ASUU must understand that Nigerians are already sick and tired of their protracted strike as even the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) under its leadership comrade Isaac Gbadebo has come out openly to condemn their obstinacy in the whole trouble-shooting steps. Even though many have labeled him as an ant- unionist, I do not think in the name of unionism, the truth should be crucified all in the name of Aluta. Nothing has been achieved in an atmosphere of obstinacy, dialogue and continuous dialogue has always been the hallmark of civility. In the last three months, there is no organization that hasn’t come out openly to plead with the striking lecturers to accept what has been offered by the government, devise other means of funding, while negotiation continues, but all have fallen on deaf ears. Yesterday it was our mothers, the other day it was the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji sa’ad Abubakar 111, the clergy have taken their turn, various elder statesmen have done too, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Conference of Nigerian Political parties, the council of traditional rulers and even the opposition APC, have all at one time or the other, pleaded with the striking lecturers to shift some ground and call off this protracted strike but it seems the union is bent on holding the nation to ransom and have allowed their ego to get the best of them as though in a war of attrition with the Federal government. These voices are respected ones in the affairs of this country and ordinarily should have moved ASUU into allowing logic to take the place of emotion in their faculties, but that is not the case. This no doubt, made the president to reach the hypothetical conclusion that the strike has become a political issue, I cannot agree less. Finally, ASUU should know that there is not and there will not be a better time to call-off this strike than now when the ovation is still loud than to do so subsequently in shame. Every voice that once blamed the government has now taken a volt face, and instead has blamed the lingering strike on ASUU, that should ring a bell to them. They should understand that the support they have received so far from the masses has been monstrous and must as well, pay back to them by heeding the voices of Nigerians and accepting the 130 billion naira tendered by the government and call-off the strike so that the youth population roaming the streets like itinerants could go back to the classes and find a way of salvaging their future and the future of our country at large. The object of any strike action should consist of two major goals. One for the betterment of the system and the other and most importantly, should be for a progressive Nigeria and not otherwise. ASUU “biko” ‘ronu’. The writer is on twitter as @yung_silky raymondnkannebe@gmail
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 06:16:50 +0000
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