In countries like South Korea, the first 100 days of a child is very symbolic.
Within this period, the life of the child and that of his parents are often celebrated. In keeping with the tradition of the people, prayers and various types of gifts are offered to the gods during parties organized to mark the event.
This is accompanied with much feasting in the child’s home. The purpose of such ritual is to increase the newborn baby’s chances of becoming successful on earth.
Globally, it is also common among political appointees or government officials to celebrate their first 100 days in office.
For instance, President Barack Obama of the United States celebrated his first 100 days in office with pomp and ceremony. The period in the US serves as a benchmark to measure the early success (or otherwise) of president.
In Nigeria, President Good luck Jonathan and many state governors also celebrated their first 100 days in office. Of course, the celebrations took place with much fanfare. Advertorials were placed in the newspapers and parties were held in government houses to mark the achievements of the political office-holders during their first 100 days in office.
Unfortunately, there are no celebrations today as Nigerians mark the symbolic first 100 days that lecturers in the country’s public universities embarked on industrial action.
The lecturers, who commenced the strike on July 1, are protesting the non-implementation of an agreement they signed with the Federal Government in 2009, as well as the non-payment of their earned allowances.
Many people are compelled to ask what the country, particularly the education sector, has achieved in the first 100 days of the ASUU strike. Since the strike is still in progress, analysts conclude that nothing significant has been achieved. In their thinking, several dialogues and meetings targeted at resolving the crisis have failed to yield positive results. Therefore, there is really no cause for celebration
While both parties continue to seek the best way to settle their differences, the mood in many homes and in the public universities affected by the strike remains sober.
Academic activities in these institutions are still suspended. The students and their parents are forced to deal with the frustration and feeling of hopelessness arising from the strike, just as the striking lecturers, who claim that they have not had any meaningful dialogue with the FG, continue to despair.
The lecturers have not been paid their salaries for the past two months.
But this seems to be the least of their worries. The Chairman of ASUU, Obafemi Awolowo University chapter, Prof. Ade Akinola, who says there is no political coloration in their demand, notes that the body’s major concern is to save the universities from dying.
He says, “ASUU will continue to call on Nigerians to help beg the Federal Government to be patriotic and see reason in not allowing public tertiary education to die. The FG should honor the agreement mutually entered into in 2009 and further reinforced by the Memorandum of Understanding of February 24, 2012. It was in general to save the public universities from total collapse.”
Also, a communications specialist, Mr. Muyiwa Akin, thinks this is not the right time for ASUU and the government to trade blame. He says that both parties should find a mid way to resolve the crisis.
“All the parties should realise that they should protect the interest of the students. In my thinking, sincerity is lacking in this matter. The signing of the agreement took place some years ago and if perchance, the FG is not able to meet its own side of the deal, it should be open about that.
“Again, the government should show sincerity and commitment in funding education and keeping to agreements, just as ASUU members, who are seeking the improvement of the quality of education, should consider the fate of the students. For, without the students, there will be no ASUU and without ASUU, there will be no students,” he says.
Well, which ever side of the divide you belong to, from all of us here, we wish both the suffering and smiling students and greedy ASUU, Happy 100 Days Anniversary
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