LOOKING BEYOND THE PICTURE… Education is the bedrock of any nation’s meaningful development. This is because when a mind is effectively educated, it liberates its generation and consequently the society. One of the most important Fundamental and Directive Principle of government is to provide education for every citizen of Nigeria and to eradicate illiteracy…see Sec 18(3) of the constitution. This law obviously doesn’t hold much weight in our beloved country, whose educationl sector has been and is being truncated by retrogressive cankerworms ranging from corruption, ethnic and religious disparities to appalling degrees of political insurrection among other things. I cannot find the right words to describe the current situation but it is obviously evident that our education sector is in such a state of disrepute so much so that a large percentage of well educated Nigerians (if not all) would not in his right senses willingly enrol his/her child in any public primary school in their locality (I certainly wouldn’t). This surprisingly was not the situation in the 70’s and 80’s. This situation has informed the decision of private individuals in setting up private schools to provide better educational services to Nigerians who can afford the cost…rather unfortunately for the poor. Parents go to the extent of spending as much as 80 to 100 thousand pounds per annum to educate their children in foreign countries thereby investing in the economy of such countries mostly because they couldn’t tag Nigerian schools as up to standard. It is therefore a symbol of hope when a Trade Union whose primary duty is to seek to provide better conditions of employment for its members through negotiations with their employers have decided to force the hand government in order to get financial security to revitalize University Education in an effort to save the d future of this country and in the process giving up their jobs and their livelihood for five months. This is in recognition of the obvious fact that successive administrations did not take the issue of education so seriously which has culminated in dishonouring agreements which were reached void of coercion or duress. It hurts me more when I listen to students who are the supposed beneficiaries of this struggle and who should be strong supporters of this struggle, spewing out gibberish and unqualified vituperations thereby castigating the union that is making such a big sacrifice to end this battle at such a delicate stage. Unfortunately, some learned individuals are also not exempted. In my opinion, It would be a gross understatement to say that ASUU deserves a resounding applause for their insightful sacrifice in saving the future of this GREAT NATION by canvassing for better education even if it means standing alone. How I wish their colleagues at other levels of education could follow this trend thereby bringing about a permanent solution to problems which have gone beyond management. Our country would be better for it. It is only a congenital fool that would retreat in a fight between Him and an obsequious opponent who had earlier promised to fulfil an agreement that was documented and signed between them but reneged to do so even after four years. ASUU members are definitely not in this category. If the Government is honest about this new agreement, I do not see anything stopping them from putting down these terms in white and black and allowing the necessary agencies to be a signatory to it. The era of taking the Government by their words has obviously been put to death as result of their disposition towards previous agreements. It is in recognition of this tremendous sacrifice that this writer is using this humble medium to say Thank You Sir’s/Ma’s. I consider it a great pleasure to be part of this revolution that is about to take place in the University education even if it means staying at home for more than five months. Nothing good comes cheap (especially not in Nigeria). I’m certain that my fellow students would join me in showing our gratitude to this heroes and heroines for their doggedness and indelible sacrifice in moving this country forward through education. THEY ARE THE MANDELAS OF OUR TIME…and we can only realize this….WHEN WE LOOK BEYOND THE PICTURE. OLANIYI TEMITOPE ISAAC.

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