By: Sonaike Peter 

Some residents of Obafemi Awolowo Hall, University of Ibadan on Friday, 4th of October, 2024 have decried the entry of flood water in the hall, occasioned by heavy rainfall which began earlier in the day.

The flood water infiltrated student rooms in Block A axis of the hall, with its side effects on various items which include foodstuff, books, among other students belongings.

(A clip of the flood scene)

The hallway was still waterlogged as students tried to navigate their way around the state of the affected blocks as of the time of this report.

Students, prompted by the situation on the affected floors of the hall, were seen carrying mops and buckets, as they attempted to rid their rooms of water. They were seen moving packed flood water out of their rooms.

Speaking to a student who was busy tidying up her room, Wunmi (not her real name) explained that the situation had always persisted but could not as a result of the recent repair of the basement floor jointly shared by Blocks A and B in the hall.

‘’I went for a class and had to rush down when I heard what happened. There was water everywhere, all the bags were wet and I had to bring them out of the room,‘’ Wunmi said.

As a result of the flooding in Block A rooms, students have been forced by the situation to move their properties out of their rooms.

Speaking to IndyPress, another student noted that “water entered rooms, damaging books, clothes and foodstuff.” “I don’t even know where to start from,” she added.

A student who pleaded anonymity due to likely repression, explained that the possible cause of the flood was the bad drainage system in the hall, which was supposedly being fixed.

The student explained that as a result of the flood a lot of students were left displaced and that there were speculations that those affected were going to be relocated.

An attempt to get the Secretary of State to comment on the situation proved abortive as she claimed that she could not disclose any information to the press.

The University of Ibadan Students’ Union, through a release on Friday’s evening titled “Flooding at Awo Hall” has however empathized with affected students of the hall.

“The Students’ Union commiserates with the residents of Obafemi Awolowo Hall, particularly those in Blocks A, B, and C, who have been affected by the recent flooding caused by the heavy rainfall. We understand the distress this has caused and want to reassure the residents that the Union is actively involved in addressing the situation,” the Students’ Union release read.

“The Union has promptly reported the issue to the University Management who have directed appropriate Departments; Works and Maintenance Department and the University Student Lodgings Bureau (USLB) to intervene. These Departments will inspect the situation tomorrow and work towards finding a lasting solution.”

“In the meantime, the Hall Management of Obafemi Awolowo hall through the hall warden have approved temporary relocation of the affected students to other rooms and blocks. While efforts are underway to find lasting solution, we strongly urge all Awoites and Uites of other halls to avoid improper disposal of waste and clogging of drainage pipes to forestall future occurrence,” the release added.