UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE OF DECLARING JULY 12TH ANNUALLY AS A DARK DAY BY SCORELINE

Recently, Scoreline in a publication made to the public declared July 12th every year a “Dark Day”. The declaration was in remembrance of those that loss their life in the school building collapse incident at a private school: Saint Academy Jos.

Since that publication, some people have sort to know the purpose and benefits of that declaration, the fact that Scoreline categorically noted that the details will be made available in subsequent releases and publications notwithstanding.

In this publication, the focus is on the purpose of declaring July 12th annually a “Dark Day” by Scoreline. The benefits of the declaration will be published separately in a different publication. To this end this public orientation, awareness creation and sensitization is targeted on education and enlightenment, and bringing to the same page everybody, not only those that specifically made enquiry about the purpose and benefits of the declaration.

First and foremost, Scoreline appreciates the increasing interest and enthusiasm, with regard to her efforts at immortalizing and honouring the beautiful Souls that departed that fateful day by virtue, unfortunately of the school building collapse at Saint Academy Jos. Essential to note at this point, before proceeding further on the subject matter is the crucial need to underscore the sensitivity of the issue at hand, and for this reason draw attention to the fact that the whole effort is geared towards ensuring that the dignity of the victims of that ugly and devastating incident and their families is prioritized, respected and honoured. The attention of the general public is here drawn to this all important fact.

Scoreline is however, convinced that the enquiries are coming because of care, love and sympathy that members of the public believe the departed Souls and their bereaved families deserve, aware of the circumstances of their death.

Moving forward, Scoreline wishes to note that the purpose of the declaration is purely to immortalize and honour the departed Souls and their bereaved families and show some love, support and concern. It is also targeted at reminding and demonstrating to the bereaved families consistently that their loved ones did not die a shameful death. Worthy of note in this regard is the fact that the victims died honourably, seeking to enrich and empower their minds with knowledge and skills required to release for the greater good of the society their in-borne potentialities through effective and efficient maximization of the content.

July 12th annually, as publicly declared or designated by Scoreline provides the opportunity for public education, awareness creation and sensitization about the circumstances that led to the tragedy that took the life of the victims of Saint Academy building collapse incident. Similarly, the day presents Saint Academy, the families and the public with a platform to share narratives individually and collectively about the lifestyle and times of the departed Souls of that disaster, and the opportunity equally to give a historical perspective of similar events in the country, thereby prompting the public to remember and discuss the victims, what caused, contributed or induced the occurrence of the incidents. In the same vein, the day serves as a remembrance day for the ugly incident, as well as provides the room for people to pay tribute to the victims of the incident and their families. It also creates the room for encouragement by individuals and groups to the families whose dearly beloveds died, and to all those passing through difficulties and challenges of different kinds.

Scoreline is of the view that marking the day annually will arouse public consciousness about the consequences of negligence and irregularities of all kinds. It will also be used to draw attention to the pains and injuries that cutting corners can inflict on the public.

As a tool for true reflection in the society, the day will serve as a therapeutic ingredient to checkmate the issues associated with inordinate ambitions, side-lining of instructions and downplaying the role and importance of experts and professionals in the society.

Finally, revisiting annually the memory of those whose lives were cut short in their prime due to inadequacies in the system will hopefully put many members of the society on the verge of always seeing to do the right things: as a culture, as a way of life. The day as a matter of fact will also be used to celebrate God’s mercy in the lives of the survivors of the ugly and unfortunate incident at Saint Academy and survivors of similar incidents or occurrences.

The implementation phase involves massive attraction of the attention of people and sensitizing and encouraging them to visit on July 12th every year the site of the collapsed school building. Storytelling, promotion of cultural practices that support value re-orientation and good behaviour, celebration of service, quality and excellence regularly are also packages of the day.

Site visitation is not limited to the location of the disaster that occurred at Saint Academy Jos, it includes other disaster or tragedy sites. Others include visits to the private and public cemeteries, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and their likes. The public must bear in mind always, the need to commit to the promotion of standard practices and confronting sharp practices headlong.

Specific activities and the modalities for each year event will always be released appropriately and ahead of time by Scoreline.

 

By Nnabugwu Chizoba