Four months into the academic session, all departments would concede that work is now in full gear with exams some weeks away.
This, most times, tends to belie the reality of our lecturers working without pay. The question is: where in the world is that done? Perhaps, you will mention Nigeria, but on the flip side, you know this takes more than what the eyes can see to get effected.
Of a truth, we don’t tend to bring the spotlight on these laudable men and women we have as our teachers often, only calling them when one or two things go wrong. That is absolutely unfair especially in the light of the fact that these professionals have exploits they are achieving for us and around us.
Have you ever imagined the bile, the resentment, the indifference, the irritation you would most of the time appropriate on your job when for two months you have not been paid, let alone 4 months which they are currently being owed?
Research will inform you that of one the holy books says, “Give unto Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar, give unto God what belongs to God.” We won’t take the part of hypocrites, we won’t assume myopia, we won’t, as they say in local parlance, “have no joy” not to celebrate those and that who and which should be celebrated for a job well done!
These people could have chosen to go on strike. These people could have chosen to go on a work-to-rule practice. These people could have chosen to just stay in their offices and not come to classes. They have basis. They are no charity workers. They are no philanthropists. They are civil servants like some of our parents are. Moreso, they are adults, they have bills to pay. They are mothers and fathers, they have children and spouse to take care of. If they decide to take an action, and give no hoot about us, the students, no one has a ground to call them bad. But yet, they chose you, they chose your colleagues, over all these, offering to serve and serve you even without something to fall back to at the end of the month.
Mind you, this is not to encourage such practice from the Ogun State government. It is a flagrant irresponsibility on their part, one that is uncalled for and egregious, for lack of better words. We only need to acknowledge the selflessness and sacrifice of our lecturers towards ensuring that smooth academic activities continue unabated. And the least students could do on the other side of the divide is to make their job easier with appropriate studentship habits. The least!
