By: Aishat Lamidi
I returned to campus late in the evening, a couple of days after the 8-month strike of ASUU was suspended. Clouds of darkness hung over the University campus, and the numerous electricity bulbs that hover were not illuminated. I wish I could say, “Let there be light” and watch the bulbs flash, but I am a mere mortal. I would later learn from those who had resumed before me that the university’s electricity was faulty. I hoped it was because it is too early to be experiencing an epileptic power supply already.
Students who made a case for the University management blamed the lack of power on the ongoing strike action by the Non-academic Staff Union of Universities which has lingered longer than the ASUU strike. However, the Students Union President, Adeyinka Adewole, allayed my fear on the issue of power supply. He explained in a circular that there was a fault with the electricity and assured that it would be fixed. True to his words, the problem was fixed and darkness vacated our campus. But the blissful feeling that the illuminated bulbs gave me was short-lived. Power was seized and darkness returned. And then it was restored. I cringed at this quick disillusionment. It’s only the first week of resumption.
Students are seen taking clothes back home to wash and use other basic amenities in their homes – for those staying close enough – instead of enjoying the comfort of their hostels.
Surely, I am not the only student who had hoped for a steady supply of electricity. A fellow student has this to say: “I’m not happy about the epilepsy in the power supply. It has affected my schedules and plan; my work and reading too.”
An inter-hostel conflict over Water
I was brooding one of those dark nights blinking at the bulb in my hostel room, hoping that my pretty eyes would ignite it, then my roommate showed me a report on the UCJ website. There was an uproar in Independence Hall. What could the problem be? Details of the report showed that the commotion started when some female students from Queen Idia Hall trooped to Indy Hall to fetch water, and these damsels were subjected to what is popularly known as ‘Aro’. Some men, led by the SU President reportedly entered the hall to restore sanity, but the matter turned ‘yam pepper scatter scatter’ (more commotion). This would have been avoided if there was water for the Idiates to pump water in their hostel.
“Yes, It has affected me. Lots of classes, leaving little time to read and most of the time my lecture notes are on my laptop and phone and they are usually low or dead when I finally settle down and want to read.
“With no light, there’s no motivation to read personally though. I couldn’t charge. Had to search for light anywhere possible and safe,” another student lamented to my tired ears. Isn’t it too early in the semester to be tired?
It is common knowledge that there is an unequal distribution of electricity among hostels. Those of us in the remote areas of the university – Indy, Zik, Awo, and Idia – are often treated as second-class students.
It was so bad that residents of Awolowo Hall resorted to fetching from the well; although the hall has an issue with its pumping machine.
We are bonafide students too and deserve equal treatment. We are hoping that things will get better for us.
Meanwhile, it is important to note that for about 24 hours now- since Sunday, 6 November, the light has been stable and we hope it remains so. Dear UI, please let there be light! And let it be stable!
