When the renovation that transformed the Junior Common Room (JCR) of Independence Hall into a multi-million naira facility began, growing concerns emerged about the ultimate purpose of the project. These concerns came to a head during the plenary session of the Hall’s Legislative Council on Sunday, January 21, 2024, when Ogunremi Samuel (Psam), then Administrator General, was asked whether the renovation signaled an intention to privatize the space.
As reported by IndyPress, Psam unequivocally stated that “the newly renovated Junior Common Room, after commissioning, would still be open to all Katangites and (was) not aimed at being privatized.” In his words, “I also asked this question to our sponsors and they said clearly that the renovation was a gift to Katangites. The JCR would still be open for all Katangites. It is called a common room, where you can come to relax with your friends after a long day of hectic classes”. Yet, more than a year after the renovation, the situation has barely improved for the benefit of Katangites. Before the upgrade, the JCR was in a deplorable state and nearly unusable. During the renovation, it was completely inaccessible. And currently, despite a formal reopening by the Vice Chancellor, it remains, for the most part, out of use.
Common rooms across all halls of residence and hostels are inventions of institutional or social culture and architectural necessity. Common rooms are spaces available in residences for the joint use of residents for recreational purposes, depending on the amenities provided in such rooms. Accordingly, every hall on campus has common rooms, provided for this purpose and under the control, usage, and care of the students.
Common rooms were considered so important that, at some point in time, halls of residence had two common rooms; the Senior Common Room and the Junior Common Room. Both were used and taken care of by students or residents of the halls. Unfortunately, over time and due to a lack of administrative foresight, the Senior Common Rooms in most halls, particularly in Indy Hall, vanished as they were converted for other purposes. Ever since, virtually all halls have had to cram themselves into the small space of the Junior Common Rooms to charge devices, relax, read, and make use of other amenities within the JCR for their satisfaction.
Unfortunately for the members of the Great Independence Hall, the only common room that now exists is, as repeatedly stated, currently under consideration to be leased out beyond student use and into the hands of private individuals. No one needs even the slightest miracle of clairvoyance to know that this decision, one that leaves Katangites without a space for shared social development and access to communal amenities, is one that does not sit well with students and is clearly against Katangites’ welfare.
The mention of ‘anti-Katangites’ throws us back into the mouth of a much too familiar beast, that has, for months now, clawed at the welfare concerns of students at all levels. It is like the apocalyptic seven-headed beast from the sea, always charging towards whatever serves as a platform for students’ joy and welfare. Heritage Park? The decimation of the SUB field? Hostel overcrowding? Fee hikes? Duplicity of fees? Institutional aggression meted out to students? Power supply rationing? And now, for Katangites, the potential loss of a much-needed common room. The beast? Anti-student policies.
At the opening of the JCR, which took place on the 8th of February last year, one of the major financiers of the project, Mr. Victor Etuokwu, categorically stated that the JCR and its renovation were for the benefit of students. According to IndyPress’ report, Mr. Victor encouraged Katangites to “uphold proper maintenance” of the JCR. “Residents” not “externals”. His intention and that of others was as clear as day. They have back to the hall for the communal benefit of the residents. On the strength of that, it is only right to reject any proposal to scuttle the state-of-the-art common room from the benefit and accessibility of Katangites, or to reserve it for an aristocratic few. Its benefits and usage must be harnessed to serve the needs of Katangites, without any segregating factors.
Why should students be allowed to manage such an investment? Or why should such an investment be entrusted to students? The answer is quite obvious. One of the fundamental aims of our training as students is to evolve into excellent professionals and well-rounded human beings. Undeniably, one surefire way to achieve this is by providing students with opportunities through which they can test their mettle and gain experience for the real world.
In an editorial published by IndyPress on the 9th of December, 2024, titled “An Appreciation of the Great Independence Hall of Residence,” IndyPress emphasized that the comfort and welfare of students should guide the administration of any hall of residence. In this case, the Great Independence Hall – through the Hall Management, including the student leaders – must prioritize the welfare of Katangites. To put it more clearly, prioritizing the welfare of Katangites means the JCR must be preserved for the use and accessibility of Katangites and students.
