By Beatitude
Nnamdi Azikwe has over the years been seen as the standard of what a hall of residence should be in the University of Ibadan. Like most halls of residence, Zik Hall is managed by a student leaders including the members of the legislative council who are floor representatives. The Floor Representative is responsible for the management of the floor’s facilities, including the Kitchenette, toilet, bathroom, waste disposal, and more so, building cordial relationship with floor members.
This report is a bid to critique the effectiveness and leadership of Akande Kudus, the Floor Representative for the ground floor of C-Block. While interviewing some of his floor members by a ZHPO correspondent, handful of the floor members complained that the Floor Representative is not active, and they don’t even know who he is.
They expressed their dissatisfaction with the maintenance of the Kitchenette, toilet, and bathroom, stating that they are often dirty and not well-maintained. A floor member who insisted to remain anonymous said “I know him in person but he doesn’t seem to be effective in the maintenance of the floor’s facilities.” Additionally, another floor member, Hussein together with his roommates disclosed “We don’t even know if we have a floor rep but if we do, his performance as a floor rep to us is zero”.
On the other hand, some of the floor members acknowledged that the Floor Representative is trying his best, but his efforts are not good enough. They mentioned that the Floor Representative needs to be more proactive in the management of the floor’s facilities, especially in keeping the Kitchenette, toilet, and bathroom clean and well-maintained.
However, some of the floor members had positive feedback about the Floor Representative. They mentioned that he is always there to help when there’s a blackout on the floor. They stated that the Floor Representative takes it upon himself to ensure that the floor members are comfortable and that their needs are met during a blackout. One of the floor members, Timothy said “whenever there is a blackout you would see him running helter-skelter to proffer solution, he’s always there to help”.
Moreover, while interviewing the floor rep, Akande Kudus, pertaining the critical responses from his floor members, he said “when it comes to serving a mass of people one cannot be fully perfect, it’s much expected that some would give kudos and some would give awful responses even when one is giving more than his best to the service.” He further disclosed that “Those that said they don’t know me must have not been staying in Zik well enough because I check-up on all the floor members often by paying them a quick visit in their rooms, I also single-handedly bought a bulb to the floor and I’m planning of getting more to illuminate the whole floor”.
It is important to note that managing a floor with numerous students can be challenging, and the Floor Representative’s role is vital in ensuring that the floor’s facilities are well-managed and maintained. However, it is also important for the Floor Representative to be proactive, listen to the floor members’ complaints and suggestions, and take appropriate actions to address them.
The effectiveness and management of the Floor Representative in the ground floor of C-Block have been evaluated by the responses of the floor members. While some have expressed their dissatisfaction with the management of the floor’s facilities, others have acknowledged the Floor Representative’s efforts in ensuring that the floor members are comfortable. It is important for the Floor Representative to be proactive, listen to the floor members’ complaints and suggestions, and take appropriate actions to address them. With proper management, the floor can be a comfortable and conducive place for the floor members to live in.
