Zikites Should Petition Their Excos First, Then The School Management

 By Adebowale Akinjide

The “when Zik hall sneezes, the whole of UI catches cold” mantra is about to play out right before our faces, but that would be decided upon by the decision of Zikites in the coming days. You might wonder what this mantra contributes to the headline of this piece. Well, there is only way to find out.

One would be tempted to pity this set of Zik Hall executives in the kind of time that they have emerged—a period where there has been significant increments in the price of university education, commodities prices rising to an all-time high and a dwindling economy altogether. But before you get carried away, know one thing – these executives have equally been lax in carrying out their duties.

Resuming the semester, Zikites came back to meet the problems that they dealt with last session. As Eke’s room is smelling from gutter stench in C Block, Ibrahim’s room is boiling up like inferno in A Block due to electrical faults, while the rest of us are queuing for water at Indy.

 Sometimes this semester, some members of ZHPO sought out to quiz the Hall Chairman, Adeniji Uthman on why student leaders are always quick to approach sponsors for social activities, but when it comes to capital projects that will aid student’s performance, there is mostly a deceleration. In response, the hall chairman narrated the tales of how he was just an IPM in the last administration, and that he has never had real power. Till now, one begins to wonder whether the hall chairman lives in a state of hibernation, maybe he needs an awakening, because till now, he has done nothing optimal with the power that Zikites have entrusted to him in . Power is not a plate of yamburger that is meant to be toiled with, with it comes great responsibility. 

 

How Congress, What Congress…

On the 4^th of November, Nnamdi Azikwe Hall convened at the B Block basement for her first congress this session. The congress, according to the hall’s constitution is the highest decision-making body in the hall, and accolades should be awarded for the convention of a congress in a time like this, as it is not out of place to say that things have hit rock bottom. But who calls a congress without stating the definite agenda the congress is going to discuss? —the Bulaba executives.

Prior to the congress, a ZHPO correspondence reached out to the hall chairman to ask what the congress was meant to address, he responded, “the call for congress is to discuss issues affecting Zik Hall”. How does such an ambiguous statement pass for the agenda of a gathering of all Zikites?

At the congress floor, the highlight was the hall chairman complaining about how the school authority gives slows to no reactions to their calls. On many occasions when a Zikite complains to the hall chairman or any of the executives about any electrical issues in the hall, they are hastily blaming it on the slow response of the school management. However, while it is understandable that the prosecution of electrical faults is beyond their power, what about other issues?

Of what essence is the executive body if they think the school management should solve all problems? What is the use of elections, manifesto nights and press nights?

For a hall that has spent so much on social activities—two common pots, freshers’ welcome, Zik at 60; spending hundreds of thousands in the process if not more, many problems should have been divested. It is not the case that we are in any way insinuating that social activities should be put on hold, but that the same energy should be given to basic amenities that Zikites need most direly.

The water problem has become so deep-rooted that the phenomenon of interrupted water has is a once in 12 market days affair in the hall. Few weeks ago, a video surfaced of Zikites queuing for water at Indy, with a student, apparently a Katangite, subtly passing scorning comments at desperate Zikites standing to fetch water from Indy taps.

ZHPO have gathered that one of the challenges facing Zik Hall water supply is the topography of the hall, and in ZHPO’s interview with Uthman, he stated that he was working to get sponsors to fix this problem, and until now, 7 days to the end of the 11 eleven weeks semester, nothing has been done, and to our surprise, he said nothing about it at the floor of the congress.

Again, Zikites have to petition their executives before the school management because they are also guilty of what the hall chairman accused the management of—slow reaction to issues. Few weeks back, a septic tank burst open, with its water flowing to and remaining stagnant on the passage way at Zik Bridge. For weeks, the situation was left unattended to, with no move to remedy the situation until 100 level Ujata had to take matter into his own hands. Appealing to unavailability of funds would be a joke. If Ujata could find a temporary solution, then it is correct to say that Uthman-led administration were negligent in their duty. Well, that is not the first time.

Lastly, the hall chairman announced at the congress that a form would be passed to rooms to get enough signatures for the peaceful demonstration as was agreed during the congress. As of press time, nothing has been done in that regards. Also, till now, the IPM has failed to send an official resolution of the congress.

The press will always take its stand in brandishing the pen in truth and with valour. We will always speak truth to power. Now, over to you, dear Zikites, the ball is in your court.