ASUU Strike: Zikites, Traders, and Cleaners – The Shades of Experiences
Nnamdi Azikwe Hall receives life as students resume after a ‘suffocating’ strike that rendered the hall lifeless. The strike, unfavourable to the students also had adverse effects on people whose source of livelihood was contingent on the presence of students in the hall. ZHPO carried out an investigation into the effects of the strike on Zikites, cleaners and traders in the hall.
Even when one of you did something wrong recently, I still wished him well, only that I prayed that God will bless his wife with twins consistently.
Cleaners’ Plights
In an interview session with Iya Ola, the head of cleaners in the hall, she appreciated Zikites attitude towards the cleaners and hoped for better relationship. Speaking on the financial condition of cleaners during the strike period, she stated that: “it’s from the fees paid by students that we get paid. In spite of the strike we still get palliatives from you our children…”
When asked about the misuse of the toilet and bathroom facilities, Iya Ola rather wished Zikites well noting the fact that they are after all children to her. She said, “it is nothing. We will rather continue to pray for you and wish you well. Even when one of you did something wrong recently, I still wished him well, only that I prayed that God will bless his wife with twins consistently. Even if he makes ‘mistake’ outside of marriage, he will still be blessed with twins”, she jokingly added.
However, she expressed her gratitude to residents of Zik hall for their kindness. According to her, they did not allow her and other cleaners go hungry during and after the strike. “you always take care of us and God will also take care of you too” she said. She also prayed Zikites who misuse the toilets to change their culture of toilet misuse.
Students’ Palava
“It affected the previous session before we resumed. It made stay at home about a year after PostUTME. After two weeks, then another strike” were the words of Audu Ahmad, a fresher and student of Biochemistry department. Ahmad expressed his dissatisfaction with the strike as he stated that he considered leaving UI for a private university, when asked if he thought of leaving like others have done.
According to him, it’s not worth it as there’s no guarantee of a job after graduation whether one attends a private or public university. He said, “I considered transferring to a private institution or going abroad but was constrained financially” When asked of his views concerning resumption, he stated that he’s hopeful and that his motivation is his desire to transfer to Pharmacy – this keeps him busy with academics.
Similarly, a 400-level student of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, who wished to remain anonymous shared an uncommon experience of the strike of the period as he had to participate in the Practical Year Training Program (PYTP), compulsory for his level. According to him, “the strike did not really come as a surprise to me because of the inaction of the FG to reach a timely resolution with ASUU…”
Commenting on his PYTP experience through the strike period, he said, “for the most part it was fun, especially when I went to Ile Ogbo, Osun State for my IT placement. But one cannot deny the periodic wave of thoughts that perhaps one could have been using this period for more productive things.” Considering job opportunities, he laments that, “…any chance at getting a physical job was greatly ruled out leaving only remote jobs on the table, and that one too, though in high demand, required mostly the skill and time.”
Moses Adesina, a final year student stated that he put the strike period to good use when asked for his views on the strike, “we were on the streets hustling,” he said. According to him, he got several opportunities during the strike. He further stated that the strike shouldn’t have occurred as it ruined the academic calendar.
Speaking on some of his realizations during the strike, he gave the unconventional view on tertiary education in Nigeria that, “university shouldn’t be for everyone. It should be only for those who want to become lecturers. I believe that every single Nigerian should be skilled…that’s the most important thing”.
“When I heard that ASUU was going on strike I said hey God where are we going again? How are we going to do it now? We don’t have any alternative than only this shop. How are we going to cope?”
Traders’ Predicament
The Head of Boluid Cafeteria, told ZHPO correspondents that the strike was sudden. “We thought it would be a brief one.” She said. She expressed her joy over the resumption as the Cafeteria didn’t record much sales during the strike. The traders have no other businesses they run asides the one they run in the hall. According to the head, Boluid Cafeteria, “we have no other business we do during the strike. We’re always here”.
One of the shop owners in B block, Mama G, also expressed her views on the protracted strike. According to her, “sales were bad and the hall was boring”. She remarked that there’s a difference between the strike period and now that schools have resumed as it would been better sales for shop owners. “We are praying that ASUU should not go on strike again” Mama G said.
…I remembered I had a National Certificate in Education (NCE). I dusted it and applied for a teaching job…
Another shop owner, Mummy Aanu, situated beside Mama G, stated that she had to find an alternative to the business she runs in the hall as the eight-month strike affected sales. She exclaimed, “When I heard that ASUU was going on strike I said hey God where are we going again? How are we going to do it now? We don’t have any alternative than only this shop. How are we going to cope?” she lamented.
Mummy Aanu said she had to seek for income alternatives. She said, “I went to learn a new skill – the cutting of nylons. Then I remembered I had a National Certificate in Education (NCE). I dusted it and applied for a teaching job, and it kept us in spirit, soul, and body”. When asked for her views on resumption, she stated that she was joyous not because of the sales she’ll make but because students wasting time home will continue their education. She prayed ASUU doesn’t start another strike.
Ibn Yahweh
