An Open Letter to the Management of Umaru Musa
Yar'adua University, Katsina.
Dear sirs,
With due respect, I humbly wish to make a request
on behalf of my fellow students.
Yesterday, 17th December, 2013 was historical as it
marked the end to the five-months old strike
embarked upon by members in the Academic Staff
Union of Universities cadre. Education is the bedrock
of a nation and is a right not a priviledge and where
the government does not favour it, those concerned
should stand firm to uphold for their right (which is
education).
Your desire to promote education is what geared you
towards seeing to the actualisation of an agreement
entered into by Federal Government and Your
humble selves. I would rather say that your students
should have been the ones embarking on it on
everyone's behalf and fighting it till eternity not you
because all is done to actualise a dream come true;
the best in students you wish to see. And a dream
hoped to become a reality. It is indeed our duty to be
greatful, acknowledge your efforts and pray that
may God guide your struggle and grant power to
your elbow, amin.
Sir, it is with great joy and relief that we received the
news of suspension of strike. It pleased every
student with the desire to achieve his goals in the
university, especially those in the final year whose
50 days to become graduates had been curtailed by
the strike. Although we do not wish to see the full
implementation of the agreement as
undergraduates, it is our sincere hope that our
younger ones and your respective sons benefit better
in their time.
Sir, it gives me much pleasure to write you this letter
due to your compassion. It is also important to note
that writing of the letter is motivated by the good
and cordial relationship that exists by the staff and
students in the School Community. And I can
categorically state that UMYU is the best in this
regard, coupled with their slogan of "To Learn and to
Serve" which is geared towards the fulfillment of the
degree awarding objective, based on Character and
Learning. I'm proud to be a student of UMYU.
Sir, it reached us with shock the date for resumption
of school. It
reached us suddenly just as death does to humans.
This announcement was made immediately after the
official announcement made by the National
President, Dr Nasir Fagge, on the Union's decision to
suspend the strike. Sir, taking into account the social
stratification in the Country, it will be a great burden
on most students to resume school just immediately
after the announcement. Sir, it is good to know that
there are students in many corners of the Country.
Some are coming from Taraba (although they could
have affiliations to being Katsina state indigenes).
Some are coming from Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara,
Niger state, Jos. It even extends further to as far as
Osun, Lagos and other places. Sir, with the sudden
announcement of the suspension of strike and the
sudden announcement of the date for UMYU's
resumption, slated for today, Wednesday, December
18, 2013, it is with sheer dejection, bitterness and
disappointment some parents will receive the news
because of the financial crisis bedevilling the fragile
economy of most houses. Some of us are orphans.
Some have parents who find it hard to make ends
meet. Some have to wait till other members of the
family volunteer to give them what will sustain them
half their stay in school. Some parents and students
alike will labour hard to see they get something. In
spite all the labour and suffering, what is got will not
sustain the student till the end of the semester.
Some, to put together just transport fare will be hard
and difficult. Some have mouths to feed; ranging
from our parent's sustenance which rests on us or
have wife(ves) and children whose fates lie in our
hands. Taking this into account, one will see that it is
much likely that it is not only a burden on the family
man but also in his budget till the end of the month
which there exists no "Miscellaneous". Should the
Management maintain its stand, we should be
excused on the basis of the situation.
I have written this because we must be affected by
one these in one way or the other as we are not born
with silver spoons in our mouths. In my statistics,
over 60% are from poor backgrounds. 30% from
average. Another 10% from rich families. It is worthy
of note that students (from poor and average
families) shall face two major difficulties and are
financial. One, their rent which has long expired and
the landlord after pleaded with, may decide to wave
off some amount. Second, the mind which needs to
focus and pay attention, loses it because it's hungry.
Sir, as our fathers whose parents have entrusted us
to you, I plead on behalf of the entire students of this
reputable Institution to revert its decisions and make
it till when by the Power of the One Above, we can
meet up with the demand in the School, latest
January. Thank you very much in anticipation of your
consideration.