While we can analyze the game of politics played in Lagos State House of Assembly, one can do nothing but begin to wonder the rate at which similar technique is adopted in the accommodation process for returning students of this institution. If many were called to give account of their stay in their various halls of residence, the ink in the pen of many will not go beyond their days as freshmen. But if they could be interrogated to give reasons to justify this claim, most people will be unable to give clear reasons for this anomaly.
It should be remembered that we, being students of the University of Ibadan, all purchased the same Joint Admission and Matriculation Board form and were all among the strong ones who pulled exactly or above the average score of the examination. We all sat for the Post UME and pulled the bull by the horn as we all scored exactly or above average. Then why should some people then be treated like kings in the Palace whereas others are sent messages to survive on their own. Why should Jamal have a bed space while Jamal runs around?
It is no longer news that the process of allocating bed spaces to returning students in this citadel of learning has gone beyond the eyes can see. It has become a thing of survival of the fittest, struggle of the richest and the influence of the super elites. It has become a thing where men who give their all to their hall are left with no choice but to suffer setbacks as those who contribute in little or no way to the development of the hall have been given the mandate to rule over a cornered space by the super powers.
When equality is being denied in the “First and Best University”, I wonder where such principle should be enforced. Of those who are to be given bed spaces as returning students are those who struggle to attain first class cumulative grade point average but I see injustice when some first class students are left down the mud while others are granted opportunities.
Our Wardens and Porters have collided to make us fools as they realized we have become desperate to have access to bed spaces. They made us starve for food and water to quench our thirst after the sun had beaten the better part of us. They made us stand under the sun for hours while they dine with smile on their faces peacefully in their various homes and wine in their luxurious cars. Upon these, all they do to reward some of the luckiest among us is to offer them bed spaces in stores occupied by lavatory facilities coupled with ever green tissues which have been abandoned probably before the writer was born.
Our Wardens have decided to show off and deny individuals committed to the development of the hall, bed spaces. In their place, individuals who know little or nothing about press, debating, representation, sporting activities among others, are those who they claimed to fall under the above categories. I perceive cheating when an individual who does nothing but make people laugh in the hall, secures a bed space. Then it could be deduced that the message being passed across is for us all to be humorous in our acts neglecting our positive contributions to the development of the hall.
Another point still on this issue which bothers the minds of many is the unequal opportunities granted to students. Some faculties have been prioritized over another, some departments over another and some colleges over another. Even if it has been a tradition, why should we continue to follow this trend? Why should injustice continue to exist in our institution? Why should we continue to discriminate among ourselves? Maybe, it is until we revolt that such act will be condemned.
I shall conclude by partially agreeing with Lemony Snicket, an American writer and journalist when he said, “people don’t always get what they deserve in this world”. However, it is until we call a spade a spade that our world shall be controlled by men whose selfish interest is all they care about.
