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ASUU STRIKE IS NOT A FEASIBLE SOLUTION TO OUR EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM; I SUGGEST AN ALTERNATIVE MEASURE!
By Muhammad Sulaiman
 Published
August 19th, 2009
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Long before now, I am of the opinion
that ASUU Strike, despite their claim that it is the
only means of agitating for their rights will never
yield to a permanent solution to the compounded problems
we have in this country, which educational problem is
one of them. Instead, it will only have a short time
solution and that is why the strike will never end, even
if all of their demands at a particular time are
granted. However, ASUU will always argue that, they have
achieved so much through strike, but to my opinion and
that of greater Nigerians, strike has an adverse effect
on the quality of our education, so much that we see it
not to be justifiable. Nevertheless, the aim of this
article is not to argue whether ASUU strike is
justifiable or not! But rather is to suggest an
alternative solution to the compounded problems of this
country; backwardness in all aspect of socio-political
and economic empowerment or development, lack of
security, bribery and corruption and indeed decline or
lack of patriotism to our nation, e.t.c.
In view of these, I suggest that ASUU should have a long
time plan and vision to tackle the problems of this
country through the following framework:
- ASUU should form and registered a new ideological political party.
- Academicians in all high institutions of learning in the country should take it as a duty to sensitize and educate their students the need for change through democratic procedures during lectures.
- Irrespective of tribe, religion and background, a patriotic, credible, outstanding and acceptable candidate should be nominated / elected to be presidential flag bearer of the party; the same rule goes to gubernatorial candidate in all states under the party.
- Student Union and other well meaning pressure groups and associations should form alliance with this party.
- Politics of hooligans should be replaced with the politics of education, qualification and ideology. Thugs do not know what is wrong or right, all they need is rehabilitation so that they can be properly fit to partake in the development of the nation. All these can be achieved through electoral reforms.
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The rational behind my conviction that this alternative
measure to strike will help us build an institution that
is strong enough to solve our compounded problems and
make us be among the strong nation in 21st century, go
deep down to history of our independence. As little as I
know the history of this country right from
pre-independent till date, academic cycle, against all
the odds still maintain a considerable number of
ideological / principle people; they have influence on
the large number of youths in schools and public
services, they are the citadel of knowledge, through
which a viable solution to all problems could be
ascertained. More so, youths constitute more than half
of the population of this country, with the greater
majority in schools and public services and are seen as
icons to the ones not in schools or public service in
our communities. No doubt, the Products of academia are
seen to be turning things around in 21st century;
President Barack Obama of America, President Ahmadinejad
of Iran and President Mills of Ghana all are members of
the academic cycle under strong and reliable
institutions. And that is why our own case is different,
President Umar Musa Yaradua is seen not to be doing well
despite that is a member of the cycle and as individual
is honest and willing to bring change; at least for the
first time we have president that always talk of rule of
law and have agenda to fulfil. But the truth is that he
came through a wrong institution. And that is just the
bottom-line!
Every sincere individual will quite agree with me that
with the high calibre of people at the helm of affairs
of this country since the country fully returned back to
democratic system, it is only lack of honesty that will make
one believe that we are still in the process of
learning. What king of learning? For how long are we
going to be adamant to the system that favours no one;
no body is secure in this country and that is why we
always see them hunting each other, fighting each other,
pending on the group that owns power. No doubt, we must
agree that the present system we are running is faulty
and can never lead us to success. We all must agree that
it is our collective responsibility to change this
course, and this change can never be possible in
isolation, we all must actively participate in the
course of creating the institutions that are capable,
reliable, honest, transparent and indeed patriotic.
May I use this medium to remind us the goodwill message
of President Barack Obama to all African youths
(Nigerian youths inclusive) during his visit to Ghana:
“And I am particularly speaking to the young people all
across Africa and right here in Ghana…
And here is what you must know: The world will be what
you make of it. You have the power to hold your leaders
accountable, and build institutions that serve the
people. You can serve in your communities, and harness
your energy and education to create new wealth and build
new connections to the world. You can conquer disease,
and end conflicts, and make change from the bottom up.
You can do that. Yes you can – because in this moment,
history is on the move.
But these things can only be done if all of you take
responsibility for your future. And won’t be easy. It
will take time and effort. There will be suffering and
setbacks. But I can promise you this: America will be
with you every step of the way – as a partner, as a
friend. Opportunity won’t come from any other place,
though. It must come from the decisions that all of you
make, the things that you do, the hope that you hold in
your heart.”
Now, I have opened a new window. It is our collective
responsibility to look into it, fine tune and improve on
it. And finally harness it to success.
Muhammad Aliyu Sulaiman
Kano
muhalisu@yahoo.com
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