NANNM CEASE-FIRE BY Solomon Danmori

The current cease-fire by NANNM has elicited various reactions from Nurses around Nigeria. Most of these reactions seem to be on the negative, with lots of nurses feeling betrayed by the officials of NANNM. This did not come as a surprise seeing the level of corruption in Nigeria these days, one is quick to assume a compromise. We must give them the benefit of hindsight being in the forefront of our collective struggle. 

Labour activities are carried out like warfare, using strategies and tactics, to out manoeuvre the opponent. The opponent will not seat idle at all, they are also having their own strategies and tactics. As Sun Tsu the Chinese sage wrote in the book, ‘’THE ART OF WAR’’ said that ‘’all warfare is based on deception’’, It is obvious that our leaders must be weary of the deceptions of our government and it seems that is the reason for our fear of a compromise. 

The war of IAP Award has been a long standing one, with many battle fought at different point in time. Both legal, diplomatic, media and labour uprising battles have been fought at different time or the other. NANNM has been winning these battles, and now we are at a point where one can say the last battle is at hand to get a full implementation of this award. Nevertheless, the terrain now has changed, we are now in a democracy, there is now social media and news now travels faster than lightning. It means our modus operandi must change to meet current challenges.

NANNM must not be seen to be insensitive to the pains of Nigerian masses; therefore, if there is any sign of show of commitment from the Government to the struggle the union must have to reciprocate the gesture. Moreover, the ultimatum given to the government and strike notice was not in all intent to have a strike but to put pressure on the government to do the right thing. No union want to go on strike it should be a last resort and an avoidable one at that.

The mere fact that the strike notice has been extended is not a sign of failure, it means many more things. Drawing conclusions will be pre-emptive and prejudicial to say the least. A strike threat usually is conditional and if the conditions are answered, then the goal has been achieved. Going on with the strike will amount to illegality and it will change the tide of public opinion. We need the good opinion of the public, as that is the only way our struggle will make an impact. After all, strikes are meant to draw the sympathy of the public to put pressure on the government. It is imperative therefore, that we do not give the government the opportunity to turn the tide against us. 

Strategically as Sun Tsu said ‘’Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near’’. Forget the mockery from our detractor who think we are weak, let them believe what they one to believe. When the time comes, they will be caught unaware. 

WE MUST KEEP THE FAITH AND HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW AND ON OUR LEADERSHIP. 

ALUTA CONTINUE, VICTORIA ARCERTA.