TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WHY NOT THIS TIME?

by Olansile Ajetunmobi Umar (OAU)

It’s no more a rumour that the national body of ASUU has embarked on an indefinite and total strike action. In fact, Nigerians who are custodians of history began to awash the social media with calculations. They reminded us that the last ASUU strike was in 2007. Before that was 2013’s ; alas, it’s now 2017 – 4 years interval they concluded. Now that the deed has been done – our academic fathers have temporarily thrown away their gowns for a time not even known to them, let alone their academic sons and daughters. With this sudden slap on the faces of students’ plans, some students have been forced to hibernate into an emotional incommunicado, having seen their dreams shattered within the blink of an eye. However, this indefinite strike can still be a wake-up call to students who are not always bothered with unforseen negative changes. How? I recommend the following points which can be adopted by students during this indefinite strike:

One, every student who is yet to know his bearing or yet to discover himself should use this period to do so. Walk along a lonely street ; sit under a silent shady tree or rest your head on your pillow case and reflect on what you love doing best. Is it writing? Is it teaching? Is it composing poems? Is it travelogue? Is it creative drawing? Is it cookery? Is it interior and exterior deco? Or is it even farming? When you discover this, work with someone who has achieved something in what you have discovered about yourself. Try out that newly discovered talent and begin to build yourself for the future.

Two, every student should try to get little experience on his or her field of study. Yes, you might not be paid, but you will soon be paid as and when due. People pay you for one experience or the other they get from you ; know that! Go practical and cram little of theory at this juncture. Someone who wants to catch a monkey, they say will behave like a monkey. Experience comes before money ; that’s how life is run. Lay your hands on something beneficial to you, dear!

Three, if you love teaching, confidently apply to some schools. In fact, if you are temporarily employed, you have saved part of your parents’ money, your wasteful sleeping hours and unnecessary chit-chats in your neighbourhood. If it’s hustling you wanna do, do it with sense, patience and humility.

Four, you can also decide to learn a skill or skills. Some ladies love tailoring, bead making, hair styling and catering. Some even love selling wares. Dear, this is an opportunity for you. Forget the amount the trainers charge you. The moment you become a boss of your own, you become the talks of the town niyen. Learn trade! To men whose life is only pedestaled on *doing fine boy, * this is the time to wake up! Learn something new! There are lots of skills you can learn outside there. Stop forming one yèyé handsome boy oooo and start planning for that future!

In conclusion, it will be a total shame of the century on any student who can’t boldly point at his or her achievements within the unknown period the strike will last. It will be an embarrassment to you if all you could achieve during the strike are sleeping, eating your maleh or paleh food, running after boys or fine chicks in the neighbourhood and walking round every nook and cranny of your street like Alice in the Wonderland. Yes, you might not get any reasonable temporary job out there! Yes, your environment might frustrate you the more! Yes, thousands of Naira might still smile into your account every month! But alas, why don’t you use this time to achieve that feet you aim at/for? The strike is still in an infant stage sha!

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