Gbolagade Sunday
Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan (TPI), have applauded the Management of the Institution, Oyo State government, SUG and all actors over the commencement of massive renovations, redefining and beautifying all the institution’s halls of residence (Orisun/ Unity Halls for Male; Ramat/Olori for female). The project which kicked off some months ago started with Olori and Ramat has gained public attention with diverse speculations from diverse angles.
“The hostel is now different from the old building where there is no availability of basic amenities we should benefit as resident. During my stay in a hostel for my ND program, the stress I passed through was too enormous so I have to relocate outside the institution but now with the massive renovation, life is bearable and the atmosphere is also conducive for living,” says Elizabeth from Ramat Hostel.
“It was as if we were living in a dungeon before, but now, the hostel befits the standard of the institution”, says Aishat a resident of Ramat Hall of Residence. While to Busola from Olori Hall of Residence, “The hostel is more conducive, I cannot imagine Polyibadan hostel now has a portable water system, safe environment, functioning electrical appliances, well-painted rooms with protective window, tiled floor and some other facilities that will convince one to live in the hostel”. She said.
In the same vein, Press Council spoke with the contractor who heads the massive renovation of the hostels. In this excerpt below, here is the record of discussion with Otunba Oluseye Opatoki who is the Managing Director of New Jordan Nigeria Limited which is the Organisation that is in charge of the project.
Press: What is the plan towards the actualization of the project and the time for its completion?
MD: We started around November 11th and we hope to complete the project in few months to come. I finished from this institution some years ago. While I was here, I was the welfare secretary of the Students Union and I did a very fantastic job as regards the renovation of the Union’s building then. Since the inception of the erection of these hostels, there has never been any major renovation of such, these have resulted in the decay and dilapidation of the hostels. The kind of project we are having is a PPP program. We intend to give the students the best of the facilities they ought to enjoy as residents. Hostels do not have their electricity generating plant to power the hostels. We will equip the hostels maximally with these facilities more than what is even mentioned.
PC: What is the maintenance structure that will be adopted to make the project durable and last longer?
MD: There will be a maintenance unit from our team very much around to oversee the affairs of the hostel. Every year we will be coming over to do some basic renovation hence, after every five years also, some major renovation too will be witnessed. Thus, the status quo will be maintained for the duration we will be here. The students are going to enjoy every facility they ought to enjoy as a resident.
PC: What is your opinion concerning the management, students, and government about this development?
MD: the current administration has always given us support, cordial relationships for the success of these projects. Also, the students need rigorous sensitization on shying away from the destruction of properties even when they are showing grievances. Students’ Union, Faculty, Departmental, and every other Association must enormously imbibe in students, the spirit of personal hygiene, cordial relationship, and sane usage of these facilities without vandalizing any of them. To the Government, it is an atmosphere of cooperation for giving us the room to come to this institution for the betterment of the students. The governor is a lover of the educational sector in the state as this will be replicated hopefully in all other schools in Oyo State.
However, the hostels are no more an abode of animals, all facilities that will make life bearable for students will be done maximally. With the love of our alma-mata in my heart, “Once a Polyte; always a Polyte.
Press Council engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr. Akinola who is also the Chairman of; a committee of Hall Warden in all the Institution’s halls of residence.
PC: Sir, over years, the state of the hostels has been a dilapidated scenario after their initial erection. As the Chairman, what is your opinion even before the current renovation?
Chairman: Years back, the management of the institution has tried their maximum best in renovating the hostel, specifically, Olori hostel had been the worst-case study to be cited but one limitation to the renovation of the institution’s hostel is a financial constraint which has served as the reason why the government intervention was needed as the best panacea of solving the hostel problem. Also, With the recent government and relevant stakeholders’ action, has led to the recent development in the institution’s hostel not only Olori but all the hostels.
PC: Sir, as the chairman of the committee of all Warden in the institution’s halls of residence, what is the maintenance structure put in place to effectively manage the hostels against quick dilapidation?
Chairman: The arrangement I am planning is to have the activities of the Hall Management Committee which will be selected by the students, empowered for the easy control and administration of some activities in the halls. Most times, it is students that can control students, they will be strategized to inculcate discipline. Also, students should shun destructive and nonchalant habits exhibited towards the usage of the hostel and other properties.
Moreso, an educative program, seminars, and more orientation will be done for students. Neatness, hygiene, and high maintenance culture must be strictly adhered to by them.
PC: what Strategy will be put in place to shy away from students from Destruction and Vernalisation of properties?
Chairman: we need to educate these students on the need to never adopt destruction as a tool or model even when showcasing their distress sometimes. The relevant stakeholders must come together to imbibe in these students the spirit to embrace peace, decorum, and cordialness because the hostel is erected for their usage. Indiscipline must be averted; they do not have to destroy before they show their grievances.
PC: What is your general advice, opinion to the students, government, and management of the institution?
Chairman: At this juncture, thanks to the Governor who deem it fit to see education as a priority in the state. Ever since his administration, there were several positive changes in the educational sector. To the management of the institution, they are wonderful and of utmost regard for embracing such huge positive changes to the institution. Lastly, the students should also be applauded for their perseverance and patience because, at some points, we told them to vacate the halls of residence for the renovation to take place. Indeed, they are wonderful
“The hostel is now a conducive place to stay for occupants (students) since there is the availability of resources. No stress since water runs in the toilet (restroom) all electrical appliances is been fixed, reduce in rodents and insects’ infestation. The building itself is now attractive and beautiful to behold.” Olaide from Olori spoke with Press Council
Back View of one of Olori Halls Blocks prior Renovation
The Condition of the Old Hostels.
The state of the old building before the renovation was an appalling state despite the influx of students who reside in it. Also, the building lacks facilities ranging from portable and thorough water, stable power facilities, unhygienic environment, lack of proper sewage and toilet facilities, poor aesthetic and attractive conditions that befits living conditions. According to what was gathered by hoteliers who lived in the old structure, “I contacted toilet diseases the first month I came here but with the look of things now, even the hostel has been plastered, tiled and adorned with modern toilet facilities, Barakat explained to Press Council.
“When they (officials) came to address us that we should vacate our rooms promising us renovation, I thought it was a cock and bull story because this reality is something surprising and amazed to me. Over the years, all the renovation that has been done is to patch some places, mend some broken windows, little work of plumbing, and some solutions to minor faults in electricity. This was what has been done and regarded as renovation to me over years ever since my ND days.
“I want to render my sincere gratitude to everybody involved about the massive new look of this hostel, indeed this is a job well done. But my worries as a student are based on the maintenance of the building. You know we students are stubborn, careless and funny most times. Since they have done this, there should be random maintenance, check, and strict policy for anyone that misuses or mess up the facilities in the hostel. Also, although the work is still ongoing, but help us to tell them to fix some things such as water channel (gutter) for easy passage of wastewater, they should try to station dump basket where refuse can be dumped so that by the time the whole work has been finished, the place will not get dirty quickly.” Adunola an HND student who has been residing in the hostel since her ND days explained to Press Council.
Also, the SUG opinionated via a letter seeking for the urgent attention by the Government. According to the letter signed by the President, Comrade Fadare Blessing, the Union showed their displeasure prior the renovation and was very glad the renovation came into limelight
Speculations around the Renovated Hostel.
Moreover, it should be recalled that there were several touches of renovation been done to maintain the structure for the betterment of students. A typical and recent example was the Olori hall of residence renovated in 2019 where walkways were constructed and certain adjustments. Hence, the hostel is one of the best abode for students because of its security, proximity to the campus environment, affordability, and serene atmosphere.
With this renovation of the Hostel, there is the confidence that nothing can hinder the government, management, and all other state actors to redefine the image of this institution at large. With such great work worthy of adulation from the government of the Oyo State, management of this institution, the workers, Students’ Union and every other stakeholder who has made this institution’s hostel worthwhile, it’s indeed a great achievement.
Watch Out for Part 2… ORISUN AND UNITY HALL OF RESIDENCE
About The Author
I salute the government of Oyo state and the school management for this initiative and special commendation to New Jordan MD for his resolve to give back to his Alma mata. Nothing is too big to make the leaders of tomorrow comfortable while studying to aid effective learning. Otunba Seye Opatoki, could you please replicate this in other schools across the nation. To the students, facility management is key here and we must see this as our own. No destruction no matter the level of frustration.