₦airaland Forum

texazzpete: Such a shame that so many people cannot grasp the import of what these groups are saying.

These other unions are asking the FG not to implement the recent MoU being touted about, but to implement the 2009 agreement, the same one the FG is desperately kicking against.

In short, this statement is even worse for the FG when you think about it.

Abeg, ASUU continue with the strike jor, let these short-sighted cretins that abuse you on NL continue ranting. Nigerian Universities MUST be drastically improved if we are to remain in contention in the world.

It is quite a relief that someone sees things from a rational perspective on this NL. All I read nowadays on ASUU strike is "God punish ASUU they are fighting for their pockets" e.t.c. It is very disturbing and a suggests a viable reason why Nigeria still remains a hell hole.

What was in the MOU that was not in the 2009 agreement? That should be the question we should be asking ourselves. Secondly I stand to be corrected but the reason ASUU is still fighting is to ensure the government fully implements the 2009 agreement. If that be the case, then what really has the non teaching staff said that appears to be antagonistic to ASUU's demands? In what way are they fighting for only their own selfish ends? ASUU insists on full implementation of the 2009 agreement, SSANU, NAAT and NASU are saying the same thing with the clause of ignoring ignoring the MOU is that not a contradiction? And for the sake of information, the agreement reached with FGN, SSANU, NASU and NAAT was completely selfish on the part of those aforementioned unions. They only bordered on their welfare and wages. As a matter of fact their demands have been met and their monies have been paid to them so they can afford to open their mouth and say anything they like. On the other hand, the government has agreed to implement and pay the monetary aspect of ASUU's demand but ASUU insists on the relatively selfless aspect of their demand which is a better educational environment for all and sundry. So let us ask ourselves and answer honestly which association is really being selfish here? That's all I have to say for now.

Akainzo: Have you people rejoicing or slating ASUU paused for a while?

ASUU DID NOT close the Universities, ASUU members only went on strike. As a result of that strike, students went home. For your information. all the schools are open as NASU members are at work only that there are no lectures.

So how then will the FG forcefully open what is NOT Closed?

This is the most sensible post on this thread. You are absolutely on point!

Billyonaire: We all know that these lecturers do not know anything. Equipped with internet, students can totally study their courses and know beyond what their Lecturers know.

It is time to abrogate ASUU and restore the Education system to Pre-ASUU days, Tertiary Education was better before ASUU was formed, and will be better after ASUU is abrogated.

They right to peaceful Assembly, does not include the Liberty to Unite for Anarchy and totalitarian malapropisms against Education of our Youths.

ASUU is totally interested in what goes into their individual bank accounts and not the plight of the Students in this country.

Like oga like lapdog. You and your master of a president are keen on destroying Nigeria with your monumental s.tupidity. Just yesterday your oga stated Nigeria can never progress because " youth are shooting gun". Come 2015 you and your illeterate president would be sent to the gutters where you belong. Enjoy while it lasts.

olala32: u people misunderstand the writing. Obesity is all about overweight and is not a normal weight.
People that are obese lack the gene call leptin.
Leptin is a gene that breakdown fat....if this gene is totally absent mean the rate of getting overweight is height, compared to when the gene is low.........type 2 diabete is also one of the effect of obesity...
So what the scientist said about gene mutation is relevant......

This study on this thread did not have anything to do with leptin and it's effect on obesity from my understanding. KSR2 is a is different from Ob(Lep) which is the gene that encodes leptin. However, there is litrature evidence suggesting that a mutation in leptin gene causes leptin deficiency leading to obesity. Also a mutation in leptin receptor gene also leads to obesity. so in that sense you are right from my deduction of the point I think you are trying to drive concerning the relationship between leptin and obesity. However, I think you need to distinguish between a gene and the protein the gene encodes in order to make you points clearer in a scientific topic of this nature.

heed101: d annoying part is when she opens her eyes during kissing

How you take see am?

@ topic, a critical analysis based on the information in the article suggests to me that the study does not contain sufficient data to make the inferment that the mutation in KSR2 gene causes obesity. A difference in the sequence of base pairs in the KSR2 gene between obese and non obese people does give enough information to arrive at that conclusion even if there appears to be an apparent positive correlation between the gene mutation and the apparent obesity phenotype. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of the proteins the genes encode between the two genotypes has not been comparatively elucidated and established on the molecular level as no reference was made to that effect. That is to say a difference in nucleotide base pairs at given points of the gene sequence is not enough evidence to conclude that the inhibitory effect of glycolysis and lipolysis is as a result of a different mechanism of action of the translated protein encoded by the mutated gene. If not the gene should have an upgraded status from a mutation to a polymorphism. Obviously more research needs to be carried out. However, there appears to be a cause and effect relationship. The researchers are definitely unto something positive.

alubeze1: The demands are outrageous, no doubt. But if our political leaders are the highest paid in the world, then why can't our educationist also be the highest paid in world? After all, education is the bedrock of every society, and if the workers are paid well, they will be motivated to teach well. All thesame, ASUU and fg should renegotiate.

. Very reasonable comment. If the senator professor almost wept when he saw the demands by ASUU then he should have committed suiside when he saw his first paycheck as a senator. If that statement was coming from anybody else I could have seen reason with it. But not from a bunch of disgusting hypocrites earning criminal salaries. And they have the audacity to make comparison with USA when their wages are the highest in the world in one of the poorest countries on the planet. Granted some aspects of the allowances ASUU is asking for are outrageous but what stops them from ignoring those allowances and improving infrastructure and revitalising the Universities to the benefit of every Nigerian citizen. Or do they also consider that outrageous? May the judgement of posterity descend on them and their generation in a brutal manner. If I am wrong in my assertions then may it be well with them.

I do not blame the minister he is only being honest. He has indirectly relayed the message that the government does not give a d.amn about anything that would benefit the masses and in that respect would not commit financially for the betterment of the Nigerian citizen so ASUU could go to blazes with their fantasy demands of saving and redeeming Nigerian Universities. I respect his honesty. But what irks me are people who instead of coming out straight would come up with one lie after another in an attempt to malign ASUU and rubbish the genuine aspects of their efforts to restore the educational sector. Those are the real enemies of Nigeria's progress because they are either direct beneficiaries of the corrupt system who have murdered their concience and sold their soul to the devil or they are complete m0r0ns. Any of which are detrimental to the progress of the country. They are even here on nairaland. they open m0rnic and imbecillic threads like ''ASUU are rapists and extortionist'', ''ASUU pays lecturers 30 billion''. They know themselves.....

emmasege: ASUU should thank their God that they are not dealing with a military man in civilian regalia (e.g. OBJ). UNILORIN 49 would have been a child's play compared with what he would have meted out to them by now. Why won't they continue the strike indefinitely when they know that at the end of the day Govt will still pay them for those idle months they stayed at home. Now, most of them have time for their private practices (PPs) which they have always treasured above their primary assignments and gallivant all over Nigeria and overseas.
They should know by now that they have lost the sympathy of most Nigerians for the strike. Don't they know that when a drum is sounding too loud, it's about to burst?

.

My brother you are either young or you have a short memory. For your information ASUU has dealt with worse examples than what you have given in the bolded. ASUU also fought the Abacha regime who was a lunatic and a military dictator in a military uniform. What most people don't know is that was a strike with a political overtone not what Jonathan administration is saying now. Why do I say so you ask? Because Abacha was willing to meet ASUU's demands except for one major requirement that p.issed the dictator off which was that the June 12 mandate be given to MKO Abiola. During that period soldiers came into University campuses to eject lecturers from staff quarters but ASUU still said nay!! the strike went on. The ASUU is the only union in Nigeria till date that have in the past looked into the eyes of the government and told them to do what is right time and time again and it still happens till date. Why the government detests and fears ASUU is because from time in memorial they have always refused to be intimidated or compromised. To me they are a relatively credible union that fight for what is right and just and they remain one of the hope that can bring redemption to Nigeria judging from their antecedents. It seems some peoples minds are made up to hate the union because of the negative aspects exhibited by few of their members. Everyone has a right of opinion and for that i rest my case because I now know that during this foru months the facts is known to all. So let us lay tent to where we deem fit and allow posterity to judge.

rudedough: No I don't, dig me... lol I'm in UNMC not UNUK

OK no probs. I attended UONUK. All na still the same wheteher UK or Malay.... still world top 75... lol. Cheers

rudedough: Not just "highly subsidized" but over-subsidized to almost free.

I'm a student of the University of Nottingham and i challenge Nigerians to check how much local students pay for education.

Local students pay - N2,315,918.92
International students - N4,248,424.59

So please gullible Nigerians shouldn't be deceived by these "SUBSIDIZED" theories. If you live or have lived abroad you should know better and don't forget that they pay all sorts of taxes and tolls, and that is why the Govt. can subsidize their education. Do we?[/b]

Are you in UP, SB or KM. You dig?

Wow i've learned something new today. I always thought the Chinese currency was the Yuan. I am Just hearing of renminbi for the first time. On a google search I found out that the Yuan is to the kobo what the is to the naira. Don't blame me i've never been to China.

taharqa: Don't be a FOOOL, my frnd. 'This Govt must bend' u say; that is what is important to WEAK MINDS like you, right? If you bliv that it is possible for d Govt, any Govt for that mata in Naija, to smhow provide #500bn IN A YEAR for Infrastructure of Universities alone (and this is EXCLUSIVE of Polythetics, Colleges of Education, Secondary Skuls, Primary Skuls, AND d huge Salaries and Running costs of d entire educational system) when d entire Capital budget is #1.5trillion, then must be living in some far away lala land..... The unbelievable quests by sm of u chaps to do anytin, support anytin in a lame attempt to undermine one man, will lead to d destruction of this nation. See what that same quests is doing to d USA today...

Are you trying to say the government is composed of imb.cile.s and re.tard.s? After all they negotiated and agreed on that amount singed and sealed. Afterwards singed an MOU in 2012 to reiterate their commitment to the agreement. Now you are saying they can't afford to commit that amount of money. Are they illeterates, did they not read what they signed, what exactly are you saying? Please don't be sentimental be reasonable and honest @ least with yourself. I have been an ardent supporter of ASUU form the inception but now I think they should as shift grounds a little bit. But if the don't I'm still behind them.

fckyourman: Why not, is not a comedy movie ?

If they cast children in the movie, it wouldn't be a comedy movie then.

for example the movie LITTLEMAN American hollywood blockbuster, the actor was cast to play a children role to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Man_(2006_film)
https://img.dooyoo.co.uk/GB_EN/orig/0/6/2/9/3/629316.jpg
You Nigerians are the worst set of hypocrites on earth.

He was not playing a child's role. He was a grown man pretending to be a child and people fell for it because he was a midget.

collynzo2: You are a fool! Did you read the article at all? Those who actually participated in the beating were charged for murder and were refused bail. These people who got bail were probably spectators. Should they get capital punishment for watching? Foolish illiterate policewoman. No wonder our police force is full of fools.

Dude what's your problem? The insults are totally unnecessary and uncalled for. Not cool @ all.

If this is true then I think it is reasonable for ASUU to accept and call of the strike. The government has demonstrated it is committed to the development of the educational sector especially University education. However I think that provision should have been out in place to check the excesses of the ''few'' erring lecturers in Universities that is to say bribe for score (blocking). sexual molestation, illegal handouts e.t.c.

VP Namadi Sambo and ASUU Representatives led by Dr. Fagge
By SaharaReporters, New York
Towards ending the ongoing ASUU strike, the Federal Government has committed to spending N200 billion in the 2014 budget on the universities as well as on each of the next three-four years until the universities are brought to world-class standard. This is in addition to the N100 billion dedicated and already made available for 2013.
The government has also increased to N40 billion as a first installment, funds for the payment of earned allowances to the striking lecturers, an improvement from the N30 billion previously released.
This information is contained in an internal Federal University of Otuoke statement by Professor Bolaji Aluko, its Vice-Chancellor, seen on Wednesday night by SaharaReporters.
On the earned allowances, he explained, “Government will top it up with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that have been sent by the CVC,” the circular said.
Professor Aluko said the development followed meetings on September 19 and Oct 11 of representatives of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, led by CVC Chairman, Prof. Hamisu of ATBU and ASUU Representatives led by its President, Dr. N. Fagge with the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. Namadi. Sambo, Minister of Education Barr. N. Wike and others.
Of great interest to stakeholders, Vice-President Sambo, appealing to ASUU to call off the strike, apologized for the "take-it-or-leave-it" comments credited to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the onset of the strike. The Minister did not seem to have been involved in either meeting, perhaps as the government’s way of soothing the feelings of the university teachers.
Other points of agreement at the meetings include the following:
Project Prioritization: Universities will now be allowed to determine their priorities and not be “rail-roaded” into implementing a pre-determined set of projects with respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized.
TETFund Intervention: Government assured that the operations of the TETFund will not be impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to Universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital outlays are in addition to regular TETFund intervention.
Project Monitoring: A new Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment intervention for universities has been set up to take over from the Suswan Committee. The new one is under the Federal Ministry of Education and chaired by the Honorable Minister of Education. In addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful implementation and prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet quarterly with the IMC to monitor progress.
Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to submit a blue print for revitalizing the Universities to the Vice President.
Prof. Aluko further stated that a signed document will soon be issued to itemize the full issues on which the consensus he had outlined here, as brokered by AVCNU, was reached.

ROSSIKE: You are looking at it from a very wrong perspective. Fact is every race gets their turn to dominate. Human nature dictates that no race can dominate forever, as all are hampered by eventual regression caused by human factors like greed, complacency, arrogance, etcetera. This is why civilisations rise and fall and none is ever permanent. The same western civilisation you see now will one day be history just as Egypt, Nubia, Greece, and the Aztecs are history. In fact as we speak, we are seeing the decline of western civilisation, and the rise of the East. And the way it is going, after the East, Africa is next.

. You are very much on point. Let me just throw some more light. The general notion is that Africans migrated to Europe and over time mutations occurred in their genome. There is a racial undertone there in the sense that the mutation in skin colour is been mistaken for the evolution of European or Caucasians to some form of superior humanoids when compared to their negro ancestors from Africa. That is to say from apeman to negro to Caucasians. However, I am happy that genetic scientists now know that postulation is bunkum. With the latest accomplishment of mankind which is the human genome project completed in the year 2000. It is now known that the genome of all human beings is 99.9 % similar irrespective of race. The 0.1 % difference is not even race dependent. The of shot of this is that whether Caucasian, negro or mangoloid. There is only one race for our specie and that is the human race.

texazzpete: I'm sorry, I've been going off topic for a while with that oxford fellow, but i'd love to commend you for breaking the mold and actually engaging the Prof in the sort of logical discussion he's been asking for on the ASUU strike issue.

[b]It isn't the IMF, It's UNESCO. and it's 26% of the budget, not the GDP. b[/b]udget) .

. Thanks for the clarification. If that be the case then Aluta Continua! On another note I suggest you ignore that mentally unstable juvenile narcissist (He knows himself).

[quote author=prof.femi]Please check this table to see what Ghana is doing, and then riddle me why they are fast emerging as the sub-regional power?
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS

[s]Also look at this. Notice how "far behind" the developed countries Ghana is, and then, how "forward-thinking" we are:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_spending_on_education_%28%25_of_GDP%29[/s]
* I pulled that because I observed the data is dated. Still makes for interesting reading though.

Then, come back and tell me that all is well, and ASUU are just being belligerent, greedy old fools.[/quote]Prof.Femi, I studied the world bank data with emphasis on Ghana and Nigeria. These are my summations.

1. There appears to be no data on Nigeria educational financial commitment. Also, other countries in that category were either politically unstable or economically deficient. This to me suggest that the amount Nigeria designated to education as at the time of compilation of that report was insignificant and negligible.

2. The percentage spent on education by Ghana as a fraction of the countries GDP was comparable to the the world's known most developed nations such as U.S, U.K, France, Germany E.T.C. Using the same indices of comparison.

3. However, disturbingly no country at the moment spends up to 26% of their GDP (going by that report) on education as recommended by the IMF (not sure if it was IMF can't remember the body at the moment).


Please analyse what I inferred in points 1 and 2, give me your opinion and confirm if they are correct by your own deductions.

Secondly, if my observation in point 3 is correct then would it not be unreasonable for ASUU to demand an increased expenditure from government using the recommended 26% as a yardstick.

Finally, don't you think it is somewhat misinforming to state categorically that developed countries of the world spend that amount or close to it on education when what the world bank has reported appears to be contradictory.

I have a strong feeling that my interpretation of the data in the link you posted might be faulty. Please let me know your take and kindly put things in proper perspective for me if necessary. Thanks

Boss13: I am not denying the fact that our Nigerian universities require funding. It is so visible. However, I am angry with the way it is being handled by ASUU. There are several ways to handle issues. I hate unions. They stink. They only want you to bow to their needs. They are lazy, never do well mindsets. Let us be honest, what has the unions done for this country, what positive change. They are selfish. That is my annoyance.

Have ASUU agreed for a framework to understudy the Nigerian universities. They collected 1 year unpaid allowance and they did not tell the general public about it. What is that telling you. I am sorry I am not address your points directly. Have universities approach Corporate Nigeria to request for financial assistance. BIG NO. For example, I did not see E. Coli (not for 1 day) - What stops my stupid lecturer to take us all out to a Laboratory or Research center and show us these micro-organisms. Will that cost so much? What stop the lecturer from writing to GSK, requesting for fund to purchase a microscope. What stops a lecturer to change his curriculum or update his curriculum - you want to tell me MONEY. ABEG ABEG ABEG, no follow vex me this evening.

. Good to know that you acknowledge the fact that funding is required in Nigerian universities. Your opinion on unions is your opinion and that's ok. However like I have always opined in line with others, it is wrong to generalise and classify all members of ASUU in by a specific stereotype like you are doing. On the issue you raised about corporate Nigeria, I am aware that one of the issues agreed on is for the FGN to compel corporate bodies to invest in and fund research in Tertiary institutions. Now that analogy you used about your lecturer approaching GSK. That falls under corporate social responsibility which is at the complete discretion of the private companies. And whatever they contribute in that respect would be negligible and insignificant. The microscope example we are using is the basic of a lab requirement. What about more expensive equipment that run into tens and hundreds of millions? Hope u catch my drift? Besides if all academics in all departments of all universities in 9JA approach pharmaceutical companies for teaching aid in the name of CSR. What do you think would be the outcome? Your guess is as good as mine.

Boss13: @Prof well I can seemly believe you because of your effort on this public forum. While many of your colleagues are at home, you have taken out time to carry us along. However, please note that I am not happy with you and your colleagues and you do not deserve to call a strike when your hands are dirty.

I passed through a Nigerian university without grounding myself on the basics on health science. I never saw an E.coli but read about it alot. I can virtually describe glycolysis to you without knowing the impact. I went through hell from lecturers who were not there to assist me. I was personally victimised by a HOD who gave verbal instruction to reduce my score from A to E because we had an issue over departmental finances and this was after I have paid the money. My script was not marked, he literally threw away my scripted and told me I will never graduate. Thank God I finally graduated without any carry overs and one of the best in my graduating class.

In my 3rd year, I made up my mind to abandon the field to finance. I am very glad I did. My experience with universities abroad sent a cold fever to me. I was strange to the care that lecturers show to their student and the knowledge I obtained and I wanted to learn more. The teaching technique was just too relevant to the happenings of the world. Curriculum was adjusted to address pertinent issues currently happening. Workshops were organised and world business leaders were recruited to come speak with to us.

Now prof your prayer is that I do not gain public office that will have anything to do with universities because believe me it will not be funny and I am not joking. Jonathan is kind with ASUU nonsense. Me I will revolutionised the system and where your colleagues will not work I will sack them, increase the salary and recruit the 1st class students to take up their jobs. Guess what, I will put the military at university gates to frown very hard. I am angry with you and your ASUU colleagues. I personally do not know you. You may be nice, however do not see my emotional outburst as prejudice to you or your colleagues. The excesses of lecturers are too much to keep mute about. They are a pain to students on a regular day and yet are causing more pains again with this strike.

You admit that while in a Nigerian University you never saw a microorganism, and could not appreciate the relevance of biochemical pathways. If the laboratories in your department were relatively well equipped I am sure that you will agree with me that you would have had access to at least a microscope to view any prokaryotic cell available to you. And E.coli would definitely not be an exception due to its abundance.

You were unable to appreciate the relevance glycolytic pathway but I am sure if outdated facilities such as spectrophotometers were available you would have been able to carryout practicals using the outdated method of enzyme assays to characterise the activity of step in the pathway where one intermediate is coverted to the next. Or better still a quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the expression of the same enzyme proteins.

You admit that when you travelled overseas to study you were overwhelmed and appreciated the value of quality education and the difference was clear to you like 7up. So what exactly is your problem? Like you I have also seen the best of both worlds and that is why my full backing is with ASUU. TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA IS A JOCK AND A MOCKERY TO THE NIGERIAN STUDENT. You have seen the better part of what education can offer and you do not want students in Nigeria who do not have the opportunity to school in a sane educational environment to have the same experience you had when you schooled abroad. That is callous of you sorry to say but that is the only meaning i can read into your statements. Because that is what ASUU is fighting for but you are against it.

Instead you propose the sack Professors and PhD holders to be replaced by untrained first degree holders who graduated from the rotten system you condemn with a higher pay than the professors to nurture and train future graduates of tomorrow. I can see you have some really bright ideas.

I worry for Nigeria when I see the comments from some graduates and undergraduates. Anyways hope lies in the fact that the your shall grow and their eyes might open.

Boss13: @Prof well I can seemly believe you because of your effort on this public forum. While many of your colleagues are at home, you have taken out time to carry us along. However, please note that I am not happy with you and your colleagues and you do not deserve to call a strike when your hands are dirty.

I passed through a Nigerian university without grounding myself on the basics on health science. I never saw an E.coli but read about it alot. I can virtually describe glycolysis to you without knowing the impact. I went through hell from lecturers who were not there to assist me. I was personally victimised by a HOD who gave verbal instruction to reduce my score from A to E because we had an issue over departmental finances and this was after I have paid the money. My script was not marked, he literally threw away my scripted and told me I will never graduate. Thank God I finally graduated without any carry overs and one of the best in my graduating class.

In my 3rd year, I made up my mind to abandon the field to finance. I am very glad I did. My experience with universities abroad sent a cold fever to me. I was strange to the care that lecturers show to their student and the knowledge I obtained and I wanted to learn more. The teaching technique was just too relevant to the happenings of the world. Curriculum was adjusted to address pertinent issues currently happening. Workshops were organised and world business leaders were recruited to come speak with to us.

Now prof your prayer is that I do not gain public office that will have anything to do with universities because believe me it will not be funny and I am not joking. Jonathan is kind with ASUU nonsense. Me I will revolutionised the system and where your colleagues will not work I will sack them, increase the salary and recruit the 1st class students to take up their jobs. Guess what, I will put the military at university gates to frown very hard. I am angry with you and your ASUU colleagues. I personally do not know you. You may be nice, however do not see my emotional outburst as prejudice to you or your colleagues. The excesses of lecturers are too much to keep mute about. They are a pain to students on a regular day and yet are causing more pains again with this strike.

You admit that while in a Nigerian University you never saw a microorganism, and could not appreciate the relevance of biochemical pathways. If the laboratories in your department were relatively well equipped I am sure that you will agree with me that you would have had access to at least a microscope to view any prokaryotic cell available to you. And E.coli would definitely not be an exception due to its abundance.

You were unable to appreciate the relevance glycolytic pathway but I am sure if outdated facilities such as spectrophotometers were available you would have been able to carryout practicals using the outdated method of enzyme assays to characterise the activity of step in the pathway where one intermediate is coverted to the next. Or better still a quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the expression of the same enzyme proteins.

You admit that when you travelled overseas to study you were overwhelmed and appreciated the value of quality education and the difference was clear to you like 7up. So what exactly is your problem? Like you I have also seen the best of both worlds and that is why my full backing is with ASUU. TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA IS A JOCK AND A MOCKERY TO THE NIGERIAN STUDENT. You have seen the better part of what education can offer and you do not want students in Nigeria who do not have the opportunity to school in a sane educational environment to have the same experience you had when you schooled abroad. That is callous of you sorry to say but that is the only meaning i can read into your statements. Because that is what ASUU is fighting for but you are against it.

Instead you propose the sack Professors and PhD holders to be replaced by untrained first degree holders who graduated from the rotten system you condemn with a higher pay than the professors to nurture and train future graduates of tomorrow. I can see you have some really bright ideas.

I worry for Nigeria when I see the comments from some graduates and undergraduates. Anyways hope lies in the fact that the your shall grow and their eyes might open.

oxford: Am not surprise by your ignorant post.

If a whole prof, who by all intend could be ASSU president himself in disguise could not stand my missiles of facts, how could you possibly withstand me?

Now for starters ASSU alleged earned allowance is not 30billion like you stated but, wait for it, 98 billion!

So next time get your facts straight before exposing your ignorance in a public forum

I pleaded with you to be polite but you insist on being an i.diot. For that I will not go easy on you. Obviously you are mentally retarded. You do not even know the correct abbreviation of Academic Staff Union of Universities. And please show me where in my post I stated an amount on earned allowance that "ASSU" quoted. Then again maybe I am actually ignorant like you have noted, Probably you are referring to an association called ASSU and not ASUU. Mods please create a children section on nairaland. I don't want to push it if not I would have also requested for a section for the mentally d.eranged to accommodate the likes of this ma.d^^ person I quoted. Oxford I do not know if you've ever been told this but you s.tupidity is epic. You are the most idiotic human being I have had a conversation with this year.

MOD's please take this to frontpage. See the link below.

https://www.nairaland.com/1471435/ASUU-strike-lecturer-speaks

[quote author=prof.femi]I thank everyone who requested that I return to the thread.

I didn't leave because I thought those guys were rude; I was actually rather enjoying interacting with oxford because I felt his posts were becoming less vitriolic. I left because I was afraid that ZackiGp was right: that in my zeal to engage students, I was giving off the wrong sort of vibes (pride, arrogance etc), and I feared this would drown out my message.

I am relieved to find that such is not the case, and I will be happy to spend some more time on this forum later this afternoon/evening.

I do not know the mechanisms by which threads get 'frontpaged'. I did put in some effort to get FP status, but I'll appreciate if someone could speak with the mods or something. As uccee said, it would really help if this got wider coverage. Thanks.[/quote]@ bolded The topic shou be interesting and have the potential to drive traffic to this website as a result of the degree of engagement by forumites. Your brief absence did not help matters in that regard. Anyways welcome back. I wold recommend this to the MODS for front page. I implore everyone who has contributed to this thread to do the same.

Prof.Femi please return to this thread I beg you. Ignore the rude and insulting comments by some posters. As you must have observed they are in the minority. I believe that this thread would make front page but it is highly dependent on your return and degree of engagement. Trust me I feel empathy for you and understand what it is like relating with some unreasnable students. Personally in as much as I try to be civil and polite in discussions on this forum once in a while I like to bring out the wild and immature side of my personality because the forum is faceless. I am in no way suggesting you do that I actually discourage it. But please kindly return. Cheers


NB I am also an academic. But I do not belong to ASUU. I only feel empathy for the union. Nuff said.

oxford: what do you term rude? Truth?
It time somebody stand up to ASUU. Am sure if i were the president, u wont be second quessing on how i will deal with this issues.

I have challenged u on key points but obviously u have no response to them

1. Lecturers are in breach of its terms of employement.

2. In terms moral and intergrity, ASUU is worse than the govt (i dont even want to talk about hand out racketering, marks for money, sexual assualt.....)

3. ASUU does not have Nigeria best interest at heart. ASUU is a selfish body that see strike action a tool of blackmail

4. ASUU is always on strike. Strike action is not the only tool at the disposal of trade unions. ( i should be lecturing u on this, u are a prof u know)

5. Like the president said, this strike is politicised. For ASUU to remain hell bent on what we all know is impossible ie govt should cought out 3trillion here and now!

6. Why am not surprise that opposition characters like elrufai, lie mohammed, npdp are suddently the mouth piece of ASUU?

If you read and properly assimilated the OP's write I don't think you would have raised these points in the manner you have. Anyways here are some answers some of which are culled from the OP.


1. Lecturers are in breach of its terms of employement.

How? kindly expatiate.

2. In terms moral and intergrity, ASUU is worse than the govt (i dont even want to talk about hand out racketering, marks for money, sexual assualt.....)

Unsubstantiated claims!

3. ASUU does not have Nigeria best interest at heart. ASUU is a selfish body that see strike action a tool of blackmail

In as much as there is some selfishness in ASUU demnds, majority of it is for the betterment of the nation. If ASUU is so selfish why have they still refused to call of the strike when the only selfish aspect of their demands have been met by the FGN which is the payment of earned allowances.

Furthermore, refer to this quote from the OP

"we are asking that greater emphasis be placed on education, and we are not ashamed to say that. Every sector of the economy needs highly skilled workers.

Look, what is the point of living if one cannot learn from the experience of others? EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY that has become a world power has done so by FIRST developing education, especially tertiary education. Is it so hard for us to learn from others? We don’t need to write the book on nation-building. It’s already been written many times. All we have to do is learn from those that have done it. What is the sense in turning your back on something with a 100% success rate?

The thing that pains me most is that I just realized in the last few days that Ghana has positioned itself to be a global power and Nigeria’s big brother in the next few decades."
@ bolded this is where ASUU's demands have Nigerias interest accordin to the OP. What I expect you to do Oxford is to fault those claims with superior arguments and some making unsubstantiated assertions.

4. ASUU is always on strike. Strike action is not the only tool at the disposal of trade unions. ( i should be lecturing u on this, u are a prof u know)

Yes strike actions occurs when all other avenues have been exhausted. Negotiation is also a tool which took place between 2006-2009 where both parties came to an agreement. and an MOU was signed in 2012. So there is nothing else ASUU can do at this point. If you have any suggestion offer it I am sure ASUU will be happy to listen and implement it if they find it feasible.

Furthermore this is the OP's take on this point

"You are right, and I feel embarrassed that I would instigate an action whose major casualty is neither myself, nor my adversary. It is truly unfortunate, but the fact is that in Nigeria, there is no other way to apply pressure on the government. I have personally thought long and hard about this, and if anyone figures how to get the government to do the right thing without going on strike, you will be my hero for life".

5. Like the president said, this strike is politicised. For ASUU to remain hell bent on what we all know is impossible ie govt should cought out 3trillion here and now!

6. Why am not surprise that opposition characters like elrufai, lie mohammed, npdp are suddently the mouth piece of ASUU?

Refer to the OP's quote. It gives an answer to your opinion and observations in points 5 and 6.

"25. So you’re saying lecturers are holy-holy. Can you bet your life that ASUU is not being controlled by the opposition parties? (Pseudo question)

Answer:
No, I would be foolish to. But having said that, Occam ’s razor tells us that you don’t need to look for a convoluted answer when there is a simpler one that works just fine. ASUU does not need to be in league with the opposition because even as an apolitical member of the union, I fully realize the deep crevice our country is skirting. We need urgent intervention in the educational sector. It just so happens that since the government is not serious about the issue of education, it forms another cudgel for the opposition to hammer them with. That’s not our fault, and it does not mean we are in league with them."


I have been polite to you and i expect the same reciprocal response if any from you. cheers

[quote author=prof.femi]D. WHAT IS IN IT FOR STUDENTS?





Hmm. When I come across a student who says ASUU strike wasted his life, it tells me more about the student than it does about ASUU or the FG. Look, a university polishes and amplifies what you have inside you. If you have nothing (no initiative, no creativity, no industry), then ASUU strike is the least of your worries. Yorubas say “ta ba gun’yan ninu epo epa, eni to ba ma yo ma yo” (even if you pound yam in a groundnut shell, some people will find a way to get filled).

Please use this period as a personal test. Right now in my department, ASUU strike or no ASUU strike, we have undergraduates who report for work every day developing themselves. Some of these guys are doing the same things their peers abroad are doing. So, develop yourself. Learn something that can complement your formal education. Get involved in a business, and figure out how you class theories might be applied in it. Contribute to society. Volunteer in a nursery or primary school (if you do nothing else, please do this). Whatever you do, never wake up to watch movies and gist.

There is a martial art called aikido in which you use your opponent’s kinetic energy against him. Be an aikidoka. Use whatever comes your way, including ASUU strike, for your own progress.
Best of luck![/quote]Dear Prof Femi, in as much as I agree with most of what you have highlighted in you write up, I would like to play the devil's advocate here. @ the bolded in your above post which I have quoted, I think your opinion there is insensitive to the plight of the students and somewhat arrogant. No FULL TIME student ever goes through the admission process into the University with a plan for alternative engagements in the event of strike actions. A student is a student and should be engaged in his/her studies for the duration of the time they are meant to spend before graduation. That is why provision is made for students to study part-time to give room for students requiring to engage in any other aspect of life apart from education for the duration of their studies. In the light of that academics and members of ASUU should be apologetic, sympathetic and in some cases empathetic (some academics of today were also affected by strike actions in their time) to the pleight of the affected students. If possible students should be compensated (I know it doesn't sound feasible but it's just a thought).

Secondly I would like you to appreciate that as a matter of fact this strike action is wasting the time and life of the students who are affected. Even the brightest of the bunch are also affected. I have a hunch that part of your post graduate education was carried out in a western country. So you would appreciate this analogy. A bright student who has future plans to become an academic is already at a disadvantage age wise to his/her contemporaries in the developed world. In the UK for instance, because of their flawless educational system students who decide to take up a career in the academia have to opportunity to start a PhD at the age range of 20-23 and finish at 24-27. Note I am not saying MSc but PhD. So as a matter of fact in my opinion students are in line when the complain about life time wastage. Kindly reply and give me your opinion please.

NB: I am on the same page with you but I choose to play the devils advocate. Cheers

i dey laugh. So NANS think they can resolve the issue by resorting to blackmail. That nonentity of a NANS president should behave like the activist that he is and please by all means expose ASUU so that academics would be forced to go back to work for the so called good of students he apparently represents . Should he and his cronies fail to do so then it is safe to assume they have been compromised and are fighting for only the interest of their excos and not students in general. Hungry cat dey sleep and rat come bite e tail....................

Congratulations!! I remember when you posted that video campaigning for votes. Thankful you won. Most especially I am glad that no element of Azonto was exhibited in his dance steps. That leaves no avenue for Ghanaian s to come in mass to talk any rubbish. Please Nigerian celebrities if you are reading this kindly boycott Azonto in your videos. Invented by Ghana agreed but popularized by Nigeria. But Ghanaians see Nigerians dancing Azonto as an avenue to insult Nigerians when they need us more. Sorry for digressing. Congrats once again.