VOX POP: TOP FLOOR TRIUMPH, FROM BUCKET CARRIERS TO SHOWER SINGERS.

By Leonard Divine

It is interesting how simple yet monumental changes like running water in bathrooms could impact the lives of the occupants of Obafemi Awolowo Hall, especially those whose rooms are on the top-most floor. Typically, the average student like Bola, after a long day of rigorous lectures, would drag her tired body to the hostel with the lingering thought of a cozy bed and a cold bath at the hostel. However, her joy is short-lived as the reality of having to carry water over several flights of stairs dawns on her. Not only would she have to make the treacherous journey to her room, but she would also have to make that same journey to the taps and repeat the journey again, but this time with two full buckets of water that threaten to break her back and her resolve.

For many years, in order to meet their basic water needs, the residents of Obafemi Awolowo have lugged heavy buckets of water day after day from the ground floor. This phenomenon is not specific to Awo Hall, as many school hostels within the university suffer the same fate.

Thankfully, due to the recent development within the hall, running water is now available on every floor. With the new improvements, students get to experience the ease that should naturally accompany staying in the school hostel. It goes without saying that all Awoites were overjoyed by this ‘new luxury’ and thus the Obafemi Awolowo Press embarked on a quest, not for water but for the opinions of Awo residents on the new found improvements.

Naomi Okocha, a 200-Level Student of Law.

It was actually very nice. I mean, the first time I heard water running in the bathroom was during the second semester of my 100 level, but on getting back to the hostel, I discovered there was no water, and I thought, “What is going on?” The second time this happened was last semester, and this is the current one. I think a few days ago there was water running; it was a nice occurrence, but I haven’t used the water because, you know how things are, this is Nigeria; when Nigerians hear good things are happening, especially something like this, they will come and start fetching water to store. And because of this, those who really want to use water to bathe won’t have water to use because they would have finished the water in the tank. It is actually a very good thing because the thought of going all the way downstairs from the 6th floor is terrible. I guess that’s why they’re storing it. I don’t use the services of Mr. Sodiq and Ola due to the fact that they’re always busy and other people also wish to use their services, and I, for one, cannot wait for a long time as I intend to use the water at that instant. I feel like Awo is much better than it used to be—way much better, actually. They should keep pumping the water, and though I don’t know the tanks that are connected to it, I feel like there should be a bigger tank, and even if the water finishes, they should keep pumping it because girls will continue to use it; it is actually a priced commodity in Awo.

Precious Okafor, a 200- Level Student of Nursing.

Well, for that, it’s a good thing—a very good thing for people who are up. Although it was my roommate who told me, as I wasn’t around, that water was rushing in the bathroom,. But I think maybe they open it once in a while and then close it. But that’s not bad, actually. If we just know the time when the water is running, we can just prepare for them and fetch water, and then they close it. I don’t think that’s such a big deal.

Favour Madubugwu, a 200-Level Student of Nursing Science.

I’ll actually say that the water is a good idea; it saves us the energy and stress of going downstairs to get water. For our toilets, there has been no change. There is even one toilet that, if one is not careful when sitting down on it, could even fall off. It’s been like that since last semester.

Dolapo Ajani, a 200 Level Student of Nursing.

I felt happy, but then it was short-lived. I don’t think any repairs have been made to the toilets yet; it’s still the same as last semester. Although the toilets I have been using compared to before have been relatively cleaner, I think things are actually changing at Awo; we haven’t had much water issues compared to last year; I think last year had much water issues, but this year we’ve been good, but still not enough. We still need the water upstairs. I used to make use of the services of Ola, but recently he hasn’t been around. The management should really help us work on the water and even other issues like electricity too.

Anita Olisademe, a 200 Level Student of Veterinary Medicine.

I felt very nice; it was really exciting. I also think we should get a prefect for water; just as we have a sports prefect, a labor prefect, etc., we should get a prefect that’ll be in charge of water or things like pumping water. Now, there has been light since yesterday, but there’s no water up here. If there were a prefect coordinating all these things, it would help a lot. At times, there will be light, but because they have pumped once and you know Awo is large, they’ll just finish the water. In fact, I didn’t even go downstairs to fetch water yesterday because I fetched here the day before yesterday night, so it really helped me, but now I’ll be going downstairs to fetch. It was honestly very nice. I even told my sister, who was a Uite but was in Queens Hall, that we now had running water in Awo. She was like, “Awo is now the best.”. As for the toilets, they’re not bad, and I’m comfortable with them.