I address you today with a heavy heart and a deep sense of responsibility. Every one of us will, at some point in our lives, have the opportunity to make our voices heard. Today is my moment, and I am determined to make it count. Greatest Nigerian students! Let me be clear and unapologetic: one of the most misleading assertions and biggest deceit we’ve been taught in this country is that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. This has been deceitfully perpetuated by those who remain in power indefinitely and echoed by our educators without challenge.
Shall I now say that we have lived our whole lives believing in our minds that the government and ASUU truly love us and wish us to be leaders of tomorrow when they have unknowingly been partners in the conspiracy not to let us graduate, let alone become leaders? By the time an average Nigerian student eventually graduates from a government-owned university, his dream would have been shattered, his passion thwarted and his future truncated; the enthusiasm and vision he once had will eventually be replaced by a desperate need to make money and simply survive.
It is disheartening to see our lecturers, whom we believe care about our future, use our academic progress as baits and leverage in their negotiations with the government. Our time and our future are invaluable, and using them as bargaining chips is unacceptable. We understand that our universities require revitalization. However, is it fair that our precious time and future are used as bargaining chips? Innocent students, who have done no wrong, are bearing the brunt of this conflict.
I wish to reiterate my point with unfidgeting conviction and optimum confidence, Greatest Nigerian Students! All our lecturers seated here are fortunate to have completed their education and secured their positions as employees of the federal government. What is the fate of those who are yet to graduate, and what is our offense? Have we been taught without paying our school fees; have we been housed without paying for accommodation? Why neglect the government you should confront and aim to jeopardize the lives of youths whose parents toil day and night to offer them a promising future? I repeat, WHAT IS OUR OFFENCE?
To study telecommunications engineering at this university, my classmates and I have spent nearly 7 years all because of repeated ASUU strikes that have added us no cubit. Now we are in our final semester, counting two months to graduate and all that is presented before us is another threat of an indefinite strike, claiming to better the state of Nigerian universities. Please dear lecturers, students, and partners in the struggle, how does this approach better the lives of university students rather than jeopardizing their future and recruiting more insurgents and terrorists to completely deplete our national security?
Our lecturers have always taught us to resolve issues diplomatically, without causing further harm. Despite all our challenges, we have upheld these principles diligently. Now it is their turn to demonstrate this principle. Instead of choosing a path that disrupts our education and future, let them exemplify the diplomatic resolution, that they have always advocated.
GREATEST NIGERIAN STUDENTS! As the President of the Students Union Government, and Grand Commander of all Aluta Forces, Rigidity Tested and Ruggedity carried, I have the power to organize protests and disrupt university activities in response to the many issues we face, from water shortages, exploitation of students by landlords off-campus to inadequate facilities. However, I have chosen not to, for the sake of peace and our academic progress. I have endured these pressures, avoided many confrontations, and prevented numerous protests, all to preserve the reversible time and priceless future of our dear students whose interests I stand to protect.
While you think of going on this strike, I hope you have thought of the many weak and poor Nigerian parents you are likely to kill by high blood pressure due to their inability to condole the increased youthful exuberance of the mentally frustrated youths you’re sending home; of course, there can’t be two captains on a ship. Have you also thought of the thousands to millions of youths who are likely to eventually lose interest in education as a result of long separation? Out of sight they said is out of mind! And then engage in social vices such as drugs, fraud, rape, cultism, kidnapping, and terrorism thereby constituting more nuisance and insecurity in the country.
Have you thought of all these or are you only bent on getting your demands met at all costs? Where is the place of the “Diplomatic approach to conflict resolution that you taught us?” If we were your children whom you are already looking forward to graduating and assisting the family after all the suffering, would you add one year to our remaining two-months?
Let the Nigerian Government and ASUU hear this: he who is on the ground fears no fall! And our resilience will not falter! bringing down the future of many Nigerians through continued strikes is not the solution, let it be known to all that the youths will not sit down here for long! Sooner or later, the youths will be informed and these deeds will be undone!
I strongly advise ASUU, on behalf of millions of Nigerian students, to halt this strike and work towards a resolution with the government that does not further harm the students. If this is not feasible, I urge FUTMinna to stand apart from this detrimental trend and youth-devouring pandemic and lead by example. Should this change not occur, then the students will initiate it, and it will begin here!
THAT IS NOT A THREAT! IT IS A CALL TO ACTION!!
ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA ASCERTA!!!
EZE C.N. GALAXY IS MY NOMENCLATURE!!
GREAT NIGERIAN STUDENTS!!!
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Presidential Media House
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Edited By ✍️
Edt. BABALOLA, Ademola Stephen.
