter’s card being held across the country. Instead of making it an exercise to be conducted only at the local government headquarters, the various political wards – polling units precisely – should be empowered to carry-out the assignment towards ensuring that no qualified elector is disfranchised, or deprived the chances of acquiring his/her voter’s card, in the process.

        

All in all, this piece is occasioned by the need to let us note that a voter’s card remains the most powerful decision-making tool in any electioneering era. Thus, go out there today and grab your copy before ‘had I known’ becomes your slogan. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
________________________________

Twitter: @mediambassador
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