Written constitutions which set boundaries beyond which individuals and bodies may not go are alien to African, particularly, Nigerian, communities. In Nigeria where we are more of our brothers’ keepers than in the western communities, no impasse is allowed to lie unresolved without intervention by others, especially elders.
Where are our elders that an impasse between ASUU and the Federal Government has lasted now for three months? Where are our elders that the young, in this case, ASUU is crying over a denial of what is due to it as proved by the existence of signed, sealed and delivered agreements of over three years old by an incumbent government?
By elders I mean any of the following:-
1. The National Council of State:
Here is a prominent organ that has among others eminent Nigerians who are currently and variously involved in resolving crises all over the world. Some of them are involved in monitoring and resolving election crises outside our boundaries, some resolving problems caused by guinea worm, some establishing universities and mega-scale companies and successfully piloting them. Where is the National Council of State, and why has is not called the ASUU-Federal government imbroglio to order?
2. The Council of Chiefs/Traditional Rulers:-
This may not exist under this, or any other name, but nonetheless there exist traditional rulers in this country. In each state they are bound together under the name council of chiefs and they have a president in each state. What prevents all the presidents (36 extra-eminent fathers of the land) from coming together and strongly advising the Federal Government to look into this lingering crisis and to bring it to a halt?
3. The Council of Religious Leaders.
Again there may not be a body under this name but we have CAN¬¬¬ - the Christian Association of Nigeria, we have the Jamma’atu Nasril Islam. What are our religious leaders doing or not doing in face of the ASUU-Federal government face-off? Among other things, what earnest and fervent prayer (of the righteous which availeth much) are they not offering to halt this impasse that has lasted two months and beyond what is tolerable?
4. The National Council of Women Societies, Nigeria:
Most pertinent as far as this issue is concerned, is the National Association of Women Societies. The NCWS is not only the mother of the children whose future is being trifled with and threatened; the NCWS is the mother of the nation. I recall there was a time the women of this nation threatened to match stark naked if certain conditions were not met. I dare say, this is one such time.
5. By elders, finally, I mean the forum of this and forum of that which exist in this country, as well as the Board of Trustees of the party in power. We have the forum of Governors (although now saddled with its own problems). This type of forum which is the first-line form of stakeholders in the education industry should have a commanding voice in an issue such as this. Finally, the Board of Trustees of the party is government should, even if it, surreptitiously, parley with ASUU and advise the government accordingly.
In conclusion, for an agreement which is said to exist and not under negotiation, for a 21st century problem, a century in which many crisis resolution mechanisms exist, this crisis has been allowed to last too long. If constitutional bodies cannot solve it, we plead for extra-constitutional bodies to wade in as this method is very Nigerian.
