By Emmanuel Maduka Nwazue
Governor Alex Otti, a few days ago, paid an unscheduled visit to the Abia State University, Uturu, where he met to his dismay, decrepit facilities which subject students to harsh learning conditions.
Good enough, the Governor, in his usual manner, made a commitment right there to change that ugly situation with definite promises— some of which were hinged on a three-month deadline.
Now, as he has made this commitment, which I know he will keep, there’s also the need for the students to commit to protection and better use of the facilities when provided. We cannot shy away from the fact that some students in our schools are badly behaved and very destructive too. Traits from the home front.
Apart from wear and tear, the deplorable state of those facilities that Gov Otti just inspected is almost 90 per cent man-made by adults who lack the minutest form of discipline, whether in personal or public hygiene. Some of the hostel toilets and urinaries bear witness to this.
Such attitudes are why private schools, including tertiary institutions, introduce caution fees upon enrollment. There’s a great need for reorientation amongst our students.
While Governor Alex Otti has taken the initiative to address the deplorable state of facilities at the university, the responsibility for maintaining these facilities does not rest solely on the government.
The university management has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the improvements made do not quickly deteriorate due to neglect, mismanagement, or lack of enforcement of discipline among students.
First, there must be a robust maintenance culture in place. The university management should develop a structured system for routine inspections and prompt repairs to prevent minor issues from escalating into major infrastructural decay. Creating a dedicated maintenance team with clear oversight functions can help sustain these improvements.
Secondly, policy enforcement is key. The university should set clear regulations on the use of public facilities, including hostels, classrooms, and restrooms. Disciplinary measures must be put in place for students who vandalise or misuse university property. A review of the caution fee system, if not already in place, could be considered to instil a sense of responsibility among students.
Furthermore, charity, they say, begins at home. There’s a need for parents to set their children aright from home and not become the destructive agents that some of them are. To help, the school should have the obligation to organise periodic sensitisation and reorientation programmes for these students.
Lastly, the university management must engage students in the process. Establishing student-led maintenance committees or feedback mechanisms can encourage a sense of ownership. When students feel involved, they are more likely to protect the facilities rather than contribute to their deterioration.
Governor Otti’s intervention is commendable, but without the active involvement of the university management and a commitment from the students, the cycle of decay may repeat itself. After all, there was a time when these dilapidated facilities were brand-new.
Now is the time for all stakeholders to take collective responsibility in ensuring that this anticipated turnaround would not just be temporary but a lasting transformation.
