By Habeeb Olokooba
Elation and self-fulfillment shines on the face of Usman Shaabah, a 400-level student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and an occupant of D Block.
With a bucket in his hand as he exist the toilet, everything indicates that Shaabah has discharged something has answered the call of nature.
But that was not the reason for feeling that so much relieved: the ability to flush out what he discharged in the toilet puts the smile on his face.
“I’m relieved because I was able to properly flush the toilet.”
Joshua Adoja, a 300-level student of Pure Chemistry and also an occupant of D Block added that,”This is what happens when you get enough water supply. You get to do everything rightly.”
“This has been the situation for years, even when other blocks run out of water. The block (D block) will have water to cater for basic needs for students.”
Block D is a unique part of the Jubril Aminu Halls of Residence and one of the two boys’ hostel located on Permanent Site in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Just like Shaabah and Joshua, Tumininu Adun, a 300-level student of Sociology bosts that D block used to be the most neatest of all the blocks back in the years. And not until recently when students even fall short in managing the hall.
“When I was in UG1, I was lucky to be awarded to the block. I do feel happy about the clean environment of my hostel,”he said.
Adding that,” The availability of water makes it easier for the maintenance of the hall of residence and toilet.”
A total of three taps are functioning at the block. A very rare provision which majority of other blocks cannot boast Aside the regular tank provided for general use for the hall and that of the tap provided for laundry. There is this tap provided just close to the toilet.
“This said tap (inner tap) has been of great help from time immemorial in ensuring that the toilet remains clean,” Isiaka Musa, a 400-level Adult Education student and Hall Governor said.
He recounted how well the hostel is doing and how useful the water is doing.
He however explained to The News Digest Press the challenges he has been facing in ensuring the environmental hygiene is up to standard.
“We intend to ensure that the casual workers come here to tidy up the environment. And have met with the maintenance officials in ensuring that they provide us with the regular amenities in order to enjoy life in the block.”
“However, students who didn’t clear their hostels are serving as the barrier in fulfilling this. As there were lots of occupants who are yet to clear their hostel and this is hindering maintenance from bringing the amenities,” he explained.
He further urged occupants to try and do their clearance so as to further promote the well being of the occupants of block D.
Personal Hygiene is Very Paramount_Expert
Ibraheem Olasunkanmi Qoseem,a medical laboratory scientist in an interview with the News Digest Press on the the ways of preventing mosquitoes in hostels said that students should stick with hygiene.
“The foremost important but often underrated measure is hygiene. Negligence among students regarding who to cut the bushes and who to clean the surroundings of a dirty environment that are breeding space for mosquitoes.”
“Cultivating a good practice of hygiene in the hostel is an effective measure to not only mitigate malaria but also other life-threatening diseases.”
I can attest to this. One of my course-mates was once an occupant in the block and during his time, I was used to using the opportunity to defecate in block D toilet.