Habeeb Olokooba reports
It was an unbearably hot Monday afternoon, when the hellish sun in the seat of Caliphate was at its apex. Jamiu Abdulrahman [pseudonym], a 400 level student of law, was returning back to his hostel after a very busy and exhausting day.
The concurrent result of both a hectic day and the boilable heat of dryness he felt in his throat had made him crave for a Fearless Energy drink [soft drink] at a SU shop along the history department.
Jamiu had narrated to The News Digest Press his ordeal—Having called at the SU shop to quench the thirst—making him feel the surge of anxiety.
“Maccedo, give me one fearless,” Jamiu Said. “He obliged but I was surprised when he returned the last 270 Naira I gave to him, insisting that the drink is now 300 naira. Confused as to what to do next, I collapsed into the plastic chair beside him. I knew my hopes were dashed, so deciding the next thing to do my brain was numbed off to decide.”
“I Felt Relieved in a Privately Owned Venture”—Jamiu
In response, Jamiu told the News Digest correspondent that he felt relieved not until he listened to the whisper in his brain to seek alternatives elsewhere after he could not meet his expectations at the Students Union shops which claim to give ultimate priority to the welfare of students.
Calling at a shop not far away after gaining some strength, he met this woman in her early fifties or late forties. “How much is your ‘Fearless’? My joy knew no bounds when she said “270,” said Jamiu.
“After a series of brainstorming sessions, a thought came to my mind, though sullen, but I decided I will give it a trial. If you are aware of the Students union shop around A classes, you will know that beside it, is a shop that sells virtually the same thing as the SU shop does at a low price. Said Jamiu after his hope was ruined at the SU shop.”
Jamiu stressed that he was happy that he got his thirst quenched, but at the same time, wasn’t happy that the SU shops that are supposed to cater for the students’ well being are the ones exploiting the students.
‘Hike In Price, A General Practice in SU Ventures
Jamiu in his words, maintained that this particular practice of selling things at high cost is not only restricted to Maccedo’s side as Abu SUG, a salesperson at another SU shop situated in Jubril Aminu hostel also adds unreasonable cost to commodities sold at the shop.
“Abu once asked me to pay 300 naira for Malt which everyone knows it’s sold for 250 naira.”
Raising interference, the ordeals of these victims have called the attention of this reporter to weigh in and launch an interview into the circumstance surrounding the hike in price of goods at SU shops— in order to verify the truthfulness of Jamiu story
“Abdullahi, how much is the “ fearless” drink,” this reporter asked?
“300,” replied Abdullahi.
However, Maccedo, a salesperson at SU shop at “A” classes venture, when asked as to why there is a difference of price even when there is an immediate shop that sells the same commodities, told the News Digest that things have cost.
“The shop is different, the people there are also different,” Maccedo said.
Like any other victim of the ordeal, Olaniyan Sodiq Adekola, a 300 level student of Education Biology student, narrated how he had been buying fish rolls worth 150 naira at the rate of 200 naira in the same shop for several weeks.
“I never doubted the price until the day I bought the same fish rolls at the school mini mart at the rate of 150 Naira. I used to think SU investments are fashioned for the comfort of the students, I was disappointed when I realized the SU is the one exploiting us,” said Sodiq.
“We will do something about it” – SU Vice-President
In an interview with Aminat Mahmud, a 300 level Education Biology student and the vice-president 1 to the SU president, she promised that the Students Union will investigate and make an amendment.
In her words: “Sincerely speaking I wasn’t aware of it, but thank God you let me know now.
So InshAllah we will do something about it. Because we’re here for students’ betterment not for our selfish interests,” The VP assured.
Speaking further, she stated that she is not in the best position to answer that though—nothing that the sales director should fit in giving response to such an interview.
“The Students Union Didn’t Direct Salespeople to Hike the Price” – SU Sales Director
Abdullah Rabiu, a 300 level Education Physics student and SU sales director, noted while responding to the interview that the students Union doesn’t direct any salesperson to hike the price of goods sold at the SU shops.
“ I apologized to the students of Usman Danfodio University in entirety as I promised to get the price difference eradicated. And I will implore the students of UDUS to be patient as we rectify the problem,” Rabiu noted.
He further stated that the students should behold that the students Union never intend to exploit them but rather to represent their interests.