U235weapongrade: @oxford I tire for u sef..is it all lecturers dat sell handouts dat are Bad...As long as you were not forced to buy the handouts.

Just to be clear, my declaration about handouts was not meant to suggest there is something inherently bad about them. It's just that the making and selling of handouts holds considerable threat of being abused. It all comes down to the integrity of the lecturer involved.

kaka22: Since there's an agreement between FG and ASUU, can't ASUU sue FG to court to compel them to implement it instead of embarking on strike?

To be honest, I do not know that much about labour laws and so on. I do know there is IAP but I don't know what exactly constitutes their jurisdiction. I'm tempted to say that there is no precedent where the courts ruled against the government on such a major trade issue but the honest answer is, I just don't know. Sorry

oxford:


Am not surprise by your ignorant post.

If a whole prof, who by all intend could be ASSU president himself in disguise could not stand my missiles of facts, how could you possibly withstand me?

Now for starters ASSU alleged earned allowance is not 30billion like you stated but, wait for it, 98 billion!

So next time get your facts straight before exposing your ignorance in a public forum

See this one feeling great when actually you are messing up. ASUU's earned allowances is 97 billion. Do you know what is called earned allowances? Something they had already earned within the last four years which the govt is owing them. Meanwhile the earned allowances is not for ASUU alone. The money is for all the university workers(both ASUU and the non academic staff). Unfortunately ASUU is being blamed as if its them alone that owns the money. Better cool down and reason with the prof and stop messing up yourself.

chreld_b:

I pleaded with you to be polite by you insist on being an i.diot. For that I will not go easy on you. Obviously you are mentally retarded. You do not even know the correct abbreviation of Academic Staff Union of Universities. And please show me where in my post I stated an amount on earned allowance that "ASSU" quoted. Then again maybe I am actually ignorant like you have noted, Probably you are referring to an association called ASSU and not ASUU. Mods please create a children section on nairaland. I don't want to push it if not I would have also requested for a section for the mentally d.eranged to accommodate the likes of this ma.d^^ person I quoted. Oxford I do not know if you've ever been told this but you s.tupidity is epic. You are the most idiotic human being I have had a conversation with this year.

Dear Idiot,

Please next time desist from quoting my post since you dont even know the implication of what you post.

When you posited that the 'selfish part of their demand' has been met, what were you thinking? Let me take the pain to educate you on this: 30b is what fg has given on earned allowance which represent, to use your word 'selfish part of their demand' and am correcting you that 'their selfish demand' is 90b and is yet to be met. Helloooooo?
I just gave you a side kick and you are ranting about displaying ur folly. Nigeria is full of daft, asinine, ludicrous being like you. Major reason why we are where we are today.

However your are entitled to your stup!d opinion

Regards

chreld_b: I would like to play the devil's advocate here. @ the bolded in your above post which I have quoted, I think your opinion there is insensitive to the plight of the students and somewhat arrogant.

I appreciate when people speak frankly. However, I do not agree with you o. My statements were not insensitive. Sometimes what one considers the truth without gilding the lily makes one sound harsh. The truth is that Nigerian students are programmed from primary school to be rote learners who can only function when the parameters of the problem are clearly spelled out and familiar. When they need to improvise creatively, things fall apart.

I am not trying to say that the ASUU strike is a desirable state of affairs at all. My view is, now that it has happened, is there something the students can do about it, or should they just sit at home idly because they are full time students?

Mind you, I do not agree that the tag of "full-time student" means one cannot do those things I suggested. I think you will agree that when Zuckerberg started Facebook, he was one. Think about it, a full time student started a multi-billion dollar company.

So, I wasn't being harsh. I was simply telling the students what I *know* they could do, rather than acting the victims. And on the topic of Nigerian students' mindset, I still have a few things to say...

alexleo:

See this one feeling great when actually you are messing up. ASUU's earned allowances is 97 billion. Do you know what is called earned allowances? Something they had already earned within the last four years which the govt is owing them. Meanwhile the earned allowances is not for ASUU alone. The money is for all the university workers(both ASUU and the non academic staff). Unfortunately ASUU is being blamed as if its them alone that owns the money. Better cool down and reason with the prof and stop messing up yourself.

Just shut up. Am not like you without an opinion of yourself. I refused to buy in to the prof line of argument, if that gives you nightmare go hug transformer

prof.femi:


I appreciate when people speak frankly. However, I do not agree with you o. My statements were not insensitive. Sometimes what one considers the truth without gilding the lily makes one sound harsh. The truth is that Nigerian students are programmed from primary school to be rote learners who can only function when the parameters of the problem are clearly spelled out and familiar. When they need to improvise creatively, things fall apart.

I am not trying to say that the ASUU strike is a desirable state of affairs at all. My view is, now that it has happened, is there something the students can do about it, or should they just sit at home idly because they are full time students?

Mind you, I do not agree that the tag of "full-time student" means one cannot do those things I suggested. I think you will agree that when Zuckerberg started Facebook, he was one. Think about it, a full time student started a multi-billion dollar company.

So, I wasn't being harsh. I was simply telling the students what I *know* they could do, rather than acting the victims. And on the topic of Nigerian students' mindset, I still have a few things to say...

Prof, With an open mind take your time and read the article below written by Ikhide.


ASUU is on strike again. Who cares? SMH
by Ikhide R. Ikheloa
The Academic Staff Union of Universities of Nigeria. ASUU. ASUU is on strike again. Who cares? They are thugs, they are always on strike, nobody seems to know why, except that it involves being paid a boatload of money by their counterparts, those thieves euphemistically called the Nigerian government. ASUU. My contempt for that body of narcissistic thugs knows no bounds. There is really not much one needs to say about how these rogues in academic robes have colluded with any government in power (AGIP) to defraud and rob generations of beautiful children what is their right – a good education. To say ASUU is on strike is to state the obvious, they are nearly always on strike, even when they are at work, they are on strike. Their members want to have sex with every child that walks into their pretend classrooms, when they have satisfied themselves, they love-vendor their helpless wards, yes, they do, to their friends, constipated generals and pot-bellied rogue-politicians who have too much money in their thieving pockets.

If you don’t believe me, Farooq Kperogi has a disturbing piece here on the sexual harassment epidemic in Nigerian universities. You read that piece, and when you have stopped shuddering, you understand why fully less than 10 percent of Nigerian university dons have children living in that mess called Nigeria, let alone inside the filthy chicken coops that pass for classrooms from preschool to the tertiary level. In those criminal hovels, children of the poor and dispossessed are trapped and mis-educated by those whose children are being nurtured in the West. Their children will come back home from North America and Europe on holidays to the pretend suburbs of Abuja and Lagos island, wave a Cold Stone ice cream cone at the wreck built by their thieving parents and berate Nigerians for being wretched Nigerians. They often travel First Class. Ten percent? I made it up of course. I am a Nigerian intellectual. We are lazy like that. It could be less even.

Follow me, let’s go to the silly website of ASUU right here. Let us visit their officers, all of them mean looking men, except for one harried looking token lady who has the cringe-worthy patronizing title of “welfare secretary.” I am sure she does important things for the #OgasAtTheTop of ASUU. Maybe she is responsible for making pounded yam and bringing water so the men could wash their filthy hands. SMH. Yes, Nigeria is the patriarchy from hell, in Nigeria, misogyny reigns even in the 21st century and even among the men of the ivory tower. Hiss. Here’s ASUU’s list of men “leaders” and one token woman: Dr, Nasir Isa Fagge, president, Bayero University, Kano, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, Vice president, OOU Ago-Iwoye, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, immediate past president, IMSU, Owerri, Professor Victor Osodoke, financial secretary, MOUA Umudike, Dr. Ademola Aremu, treasurer, University of Ibadan, Professor. Daniel Gungula, internal auditor, MAUTech, Yola, Dr. Ralph Ofukwu, investment secretary, FUAM, Makurdi, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Iloh, welfare secretary, University of Benin, and Professor Israel Wurogji, legal advisor, University of Calabar. All the men and one woman have horrid looking pictures of themselves on the website, except for Professor Wurogii, ASUU’s “legal advisor” who either is too lazy or too busy to provide one. He is perhaps genuinely afraid for his life – not from the SSS but from irate abused students who have spent the past decade trying to get an education from these thugs.

If you think I am being harsh, ASUU is a body that works really hard to be disrespected. Read the message on the website from the president, Dr. Fagge. It is unprofessional, coming from an educated don, grammatically challenged and in need of a weed whacker, not just a professional editor. Somebody actually wrote that letter, proofed it and approved it for world consumption. ASUU should go hang its greedy head in shame. You go past that obnoxious letter written in the syntax of the 60’s cold war, and desperate for a reason to empathize with these guys, you root around for what it is they want (we know what they want, lots of money and in dollars please!). You find “Memorandum of Understanding, MoU that led to the truce in January, 2012. Government is still playing the ‘deception game’.” You truly want to do some serious research and contribute to the “debate” about “money, mo money for oga professors dem.” Nope, the link is broken, you can’t download anything. These people are not serious.

ASUU’s website is a dump, one that clearly advertises the mediocrity and incompetence of a body of people that only want to be paid. If you cannot maintain a simple website, why should you be trusted with the education of children? If you cannot provide on one page, a simple summary of what the issues are and what your ask is, why should you be taken seriously? Click on all the pretend-links on the right hand side and weep for our children. If you can get two to work, you are lucky. When it works, it is unreadable, consisting of mostly dated material (try the one on conferences, SMH). This is not the first time I have called ASUU’s attention to that disgrace of a website. There are some on their roll that truly believe that in the 21st century, websites are an inconvenience. It is a distinctly Nigerian phenomenon, one that I have been blogging about for years now (Viewing Nigeria through a web of broken links).

The dysfunctions in the Nigerian educational system are well documented on the Internet. You must read Okey Iheduru’s heartbreaking experience as a Fulbright scholar in Nigeria. If my rant sounds very familiar to you, it is because you have read me over and over and over again on the ASUU wahala, since 2009. ASUU does not listen. I now believe that ASUU has earned the right to be banned. I personally believe in employee unions and collective bargaining, I don’t support bans, but these thugs are pushing my patience. It is a body of carcinogens inflicted on the children of the poor. As if poverty is not enough. ASUU is an irrelevance that Nigeria should get rid of. Until then, I say continue to ignore their blackmail, it should make no difference given the products of their laziness. We have writers that cannot tell an adjective from a noun (and sometimes win big Nigerian prizes for that honor), engineers that threaten to build things that would collapse on the innocent and now, get this, a postgraduate student of the University of Lagos, Nigeria hopes to win the Nobel Prize by trying to prove proudly, through the use of magnets, that homosexuality is unnatural. I would not be shocked if his “academic supervisor” is a member of ASUU. That my people is my generation for you. We are today’s intellectuals, today’s politicians. From Aso Rock to the moldy hallowed halls of Nigerian universities, we have MBAs, master bull artists who say all the right things to the masses and do all the right things - for themselves only. Our children do not attend public schools in Nigeria, our families treat their rashes abroad. When all of this is over, history will record that democracy came to Nigeria to prove once and for all, that we are incapable of governing ourselves. And of course it is all the white man’s fault. Na today? Hiss.

PS. And yes, I don’t need any patronizing lectures about how I am generalizing, prattle, prattle, prattle, we all know that not all ASUU members are self-serving thugs, we all know that not all our students are being abused in Nigerian classrooms. I am too lazy to put “most” in front of my sentences. Do it yourself!

You see, students are part of the problem (I can hear your collective jaws dropping to the floor; "wetin we do now??" ).

Our students have been programmed to think of themselves in such small terms that they often cannot grapple with issues. As a people, we have never been great at finding and developing creative solutions. This is one place we can learn a lot from more developed countries (particularly the US, since that's the place I am most familiar with).

I'll give you an example. Supposing a student suggested "let us create student-owned schools". "Obviously", this is a lousy idea. The response of Nigerians would be for all hell to break lose; total mockery and general derision. If it were US students though, they would look beyond the OBVIOUS fact that it is stewpid, and try to not just state the REASONS why it is stupid, but suggest how a few of those reasons might be eliminated. Before you know what is happening, a totally new (but equally unique) idea sprouts, perhaps, "let us develop student-run loan schemes".

My point: as a people, we never try to look beyond the obvious for solutions (yeah, I appreciate the irony that this also applies to ASUU). Just sitting here, it occurred to me that if students cannot do anything about the funding palaver, there is much else they can do something about.

Much has been said and written about the unprofessional conduct of some lecturers. There have been groans about the fact that universities fail to hold their staff accountable. Well, if we fail to do our jobs, is that any reason for you guys to just take it?

What stops someone from creating "mylecturersreputation.com.ng"?? A site sort of like http://blog.ratemyprofessors.com/ where people can create profiles for their lecturers and collate reports? Obviously, such a site could be abused, but as I have already made clear, creative thinkers look beyond the obvious. I can see how the idea could be so well operated that lecturers start using their opponents' mylecturersreputation pages against them during deanship etc elections, thereby legitimizing it (of course, there are other means by which such a site could be legitimized). I wonder what NANs is doing, other than just making noise (yeah, someone says they learnt from their ogas...lol).

Summary: you students could be much more powerful than you think.

Looks like we are about to enter uncharted territory here.

oxford: Prof, With an open mind take your time and read the article below written by Ikhide.

Okay, I wolfed that down. It's a brilliant write-up based on a questionable premise. You see, the fact that one is intelligent does not mean he has the facts in hand. You can imagine what *you* would write if you had Ikhide's reach.

I watched an interview of the ASUU president on one of the top TV stations in the country. The interviewers could barely conceal their irritation at ASUU. That is fine if it was based on knowledge of the facts. Unfortunately, it became obvious that they had not read the SINGLE MOST DETAILED PERTINENT DOCUMENT on the matter: the Needs Assessment Report! How can an "unbiased" newsman conduct an interview and not familiarize himself with the facts? To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

So, yes, Ikhide is smart and all, but DOES HE HAVE THE FACTS?

To be clear about what I mean, I need to do something now. We need to delineate the issues here, and state where we stand on each. You probably think I am trying to cop out and deny some of Ikhide's allegations. Not at all. Are there lecturers who do all those things he said? Of course? Has ASUU been troublesome? Yes, but if you have all the facts, you will realize it is generally with good cause.

Now to that delineation: to my mind, these are simple statements that have been coming up in our arguments


1. Some members of ASUU are unprofessional so-and-sos who should not be anywhere near a university

2. Actually, number 1 applies to most members of ASUU

3. ASUU is not really interested in anyone's well-being but their own

4. Education is very expensive and is crucial to the future of this country

5. The current level of funding of education in Nigeria is abysmal

6. Government signed an agreement but there is nothing wrong in the fact that they have failed to honor it


It appears to me that the nub of your posts rotates between statements 1 to 3. Is this correct? If so, what is your stance on statements 4 to 6?

Well done prof, I appreciate your time here. I have gone tru your previous post and i find them interesting, Am a student of ABU Zaria pls permit me 2 ask this 2 question; firstly what about the 400billion naira FG release some weeks back to take care of the infastructural decay in all Universities? secondly when do you feel ASUU will likely call off the strike even if FG does not pay the money?. Once more tank you sir 4 your time.

dayo23: Well done prof, I appreciate your time here. I have gone tru your previous post and i find them interesting, Am a student of ABU Zaria pls permit me 2 ask this 2 question; firstly what about the 400billion naira FG release some weeks back to take care of the infastructural decay in all Universities? secondly when do you feel ASUU will likely call off the strike even if FG does not pay the money?. Once more tank you sir 4 your time.

My brother, dealing with the government of Nigeria is like wrestling with a man that has rubbed okra all over himself. There's so much smoke and mirrors that you wonder if they are magicians! As far as I know (and I stand to be corrected) FG has not released any 400 billion. What they have released is 130 billion, which has a number of k-legs:

1. 70 million of it was taken from money ALREADY PREVIOUSLY assigned to the universities (see ASUU chairman's interview on this site). So government actually gave N30 billion for allowances and 30 BILLION for infrastructure. Note that by the terms of the 2009 agreement, infrastructure for 2013 was supposed to be 400 billion (maybe that's where you got that figure from)

2. The government wants the universities to raise the balance for the allowances for now and ever by raising their school fees (they called it "IGR". Where else can universities raise that kind of money when they are by definition, not-for-profit)

As to when the strike will be called off, I frankly do not know. I just dey here dey type ignorantly. For all I know, ASUU might be agreeing with GEJ right now...I don't want to insult you by speculating. I will just refer you to a few answers back where I mentioned three possibilities on how the strike might pan out. Cheers.

chreld_b: I wold recommend this to the MODS for front page. I implore everyone who has contributed to this thread to do the same.

BTW, thanks for your help on this...

Okay prof femi, i'm sorry for the insults, just dat ur write up is insuilting. (mayb i shd av attacked the message and nt the messenger). Now that dat i'v apologised, i av a question for u. U av being typing since yesterday when u shd be teaching( i remember u said u want to be referred to as a teacher), if the fg decides to pay you prof will u accept the salary dat u' ve nt worked for?

10x Prof Femi for the time you've Dedicated to dis..

I'm not priviledged to know any Moderator on Nairaland I would have bought he/she a recharge card to send dis to FP.

I'm actually being enlightened on this issue.I really don't have any questions for you as am 100% in favor of ASUU.Maybe if you were a Govt official would have bombarded you with Questions.

Lest I forget Prof,why does Uni-illorin not go on strike? And is it fair that they don't participate in any industrial action but benefit from them at the Long run.

ZackiGp: Okay prof femi, i'm sorry for the insults, just dat ur write up is insuilting. (mayb i shd av attacked the message and nt the messenger). Now that dat i'v apologised, i av a question for u. U av being typing since yesterday when u shd be teaching( i remember u said u want to be referred to as a teacher), if the fg decides to pay you prof will u accept the salary dat u' ve nt worked for?

Thanks, anyone man enough to openly apologize deserves respect (mind you, that doesn't mean we still won't disagree from here to Kontagora o).
As you observed, I have been typing almost non-stop since yesterday. It is extremely tedious going, but I think it is worth it.

To you question: yes, I will accept the salary. Why? Because the job of an academic consists of (1) teaching (2) research (3) community service. I hope you consider my Nairaland outreach community service . More importantly however, I have been extremely busy with my research. You wouldn't believe it from the amount of chatter I have been involved in online, but I have a grant application deadline on the 15th. So, I will accept the salary as remuneration for work done.

However, if the government takes the stance that while I am on strike, they will seize the salary, I wouldn't particularly mind. Consider that my act of self-flagellation, so that I too feel some hardship as I am making students pass through same. In case you're wondering, I mean every word I just said.

prof.femi:


My brother, dealing with the government of Nigeria is like wrestling with a man that has rubbed okra all over himself. There's so much smoke and mirrors that you wonder if they are magicians! As far as I know (and I stand to be corrected) FG has not released any 400 billion. What they have released is 130 billion, which has a number of k-legs:

1. 70 million of it was taken from money ALREADY PREVIOUSLY assigned to the universities (see ASUU chairman's interview on this site). So government actually gave N30 billion for allowances and 30 BILLION for infrastructure. Note that by the terms of the 2009 agreement, infrastructure for 2013 was supposed to be 400 billion (maybe that's where you got that figure from)

2. The government wants the universities to raise the balance for the allowances for now and ever by raising their school fees (they called it "IGR". Where else can universities raise that kind of money when they are by definition, not-for-profit)

As to when the strike will be called off, I frankly do not know. I just dey here dey type ignorantly. For all I know, ASUU might be agreeing with GEJ right now...I don't want to insult you by speculating. I will just refer you to a few answers back where I mentioned three possibilities on how the strike might pan out. Cheers.

owk.... i understand everything right now, ASUU should have senitise the general public and student on this issue before embarking on the strike, like using social media and newspaper to pass the reason for them embarking on the strike so that the students and general public will know the reason before then. Right now most people are actually still confuse and majority blaming ASUU. That would hav been done before embarking on the strike. my opinion sha oooo! Tanx sir

prof.femi:


Thanks, anyone man enough to openly apologize deserves respect (mind you, that doesn't mean we still won't disagree from here to Kontagora o).
As you observed, I have been typing almost non-stop since yesterday. It is extremely tedious going, but I think it is worth it.

To you question: yes, I will accept the salary. Why? Because the job of an academic consists of (1) teaching (2) research (3) community service. I hope you consider my Nairaland outreach community service . More importantly however, I have been extremely busy with my research. You wouldn't believe it from the amount of chatter I have been involved in online, but I have a grant application deadline on the 15th. So, I will accept the salary as remuneration for work done.

However, if the government takes the stance that while I am on strike, they will seize the salary, I wouldn't particularly mind. Consider that my act of self-flagellation, so that I too feel some hardship as I am making students pass through same. In case you're wondering, I mean every word I just said.

prof, if i can remember vividly, the strike dat was declared on june 30, 2013 is TOTAL, COMPREHENSIVE AND INDEFINITE. why the research and the community service dat i'm hearing for first time?

U235weapongrade: 10x Prof Femi for the time you've Dedicated to dis. Lest I forget Prof,why does Uni-illorin not go on strike? And is it fair that they don't participate in any industrial action but benefit from them at the Long run.

Thank you very much. Unilorin...I'm someone with a tightly wound sense of fairness, and the Unilorin issue is nothing if not unfair. While other universities close their doors to fight for the future of the Nigeria educational system (and I admit, partly our pockets), Unilorin stays aloof and "forms" like they are a more civilized bunch.

The sad part is that they then partake of all the benefits: they get to eat their cake and have it. I hear they are currently planning to distribute their share of the FG 30 billion. Something we are still fighting and suffering for, that they never worked for.

Actually, there is some history to it. Unilorin used to also have a strong ASUU. However, (I do not know the exact details) during one of the old ASUU strikes, the university felt the ASUU guys crossed some line by disrupting exams or something like that. They were fired, and though the case dragged on for years, the university never absorbed them back. By that singular act, the university broke the back of their ASUU.

{Before others reading this start cheering however, I should say that although ASUU has its excesses at times (yeah, I said that), it is still the single most vocal champion of education in Nigeria and by extension, our future. }

Unilorin still has ASUU. In fact, I believe they have two factions, but they have been effectively muzzled. I guess at the end of the day, one just has to reason that the academics there are our colleagues, and many of them have the same views. When you are friends, it's not only those who took part in the hunt that get a share of the spoils...

ZackiGp: prof, if i can remember vividly, the strike dat was declared on june 30, 2013 is TOTAL, COMPREHENSIVE AND INDEFINITE. why the research and the community service dat i'm hearing for first time?

Well, you asked *me* a question, not ASUU, and I told what *I* am doing, not what ASUU is doing. ASUU, as an umbrella body I fall under, gave government a notice of total bla-bla. Between you and me, I consider that just part of the normal rhetoric of trade disputes. Most lecturers in my university come to the office at least once a day. I can't tell you what *they* do, but thank God you only asked what *I* do, and that is just what I told you. If you want to know, I am actually still seeing my research students (at least those that want to be seen).

prof.femi:


Well, you asked *me* a question, not ASUU, and I told what *I* am doing, not what ASUU is doing. ASUU, as an umbrella body I fall under, gave government a notice of total bla-bla. Between you and me, I consider that just part of the normal rhetoric of trade disputes. Most lecturers in my university come to the office at least once a day. I can't tell you what *they* do, but thank God you only asked what *I* do, and that is just what I told you. If you want to know, I am actually still seeing my research students (at least those that want to be seen).

prof, will i be right to say then dat u are nt on strike or better still u r not in support of ASUU strike?

ZackiGp: prof, will i be right to say then dat u are nt on strike or better still u r not in support of ASUU strike?

Ha, alakoba, don't incriminate me o I assure you that I am very much on strike and in support of the ASUU action.

It's just that Yorubas say "ta ba n su'kun, a maa riran" (even when crying, one still finds a way to see through the tears). My grouse is with FG. By the act of withholding myself from classes, I am making myself heard in Abuja. I am not fighting my student (or myself!) so any other activity that can help either is game. That's just my view though, I don't know how far it deviates from ASUU orthodoxy, although I know quite a few people who share the same views.

Williamchuks: I have followed your posts meticulously on this thread, and found it worthy to input my little opinion.

I am a staunch enthusiast of ASUU's struggle. It is commendable.
I am of the view that, the reason most students are against this commendable struggle is due largely to poor publicity. ASUU should have put in place decisive strategies to address dearth of information so as to intimate my fellows on what this struggle is about. Over the years I have always longed for good education, education that encompasses that which obtains over here Nigeria. I am a student of MOUAU. I have always roamed our campus in search of facilities that would make me universally competent. I am not oblivious you all know the result of my quest. With the ongoing struggle embarked upon by ASUU, my dream might seem to be possible. Time, indeed can only tell. Prof.Femi, a "rare gem" is an understatement!

Pls. Be lucid 4 my n our average comprehension*speaking on behalf of fellow NLs*, "we all know d result of ur quest?" ... Truth be told sir, we do not know!!! Be kind 2 tell us in a clear n unambiguous manner so as 2 avoid DEARTH OF INFORMATION as u v said.

prof, last question. Very last:

if u are the president of nigeria today will give ASUU the 3 trillion naira they asking for right now and in full?

If no what will you do?

Thank u prof and accept my apologies for my anger.

Regards

oxford: Thank u prof and accept my apologies for my anger. Regards

Hey oxford, like I hinted earlier, I realized that behind your anger, there was a mind that needed to be convinced on why he should believe something contrary to what his experience suggested. I'm happy you decided to apologize, but frankly, didn't even need you to. You see, an exchange such as this can be boring unless someone brings a contrary view (and you know Nairalanders like fight ).

To your question: First, I don't believe ASUU is asking for the whole 3 trillion now. Also, I feel that even spread out, ASUU might consider meeting the government halfway (not necessarily literally o) if the government is able to make a very *sincere* case about why providing the money would bust the economy.

So, if I were president, first I would make it abundantly clear to ASUU that I realized the importance of taking care of tertiary education (even if I don't care much for ASUU itself). I might make some noise about something like a state of emergency in education (perhaps through my ministers). Of course the ASUU guys are going to be cynical, so its essential I let everyone see that I am sincere about the issue.

Then I will talk to my ministers (especially madam. Not Dame o. The other one ) and try to wring out as much as I humanly can. Whatever it is, I will offer ASUU. Between you and me, I think the country can afford N400 billion. If it turns out that it can't, I will be sure to make my argument clearly to ASUU.

If what I want is to try to wean the universities (and ASUU allowances) off FG and more on the parents, I will be clear about it, no beating about the bush. But again, I will present a clear, humane argument, and phase it out. Of course, if I am a president looking for second term, I will be very careful about executing this risky maneuver

Long story short: I will not necessarily give ASUU all they want unless the country can afford it, but I would (a) do all I can to get what they need because tertiary education does need the injection (b) make it very clear to them that I understand the enormity of the issue.

Also, just to bring closure to the delineation thing I did earlier, these are the 6 statements again:

1. Some members of ASUU are unprofessional so-and-sos who should not be anywhere near a university
2. Actually, number 1 applies to most members of ASUU
3. ASUU is not really interested in anyone's well-being but their own
4. Education is very expensive and is crucial to the future of this country
5. The current level of funding of education in Nigeria is abysmal
6. Government signed an agreement but there is nothing wrong in the fact that they have failed to honor it

I dare say we would probably agree on points 4 to 6. The issue is statements 1 to 3. And even there, we agree on statement 1. The only two statements for which I think we would disagree are statements 2 and 3. Well, you are entitled to believe statement 2 because of your own experiences (although I do not). Of course, assuming you believe statement 2 (that it is most ASUU members that are lazy, greedy etc) it is logical that you would believe statement 3.

Nevertheless, I hope you see that whatever our views about statements 1 to 3, it mustn't prevent us from tackling the hugely important statements 4 to 6. Interestingly, by solving those, we can also solve the problem of unprofessional lecturers.

*By the way, my view of statement 6 is in the reverse o, just to be sure.

What say ye?

kaka22: First of all, kudos to prof. Femi for taking the time to enlighten us despite the fact that he wasn't paid to do so... I will leave the blaming game to people who have the time for it... I have a question for you and it goes thus...
* Since there's an agreement between FG and ASUU, can't ASUU sue FG to court to compel them to implement it instead of embarking on strike?

Dude, did i just hear u say sue FG 2 court Which court if i may ask? The world court? The industrial court here in Nigeria where the Judges are those who were exclusively appointed by the very FG which u want 2 sue 2 the court n thus will inevitably heed 2 their every command? Bro, this country is being run by the corrupt minded 2 the detriment of the masses n it's high time that era comes 2 an abrupt n miserable death.

ZackiGp:
no mind the yeye prof, its in their blood(going on strike). Look now he has gone on an indefinite strike frm this thread.

Lol.... Indefinite strike indeed, but truth be told, prof. Femi has really done noble by taking time out to enlighten this forum on what's obtainable in the present industrial action. God bless you Prof!!! God help ASUU with their struggle for a better Nigeria!!! God help all GREAT NIGERIAN STUDENTS to stay focused and fight to achieve their dreams in life!!! God abegiiiiiii.... Punish FG n their cohorts 4 frustrating this nation 2 this extent!!! God thank u 4 punishing all those stupid elites looting our God-given Natural resources n keep punishing them until they repent from their evil ways!!!

I've never been so eager about a particular thread hitting FP but this case happens to be quite different..

Mods pls,I'm sure many students have been looking for an opportunity of dis nature..

Thanx For your anticipated co-operation

Pryme-st*rr:

Lol.... Indefinite strike indeed, but truth be told, prof. Femi has really done noble by taking time out to enlighten this forum on what's obtainable in the present industrial action. God bless you Prof!!! God help ASUU with their struggle for a better Nigeria!!! God help all GREAT NIGERIAN STUDENTS to stay focused and fight to achieve their dreams in life!!! God abegiiiiiii.... Punish FG n their cohorts 4 frustrating this nation 2 this extent!!! God thank u 4 punishing all those stupid elites looting our God-given Natural resources n keep punishing them until they repent from their evil ways!!!

And u think God will answer these prayers? Jt pray God doesn't punish u first. These leaders are kept and appointed by God himself so 'curse not His appointed'.

Does anyone know how to get across to the fynestboi or any of the education mods? I'm not sure they've to this part of town so perhaps we need a more direct path to them (within the bounds of Nairaland)?