RE: AND ONCE AGAIN, ASUU!

Therefore, suggest some readers, the ire should fall on public servants (civil and political appointees) who cannot prove the source of the surpluses they use to send their children to overseas institutions. Those are the ones that should be taken to task. Many other readers have sent in varied reactions; the following are but a […]

Therefore, suggest some readers, the ire should fall on public servants (civil and political appointees) who cannot prove the source of the surpluses they use to send their children to overseas institutions. Those are the ones that should be taken to task. Many other readers have sent in varied reactions; the following are but a sample. And pologies to the many whose comments cannot be accommodated due to space constraint. Enjoy (or rather, lament):

Rasheed Mohammed: Smart advice to ASUU there! These strikes affect the future of tomorrow’s leaders. ASUU should understand that they cannot get 100% of what they want. They should come down some steps and meet the government halfway if it goes a few steps upstairs.

Muhammad Yahaya: The United Nigerian Elite (UNE) kills all levels of education. In order not for ASUU to be considered self-serving, they should also advocate for quality primary and secondary education both of which determine tertiary input. I also suggest that we all unite to see to it that these foreign-educated children of the UNE are not employed by any government.

Abdullahi Lamido: Wallahi ilimi akwai dadi! ASUU dealt with dictators cikin ruwan sanyi (silently but effectively). ASUU must endeavour to use strike only as a last resort; it must use the 21st century weapon of propaganda to deal with the UNE. Education must be salvaged to save our country from its perennial underdevelopment.

Ibrahim Maje-Karofi: ASUU should stop talking of salary increases but concentrate on the reform of the system. They should also be patriotic. Imagine: a VC receives more salary than the President of Nigeria and more than the entire research grants of some universities. Despite this, some of the senior scholars are still resentful of their juniors by denying them foreign-funded fellowships.

Abubakar Idris B/Kebbi: I spent several hours trying to decipher who among the ex-Governors you were referring to, as well as the Wal-Bani-Wal-Baka Education Minister. All the same, may your pen never dry up.

Baffa Umar: Thank you very much, ASUU Member and Loyalist Bala Muhammad.

Ibrahim Musa Gwammaja: Reminds me of the time you used to teach us, your students of BUK Mass Comm, under the tree. You predicted this rot almost twenty years ago when you said you refuse to commit suicide by teaching in our stuffy, unventilated lecture theatres. Despite all these problems Mallam, we believe that you will one day return to the classroom to raise the next generation. Teaching is indeed honourable.

Khalid Imam: A really thought-provoking piece. Thanks Mallam.

Baffa Babba Dan’Agundi: You really scratched deep and wide today. Well done and keep it up!

Nurudeen A. Tambaya: I think we need to sponsor a bill to stop any government official, whether elected or appointed, from sending their children to any private school; primary, secondary or higher instution. We have to take an extra-ordinary measure to solve this cancer. Please set up a foundation to collect donation from us (your readers) so that we can be able to pay the lawyers to do it. Let us start from somewhere.

Abdullahi Mohammed: I strongly support your opinion on change of strategies. Instead of ASUU officials using our money to lodge in Sheraton etc, they should use it for propaganda and expose all the Nigerian children in foreign schools, including how much they pay for these services. Definitely, earnings of the lecturers and teaching facilities will improve.

Umar Lawan: There is a saying which says: when one sees his parent and his teacher walking together with each carrying a load, one should first help the teacher first. Teachers are therefore greater than parents, but sadly in Nigeria they are seriouly neglected. Especially considering that the current president and his vice were once both teachers. It really is a pity.

Muntaka Abdul-Hadi Dabo: Our situation is very maddening, infuriating and saddening. The education sector is not given all the necessary attention because children of the UNE are schooling abroad. Imagine our counterparts that go to Dubai, Malaysia, India and so on are acquiring degrees in just 3 to 4 years, while here in Nigeria we spend 6 to 7 years to acquire the same degree. Any country that lacks qualitative education can never develop. Allah Ya sauwake!

Adamu Ahmad: Now over to you, Mr. President! The inhuman treatment of lecturers and teachers has caused the declining standard of education in this country. Ballot box-snatching and stuffing politicians should remember that their education was sponsored by our resources. They have no reason to deny same to others. More ink to your pen, my proposed father-in-law!

Umaru Wakili: In my state, it is the government itself that is taking selected children of the UNE to schools abroad in the name of ‘partnership’. The selection process is faulty because BA ‘YA’YAN TALAKAWA. And the money is too much. Sai dai kawai Allah hokku njamu e ko njamu nyamata (Fulfulde for: Allah ba da lafiya da abin da lafiya za ta ci).