Game of Wits: Politicians Vs Intellectuals 6 months running, pple have been barred from teaching and research in the name of national strike. Right from the beginning, I saw passion, commitment, unwavering love and patriotism for the cause with the blazing fire of support from individual & institutional sympathizers. A just cause, you must say! On the part of ASUU, the message has been proven beyond reasonable doubt up to the point where the deaf, the dumb and the blind are now in the know. Everybody in the society now has an informed understanding of the calibre and thought recesses of people we call leaders. The executive waited for months before accepting that the agreement is genuine and worth implementing, after trying out a number of arm twisting tactics to discourage the striking lecturers. ASUU on her part is determined to prosecute the struggle at the expense of their comfort, livelihood and their blood. A posture reflective of stout and legendary patriotism. FG made a swift turn by involving the presidency, the most coveted position in the land - a strategy that deserves applause. After the historic 13-hour parley, the proposal that emanated from the meeting was considered reasonable by the striking teachers but garnished their acceptance of the proposal with obvious conditions drawn thereof. At the tick of time to seal the agreement, the music changed with a new dance step from FG. This melodrama has propelled numerous commentators and observers to perceive the scenario as a tough game of wits between the politicians and the intellectuals. As funny as it may seem, it reminds me of the 7th danger to human virtue by Gandhi, politics without principle. One may be constrained to ask, between ASUU and FG, who is economical with patriotism? Why is ASUU hell bent on securing and ring fencing their MOU with FG? Is ASUUs acceptance to call off with obvious, reasonable conditions tantamount to neglect of the presidents office? The reason is obvious; ASUU was once bitten and now twice shy. My worry is that the perception of government is that the strike, having been stretched for too long seems to have political undertones because ASUU is not perturbed even without salary and the killing of one of their own. If you do not know, these people are simply striking with empty stomach and their blood alongside those of the families cum dependents. God does answer the prayer of the just with sincere heart. For the sake of the martyr of education and icon of new Nigeria, Iyayi, posterity, Nigerian students (the future) and 2015 re-election bid, can somebody tell Mr. President to do the needful to end this imbroglio? He needs to concentrate on other national issues such as insecurity, terriorism, unemployment, infrastructural decay, electoral fraud among others. He once said, temper anger with patriotism. It is time to show it.. ASUU palaver may be seen as an infinitesmal proportion of our national problems but it has the capacity to expose the weaknesses of our national leadership and can create an exploitable orifice for opposition forces, detractors and enemies of our collective progress. Long live our collective struggle for better Nigeria! Long live ASUU! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Dr. Ifeanyi Ndubuto Nwachukwu MOUAU
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 10:17:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015