An incident occurred in Bello Hall last Tuesday. That incident has prompted the need to revisit the use of halls of residence for religious activities and other events. For those who might not be abreast of what transpired in Bello Hall on Tuesday, a short narrative will suffice.
On Tuesday, 11 November, 2014, one of the popular fellowships on Campus, the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), had a worship service at Bello Dome. They employed the use of loudspeakers. As the service progressed, some residents of Bello Hall could not put up with the blast emanating from the loud speakers used for the programme. They therefore decided to do something about it. Some members of the hall accosted the leadership of the fellowship whom they instructed to reduce the noise. However, matters got out of hand. The generator, which was being used by the fellowship, was turned off while the programme was still underway. At this point, the attention of other residents of the hall as well as passers-by was drawn. Arguments ensued as each side tried to drive home his points. Eventually, order was restored as quickly as the dispute had evolved.
An in-depth assessment of the issue revealed that the residents of Bello Hall spoke against a nuisance they had borne for long. According to a resident of the hall who sought anonymity, “the noise generated from the dome on a daily basis is unbearable. That place is used for events on a daily basis and we have to suffer for it. You can’t even use the reading room peacefully when they are playing their music.”
Notwithstanding how genuine their objections may be, we condemn the manner of approach of Bellites who masterminded that squabble. We believe that there are proper channels through which such grievances can be expressed. A meeting with the Hall Management or a complaint lodged at the Students’ Affairs Division would have been the most logical step to take. They had no right to disrupt a programme that was underway, thus breaching an agreement that exists between the hall management and the association.
To be precise, Bello hall is not the only hall that has suffered such intrusion as a result of the use of her premises for such activities. It appears every hall of residence whose cafeteria or SCR is large enough to accommodate twenty persons rents it out for events. It is customary to hear loud prayers and music in Mellanby Hall especially on Sundays. At such times, one who intends to relax or read in the hall might be compelled to seek sanctuary elsewhere.
We agree with the claim of the management of these halls that the lease of these halls to different bodies for events has been a viable means of generating income. However, the discomfort borne by the residents of these halls cannot suffice for any amount of money that might be generated as income. Noise in the extreme is not what the residents of these halls have bargained for.
It is a common trend in Nigeria for people who are having events, especially churches and mosques, to turn up the volume of their speakers to an unreasonable level. This makes it impossible to concentrate on any other thing within that environment. This has raised a very serious concern. Earlier this year, the Lagos State government was compelled to read these religious bodies the riot act. The state issued a briefing through its Commission of Environment threatening to sanction places of worship that disturb public peace with noise from their loud speakers.
The trend of increasing the volume of the speakers to an unreasonable level shows a total disrespect for the feelings of others. People generally have a right to do what they want in their immediate environment. No one should be forced to leave their environment because of others.
Looking at it from another perspective however, the problem does not really lie in the use of the halls for events but rather in how they are used. It is a well-known fact that some organisations use these same halls without causing commotion. The major issue is the amount of noise generated from these halls when they are in use. Why would you increase the volume of your speakers when those in the hall can hear it?
The unavailability of venues has been cited as the reason for the use of these halls as worship centres. The chapel, which was built for such purpose, is always occupied and cannot accommodate the large number of fellowships on campus. It is understandable. Notwithstanding, these fellowships can moderate their activities by reducing the amount of noise they generate with their speakers. Inasmuch as your congregation can hear you, there is really no need to increase the volume of your speaker to an unreasonable level.
By way of suggestion, it is high time these fellowships came together to pool resources to build a hall. We are positive they can liaise with the authorities of UI to build such a dwelling where they can use for their services, meetings and other engagements.
In addition, religious bodies are not the only ones involved in this appalling act. Some students tend to play music to an unreasonable level thereby disturbing those around them. Another instance of such nuisance is the use of jingles to publicise events all around the school compound. It is obvious that these activities are not bad in themselves but become bad when they are abused and done to an unreasonable level. The jingles should not be used as a tool for disturbance.
To the management of these halls, it is high time a lasting solution was found in order to put an end to noise pollution in the halls. Rules should be set. Fellowships should be instructed to desist from increasing the volume of their speakers to unreasonable levels. Anyone who is not willing to go along with this directive should not be allowed to use the halls. The halls are originally built for the purpose of accommodating people. It should be a sanctuary for people to relax and study. The noise from these events shatters the peace of the hall. This must not be allowed to continue. Money should not be traded for comfort.
Complaints, comments, suggestions, rejoinders and requests should be sent to mellanbypressui@gmail.com
