ASUU strike: Students call to "Occupy Nigeria"

ASUU strike: Students call to "Occupy Nigeria"

Victoria Campbell
It is 54^th day today since students in public universities across the country have been home due to the ongoing industrial action by their lecturers under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). both parties are at an impasse over some agreements voluntarily signed in 2009. Some students think the appalling state of education in the country is as a result of the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards the remuneration requests of lecturers as well as other demands. However, many of them have opted for several alternative measures in order to keep themselves abreast of idleness but nonetheless, there can never be a total satisfaction derived from such measures that would totally expunge the thoughts of not being in the four walls of a lecture room when they ought to be from their minds. 

National Mirror went to town to feel the pulse of some students on the effects of their continued forced holiday and their thoughts over the stalemate between government and their lecturers.

Agaba Ibrahim, 300 level Mass Communication student, Lagos state University, Ojo.

We all know that ASUU’s course is not only to benefit them. It will also benefit the students and the entire society. So, one of the ways to achieve this is this ongoing strike action. However, we the students are been affected with the strike because it has allowed most students to indulge in various activities, both legal and illegal. There is a saying which says the idle hand is the devil’s workshop.  Some of the male students use this strike to involve themselves in internet fraud and some other, illegal acts while female students might get pregnant that are not prepared for. That is why I will appeal to ASUU to call of the strike and renegotiate with the government because the strike is affecting us academically and it will also cause some setback to tertiary education.

Akinola Saburi- 500 level Agriculture and Rural Sociology student, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile –ife

The strike is quite unfortunate. It emphasises the level of insensitivity of the government on the plights of the public especially the students. The strike gives an insight into the further rot that could become of the education sector in the near future. The effect is really negative. The government should be honourable enough to honour all the agreements entered into with ASUU and other unions. More pressure should be put on government to bring permanent solution to the problem. For me, I have been engaging in menial jobs at a Computer Village, while at the same not forget to read. I am also participating in some labour movement programmes.

 

Oladipo Shola, 300- level student of Political Science, Lagos State University, Ojo.

For the strike, I always feel demoralised and depressed especially when it comes to mind that reasonable time, especially of students is being wasted on the strike and still with no solution on sight. Nevertheless, I hope that a peaceful mass protest of all Nigerian students would help solve the problem. In the interim, I have enrolled at a computer training firm to study computer engineering.

 

Bamitale Odubote, 400- level Computer science student, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago- Iwoye.

 It is not out of point to say the condition of education system, as well as, other systems is worsening by the day. With the issue at stake, it seems that the Federal Government doesn't really have the progress of the youths at heart neither is that of the educational sector, which ought to have been its priority. The strike has affected me in all ramifications because by now I should have forgotten the fact that I’m still pursuing my B.Sc. degree. By now, I should have been in another face of my education career.   I gained admission into Olabisi Onabanjo University since 2006 for a five years course and here I am, still in 300-level without having any deficiency in my academic work. All is because of ASUU’s incessant strike.  So, I think dialogue is the major answer between the two parties to solve this problem. And if that does not work, I would suggest that all Nigerian students should occupy Nigeria and fight for our course. Though the strike is not affecting directly as at now as I am doing a six- month Industrial Training programme.
 

  Badru Adewale, 300- level student of Mass Communication, Lagos State University, Ojo.
I think the government is at fault over this issue. Agreement is agreement. Let government honours it own part of the agreement for the purpose of peaceful and smooth academic environment in our ivory towers. The strike no doubt is at the students’ detriment. I didn’t know the strike would be as long as this before it is called off. But in order not to completely stay idle, I have enrolled at one photography school to learn the trade pending when the strike would be called off. So, my suggestion is that while the two parties involved come together to resolve the issue on time, government should also hearken unto peoples’ voices and also dance to ASUU’s tunes.

 Damilola Ogunleye, 300-level student of Law, University of Lagos, Akoka.

 I feel bad about this development as it has really affected me in so many ways. I hardly read anymore and I’m now very lazy because of idleness. I think the solution is that the Federal Government should try to meet up with the demands of the lecturers at least for the sake of we the students.

  

Akanimo Emmanuel, 100 level Political Science student, University of Lagos, Akoka.

I have been engaging students who are preparing for the external exams such as WASC, NECO and JAMB with some tutorial lessons at a fee. So, it has actually been nice so far. I got into the tutorial business to keep myself busy. I would definitely continue with it even after ASUU would have called off the strike. I have about 12 students currently and we meet thrice weekly. I take them Mathematics, English Language and Government while a colleague who is studying science course is taking them Science subjects. 

                                                Video of an Interview with Akanimo

 

Temitope Levites, 200-Level student of Medicine, Lagos State University, Ojo.

Before I got admission into the university, I was into a Self Management course and also working with an organisation dealing in Phonics. So ever since the commencement of the strike, I have gone back to my former activities. So far, it hasn’t just been for financial gain, I also gain additional experience.

   

Adedoyin Adedolapo, a 300- level Economics student, University of Lagos, Akoka.

The strike started at a time we were to write our semester exams. So, I think the strike is uncalled for because the students are always at receiving ends of the action. Now, the focus of students has been shifted from academic activities. I have read my books and now tired of reading again since I don’t know when we will go back to school. So, I think the government and ASSU should have an intensive dialogue and iron out their differences and reach a compromise. I will advice ASUU to learn to adopt the use of dialogue and other options apart from strike to press home their demands from government. Strike is further crippling the country’s education sector. So far, I am not engaged in any serious thing aside eating, sleeping and watching movies. Though, I wanted to sign up for a vocational course but the fear of the strike been called off abruptly gave me a change of mind because that would lead to a waste of money and resources.

 Adepoju Samson, a  400level student of the Education department of language Arts, Lagos State University, Ojo.

Well I feel very sad about the strike and naturally when students don’t go to class they become intellectually rusty. However, in order to forestall a deficiency in the academic calendar of universities I think the calendars and academic schemes should be harmonised for there to be unison in their spate of operation. I’ve been teaching C.R.K and government in a Secondary school but would have his appointment terminated after school activities resume.