Is It Irresponsibility On The Part Of FG Or Unreasonable Demands By ASUU? Stop Breaching The Fundamental Rights Of The Nigerian Students; End Strike Now

BY B.C OBILOR

Introduction

In saner climes, from the first day a student gains admission into the university, the date of graduation is known and is as certain as the second coming of Jesus Christ. Regrettably, in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. We have situations in Nigeria were a course that is supposed to be for 4years takes over 6years to be completed as a result of the hide and seek game by the Federal government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).  The incessant strike actions by ASUU as a result of the irresponsible and irresponsive government has turned into a yearly festival. Most students have given up their dreams, some met untimely  death, some drop out of school, while others join the streets and begin to constitute nuisance. The negative effects of the fun play between FG and  ASUU is becoming alarming, annoying, unfortunate, and  uunbecoming.

Is the problem between FG and ASUU spiritual? What is the problem? Is it incompetency and irresponsibility on the part of the government or is it as a result of outrageous, unreasonable and unrealistic demands of ASUU? What ever it is, the  madness must stop!

THE RIGHT OF STUDENTS AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY

The relationship between students and the university is contractual in nature. Being a contractual relationship, each party is bound by the terms of the contract. It must be noted that the admission letter issued to each student upon admission, contains the duration of the particular course offered. In other words, it is my humble opinion that where such duration is extended by the act of the university and or that of FG, the student ought to be entitled to compensation for breach of contract. The point am labouring to make is that, any unnecessary delay or extension of the duration of the course offered to a student is a breach of contract which ought to be enforceable in a court of law.It must be noted that the indiscriminate strike actions by ASUU results to allot of hardship to the students and by the principle of the greater good for the greater number, the rights of the students ought to override any other right that may be claimed by ASUU as the reason for the hardship melted on the students any time they go on strike.

THE RIGHT OF STUDENTS AGAINST FG

Every child has a right to education. It is my opinion that by not meeting the demands of ASUU or at least reconciling with them, FG is denying students of their right to education. Also, by elongating their stay in school, their right to life has been infriged upon as well. This is because, as a student, education is a means of livelihood to them and not allowing them to achieve their Dreams within the stipulated time is a denial of their right to life since delay amounts to denial in law. It is high time the court rises up to bring sanity to the society.

Government has a form of social contract with the Nigerian students and over the years, government has failed in that regard. It is high time government is held not just accountable but also liable.

HARDSHIP USUALLY SUFFERED BY STUDENTS DURING STRIKES.

This caricature between FG and ASUU is becoming unbearable and unfortunate. They fail to understand that they are playing with people’s lives, Careers and ambitions. Life is time bound, hence time is precious. When these two elephants fight, the students suffer the following:

1. Rent wastage: Many students Live in places where rent is high. Student pay for their rents even without making use of the apartment. Infact, after each strike, many students drop out of school.
2. Age: many students can no longer be allowed to undertake NYSC because of their age. Ordinarily, but for the strike, they would have graduated within the age requirement.
3. Many students join illegal businesses when they are on strike. Some become Yahoo boys and girls and an ATM to the defunct and disbanded SARS.
4. Many students, as a result of the series of strike graduate at an age that renders them unemployable by government establishments.
5. Many students meet their death. I remember when I was still in the University, we lost one of our seniors during the strike as a result of accident. Students are exposed to allot of dangers during these period.
6. Poor performance, production of half baked graduates: once a long strike is called off, most Universities go in for examination without covering the academic work for that session. These have affected the standard of education and the quality of graduates produced in Nigeria.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION:

It is time to get it right. It is time to put a permanent stop to this playlet by FG and ASUU. It is time for the government to show Nigerians how responsible and responsive they are. Nigerian government should arrest this situation once and for all. Stop playing with the lives of the Nigerian students. Stop playing with their future.

Therefore, it is my humble opinion that it is high time students started enforcing their rights. The court can not refuse to do something just  because it has not been done before, if so, the law will remain stand still while the rest of the world moves on._LORD DENNING. On this note, i humbly submit that an action can be maintained against ASUU and Or FG,and such should be commenced.

It therefore recommended as follows:

1. FG should put a permanent stop to this rigmaroling between her and ASUU.END STRIKE NOW!
2. Students should stand up and insist on their right to education and the specific performance of their contract with the university.
3. The court as the last hope of the common man should always uphold the rule of law.
4. ASUU should be reasonable on their demands.
5. Agreements between ASUU and FG should be made enforceable in the law court.
6. Government should be held liable when they are in breach of their agreements with ASUU.
7. After this long strike, government should pay compensation to students.

FG, what are you waiting for? Do you want another protest by students? This can be avoided. There should be no more Strike in Nigeria.NO MORE STRIKE. END ASUU!

BY B.C OBILOR ( BCOBILOR@nigerianbar.ng) human Right Advocate and a public affairs analyst.