ASUU-DELSU Chairman, Comrade Paul Opone, addressing Members during the Protest.
By Samuel Ogude
Human beings in the society would have been like the beasts in the forests if not teachers. Even among the beasts, there are still teachers if not, the crafts of food gathering and feeding among other skills, among the animals in the forests would not have been known by young ones. There is no gain saying that Teachers are the bed rocks of any society. Many people who would have been useless in the society today, have become prominent persons(Personalities) as a result of the lessons(lectures) they have received from teachers. It is the Teachers, now called Lecturers at the higher institutions such as Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities, that bequeath the right knowledge, norms and values on the students who now become Doctors, Lawyers, Journalists,. Engineers etc. – all well prized and honoured in the society.
In politics, the Local Government Chairmen, Senators, Governors, Presidents and of all those that dictate the affairs of the country were once students of Teachers (Lecturers) at different levels of education. It is as a result of the vital roles Teachers (Lecturers) play in the society, many advanced countries of the world do not joke with teachers, and they treat them like Queens and Kings in terms of welfare. The question that begs for an answer is: what offence have Teachers (Lecturers) committed in Africa especially Nigeria that warrants their maltreatment by way of welfare by the Government at all levels?
ASUU-DELSU Members Carrying Various Placards During the Protest.
Research has shown that it is only in Africa countries especially Nigeria, that despite the vital role of teachers, they are rewarded with poor salaries. It is ridiculous to learn that in Nigeria while a Professor in the University earns N633, 333, a Senator earns N21 million. This of course, contrasts with the scenario in United Kingdom where an average take home of a Professor is reported to be 80,000 pounds per annum.
The question again: who taught the Senator? What rigorous academic activities has the Senator undergone? What warrants the Senators, some of whom were barely able to have some credits in WAEC or GCE after several attempts, to earn higher than Professors? With this scenario, one does not need a sooth-sayer to know that the Federal Government has underrated Teachers (Lecturers).
One fact should not be forgotten: just as a Senator wants to live well- eating good food, putting on good clothing materials, educating his children in good schools, and have all the pleasure of life, the Teacher (Lecturer) desires the same. Against this backdrop, if Teachers (Lecturers) go on strike, do they have blame?
In the past few weeks, it was reported that the National Leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed that all its branch members across the nation to embark on peaceful protest to remind the Federal Government of the Gentleman’s Agreements it has reached with the Union years ago. If Federal Government really knows the worth of Teachers (Lecturers), is there any need for the Union to protest or go on strike for agreement reached with the Union to be implemented?
Often and then, Senators want their salary increased and without much ado, it is effected but when it comes to Teachers/Lecturers, the Federal Government begins to foot-drag, why is it so? For instance, the protest of ASUU, Delta State University Abraka was held on Tuesday, 26th August where the body reminded the FG on the need to implement the Renegotiated Agreement that was signed with the Union in 2009.
The Chairman, ASUU-DELSU, Comrade Paul Opone highlighted how inflation has eaten deeply into their present salary structure. They threatened to go on strike if the FG fails to yield to their requests. Does one not think, by the attitude of the FG, education is likely to die in the country? No wonder, the Secretary of ASSU- DELSU, Comrade Festus Omosor said, there is deliberate attempts by the Federal Government to kill education in the country. According to him, lecturers have been reduced to slaves as they can no longer pay their medical bills, children’s school fees without resorting to borrowing.
ASUU-DELSU Members Carrying Various Placards During the Protest
The Union faulted FG’s loan facility for Lecturers when the same government is owning them a number of dues. This is a strategy to avoid attending to entitlements of the lecturers. Why must the Government think that bowing is a way of life for Lecturers? Do Senators borrow money to pay their medical bills or their children’s fees? According to branch Chairman of ASUU, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof..Idou Keinde, the Lecturers deserve living wage in the country.
Now, if education dies and it is buried, what would be the faith of Nigeria’s generations to come? Would there be Lawyers, Doctors, Engineer, Accountants, Journalists, and even Teachers? Would there be Councilors, Chairmen, Senators, Governors or President to man the affairs of the country at different levels? It is a clarion call on the government at all levels to save education in Nigeria if the country is to experience the desired growth and development.