State of Zik Hall Reading Rooms: Excos Call for Improvement

By Saint

As indication that the Executive Council is playing its role as gap bridger between the Hall Management and Zikites, the Council, through the Hall Secretary, Mr. Oluwadamilare Fabiyi (Fadaca), has called the attention of the Hall Management to the state of reading rooms in the hall.

This was made known in a correspondence to the Hall Management Council, dated 9th of December. The letter describes the condition of the reading rooms as inconvenient and having unproductive effects on Zikites. Buttressing the issue, the Executive Council details the facility problems in the reading rooms.

In A Block, the reading room has a broken door, a single functional bulb and fan, 2 functional sockets and inadequate chairs.

In B Block, the reading room does not have enough chairs, has just a single functional bulb, no functional fans and just 2 functional sockets.

In C Block, the chairs are not enough.

An entrance into A Block reading room without its door

Users of the reading room corroborate the inconvenience highlighted in the Executive Council’s missive. A Zikite using the A Block reading room said that the chairs are not enough as the reading room is usually filled. He also commented on the availability of sockets for charging. “The power sources are inadequate and that affects proximity to charging spaces, especially for those who read with laptops.”

Another Zikite using the reading room in C block commented that it is worse there. He said, “in the evening you cannot get a seat because everywhere will be filled.” At a time when most students are taking tests, and exams are imminent, enjoying conducive and adequate facilities in reading rooms is a necessity. 

Speaking with the Hall Secretary on the response of the Hall Management to the issue, he said, “I met with the Hall Supervisor when I dropped the letter and spoke with him as well. He told me that they will document the faults in the reading room so that when the electrician comes they will be worked on.” 

However, the Hall Secretary also mentioned the Executive Council’s efforts. “We’ve gotten an extra bulb for the B Block reading room that is lit enough for people to read.” Meanwhile, the Executive Council has also issued a statement against the removal of chairs from the reading room, the contravention of which attracts a fine of ₦5,000.