Prior to my gaining admission into the University of Ibadan to study my dream course, I have always had great reverence for Nigeria’s premier University. The fact that the school is invariably referred to as the ‘Harvard of Africa’ further ignited the tinder of zeal in me. I used to tenaciously believe that the Premier University was an Educational El-dorado, a place where students are given nothing but the best. This same view is held by people in the outside world, particularly parents who are hell-bent on making sure their wards bag their degrees from this great citadel of learning. However, can it be said that indeed the Premier University has lived up to expectations? How well can we say the school has fared in issues concerning the welfare of its students?
There is no gainsaying that student welfares plays a salient and vital role in the educational, mental, psychological and social development of a student. Students’ welfarism has to do with the provision of facilities, extracurricular activities and the provision of social amenities to make learning effective and conducive for students. The provision of welfare is essential to a student’s sense of self-worth and it helps in self-development. However, in this great citadel of learning, the management’s lackadaisical and apathetic attitude toward students’ welfarism is seen in no abstruse manner. Truth be told, the management over the years are aware of the fact that students’ welfarism is a vital aspect of their master plan, but the present situation of things in Independence Hall negates whatsoever good intentions the management have about students’ welfare.
The epileptic supply of water for the past few weeks in Indy has been a bitter pill to swallow in the throats of Katangites. It is an eyesore to see students queuing for so long in order to get water. A chat with a member of the Hall Management reveals that the pumping machine behind Block B is bad and a letter requesting for repair funds has been sent to the school authorities for consideration. It is however pathetic and lugubrious that the management is yet to give a favourable answer which will in turn ameliorate the issue of water shortage. In a school which prides itself as the first and the best, a resource which is needed for everyday survival ought not to be in scarcity. Whenever I remember that the University of Ibadan is referred to as the ‘Harvard of Africa’, I laugh to myself and I’m forced to wonder if this was how Harvard University treated its students before she attained the status of the foremost tertiary institution in the world. I could recollect vividly that for over two weeks the water pump at Queen Idia Hall was bad and the management due to its preposterous bureaucratic convention had to subject our ‘wives’ to two weeks of torture. The Idiates had to exert their energy into lifting water for a distance of over 120m. We hope the Era of change addresses this issue.
Also, as much as the efforts of the management towards Electricity may be applauded, I see no justification for the bias between Halls of residence. Why must Kuti, Mellanby and Tedder have over 18 hours of constant Electricity, while Indy and Zik dwell in darkness? This is bad to say the least power supply plays a vital role in a student’s life. Must a Katangite go to S.U.B because he wants to make photocopies at a cheaper rate? In the absence of Electricity supply at Indy and Zik, the amount of making photocopies doubles and logically it has a drastic effect on a student’s financial status.
The dilapidated and deplorable condition of hall facilities is nothing to write home about in the context of student welfarism. A school like The University of Ibadan ought to regularly revamp all facilities. It is well-known that some students are specially endowed with the ‘Baseje and Apa syndrome’, but that should not be a hindrance to having great facilities in the kitchenettes, the hotplates are just there for decoration since last session. The rooms are all in a state of disrepair to the extent that freshers have to use their own cash to fix the nets, sockets, etc. despite the fact that previous occupants are made to pay for such damages. The state of the J.C.R. calls for immediate attention. The question again arises, is it that management are short of funds to repair all these facilities? Or the unnecessary tide of bureaucracy has swept away the sands of necessity?
Student welfare is integral to all aspect of students’ life and tertiary institutions must aim to ensure that a safe and supportive environment is created and maintained so that the experience of teaching and learning is enhanced for students. Truly, Rome was not built in a day, but daily effort were made by Romans to achieve what they want. I believe one day, student welfarism will be at its crescendo in UI!!!
