THE IMSU STRIKE AND OKOROCHA’S PERSPECTIVE
The last time I checked, the overall staff
of the famous Imo State University (IMSU) were still on an industrial action
owing to the arrear of salaries owed them. In addition, they are also agitating
for immediate reversal of the ongoing free education programme in the
university since the programme’s financier - the state government, can no longer
boast of a robust economy contrary to the state of its financial muscle when
the laudable initiative was introduced.
It would be recalled that the aforesaid
workers embarked on the strike few weeks ago and since then all efforts made by
the Imo State government towards calling off the unbearable action proved
abortive, thereby making the institution wear a pathetic physiognomy at the
moment. You can imagine how a university would look when the unit chapter of
the three major unions that constitute the community comprising the Senior
Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) are
all on strike.
However, the emergence of this piece was
occasioned by the news reportage I came across in the Vanguard Newspaper
penultimate week, on Wednesday 24th May 2016 precisely, credited to
the Imo State governor in the person of Chief Rochas Okorocha. The intriguing
story had it that the governor categorically and unequivocally disclosed that
he was considering concessioning IMSU to any interested private investor after
recruiting new staff that would replace the striking ones, on the grounds that
the ongoing industrial action of the IMSU workers was informed by their
personal hatred for him (the governor).
According to the Vanguard, the governor
made the statement during his media briefing with the entire Imo State based
practising journalists held in Owerri the state capital. I equally reportedly
learnt that the governor seemed devastated and unfriendly for such
‘unnecessary’ attitude being displayed by the workers, stating that they closed
down the university just for one-month salary owed them while their
counterparts in most states across the country were still owed salaries ranging
from four to six months.
The governor went further to say that the
IMSU staff were paid more than most of their counterparts in other states, thus
deserved to be described as ingrates for having taken such ‘uncalled’ action in
the name of strike. I regretted being inevitably absent in the state on the day
of the meeting, which I would have love to attend, because I deeply detest to
digest some certain critical and sensitive stories on the pages of newspapers.
Well, I’m of the notion that the governor
made that statement in error or maybe he only intended to frighten the workers
so they could hasten up towards returning to their various duty posts. If not,
I wouldn’t in any way believe that the amiable governor would nurture suchlike
thought in his noble mindset let alone making it public. And I don’t think
anyone who has been keenly following the governor would ever agree that such
statement was made by his Excellency.
Without mincing words, he’s a man I owe
enormous respect owing to his genuine passion for education as well as
compassion for the less-privileged, thus I’m aware what he could mean at any
given time regarding issues relating to education. But if truly he has such
intention or plan, then the governor really needs to embrace a rethink before
the gods of our land become angry with him.
Even if workers are owed for only half a
month or were in any way maltreated, they deserve the right to strike.
Industrial action is a way the workers in any setting are expected to showcase
their grievances in a practical term. Strike might be displayed in various ways
as it pleases the workers or based on the nature of the matter on ground; it
could be sit-down strike, warning strike or indefinite strike.
I’m
of the view that workers cannot just go on strike, because they aren’t animals;
there must be a tangible reason for an industrial action. Throughout the
governor’s first tenure, no Imo worker embarked on an industrial action, if not
the one that was displayed towards the 2015 elections’ era by the same IMSU
staff; no doubt, it’s a historic record we shall all live to remember.
If there’s no fund to settle the arrear of
salaries owed them, you dialogue. They shouldn’t be mandated to go against their
wish. Workers in some sectors or parastatals might be patient enough to wait
while few others in other sector may lack the required patience; that’s
individual temperaments or differences. Moreover, the striking staff are as
well lamenting that the ongoing free education is just like robbing Peter to
pay Paul, hence ought to be suspended for the interest of all concerned,
especially the university. We must tell ourselves the gospel truth; the
programme in question is negatively affecting both the entire university
community and the state government, thus should be reviewed. Rather than making
it totally free, let it be subsidized.
An Igbo adage says ‘Eji la ihere ata oji
nshi,’ meaning literally don’t consume a poisoned Kola due to shyness. Of what
benefit would it be if having enjoyed a free education, after graduation the
beneficiaries become mere cucumbers when they are expected to pose as proud
graduates? The university is a very delicate arena that’s supposed to serve as
a research centre for any society where it’s situated, but in Nigeria the
reverse seems to be the case because our universities among other citadels of
higher learning are poorly funded. We must acknowledge that no country or state
can grow beyond its educational status; suffice it to say that the educational
standard of any society determines the level of that society.
Hence, I enjoin Gov Okorocha not to worsen
the good works he has been doing since he assumed duty as the governor of Imo
State. A test of faith determines how tolerant a leader is, so every leader
mustn’t expect the odyssey to be smooth as long as it lasts. We all have our
flaws but we must at all times and at all cost try not to let them becloud our
sense of logic.
The striking workers on their part should
please avoid going astray; don’t allow any one or group incite you against the
state government, thus you must remain objective. An industrial action of this
kind ought to have been a warning action rather than indefinite. Respect,
undoubtedly, is reciprocal. Considering the stance of education in any society,
you shouldn’t make your retaliation as regards any maltreatment linger so much
or become an indelible circumstance. All in all, we must take into cognizance
that the future of our dear children or wards are at stake. Think about it!
Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor
(TheMediaAmbassador)
-Public Affairs
analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive
Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career
Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter:
@mediambassador
No comments:
Post a Comment