By: AbdulRahman Agboola
The fundamental
ideals of activism has been misconstrued at starters level as a result of
absence of sufficient knowledge at the grooming stage, prior to a comrade’s
emergence as a member of a cadre in activism. To agitate for a social change
individually or as a leader of a group is a tedious task considering the
spectrum of learning and wide scope of coverage to advance a cause to achieve
the desired goal. Intellectualism is the strength of activists that passed
through grooming and becomes mentally sound enough to establish facts derived
from truth and reality, not necessarily discarding opposing views without a
comprehensive analysis but accepting superior analysis most germane for
progress and fulfillment of positive strides in the best interest of the concerned.
Activism or
unionism stands for a platform to correct the ills of the society or advance
strategies to preserve the positive ideals and set standard for futuristic
purpose. The black race naturally has inclinations towards resistance of tyranny
and oppressions, which accounted for historical migrations and war of
attritions among our fore bearers. Beyond possession of mystical forces and
supernatural powers by certain individuals that led struggles against
oppressive ruler-ship or creation of new orders in the society at era of Dark
Age clearly differs from qualities inherent among cadres of struggle since the
colonial era in Nigeria. There are people with apt mastery of
historical occurrences, but it is amazing indeed, to note that the early activists
in Nigeria were motivated by qualitative education on essence of fairness,
equity and justice among all members of the society towards the protection of
human race.
A philosopher
once said that peace is not absence of conflict but presence of justice.
Peaceful coexistence is the real essence of activism, as peace without justice
is an attestation to loss of equity and fairness, which amount to loss of
liberty. Preservation of rights and privileges formed the cardinal objectives
of unionism and only people with the intellectual wither do and without
ulterior motives qualifies to lead Comrades and commandeer respects among their
followers except when matters that bothers on breach of trust or loss of
confidence ensues. A Comrade must command respect as a model for trust, honesty
and integrity; these exemplary qualities are indisputably required to advance
the cause of the people as their representative at any point in time.
Solidarity
forever is no longer pristine as a slogan today, it is been continuously abused
by circumstantial members of unionism cadre at different levels where personal
aggrandizement have replaced genuine agitations to resolve public outcry as
incompetence reign above competence as a result of bias and flaws in parameters
of choosing leaders at different cadres of unionism in Nigeria in particular.
Unknown to the myopic minds, there are experts with broad spectrum of knowledge
on rudiments and intricacies in championing genuine agitations to add value to
peoples’ lives, these myopic minds have turned activism to a trade or mere
representation for the purpose of protecting a particular interest at variance
with the essence and dictates of unionism.
Representation
of peoples interest are expectedly entrusted in care of morally conscious
people with distinction in compliance with dictates of law, other parameters
like record of good conscience, honesty and integrity are the standard
yardstick for choosing leadership over members of any cadre, but ironically,
what we witness today clearly contradicts the standard procedures and ethics.
This era, to a great extent has deviated from traditions and customs of
unionism as the fold no longer brandish exceptionally bright minds as leaders
with stints and bites to correct the ills of the society or represent the
interest of their members without ulterior motives for personal benefits at the
expense of the collective interest.
The sterling
qualities like intellectualism and good conduct are mostly wanton among union
leaders in the face of deficient considerations as parameters for emergence of
union leaders in many domains, save for renowned leftist ideological groups
where traditions and customs are well preserved till date. Unionism has taken a
dimension of conformity with the decadence in the society as selfishness and
greed reign supreme in minds of most politically inclined union leaders who are
either proponents or stooge of heads of establishment or political jobbers in
lust for recognition and patronage.
There is no
argument over the substandard state of education in Nigeria and it exceed even
the expectations, the ills and rots in our society today are products of warped
logic and feeble thoughts that translates to sordid actions that undermines
growth and development in Nigeria. To assemble sane minds with targets to
sanitize the activism fold is a herculean task, but to influence young minds
through coordinated efforts to facilitate a change in unionism is task that
must not be ignored for posterity sake.
Where we cannot
rule out weakness or skewed criteria in some folds, strength of knowledge rule
in some climes as foundation of union activities, the conduct of many union
leaders contradict values and quest for system change. The situation where
people in position of leadership in unionism behave niggardly and exhibit
immoralities without yielding to correction while they in their pride and
arrogance engage in criticism of superior authorities amount to double standard.
Moral
uprightness and exemplary positive deeds without flaws are the hallmark of
reputable union leaders worldwide. A union leader must be reputed for
forthrightness and sincerity of purpose to be qualified as a union leader at
the first instance, a situation where egocentric, arrogant and proud demagogues
assume leadership of union amount to hypocrisy, mischief and insult the real
essence of unionism. For anyone to command respect as a vocal advocate for a
change of tide, his conduct must conform to known values and standard of
unionism worldwide.
Leadership or
power at any level is very transient; this serves as a watch word for union
leaders with understanding of the implications of creating bad antecedents
while in office. As a matter of fact, in retrospect, union leaders are
conscious of scandal at era where scandalous activities was a never again in
activism, but today, a glance at the operational activities of most union
activities bring palpitations to sane minds. Union leaders of yesteryears are not
only well read but their knowledge advanced beyond the expected scopes based on
wide coverage, they aligned with SWOT analysis before criticizing any policy or
advance any cause of action and by this, they emerged victorious in countless
numbers of struggles.
As a Union
leader, to oppose a view or action without proper understanding of rudiments or
factors that informed the occurrence is occasionally inappropriate; this
doesn’t undermine differentiation between positive and negative actions. If
negative actions amount to bastardizing of morals in the society, to strive to
correct immoralities is a focal point towards the actualization of peace and
progress in the society. The crux of this piece is to challenge activists and
union leaders at all levels to examine their flaws and correct themselves in
order to abate the spate of misrepresentation of the essence of activism.
Whosoever must correct others must never coat truth with lies and must be firm
and upright in decision making.
The fact that
majority usually have their way have never stopped subscribers of activism from
airing their opposing views, opinions and positions to the views of majority as
minority and often times, minority views have translated into collective goods
on several occasions. Determination to stand for truth and honest deeds without
element of bias or intimidation remain a standard quality of a genuine union
leader, belong to the fold of people with deep and thorough thoughts over a
matter before taking position as ego, pride and arrogance lead to nothing other
than self-destruction.
Comrade
AbdulRahman Agboola
Vice
Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics,
Federal
Polytechnic Nasarawa Chapter.
Email: goodcitizen4gg@gmail.com,
08032813279
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