“Enough Is Enough”
The day broke as usual this morning Thursday 15th of March 2011 at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye Ogun State, Students went to school as usual, even students who had examinations to write but nobody had the premonition of what lay ahead.
This morning at about 10 am, students who were entering the school premises (Mini Campus) were unable to gain entry into the school because the school gates were locked. This was as a result of the Non Academic Staff of University (NASU) Strike; they converged at the front to the school gate (Mini Campus) carrying plagues, singing solidarity songs. “Solidarity for Ever”, from Mini campus to Permanent site.
Speaking with Mr Olarotimi from the registry, he said we haven’t been paid our salaries, we have shown commitment by working but we haven’t been paid, and this has been on since 2010, it is really affecting us seriously, many of us have children to cater for, house rent to pay, and the families to look after. It is our sweat, it is our right and we need to fight for what is ours. We have given them time; we also intimated them two weeks ago before embarking on the strike action but all seem void. So what we need is for then to pay us what is ours, it’s unfair working without any payment. Also speaking with OOU Vanguard, a Non Academic staff who pleaded Animosity said, the management have been owing us since last year, and the management has not been making effort to pay us. There was a meeting two days and they are still insisting that they are not ready to pay, but I am ensuring that it is not against anybody but is for us to be paid or salaries.
While the protest was going on the Student Union came around, and were shocked seeing students outside, is was quite unfortunate that the Student Union Government were not duly informed and as a result of this they ordered the gate to be opened for the student to gain access into the school.
From the students point of view, the President Comrade O. Joel (OBAMA) spoke with OOU Vanguard, he said this is Olabisi Onabanjo University, it is natural in any teaching environment there are stake holders and it is not right Student working one side, the management one side and the staff one side, there by making un stable arrangement, and I believe due consultation must be made to ensure it does not affect the students of the staffs of the school. Just look at the way students were pack outside the school gate like animals, we are not prisoners. Also on a more serious note the President of the Student Union Government (SUG) must be aware. It was quite unfortunate that I got the call from a fellow student that the school gate has been locked, it is absurd. But if we were informed fine the protest could be carried out but shouldn’t affect the students. I am not against their course, yes it is their right but there are things that are needed to be done right. I can’t just sit and watch my students been treated prisoners. Reporting OOU Vanguard
3 comments:
Thats my president speaking. Indeed something need to be done. Must we go on strrike every year. We are tired of this incessant strike. Its becoming unbearable. If I flash back, since when I gain admission into this school, no year gone without strike. We are calling on the Governor and the school manage ment to please look into this. This is indeed a right course they are fighting for, but it should not affect the newly begun school activities. Thanks
First, for the SUG president to have claimed not to be aware of the strike by NASU shows that is an irresponsible leader,, a foolish fellow that deserve not to be leader of civilized people.
Second, for Him to insist that the gate must remain open to students,shows that is a leader with no conscience and sympathy for the students and the striking workers. no wonder He slapt the ASU chairman in defence of the management draconian and merciless measure melted on this striking workers for the past three years. with the above, it shows that He lacks knowledge of the working environment of OOU nd it's reality. no wonder He miss-informed Oouites. He has forgoting that those people are responsible for the dirty dealings of academic activities which most of our lazy lecturers cannot do.
You probably won't have said this given that you know what leadership entails.
If the president said he is not informed of the impending industrial action, does that make him less a leader?
The students are the 98% of the campus make up and there leader deserve to know of such protest.
History is kind to Obama today and the rest is history.
Post a Comment