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
_________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador

Opinion II IPPIS: Its Technicalities, Intrigues In Varsities

By Fred Nwaozor

The Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) is a project initiated by the Federal Government (FG) in the Nigerian public service sector via the use of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
The IPPIS was introduced to adequately prove the effectiveness and efficiency of payroll administration in the government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Prior to its implementation by the FG, it was outlined that the IPPIS would accurately and reliably provide the overall personnel information as required by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
Nigerians were further informed that the electronic platform, if fully implemented, would drastically and holistically reduced or completely eliminate all forms of corrupt and sharp practices as well as facilitate modern scientific and apt budgeting cum forecasting.
It’s noteworthy that the IPPIS could boast of a separate department under the OAGF. The department or unit is solely responsible for payment of salaries and wages directly to FG employees’ bank accounts.
It has equally been reported that apt deductions are instantly made, followed immediately by remittances to a team of third party beneficiaries such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), State Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), National Housing Fund (NHF), Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Cooperative Societies, Trade Unions’ Dues, Association Dues, Bank Loans (if any) and what have you.
Recently, the IPPIS department boasted that since inception of the tech-driven mechanism in April 2007, the unit had saved billions of naira for the FG via elimination of thousands of ghost workers and allied matters.
It’s worthy of note that the streamlined key functions or core mandate of the IPPIS department are, but not limited to: management of FG employees’ records, payment of salaries and wages to the employees, deductions of taxes and other third party payments, remittance of payroll deductions to the benefitting bodies, and enrolment of employees into the IPPIS database.
The overall mission of the IPPIS is to pay the FG employees on-time and accurately within statutory and contractual obligations. Whilst its vision is to have a centralized payroll system that meets the needs of the said employees as well as help the government to plan and manage payroll budget by ensuring proper control of personnel cost.
It could be recalled that recently, sequel to the FG’s frantic move to ensure that all employees are duly enrolled into the IPPIS, the workers of the federal tertiary institutions of learning across the federation – particularly those of the universities – frantically rejected the plan, stating it was against the international extant law that permits the university autonomy.
Owing to the government’s insistence, the majority of the opposing university personnel succumbed to the pressure, hence reluctantly agreed to enroll into the tech-driven system having been conscientized that they would be happier while being paid via the IPPIS.
It’s worth noting that every existing university in the country is made up of four distinct workers’ unions, namely: the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU).
So, during the struggle between the FG and the aforementioned unions over enrolment into the IPPIS, three out of the four – namely NAAT, SSANU and NASU – were outshined by the pressure as the ASUU stood its ground, insisting it would never be a party to such scheme, which was seen by its members as a means by the FG to ridicule their rights.
However, it was claimed by the OAGF that some members of the aggrieved ASUU, whom were regarded as saboteurs and cowards, were captured into the IPPIS in spite of the directive issued by the national leadership of the union instructing every member to steer clear of the exercise, which they said was shrouded in secrecy and pranks.
The members of the three unions, whom were rigorously captured into the electronic system at the wake of 2020, reportedly received their first salaries via the IPPIS in February. Consequently, the salaries of the subsequent months being March and April were equally paid through the platform.
The intriguing part of the payment made by the IPPIS department to the university staff was the claim by the latter that their respective salaries were heavily deducted coupled with the allegation that their expected consequential arrears of the newly approved National Minimum Wage was not included.
The affected personnel lamented that at the time they were expecting to receive higher income (wage), the IPPIS department rather short-paid them without their consent or knowledge. According to them, aside the required arrears of the new minimum wage, their Earned and Peculiarity (Hazard) Allowances were obviously omitted from the payments, thereby impoverishing them. They, therefore, urged the OAGF to urgently look into the matter towards addressing the anomalies.
While this set of workers was still arguing and crying woefully over the perceived anomaly, the ASUU members who received the arrears of their withheld February and March salaries equally reportedly suffered from similar fate.
It would be recalled that penultimate month, President Muhammadu Buhari instructed the OAGF to outrightly pay all the striking members of the ASUU to cushion the excruciating effects of the ongoing lockdown occasioned by the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Intriguingly, reports following the payment of the ASUU members disclosed that the said workers were paid via the IPPIS as it was mentioned in their respective bank alerts. One would then ask; how could they be paid through the IPPIS without being captured into the digital platform through a biometric method as required by the scheme? One question, too many.
The OAGF has come out to say that the alleged deductions in the university workers’ salaries were as a result of the legitimate taxes accruable to their wages, which were initially overlooked or not properly captured by their various institutions.
Analysts and concerned observers have been compelled to believe that the FG is only focusing on taxing the workers hugely and ‘unreasonably’, citing it as the government’s main current source of income since other sources of revenue are apparently grounded at the moment due to the ravaging effect of the COVID-19.
The various affected unions in the universities have insisted they would opt-out from the IPPIS, threatening a shutdown of their schools whenever the FG calls for reopening of the truncated academic session. They have unanimously agreed to embark on indefinite industrial action if the outlined issues weren’t sorted out prior to resumption of studies, though the ASUU had made it clear that the union was still on strike.
Truth be told; these uncalled technicalities and intrigues emanating from the IPPIS platform have myriad of questions to be answered by the OAGF. Questions concerning paying the university teachers via the digital platform without involving biometric capturing, over-deductions of their gross worth, and what have you, must be attended to by the concerned authorities.
Funnily enough, we have equally been reliably informed by these unions that the OAGF is yet to remit the deducted dues to their respective bank accounts. Who is then deceiving who? These countless challenges must be holistically taken care of before the world starts seeing Nigeria as a point of laughter or a comic centre. It’s even more baffling when realized that the said office had accused the universities’ management of forwarding the names of dead workers (lecturers) to be enrolled into the IPPIS. Isn’t it shameful and disgraceful for the office to make such claim public, having earlier notified Nigerians that the IPPIS was targeted to eradicate any form of hitches, aberration and corruption from the system?
Inter alia, the OAGF had earlier enthused that the IPPIS would ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries, yet we are currently notified by the concerned employees that their wages are recently usually deposited after many days of the affected month.
Whatever the realities might entail, the OAGF must take into cognizance that they are dealing with a set of individuals who are widely believed in the society to possess high degree of intelligence, knowledge, as well as sense of ingenuity and technicalities.
When a certain policy is genuinely designed to solve an existing plight, but in the long run ends up constituting more nuisance, then it calls for an urgent review. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, Tech Expert, Policy Analyst & Rights Activist, is the
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Follow: @mediambassador

Opinion II Onu, COVID-19 And Nigerian-Made Ventilator

By Fred Nwaozor

The Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu recently enthused that the Federal Government (FG) was prepared to ensure the acclaimed giant of Africa could boast of mass production of ventilators soonest.
A ventilator is a machine that provides mechanical ventilation to the user by moving breathable air in and out of the lungs, towards delivering breaths to the patient (user) who’s physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently.
It’s noteworthy that modern ventilators are computerized microprocessor-controlled devices. However, patients can equally be ventilated with a simple hand-operated bag valve mask.
Ventilators are mainly used in intensive medical care, emergency units, and home care. It’s also administered in anesthesiology as a component of an anesthesia machine.
It’s worth noting that ventilators are sometimes referred to as respirators; a term commonly used for them in the 1950s. But in the contemporary hospital and medical terminology, a respirator is simply a protective face mask.
On its part, a respirator is a device specifically designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmospheres, including fumes, vapours, gases and particulate matter such as dusts and airborne micro-organisms. It equally prevents an infected person from transmitting a contagious disease to the people around him/her.
Lest I digress; modern ventilators are electronically controlled by a small embedded system to allow exact adaptation of pressure and flow characteristics to an individual patient’s needs. Ventilators can also be equipped with monitoring and alarm system for patient-related parameters.
Penultimate week, precisely on Monday, 6th April 2020 – amidst the prevailing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic that’s ravaging the global community, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Nigeria graciously announced that the country could now boast of Nigerian-made ventilators.
The laudable notice by the NASENI Spokesman, Mr. Segun Ayeoyenikan, which equally disclosed that the agency had as well produced mobile sprayers to be used to disinfect Nigerian cities and homes, further informed the general public that the newly manufactured ventilators would be unveiled the following day being Tuesday by the Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Onu.
According to the press release, the lofty development was aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. It’s worthy of note that ventilator is a vital equipment meant for the treatment or control of the said disease and other related health challenges.
It would be recalled that recently, the FG via the Federal Ministry of Finance, begged an American billionaire for ventilators. The plea, which was widely perceived as a national embarrassment, was eventually withdrawn by the government. This could perhaps be the reason for recording this feat.
In a related development, few hours after the NASENI’s announcement, the teeming Nigerians were informed that a 20-year-old 200-Level undergraduate of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in Kaduna State, Mr. Usman Dalhatu had solely designed and produced a manual ventilator to be used in treating COVID-19 patients.
The young inventor, who reportedly hails from Gombe State, disclosed that it took him just 48 hours to manufacture the respiratory device. He, therefore, enthused that with adequate funding and technical supports from experts, he could mass produce the equipment within a short period.
More amazingly, Mr. Dalhatu who’s of Mechanical Engineering department, further revealed that the ventilator had already gotten a patent and trademark certificate, and currently was being sold in Abuja and Gombe States. He equally hinted that he had manufactured an electric cooking stove.
It’s not anymore news that this kind of talent is found all over our various learning institutions, but is invariably bedeviled by the continued lack of enabling environment. Probably, time has come for the fathomless cries of these folks to be heard.
Subsequently on 10th April 2020, the Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo stated that the FG had opened discussions with Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company and other related indigenous firms toward producing ventilators in the country.
The boss who disclosed this in Abuja while updating pressmen on the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for the manufacturing sector, notified that the FG had received proposals from the aforementioned company – and other automobile firms domiciled in the country – to produce ventilators, and that the various memos were being considered.
This information came at the time when the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engr. Mansur Ahmed revealed that Nigeria’s manufacturers had increased the country’s domestic production capacity for face masks from 2 million in February to 27 million now.
The Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Onu while launching the first set of the made-in-Nigeria ventilators and other devices in Abuja, noted that ventilators were currently scarce across the globe as countries continued to conserve the ones they had for their own citizens.
Dr. Onu who was represented by the Science Minister of State, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, further declared that the FG could not afford to watch Nigeria citizens die from the COVID-19 crisis, thus Nigerian engineers in NASENI were challenged by the government to come up with engineering remedies to tackle the menace.
Taking into cognizance the trending thus far in the Nigeria’s tech sector as regards the emergence of the global health challenge, a discerning mindset in the country wouldn’t hesitate to assert that this situation – unbearable though – could be a blessing in disguise.
The bedeviling circumstance might be the prize to pay – or sacrifice to render – by Nigeria and her likes to enable them wake up from slumber in the area of science and technology, which had long been relegated to the background.
Nigeria as a people must, thus, be prepared to key into this crusade that’s ostensibly targeted to uplift her ailing tech sector by embracing the realities of the day, which are so glaring even to the blind.
It’s quite appalling that at such a critical time like this that requires optimum research activities, the country’s various universities are totally under lock and key. This occurrence is an obvious indication that we as a nation still have a colossal distance to cover in the field of sciences.
It’s so disheartening that at a period when the selected brains are meant to spend their nights in the laboratories and what have you, our numerous science dons and professors are conspicuously busy cracking jokes or compiling myriad of comic lyrics at the comfort of their respective bedrooms. It’s indisputable that this set of Nigerians is being marred by apathy because they have been made to believe that the society doesn’t care about their inputs.
Dr. Onu and his team must hence use this moment to swing into action in earnest without further ado. There absolutely ought to be no reason to import ventilators and allied materials while we can boast of all it requires – ranging from talent, patent to resources – to manufacture for ourselves. The only parameter that’s presently lacking in the system is the needed political will.
This is, therefore, a clarion call for us to start producing what we intend to consume. Anything short of this might unleash doom. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, TheMediaAmbassador, is the
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
__________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Follow me: @mediambassador