By Waziri Isa Adam
Amidst lack of physical cash, electronic or sufficient commercial vehicles to commute those that are willing to travel to their various destinations, Students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who have been chased out of their hostels are presently stranded with no place to go to.
According to a circular signed by the University’s Accomodation Officer, Jamilu Wada, sent to all Hall Administrators, dated 21st February, 2023, and titled, “Closure of All Halls of Residence”, “This is to inform you that as a result of closure of the university for the conduct of the 2023 General Elections, all Halls of Residence shall be closed from Wednesday, 22 February, 2023, to Tuesday 14th, March, 2023”.
“You are therefore requested to ensure that all students that reside in the Halls of Residence vacate latest by 12:00 noon on Thursday 23rd, February, 2023.
But, unfortunately, most of the students who are presently stranded around the major gates of the university, and the university town – Samaru, owing to lack of money to travel with, or lack of vehicles to transport them to their various destinations, do not have places to go and hang.
Some of the students who are from the southern parts of Nigeria told Education Monitor that they actually wish to travel home, but, they don’t have enough transport money that can take them home.
Others faulted the University management for chasing them out of their hostels, just in the name of elections.
They described decision to chase them out of the hostels as unjust and unfair, because they are legitimate tenants who paid for one year accomodation, and therefore do not deserved to be treated as defaulted tenants, or, as those whose tenancy has expired, and they have continued to live in the hostels illegitimately.
