The Need To Do The Needful -By Hajara Abdullahi

It is unfortunate that the National Association Of Resident Doctors recently embarked on an industrial action less than a week ago over issues of non-payment of salary, while the president is on a medical visit to London.The N.A.R.D President Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi lamented that the partly $10 monthly hazard allowance a year after a memorandum of understanding was signed with the federal government and they are yet been implemented amidst the non-payment of salary to more than 2,500 members, despite their commitment to work during this pandemic era. Despite meeting with the Minister of Labour Dr Chris Ngige ahead of the stipulated date of the commencement of the strike, all efforts to prevent the strike prove abortive.

Also the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic has embarked on an indefinite strike this week following its allegations of the government refusal to comply on the earlier agreements reached upon. ASUP President Anderson Ezeibe, has lamented that the government non chalant attitude force them to embark on the industrial action.

He also added that the lecturers grievance include non-implementation of the 2014 NEEDS report and non-release of revitalisation fund despite assurance since 2014, amidst non establishment of a commission to bridge regulatory gap in the sector, opaque operation in the deployment of the Integrated Personal Payroll Information System (IPPIS), non-implementation of the approved 65 year retirement age by some state governments.

Members of the Judiciary Staff Union Of Nigeria has also embarked on nationwide strike on 6th April 2021 following its demand for financial autonomy as stated in the Nigerian Constitution and a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which affirmed the relevant constitutional provisions in a January 2014 judgment. The Union which had similarly embarked on a three weeks strike in January 2015, over refusal of the government to comply with the directives says the union will continue with the strike till their demands have been met.

All the above incidents clearly portray the inefficiency, non-commitment and failure of this administration. The Health sector is very vital towards the development and advancement of any nation in the world likewise the educational sector but in the case of Nigeria the story is different, bad governance, non-accountability, amidst bribery and corruption has left the educational and health sector in a bastardize state. The Judiciary which serves as bridge between the legislative and executive arm of government is supposed to be autonomous to ensure diligent and efficient discharge of duties.

Nigeria which is a giant in the African continent is now a shadow of its past. A nation battling with insurgency, inflation, unemployment, etc due to bad leadership, insincerity etc is now left with little or nothing to show as a mark of advancement or development. Therefore the Nigerian government need to do the needful to bring an end to the industrial actions embarked by all the unions concerned which will no doubt spell doom on the nation and create a huge hindrance in the efforts of stakeholders, patriotic citizens, organizations etc towards national development and advancement.

Hajara Abdullahi

Dept. of Mass Communication

Bayero University, Kano