Most lecturer strikes have hidden agenda —Lawson

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has just suspended its 10 months old strike with a threat to resume another round after three months if the government fails to meet its demands. What in your opinion is the implication of strike on education in the country?
Well, it is unfortunate that we are having industrial actions here and there in our tertiary institutions. For me, I don’t believe in strike because the differences can actually be ironed out amicably on a round table. For ASUP strike, the lecturers involved would need to have a change of heart and know that we are dealing with the future of this great country. A situation whereby a student who is supposed to spend three or four years for a certain course is ending up spending eight years is unacceptable.
I think we should all sit down on a table and iron this out properly to prevent recurrence. We have to put a stop to all these strike today, strike tomorrow. But I think most of the strikes have hidden agenda and that is unacceptable to me because it is destroying the country’s educational system.
Before now, Nigerian graduates who travelled abroad for jobs were been placed in high positions. But the First Class graduates from Nigerian universities today will have to spend another two years before being considered for the right position. So, why are we going on strike when what we are agitating for will still be giving to us? And why would those who supposed to make things available are waiting for people to be asking for them before doing so? These are issues we all need to address to make things work in the sector.
But what if the union’s demands are justified?
I don’t want to know their demands. All I know is that strike has negative effect on the future of students as well as the society. We should know that it is not all the students who started with the strike that will return to school after the strike. I can assure you of that. So, whatever they are asking for can be addressed through dialogue.
Was that why MAPOLY lecturers did not join the last strike, or are they not part of ASUP?
They are part of it. But when I came on board, I made them understand that the school leadership would give them all necessary welfare packages and provide those things that would aid their effective teaching and we have not reneged on the promise. So, they don’t need to go on strike and that is the method I would ask other schools as well as people in the corridors of power to always do the needful in order to enjoy steady academic calender.
As Chairman, Governing Council of MAPOLY and by virtue of your other high positions elsewhere, how do you cope, especially with males serving under you?
There is nothing different in one coordinating others, either as a male or female superior officer. It all depends on upbringing and home training, and the way one relates with people. I was trained to be polite. For instance, as a member of governing council at Chambers of Commerce and Industry, I sometimes find myself as the only woman in the midst of 20 men and I don’t feel bad on that. I only see it as a challenge that I must rise up and live up to expectation. That is the way I see it. So to me, that doesn’t mean I should shout at or be bossy on anybody because I know what we need is to work as a team. So, at MAPOLY for example, we are working as a team and the team work is where the school is drawing its strength. And I want to also thank God for the type of Rector we have, Prof. Itiola, an experienced administrator who together with his team are working to see things move forward in MAPOLY.

You have devoted so much resources and time to youth development in the country, where did the inspiration come from?
This is something I am endowed with by God. I have passion for younger ones. I believe their development is like securing their future and that of the nation. When you succeeded in showing the youths the right path, they will not depart from it as they grow older. From young ages, you give them good manners and good education. These are some of the areas we are looking into for them so that by the time they get to the tertiary institutions they won’t go into cultism or do anything that will tarnish their family names and that of the nation.
Does it mean you are looking towards establishing a tertiary school to join Alaba Lawson Group of Schools?
With the help of Jehovah God, everything is possible. There is a vision like that. I have already secured an expanse of land along Lagos-Ibadan expressway. But I don’t want a tertiary institution that won’t be able to fend for itself, and I have already been talking to a good friend of mine in Canada, Mrs. Obakusi over that. I want to build a vocational higher institution.
How was your growing up like?
It was a Christian life upbringing. My father was a strict man and my mother was always ensured that we the children must do all the chores of the house before going to school. And all these have really helped me and my siblings. Another thing I want to say about my parents is that they believed that you must satisfy other people first before yourself and that virtue people can also see in me. We were trained to make our environment well kept and be respectful to others. So, all that I had leant I am enjoying till today.
source: http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/most-lecturer-strikes-have-hidden-agenda-lawson/

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