There is nothing wrong in Nigeria that cannot be
corrected with something right in Nigeria.
This article is based mainly to analyse the role of
education in the growth of Nigeria’s economy,there
has been a decay in the Nigeria educational system as
there has always been a continuous rivalry between
the federal government(political system) and ASUU
(pressure group)
This article is not to praise or applaud either
parties but to bring to the public the good,the
bad,the ugly and the beautiful of Nigeria’s educational
system and to take a look at the way forward.
It is important to bring to your notice that section
18(1)of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria provides that
Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring
that there are equal and adequate educational
opportunities at all levels. section 18(3) Government
shall strive to eradicate illiteracy and to this end
Government shall as and when practicable provide
(c)free university education.
However this so wonderful provision of the
constitution is non justiciable(section 6(6)(c) 1999
constitution) and therefore cannot be enforced by
an action in court. In other words, the government
was
just thinking aloud when it included the
provision!,Therefore it is at the mercy of the FG to
provide any of
these necessities, and they cannot be held liable if
they
fail to provide them. The Government has been very
lackadaisical as regards the provisions of section 18 of
the constitution, as a result, education is now taken
as a second hand affair,forgetting the fact that
enhancing human resources is far more important and
better than even the so called natural resources.
recourse should be made to japan or china whose
economy is a force to be reckoned with in the world
because of their level of human resources, the
percentage of funds from the federal revenue
allocated to education is so minimal as compared to
other nations of the world. How can Nigeria be the
giant of Africa when education cannot be adequately
provided for rather our leaders jump into unnecessary
issues. Is it that our leaders are not wise enough to
know what ought to be done? Even the bible provides
that woe to any Nation whose leadership is a child.
Now to the other side of the coin which is ASUU
(Academic staff union of universities) before I go into
the issue of ASUU stricto sensu, I shall briefly give an
hilarious story.”A white man came to Nigeria and
asked a student what is the meaning of ASUU, the
student humbly replied by saying ASUU is a festival
celebrated in Nigeria where students don’t go to
school”.
. ASUU as we all know is a union group whose main
aim is to fight for the interest of its members,the
purpose of this body is to serve as an intermediary
between the FG and lecturers of their member
university for the good of fostering healthy
educational system.
. The most important weapon a union group uses in
fighting for their interest is strike,this is something
that is synonymous with ASUU. This weapon called
strike has its own advantages and disadvantages,
advantage towards the lecturers because it helps
them get what they want and disadvantage towards
the students because it makes our stay in the
university longer than anticipated, a four year course
turns into five year course because of the persistent
break encountered due to numerous ASUU strike. It
has now turned into a normal routine that ASUU must
go on strike at every two years interval since
2009,later on in 2011 and now 2013, so how are we
sure that they won’t go on strike again in 2015,well I
will be out of the university before 2015, the feeling of
experiencing two long ASUU strike in 2011 and 2013 is
not something to be proud of. It is so amazing to know
that the striking parties will still get paid for the
elapsed months due to the strike,thus getting paid for
services not rendered. Due to this unending state of
affairs students are now vulnerable to anti-social
activities for it is written that an idle mind is the
devils workshop.
. . It is barely four days to september and a month to
october yet my friends who are in their final
year,faculty of law in the university of calabar are all
at home, their dreams of making law school this
october is gradually going down the drain, I weep
everyday in my heart knowing fully well that if they
don’t move, I too will not be able to move to the next
level.
. So many questions running through my mind now,
what is the bone of contention between ASUU and FG?
Is ASUU having also the interest of the students at
heart in this struggle? The Nigeria students are suo
moto involved in this struggle, for anything that will
not benefit the interest of the students is
nothing,according to ASUU the issue on ground is for
the full implementation of the 2009 agreement
between both parties.
Firstly,improved working condition, which entails
infrastructural rehabilitation, briefly put this will also
improve fast and comfortable learning condition for
students. Finally increment of their salary, it seems
like our lecturers no longer want their rewards in
heaven. Who can blame them? After all, narrow is the
gate… one thing is sure that increment can only be
available to deserving hands, have they been fulfilling
their obligation of appearing in class regularly? Do
they want money for a job not adequately rendered? A
man that takes the glory for a job not done is a sinner
in the sight of God.
. Why will ASUU fight for their pocket alone
forgetting that students are supposed to be entitled
to remuneration also no matter how minimal it might
be. What makes a university? Simply put the lecturers
and students, if they get paid for impacting
knowledge into us, I see no reason why we also should
not get a little allowance for helping them grow in
their area of specialisation,for without us there will be
no them vice versa,so therefore we compliment each
other. If you think it’s a lie, what makes them
lecturers if not the availability of. students? </p. To
bring an end to this scorpion eating up our educational
sector,this is the way forward
. The federal government should provide ASUU with
all they want so they can go back to the classroom but
an unbiased panel should be set up as watch dogs
which will comprise of both lecturers and students to
check mate any lecturer that will not give 100 percent
performance of his or her duty as a teacher, any
lecturer found wanting after investigation shall be
summarily dismissed( do your job in order for you to
keep your job).I believe this will be able to eradicate
bribery otherwise known as blocking or sorting by
greedy lecturers.
Most importantly every leader should have love and
compassion for the people they lead, if our leaders
truly have this undeniable love towards us they
should adhere strictly to section 18 of the 1999
constitution and the oath of allegiance they took
before assuming office. A law should b passed that
there should be compulsory admission of all off-
springs of our leaders in any varsity located in the
constituency they represent, this law will foster equal
educational opportunities in accordance wit section 18
of the 1999 constitution. With this policy our leaders
will learn how to do the right things at the right time,
this burden of numerous ASUU strike is too much for
the masses to handle alone.
Furthermore section 18 of the 1999 constitution
should be amended and moved from chapter two to
chapter four(fundamental rights) education should be
our right and not a privilege, because education is the
back bone of all nations economy in the world.
A word of advice for those piloting the affairs of this
Nation, the question you should always ask yourself is
not ”will my calender be full but rather what will fill
my calender”. To ASUU do your job in order for you to
keep your job.
. To my fellow Nigeria students I promise you all
today that we will surely be taking over soon, so I
indulge you not to pack in the packing lot of our
leaders. we are the hope for tomorrow; we should not
talk ill about our country. To get the responsive
government and a Nigeria we all dream of, this is
where I come in, this is where you come in, this is
where we all come in.
. we cannot raise Nigeria up by calling her down…
GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA !!!
IGbinoba tony