About the looming ASUU strike

When President Musa Yar’Adua was elected last year, he appealed to the striking university dons to go back to work and promised to resolve all the contentious issues especially the Unilorin 44, without any condition(s) attached. Now, is it not a shame on the part of the government and the country that the words of President Yar’Adua cannot be relied on?

I’m using this opportunity to appeal to the president himself, being a former don, not to allow himself to be pushed around by sycophants that surround him in the name of aides and advisers.

We should begin to ask ourselves, why do these government officials appear unconcerned about issues that affect millions of lives and destinies, directly and indirectly? I think the answer is simple, most of their children are in schools in America or Europe. The few that attend Nigerian universities are in the private ones, they can, therefore, allow the public higher institutions to go on strike if they like forever. I want you to know, your excellencies, that posterity will judge you and history will not forgive you forever, for what you are doing to our education thereby destroying the very people you claim to be serving.

I want Nigerians to know that I’m writing this with a great burden on my heart as a stakeholder in Nigeria’s educational sector, even though I live in the US now, I taught in one of Nigerian polytechnics for about five years. I know the kind of rot that exist in terms of facilities, I know the kind of problems my students passed through to carry out simple experiments.

Now, my question to these leaders is that if the Awolowos, Azikiwes, and the Sadaunas to had run the system as they are doing now, will many of them have gone to the university free as many of them did? Even when there was nothing like oil boom, many of them enjoyed these largesse free of charge, why can’t they do the same for the younger generation?

I want all Nigerians to know that this fight should not be for the lecturers alone as many of their grievances are not bordered on salary and emoluments; they are fighting for things to be done right in the tertiary institutions, for the tomorrow of your children.

These so-called leaders know what they are doing. All over the world, education is the only thing that provides a leverage for all classes and strata of people therefore, our leaders are aiming to slowly destroy it so as to strategically position themselves and their families for the leadership of this country forever, and hold others in servitude, and poverty, for they know if their children get quality education, they can get to any height.

Finally to the lecturers, please, exhaust all the avenues of dialogue and strategise very well before opting for a strike.

- Fabunmi, A. Olusola,
36, Ada Drive,
Staten-Island,
NewYork, U.S.A.

Tribute to Shehu Shagari at 83

Monday, February 25, 2008 marked former president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s 83rd birthday. Although he does not celebrate his birthdays as usually done in Nigeria, we at the Shehu Shagari World Institute for Leadership and Good Governance (SSWI), join numerous individuals and organisations to wish him a very happy and memorable birthday, excellent health and peace of mind.

Shehu Shagari’s 83rd birthday is being marked without any pomp and pageantry as befitting someone of his stature. The absence of any formal celebration of his birthday is by his choice; based on principled tradition, among other reasons. Although we at the institute initially planned to organise a public lecture to coincide with this very important date, however, some unforeseen circumstance prevented it from happening. The institute’s special annual public lecture series has been programmed for the month of February of every year.

Nevertheless, even in the absence of formally organised events to mark the birthday of this living legend of our time, words cannot express our happiness in the celebration of your special day.

To us at the institute, you are the mirror that we always look at to gauge our commitment to the mission, vision and objectives of the institute; founded to advance and promote the basic and fundamental principles of responsible leadership, good governance and multi-party democracy in Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world. The principles and ideals you cherish throughout your life history.

For over 60 years of your productive life, you sincerely and assiduously provided selfless service to our great country, Nigeria and humanity. We implore the Almighty Allah to give you excellent health and strength so that you can continue to guide those of us in the political leaderships blinded by power, greed and corruption .

- Abubakar A. Nuhu-Koko, Sokoto.