THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY AND ITS POIGNANT STATE AS THE ASUU STRIKE LINGERS
Brethren, amidst a certain city, comes the unannounced mist in the midst of the entire populace in spite of the early morning prayer presented to the Almighty for a friendly and easy going atmospheric condition. Though embarrassing and astonishing, but I remained calm. Lately I found out that many became extremely impatient and nervous thereby exploding having waited patiently for so long to hear something that’s of positive value from the horse’s mouth; a pathetic phenomenon that aroused or triggered my humble pen. Maybe I’ve been sounding poetic, but that wasn’t my intention. So if that’s the case, I sincerely beg for your pardon.
The last time I checked, I wholly understood beyond any reasonable doubt that no one would be a slave in his/her own home. In the same vein, I also came up with the view that, no right thinking individual would look into the eyes of his father and say, “you’re a fool!” regardless of the circumstance he might find himself.
I woke up this morning and subsequently I felt pain on one of my limbs, arm precisely. I searched thoroughly to find out what actually prompted the anomaly to no avail. Finally I concluded that such incident could be usual provided that one still lives or breathes. In other words, a dead body or a body in a comatose state can never feel pain on any part of the body. But don’t forget, some sudden pains are not usual; thus if that becomes the case, the person who feels such abnormal pain must as a matter of fact and urgency seek for a thorough diagnosis. Let’s ride on!
In Nigeria, taking the education sector as a case study, if we must tell ourselves nothing but the truth, you will quite agree with me that the sector in question has been in shambles for decades now thereby constituting unannounced pandemonium on a yearly basis. If you must permit me to speak, then I would summarily say that our education sector is simply nothing to write home about compare to others across the globe. You will bear me witness that since I’ve been in this business, I’ve never for once sounded personal in any of my view, and I will never do such a silly thing because it’s against my faith; therefore I sincerely believe that I’m convening the interest of most of us.
Truly without mincing words, the Nigerian society has been in a state of poignancy as regards the aforementioned sector. It’s no longer news that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been in an industrial action for over two months now. According to the Union, its paramount reason for going on strike was due to the poor infrastructural facilities found in the universities across the federation. We all know that this is not the first time the body would be on strike. In fact, if I’m not mistaken the incidence has become an annual ritual in Nigeria.
Several meetings have been held between the federal government and ASUU coupled with various students unions’ protest in respect to putting an end to the ugly scene, all to no avail. The anomaly has attracted series of concerns from many concerned individuals and corporate bodies in the country thereby creating inconsequential antagonisms amongst various stakeholders. Honestly even the dumb have been forced to speak with regard to the ongoing devastating melodrama. Though few has chosen to remain silent and calm like a crocodile targeting a prey in the water. Despite all these, apparently it appears nothing has been done to restore normalcy.
At this juncture, I wish to ask a concise and simple question; which is, do we truly believe that our youths are the leaders of tomorrow or is it just a citation of no tangible value? I believe most of us know the answer to the question therefore I think I should rather put up a gospel truth.
A country like ours is no longer a child; thus, I don’t in any way expect it to be dancing to a child’s tune. For crying out loud, fifty three (53) years is not just fifty three days; in other words, such age it’s not a child’s play and ought not to be seen as one. On this note, I urge us to note that those who fought for the independence of this noble country were not fools; so the least they expect to hear even in their respective graves is that the present leaders dance makossa when they are meant to dance hip-hop or vice-versa. Think about it!
COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Monday, 9 September 2013
Saturday, 7 September 2013
The Labour sector
SCENIC SCENARIOS: THE WAY FORWARD (6)
“I was shocked and enraged at such ingratitude,” someone lamentably concluded at my last meeting with him. Few seconds before the meeting begun, I was enraptured due to a contract I just won. But the series of lamentations that accompanied the meeting introduced an ennui. Some days after the meeting in question took place, I was privileged to be in the midst of another similar meeting. During the section for matters arising, after digesting a certain critical issue as the leader of the gathering, consequently someone submissively raised his hand. Having granted him the room to earn his view, he commenced with the clause, “if not that they tell lies and show no sign of contrition…” As if that was the end; a consequential gathering resulted immediately after the meeting. A good friend of mine who happens to be the Secretary General came from behind and whispered at my humble ear, “the meeting was very successful, but was dedicated to the chameleons.”
Brethren, if truly that one is conscience-stricken due to a war he solely initiated, then by now, he ought to devote himself to societal peace. I strongly believe that, our lovely grief-stricken public servants coupled with the vulnerable maids in their midst would have a forgiving mind if our honourable members would embrace a total repentance. In fact there’s no need for euphemism if euphoria must be ascertained; thus let’s go straight to the point.
Don’t forget, we’re discussing labour. According to the context of this edition, labour is used to refer to the people who work in a country or industry.
To begin with, in Nigeria the above tool (labour) has been misunderstood thereby resulting to the ongoing state of neglect experienced by the public/civil servants. Needless to say that, they have been sidelined. It’s not in any way funny to hear that those whom I describe as the workaholics, and who most times suffer from nervous breakdown is being treated like bunch of ignoramuses. The other day, someone was telling me that she waited so long that by the time her turn came she was already a nervous wreck. According to her, she never recovered from it, and was very nervy afterwards. Honestly, it’s not funny at all. Most times at my lonely time, I wonder if we’re just daydreaming in regard to the vision 20:20:20 because in any society, the public servants should receive any credit as regards any ongoing productivity. To the best of my knowledge, in any developed nation, their interest comes first before any other would be debated or treated.
The above mal-handling has solely constituted the incessant industrial actions embarked by the Nigerian workers. Most times, the so-called strike is either being suspended or put to stop without any tangible reason. If truly that the reason for the suspension or termination was genuine, why shouldn’t the voice of the entire workers be heard and considered by their leaders before they would be mandated/asked to go back to their respective offices? The funniest part; in most cases the concerned authorities’ tactic seems to be, to bludgeon the demonstrators into submission. What a world!
In any occasion where the labour leader chooses to be stubborn, or different from his predecessors, even the workers in question see it as an expensive measure. Which is, they believe that any industrial action should have a limit whether their cry is heard or not. In other words, we’re even afraid while biding for our right, or the payment of the job we did. Tokenism indeed!
My humble message to the various governments; if the wheel of any moving vehicle can’t function properly, the machine can never work effectively. And, it’s the users’ will that would ascertain the efficiency. We must come together and fix this bad wheel. Thus, we ought to be willing because willingness comes first. So are we truly willing?
In this case with regard to the ongoing discussion, the labour is the wheel, the country remains the vehicle (machine), while the governments and other employers of labour are the users. This is a fact. Yes, a fancy fact. Let’s abide by it and we shall see that the Lord is good.
The End!
----------------------------------
COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
“I was shocked and enraged at such ingratitude,” someone lamentably concluded at my last meeting with him. Few seconds before the meeting begun, I was enraptured due to a contract I just won. But the series of lamentations that accompanied the meeting introduced an ennui. Some days after the meeting in question took place, I was privileged to be in the midst of another similar meeting. During the section for matters arising, after digesting a certain critical issue as the leader of the gathering, consequently someone submissively raised his hand. Having granted him the room to earn his view, he commenced with the clause, “if not that they tell lies and show no sign of contrition…” As if that was the end; a consequential gathering resulted immediately after the meeting. A good friend of mine who happens to be the Secretary General came from behind and whispered at my humble ear, “the meeting was very successful, but was dedicated to the chameleons.”
Brethren, if truly that one is conscience-stricken due to a war he solely initiated, then by now, he ought to devote himself to societal peace. I strongly believe that, our lovely grief-stricken public servants coupled with the vulnerable maids in their midst would have a forgiving mind if our honourable members would embrace a total repentance. In fact there’s no need for euphemism if euphoria must be ascertained; thus let’s go straight to the point.
Don’t forget, we’re discussing labour. According to the context of this edition, labour is used to refer to the people who work in a country or industry.
To begin with, in Nigeria the above tool (labour) has been misunderstood thereby resulting to the ongoing state of neglect experienced by the public/civil servants. Needless to say that, they have been sidelined. It’s not in any way funny to hear that those whom I describe as the workaholics, and who most times suffer from nervous breakdown is being treated like bunch of ignoramuses. The other day, someone was telling me that she waited so long that by the time her turn came she was already a nervous wreck. According to her, she never recovered from it, and was very nervy afterwards. Honestly, it’s not funny at all. Most times at my lonely time, I wonder if we’re just daydreaming in regard to the vision 20:20:20 because in any society, the public servants should receive any credit as regards any ongoing productivity. To the best of my knowledge, in any developed nation, their interest comes first before any other would be debated or treated.
The above mal-handling has solely constituted the incessant industrial actions embarked by the Nigerian workers. Most times, the so-called strike is either being suspended or put to stop without any tangible reason. If truly that the reason for the suspension or termination was genuine, why shouldn’t the voice of the entire workers be heard and considered by their leaders before they would be mandated/asked to go back to their respective offices? The funniest part; in most cases the concerned authorities’ tactic seems to be, to bludgeon the demonstrators into submission. What a world!
In any occasion where the labour leader chooses to be stubborn, or different from his predecessors, even the workers in question see it as an expensive measure. Which is, they believe that any industrial action should have a limit whether their cry is heard or not. In other words, we’re even afraid while biding for our right, or the payment of the job we did. Tokenism indeed!
My humble message to the various governments; if the wheel of any moving vehicle can’t function properly, the machine can never work effectively. And, it’s the users’ will that would ascertain the efficiency. We must come together and fix this bad wheel. Thus, we ought to be willing because willingness comes first. So are we truly willing?
In this case with regard to the ongoing discussion, the labour is the wheel, the country remains the vehicle (machine), while the governments and other employers of labour are the users. This is a fact. Yes, a fancy fact. Let’s abide by it and we shall see that the Lord is good.
The End!
----------------------------------
COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Friday, 6 September 2013
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