Tedder Hall: when the golden silence is broken

IT is a popular saying that you cannot beat a child and ask him not to cry. The same is the story of Tedderites, residents of Tedder Hall at the University of Ibadan, who for two weeks enjoyed watching light from afar, particularly from Kuti Hall until they dared the school authority in a commendable peaceful march to the office of the Dean of Students to register perceived injustice and discrimination in the distribution of power.

One need not ask what happens when the ‘king of gangsters’ came to town; of course, doom, anarchy, chaos and confusion will reign. But this time, the ‘king of gangster’ set the pace for peaceful engagement with university authorities.

In the past, Tedderites were considered the most notorious and dangerous group of students on campus, and all security apparatus was beefed in the hall.

The age-long silence of the hall, which is said to have birth campus cultism was taken for granted by giving other halls light for more than two weeks until residents marched on the authority to say ‘enough is enough’.

Their demands was well articulated and pressed home by the hall chairman. As expected, the school management acted swiftly to that.

However, it is yet unclear why the institution should be grappling with power problems. The gown is supposed to be a shining light to the town but it is most unfortunate that the town leads while the gown not only follows but doobale sheepishly.

There have been several rumours that the university owes PHCN and that is why power supply to the school has been erratic, but the veracity of this claim cannot be ascertained as the school is economical with information; of course where information is withheld, rumour thrives.

The importance of power cannot be over-emphasized, especially in an academic community where it is needed for research, reading and other academic activities. And in a situation whereby supply is erratic, the university purpose is defeated.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, should therefore find lasting solution to power failure before he vacates office if his good work is to be sustained.