By: Amidat Ahmad
Ever stepped into the corridors of the female hostels? Picture this: overflowing waste bins, dustbins surrounded by debris, and a pungent odor hanging in the air. What lies beyond these scenes of neglect?
“Despite efforts by hostel management to provide adequate waste disposal facilities, the lack of conscientious usage by student residents aggravates the problem,” said Layla[ Pseudonym] in an interview with this reporter.
The News Digest could report that a common sentiment of apathy towards maintaining cleanliness thrives at the female hostel. With many citing a lack of awareness and accountability as contributing factors.
“It’s like a cycle of neglect,” remarked Haneefah Idris, a 300-level student residing in I A Block. (one of UDUS’s female halls of residence)
“People throw their trash without a second thought, whether it falls in it or not, and soon enough, they care less. The bins are brimming and surrounded with dirt, attracting pests and causing a health hazard for everyone.” Haneefah further pointed.
Toilet Troubles
The state of the toilets paints a grim picture of the hygiene challenges faced by female residents. Despite regular cleaning schedules implemented by janitorial staff, the facilities often fall victim to misuse and neglect.
From clogged drains to unflushed toilets and littered floors, the toilets serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved sanitation practices.
Speaking with the News Digest Press, Gladys Dave, a second-year student expressed her dissatisfaction over the state of the hostels’ toilets.
In her words, “It’s disheartening to see the condition of the toilets deteriorate day by day,” She laments.
“We all share these facilities, yet some students show blatant disregard for basic cleanliness, making it unpleasant and unhygienic for everyone,” she concludes.
As the hostel environment and female toilets wallow in the cesspit of improper hygiene coupled with lackadaisical attitudes towards cleanliness, it becomes evident that addressing the issue of dirtiness and unhealthy living in female hostels requires a different approach.
Beyond merely addressing the symptoms, such as overflowing dustbins and unkempt toilets, there is a pressing need to tackle the underlying attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate these problems.
According to the World Health Organization(WHO),; exposure to air pollution is linked to oxidative stress and inflammation in human cells, which may lay a foundation for chronic diseases and cancer.
In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified air pollution as a human carcinogen. Mortality rates related to air pollution are a concern. Exposure to the air pollutant PM2.5 is associated with an increased risk of death.
Wikki Times, in a report published, data analysis on global air pollution is estimated to cause about 29% of lung cancer deaths, 43% of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) deaths, 25% of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) deaths, and 24% of stroke deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The research shows that the predominant causes of death associated with environmental risk factors include chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, enteric infections, diarrheal diseases, and communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases, which has resulted in approximately 800 thousand deaths and 26 million people living with Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per annum in Nigeria.
Further, the research revealed that Nigeria is ranked among the world’s first five and the largest country in Africa, with the top-most level of premature death associated with air pollution.
Editor’s Note: The lead of this report is in question format for it is a ( question lead), as it may appear unusual to our readers.