Last Friday, the University of Lagos announced May 2 resumption date for students of the institution which was shut on April 8. The closure followed protest, mainly over lack of regular electricity and water on the campus.
For an institution that has enjoyed smooth academic session for years, the circumstance that necessitated the students’ protest and eventual shut down, few weeks to examination, was unfortunate.
Without a conducive environment, including regular electricity and water supply, students will definitely find it difficult to concentrate on their academic pursuits.
As a former student of the university, I know what it means not having regular electricity to read in hostels and classrooms, and the lack of water supply for various chores. The students also claimed there was shortage of supply of sachet water on campus.
Assuming that the situation was as bad as the student union leaders claimed, contrary to that of the university authorities, I can understand the frustration of the students and why they had no choice than to resort to the protest that led to the closure.
However, based on the situation in the country, lack of regular electricity and water on the campus was obviously beyond the control of the university. Power supply nationwide has dipped, which is critical to proving regular electricity and water supply has drastically reduced. Lack of fuel has further complicated the situation in the country, with the operations of many institutions and organisations virtually grounding to a halt.
If only the students knew the true state of power supply in the country and other deprivations Nigerians are copying with, they would have shown more understanding about the helplessness of the university in the present circumstance.
In its response to the students’ protest, the university highlighted its various efforts to ensure minimum electricity and water supply, which it said had been communicated to the student leaders.
While the students still had the choice to protest if they thought the university was not doing enough, they should not have allowed their protest to degenerate into the a situation where the institution was shut, to protect lives and properties.
To confirm that the electricity and water problem on the campus cannot be resolved as quickly as the students want, the university in its re-opening notice is only promising to endeavour to provide electricity in halls of residence between 7.00pm and 7.00am daily, while boreholes in the hostels would continue to supply water until normal supply by the Lagos State Water Corporation resumes.
As the students resume on May 2, it is necessary for both the union leaders and the university authorities to avoid circumstances that can lead to future closure. Students need to show more understanding of the limited resources available to provide services and facilities on campuses, while the authorities must always be willing to promptly respond to the grievances of the students.
Waiting for Kachikwu’s fuel
For the second time in two weeks, I have been forced to join the long queue for fuel at the official rate in an NNPC station in Lagos and end up not getting to buy after more than four hours.
I should have known better not to waste my precious time and keep buying what I can afford at double the official price.
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, has promised again that the fuel crisis will be over next week. Like many other Nigerians, I have my doubts after previous failed promises, but I am waiting.
NATION
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