Nigerian Hotline Blogsite: March 2014

Monday, 31 March 2014

EDITORIAL: National Confab: By who? For Who?

EDITORIAL

31 March 2014

National Confab: By who? For Who?

Most of the news headlines nowadays are dominated by happenings and fallouts of the on-going National Conference in Abuja. The Confab has produced enough drama to push most other front-burner issues out of the news. Hardly anyone talks about who has defected from one party to another or who is angling for one position or the other. All eyes seem to be set on the National Confab.

In its first week of sitting, a lot of controversies have been swirling around the Conference. News Media and Social Media are awash with reactions and opinion over the event at the Confab, discussing the various happenings filtering out of the National Judicial Institute main auditorium.

The first salvo from the Confab was the issue of opening prayer. A lot of dust was raised about the use of Islamic prayers to start off, which several delegates argued should have been a neutral prayer. Before that dust could settle down, the issues of voting took centre stage. The crux of it was the provision that a 75% voting majority would be required to reach a decision in the absence of a consensus decision. The argument raged so much that some delegates early came to fisticuffs on the matter and that argument dominated the day’s proceedings.

Next the JNI threatened to pull out of the Confab over their perceived disparity of representation between Christians and Muslims. Not to be outdone, the Lamido of Adamawa threatened to transfer his people’s allegiance to Cameroon in the event the Confab led to Nigeria’s break up. The issue of the age of the Confab delegates became another side show, as a lot of Nigerians described them as too old at an average age of 62. Tie that to the insinuations about the “sleeping” delegate (who eventually passed away three days later) and concerns about the health of former Information Minister, Dora Akunyili and you have a superb soap opera script that even Hollywood cannot contrive.

A wise man has said that “talking is good because as long as you are talking you are not fighting”. We at Nigerian Hotline Newspaper agree with that postulation in its entirety. Focusing on personalities and differences would not lead us far in this undertaking. The Confab is an event Nigerians should take very seriously. We should be able to learn from history and take our fortunes in our own hands. Nigerians should take a cue from the people of Benin Republic who, in the 1990, took control of a similar conference setup Marchby military dictator Mathieu Kerekou and forged a new direction for their country while also easing the strongman from power.

It does not matter the age of the delegates, their backgrounds or antecedents. What matters is that they are Nigerians and we can hold them to account. Whereas different groupings have forged their own agenda ahead of the Confab, WE THE PEOPLE can foist OUR own agenda on the delegates if we can use the third eye and see the great chance and opportunity presented by the Confab to WE THE PEOPLE.

This is the reason for the title of this editorial: National Confab: By who? For Who? It is by Nigerians and if WE THE PEOPLE of Nigeria are vigilant we can push all the drama aside and make the Confab for us. A word is enough………….

Overzealous Prison Officers Manhandle Innocent Traders

Nnamdi Iheagwaram

Barely four weeks after the National Association of Nigerian trader inaugurated the state chapter of its association with a view to checkmating the excesses of uniformed men on traders, some overzealous prison officers have manhandled some innocent traders who deal on telephone accessories along Okigwe Road, adjacent to the building that was housing Imo state Stock Exchange and Imo State Investment and Promotion Agency.

Nigerian Hotline gathered that the traders whose names were given as Sunday Ngwu, Michael Ude and Isaac Onu were manhandled and beaten to stupor by some armed men identified as members of the Prisons Armed Squad led by an officer identified “Ambush commander”. According to sources the traders sustained injuries as a result of the incident and are presently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre. Narrating his ordeal to newsmen Mr. Isaac Onu said the man identified as “Ambush commander” usually comes to buy phone accessories from him, pointing out that the bone of contention was that the Wife of “Ambush commander” brought a phone to him to buy the phone on the directions of the husband.

He alleged that they settled at the price of N2,000 and he gave her N1,500 as deposit, promising to pay the balance of N500 later, only to discover that the phone was faulty and immediately he sent a message to “Ambush commander” to that effect but was surprised to note that “Ambush commander” insisted that he must pay the balance, threatening to deal with him if he failed to pay.

Continuing, Mr. Onu expressed shock that the said “Ambush commander” carried out his threat and unleashed an attack on him and some of his colleagues with five of his men, stressing that they applied the use of maximum force and even handcuffed him pointing out that in the course of this melle, his wares and those of his colleagues were destroyed. Corroborating Onu’s story, Mr. Sunday Ngwu and Mr. Michael Ude wondered why they should be manhandled in such a manner by men of the Prisons Armed Squad for an act the know nothing about and therefore called on the Prison authorities to checkmate the excesses of their officers. Reacting to the incident the State Controller of prisons, Mr. Iheanyi I. Amadiri said that his office would carry out a thorough investigation on the matter and if they officers are found liable the authorities would not hesitate to take internal disciplinary action of the officers.

Meanwhile, Mr. Isaac Onu has threatened legal action to enforce his fundamental human right.

Tension In Inyishi Autonomous Community Presentation of Staff Of Office

.......Leaders Accuse Eze Chidume Okoro of Rigging their Eze-ship Election

By Nnamdi Iheagwaram

There has been palpable tension in the ancient Kingdom of inyishi autonomous community over the press release by the Secretary to Government of Imo state, Prof. A.G. Anwuka, in respect of the presentation of staff of office to 92 newly recognized Traditional Tulers in which the Eze Elect of the ancient Kingdom of Inyishi, Prince Ugbondu Nnanna Andrew Osuji, was deliberately omitted and in his stead the name of Chief Obed Anyanwu whom the community said never won their Eze-ship election held on 16^th July 2013 was entered. The town which is usually busy now very quiet as the staff of office is about to be presented today. Nigerian Hotline gathered that since the history of the ancient Kingdom the people of the area are noted for sticking to their guns when it comes to important policy decisions and they wondered what will become of the community in the event of the Government going ahead to make this presentation to Chief Anyanwu.

According to information reaching us, Chief Obed Anyanwu had lost the election having polled 398 votes as against the 552 votes by Prince Nnanna Osuji who won the election. The people of the area however accused Eze Chidume Okoro of perfecting the plot of influencing the result of the Eze-ship election of the community without due regard to, not only the peaceful disposition for which the ancient Kingdom is known for, but also the customs and traditions of the land.

A community leader who prefers to be anonymous said that he is aware that the community will not leave any stone unturned in their effort to recover what he described as the stolen mandate, describing it as a rape of democracy. Stressing that this setting aside of the people’s will would not go away just like that. When Prince Ugbondu Osuji was contacted, he said that the matter is with the ministry of Community Government Council, haven paid a mandatory fee of N20,000 as charges for legal suit to enable them look into the matter but expressed surprise that the Ministry of Community Government Council never handled the matter till date. Prince Osuji sadi that when they came for the case before the Governor’s panel, the Governor handled every case but regretted that when it came to their turn, the Governor took his leave having been exhausted for the day and this had resulted in the matter lingering till date and when Eze Ohiri tried to mediate in the matter, Obed Anyanwu left the hall and immediately calls started coming to Eze Ohiri, hence preventing him from giving a fair hearing to the matter and Eze Ohiri therefore discharge them on the premise that the Governor will handle the matter himself.

Prince Osuji therefore said that up till date nothing has been done about the matter and they were compelled to petition the Peace and Conflict Resolution headed by Engr. Peter Ohawa who started handling the matter until High Chief Lawrence Onumajuru intervened in the matter and decided to withdraw the case for peaceful settlement, which they obliged him and he consequently constituted a panel which was to be comprised of five persons from both parties.

He, howerver, regretted that Chief Obed Anyanwu had 13 persons representing him having been told to do so by one Chief Dr. Johnbull Nwaiwu against the decision of High Chief Onumajuru and this did not go down well with the revered Chief who in turn quarreled with the secretary of the panel Chief Boniface Iheoha on the issue. Continuing Prince Osuji said till date Engr. Ohagwa has not said anything about his findings pointing out that it is Dr. Nwaiwu who claims to be close to the Governor who said that he will will use his closeness to the Governor to ensure that the will of the people in that election does not see the light of the day. Prince Osuji therefore urged the government to hearken to the voice of reason and act according to the heart beat of the people. Meanwhile efforts made to reach Eze Chidume Okoro and Chief Obed Anyanwu were unsuccessful as at press time.

POLICE RESCUES EX VC’S MOTHER FROM KIDNAPPERS

By Nnamdi Iheagwaram

The Imo state police command has rescued Madam Lucy Okonkwo at Ihiala from suspected gunmen at Ihiala Anambra State. Madam Okonkwo is the mother of Prof. Chuks Okonkwo, former Vice- Chancellor of Imo state University (IMSU) Owerri.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joy Ugo Elemoko, of the Command informed Nigerian Hotline exclusively that the suspected kidnappers, a male and a female, have been arrested and investigations are ongoing, pointing out that the 92 years old woman has been re-united with her family and may have been taken to a hospital for medical attention. Elemoko said the kidnap attempt was foiled by the dogged Scorpion Squad of the command.

Madam Okonkwo, whose other son is a Catholic Priest in the person of Dr. Emma Okonkwo of Orlu Diocese, Imo State was said to have been abducted by unknown gunmen last Monday at about 11:15am in her compound, Umucheke Amaifeke Orlu LGA Imo State. The PPRO also appealed to the public to always inform the security agents of every suspicious movement around them.

Meanwhile, Prince Chukwuemeka Uba, a native of the area and the National President of Ohaneze Youth foundation (OYF) in a telephone interview has condemned the act, asking the perpetrators to repent and channel their energy into meaningful ways to better the society instead of channeling their talent to committing crimes.

Dimaku Blasts Okorocha “You are not my leader”

By Chidi Odor

The seemingly bottled up anger of Hon. Kingsley Dimaku against the governor of the state, Governor Rochas Okorocha was made open when he declared that the governor is not his leader.

Hon. Dimaku who represents Ehime Mbano State constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly Stated this during the one day working visit of the governor to Ehime Mbano, stressing that, Chief Tony Chukwu brought him into politics and is his leader.

According to Hon. Dimaku, “His Excellency Sir, I am always loyal to you since we came on board despite the fact that we are not from the same political party. Both of us married from the same place and as such, share the same in-laws but, I have a leader who brought me into polities,” he declared.

Speaking, the governor told the people to be grateful to God who brought him into power as the governor of the state, disclosing that 19.3km of roads have been awarded to various contractors to the tune of N1.158bn while over N500M has been released to contractors to execute the road projects and urged the contractors to give good accounts of themselves.

Earlier in an address presented by the Transition Committee (TC) Chairman of the council, Hon. (Lady) Chioma Ogoke said that the people were delighted about the free education policy of the governor which has removed the burden of school fees and other educational materials from parents, pointing out that children who dropped out of school due to school fees are now back to the classrooms.

COMMUNITY CRIES FOUL OVER OKOROCHA’S MODERN SCHOOL BLOCKS.

The Umuduru-Egbeaguru Improvement Union in Onuimo LGA has sent a save-our-souls (SOS) letter to Governor Okorocha. The letter which was made available to newsmen highlighted what they described as the injustice meted to the people of the area.

The trio of Eze S.E. Alegbe (traditional ruler), Prof. (Sir) E.A. Nwokoro (Apex leader) and Dr. (Sir) Stainless Onyeneke (President General) of the community lamented that the implementation of Governor Okorocha’s directives on the construction of 305 modern school structures in each of the 305 wards of the state was denied the people of Umuduru Egbeaguru Describing the ward of Umuduru Egbeaguru which has 13 polling Units/booths with sizeable voters as the biggest in Onuimo LGA, the union called on the governor to look into the denial of the modern school structures to the community.

According to the leaders all efforts to convince the relevant authorities to revisit the situation have proved abortive. The Umuduru Egbeaguru leaders appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to ascertain whether his directives pertaining the 305 modern school structures was implemented in their area.

DIFFERENT STROKES: WHAT TYPE OF MOTHER ARE YOU?

DIFFERENT STROKES, WITH REV. CANON CHINEMEREM UCHE

WHAT TYPE OF MOTHER ARE YOU?

Rev. Canon Chinemerem Uche

The mothering Sunday is here and it will be good if we reflect on the kind of mothers we have. This classification might enable us to take corrections where we need to.

“Churchious” Mother: She is always in the church and prefers church activities above her husband and children. She can preach very well and belongs to almost all the groups in the church and yet her children are symbols of rascality and immorality.

Talkative Mother: The only time she is not talking is when large ball of food is in her mouth or when she is sleeping. Her nick name is “uka tuo aja.” –abundance of talk like sand. This kind of mother is a one woman riot squad when it comes to quarrelling. She has the history of everybody in her “yard” and will use it as her weapon of offense whenever there is a quarrel. She does not need to be invited in any discussion as far as she hears what is being discussed; she must join in the talk-talk.

Masculine Mother: She is domineering and bangs her fist on the table while arguing with the husband. She makes autocratic statements and nobody dares to oppose her because she will be ready to fight to finish.

Gossip Mother: She has gossip as her second and most important name! She knows what is happening in every woman’s marriage and bedroom. She can fabricate stories that are hard to refute and disbelieve. She delights so much in gossiping about pastors and celebrities.

Mirror-Mirror Mother: She is always on the mirror, admiring her beauty. She colonizes every mirror in the house including her husband’s rear view and side view mirrors. The only thing that startles her out of the mirror is the hooting of her husband’s car horn urging her to be quick so that they do not arrive late for a function.

Fashion crazy Mother: This woman reads magazine a lot, or rather watches magazine to check for the latest fashion worn by celebrities and wealthy women. She tries more than ten clothes before making a final selection of the one to wear for an occasion. In the process of making a choice, she takes her bath several times after sweating it out in the wardrobe. She spends a greater part of her earnings including feeding money on fashion.

Nagging Mother: She can nag from morning to evening and can continue to the following day over an issue that has long been settled. Her wall is full of graffiti showing dates and time a particular wrong was done to her. Her husband returns home when he is sure she has gone to bed to avoid her constant nagging.

Debtor Mother: This kind of mother loves borrowing because she lives above her income. She wants to meet up with the high class ladies and will do anything to meet up. In the church, she makes pledges she cannot fulfil -just to belong to the high class. She wants her children to dress and feed like the president’s children. She lives in a cycle of borrowing to pay debtors and living big. The unfortunate thing about her is that people know her class and level of income even though she thinks she is a high class lady.

Money Mother: The only time there is peace between her and her husband is when there is money. As far as there is no money to spend and throw around, the house becomes a war zone.

“Gbazaquine” Mother: You cannot look for this woman in the crowd because she is everywhere. In the church she must give a testimony, sing a special number and shout the loudest hallelujah. She will dance and sing loudest in the church or social function for everybody to notice her.

Food Mother: This woman can eat! Her hobby is eating and she does not care. She hates to be told to control her eating habit and will pick quarrel with anyone that tries to enforce it. She cooks her food with a lot of “tozo” “fokpu-fokpu,” “afo anu,” and “kanda.” The unfortunate thing however is that by the time she is done with her cooking, all these mentioned ingredients would have vanished from the pot.

Drug abuse Mother: This type of mother likes taking drugs especially anything that is called herbal remedy. Whenever she falls sick and visits the orthodox doctor, she does not keep to the discipline of taking the drugs as prescribed.

Temper tantrum Mother: She is quick tempered and will throw anything within her reach at you when she gets angry. She can say anything to her children when she gets angry with them including “God punish your mother.”

Business tycoon Mother: This type of mother is a business mogul. She goes to market by 5am and returns by 9pm. The unfortunate thing about her is that she spends a greater time after the day’s business, counting her money and leaves all the work to her house girl including her conjugal duties.

Suffer Woman: This mother works hard. Some of them are those who go to the “bush market” to buy food stuff for sale. She pays the house rent, school fees and medical bill for the entire family. Sadly, her husband is a drunkard or a lazy drone. Her children too are careless and live big at the expense of their mother.

Dirty Mother: She hardly washes her garments. Her parlour and room is unkempt and her children are perpetual host to ring worm and eczema.

Virtuous Mother: She is godly, born again and faithful to her husband and treats him as her king. Her husband is always falling in love with her and devotes time to her. She in turn, devotes time to care for the family. She refused to start work early so as to train the kids well. Helps the kids to do their homework and monitors their performance in school. She is industrious and a model of motherhood.

Political juggernaut Mother: She is an accomplished astute politician. She is a powerful gladiator gathering chieftaincy titles and awards wherever she extends her political tentacles. Her husband and children hardly see her. In fact she is a virtual or online mother.

“Ogogoro” Mother: This mother is a champion at drinking alcohol. She is a true manifestation of the proverbial drunkard that drank the wine and ate the cup. –What some folks call, “anu chaa e fechaa cup, ata npi nmii.”

Fish brain mother: Because she travels a lot she decided to bring in a full time, full blooded lady as a house girl into the home. See the kind of text message she sends to the husband about her sudden need to travel: “Honey, praise God I have been nominated to deliver a lecture at the Alabama University. Adaobi the house girl has been instructed about your menu. As no nonsense Christian husband, I know as usual you will not allow her to dress improperly especially when visitors are around and I have warned her too. I will be back in three days. Bye dear…”

Correspondence mother: She travels a lot and stays long on her journey. She is very much in love with her job. She is so eager about career advancement and would not mind running the home through correspondence. See the kind of note she drops for the family whenever she has to travel: “Ngozi, as the first daughter of the house take care of your Daddy and siblings. I will be away for a month. Your Daddy’s food has been packed in the green buckets and preserved in the freezer and it is expected it will last for 4 weeks. Meanwhile, I have transferred the sum of Ten Thousand Naira into your account for your feeding. You can combine whatever you buy with the noodles and macaroni in the store.”

What type of mother are you? You can also list your type if is not listed here.

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions of our guest columnists do not in any way reflect or represent the views, standpoint or editorials policy of Nigerian Hotline Newspaper.

FRANKLY SPEAKING: THE VUVUZELA GOVERNOR, 3 YEARS AFTER Pt2.....

FRANKLY SPEAKING, WITH ROWLAND AKACHUKWU EMMANUEL

THE VUVUZELA GOVERNOR, 3 YEARS AFTER Pt2.....

A man of integrity is that man who live up to his words, not one who abandons the ship when their whims are satisfied.....

Roland Akachukwu Emmanuel

Last time on this column we discussed the promises and the percentage of fulfillment of the promises made prior to the 2011 Gubernatorial election in Imo State. I, among other things, highlighted the failure and inability of this government to keep to the promises made to Imolites during the Campaigns. Of utmost importance are ROADS and the HEALTH Sector. The inability of the Rochas Okorocha-led government to fulfill his 2011 Campaign promises in those regards is not only a pointer to the fact that Okorocha is a Man who Imolites should not only ignore come 28th February 2015, but must also be made to account for the over N50 Billion we are told his government has invested in these two sectors mentioned above.. In government and Leadership, it is your achievement as a public servant that immortalizes your name. Like Dee Sam Mbakwe, who not only borrowed to finance his own government then, but also laid a legacy that some individuals want to, but are yet to equal, but trumpet that they have performed. Former Anambra State Leader, Chief Peter “OKWUTE” Obi not only proved to all that good leadership is not about borrowing and/or mortgaging the future. Even when You borrow Billions to finance State projects, the citizens on whose behalf you borrowed must be made to feel the impact of your borrowing. Haven said that, it's about time we looked at other sectors which he promised in 2011 to not only revive, but to ensure that their effect impact positively on the lives of the ordinary citizens. 3 years after, what's with the Promises?

1) WATER RESOURCES: Before the coming of Governor Rochas Okorocha led administration, Imo State had 76 major Water Schemes & about 64 motorized Boreholes. 2014 and 3 years of life of the government, the numbers not only remained the same, nothing positively has occurred in that sector. In this 21st century, some communities in the state still make do with stagnant, polluted streams. They cook with them, eat with them, wash with them, bath with them and worst of all, drink them. The health effects of drinking such stream water is innumerable, and since the hospitals in the state are in utterly bad shape, I leave you to imagine the situation.

We are have over 10 months to the next elections. They would come with promises of revitalizing the State’s Water Schemes, promises they made in 2011 but have failed to keep to, so far. Most of the projects initiated by past administrations are now moribund. The Present Government promised among other things to, as soon as elected, embark on "rehabilitation of existing water schemes" and also promised to embark on New projects to be solely financed by “Foreign water companies”, based on what they called Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. 3 years down the line, we are yet to see any BOT or TOB. Mr Governor, How far?

2) RURAL ELECTRIFICATION: Before You tell me it's the Federal Government's responsibility, not States. Lagos, Rivers and Enugu State Governments have built and developed power plants. One not only invests for the future, but also put things in place in case a situation arises that requires One to be self-reliant. Enugu State Government is leaving nothing to chance in this regard. The Government of Sullivan Chime is currently electrifying rural communities and by 2015 we are told that 85% of all communities in the State would have been electrified. They didn't do it alone, the State government partnered with genuine foreign investors whose sincerity cannot be compared with that of J-PROS, a Spanish company that stole billions of our Money under the watchful eyes of Governor Rochas Okorocha. The difference between Enugu and Imo is that Imo is an oil producing state, while Enugu is not. One wonders why a State as Rich as IMO, cannot replicate The Feat in ENUGU. IMO State’s monthly allocation is higher compared to that allotted to Anambra & Enugu states, respectively, yet the State under Governor Rochas Okorocha is yet to embark on any meaningful electrification project 3 years down the line.

In 2011, according to the Governor, the State would initiate a Public Private Partnership Project aimed at establishing an Independent power project (IPP) in the State. It also, among other things, promised to ensure that Imolites Enjoy uninterrupted power supply. "Under my government, we will vigorously pursue The development of an independent power generation scheme with a recognized international Energy company "—Rochas Okorocha.

The project, we were told then, would target a minimum of 100MW generating capacity necessary to meet our short and medium term growth in energy demand. The last time I checked, 18 & 20 MW is still the current situation. The promises of The “Energy Implementation Unit” which will be saddled with the responsibility of pursuing various energy related investment projects, covering Energy supply and conservation Issues, demand, site management and also deal with Issues in policy has not achieved anything. In the midst of numerous promises, one is left asking, What about the “NATURAL GAS POLICY”? “WASTE TO ENERGY POLICY?” “OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR FUTURE POLICY?” (The streets of Owerri are now a massive refuse dump site and flooding is now the order of the day). What about the “Energy and Industrial Free Zones Policy”? “What about the GAS Transmission System policy”? “What about the Bio-Energy policy? etc. Were they all political rhetoric?

3) WELFARE: A society is best rated based on how it caters for those who gave their all in Service to their State. The unpalatable situation of Our Pensioners in the State should worry any serious Government.

4) AGRICULTURE: The biggest employer of labour all over the world is Agriculture. In Imo State today, 89% of the able bodied youths are unemployed. Majority of whom make a living from Keke-ing to and from the major towns in the State. While the government pays lip service to the issue of unemployment, it squandered over 2 billion prosecuting the election campaign of Chris Ngige in Anambra Stateduring the last November election in Anambra State.

In 2011, the government promised to maximize the Urashi, Imo an Njaba rivers to boost Rice Production and other staple crops in the State. It promised to ensure that the 27 LGA's in the State prioritize Agriculture and Education. According to the government then, "We shall take advantage of our upland grassland at Okigwe Agric zone for the development of livestock. We will encourage the production of fish protein by aiding the supply of fish meals and fingerlings. We shall provide OUR subsistence Farmers with tractors, etcetera”. The promise of providing farmers with Tractors and other Agricultural implements would have helped To check Rural-Urban drift. But 3 years down the line, we are still where we were. The present government promised to establish 6 Agricultural and Industrial zones in the State. In the following Places:

1) Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Aboh/Ikeduru/Ihitte Uboma Zone: To concentrate on Palm produce, Vegetables, Rice & Poultry.

2) Owerri North/Owerri Municipal/Mbaitolu Zone: Live stocks, cassava processing, fisheries, etcetera,

3) Oru East/Oru West/Orlu/Isu/Njaba zone: Fisheries, Cashew, Paint and Adhesive, Baking powder,

4) Okigwe/OnuImo/Ideato North/Ideato South Zone: Cashew, Rice, Hydrated lime, vegetables, fisheries, plantains etcetera,

5) Ehime Mbano/Isiala Mbano/Nkwere/Nwangele/Obowo Zone: Vegetables, cassava, poultry, plantains.

6) Owerri West/Ohaji Egbema/Ngor Okpala/Oguta Zone: Oil, gas, Rubber, cassava, poultry, palm produce, pineapple, fisheries, Banana, mango, piggery etcetera. Furthermore, the government promised to build an Aggro-allied Industry in each of the 27 LGA's to support the Zones. Taking a quote from the Governor, "Nothing is wrong with our head, but something must be wrong with the State of our head "—Rochas Okorocha..

It seems OUR governor has suddenly forgotten all of his promises!

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions of our guest columnists do not in any way reflect or represent the views, standpoint or editorials policy of Nigerian Hotline Newspaper.

UNCLE MIKE’S CORNER: The Pains Of Being Single And The Benefits

UNCLE MIKE’S CORNER: The Pains Of Being Single And The Benefits

Mike Ikem Umealo

This topic is one of those deeply sensitive types that is almost always exclusively reserved for analysis from the views of a woman. But as one who has long embraced "gender equality" and supported the fact that "she who wears the shoe, knows where it hurts," I am prepared to accept that even if my analysis come short of being objective, my intentions are purely harmless and not a personal attack on anyone or any gender or persons who "may want to think" that because I know a bit about them, therefore, it must be about them. If it happens, just know that it is not me writing but through the power of "spirituality" the human reality is revealed to the elect.... I don laugh tire, Anyway, before tackling this issue, l would like to reference a disclaimer that: THIS ARTICLE IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY! It is specifically for those people who are ready to think, to object fairly and those who have resolved to continue evolving into their own open minded ideals and desirous to educate themselves. That said, let us proceed.

Being single is not a crime; it's not a sin; it's not a taboo. But I have heard people say, they would "rather be single than be in a relationship" with so and so person, and rightly so. It is the "so and so" persons that give relationships a bad name. Be that as it may, human beings are social beings who always want to associate with each other or attach themselves to things they value.

Perhaps, I should write on the good news first which is on the benefits of being single before introducing the not so good opposite view.

The truth is that when a woman is single for a long period of time (unless she planned to be single) she may begin to wonder if something is wrong with her. In spite of all the scientific advancements, all the feminists ideals, all the talks of gender stereotype, even in the 21st century, the identity of so many women, particularly the African woman is still wrapped up in marriage and family, to the extent this is right, the verdict is in the public arena.

For almost every woman I know, conscientious singles, divorced, accidental singles or young and widowed women, there is constant pressure from family and society to marry. However, women are increasingly beginning to realise that indeed, being single does have its advantages.

Increasingly, many women are electing to delay marriage, preferring instead to focus on career, friends and self-identity. While a married woman may not appreciate a girls’ night out because of children and other family responsibilities, if you are a single woman, you do not have those worries. Your time for self is almost like unlimited data usage. You can go anywhere you want, anytime you want and with whoever you choose. Of course, one may ask, what about sex? Yes, many people are in a relationship because of the sex, but that's not enough because, as impossible as it may seem, some women can actually put their libidos to sleep. However, to do this requires enormous effort and self-denial to put those demanding desires to sleep. But it's possible, if one can deny him or herself those things that will excite them towards the urge. On the other hand however, undeniably, there are those moments when one who is single may start to feel like a a “failure”. Regardless of how focused and how positive you stay most of the time, there will still be those moments when you are going to berate yourself and wonder "Am I alright?" It is simply a fact that, in our culture, being single is not the norm.

Today's woman would not let the scarcity or lack of a husband stop her from having a child or a house- a home. And this would have been unthinkable a few decades ago. And these new situations also affords the woman less housework and perhaps more time to achieve greater things. There is also scientific evidence that "Single women generally have fewer mental health issues than married women, especially those with children to worry about." Also, the single working woman does not have to take permission to spend her own salary, and doesn't need to worry about paying off debt incurred by her spouse. However, I don't know to the extent that this is true: statistics show that single people have better sex, though such intimacy is not as frequent as married people." I don't agree because, better sex includes the knowledge that your partner is safe and secure. Besides, hormone levels are higher in a "courting relationship" and many people I know would never choose variety over sexual safety standards.

On the other hand, not too long ago, a 35 years old divorced mother of one daughter wrote me: "swore to remain single for the rest of my life after my husband walked out on me and my daughter almost three years ago. But now, it makes me so sick to be single. Most of my married friends are still with their husbands and I am really happy for them, but sometimes I envy them. Maybe I want to have what they have too, despite the memories of all the troubles with my ex-husband, I still want to find love more than anything. I want to be with someone. I have tried to do things and "enjoy" being single but I can't. I can't enjoy this state. I need hugs, kisses, someone to think about at night, someone to talk to, and someone to wake up to when I have nightmares. I need to be alive, for someone to want me, to find me and to desire me. Please how should I go about it?"

Interestingly, many women still have the view that marriage represents “success”, even with the statistics showing that about half of all marriages end in divorce. To these women, they have to be in a relationship, whether the man is good or not. As long as they are not single, they are happy, so they think!

In fairness, many single women, didn’t choose to be a single, "condition made their crayfish to bend." However, my view is that some of these women allowed such circumstances to dictate to them what to do instead of taking control those circumstances.

Indeed there are many downsides of being single, you may have to walk into your empty flat after a long day at work without anyone to say "welcome" "ma oburu na iweghi nkita" (unless you own a dog). It can be lonely being single.

When you attend church or other social events and every one of your mates has a man "even a half man" that still loves them around, it’s not always a nice feeling being the odd one out- it can hit you hard. Sleeping alone at night is no fun really even as a guy who is constantly on the move.

But still, our happiness doesn't have to depend on other people; happiness is what you make it. And I am very proud of women who understand this; especially those of them who can get any kind of man they want but still choose to be alone and find excitement in their vocation or in other devotions; they could easily be using a man to get what they want but their morals doesn't include using people.

Finally, while many singles may be at pain with respect to so many aspects of social living, and while the truly independent lady may have more time and freedom, she also has no one to take care of her when she's down- unless she or he forms a union of singles because your married friend may not always be available to jump in for you. What about, Christmas, New Year, Easter? Yes, lives aren't measured only by being married and having children or keeping a family, but whenever you are the "odd one out in any setting" it is always hard to still feel normal.

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions of our guest columnists do not in any way reflect or represent the views, standpoint or editorials policy of Nigerian Hotline Newspaper.

Thursday, 20 March 2014

BACK AND BETTER!!!!!

21-03-2014

So, your darling Nigerian Hotline Newspaper has been off the stands for a while? Well, that is not the news, the news is that Nigerian Hotline Newspaper is back with a Bang!! Bigger, better and more loaded than ever before!

Sometimes it is good to take two steps back in order to take 1000 more steps forward. In moving forward we are never going to look back. See it this way, when a rampaging bull pulls back, it is not in retreat, rather it has backtracked to gather more strength, more momentum and more gusto! Yes! We are back like a raging bull.

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BREAK DOWN NIGERIA INTO 6! — CHIEF I.D. NWOGA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

....NATIONAL CONFAB, SOUTH-EAST HAS NOT FIELDED ITS BEST

......APC CANNOT STOP PDP IN 2015

21-03-2014

Octogenarian elder statesman Chief Innocent Diala Nwoga sat down with our Editors for an exclusive interview in which he bared his mind on so many issues bordering on Nigeria in general and Imo State in particular. With a strong voice and sharp wit that belie

his age, the former Minister and Party Chairman pulled no punches as he tackled issues head-on. This is one interview you would love to keep for the archives. Enjoy reading!

Nigerian Hotline Newspaper: Sir, we would not ask you to introduce yourself because you are definitely well known in Imo State, Nigeria and beyond but we would like to start on a lighter and personal note. We understand you would soon be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of you wedding, making it your Golden Jubilee. How does it feel being married to the same woman for 50 years now and counting?

Chief I. D. Nwoga: I will be frank with you, it has been absolutely delightful. I have had a very good marriage, a peaceful marriage, a very good partner. It has always been peaceful in my house, I am always glad to go home to meet my wife. It has not changed from how it was from the beginning, of course, it has mellowed but it has not changed essentially and I regard myself as really lucky to have that privilege.

NHN: What has been the highlight of this marriage? What are those moments that make you feel fulfilled in the marriage, those moments you wish would never stop?

Nwoga: I don’t know whether I would say they shouldn’t stop (laughs) but the thing is that the birth of a child in a marriage is always a highlight and with the birth of each child a glow is added to the marriage. A friend of mine told me something when I was getting married, he said “Look, your wife is very pretty but I want to advise you that you will only be looking at her for only two weeks or so and after that there would be days you won’t even look in her face. You just want to know whether your food is ready, whether your water is hot and whether your home is comfortable”. I understood that what he was actually telling me is that it transits from the starry-eyed period into a more stable period of comfort and serenity, if you are lucky. If you are unlucky it transits into storms, ups and downs. I have really seen people suffer in marriage, active suffering in marriage. I have always thanked my stars that I didn’t have to go through that in my marriage. Though there have been ups and downs in my own marriage I regard them as inconsequential. We have rather concentrated on enjoying and enduring together common tribulations that assail people’s lives: deaths, misfortunes that come ones way either singly or collectively. The good luck is that we have been able to tackle each episode together.

NHN: Well, then, I suppose it would not be out of place to wish you another 50 years ahead…..

Nwoga: (cuts in) Well I would rather take that as a good wish (laughs heartily) whether I believe that or not is a different matter (laughs).

NHN: But seriously, you are a very important person in Nigeria and I cannot have an opportunity of a sit-down with you without taking you up on a few topical issues concerning the country. You have been a public servant, a minister, a politician, a national opinion leader and now an elder statesman, would I be right to think that you have retired from all those things we have known you for or are you semi-retired, semi-active or something else? What stage of life can we say you are at now?

Nwoga: Speaking for myself, I would say I have retired but it is difficult to speak for other politicians who come at you, who see you as a resource material, perhaps, who see you as someone who can facilitate one thing or another. So, while I remain retired by my own decision, I have not escaped from political activity. I think it is the lot of all politicians. Once you withdraw from the service you never return, in politics you can’t withdraw totally. As you are leaving they are dragging you back and you find that total retirement doesn’t happen.

NHN: Even though you have been quite politically active since you stepped down as Imo State Chairman of PDP it appears you have not been playing any other active role either at the political party or governmental level. Is it as a result of personal choice or, maybe, somehow you have been side-lined?

Nwoga: Actually, after I had served as the Chairman of the party and we were lucky enough to launch Imo State into PDP, PDP won the state in our time. I deliberately decided to withdraw due to experiences I had at that time which did not seem to me as something I want to repeat.

NHN: Maybe you could share some of these experiences.

Nwoga: You know, a situation in which you won the elections, you led the party to victory. When it came to the “sharing of the booty”, if I may put it that way. You know, the sharing of appointments and so on, they found reasons why you shouldn’t be there at all! But it wasn’t even that because before I joined politics I had got to the top of my career and life, it wasn’t that. It was because the human beings you thought you knew and worked with turned into something different! In their single-minded quest for political booty they were no longer attractive to work with so, I thought that for my sanity and to retain my sense of dignity I should stay out of it. That is why I stayed out of it for quite a while until I found that the party was in trouble, even the government at the time was in trouble and I felt I could make a difference if I stepped in to help them, which I did once, and I did twice and a third time when things were going wrong. As for being in government, I have a temperament for building, erecting structures for administration but I don’t have the temperament for scrambling for positions. Hence in the federal circle where I am ordinarily entitled, by right, to get an appointment, haven been a state Chairman of the party, when none was coming I didn’t bother. But there are those who would want to get appointments by all means even though they were not a part of the machine that made the party win. I probably lack what is required to get jobs at the federal level (laughs).

NHN: You lack it in what sense?

Nwoga: I wouldn’t compromise my principles! I wouldn’t forgo my dignity simply because I am seeking for appointments.

NHN: From the foregoing, would I be right to conclude that you were disappointed with then Governor Achike Udenwa? Probably he turned against what you expected, not necessarily on a personal level but, probably in terms of policy and manifesto which you expected that your party and the governor would supervise together. Do you think he derailed at some point……….?

Nwoga: (Cuts in) Quite frankly, as I steam on to my Golden Jubilee I don’t want to get into any controversy at this time, I wouldn’t want to talk about anybody’s government at this time, whether they got it right or wrong. I will make general statements mostly. Udenwa is a friend of mine and I wouldn’t want to put him in any discomfiture discussing his government.

NHN: Okay, I understand you would like to play the role of a statesman and father of all but I am sure in times like this people would love to hear you speak and hear what you have to say. However, let me say that I am surprised to be here with you at this particular moment when I know that the National Conference just kicked off. I would have thought that you would have been at the top of the list of eminent Nigerians who are at that Conference. How come you are not there? Did you decline?

Nwoga: No. I wasn’t asked and I didn’t ask to go. Nobody suggested that I should go. There were enough people wanting it for those who didn’t ask to go to be missed out. I didn’t ask for it but if I had been nominated I would have gone but I wasn’t asked to go, not by the nominating bodies, so I am quite content listening to what they are saying. We have made our contributions at the South-East Council of Elders. We have had several meetings with Ohaneze and some other leaders so that those who would be representing us would be brought to the forum and be advised on what is best for Ndigbo. That is as far as I would go. We joined in this conversation and we expect that haven talked about it and developing a Memorandum we have made our own input.

NHN: From your activities at the South-East Council of Elders what would you say is the Agenda Ndigbo are bringing to the table? What are those things Ndigbo want discussed there?

Nwoga: Our position is informed by our experience in the Federation. In the early 1960s the Eastern Region, led then by the NCNC and Dr Michael Okpara and Azikiwe before him, was described as the fastest growing economy in Africa because of the dynamism of that government and the fact that there was a total mobilization of that area for development. After the war there has been a slump and we have never recovered but our people have not lost their enterprising spirit, they have not lost their capacity for collective engagement. So, it is our view that if Ndigbo are put together in a government and given the commensurate finances and responsibilities to run the affairs of this area, and if you do as well to the other geopolitical zones, the dynamism of the people will begin to manifest. But now it cannot manifest itself, the states are too small. The money they get cannot solve their purposes and they do not have enough money to mount impressive or satisfactory programmes that would transform their areas. For example, the Onitsha-Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Road passes through the South-East and you see that it has been under very poor maintenance since it was first opened in the late 1970s and it is a crying shame. The Federal Government might want to show concern but there is no immediacy of concern, that is, they are not there to feel it, they are far away. Whereas the people who live there, if you give them the money they will make sure that the road is built because it is for their convenience. You can multiply this kind of experience, the immediacy of concern around the country. I, personally, would support the view that the geopolitical zones be constituted into federating units, that way each people would have their fate in their own hands. They would have the resources with which to transform their fate and carry out development. Those areas that have the dynamic and creative spirit to develop will develop while those who don’t will not develop whereas now everyone is being dragged down because the Federal Government insists on governing Nigeria in detail. There is no Nigerian that has been born that can govern Nigeria in detail, not now. It must be by spreading of responsibilities and the best unit for the discharge of these responsibilities and the transformation of the regions would be these (geopolitical) zones and they may be adjusted a little to suit to purpose. So, our people have this ability to act and move themselves forward within the unit of their local action so that is one principal proposal we have recommended. Let each zone appropriate their resources, Federal Government reduce your concerns to the Military, the currency, Foreign Affairs, Weights and Measures, and things like that but the developmental activities and responsibilities for the country should pass on to these units, if we do so this country would be transformed within a short time.

NHN: So sir, in effect what you are saying is that the position of Ndigbo is that we should return to some form of regionalism, not necessarily Confederation but a Federation with bigger federating units created out of collapsing the current states into larger structures along the lines of the geopolitical zones.

Nwoga: Right! You have summarised it very well. Now, we try to avoid stigmatising this thing, labelling it whether it is Confederation or something else. We will call it true Federalism with bigger and more viable federating units.

NHN: Sir, do you think the Confab is a good idea and do you think the timing is right especially considering that 2015 is around the corner?

Nwoga: Let me tell you something; it is always right to talk, to try and develop a meeting of the minds especially in a very contentious environment such as Nigeria. You just keep talking; when you are taking you are not fighting. It is only when you stop talking that you can start fighting. I don’t care about timing. I mean, if it finishes within three months and they do the necessary things within the next few months we may have a new and different constitution, but if they don’t then they (should) package the report and leave it for the next government to attend to. Those who are worried about the timing, those who are criticising him (President Goodluck Jonathan) for doing what they asked him to do, the timing doesn’t matter. Instead of planning how to grab power everybody should go and talk about how to rearrange the country so that it will become a workable entity. That is the sensible thing to do, not to begin to talk about the timing of the conference. I don’t care if there are political undertones, anyway, there is nothing done now that has no political content, but the truth remains that as long as you are talking you are not fighting. Talking is constructive if it is done by reasonable people. So it is a very good idea.

NHN: Let me backtrack a little to the South-East Position. Do you think, pardon the expression, that the South-East has presented it first eleven for the National Conference and in general do you think the men and women there at the conference are the best eleven Nigeria can put forward?

Nwoga: I don’t like criticising the ability of other people but let me ask you, have Ndigbo ever put forward their best eleven? They don’t know how to do it, they are temperamentally impaired in that regard. Those who grab all the time and who want to grab they won’t…….. the people who are capable don’t grab, they wait and if they are called upon then they go. Some of the nominations are funny but they depict our own character also.

NHN: Sir, the Federal Government has pinpointed some no-go-areas, chief of which is any discussions about the continuous existence and unity of Nigeria. Without being specific to that alone, do you think it is proper for the Federal Government to impose no-go-areas or do you think the conference should be all-encompassing and have the right to talk about any and everything?

Nwoga: Let me tell you the truth, this matter as far as I can see, it is very natural for the Federal Government to identify or propose no-go-areas. Nobody presides over the dissolution of his own kingdom. For the moment they are in control of the Federal apparatus and they are administering the Federation so it is not natural for the President to tell them to go and see whether we should remain together or not. But if I were a member of that body I would talk about anything I want to talk about irrespective of proposals on no-go-areas. This is a free country, you have been told to go and talk about the country, you go there and say what you want to say! Whereas they may set no-go-areas I expect the participants to discuss the structure of the country as freely as they want to. It would make an impact, whatever it is. Mind you, I don’t think we should go ahead and dismember the country but we should give the structure of the country a very seasoned consideration, there must be something that can be said about how the country has fared with this present structure and association.

NHN: Ok sir. Still talking about Nigeria in general the 2015 elections are less than a few months away, what is your assessment of the build up to the 2015 elections. With your experience and wisdom, as you look at it, do you think the signs bode well for the country?

Nwoga: As an elder in this country, I am worried, I am a worried man. And I observe a lot of irresponsibility in the conduct of the politicians in the country. They are not afraid of overheating the polity, even people you would think should be responsible, they are continually sabre-rattling, threatening and in some cases destabilising. And you are never sure now whether they mean what they say or whether they are just making noise and say whatever they like, this is the problem. Responsible politicians should speak responsibly and not say things that are untrue and not refuse to recognise facts as they exist but I really and sincerely hope…….. and anyway, this conference is a damper, a little damper. Everybody is now talking about the conference and are facing the discussion at the conference and I hope you reporters would begin to report them and reduce the attention given to the political clamour because nobody can tell for sure whether the Boko Haram issue is really coming from some people outside, that there is no internal support for it. And this unbridled effort to get rid of the president, Jonathan, next year…… I call it unbridled because they don’t seem to be pulling any punches. It is unhealthy the way it has been drummed up, the way they have pursued it with such acrimony, unprecedented gusto and yet, if you are sitting outside and watching you would have said this chap has been trying to do something in these past four years. He has mounted different policies, some of them are working and sadly for example, the most difficult area is the power sector and yet he has set up structures that if we are at all rational, those structures would in the end solve our problems. But instead of recognising something like that happening they continue to accuse him as if he did nothing at all. To govern a country you need some time, especially if you have a programme, four years is a very short time in the life of a state, they have not even allowed him to do three years before wanting to excavate him and get rid of him from there where as if he finishes the programmes he is mounting and does another four years of consolidation you won’t have to ask him to go, he must go! That way there won’t be any tension, unnecessary tension in the country. That’s why you asked the question. Why can’t they wait for another four years and build up whatever they like and then go for power?

NHN: Do you think the opposition are more prepared for 2015 than they have been for previous elections, especially considering the emergence of the APC from a coalition of the three main opposition parties we had before? Do you think that in reality PDP now stands a greater risk of losing power to the opposition?

Nwoga: well, you can start by examining the personalities and character traits of the people who are there. There are such powerful people there that you wonder if they would be able to get along without personality frictions and clashes. I have been told that in a place like Adamawa (Murtala) Nyako and his newfound friends have started quarrelling and that is a condition that could be multiplied. I think potentially, looking at their huge size, they would pose a potential threat to PDP but it is only a tree that you would tell that you would be cutting it down and it still stands there. I think PDP needs to work hard to consolidate what it has now. Those troublemakers are still in PDP but it is only if they don’t learn that the party would run into serious problems.

Editor's note: (To be concluded next week)