Zik Hall has, for several sessions now, been dealing with nauseating and grimy conditions on every floor, conditions that have been earmarked as unsanitary and less than ideal for the occupants.
According to Mahatma Gandhi, "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver." While this quote underscores the significance of good health, it is ironic that the experience of Zikites is more than a million miles away from what the average person, no matter how low he sets the bar, would call a healthy environment. While the untold and nightmarish experience lingers on, the occupants of the hall keep complaining of its adverse effects on their mental health and academics.
Victor, a Zikite who stays in Block B, during an interview, expressed his displeasure at the inconvenience of using the Hall's toilets. In his words, "Zik's sinks and toilets are just tiring; it really goes beyond what I can express because it's just too annoying and heartbreaking." Jamiu, another B blockite, was rather disappointed when speaking to Zik Press about it. According to him, "The kitchen sink is always messed up; I think it's always meant for brushing and not the other way round."
"Some Zikites are the culprits behind those irritating acts. There was a time I wanted to use the toilet, and I realised that the urine space had been clogged with eggshells. I had also encountered already-cooked, watery beans in the sinks, which stirred up unhealthy pollution whenever a breeze arrived," Timileyin, a resident of Block B, said.
While some Zikites have postulated that co-Zikites are also part of the catalysts that keep messing up the toilet and sinks, some have opined that floor reps should also endeavour to be more effective and active in their respective constituency.
In the words of Timileyin, "Floor Reps should deem it fit to always visit their members, and they should do well to create a platform like WhatsApp, where everyone can air their concerns and also discuss issues affecting the constituency." A Zikite, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that "floor reps should try as much as possible to post bills with the tag "Anyone who messes this place up will pay a fine (of a particular amount)" on the walls of the toilet and the sinks.
It is interesting to note that the hall has rules and regulations on this matter. There are rules posted on the Hall's gate, there are those contained in the Hall's code of conduct among many others. For instance, according to the Hall's code of conduct, improper use of the hall facilities may attract any of the following measures including reprimand; publication of names; public apology; community service; prosecution before the judicial council of the hall; recommendation for payment of fines to the Hall management committee and recommendation for possible eviction by the Hall management committee. However, there has been the slight issue of proper enforcement. In the cases of toilet and kitchenette misuse, the culprits are difficult to identify. And this sometimes frustrates efforts to correct this trend.
Generally, the halls of residence at the University of Ibadan are in a terrible and substandard condition; these problems were reflected by the usual interruption of light, everyday hustling for water, among others. These problems have actually become the norm that students do not really clamour for better facilities again. It then becomes a double tragedy as these halls, which were meant to be kept clean and neat, are not properly used by the residents of these halls of residence.A healthy society contributes a long way in determining the academic and physical survival of students. Messed-up vicinity affects students' health, and this in turn throws them off course. Some floors ooz so offensively that one has to close his mouth and nose before passing through the place. This not only affects the Zikites but also does not speak well of the Hall in particular.
However, while the blame for such an exasperating act keeps dangling between the Zikites and their representatives, the cleanliness of the hostel should be seen as a collective blame, which requires a collective efforts rather than individual effort. Both Zikites and their representatives can make changes in these matters by reaching an agreement or a strategic plan with which such a thing can be avoided.
Floor reps should be more proactive in the administrative responsibilities of their floors and should enforce sanitary rules that everyone will uphold. Adequate provision should be made to forestall such acts. They should ensure they effectively reiterate the importance of cleanliness and proper use of hall facilities while informing their constituents of the punishments for not following these rules.
Zikites themselves should take responsibility for their own environment by being clean and using the toilets, kitchenettes and bathrooms for the actual purpose they were designed for.
