At Ibadan Poly, students live in bushes of fear

Established in 1971 from the facility left behind by the old University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, boasts being the alma mater of many prominent Nigerians. Many of them are indeed captains of industries.

But age is fast telling on the institution, especially its physical infrastructure. Little wonder, many students are complaining about the state of facilities in the 45-year-old institution situated in the Sango area of the sprawling city. Indeed, from the unoccupied lands, hostels to the laboratories, it is a litany of fear and anguish for the students.

For instance, our correspondent, who visited the school on Monday, observed that there was a large expanse of unused land occupied by tall grasses and trees. According to the students, the unused parcel of land is capable of being a home to reptiles and a den to cultists.

Some of them told our correspondent that they disliked moving around the campus at night for fear of being attacked by reptiles.

“As you can see, the bush is directly behind the classrooms and offices. We receive lectures late into the evening at times and, as a woman, the fear of being attacked while going home at night is always there,” said a female student of the Faculty of Engineering.

Another female student said she skipped any class scheduled to hold late in the evening in order to leave the area early. She noted that because of the irregular supply of electricity in the school, it was better not to take a risk of being in the area at night.

“I do not have to be told not to stay there when it is dark. We see people coming out of the place in the evening but, personally, I do not know who they are. Some of our colleagues say they are farmers but anybody can dress like a farmer to actualise an evil intention. That place needs to be cleared,” she said.

For another student, who gave his name as Segun, it is normal to find undeveloped land in big institutions. He believes it is pleasant to live close to nature.

“I have heard people complaining about the place but I see nothing wrong in it. I visit the University of Ibadan regularly. There are more bushes there than here and it is always lovely to walk under those trees.”

Apart from the bushy environment, the students also claimed that they were having challenges in their hostels. The school provides accommodation for the majority of the learners in four large hostels. These are the Ramat, Unity, Orisun and Olori halls. Apart from the electricity supplied by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to the school, the institution compliments it with five hours of electricity supply through its main generator. Water is also pumped to the hostels during this period.

For more details see punchng.com