BEHIND THE VEIL OF ALUTA: INTELLECTUAL UNIONISM OR INTELLECTUAL ESCAPISM

By Olufunmilola Oludare

 

"Intellectual unionism, as opposed to intellectual fragmentation, represents the ultimate cause and crux of aluta within the inviolable student body, operating as the first and best line of defence. It is no wonder that every individual who has had the privilege of identifying with the union, whether as a legislator or an executive, attests to the impenetrable nature of a united people who defy all odds and emerge stronger. It is easy to conclude that Nigeria's current state is a result of its people being divided by chronic issues of religion and culture. However, it is harder to recall how well South and North Korea are thriving, despite their long-standing enmity. This writer is not averse to unionism but recognises that it doesn't always provide a comprehensive solution. While unionism may advance solidarity and collective action, it may not address the complexities and nuances of every situation. In some cases, the energy should be diverted to addressing individual shortcomings which becomes the weak links in the student body.

 

We must ask ourselves; do we need a President in the Student Union body when there is no semblance of presiding? Are we merely cowering in the shadows of Kantagites, relying on the perceived unruliness of Zikites to carry us through? As long as we remain complacent and the ‘good boy’ stays in the ‘good book’, the system becomes increasingly comfortable, allowing us to dwell in the stagnant waters of blame and endless waiting for a dysfunctional system to self-correct.

But what about the harsh realities? When the fees of a Federal University tower above the income of the average Nigerian, what options are left for their children? Must they abandon their dreams of earning a degree from the ‘first and best’? Should they settle for polytechnics or struggle endlessly?  Like the Student Union, this brand of unionism falls funnily short of intellectualism every day, but the bias is understandable. We don’t have to protest until the school administration unleashes unbearable hardships. After all, if the struggles remain within the ambit of management, aluta doesn’t have to continue.

The dynamics of student leadership do not pass for an excuse because the intricacies of service are explicit and clear, far beyond making memoranda and signing protest resolutions under duress. To humanity, you’re either in for the cause or out of it; there are no middle grounds. Intellectualism is to tread gently and create an avenue for compromise, one befitting the union and the management. If the president cannot preside, the masses might as well take over the forefront and bring home the desired change, from which the president cannot deny benefiting.

In the end, everyone in the union claims a share of the glory, basking in the triumph of the struggle, even if they only played a minor role or cast a shadow of support. We may gallivant around and refer to how the management finally succumbed to our demands after a series of protests and unrelenting pressure. However, as the dust settles and graduation approaches, reality sets in. Some will move on to pursue their "Japa" plans, seeking greener pastures abroad, while others will take to the streets, facing the harsh realities of the world outside the campus. Meanwhile, a few will remain, left to contend with the system's lingering challenges. The true strugglers are forced to choose between two inconvenient options: endure the rigours of a still-flawed system or continue the fight for a better system.