DONE AND DUSTED: TONY ELUMELU BRIDGE

By : Muneer Yaqub

It seems the mantra hasn’t changed. It has persisted, and has remained consistent in the last couple of weeks. The mantra of positive change, that which has sought to lend voice to the voiceless. The mantra of the physically challenged, our disabled colleagues on campus:

“The people spoke, my pen stroke; barriers broke.” Such is the mantra of relief.

So, I was informed today that the result of my agitations for my ‘friends on wheelchairs’ has finally manifested. That eventually, Tony Elumelu Pedestrian Bridge has been modified, in honor of my disabled colleagues.

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the anti-physically-challenged nature of the newly donated bridge. I expressed the ordeal of the disabled, as they ply the bridge with pains and agony. Unhappy, I confessed how much it saddens my heart, each time I see them in such situations.

Then breeze blew my words to the ears of Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Bank, the donor of the bridge.

He who had telephoned me the other time, to break the good news, also did today. The immediate past Students’ Union President, Comrade Idris Maibasira, had assured that the matter was being looked into. And today, he has called again to congratulate. The reconstruction has been done!

Impact it is, I’ve always wished to make in the society. Each time someone is oppressed, my emotions are whipped up. I’ve always loved to stand for the oppressed. To be the watchdog over the societal underdogs. To echo the weak voices of the victimized. Yet, it had never occurred to me that it could happen so soon. For what financial owndoms beget I, to support such a cause?

But could it be that with just a pen and a paper, one could turn the world around? That was all I had. Yet, it brought smiles to the sardonic faces of my physically challenged friends.

So, Maibasira was right afterall, when he said: “Congratulations, comrade; your pen has reconstructed a bridge.”

And at the sight of the modified bridge tonight, joyfully, I was moved to tears. It all had happened so fast. What could be more heartwarming? So, through the very little I’ve been blessed to have, I could still make a positive impact in the lives of others. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was so delighted.

Again, a big thanks to Mr. Tony Elumelu and his UBA for their humanitarian gesture. For hearkening to the cries of our disabled friends. For erasing one of their many sources of agonies around our campus. UDUS will never forget this. And forever will their spirits continue to pray for their benefactors.

As for my pen and I, the battle hasn’t ended. In fact, it has just begun. Not until all weak voices on this campus are intensified. Part of which is the plight of ‘fasting’ students across the campus hostels.

Fasting period it is. And Muslim students are really suffering from insufficient water supply. At ‘Sahur,’ there is always no water— the most essential of all their needs at this hour.

Although, they are glad the University lightens up their hostels with generators in cases of power shortage, at dawn. Yet, it is not complete without water at this crucial time. Maybe— just maybe— the authority could hear this, and hearken to it. For, it is the plight of all fasting students in the hostels.

Meanwhile, the Students’ Union which promised to avail fasting students with ice-blocks (also known as Kankara, in Hausa) at dusk, has suddenly stopped, barely after two days. Why?

After a long hot day of dehydration, the best form of welfarism students could get from the Students’ Union is no other than ‘Kankara,’ which has remained a very scarce commodity in various campus markets.

Could it have been a mere coincidence that the Sales Director of the Union earned a ticket into the office by virtue of his union-name: ‘Kankara’? Well, perhaps working by the philosophy of the name may salvage the situation of the fasting students.

Hopefully, I wish to see these people complete their Fast with ease and convenience, in spite of the hot unfavorable weather condition on campus.

In all, I deem it worthwhile to reinstate this here: As my pen speaks and the authority hear, it is my wish to, with the little I have, continue to put smiles on the faces of the disabled and the less privileged.

If you so wish, join me.

(First published on ‘Campus Journalists UDUS’ Facebook Page 24th May 2018)