Re: #EndASUUStrike: Gbajabiamila, epitome of exemplary leadership and matters arising, by Prof. MK Othman
Deep Thoughts with Othman
The action of the distinguished Speaker, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila in #EndASUUStrike was highly valuable beyond quantification. He saved the situation at a critical moment when the Court of Appeal had ordered ASUU to do what some legal luminaries termed “doctrine of impossibility”, and when all hopes were almost lost. As mentioned in my piece last week, when a snake is killed, do not celebrate until the head is severed from the body. Therefore, Gbajabiamila’s action is a solid foundation for ending the strike but the edifice has to be completed by putting in place a strategy to ensure the fulfilment of the agreement as when due by the federal government.
Today, the universities are re-opened but the lecturers lack the motivation, the strength and even the passion to face their students and happily teach, no thanks to the government’s posture as the absolute winner of the imbroglio. My belief, ASUU’s struggle is geared towards qualitative and quantitative university education, which is a sine qua non for resolving society’s developmental challenges and placing the nation on the path to progress and a glorious future. ASUU’s loss of the struggle will be a devastating loss to society and those fighting ASUU today will be powerless to protect society against the calamitous consequences of poor-quality university education. The campuses are quiet but it is the silence of the graveyard, Mr Speaker, something positive needs to be done to avoid a repeat of the previous experience. As I am writing this rejoinder, lecturers are yet to receive any part of their withheld salaries and none of the seven contending issues are partially or haphazardly being implemented.
However, there was a gleam of hope as media reported on Monday, 24th October 2022 that the Speaker, ASUU leadership and Accountant General of the Federation held a meeting to resolve the IPPIS-UTAS issue. At the meeting, Hon. Gbajabiamila was quoted saying “I thank you for ending the strike. I assure you everything will be done to make sure the issue remains resolved”.
As said in my piece, Gbajabiamila is certainly different from the typical Nigeran politician who talks on both sides of the mouth, and whose guiding principle is “the end justifies the means”. He has succeeded where some political juggernauts have failed and he so determined to permanently end ASUU’s perennial strike. Within two months of interaction with Gbajabiamila, he so trusted that ASUU strike was suspended without signing any document as the agreement was based on trust. True to type, Gbajabiamila is not disappointing Nigerians. This is the most admirable quality of our speaker. May the Almighty God continue to guide him and other stakeholders to succeed, amen.
Meanwhile, the article attracted multiple commendations of Gbajabiamila’s actions from readers within and outside the nation. Few such commendations are edited for the reason of space and presented in this rejoinder. Happy reading.
Dear Prof. Othman, this is an excellent, and unbiased write-up that is qualified to be read not only by the stakeholders but by all Nigerians for future reference. Congratulations, Prof. Gbajabiamila’s effort is highly commendable.
Dr Banji Hammed, Lagos.
Dear Prof., you have said it all and well said. But I may make few contributions, the code of men of courage is truth and fearlessness, God’s lions know not the cunning of a fox. My dear Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, gives the eaglets feathers and wings, gives stimulus to the perishing lecturers and decaying students! Gbaji your Nightingale sounds life to our world and brandishes the monkish necks of the wicked that insidiously want to kill education. Thus, Hakeem Gbajabiamila, let your struggles bring us the final fire of hope that the University may run forever and the strike will be history. Bravo for the commendable effort to you and your team.
Yunusa Sakpe, Bidda.
Amin Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum. The effort made by the speaker has been clearly narrated in this piece and may Allah SWT grant him the wisdom to see to the fulfilment of the agreement. Well-done Prof and looking forward to seeing and reading more from you.
Dr Amin Yakubu, Katsina.
Salam Prof. Thank you for this week’s article, which centred on the exemplary leadership of the speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gbajabiamila. Actually, the lawmaker stands out as an exceptional politician when you compare him with his counterparts. The role he played in making ASUU suspends its eight months strike is highly commendable. I hope all the politicians will emulate his exemplary character. He cannot be compared with the heartless overseers of the two ministries responsible for keeping students at home and starving ASUU members for eight months.
Nigerians deserve the kinds of leaders they have. Although, some may not like the leaders they have, but they can’t change them due to the influence of tribalism, sycophancy and/or religion. The mentality and personality of a people determine their level of sophistication. If Nigerians have been taught a lesson at all by the people they elected into various political positions in the past seven years, then, the time is now ripe to rethink and make the right decision of electing people with human hearts, the likes of Hon. Gbajabiamila in the forthcoming elections.
Prof Abdulhameed Yusuf, Kano.
May God continue to give him more strength and wisdom.
Akinola Odeyemi, Ile-ife.
Speaker is a patriotic leader and should be emulated by all Nigerians.
S S Bindawa.
Gbaja did a good arbitration. But the job is not yet done. As a parent, I was never in support of the strike, but I restrain from public criticism. Not that the issues lack merit, but the manner of seeking redress. This one again will count for him as he climbs the political ladder of leadership in this country.
Dr Engr Richard Akinmabowo, Bauchi.
Professor Othman is the Executive Director of National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), ABU Zaria.
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