ASUU'S LOVE SONG: How Our Strike Culture Further Blurs The Hopes For A Better Nigeria

 Miracle Elvis Ifesinachi

THE GIFT OF LOVE THAT HAS LINGERED TOO LONG

On the 14th of February this year, the Academic Staff Union of Universities gave students of federal Universities and many state universities across the nation Valentine's day gift that now seems to have lingered too long: A strike action.

The word strike has gained ubiquity across the Nigerian media space and this is for no vague reasons. From ASUU's request for salary arrears to NUBIFE's demand for better working conditions for her employees, we have seen and are seeing almost every public institution in Nigeria lockout but we are not emphasising the implications of these actions enough.

Sadly so, Nigeria's Labour Congress went on a two-day solidarity strike for ASUU's demands. The President of the Congress, Mr. Ayubaa Wabba, quite sympathetically announced his concerns for the future of the Nigerian students thus the strike action. 

Quite Noble! Perhaps, another gift of love.

THE LOVE PARTY

If one should enter the keywords STUDENT SKILLS DURING ASUU STRIKE into an internet search engine, one would come upon a plethora of publications either lauding the efforts of students who are now excelling in this or that business enterprise as a result of the skill(s) acquired during this strike or providing 'useful' information on skills that can/should be acquired during this strike. Then the strike seems like a party. Twitter memes fly. Students seem happier and more productive at home. Students enjoy plenty of time - The party raves. ASUU's gift of love enchants. 

However, how long would this fun ride last?

Also Read: Students, Brace Up For Post ASUU Strike Effects

THE LOVE THAT KILLS

In a democratic system, public institutions serve as pillars for sustaining citizenship, consequently, a country. 

Whilst the ASUU strike seems to be the most talked about, it should be recalled that in 2022 alone other institutions like the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFE), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, etc have gone on strike actions. 

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors still has an ongoing strike action which they term "warning strike".  

One may say that strike actions are performed globally - which is not incorrect - however, in these developed countries, strike actions take a rather different shape. 

In 2018, Japanese striking bus drivers performed their strike actions by giving free rides to the people. A similar act happened in Australia a year back. That way, the citizens still meet up with their daily lives at the expense of the government. This will come as a surprise to a typical Nigerian who has only known the lockout kind of strike all his or her life. 

If the objective of the strike action is to change certain expressions of inadequacy on the government's part, why then should it jeopardise the well-being of the people?

AUBADE OF SORROW

"Education is the passport to the future" Malcom x

The ASUU strike is the most talked about because it has garnered, regrettably, a longevous nature which stems from the fact that its activity affects the young ones (the future) of the nation.

So, while power grid collapses and flights are cancelled here and there and people are dying from inadequate healthcare, that despondent citizen may find respite in hoping the next generation would make things right. 

However, rather tragically, this next generation stands no chance as there is no education for them. 

When cracks appear, the carnage is imminent. More frigthenly, Nigeria has seen more than cracks, perhaps the pillars are halfway down already. So, while youths are garnering skills that earn them money and a life of survival, the problem of leadership will linger, worsen and inevitably, the carnage will come.

The skill set victims of the ASUU strike are acquiring seems to be ideal because we live in a society where the future is increasingly neglected as today is being overfed.

A student who now gets a car and can regularly 'go out with friends may not realise that things can get really bad and that fuel price would have the car parked until worn out. The parties that are being attended today would give way for screams and scamper if war breaks out. 

Things, you know, can get really bad.

COULD THIS LOVE STAND A CHANCE? 

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows" 

Sydney J Harris

As a concerned student and youth of this great country, it's only natural that I seek a gleaner of hope in these darkening turns. 

First, it must be established that acquiring skills and earning money is very useful ways forward. However, upon those, the students must claim their studentship.  

While ASUU and the Federal Government seem to be in a perpetual deadlock, students should remain students by sourcing educational materials, taking online courses, and - if can be afforded - enrolling in online programmes in other universities around the world.

Formal learning shouldn't stop because, this way, Nigerian students can at least look above their reflections of being victims of bad leadership and a decadent society; and look through the window education provides.

WE CAN CREATE OUR OWN LOVEMAKING AND WRITE OUR LOVE SONGS

We can!