By Oluwagbenga Kolawole
"...for a mind that knows is a mind that's free."
The primary purpose of every student in University of Ibadan is their academics. While some might disagree on different grounds, given how they have other priorities and how academics is the side quest, everyone would agree that the reason why we all are still students of this institution is because the school considers our academic performance acceptable. For a student to study effectively, and maintain an acceptable academic performance the pursuit of "this degree" that's why there are various libraries and reading rooms across the school.
In the face of aggressive renovation and facelift of different reading rooms in some halls of residence and even the SU building, by either alumni or other independent bodies, it has become pertinent to talk about Zik reading rooms which has not experienced any notable change in recent times, not even cosmetic and the overall reading culture in ZIK Hall.
A story of neglect and poor maintenance
All the three reading rooms in zik bear the tell tale signs of age and rust. It is obvious these rooms have seen better days with the broken chairs and air conditioning system. But then, these things bear testament to the fact that a good reading room should havegood furniture (tables and chairs), good lighting and ventilation.
Sadly, this is no longer the case for Zik Hall reading rooms. All the reading rooms only manage to have two long tables each with scanty chairs. There are times where B block reading room would have less than four chairs (excluding long benches), creating unnecessary empty spaces in the rooms, spaces which some squatters then spread mat and mattresses to sleep. The fact remains that these rooms do not have enough chairs and tables for people who actually want to use them.
Another issue that the reading rooms have is poor cleaning. The cleaning schedule of the rooms by the cleaners is erratic. The level of untidiness in these reading rooms is revolting. Ironically, part of the faults that made zikites develop a distaste for their own reading rooms lies with they themselves. Zik reading rooms most of the time are always littered with biscuit, nylons and paper which the reading room users have failed to dispose properly despite all the signs and notices boldly written in the room telling them to do so. Even when these rooms are cleaned, they'll be 'restored' back to their previous eyesore state in hours. While this slobby behavior is not excused in any way, but who can one blame when waste bins are not made available in these reading rooms?
As a result of these issues, most zikites prefer to read in their rooms or go to the other parts of the school (KDL or the reading rooms of other hall's). As for Wilfred, a chemistry student, the standards of reading rooms in other hall's can't be compared to Zik as they have good electricity and charging points. The reading rooms in ZIK, most especially B block reading room , do not have sufficient charging spaces, making the prospect of reading unappealing to some Zikites.Alao (not real name) an agric student, also affirmed that he prefers to study in silence and tranquility which the hall reading rooms don't provide and hence, he'd rather go to KDL.
Aro and everything else that comes with it
The concept of gyration which seems to have become more common this semester also contributes to the poor reading culture in Zik. While gyration is recognized as a Zik Hall culture to relieve stress and network having such exercise directly under a reading room late into the night is irresponsible.The noise caused by the late night drumming and singing is not only a problem for the reading room users but for the whole Zik occupants in general. Apart from the fact that it distracts, it also creates an unnecessary excitement in the body in a way that induces tiredness.
Occupants of B block and probably C block are probably the only ones who can relate the most to the baseless noise and sleepless nights. Ade (not real name), an art and social sciences student, one of the occupants of the floor above the basement was of the opinion that "The hall management should find something to do about that.There should be a stipulated time for their Aro and it must not exist that time.Strict rules and regulations should be enforced..."
Beg bugs brouhaha
The bed bug issue in reading rooms is actually a widely spread one. Almost all reading rooms in UI has it. Reading rooms are like a major distribution center of sorts for these bugs. Despite the best efforts of the school in fumigating all the rooms at the end of each session, these issue has become recurrent. However, the reason for this recurrence is not farfetched, beg bugs are known to have resistance to some cameras.
Also, when some people come to the reading rooms, they unknowingly bring these bugs with them and other reading room users also unknowingly take it with them and thus beg bugs begin to spread again. Consequently, many zikites tend to avoid the reading rooms.
Impact
While there exists an hierarchy of responsibility on issues like this, but in the end, the fault lies with all Zikites. The flippancy with which most zikites have reacted to the issue of poor reading room standards is also one of the reasons why it these standards have continued to plunge. Many of them do not use the reading rooms and as a result do not even bother about what happens in it. Even those who use it have developed a nonchalant perspectives towards it.
However, no amount of extenuation can relieve the executives of their complicity in these issue. Take for example,when this reporter reached out to the Hall secretary, Adeboye Adebisi about the case of the broken door around January 16, 2024, he (hall sec) promised that it'll be fixed by January 31st. As at the time of the publication of this article, the door still remains unfixed. This is in addition to other issues which have been implicitly and explicitly mentioned in this article. Proper and deliberate efforts should be made by all stakeholders in the baluba kingdom to improve this situation.
