Encomium
The unending industrial action by the Academic Staff of Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) which has lasted almost a year has, no doubt, set the students backward in their academic endevours. And in order not to waste more time doing nothing, some of the students ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke to on the lingering crisis said they have taken to different vocations.
‘I’ve faced my salon business’
-CHIDINMA AGUH , Oko Polytechnic
It’s sad the Federal Government doesn’t want to address the demands of ASUP. We have been out of school for a whole academic session. Something should be done urgently. I now concentrate on my salon and beauty range.
Government should settle ASUP like they did to ASUU.
‘The strike is not in our interest’
-CHINWEOKE EZE, Abia Polytechnic, Aba
The strike is unfortunate. We even had to pull out months back because lectures are still skeletal. I usually help my parents in the shop. I don’t think schools withdrawing from the strike is the best. All parties should continue with dialogue.
‘It is getting longer than we expected’
-TEMIDAYO FADIPE, Lagos State Polytechnic
(Mass Communication)
It is getting longer than we expected. I have been doing photography. As a Mass Communication student, I engage in taking photographs of people who pay me.
Government should listen to the lecturers’ demand just the same way the ASUU strike was resolved.
‘I am not enjoying the drama at all’
-TAIWO SHOMEFUN , Yaba College of Technology
(FINE ART)
I’m not enjoying the drama at all. Our time is being wasted because the government doesn’t want to listen to our lecturers’ demand.
I do painting and art work to keep myself busy. Government should answer us, they should not discriminate and relegate us to the background while university education is enjoy everything.
‘Striking lecturers to be at peace with the government’
-DAVID ADELOWO, The Polytechnic, Ibadan
Being at home for months is not the best at all. But instead of wasting the whole time doing nothing, I have decided to venture into my father’s business, which is selling of building materials, including cement. I have learnt a lot since I started few months ago.
However, that does not mean I won’t go back to school immediately the strike is over. That’s why I am appealing to the striking lecturers to be at peace with the government. That’s the only way forward.
‘We have waited hopelessly’ -MARRY SILAS , Yaba College of Technology
(Business Administration)
I’m an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) student of Business Administration, Yabatech, Lagos. Staying at home for almost a year has done a great damage to my academic pursuit. We have waited hopelessly. When I discovered that there was need to do something else, I decided to learn fashion designing. Since I started about three months back, I have gained a lot.
The only way forward is for the two warring parties to agree on time in the interest of we students because we grow older every day.
‘They should hear the cry of the union and put an end to it’
-ASUNI KHADIJAT OLUWASEYI , Lagos State Polytechnic
ASUP has been on strike since October 4, 2013, they are demanding the implementation of CONTISS 15 Migration for the lower cadres in the polytechnics and the release of the White Paper on the visitations to federal polytechnics more than one year after the exercise, as well as the failure of government to commence a Needs Assessment for polytechnics.
The union is also demanding an end to the HND/B.Sc dichotomy. Their fight is not for only their benefits but also for the benefits of the Nigerian polytechnic students.
My time? You want to fight terrorism and yet you can’t keep your youth busy in school? You left them roaming about the streets, hustling just to get their minds off evil acts.
The way out is they should hear the cry of the union and put an end to the HND/Bsc discrimination. That’s the way out if government is really sincere.
‘Government should stop the discrimination’
-ADEYEMO FATIMAH, Lagos State Polytechnic
Polytechnic lecturers are fighting for the students and it’s expected that we (students) join them in the ongoing strike because it’s based on the discrimination between HND and Bsc.
Nothing has really engaged my time because Lagos State Polytechnic strike is just two months. However, I have dedicated much time to my fashion training school.
The way out is that government should stop the discrimination. They should assist us in realising our dreams. They should draw policies that will favour us in the labour market. They should pay polytechnic lecturers same salary with their university counterparts. Say no to discrimination.
