By Akinwale Abideen
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) going on strike has been a perennial happening and a norm in the university arena. However, the struggle of this Union could be strange to an international student studying in Nigeria. A correspondent of the Political Science Press Organization (POSPRESS), conducted an online interview with one Miss Vilda, an international student from Cameroon. Miss Vilda is a 300level student of the Department of Political Science at the University of Ibadan.
POSPRESS: Good evening Miss Vilda. My name is Abideen, a correspondent of the POSPRESS
Miss Vilda : Thank you, good evening Abideen
I would like to know how you felt after you heard that ASUU went on strike
Miss Vilda : From the beginning of the strike, I was fine thinking it was going to last just for some days or weeks. But when ASUU kept extending the strike, I felt so bad and frustrated wondering when I would finally get to where I am aiming at. It was really a sad one for me.
Ohhh, sorry about that
Have you ever witnessed a strike like this before?
Miss Vilda : Yes but not as long as this.
Alright
When was that?
Miss Vilda: So many years ago, back in my high school. I think 2016.
Alright. Where are you from?
Miss Vilda: I am from Cameroon.
Really?
Miss Vilda: Yeah
That sounds great
Miss Vilda: 😊
Were you able to travel home:
No, I stayed back here to learn a trade.
What trade is that?
Miss Vilda: Hair dressing
That was a reasonable decision
Miss Vilda: So I learned how to do hair during the strike. I was tired of staying home all day. That was the best I could do to keep myself busy
Do you think the strike was a necessary tool to bring Nigerian versities back to life?
Miss Vilda: To an extent it was was necessary.
Miss Vilda: At a point I thought the long strike will solve ASUU’s problem once and for all. That is it. So it won’t be like the 8 months was all wasted effort. It will be so painful if students patiently waited for the two parties to settle themselves and then we still go back to it.
We pray the two parties reach a concession
Miss Vilda: To me, the 8 months of strike would only be said to be a success and that it was necessary, if it’s outcome is positive ( No more strike )
Well said
So what would you tell both parties (ASUU and FG) on the clashes between them?
Miss Vilda: Both parties should please try and settle themselves once and for all. I will place more emphasis on FG, for FG is the main person here who knows what to do to put an end to ASSU’s uprising strikes. They should come to a compromise, help the students and help the future of the nation Nigeria.
How do you want to restructure your academic plans since the strike is called off already? I guess you already had plans before the outbreak of the strike
Miss Vilda: Yes I had a plan but there is nothing I can do now but to redraw my plan to where I am now. So sad I would have gone further than where I am. Talking about academic plans, you know I can’t go more than what the calendar says. I can only study ahead but I can’t finish ahead of the calendar.
*Smiles.* That’s actually true
We pray we do not experience any strike till we finish our program.
Miss Vilda: Amen.
Thank you very much for taking your time to respond to my questions. It really means a lot to me
Miss Vilda: You are welcome sir!
