16/11/2021
"It will settle in three days"
That is the typical bucket of water in Awolowo Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University.
As a fresh undergraduate student at the University, I was introduced to 'omi Omole' (Omole's water, named after the then Vice-chancellor). The distinctive feature of the water was the thick brown colour it had. Sadly, for most of my first year, I had to use satchel water to do most of the little cooking that I ever did. I was however compelled to use the water to take my bath, wash my clothes, and feeding materials.
Six years after that, we still have the same situation, sometimes even worse.
On some occasions, I have had cause to drink this water, especially when I have serious financial constraints. This is the story of many other students who have no other alternative than to use this disgusting 'thing' to fulfill their daily needs.
Incredible as it is, I can't remember having serious it itching, in reaction to the water. Although, this is the story of many of my neighbours.
Recently though, we discovered that there were some chemical components added to the water. Some called it chlorine, and said it was going to clear the water pretty soon. I was hopeful. However, the itching started, but I endured. I convinced myself that it was for a short while and I can go back to not reacting.
At some point this year, I changed my bathing soap several times; stopped using my towel; stopped sleeping on my bed; stopped using body lotion; stopped using any bathing soap - all because I refused to believe that I was reacting to the water. My best friend offered to buy me antiseptic, but I rebuffed the offer several times. My reasoning was that, as a final year student, "I have been using this kind of water for all these years, I shouldn't be affected". But I was, and still am. I don't have the words to even complain again.
We still use this water to do our cooking, take our bath, wash our clothes - Sadly, some drink this water (sometimes after boiling), but this is really bad.
Of course, this does not happen in the private hostels that makes a lot of money for their owners, both on and off campus. My friend (that offered the antiseptic) has lived in one of them for about five years. This doesn't happen there.
Boreholes were drilled recently, but the porters refuse to pump it regularly. I can't seem to understand why.
The reason for toxic water isn't much clear too. Sometimes, we hear that it is an issue from the dam. At other times, the excuse is that the pipes are rust. And other such excuses. But, six years seems long enough to fix all these issues.
People who stay in school hostel do that for all sorts of reasons. However, arguably the most common of those reasons is that, hostels in Federal Schools are for students from 'not so comfortable' families, and they have to minimise expenses. Yes, the cost of a bed space is very low, but the number of students in these hostels is large. We shouldn’t be subjected to this inhumane treatment simply because we came to the 'school for the masses' or worse, 'hostel for the disadvantaged'.
Government exists for the welfare of the people.
