Strikes! Strikes!! Conspiracy!!!

Strikes ,strikes, strikes. At the thought of strikes, authorities used to bulge to demands, but that was then. Nowadays, at the mention of strikes, they only roll their eyes and laugh at the labour unions. And this isn't surprising, because I believe, the power of industrial actions have been abused! Apart from the abuse of this once-upon-a-time effective weapon, we also have a group of leaders who have grown thick skins to the plight of the masses! If this isn't so, how then can we explain the 10 months' old strike by ASUP( the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have been on strike since 3rd of October 2013) Or the incessant strike actions by health practitioners? Two major sectors that have engaged this labour tool repeatedly are the health and educational sector. And these sectors are by far two of the most important sectors in our country. Maybe it's a conspiracy.  It is a well known fact that if you want to destroy a people, or keep them in subjection, then keep them in ignorance. So maybe this is an attempt to hold us back. To ensure that the Giant of Africa remains a ' once-upon-a-time giant'. Health they say is wealth isn't it?  Then what better way to keep a people in penury if not by destroying their health sector? How can they think of savings and investment when they can't even afford a decent 3 square meal? An average Nigerian family settles for 0:1:0 or the likes. Not because they want to keep fit, but because that's what they can afford. ( no wonder Rice politics is the working formula for election campaigns now). The ongoing NMA strike makes my heart bleed. It's just very painful that the shrubs bear the brunt when two elephants are at war. Not to talk of 3 ( NMA, JOHESU and FG)! The shrubs and grass have no chance of survival. These, I have begun to accept as the sad reality of the Nigerian state. When a patient deteriorates from malaise to lethargy ; from lethargy to apathy, I know that if something different isn't done, as the doctor, the next responsibility would probably be to write a death certificate. Nigeria is at the stage of Apathy. I hope that soon, we won't be sharing aso-ebi to attend her funeral.