Extension of ASUU strike : killing the remaining 10% student in me.

The ringing of my phone made me abruptly wake up from my distressful nap with a headache, it was my friend from school who called to check up on me after reportedly hearing that I was sick. She thought it was something serious and she was all panicky over the phone until I told her that it was just the cluster headache I have from time to time. The headache further worsened when I took a sneak peek into my whatsapp to view status updates when the news came before my eyes : The strike has been extended by a further three months! I was shocked, angry and disappointed at the same time. It was something I wasn't expecting at all especially since the Federal government had a meeting with the ASUU committee and I was hoping they'd come to a positive conclusion. Three months? That's like till August! By then the student in me would have already been dead. I don't think I'd find enough motivation to keep going especially now that I am having other engagements too. My plans have been messed up, and I bet same goes for any Nigerian student out there!

The government cares very little about education in the country. Imagine a student spending 6-7 years in completing a 4 years course! It's not a speculation, it's something that has happened in the country before and from the way things are going now, it could again or become even worse, since the care free attitude of those that should actually do something about it is only worsening. The other day I heard that the labour minister and the minister of state education have each purchased the presidential election form both worth a 100 million naira. Our welfare is the least of their concerns. They are all immersed in the affairs of the upcoming 2023 election in an attempt to gain higher government positions while doing little or nothing for the betterment of the citizens in their current offices. This all goes to show that it is all about them and never about others. It all goes to show how selfish people have taken over leadership roles in the country. If a person cannot be do what is in his ability in his current office, how do you expect them to do better when they attain higher seats?... and to think there are people who will still vote for them is so nauseating!

For my non-Nigerian readers who aren't familiar with the meaning of ASUU, it is an acronym for Academic Staff Union of Universities, a body under which all federal universities function or are part of. They have been on strike since the 14th of February which is about three months ago, now three months have been added already which makes it a total of six months(half a year) except if the strike is called of before then. Remember that we had once embarked on a strike last year which had already added a year to our graduation date, now this making it two years. MBBS, a six year course has suddenly turned into 8 years while four year courses like accounting have turned six years. So sad.. So so sad to say the least.

My advice to all my fellow Nigerian students and those in other countries who are on strike is to find something else worthwhile to do. Our success doesn't revolve around schooling, you might just tap into some hidden talent if we search well enough. Revise your books occasionally so as not to forget what you've been taught in school to avoid being lost when it finally resumes. Please don't stay idle and keep all hustling legit. May God help students all over the globe!

Aluta Continua!!

Victoria Ascerta!!

Thanks for reading.

Thanks to you all for supporting me. Sorry for my inactivity lately, my occasional cluster headache won't let me be.

Yours Layly,

💖💖💖